Dear Holmes:

If in the early days of taking on this task, I was helpless and failed to provide you with much valuable information, then you should know that now, I am trying to find ways to make up for the wasted time.

Moreover, events are happening more frequently and more complexly around us now. At the end of my previous report, I ended with Barrymore standing at the window observing the swamp. If I am right

Well, today I have information that will surprise you. Things have changed beyond my expectation. In several ways, things have become a lot clearer in the past 48 hours; however,

From other aspects, it seems to have become more complicated. Now, I will tell you all the situations, and you can sort out and judge by yourself!

After I had discovered the strange incident connected with Barrymore, and before breakfast the next day, I went through the corridor and looked carefully into the room where he had been the night before. There was the west window through which Barrymore had looked intently out.

, I discovered the difference from the other windows in the room - this window opened towards the marsh, overlooking the marsh from here, and the closest; from here you can pass through the gap between two trees.

The entire marsh can be seen, but only a little bit can be seen in the distance from other windows. Therefore, I can infer that Barrymore must be looking for something or someone on the marsh. To achieve this purpose, the only way

This window was the most suitable. Because it was very dark that night, it was hard for me to imagine that he could find anyone. It suddenly occurred to me that this might be some kind of extramarital affair he was engaging in, which might explain his sneakiness.

The relationship between actions and his wife's sobs. He is a handsome man who can make country women fall in love with him, so my idea seems to have some basis. After I returned to my bedroom, I heard the sound of the lock opening again.

, it was very possible that he went out for an appointment. So the next morning, I started to investigate and deliberate carefully. Although the results proved that my suspicion seemed to be unreasonable, I still wanted to report my suspicion to you.

Whatever the explanation for Barrymore's strange behavior, it was a heavy burden on me to keep silent until I knew it. So I told Sir Henry the situation after breakfast when I went to his study. But

After hearing this, he was not as surprised as I thought.

"I have known for a long time that Barrymore moves about at night, and I have wanted to talk to him about it," he said. "On at least three occasions I heard his footsteps walking up and down the corridor at exactly the time you mentioned.

That’s pretty much it.”

"So, maybe he goes to that window every night?" I said.

"Perhaps so. If so, we can follow him and see what he is doing. I really can't guess what Mr. Holmes would do if he were here."

"I am sure he will take the positive action you suggest," I said. "Holmes will follow Barrymore and see what he does."

"Then let's do it together!"

"But Barrymore will probably hear what we're doing."

"Barrymore is a little deaf, and, no matter what, we must seize this opportunity. We will sit together in my bedroom tonight and wait for him to make his move." Sir Henry rubbed his hands excitedly. It was obvious that he liked this kind of thing. Taking risks to relieve the loneliness of his life in the swamp.

Sir Henry has been in contact with the architect who had drawn up the plans for Sir Charles, the builders from London, the decorators and furniture merchants from Primoth, so it may not be long before we see this Earth-shaking changes had taken place. It was obvious that our young friend had big dreams and was determined to work hard and restore the reputation of his ancient family at any cost. After the villa was repaired, refreshed and rearranged , all that is needed is a mistress. From certain indications, we can clearly see that this can easily be achieved if Miss Stapleton is willing. Sir Henry's obsession with the beautiful female neighbor, It is something I rarely see among other men. However, under the current circumstances, the progress of their love is not as smooth as I expected. For example, the calm surface of the sea of ​​love is unexpected today The waves were disrupted and caused great trouble to our young friend.

After Sir Henry had finished talking to me, he put on his hat and prepared to go out, and, of course, I prepared to go out.

"Doctor Watson, are you going out too?" he asked, looking at me strangely.

"That depends on whether you want to go to the swamp." I said.

"Yes, I'm going to the swamp," he said.

"Oh, you know that I have received instructions from Holmes. I'm sorry that I have hindered you, but you have also heard how Holmes solemnly insisted that I should not leave you, especially that you should not go to the swamp alone. Go."

Sir Henry, with a smile on his face, touched my shoulder. "My dear friend!" Wonderful things. Doctor Watson, do you understand what I mean? I believe that you will never be willing to be a person who hinders the good things of others. I must go out on my own!"

This incident put me in a very difficult position. I didn't know what to say to him or what to do. Before I could make up my mind, our young friend had already picked up his cane and went out.

