hound of the baskervilles characters

Main Characters
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A brilliant London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve difficult cases.

Dr. Watson is a character in the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Watson is Sherlock Holmes's assistant and flatmate, and is the first person narrator of all but four stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon.

The Baskerville Family
Sir Hugo Baskerville is a wicked man who kidnapped a yeoman's daughter. He and his friends dragged her to Baskerville Hall where they locked her in the tower. While he was having dinner with his guests, the girl escaped. Once it was discovered that she was missing, Hugo Baskerville sent dogs to retrieve her. The guests ran to stop him, once they found out what he was intending. Yet, when they got to the woods they found that he had already killed her. However, he was also dead. A giant black hound was found tearing his throat. That is how the Curse of the Baskervilles began.

Sir Charles Baskerville is a descendant that has information about what happen on the night that the Yeoman's daugther and Hugo Baskerville are found dead.

Sir Henry Baskerville was the uncle of Sir Charles Baskerville.

Jack Stapleton - A bookish-looking former schoolmaster, Stapleton chases butterflies on the moors and pursues antiquarian interests, Outwardly a polite gentleman, he inwardly possesses a hot temper which reveals itself at key moments. It transpires that Stapleton—in reality a long-lost relative of Sir Henry's who stands to inherit the Baskerville fortune—is a scheming, manipulative and money-hungry criminal that Holmes and Watson come to respect and fear.

Minor Characters
Dr. Mortimer - A medical practitioner and friend of the Baskervilles. Mortimer is tall, thin and good-natured with rather eccentric habits. He is, nonetheless, a competent country doctor who was made the executor of Sir Charles' will. He sets the book's plot in train by traveling to London to inform Holmes and Watson about the strange events surrounding Sir Charles' demise, and alerting them to the dangerous situation that Sir Henry now faces as Sir Charles' heir. Mortimer continues to assist Holmes and Watson in their twin roles as investigators/bodyguards until the conclusion of the case.

Beryl Stapleton - Allegedly Stapleton's sister, this dusky Latin beauty turns out to be his wife. Eager to prevent another death but terrified of her violent spouse, she provides enigmatic warnings to Sir Henry and Watson.

The Barrymores
Mr. John & Mrs. Eliza
The longtime domestic help of the Baskerville clan. Earnest and eager to please, the portly Mrs. Barrymore and her gaunt husband figure as a kind of red herring for the detectives, in league with their convict brother but ultimately no more suspicious than Sir Henry.
Selden - An escaped killer.

Laura Lyons - A local young woman. Laura Lyons is the beautiful brunette daughter of "Frankland the crank," the local litigator who disowned her when she married against his will. Subsequently abandoned by her husband, the credulous Laura turns to Mr. Stapleton and Charles for help.

Mr. Frankland - Laura's father. Frankland is a man who likes to sue, a sort of comic relief with a chip on his shoulder about every infringement on what he sees as his rights. Villainized due to his one-time harsh treatment of Laura, Frankland is for the most part a laughable jester in the context of this story.

hound of the baskervilles quiz

hound of the baskervilles quiz
Who's who in the story
Fill in the correct names from the boxes below. Some names may appear more than once.
1. The visitor who forgot his walking stick at the Baker Street house was __________.
2. The famous detective's name is __________.
3. The detective's best friend is called __________.
4. It is possible that __________ did not die of a heart attack but was frightened to death.
5. Sir Henry came down to Dartmoor with __________ and __________.
6. Laura Lyons is the daughter of __________.
7. Laura tried to divorce her husband so she could marry __________.
8. The beautiful woman who was born in Costa Rice was __________.
9. The tall stranger on the moor was really __________.
10. __________, the escaped convict, was Mrs. Barrymore's brother.
11. When __________ heard about his death, she cried bitterly.
12. The picture on the wall showed the wicked __________.
13. Sherlock Holmes told __________ that he would enjoy the night air on the moor.
14. Sherlock Holmes told __________ to do as he was told and not to ask any questions.
15. __________ agreed to walk home alone, but he was very shocked when the terrible hound came out of the fog and chased him.
16. __________ had a hiding place for his hound on Grimpen Mire.

Circle the correct answer
1.Sir Henry was sir Charles's:
a. son
b. grandson
c. nephew

2.The Grimpen Mire is:
a. a dangerous bog
b. a nature reserve
c. a village near Baskerville Hall

3.Merripit House is the home of:
a. Dr. Mortimer
b. Mr. Frankland
c. Mr. Stapleton

4.Dr. Mortimer is:
a. old
b. young
c. middle-aged

5.Sir Charles believed the legend because:
a. many people in his family had died strangely
b. he liked supernatural stories
c. he was afraid of large black dogs

6. Hugo Baskerville of the legend was known to be:
a. good
b. wicked
c. innocent

7. Hugo's death was:
a. expected
b. natural
c. supernatural

8. Sir Charles's last steps were on tiptoe because:
a. he was exercising
b. he was running for his life
c. he didn't want to make any noise

9. Sir Charles's death was:
a. natural
b. supernatural
c. a case of murder

Hound of the baskervilles summary

Supernatural death or clever crime? Detective Sherlock Holmes is faced with the mystery of sir Charles Baskerville's death. Sir Charles died in the garden of his house on Dartmoor. No marks were found on the body but tracks of a huge dog were seen nearby. There is talk of a family curse, of a host known as the hound of the baskervilles, and rumors of a terrifying animal that has been seen roaming the moor at night.

The Complete Story

Chapter 16
The Complete Story
on a cold, foggy November night Holmes and I discussed the Baskerville case in his Baker Street home.
"I heard the whole story from Mrs. Stapleton," said Holmes. "People thought that Rodger Baskerville, the younger brother of sir Charles, had died unmarried in South America. This was incorrect. Stapleton was Rodger's only son, and was also called Rodger. The son married Beryl Garcia, a beautiful woman from Costa Rica.
"The Rodger and Beryl went back to England, changed their names to Vandeleur and opened a school. When the school closed down, Vandeleur changed his name to Stapleton and moved to Dartmoor. He knew that it was heir to the Baskerville fortune, after Sir Charles and Sir Henry. In Dartmoor he said that his wife was his sister. After he heard about the legend of the hound from Sir Charles, he bought a huge dog in London and took it to Dartmoor. He let the animal out only after dark. Soon he found a hiding-place for the hound in Grimpen Mire. Killing Sir Charles was a problem. as he would not go out at night. But after Stapleton asked Laura Lyons to marry him, she was willing to do anything he said. He made her write a letter asking Sir Charles to meet her in Yew Alley the night before he left for London. After she sent the letter, Stapleton told her not to go.
"That evening, Stapleton took the hound near the fate of the Yew Alley.
After he put phosphorus on it, it was very frightening. It jumped over the gate and chased Sir Charles. As he tried to escape, he fell dead from a heart attack. The hound ran on the grass by the path and so left no footprints. But when it came near to smell the body, it left the marks that Dr. Mortimer saw. Stapleton then took away his hound.
"As for Sir Henry, Stapleton first wanted to kill him in London. He brought his wide along and locked her in the hotel room. He disguised himself, and later followed Dr. Mortimer around London. Beryl wanted to warn Sir Henry, but was afraid to write to him. So she cut out words from the newspaper. This letter was the first warning for Sir Henry. I noticed a smell of perfume in the letter, so I realized that Mrs. Stapleton had probably sent it.
"As for the missing boot, that was so the dog would know Sir Henry's smell. The Servants in the hotel were paid to steal the boot. From this theft I knew that the hound was a real animal, not a ghost. I went to the moor secretly to watch Stapleton. My boy, Cartright, followed you, Watson. This way I learned about everything.
"You reported about the convict and the Barrymores. But from your report bout the school, I was able to find out who Stapleton really was. As I had no proof of murder, I needed to catch Stapleton just as he was trying to kill Sir Henry. Though the plan was good, it gave sir Henry a bad shock. Mortimer says that he will soon get well, however.
"Stapleton was a very jealous man. When he saw that Sir Henry loved his wife, he got very angry, even though he had planned this. Later he apologized for hid behavior. He asked Sir Henry to come to his house because he wanted a chance to kill him. He quarreled with his wife that last day as she was against the murder. That's why he bear her and tied her up. The hound was very savage and had had no food for some time. It attacked Sir Henry and probably would have killed him."
"But how would Stapleton claim the Baskerville property? People already knew him in Dartmoor," I asked.
"He would have found way. He didn't need to be in England to claim the estate and the money," Sherlock Holmes said. "We both know that he was very clever. And now, we need a rest after our hard work. Let's go out to the theater."

