The Stapletons of Merripit House

           ThefreshbeautyofthefollowingmorningdidsomethingtoeffacefromourmindsthegrimandgrayimpressionwhichhadbeenleftuponbothofusbyourfirstexperienceofBaskervilleHall. AsSirHenryandIsatatbreakfastthesunlightfloodedinthroughthehighmullionedwindows,throwingwaterypatchesofcolourfromthecoatsofarmswhichcoveredthem. Thedarkpanellingglowedlikebronzeinthegoldenrays,anditwashardtorealizethatthiswasindeedthechamberwhichhadstrucksuchagloomintooursoulsupontheeveningbefore. 

           "Iguessitisourselvesandnotthehousethatwehavetoblame! "saidthebaronet. "Weweretiredwithourjourneyandchilledbyourdrive,sowetookagrayviewoftheplace. Nowwearefreshandwell,soitisallcheerfuloncemore." 

           "Andyetitwasnotentirelyaquestionofimagination,"Ianswered. "Didyou,forexample,happentohearsomeone,awomanIthink,sobbinginthenight?" 

           "Thatiscurious,forIdidwhenIwashalfasleepfancythatIheardsomethingofthesort. Iwaitedquiteatime,buttherewasnomoreofit,soIconcludedthatitwasalladream." 

           "Ihearditdistinctly,andIamsurethatitwasreallythesobofawoman." 

           "Wemustaskaboutthisrightaway. "HerangthebellandaskedBarrymorewhetherhecouldaccountforourexperience. Itseemedtomethatthepallidfeaturesofthebutlerturnedashadepalerstillashelistenedtohismaster’squestion. 

           "Thereareonlytwowomeninthehouse,SirHenry,"heanswered. "Oneisthescullery-maid,whosleepsintheotherwing.