Then he dashed in wild pursuit amid the stream of the traffic, but the start was too great, and already the cab was out of sight.
Holmes and Watson go into a nearby messenger office and employ Cartwright, a young boy who works there, to go about to the twenty-three hotels
in the area and bribe the employees so he can look through the wastepaper, looking for a cut up copy of the Times.
3.3 The Analysis of Climax
In a story, the climax is a point when the events in the story gather greatest intensity, thus leading to a conclusion. Usually, after the climax, the story moves
of to a logical conclusion, thus resolving whatever conflict had been introduced. The climax of a story refers to the point where the reader knows who wins in the
conflict. It is said to be the most exciting part of a story although sometimes that is not the case. In the climax of a story, the reader or audience is able to know
who between the protagonist and antagonist wins. The man who has returned to the hut is none other than Sherlock Holmes,
who, spotting the remains of Watson’s discarded cigarette outside, knew Watson had discovered his hideaway. The detective has been staying at the moor in secret,
having Watson’s reports forwarded there and using Cartwright to get additional information and supplies. Though Watson is initially upset over the deception, he
realizes that there have been certain advantages to maintaining secrecy and the wound is further healed when Holmes tells him that his reports have been of great
value.
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And then at last I heard him. Far away came the sharp clink of a boot striking upon a stone. Then another and yet another, coming nearer
and nearer. I shrank back into the darkest corner and cocked the pistol in my pocket, determined not to discover myself until I had an
opportunity of seeing something of the stranger. There was a long pause which showed that he had stopped. Then once more the
footsteps approached and a shadow fell across the opening of the hut. It is a lovely evening, my dear Watson, said a well-known voice. I
really think that you will be more comfortable outside than in.
As Watson is about to return to the Hall, a horrible scream fills the air again and again. Another sound can be made out as well, that of the pursuing
hound. Then with a thud, all is quiet again.
Watson and Holmes continue running, fearing they are too late to save Sir Henry. Indeed, when they do discover the twisted body on the rocks, the man is
clothed in the same tweed suit that Sir Henry had been wearing that first day they had met. They vow revenge on the cruel Stapleton. The deep regret they both feel
is then suddenly lifted, as Holmes realizes that the dead man before them has a beard and is in fact Selden. Barrymore had passed on some of Sir Henry’s old
clothes to help Selden escape and the hound had been tracking the scent that matched the old boot stolen at the hotel.
With feverish haste we had turned the body over, and that dripping beard was pointing up to the cold, clear moon. There could be no
doubt about the beetling forehead, the sunken animal eyes. It was indeed the same face which had glared upon me in the light of the
candle from over the rock -- the face of Selden, the criminal. They are about to carry the body into one of the abandoned houses for the
time being when Stapleton appears. He tries to hide his surprise that the body is not Sir Henry’s, claiming that he only thought it might be because the baronet had
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not shown up at the Merripit House. They claim not to have heard the hound and attribute Selden’s death to insanity from the pressure of remaining hidden.
Holmes also uses the opportunity to pretend that he will be returning to London the next day. They then go their separate ways, Holmes going with Watson back
to the Hall. We heard nothing of the kind, said I.
And what is your theory of this poor fellows death? I have no doubt that anxiety and exposure have driven him off his
head. He has rushed about the moor in a crazy state and eventually fallen over here and broken his neck.
That seems the most reasonable theory, said Stapleton, and he gave a sigh which I took to indicate his relief. What do you think about it,
Mr. Sherlock Holmes? My friend bowed his compliments.
You are quick at identification, said he. We have been expecting you in these parts since Dr. Watson came
down. You are in time to see a tragedy. Yes, indeed. I have no doubt that my friends explanation will cover
the facts. I will take an unpleasant remembrance back to London with me to-morrow.
Oh, you return to-morrow? That is my intention.
3.4 The Analysis of Falling Action