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Chapter 15
The Hound of the Baskervilles
It was a long drive back. The cold wind and the dark, empty spaces told us we were back on the moor.
We stopped near the gate of Baskerville Hall, and walked over the moor inn the moonlight. Soon we were near Merripit House.
"You have your gun, Lestrade?" asked Holmes.
The detective smiled, "Of course."
"Good. My friend and I are ready too."
"You haven't said much about this case, Mr. Holmes. This moor doesn't seem a very cheerful place."
He looked at the dark, hilly slopes and the large cloud of thick, white fog that lay over Grimpen Mire.
"I see the lights of a house. What do we do now?"
"We wait here. It's a waiting game, Lestrade. That's Merripit house - the end of out journey. We must be very quiet now."
"We wait here. It's a waiting game, Lestrade. That's Merripit House - the end of our journey. We moved slowly forward until Holmes stopped us. "This is close enough," he said. "We'll hide behind these rocks. Watson, you know the house. Go and look inside. But don't let anyone hear or see you."
I walked carefully down the path till I saw the window of the digging room. Inside sir Henry and Stapleton sat at a round table smoking cigars and drinking. Although Stapleton talked a lot, sir Henry looked pale and anxious. Perhaps he was worried about the lonely walk back across the moor. Soon Stapleton went out while sir Henry stayed inside. He went over to a small hut in the garden, unlocked it and went in. Strange scuffling sounds were heard.
Then he came out, locked up and returned to the dining room. I crept quietly back to Holmes and Lestrade to tell them what I had seen.
"You say, Watson, that Beryl Stapleton isn't there? Where can she be?" Holmes asked.
"The house was dark. I really don't know."
The fog was moving slowly in our direction. In the moonlight it looked like a great shining ice-field with the hilltops floating above it.
"You see the fog coming here, Watson."
"Is that bad?"
"Very bad. Sir Henry will leave soon. It's already ten o'clock. He must come out before the fog is over the path. His life depends on it!"
The night was clear around us, and we could still see the house. But fog soon covered more than half the moor. Then it vegan to cover the ground around the house too, so only the roof could be seen. The roof floated above the fog like a strange ship on a shadowy sea.
Holmes got down on his knees with his ear to the ground.
"I think he's coming!" he said.
We heard sir Henry's footsteps. The steps got louder. Then we saw him coming out of the fog. As he passed us and went on, he kept looking back like a worried man.
"Shh!" said Holmes and I heard the click of his gun. "Look out! It's coming!"
Something was running towards us through the fog. All of us felt afraid. Then a large animal rushed out of the wall of fog. It was an enormous, coal-black hound!
Lestrade fell to the ground in terror. It was the largest hound we had ever seen - the size of a small lion. Fire burst from its open mouth. Its head and body glowed with flame as it ran towards sir Henry. Holmes and I fired our guns when it passed. The beast gave a loud cry of pain but kept running.
Sir Henry looked back. His face was white, and his hands were raised. He stared helplessly at the terrible beast that was hunting him and he screamed.
Holmes humped up, running very fast after the hound. I never saw a man run as he ran that night. I followed Holmes, and Lestrade came behind. We heard scream after scream from sir Henry and the deep roaring of the hound. I saw the animal jump onto him and knock him to the ground. Homes immediately shoe the animal five times. With a loud cry, the giant hound rolled over, then fell onto its side, dead.
Sir Henry lay still on the ground in shock but luckily was unhurt. We had rescued him just in time. Lestrade poured some brandy into his mouth.
He opened two frightened eyes.
"My God!" he whispered. "What in heaven's name was it?"
"It's dead, whatever it was," said Holmes. "We've killed the family ghost once and for all.
It was the largest dog we had ever seen. There was a blue-colored flame around its jaws and eyes.
"Phosphorus - the chemical that shines in the dark," I said, after touching the animal.
"It's phosphorus with no odor," said Holmes, "so it didn't upset the dog's sense of smell. Sorry for the chock, sir Henry. I didn't expect the hound to be so frightening. The fog was also a problem."
"You saved my life."
"Yes, but I put you in danger. Can you stand up?"
"I'll try. What are you going to do now?"
"We'll leave you here and soon we'll be back to bring you home."
Sir Henry was still too weak to get up. We helped him to a rock where he sat pale and trembling.
"We still have work," Holmes said. "Hurry! We must catch our man.
He heard the shots and knows we'll be after him. He's left the house but we'll check to make sure."
We ran through Merripit House but found nothing. However, one of the upstairs rooms was locked.
"I hear a noise inside!" cried Lestrade.
Holmes kicked the door open and we rushed in with our guns. The room Holmes kicked the door open and we rushed in with our guns. The room contained Stapleton's butterfly collection. We saw someone tried up and covered with sheets. It was Mrs. Stapleton. She had fainted but opened her eyes when Holmes gave her some brandy.
"Is sir Henry safe? she asked.
"Yes."
"And the hound?"
"It's dead."
"Thank God!" she said. "Look at my arms - all black and blue. See how that man beat me!"
"Tell us where to find him, madam," said Holmes.
"He has a hiding place in the middle of Grimpen Mire, an old hut where he kept his hound."
The fog was still very thick, so we could not go after Stapleton right away. Lestrade stayed with Mrs. Stapleton, while Holmes and I took Sir henry back to Baskerville Hall. He was shocked to hear the story about the Stapletons.
The next morning Mrs. Stapletons showed us the hiding place in the Mire.
She waited at the edge of the bog while we followed small sticks stuck into the ground. Stapleton had used them to guide him through the swamp.
On the way Holmes picked up a small dark object - an old black boot.
"Sir Henry's missing boot!"
"Stapleton threw it away."
"Correct. He used it so the hound would arrack Sir Henry. He surely came this way."
But we did not find him. There were no footprints. For sure he had fallen deep into one of the bog-holes of Grimpen Mire.

Setting the Trap

Chapter 14
Setting the Trap
No proof of murder
"What a nerve that man has!" said Holmes. "He was shocked he had killed the wrong man, but he hardly showed it. He's a very clever enemy."
"I'm sorry he saw you. Will it change his plans?"
"It may make him more careful, or he may try another murder."
"Why don't we arrest him?"
"My dear Watson, not without proof. He's using the dog to kill for him."
"But there is also Sir Charles's death."
"There was no mark on him. we know what frightened him to death. But there's no way to prove it.
"What about Selden's death tonight?"
"Nothing can be proved. We never saw the hound that caused his death. We had no reason to kill Selden. So we have no case right now."
"What do we do next?"
"I hope that when we tell Laura Lyons everything about Stapleton, she'll help us."
We had come to Baskerville Hall.
"Are you coming in?" I asked.
"Yes, there's no more reason to hide on the moor. But please Watson, don't tell sir Henry about the hound. I don't want to frighten him. Tell him Selden fell and broke his neck. Is he eating with the Stapleton tomorrow night?"
"Yes, and so am I"
"No, you mustn't go. Tomorrow night he must go alone. But now, let's get some supper.
picture on the wall
Sir Henry was pleased but not surprised to see Holmes. We told him what had happened but did not mention the hound. When I told Barrymore and his wife about Selden's death, she cried bitterly but her husband looked relieved.
"You had an exciting time," Sir Henry said. "I had a boring time here all day. The Stapleton invited me, so I could have had a more lively evening. But I had promised you not to go out alone."
"I am sure you would have had a more lively time," Holmes said, smiling.
"But what did you find out about the case?" asked sir Henry. "Watson and I haven't learned much."
"I'll have some answers soon. It's a very difficult case."
"Watson and I have heard the Hound, I know the sound of a dog when I hear it," said sir Henry. "If you can catch it, you are the greatest detective."
"All right, but I need your help," said Holmes.
"Whatever you say."
"You'll do as I say and not ask any questions?"
"Just as you like."
"Then I think we'll soon know..."
Holmes stopped suddenly and looked at something behind me.
"I'm admiring these pictures on the wall," he told sir Henry. "Are they all family portaits?"
"Yes, here are most of the Baskervilles."
"And that young gentleman? Is he also a member of your family?"
"Ah, yes. That's a portrait of the wicked Hugo in 1647 - that troublemaker. This whole legend about the hound began because of him."
Holmes looked carefully at the picture. Later, when Sir Henry went upstairs, he took me back to the dining room. Holding a candle near Hugo, Holmes asked, "Do you see anything? Is it like anyone you know?"
I looked closely at the picture.
"A bit like Sir Henry around the jaw."
"Now look at this."
with his right hand, Holmes covered Hugo Baskerville's large hat and long curly hair. The face of Stapleton jumped out of the portrait.
"Good heavens!" I cried.
"Ha. you see it now."
"I'ts just like Stapleton."
"Yes, Stapleton looks and behaves like Hugo Baskerville. He's a Baskerville - that's clear."
"I guess he hopes to get Baskerville Hall and the money after sir Henry dies."
"Correct, Watson. I hope we'll soon catch him in our net like one of his butterflies."
Holmes laughed out long and loud.

