"We are finally going to catch him!" my partner said as we walked through the swamp. "This guy, his nerves are so strong! When he discovered that his conspiracy had killed the wrong person,

He was so calm in the face of a situation that should have astonished him. I told you in London, Watson, and I repeat to you now, we have never met a more worthy person.

A worthy opponent!"

"I feel very sorry that this guy actually saw you." "I felt the same way at first, but there is nothing I can do about it."

"Now that he knows you are here, how do you think his plan will change?"

"It may make him more cautious, or it may prompt him to immediately take desperate measures. Like many highly intelligent criminals, he may overly believe in his own intelligence and imagine that he has taken us

It was deceived."

"Why don't we notify the police immediately to arrest him?"

"Dear Watson, you are by nature a person who is eager to take decisive action. Your instinct always prompts you to do something quickly. We can discuss it and assume that we arrest him tonight, but

What benefit does this do to us? We can't prove a single bit of the facts that are detrimental to him. There are devil-like cunning methods here. If he uses someone to commit the crime, we can still find some evidence, but if we pull out a

The arrival of a demon dog will not be of any help to our plan of putting a rope around its master's neck."

"We definitely have evidence!"

"What evidence? Not even a shadow - our so-called evidence is currently just some speculation and conjecture. If all we have is such a story and legend, and such incredible 'evidence', then we will be criticized by others.

It’s a joke in court.”

"Isn't the violent death of Sir Charles proof of that?"

"There are no wounds on his body. Although we all know that he was 100% scared to death, and we also know who scared him to death, but how do we make the twelve jurors believe it? Where is the magic dog?

Where are the traces of its dog teeth? Of course we know that the devil dog will not bite the dead body, and Sir Charles died violently before the beast caught up with him. All these must be proved.

It's possible, but it's not possible at the moment."

"So, what happened tonight can't prove anything?"

"Tonight, the situation is not much better. Similar to the violent death of Sir Charles, there is no direct connection between the death of the devil dog and Seldan. We did not see the devil dog, although we heard about it

Its roar does not prove that it chased the deceased. It is completely unprovoked. No, dear Watson, we must admit the fact that we have not yet reached a complete and reasonable conclusion on this case.

All risky actions that can lead to reasonable conclusions are worthy of our bold attempts."

"How do you think we should act?"

"I have high expectations for the help I can provide Laura Lyon. The important thing is that we tell her the truth clearly. In addition, I have my own plans. Just worry about today, why worry about tomorrow?

What a worry! However, I hope we can gain the upper hand tomorrow."

I could ask no more questions from Holmes, who walked along lost in his associations before we returned to the gate of Bathcowell Hall.

"Dear Holmes, do you want to go into the manor too?" I asked.

"Yes, I see, I don't have any reason to hide anymore. However, one last sentence, Watson, don't talk about that beast to Sir Henry, just let him tell the cause of Seldan's death.

Think of what Stapleton wants us to believe. In this way, he can face the suffering he must endure with a stronger willpower. If I remember your report correctly, he has made an appointment to go to Stapleton tomorrow.

Went to have dinner with the Purtons."

"They also made an appointment with me."

"Then, you must find a way to decline. Sir Henry must go to the appointment alone, so that it will be easier for me to arrange it. Now, if we have passed the dinner time, I think we can have a midnight snack."

The baronet was more delighted than surprised to see Holmes, for he had long been earnestly hoping that recent events would induce my companion to come here from London. But when

When he found that Holmes had neither brought any luggage nor explained the reason why he did not bring any luggage, he expressed surprise and suspicion.

Holmes and I soon satisfied part of his curiosity, and, as we had a very late supper, I told him as much as I could of Sir Henry's knowledge of our encounter. In addition,

I also took on the responsibility of informing the Barrymores about Seldan's death. For Barrymore, Seldan's death may have been a comforting thing, but after his wife heard about it, she was very worried.

She took off her apron and burst into tears. To people all over the world, Seldan was a ferocious, wild, semi-demon and heinous person. However, in her mind, Seldan was always a child.

She was playing with her, the naughty and lively child who held her hand tightly.

"Since Dr. Watson left in the morning, I have stayed at home and felt very lonely and depressed all day long." Sir Henry said, "I think I should be praised! I have kept my oath. If I had not said

Having sworn never to go out alone, I might, perhaps, have a pleasant evening, for I had a letter from Stapleton, asking me to come to them."

"I believe that if you really go to the appointment, you will indeed have a pleasant night." My partner said coldly, "However, we thought that you had fallen to death and were very sad. I don't think you will

Will you feel happy knowing this?"

The baronet opened his eyes wide and asked in surprise: "You think I fell to death? What happened?"

