Calico Classics Illustrated: Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of Baskervilles
This is my friend Dr Watson Glad to meet you sir he said with enthusiasm I’ve heard your name mentioned in connection with Mr Holmes Holmes invited the doctor to sit and asked why he had come I am suddenly confronted with a most serious problem and as you are the second highest expert in Europe Indeed sir May I inquire who has the honor to be the fi rst Holmes asked with some temper To the man of precisely scientifi c mind the work of Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal strongly Then perhaps you should consult him But my problem is more practical than scientifi c and in practical affairs you stand alone I trust I have not accidentally Just a little Holmes said Perhaps it would be best if you explained your problem 10
2 The Curse of the Baskervilles I have something I wish to read to you Dr Mortimer said Something from the early-eighteenth century manuscript in your pocket Holmes asked The doctor looked startled How do you know its age I see an inch or two of it above the line of your pocket I would be a poor expert if I could not give the date of a document within a decade or two after seeing it for several minutes Holmes said I put the date at 1730 The exact date is 1742 Dr Mortimer drew it from his pocket This family paper was given to me several months ago by Sir 11
Charles Baskerville He was my friend and my patient His tragic death created quite a stir in Devonshire My friend was an unimaginative practical man but he took the words of this document very seriously It is the legend of the Baskerville family Holmes stretched the document out over his knees I looked over his shoulder at the yellow paper and the faded ink But surely you wish to consult with me over something more modern and practical Holmes asked Most modern and practical the doctor agreed It is a matter that must be decided in the next twenty-four hours But this manuscript is related May I read it to you Holmes leaned back placed his fi ngertips together and closed his eyes Dr Mortimer lifted the manuscript to the best light and read in a high crackling voice 12
The manuscript told the tale of a demonic creature known as the Hound of the Baskervilles The story seemed to be mostly a warning to live a life of kindness to their neighbors For a curse loomed over the family should any repeat the evildoing of their distant ancestor During the mid-1600s the manor of the Baskervilles was held by a cruel man named Hugo Baskerville Hugo became obsessed with the daughter of a local farmer who had lands near the Baskerville estate but she would have nothing to do with Hugo One night Hugo rode to the farm with six of his wicked companions and kidnapped the young woman They brought her to Baskerville Hall and locked her in an upstairs room Then the men went downstairs to celebrate The young woman climbed out of the narrow window and scrambled down the thick ivy that covered the walls Then she began the 13