Holmes gets ready for action
Holmes was up very early next day. As I was dressing, he came into the house.
"We have lots to do today," he said. "I'm setting a trap to catch our man."
"Were you out on the moor already?"
"I sent a report to Princetown prison about Selden's death."
"What's next?"
"We'll talk to Sir Henry. Ah, here he is."
"Good morning, Holmes," said sir Henry. "You look like general making battle plans."
"That's right. So you're eating with the Stapleton's tonight?"
"Yes, do come along. They'd be happy to see you."
"I'm sorry, but Watson and I must go to London."
"To London?"
"Yes, we have business there."
Sir Henry looked unhappy, "I thought you'd help me. It's not very pleasant here alone,you know."
"My dear friend, you must trust me and do as I tell you. Tell the Stapletons we had to leave and hope to return soon. Also, Sir Henry, I want you drive to Merripit House. But when you get there, send back your carriage. Tell them you'll walk home after dinner."
"Walk across the moor in the dark? But you said not to go out there alone."
"These time you must walk back alone. You'll be safe. You're brave man, Sir Henry. One very important thing: you must walk straight along the path from Merripit House to Baskerville Hall and stay on the path."
"I'll do as you say."
"Very good. We leave for London immediately after breakfast."
Another visit to Coombe Tracey
Two hours later we were at the Coombe Tracey station. A boy was waiting for us there.
"Any orders, sir?" he asked.
"Take this train to London, Cartwright. When you arrive, sent a telegram to sir Henry Baskerville in my name. Tell sir Henry I left my notebook at his house. Ask him to mail it to me at Baker Street."
"Yes, sir."
"And now ask at the station if there's a message for me."
The boy came back with a message that said: "Arriving at five-forty today with warrant - Lestrade."
"Lestrade was a police detective from London who had worked with Holmes before.
"I asked him to come," Holmes said, "because we may need help. Now, it's time to meet Mrs. Lyons."
I understood now that Holmes wanted Stapleton to think that we had gone. That was the reason for the telegram. When sir Henry told Stapleton about it, both of them would believe we had gone. But really, we would still be nearby, ready to help when needed.
Mrs. Lyons learns the truth
We found Mrs. Lyons in her office. Holmes was very direct.
"I came here to find out more about sir Charles Baskerville's death," he said. "My friend, Dr. Watson, spoke with you already but there are other things you have to tell us."
"And what is that all about?" she asked angrily.
"You asked Sir Charles to wait for you at the gate at ten o'clock. He died at that time and place. You didn't explain the connection. Do you know how he died?"
"No."
"I'll be honest with you, Mrs. Lyons. we see sir Charles's death as a murder case. We know Stapleton and his wife had something to do with it!" Mrs. Lyons jumped up from her chair. "His wife!" she cried.
"Yes. Beryl Stapleton isn't really his sister, she's his wife."
Mrs. Lyons sat down again in shock, holding tightly to the arms of her chair.
"His wife!" she repeated. "His wife! But he isn't married. Prove it to me! Prove it to me!"
"It's easy to prove," said Holmes. "Here's a photograph of them taken in the north of England four years ago. They were known as Mr. and Mrs. Vandeleur. You can easily recognize Stapleton. If you've met his 'sister,' you'll recognize her too. You can read these three letters that describe them. At that time, they owned St. Oliver's private school."
After a few minutes Mrs. Lyons looked at us in despair.
"Mr. Holmes," she said, "he promised to marry me if I divorced my husband. He lied to me! He wasn't really helping me. I was just a tool in his hands. I'll tell you everything. Why should I protect him now? Ask me whatever you want. But please believe that I didn't wish sir Charles any harm.
He was a very kind friend."
"I believe you, Madam," said Holmes. "Now, let's get things clear, did Stapleton ask you to send the letter?"
"He told me exactly what to write."
"He promised to marry you, and so you needed a divorce. Then he said Sir Charles would give you the money for the lawyers?"
"Yes."
"And after you sent the letter, Stapleton made sure you didn't go to see sir Charles."
"He said he'd find the money himself, that he wouldn't feel right if I got money from another man. After all he was going to marry me."
"And after sir Charle's death he asked you to keep quiet about your plans to meet him at he gate?"
"Yes. He said the death was very strange. The police would question me if they heard about it. Stapleton frightened me into keeping silence."
"But didn't you think he was behaving strangely?"
She looked down. "I would still have kept quiet if he hadn't lied to me."
"You're lucky to be alive, Mrs. Lyons," Holmes said. "You knew something about what he was doing. He could have killed you. We may come to see you again."
That evening, Holmes and I waited for the London train.
"Our case is getting clearer," said Holmes. "We'll soon know the whole story about one of the most amazing and sensational crimes of the modern times."
A small, strong-looking man jumped down from the train. We shook hands.
"Anything good happening?" asked Lestrade.
"It's the biggest case we've seen for years. We have two hours left, so we can get some dinner. Ever been to Dartmoor before, Lestrade? You'll enjoy the pure night air. I don't think you'll forget your first visit."

Death on the Moor

Chapter 13
Death on the Moor
"But what was that?"
A terrible scream was heard on the silent moor. My blood turned to ice at the sound.
"Oh my God," I said. "What was that?"
The scream was heard a second time - closer and louder.
"There, I think." I pointed into the darkness.
"No, there!"
The scream of terror came again - much louder and closer. Then there was a new sound. It was a deep, menacing, barking noise that rose and fell.
"The hound!" cried Holmes. "Come, Watson, come. Good Heavens, I hope it's not too late!"
I followed him as he ran quickly. Then we heard one last helpless cry and the heavy sound of something falling. We stopped and listened but all was silent on the moor.
Holmes was so upset he stamped his feet on the ground.
"He has won, Watson. I should have stopped him. And you shouldn't have left Baskerville's side. But if he's dead, we'll get the murderer." We ran towards the screams we had heard, up one hill and down the next.
It was so dark that we stumbled over rocks and into bushes. Then, from the top of a steep cliff, we heard a last low moan on the rocky slope below us. Moving closer we saw a dark figure on the ground.
A man lay dead, his head bent grotesquely under his body. Clearly, his neck was broken. Holmes lit a match and cried out. It was the body of sir Henry Baskerville! His clothes were the same as when we first met him in barker street.
"That terrible hound!"I said angrily, "Oh, I shall never forgive myself for leaving him alone!"
"I'm more to blame, Watson. I could have prevented this, but I was waiting another day or two to catch Stapleton. I never had such a disaster before. I didn't think sir Henry would risk his life alone on the moor after all my warnings"
"Why don't we arrest Stapleton now?"
"It isn't what we know, but what we can probe. He's very clever and very friend lying here?"
"We need help, Holmes. We can't carry him all the way to the Hall."
Holmes suddenly cried out and bent over the body. Then he danced and laughed and shook my hand. I was shocked.
"Good heavens, Holmes! Are you mad?"
"A beard! A beard! This man has a beard!"
"A beard?"
"Yes, this isn't sir Henry. It's the convict! My neighbor on the moor."
Quickly we turned the body over. In the light of the cold moon was the wild-looking face of Selden the criminal - the same face I had seen on the dark night we went out to chase him. I remembered now that sir Henry had given avay some old clothes to Barrymore. The servant had probably given them to selden to help him get away, I told Holmes this.
"Clearly, these clothes were the reason for his death," he said. "The hound had something of sir Henry's to smell - probably the boot stolen from him in the hotel - and followed the smell from these clothes. That's why he ran after Selden. My job now is to catch the man who frightened Sir Charles to death, and who is trying to kill sir Henry. But, look who's coming!"
We could see the red light of a cigar. A man came quickly towards us over the moor. He stopped and then came closer.
"Yes. it's him!" said Holmes, "Be very careful what you say to Stapleton, Watson, so you don't spoil my plan."
"Why, Dr. Watson, is that really you? I didn't expect to see you out here so late at night. But, dear me, what's this? Is somebody hurt? No, don't tell me it's our friend, Sir Henry!"
Stapleton hurried over to the dead man. He seemed surprised and the cigar fell from his hand.
"Who... who's this?" he asked.
"It's Selden, the man who escaped from Princetown jail."
There was a terrible look on Stapleton's face when he heard this. He looked sharply at both of us.
"Dear me! How shocking! How did he die?"
"He broke his neck by falling over those rocks. My friend and I were walking on the moor when we heard a cry."
"I heard the cry too. That's why I came here. I was concerned about sir Henry."
"But why?" I asked.
"Because I had asked him over to my house. I was surprised when he didn't come. I was worried when I heard the cries. By the way, did you hear anything else?"
Stapleton looked at us both.
"No," said Holmes. "Did you?"
"No."
"Why did you ask then?"
"Oh, you know the stories about a ghostly hound. The farmers say they hear it at night on the moor. I thought perhaps you heard something tonight."
"We heard nothing like that," I said.
"Why do you think this man died?" he asked.
"I think he got crazy after staying out on the moor for so long. He didn't know what he was doing. So he fell and broke his neck," I answered.
"That may be true," said Stapleton. He seemed pleased with my answer.
"What do you think, Mr. Sherlock Holmes?"
Holmes Bowed. "You are very clever to recognize me so quickly."
"we've been expecting you ever since Dr. Watson came to stay. You were in time to see tragedy.
"Yes, indeed. I shall take an unpleasant memory back to London with me tomorrow."
"Oh. you're returning tomorrow?
"Yes."
"I hope you've found out something about the strange things that have happened here."
"I can't always be successful, you know. A detective need facts, not just legends. I'm not happy about this case."
Holmes spoke in a frank, truthful way. Stapleton looked at him hard, then turned to me.
"I thought about carrying this poor man to my house, but I don't want to frighten my sister. Let's cover his face and leave him here till morning."
After we covered the man who had come to such a horrible end, Holmes and I set off for Baskerville Hall while Stapleton returned to Grimpen.