After I have reconsidered the matter, I have a pang of conscience, and if, as I imagine, something bad should happen to me if I have allowed Sir Henry to leave my protection, I must not I will not come back to you to confess to you. To be honest, when I thought of this, my face turned red. Maybe it was not too late to chase our young friend, so I immediately headed towards Merripit Stapleton Set off in the direction of my residence.

I hurriedly chased him along the road as fast as I could. It wasn't until I reached the fork of the swamp trail that I saw our young friend there. Because I was afraid of taking the wrong path, I climbed up first. I climbed a small hillside, and from the hillside, I could look down at everything.

It was the hill which cut into the gloomy quarry. From there I immediately sighted Sir Henry, walking along the moor path, about a quarter of a mile from me, with a woman by his side, besides Sir Henry. Who else could it be besides Miss Templeton? It was obvious that there was a tacit understanding between the young man and woman and they had agreed to meet. They walked slowly side by side while whispering closely. I saw, Miss Stapleton made decisive gestures with her hands, as if she meant what she said; Sir Henry listened attentively, and once or twice shook his head as if he could not agree. I stood. Looking at the two of them among the rocks, I was not sure what to do next. It would be obviously absurd to follow them and interrupt their intimate conversation, and my duty required that Sir Henry should be in my sight at all times. Nai. Oh, tracking people is really a hateful job. Even so, besides observing him from the hillside and explaining it to him afterwards for peace of mind, is there any better way for me to do it? Indeed, if there was a sudden incident at that time, The danger threatens him. I am too far away from him and there is no time to help. But I believe that you and I must be in the same opinion. In such an embarrassing situation, action is difficult, and there is nothing I can do anymore. There are other good ways.

Sir Henry and Miss Stapleton stopped again, standing there talking attentively. Suddenly, I discovered that I was not the only one following their date. I saw a green thing at a glance.

Moving in the air, and taking a closer look, it became clear that the green thing was mounted on the top of a pole, and the person holding the pole was walking on the uneven road. It turned out that it was Stapleton holding his

Butterfly net. He was much closer to the young people than I was, and he walked quickly in their direction. At this moment, Sir Henry suddenly pulled Miss Stapleton close to him, put his arms around her, and she

Then I tried to free myself from his arms, and her face was hidden to the side. He lowered his head to face her, but she raised a hand in protest. Then I found that they jumped and separated, and they were in a panic.

Turning around, it turned out that Stapleton had disturbed the good things of the young people. He ran towards the young people wildly, the butterfly net swinging behind him. He was angry in front of the young people.

I had to stamp my feet and wave, but I couldn’t imagine what his intention was at first. Upon closer inspection, Stapleton seemed to be scolding Sir Henry. Sir Henry explained, but Stapleton not only refused to accept it, but also became

He was furious, while his sister stood proudly and silently beside him. Finally, Stapleton turned around and waved to his sister imperiously. After she looked at Sir Henry with some hesitation, she said:

Her brother left together. Stapleton's gesture showed that he was equally displeased with his sister. Sir Henry stood for a short time looking after them, and then walked slowly back along the way. He bowed his head

He shook his head and looked very depressed.

I didn’t know what was going on, but I felt deeply ashamed that I had no choice but to spy on the intimate scene of the young couple. I ran down the hillside and met Sir Henry at the foot of the hill.

His face was red with anger and his eyebrows were furrowed, like a man who was exhausted and at a loss.

"God! Doctor Watson, where did you fall from?" he said, "Did you actually follow me here?"

I explained to him how I felt I couldn't stay home alone, how I tracked him, and how I saw everything that happened.

The young baronet looked at me with angry eyes for a long time. Finally, my confession diluted his anger, and he let out a somewhat disappointed laugh.

"Originally, I thought that the center of the plain was a good place that was hard to find!" he said, "but, God! It seemed like the whole town came to see my proposal - and it was such a bad proposal.

!Where is your location?"

"On that hillside."

"It turns out that you are sitting far away in the back row! However, her brother ran to the front row. Did you see him chasing us?"

"Yes, I saw it."

"Did you see him acting crazy - her good brother?" "I didn't see that."

"I want to say that he was not crazy at all. Until today, I always thought that he was a sane person. However, please believe me, it is either me or him. There is always one to wear.

A straitjacket for tying up a madman. But what’s wrong with me? You’ve been with me for a few weeks now, Dr. Watson, and tell me frankly, what’s wrong with me that makes me incompetent for the woman I love?