"That poor Seer is wearing your clothes. I'm afraid it was given to him by your supervisor! Maybe the police will come to trouble your supervisor."

"No, as far as I know, there are no marks on those clothes." "Then Barrymore is really lucky - actually you are all lucky. In this matter, as far as the law is concerned, you have all committed a crime.

As an impartial detective, I am almost certain that my first responsibility is to arrest you. Watson's report is the most powerful evidence to convict you."

"How is our case?" asked Sir Henry. "Mr. Holmes, have you found any clue in this tangled mess? It seems to me that Dr. Watson and I have not been very different since our arrival here."

How smart."

"I think that soon I will be able to get a clearer picture of the situation. This is an extremely difficult and most complex case. At the moment, there are still a few things that I don't understand - but they will be clarified soon.

Already."

"Dr. Watson and I met once. He must have told you before. In the swamp, we heard the roar of the devil-like hunting dog. So, I dare to swear that it is definitely not superstition. In America

I had a dog for a while in the West, and I can tell right away. If you can put a chain on this beast and put a halter on it, I will admit that you are the best detective in the world."

"I think as long as I have your help, I will be able to put a chain on this devil dog and put on a halter."

"Whatever you tell me to do, I will do it."

"Very well. I ask you to do as you are told, without asking why."

"I will definitely listen to you."

"As long as you do this, I think our little problem will be solved soon. I believe..."

Holmes suddenly stopped talking and stared intently at the area above my head. The light shone on his face, so concentrated, so serene and tranquil, that it almost looked like a sharp-cut statue of ancient standards--the face of witty hope.

incarnation.

"What are you looking at?" The baronet and I both stood up.

When Holmes looked down, I could see that he was controlling his inner excitement. Although his expression was still calm and a little cold, his eyes shone with pleasure.

"Excuse me for being such a connoisseur," said my companion, pointing to a row of portraits that covered the wall opposite. "Watson will not admit that I understand art, but that is just his appreciation of me.

It's just jealousy. He and I always have different opinions on a work. Oh, these portraits are so well painted!"

"I am so glad you say so!" said the baronet, looking at my companion with astonishment, "but I dare not pretend to be an expert in these works. I compare them with horses or steers.

You know a lot about painting. Mr. Holmes, I didn't know you had time to study these things."

"I can tell at a glance what is good about a painting. I saw it, and I could have sworn that it was a portrait by Lehrer, the portrait of the woman over there in the blue silk dress; and that

The portrait of the fat gentleman wearing a wig must be the work of Renoci. Sir Henry, I think these should be the portraits of your ancestors."

"Yes, all of them."

"Do you know all the names?"

"Barrymore told me carefully, and I think I remember it well."

"Who is that gentleman with the telescope?"

"That was a Rear-Admiral who served under Rodney in the West Indies. The man in the blue coat and holding a roll of paper is Sir William, who was Chairman of the Committee of the House of Commons during Pitt's Prime Ministership."

"Where's the knight opposite me—the one with the ribbon and the black velvet cloak?"

"Oh, you have heard of him a long time ago - he is the immoral Hugo. He is the source of my family's misfortune. It is from him that the story of Bascoville's devil dog begins. We are certainly not

I will forget him."

I also looked at the portrait of Hugo with great interest and some surprise.

"My God!" said my companion, "he appears to be a kindly and gentle man, but I dare say there is a hint of violence in his eyes. I have imagined him to be a

There are people who are more rough and cruel!"

"The authenticity of this portrait cannot be doubted because the name and date '1647' are written on the reverse side of the canvas!"

My companion said no more, but he seemed possessed by Hugo's portrait of the old drunkard, and during his supper his eyes continued to stare at it until the baronet returned to his own chamber.

Only after I went there did I understand Holmes's thoughts. My companion took me back to the banquet hall. The candle he held in his hand was raised high, reflecting the darkened portrait hanging on the wall due to age.

"Can you spot anything on the portrait?"

I looked at the wide-brimmed hat with feathers on the portrait of Hugo, the fringe of hair curled around the forehead, and the white lace on the collar. All these set off the serious face in the middle. Although it cannot be said to be violent, but

It also looked vulgar, cold, and severe. Hugo's lips were thin, his mouth was tightly closed, and his eyes looked cold and stubborn.

"Does it look like someone you know?"

"The chin bears some resemblance to Sir Henry."

"Perhaps a bit like Sir Henry. Just wait a moment!" Holmes stood on a chair, holding a candle in his left hand, and his right arm was bent to cover his wide-brimmed hat and long hair curlers.

"God!" I cried in surprise.
To be continued...