The reunion

Chapter 12
The reunion
It was easy enough to recognize that cold, ironic voice.
"Holmes!" I cried. "Holmes, it's you!"
"Do come out," he said, "and please be careful with that gun."
I stood at the doorway while he sat on a stone outside. He seemed amused at my surprise.
"I'm so glad to see you," I said.
"It's a surprise, isn't it?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"I'm also surprised, Watson, that you found out about the hut. I didn't know you were inside until I came close. Then I saw the end of your cigarettes from Bond Street. I thought you'd be waiting patiently in the hut. Did you think I was the criminal?
"I didn't know who you were."
"And how did you find me, Watson? You must have seen me when you chased the escaped prisoner. I made a mistake that night. I stood on the hilltop with the moon rising behind me."
"Yes, I saw you. Your boy was also spotted. In face, I followed him here."
"Ah, that's because of the old gentleman with his telescope."
He got up and looked into the hut.
"My boy has brought me some food. He came up from London with me, and gets me everything I need. What's this note? Oh, you've been to Coombe Tracey? To see Mrs. Laura Lyons?"
"Yes."
"Very good. we've both been looking for the same things. When we put our answers together, we'll know a lot about this case."
"Well, I', glad you're here. It was getting too mush for my nerves. But you told me you were in Baker Street. Didn't you trust me?" I said angrily.
"You didn't believe I could work here alone?"
"No, my dear friend, you've been very helpful. Please forgive me for hiding out. If we'd been together, we would all have found out the same things. Also, I didn't want to warn sir Henry's enemies that I was here."
"But my reports have all been wasted!" I got angry again. I had spent a long time writing them.
Holmes took a bundle of papers from his pocket. "Here are your reports, dear Watson. I studied them all carefully. They reached me very quickly. And now, tell me about Mrs. Laura Lyons."
I told Holmes about our meeting.
"That was very important," he said. "Did you find out that Mrs. Lyons and Stapleton are close Friends?"
"No."
"Yes. They meet and they write to each other. They are very close. If I tell Stapleton's wife about it, she'll be willing to help us."
"His wife?"
"I learned that Beryl isn't Stapleton's sister. She's his wife."
"Good she's useful to him that way. Since she's beautiful, many men are likely to fall in love with her."
"Then he's our enemy. And the warning - it came from her?"
"Yes."
"But are you sure, Holmes? How do you know she's his wife?"
"When he first met you, he told you he once had a school in the north of england. I found out about one that closed down a few years ago. The headmaster and his wife had disappeared. Although the names are different, both Stapleton and the missing headmaster love to collect butterflies and insects, so I'm sure it is the same person."
"But if this woman is his wife, what's his connection to Mrs. Laura Lyons?" I asked.
"Mrs. Lyons has been trying to divorce her husband. Perhaps she wants to marry Stapleton. No one here knows that he is already married."
"And if she founds out?"
"Then she'll be very willing to help us. We'll visit her tomorrow. But now you must return to Baskerville Hall. You have left Sir Henry alone for a long time."
The sky was no longer red. It was quite dark.
"One more question, Holmes," I said as I got up to leave. "What is Stapleton up to?"
Holmes answered in a very low voice. "Murder, Watson, cold-blooded murder. I can't tell you everything now. He plans to kill sir Henry. I hope he won't strike before we're ready. I need one or two mroe days, so you must watch over Sir Henry very carefully."

The Man on Black Tor

Chapter 11
The Man on Black Tor
The meeting with Laura Lyons
That evening two things became clear to me. One was that the mysterious Laura Lyons had made an appointment to see Sir Charles on the same evening and at the same place where he died. Secondly, Barrymore told me there was another man living out on the moor in an old stone hut. His brother-in-law, the convict, had seen the mystery man. A messenger, a young boy, brought the man food every day. The man might be the stranger I had seen on the hilltop that night. Maybe he was dangerous.
At breakfast the next day I told Sir Henry about Laura Lyons. We thought she would talk more freely if only one of us visited her, so I went alone.
When I got to Coombe Tracey I found Mrs. Lyons sitting in front of a typewriter. She got up with a smile. With her rich brown hair and pink cheeks she seemed very beautiful, but then I noticed a certain hardness about her face. Her smile faded when she saw I was a stranger. She asked why I had come. I told her my name, and said I knew her father.
"I don't get along with my father," she said. "His friends aren't friends of mine. Only Sir Charles Baskerville and a few other kind people helped me when I was in trouble."
"I've come to see you about Sir Charles actually. I'd like to know if you ever wrote to him."
She did not reply, and turned pale.
"Why all the questions?" she asked sharply.
"It's better if I ask you privately, so that we keep things quiet."
"Well, I'll answer. I wrote him once or twice to thank him for his help."
"Do you remember the dates of those letters?"
"No."
"Did you ever meet him?"
"Yes, once or twice, when he came to Coombe Tracey."
"You didn't see him much, or write to him. So why did he help you? He must have known you well."
"A number of gentlemen knew my sad story and wanted to help me. One was Mr. Stapleton, sir Charles's neighbor and close friend. He was extremely kind and told Sir Charles about me.
"Did you ever write to sir Charles that you would meet him at Baskerville Hall? I asked.
Mrs. Lyons looked angry. "Certainly not," she said.
"How about on the day when sir Charles died?" I continued.
She looked uncomfortable.
"You must remember it," I said. "Part of your letter said: "Please, please, burn this letter, and be at the gate by ten o'clock."
The color left her cheeks and she almost fainted.
"I thought sir Charles was a gentleman and would keep my letter secret," she said.
"He did burn the letter, but a part of it was found. Do you admit that you wrote it?"
"Yes," she replied. "Why should I deny it? I'm not ashamed that I wrote to ask for his help. That's why I asked him to meet me."
"But why at nighttime?"
"Because I had just heard that he was leaving for London the next day, and wouldn't return for months. Baskerville Hall is far away, and I couldn't get there early in the day."
"But why out in the garden, and not inside the house?"
"Do you think that a woman can go alone to a bachelor's house so late at night?"
"So, what happened when you got there?"
"I never went."
"Mrs. Lyons!"
"I swear to you, I didn't go! Things didn't happen the way I planned."
"What happened?"
"It's a private matter. I can't tell you."
"You asked sir Charles to meet you at the time and place where he died, but you didn't go in the end. That's a bit difficult to believe."
"But it's true."
I asked her more questions, but got no answer.
"Mrs. Lyons," I said. "I'm sure you know more than you're telling me. You'll get into trouble if I tell the police about this. Why did you ask sir Charles to burn that letter?"
"All right, I'll explain. You probably hears that I was very unhappy with my husband. He would only divorce me if I paid him some money. I wanted the divorce very badly. I knew sir Charles was very helpful and generous, and I thought he would help me if I met him that day."
"Then why didn't you go?"
"Because on that same day I got all the help I needed from another person."
"So, why didn't you write to sir Charles to explain?"
"I wanted to tell him, but by then it was too late to go to Baskerville Hall.
The next morning, I read about his death in the newspaper."
Her story seemed to be true. I could find out if she had tried to divorce her husband. If she had gone to Baskerville Hall, it was a long trip by carriage, and she would get back very late. Such a trip would not be a secret. But I knew Mrs. Lyons had not told me everything. Why did she turn so pale? Why was it so hard for her to talk? I had now reached a dead end.
I thought again about the stranger on Black Tor. Only the problem was that there were hundreds of empty stone huts on the moor. But I could start at Black Tor. I could use my gun to make him talk or, if I found his hut, I would wait for him there.
Meeting the stranger
But I had luck on ,y way home in the carriage. I saw Mr. Frankland with his red face and gray mustache outside his house, looking very happy.
"Good day, Dr. Watson," he said. "Do join me for a glass of wine."
I knew he was not very good to his daughter, but I agreed and sent the carriage home. He spoke first about the police. "I could tell them some news they are dying to hear. It's about the convict on the moor."
"How do you know he's on the moor?"
"I know how he gets his food, you see. I've seen a messenger taking food to someone."
I thought he was talking about Barrymore, but then he spoke about a boy.
"A boy carriage food passes by every day. I see him through my telescope on the roof."
Frankland was not talking about the convict, I realized. Barrymore only took him food at night, not during the day. maybe Frankland had discovered the tall stranger's hiding place.
"Perhaps what you've seen is a shepherd's son taking food to his father," I suggested.
"Really. sir!" he said. "That boy goes to a very rocky part of the moor where no shepherd would take his sheep. But wait a minute. There's someone on the hill right now!"
Many miles away, someone moved slowly up the hillside.
"Come upstairs to the roof, sir," cried Frankland, "and see for yourself."
Through the telescope we saw a boy slowly going up the hill. When he reached the top. he looked behind him. Then he went down the other side and disappeared.
"Well, am I right?"
"Yes, The boy seems to be doing something secret."
"But I won't tell the police. They never helped me, and I won't help them.
Promise me you won't tell them either."
"I'll do as you ask."
Mr. Frankland wanted me to stay, but I said goodbye. I walked towards Baskerville Hall first, then took a path back across the moor. I went over to the hill where the boy had walked. The sun was already low in the sky. The hills below me were gold and green, and some were already deep in shadow. It was a lonely, silent part of the moor. Below me was a circle of stone huts. My heart jumped when I saw that one hut still had a good roof. The stranger must live there.
I threw away my cigarette, and walked slowly towards the hut. Someone might be inside. I took out my gun and looked through the doorway. It was empty but the stranger must live there. I saw the ashes of a fire, cooking pots and a water bucket . On a flat stone were a loaf of bread and cans of food. I saw a sheet of paper with writing. On the note was the message: "Dr. Watson has gone to coombe Tracey."
I held the note in surprise. So, this man was following me. His boy had written a report about me. I searched the hut for more notes, but didn't find any. Was the stranger an enemy or a friend? I would wait for him to return. The sun was setting in a red and gold sky. I sat in a corner of the hut and waited, a little afraid.
And then I heard the sounds of a boot hitting a stone. The person came nearer and nearer. My hand held tightly to the gun in my pocket. There was a long silence as the stranger stopped. Then the footsteps came close, and stopped again. A shadow fell across the opening of the hut.
"It's really a lovely evening, My dear Watson," said a wall-known voice. "Why not come outside? I'm sure you'll be more comfortable there.