Where is your good husband?"

"In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with you."

"Her brother will not resent my social status. Therefore, he must hate me because of my major flaws. What flaws do I have that he can object to? Among the people I have known in this life, whether

I have never offended a woman or a man easily, but her brother almost refused to allow me to touch her fingertips."

"Did Mr. Stapleton say anything like that?"

Such a case? Much more than that! Let me tell you, Dr. Watson, although Belial and I have only known each other for a few weeks, from the beginning, I felt as if she was created by God for me;

And she thought so too - she felt very happy when she was with me. I swear to God that a woman's eyes are more powerful than her words. But her brother never let us be alone together.

Only today was the first time I had the opportunity to talk to Beilier alone. She was very happy to date me, but after meeting me, she was unwilling to talk about the love between her and me. She repeatedly

Repeat, this is a dangerous place, and she will never be happy unless I get out of here.

I told Belle: Ever since I met her, I am no longer in a hurry to leave here. If she really wants me to leave, the only way is for her to leave with me.

I said a lot of words and proposed to Belial, but before she could answer, her brother ran towards us, looking like a madman. His face turned pale with anger, and his light-colored eyes

Anger also aroused. He asked me what happened to Belial, how could I do something to make her unhappy? Do I think that because I think I am a baronet with a high status, I can do whatever I want? If he is not her brother,

I had no difficulty at all in dealing with him. At that time, I only told her brother that I was not ashamed of my love with Beilier, and that I also hoped that I could be her husband. I spoke like this

It didn't make the situation any better, so I started to get angry later. When I answered his question, I might have gone too far because Beilier was still standing nearby! You have also seen the ending, Beilier and

Her brother left with her, and I was simply bewildered. Dr. Watson, if you could tell me what was going on, I would be very grateful to you.

At that time, although I tried to put forward my own explanation, to be honest, even I did not really understand the reason. In terms of Sir Henry's property, identity, age, appearance and character, his courtship

The conditions are all the best. Apart from the misfortunes surrounding his family, I can't find any flaws that are disadvantageous to him. What is surprising is that the brother did not consider his sister's wishes at all and treated her.

The pursuer gave such a rude rejection. Miss Stapleton actually made no protest in this situation.

In the afternoon of the same day, Stapleton came to apologize in person, which put all the speculations in Sir Henry's and my mind to rest. He came to apologize for his bad attitude in the morning. In Sir Henry's study, the two of them

After a long meeting, the emotional rift was ironed out, and the results can be seen in our decision to go to Merripit for dinner next week.

Sir Henry explained to me after Stapleton had left.

"I'm not saying that he is not crazy now," he said. "I will never forget the look in his eyes when he ran towards me and Belle this morning. But I have to admit that no one can apologize like this.

He is so perfect and leaves no trace."

"Has he ever given any explanation for his behavior this morning?"

He said that Belial was everything in his life. This was a natural thing, and I was very happy that he valued Belial so much. The brother and sister had always lived together, and as he said, they

He is a person who is afraid of loneliness. Only Bei Lier is there to comfort him, so when he thinks about losing her, he feels very scared.

"He said that he had not originally thought that I had fallen in love with Belial, but when he witnessed the fact with his own eyes and felt that I might have snatched my sister away from him, he was so shocked that he

He could no longer take responsibility for his words and deeds. He felt very sorry for what happened in the morning, and he also realized that he had tied the life of a beautiful woman like Belial to him for the sake of personal feelings. This was so

Ignorance and selfishness. If Belial had to leave him, he would be willing to marry her to a neighbor like me, rather than marry his sister to someone else. But no matter what, it is a heavy burden for him.

It's a blow, so he still needs some time to mentally prepare for this thing to happen. If I agree to put this matter aside temporarily in the next quarter, during this period I will just cultivate and cultivate my relationship with Beilier.

If he wants her friendship without asking for her love, he will no longer object. On this point, I agreed, and the matter was settled."

In a series of small mysteries, we figured out a solution. Just like when we were struggling desperately in the swamp, we hit the bottom somewhere. Now we understand why Stapleton

So disgusted was he with his sister's suitor, even a most advantaged man like Sir Henry.

Now I turn to another clue drawn out of the confusion. This is the secret of the sobs that night, and of Mrs. Barrymore's tear-stained face, and of her husband's going to the west window.
To be continued...