From Dr. Watson's Diary

Chapter 10
From Dr. Watson's Diary
October 16th
After Breakfast today, Barrymore spoke to sir Henry in his study. After a while I was called in.
"Barrymore thinks it was unfair of us to go after his brother-in-law."
The butler stood there pale but calm.
"Let me explain, Barrymore," Sir Henry said. "We had to go after him because he's very dangerous and may hurt someone living on the moor. No one's sage until he's caught."
"Sir, I promise you he won't do anything criminal. In a few day he'll be on a ship to south America. Please don't tell the police. He'll wait quietly till the ship is ready."
"What do you say, Watson?"
"If he leaves the country, it's no problem," I replied.
"All right, Barrymore" Sir henry said.
"I really thank you, sir. If he's caught again, my wife would be broken-hearted."
Barrymore was so grateful that he told us something new about his master's death. He said sir Charles had waited at the gate so late at night to meet a woman. A letter in a woman's handwriting had come from the village of Coombe Tracey on the morning of sir Charles's death. Since it was the only letter that came that day, he remembered it clearly. Not long ago his wife was cleaning Sir Charles's study and found piece of the letter in the fireplace. It was not totally burned and read: "Please burn this letter and wait for me at the gate at ten o'clock - L.L."
"And you don't know who L.L. is?" I asked Barrymore.
"No idea, sir. But if we find the lady, we'll learn more about sir Charles death."
"Why, didn't you tell us before, Barrymore?"
"After my wife found the letter, my brother-in-law came, and then I forgot about it. Besides, since a lady is involved, I thought it best to be careful."
I sat with sir Henry and discussed what to do next.
"If we find L.L., it should clear up the mystery," he said.
"Yes, let me write and tell Homes. I think he'll come here soon."
I wrote the report in the hope of seeing Holmes very soon.

October 17th
A whole day of cold rain. As looked at the bleak moor outside I thought about the two men out in the wild. The convict was there suffering for his sins, and maybe the lonely watcher on the hilltop was outside too. In the evening I put on a raincoat and went out for a long walk on the moor. The sky was dark with cloud and a strong wind blew. I walked over to Black Tor, the hilltop where I had seen the stranger, but it was empty. On the way back, Dr. Mortimer's carriage came by and he offered me a ride home.
I asked him if he knew a woman whose initials were L.L. After thinking for a few minutes, he said, "Well, there's Laura Lyons. But she lives in Coombe Tracey."
"Who's she?" I asked.
"She's Frankland's daughter. She marries an artist called Lyons but they weren't happy and he soon left her. Old Frankland didn't want her back home because she married against his wishes."
"So how does she live?"
"Her father doesn't have much money to give her. Some of us tried to help her. Stapleton, Sir Charles and I gave her some money to start a typewriting business."
Dr. Mortimer was getting curious about my questions, so I cleverly changed the subject. All my years with Holmes had taught me something! I would go to Coombe Tracey in the morning to see the mystery lady, Mrs. Laura Lyons.

Dr. Watson Reports to Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 9
Dr. Watson Reports to Sherlock Holmes
baskervile Hall, 13th October
My Dear Holmes,
First, I muse mention the escaped prisoner. It is two weeks since he escaped and no one has seen him.
He can hide in an empty house on the moor but how will he eat? Most people think he is no longer here.
Sir Henry takes a great interest in Miss Stapleton, who is an exotic looking woman. I think she would like him too but she is afraid of her brother. He keeps a careful eye on her and does not seem pleased with their friendship. I wonder why, as Sir Henry is a very rich man. Actually, we see the Stapleton almost every day and they are coming for dinner tonight. We will go to their house next week.
Dr. Mortimer showed us Yew Alley. Sir Henry wanted to know how his uncle died. The alley is like a long, dark tunnel. I wonder what frightened Sir Charles so much? What was he running from? A large sheep-dog, some black monster or ghost, or human agent?
I just met another neighbor, Mr. Frankland of Lafter Hall. He is quite old, a kind and meaning man who studies astronomy, He has a very good telescope on the roof of his house which he uses to search for the escaped prisoner.
There is something strange about the Barrymores. Mrs. Barrymore often looks sad. Last night I heard quiet footsteps outside in the hall. It was about two o'clock in the morning. When I looked out, I saw the black shadow of a tall man holding a candle. It was Barrymore. I followed him into an empty room.
He stood by the window, held the candle near it for a few minutes and looked down at the moor. Then he put out the light. I quickly went back to my room. His footsteps went back down the hall. Later on I heard a key turning in a lock. I do not know which door was opened or closed. Something secret is going on in this gloomy house.

Baskerville Hall, 13th October
My dear Homes,
Some surprising things have happened lately.
Firstly I checked the room where Barrymore was last night. There is a clear view onto the moor from there, as no trees grow outside. Next I spoke to Sir Henry. He also knew that Barrymore walked about at night. We said we would follow him to find out why he did this.
Then Sir Henry told me he had arranged to meet Miss Stapleton and wanted to be alone with her, I was afraid this would be dangerous, so I followed him some distance away on the moor-path. I was afraid I had lost him, but when I climbed a small hill and hid among the rocks, I saw him talking with Miss Stapleton about a quarter of a mile away. She moved her hands around a lot, as if she was excited. He listened patiently but seemed to be disagreeing with her.
Suddenly I saw Stapleton watching them too and moving towards them.
Sir Henry suddenly put his arm around Miss Stapleton, but she pulled away from him, Then both of them saw Stapleton watching them too and moving towards them.
Sir Henry suddenly put his arm around Miss Stapleton, so they stepped backwards. The two men talked for a while. Finally, Stapleton turned away in anger, calling his sister to follow him. Sir Henry began walking slowly back to Baskerville Hall. He looked sad and his face was red with annoyance. He was surprised to see me, so I told him why I had followed him. He could not understand why Stapleton was so angry about his friendship with his sister. Sir Henry thought he was a bit crazy.
Unfortunately, their conversation was not very romantic. Beryle had warned him not to stay in the area. She had begged him to leave as soon as possible. He told her he was in no hurry to leave unless she would agree to come with him At that point her brother had appeared to drag her away. He had shouted at Sir Henry, and told him to leave his sister alone.
Later that day,Stapleton came over to apologize to Sir Henry for losing his temper. He said that he was all alone in the world except for his sister, and could not bear the thought of losing her.
To return to the Barrymores, that same night we kept watch in Sir Henry room. At three o'clock in the morning we heard footsteps and flowed them down the corridor. Barrymore went into the same room as before and moved towards the window, where he stood holding his candle.
Sir Henry then surprised him by walking into the room and asking in his direct way what was going on. Barrymoor was afraid and refused to tell why he was holding the candle to the window.
"Maybe he's sending a signal to someone outside," I exclaimed, taking the candle and moving it across the window. I saw an answering point of light.
"Now, tell me what you've been plotting against me!" Sir Henry said.
"No,sir - not against you! Nothing against you." Mrs. Barrymore suddenly stood by the door, her face white and trouble. "My unhappy brother is starving outside on the moor. We cannot let him die of hunger. The signal is so that we can go and take him some food."
"Then your brother is...?" asked sir Henry.
"Yes, sir, the escaped convict Selden."
Sir Henry and I looked at this respectable woman in great surprise.
"Yes, sir, my name was Selden. We spoiled my brother when he was little. As he grew older, he found bad friends and took on their evil ways. But he's still my little brother and I love him. He stayed hereafter he escaped from prison. Then you arrived from London and he went to hide out on the moor. Every second night we put a light by the window and he answers us. Then my husband brings him food. We hope he'll go away, but as long as he's there, we have to help him."
"Is this true, Barrymore?"
"Yes, sir Henry."
"Well, I can't blame you for helping your wife. Go to your room and we'll talk more in the morning."
After they left, we looked through the window again. The small light still burned on a hill close by. Sir Henry said it was out duty to catch the prisoner and it should go after him right away. I took my gun and he had his hunting whip. The night was cold and damp. After walking for some time, we saw the evil yellow face of the convict for a second in the light of the candle he had placed in the rock.
Just then a strange noise was heard in that empty place, the same cry I had heard before, First came a low, deep sound, then a howl, like the cry of a wolf, then a sad moan that slowly faded away, Then the terrible, wild sound began again.
Sir Henry was afraid, and touched my arm with an icy cold hand, "What's that, Watson?"
"I don't know. I heard it once before on the moor."
"Watson," he said, "it was the cry of a hound. what do the country people say?"
"They think it's the cry of the Hound of the Baskervilles."
"It seems to come from the great Grimpen Mire," he said."My god, can there be some truth in these dark stories? Is it possible I', really in danger?"
The convict had seen us now. He cursed, threw down a rock and ran away at great speed. We started chasing him, but he was soon far away. We sat down to get our breath back before returning to the house.
Then, strangly, I noticed someone on the hilltop of black Tor. In the moonlight, I saw the shadow of a tall, thin man standing quite still with folded arms, But just as I was pointing out this stranger in the wilderness to sir Henry, he vanished. Perhaps he was a policeman, as Sir Henry said. But I would like to be sure.
So, Holmes, I have told you everything. You can decide for yourself what is important.

The Stapletons of Merripit house

Chapter 8
The Stapletons of Merripit house
As we ate breakfast the next day,the morning sunlight coming into the room made us feel much better. The place did not look so bad and dark.
"I guess we should blame ourselves,not the house," sir Henry said to me.
"We were tired and cold from traveling so we found the place frightening. Today every thing look cheerful."
After breakfast I walked four miles to the village of grimpen.
Sir Henry had a lot of paperwork so he stayed behind.
After I passed Dr. mortimer house I heard someone running and calling my name. When I turned around I was surprised to see a stranger instead of the doctor. It was a small, slim man in his thirties with blond hair. He carried a butterfly net.
"Excuse me, Dr. Watson,if I introduce myself,"he said. "I am stapleton of merripit house. Dr. Mortimer told me who you are. Here on the moor we all know one another. I hope sir Henry's feeling well after the journy."
"He's very well,thank you."
"we were all afraid that after sir charles's sad death he wouldn't come and live here. You may know the baskerville legend about the hound. Sir charles believed in the story and it made him very nervous. That's why he died,I'm sure."
As we ate breakfast the next day,the morning sunlight coming into the room made us feel much better. The place did not look so bad and dark.
"I guess we should blame ourselves,not the house," sir Henry said to me.
"We were tired and cold from traveling so we found the place frightening. Today every thing look cheerful."
After breakfast I walked four miles to the village of grimpen.
Sir Henry had a lot of paperwork so he stayed behind.
After I passed Dr. mortimer house I heard someone running and calling my name. When I turned around I was surprised to see a stranger instead of the doctor. It was a small, slim man in his thirties with blond hair. He carried a butterfly net.
"Excuse me, Dr. Watson,if I introduce myself,"he said. "I am stapleton of merripit house. Dr. Mortimer told me who you are. Here on the moor we all know one another. I hope sir Henry's feeling well after the journy."
"He's very well,thank you."
"we were all afraid that after sir charles's sad death he wouldn't come and live here. You may know the baskerville legend about the hound. Sir charles believed in the story and it made him very nervous. That's why he died,I'm sure."
"You think that some dog ran after sir sharker and he died of fright?"
"Probably. What does Mr. Sherlock Holmes say?"
surprised, I did not answer.
"We have of course heard about you both, Dr. Watson." stapleton said. "Is Mr. Holmes coming to visit too?"
"He can't leave the town right now.He's too busy."
"What a pity! Bur if I can help you in your work, pleas tell me."
"I'm just here to visit sir Henry, and don't need any help."
"Naturally," he said. "You are right to be careful. I will not mention the matter again."
A narrow, grassy path led off the road across the moor.
"A short walk will take us to Merripit House," he said. "If you have time, I'll introduce you to my sister."
As Holmes had told me to studt the neighbors, I agreed to go with Stapleton.
"It's a wonderful place, the moor," he said, "such wonderful secrets. It's so large and so mysterious."
"You know it well, then?"
"I've only been here two years, but few men know it better than I do."
"Is it hard to know?"
"Very hard, You see this great plain to the north with the bright green spots. It is the Grimpen Mire, a a dangerous bog, especially after these rains. One wrong step there means death. Yesterday a moor pony went in and never got out, Even in dry times it's dangerous, but after these rains it's an awful place.
Still I can find my way to the middle and come back alive. It's a bad place' the Grimpen Mire.
"But why would you want to go there?"
"You see those hills over there? They are like islands in the mud. That is where the rare plants and vutterflies are, if you can get to them. Suddenly a long, low moaning sound came over the moor. First it was soft, then it turned into a deep roar, and then became a sad, low noise again.
"What's that?" I asked.
"The farmers say it's the Hound of the Baskervilles. I've heard ir once or twice before, but not so loud."
I looked at the huge plain of the moor with fear in my heart, but nothing moved there except a pair of ravens.
"You're an educated man, You surely don't believe such nonsense," I said.
"What do you think it is?"
"Bogs make strange noises sometimes."
"No,no, that was a real voice."
"Maybe. It could be a bittern, a rare bird."
"It's the strangest thing I ever heard in my life."
"Oh, excuse me a few minutes! That is..."
A small butterfly flew by towards the bog and Stapleton ran after it. He was still chasing it when I heard someone behind me. I looked a round to see a woman coming towards me.
This had to be Miss Stapleton. I had heard that she was a beautiful woman and this lady was quite striking. She was very different from her brother. He had light hair and gray eyes, while she was very dark - slim, elegant and tall.
"Go back!" she said. "Go straight back to London, right away."
I stared at her in surprise. "Why should I go back?" I asked.
"I can't explain, "He replied. "But for God's sake, do what I ask you. Go back and never set foot on the moor again,"
"But I've only just come."
"Man, man!" she cried. "Cab't you tell that this warning is for your own good? Go back to London tonight! Get away from here. Hush, my brother is Stapleton had given up the chase and came back to us.
"Hello, Beryl," he said rather coldly.
"Well, Jack, you are very hot."
"Yes. I was chasing a rare butterfly. What a pity I missed him!" His small light eyes looked sharply at us. "I see you've introduced yourselves."
"Yes, I was telling sir Henry that it is rather late in the year to see the true beauty of the moor."
"Who do you think this is?"
"Sir Henry Baskerville, I thought."
"No,no," I said. "I'm his friend, Dr. Watson."
Beryl looked annoyed but invited me to come and see Merripit House.
It was an old stone farmhouse that had been modernized. Inside were large rooms with elegant furniture, As I looked through the windows at the vast moor outside, I wondered why this educated man and this beautiful woman had come to live here.
"Strange choice, isn't it?" he asked, as if he read my thoughts. "But we manage to be fairly happy here, don't we berly?"
"Quite happy," she said without enthusiasm.
"We used to have a school in the north of England, and when we had to close it we moved here. I enjoy studying plants and animals and so does my sister, We have interesting neighbors too, like Dr. Mortimer. Sir Charles was also our friend and we miss him, I'd like to visit sir Henry this afternoon."
"I'm sure he'd be happy to see you."
"So please tell him I'll come. Will you stay for lunch?"
But I was in no mood to stay after all the strange things I had seen and heard, so I walked straight back to Baskerville Hall.

Baskerville Hall

Chapter 7
Baskerville Hall
Holmes spoke to me on the way to the rain station. "I'm not happy about sending you to Devon, Watson. It's an ugly business - an ugly, dangerous business. keep your gun with you always. Tell me anything you find out about the case. Study the servants and the neighbors, and let me know if you hear anything new about sir Charles's death."
"I'll do my best," I replied.
Dr. Mortimer and sir Henry were waiting by the train. They had nothing new to report.
"I ask you, sir Henry, not to go anywhere alone. It would be very dangerous. Did you find your other boot?"
"No, sir, it's gone forever."
"Really? How very interesting. Well, goodbye," said Holmes.
"Remember the Baskerville legend, sir Henry, and don't go out on the moor after dark!"
The journey was pleasant. First we passed rich farmland and later we saw the gloomy, grey moor were dark, rocky hills. Baskerville sat quietly looking out and I watches his strong, proud face.
Soon the train stopped at a small station. A carriage was waiting outside. I was surprised to see two soldiers with guns standing there. Later we saw another soldier on the hill-top watching the road. Dr. Mortimer asked the driver about them.
"They're looking for a convict who escaped from Princetown Prison three days ago - a dangerous man called Selden, the Notting Hill murderer."
I remembered the case. It was a brutal murder and the killer had only escaped death because of insanity.
A cold wind blew from the moor, and the sky was getting dark. The rich farmland was now behind us. Yellow leaves had fallen from the trees. The land was empty, wild and rocky. Two high, narrow towers rose over the bent and twisted trees. The driver pointed with his whip.
"Baskerville Hall," he said.
As the carriage took us down a long, dark driveway to the door of the house, sir Henry said, " I can understand my uncle's feelings now. What a scary place! I'll soon put up a row of electric lights here, and it will look quite different."
The front of the house was covered in ivy and the ancient twin towers rose to the dark sky.
"Welcome, sir Henry! Welcome to Baskerville Hall!"
Barrymore, a tall man with a black beard, came to bring in out bags. His wife helped him.
"May I go home now, Sir Henry?" asked Dr. Mortimer,
"Surely you'll stay and have some dinner?"
"No, I must go. I have work waiting for me. Barrymore will show you the house. Goodbye, and please send for me if I can help."
After the carriage left, we went into the house and warmed ourselves by the fire.
"The old house is just how I imagined it," said sir Henry. "To think that my family has lived here for five hundred years!"
while Mrs. Barrymore was preparing dinner, we went upstairs.Our bedrooms, were more modern than the rest of the house and brightly lit with candles.The dining-room was very dark and gloomy, so we ate quickly and went to another room to smoke.
‎"‎I understand why sir charles felt nervous here," sir henry said. "The house isn't very cheerful. I guess that after a good night's sleep it will look different in the morning."
I looked out of my window before going to bed. A half moon came out behind the racing clouds and showed the wind moving trough the trees. In the cold moonlight I could see a line of rocks and on the horizon the dark curve of the empty moor.
I could not sleep tough I was very tired. Suddenly in the middle of the night I heard a woman crying bitterly. i listened carefully. The sobbing was somewhere inside the old house.
I listened for a while longer,but the crying had stopped.
The only noises were the chiming of the clock and the wind blowing throue the ivy on the wall.

The Missing Boot

Chapter 6
The Missing Boot
We got to the Northumberland Hotel at two o'clock that afternoon.
"Sir Henry Baskerville is upstairs waiting for you," said the clerk. "I'll take you to his room."
Sir Henry was in the hall, his face red with anger, holding an old, dusty boot in his hand.
"They're plating tricks on me in this hotel," he shouted. "There'll be trouble if that man can't find my missing boot."
"Still looking for your boot?" asked Holmes.
"Yes,sir, and plan to find it."
"But surely you said that it was a new brown boot?"
"So it was, sir, And now it's an old black one."
"What! someone stole another boot?"
"Exactly. Last night they took one of my brown boots, and today they stole a black one." He turned to a nervous German waiter who had come along.
"Well, do you have it? speak up, man!"
"No, sir. I asked everybody but no one knows anything about it."
"Well, either that boot comes back before morning or I see the manager and walk out of this hotel."
"It shall be found, sir. I promise that if you will have a little patience we will find it."
"Make sure you do. This place is full of thieves. Sorry, Mr. Holmes, for troubling you about this..."
"I think we should take it seriously. How do you explain it, sir Henry?"
"I can't. It seems the craziest thing, What do you think about it, Mr. Holmes?"
"Your case isn't an easy one, Sir Henry. But we have some information already, and will find out the truth sooner or later."
We had a pleasant lunch and spoke little about the business that had brought us together. Afterwards, in the private sitting-room Holmes asked sir Henry about his plans.
"I'll go to Baskerville Hall at the end of the week."
"I think you're right," said Holmes, " I have proof that someone is following you in London. There are millions of people in this city and it is hard to protect you here. Did sir Charles leave a lot of money in his will?"
"Yes. Most of the money went to sir Henry," said Dr Mortimer, "Seven hundred and forty thousand pounds. Sir Charles also left small amounts to different people and larger amounts to charities."
Holmes looked surprised,"Goodness, that's a large amount of money indeed - very tempting for a criminal. Tell me, Dr. Mortimer, if anything happened to Sir Henry, excuse my asking, who inherits the estate?"
"Because Rodger Baskerville - Sir charles's younger brother - died unmarried, the estate would go to the Desmonds, relatives from Westmorland. They are very fine people and quite old. I met them once when they came to visit Sir Charles."
"And this man Desmond would get Sir Charles's fortune?"
"He would inherit Baskerville Hall, but not the money. Sir Henry can do what he wants with that."
"And have you made your will, Sir Henry?"
"No, Mr. Holmes, not yet. But I feel that the money should go with the estate. My uncle also had that idea. The owner of the estate needs money to take care of the house and the land. House, land and money must go together."
"Well, Sir Henry, I agree that you should go down to Devonshire soon, but you certainly mustn't go alone."
"Dr. Mortimer comes back with me."
"But Dr. Mortimer is a busy doctor, and his house is far from yours. He may not be able to help you. No, sir Henry, you need a man you can trust, who will always be by your side."
"Is it possible you can come yourself, Mr. Holmes?"
"I'll try to get down there later, but am too busy with my work in London right now."
"Who do you suggest then?"
"If my friend Dr. Watson agrees to go, he'd be the right man."
This came as a big surprise to me, but before I could reply, Sir Henry eagerly shook my hand.
"Well now, that's very good of you, Dr, Watson," he said. "If you'll come with me to Baskercille Hall, I'd be glad of your help."
"With pleasure," I said, happy at the promise of an adventure.
"And you'll report everything to me," said Holmes. "When something happens, and I'm sure it will, I'll tell you what to do. How about leaving on Saturday?"
We both agreed, and then Holmes said, "Let's meet on Saturday morning at Paddington station. The train's at 10:30." Suddenly Baskerville cried out, and pulled out a brown boot from under a cabinet.
"My missing boot!" he shouted.
"May all out problems be solved like that!" said Sherlock Holmes.

Sir Henry Baskerville

Chapter 5
Sir Henry Baskerville
Dr. Mortimer came in with Sir Henry exactly at ten o'clock the next morning.
Sir henry was a small, dark-eyed man about thirty years old with a strong face and thick, black eyebrows.
"This is Sir Henry Baskerville," said Dr. Mortimer.
"I have something strange to show you, Mr. Holmes," Sir Henry said.
"Please sit down, gentlemen. Did something surprising happen after you got to London?"
"It's probably just a joke, Mr. Holmes. It's a letter that came this morning."
He put down an envelope on the table. The address. "Sir Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel," was written in printed letters. The envelope was sent from charing Cross the night before.
"Who knew that you were going to the Northumberland Hotel?" asked Holmes.
"No one. We only decided after I met Dr. Mortimer."
"But Dr. Mortimer was already staying there?"
"No, I was at a friend's house," said the doctor. " No one knew about hotel."
"Then someone followed you. for sure."
Holmes took a half sheet of paper from the envelope. There was only one sentence on it. made from words cut from a newspaper. It said: "If you value your life keep away from the moor." only the word "moor" had been written by hand.
"Now," said sir Henry, "please tell me, Mr. Holmes, what on earth this means, and who sent it?"
"Well, Dr. Mortimer, you must agree there's nothing supernatural about this."
"No, Sir, but it may have come from someone who believes in the supernatural."
"Supernatural?" asked Sir Henry sharply. "What are you gentlemen talking about?"
"We'll soon explain, I promise you, Sir Henry, " Said Sherlock Holmes. "So this very interesting letter was put together and sent last night. Do you have yesterday's Times, Watson? can you give me the editorial page."
Holmes soon smiled with satisfaction. "Such a good article on free trade. Let me read some of it: "If you think your own special trade or industry will do better if imports are taxed, you are mistaken. such laws keep away wealth from our country, lower the value of our currency and worsen the general conditions of life here."
"I don't understand ," Sir Henry said. "what does free trade have to do with the letter?"
"Quite a lot," said Holmes. "The letter comes from the newspaper article.
All the cut out words in the letter are taken from it - 'you," 'your,''life,''value,''life,''value,''keep away,''from the.'"
"you're right," cried Sir Henry.
"That's really smart!"
"How did you know where to look?" asked Dr. Mortimer.
"It's my special hobby. I study the fonts of different newspaper. The Times editorial has special lettering. probably the person who sent the letter had used yesterday's Times."
"But why was the word 'moor' written by hand?" asked Sir henry.
"Because it wasn't in the newspaper. The other words were all simple but 'moor' is less common."
"Yes, that would explain it. Did you notice anything else in this message, Mr. Holmes?"
"The writer didn't want to leave clues. He printed the address but the Times is only read by educated people. He didn't write the letter in his own handwriting, because he didn't want anyone to recognize it. Also the words were glued on in a hurry, as if the writer were afraid of being interrupted. And know, sir Henry, what else has happened in London? Has anyone been following you or watching you?"
"Why should anyone do that?" asked Sir Henry.
"We'll explain. You have nothing else to report to us? Nothing unusual? Sir Henry smiled. "I don't know much of British life yet, as I've lived mostly in north america. But I howe that losing one of your one of your boots is not part of the ordinary routine here."
"You lost a boot?"
"Yes, I don't know where it is. I put both boots outside my door last night, and there was only one in the morning.
I asked where the other one was, but could get no answer. They were new boots and I hadn't even worn them yet."
"No one would steal one boot," said Sherlock Holmes. "I'm sure you'll find the missing boot soon."
"And now," said Sir Henry, "It's time you gentlemen keep your promise and explain all that you know."
Dr. Mortimer took out his papers and told his story again. Sir Henry listened carefully and seemed surprised.
"Of course I've heard of the hound since I was little, but I never took it seriously before. As for my uncle's death, you don't seem sure yet if it's a case. for the police or not. And now there's this letter I got at the hotel."
"Exactly. But we have to decide now, Sir Henry, if you should go to Baskerville Hall or not."
"Why shouldn't I go?"
"There seems to be danger."
"Danger from this hound or from human beings?"
"Well, that's what we have to find out."
"In any case, I've made up mt mind. No devil in hell and no man on earth can stop me going to the gome of mt own family, and that's my final answer."
Sir Henry's dark brows frowned and his face reddened as he spoke, as if the hot temper of the Baskervilles lived on. "Meanwhile," he said, "I need to think over all you've told me. It's eleven-thirty now, Mr. Holmes, and I'm going back to my hotel. can you and Dr. Watson come and lunch with us at two? We'll talk some more then."

The Problem

Chapter 4
The Problem
Holmes was very excited. "You saw that?"
"Yes, very clearly."
"Why did no one else see them?"
"The tracks were about 20 yards from the body."
"Are there many sheepdogs on the moor?"
"Yes, but this was no sheepdog."
"You say it was large?"
"Huge."
"But it hadn't come near the body?"
"No."
"What sort of night was it?"
"A cold, damp night, but not actually raining."
"Tell me about the alley?"
"There are two lines of hedge, twelve feet high and very thick. There's a wide path between them with grass on either side."
"And there is a gate in the hedge?"
"Yes, the gate to the moor. The gate was closed and locked."
"How high is the gate?"
"about four feet high."
"Then anyone could have climbed over it?"
"Yes."
"Did you see any marks by the gate?"
"Nothing special. Sir Charles Had stood there for five or ten minutes."
"How do you know?"
"Because the ash from his cigar had dropped to the ground twice."
"Excellent!"
"But no other footprints were near the gate?"
"I could see no others."
"And to reach the Yew Alley you have to go from the house or through the gate?"
"There is an exit at the other end too, but Sir Charles never got there."
"A most interesting case," said Holmes. "I wish i had been there.why didn't you call me before, Dr Mortimer?"
"The original hound was able to jump at a man's throat, yet he was devilish too."
"But if you think it was supernatural, why did you ask for my help?"
"I need your advice. Sir Henry Baskerville, Sir Charles's nephew, has come from Canada. In an hour he'll be at waterloo station. He inherits Baskerville Hall."
"There's no other relative, I suppose?"
"No. Sir Charles's youngest brother, Rodger , was the black sheep of the family. He was a wild man who looked like the old Hugo of the legend. He ran off to central America where he died in 1876. Henry is the last Baskerville. What do you suggest I do?"
"Go to waterloo to meet Sir Henry, but don't tell him anything until i've had time to think. Come back to me at ten o'clock tomorrow morning with Sir Henry."
"Thanks,Sir. Good morning."
Sherlock Holmes looked happy with the task he now had. I left for my club and saw him again that evening. The room was so filled with pipe smoke that I hardly saw Holmes in the armchair wearing his robe. He had a large map of Devonshire.
"This is the district of Dartmoor that concerns us. That's Baskerville Hall in the middle. The Yew Alley must run here along the moor. These buildings are the village of Grimpen, where Dr. Mortimer works. There aren't many buildings on the moor. Here's Lafter Hall.This building must be the house of Stapleton, the nature expert. Here are two farmhouses. Fourteen miles away is the prison of Princetown.
"What an empty, wild place!"
"Yes, a place for tragedy...First, we have to decide if a crime took place or not. second, what was the crime and how was it carried out? If we believe Dr. Mortimer - that it was supernatural - then nothing can be done. But our job is to find answers."
"I thought a lot about the case today. It's very strange."
"What about the change in the footprints? What do you make of that?"
"They say that Sir Charles had walked on tiptoe down the alley."
"But why? I think he was running for his life till his heart burst and he fell dead upon his face."
"Running from what?"
"That's the problem. It seems the man was crazy with fear before he began to run."
"Why was that?"
"I think something came at him across the moor. His fear made him run away from the house instead of towards it. But who was he waiting for that night? Why was he waiting outside and not inside his house?"
"You think he was waiting for someone?"
"Sir Charles was old and sick. We can understand that he took an evening walk, but it was cold and damp. Was it natural to stand for five or ten minutes by the gate? Remember that this was the night before he was going to London. Things are getting clearer, Watson. Give me my violin and let's relax until we meet Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry in the morning."

The Death of Sir Charles Baskerville

Chapter 3
The Death of Sir Charles Baskerville
when Dr. Mortimer finished reading this strange letter he looked at Sherlock Holmes and took a newspaper from his pocket.
"Here's the local paper from May 14. It tells of the death of sir Charles Baskerville."
My friend listened with interest as out visitor began to read:
"The sudden death of sir Charles Baskerville has upset many people in the country. Sir Charles was well liked and gave a lot of money to charity. Although there were some rumors about his death, there is no reason to suppose anything unnatural. He had a weak heart and it is thought that he died of a heart attack. He lived a simple life at Baskerville Hall with only two servants, a married couple named Barrymore, The night of his death, Sir Charles was walking as usual down the famous Yew Alley outside the hall. The next day he planned to go to London. But he went out walking and never returned. At midnight Barrymore saw that the door was open and went to find his master. He followed the footprints in the alley. Half-way down the alley is a gate that goes out onto the moor. There were signs that Sir Charles had stood at the gate and then walked down the alley, and his body was found at the end of it. Barrymore reported that after his master passed the gate he walked on tiptoe. Though there were no signs of violence on his body, there was an awful look on his face. This is not unusual after a heart attack.
Sir Charles closest relative is his nephew in Canada, who is expected soon at Baskerville Hall."
"These are the public facts, Mr Holmes, about the death of sir Charles."
"Then what are the private ones?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
"Not many people live on the moor, so all of them know each other well.
I saw a lot of sir Charles and , except for Mr, Frankland of Lafter Hall, and Mr. Stapleton, an expert on nature, no other educated men live there. Sir Charles was very nervous these last months, He had taken this legend to heart and never went out on the moor at night. He was afraid because many people in his family had
died strangely. He sometimes asked me if I had seen any strange creature at night or heard a hound barking.
"One evening when I drove to his house he was at the door with his eyes staring in horror. I turned and saw a large black animal passing by. He was so nervous that I stayed with him all evening. He showed me the letter about the legend and asked me to keep it.
"Because of his bad heart I advised him to go to London for a rest. However, at the last minute, this tragedy happened. His servant Barrymore sent for me after he found Sir Charles's body and I came right away. I also followed his footprints. When I turned the body over to examine it, I noticed the look on his face. but Barrymore made one mistake. He said there were no tracks on the ground near the body. But I saw some - not far away - very clear tracks."
"Footprints?" asked Holmes. "A man's or a woman's?"
Dr. Mortimer looked strangely at us for an instant, then whispered, "No,
Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a huge dog!"

The Curse on the Baskerville Family

Chapter 2
The Curse on the Baskerville Family
Dr. Mortimer took out some yellow papers from his pocket.
"They are about 150 years old," said Sherlock Holmes.
"How do you know that, sir?"
"I saw the writing when it was in your pocket, and what kind of expert would I be if I didn't know?"
"Yes, this old letter, written in 1742, is about the Baskervilles. I was the friend and doctor of sir Charles Baskerville, who died suddenly three months ago. He gave me these papers. They tell of a legend that's in the Baskerville family. sir Charles believed the legend.
Holmes sat back and closed his eyes while Dr. Mortimer said:
"This letter was written by Hugo Baskerville to his sons Rodger and John, and it says:
"This is the family legend about the hound of the Baskervilles. I heard the story from my father, and he heard it from his father too. A hundred years ago, Baskerville Hall was owned by a young Baskerville, our relative, called Hugo like me, a wild and wicked man, This Hugo loved the daughter of a farmer who lived not far away. The young girl stayed away from him because he had a bad name. One day Hugo, with five or six of his wicked friends, kidnapped the girl when her father and brothers were not home. They took her to Baskerville Hall, locked her in a room upstairs and sat downstairs drinking. The poor girl was very frightened and tried to escape. she climbed down from the window, holding onto the ivy on the wall, and started running for home.
A little later on. when Hugo went upstairs to bring food and drink to the girl, he saw she had escaped. he got very, very, very angry. He came down, jumped onto the table and shouted that even if he had to sell his body and soul to the devil he would catch her. Then one of his wicked, drunken friend suggested sending the hunting dogs after her, so Hugo told the servants to bring his horse and to let out the hounds.
His friends now started coming to their senses, afraid of the terrible things that would happen out on the moor. Thirteen of them got on their horses and rode after Hugo. The moon shone and they rode fast.
They had gone a mile or two when they passed a shepherd. They asked him if he had seen the chase. The man was so afraid that he could hardly speak, but finally he said he had seen the unlucky girl, with the hounds chasing after her.
'But i have seen more than,' he said, ' for Hugo Baskerville passed me on his black horse, and there right behind him was a hound from hell. God forbid such a thing should ever come after me!'
The drunken group rode on, but when the black horse ran past them with an empty saddle their blood ran cold. Now the group rode close together because a great fear was upon them, As they rode slowly they met the hounds at the top of a deep valley. The dogs were tense with staring eyes and they whimpered in fear. Most of the men were too afraid to go on but three of theme rode forward. The moon was shining bright and in the middle of the valley the poor girl lay dead. The body of Hugo Baskerville lay near her, But most frightening of all, standing over Hugo's throat was a huge black beast, like a hound, yet larger than any hound that any man's eye ever saw. As the beast turned its blazing eyes and bloody jaws towards them, the three screamed with fear and rode away in terror.
This is the story, my sons, of the hound which has troubled the family so badly since then. It is true that many of our family have had sudden, bloody and strange deaths. But the Bible says that the innocent will not be punished after the third or fourth generation. In any case please be careful. Do not go out on the moor after dark, when the powers of evil are strong."

Mr. Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 1
Mr. Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes sat at the breakfast table. I stood by the fire and picked up the walking stick that our visitors had left behind the night before. We were not home then, so we had not met him. It was a fine, thick piece of wood. A silver band around it said: "To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S. from his friends of the C.C.H., 1884."
"Well, Watson, what do you think about it? Because we missed our visitor last night, and we don't know why he came here, this stick is an important clue."
"Dr. Mortimer must be an old man with good friends. He lives in the country and walks a lot to see his patients."
"Why do you think so?"
"Because I see that he has used this stick a lot. A doctor in town would carry a newer stick."
"Correct," said Holmes.
"The letters C.C.H. mean some sort of sports club. He helped people in the club, and he got this stick as a present."
"Well, Wotson," said Holmes, taking the stick to the window to look at , "you're not a genius, but you help me a lot."
"Did I make a mistake?" I asked.
"You're right that the man is a country doctor and walks a lot."
"And the rest?"
"This present probably came from a hospital where the doctor worked.
C.C.H. is Charing Cross Hospital in London."
"What else did you notice?"
"That he got the stick five years ago when he left the hospital and moved to the country. Only a junior doctor would move to the country, so we can imagine a young man under thirty, friendly, not very ambitious, and forgetful. I see by the marks on the stick that the doctor has a dog."
A minute later he said, " The dog is a curly-haired spaniel."
"My dear Holmes, how can you possibly know?"
"Only a man who wasn't ambitious would move from London to the country. And as for the dog, he's by the front door with his owner. Come in, sir!"
I was surprised when I saw our visitor. He was a very tall,thin,young man, with a long nose and gold colored glasses, He was very happy to see his stick again.
"I'm so glad," he said, " I wasn't sure where I left my walking stick, I was afraid it was lost."
"It was a present from Charing Cross Hospital," said Holmes.
"Yes,sir."
"You came to see me last night and again today. How can i help you, Dr. Mortimer?" asked Holmes. "What exactly is the problem?"