THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

The Hound of the Baskervilles opens with a little puzzle—Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson estimate
on the personality of the identity of a cane that has been left in their office by an unknown guest.
Wowing Watson with his breathtaking forces of perception, Holmes predicts the presence of James
Mortimer, owner of the discovered object and an advantageous entrée into the confounding curse
of the Baskervilles.

Entering the office and disclosing an 18th century manuscript, Mortimer describes the myth of the
obscene Hugo Baskerville. Hugo caught and detained a youthful nation at his domain in Devonshire,
just to succumb to a ravaging hound of hell as he pursued her along the lonesome fields late one
night. From that point onward, Mortimer reports, the Baskerville line has been tormented by a
secretive and supernatural dark hound. The ongoing passing of Sir Charles Baskerville has revived
suspicions and fears. The closest relative, the team discovers, has landed in London to take up his
post at Baskerville Hall, but he has just been threatened by an unknown note of warning and, for
some odd reason, the robbery of a shoe.

Agreeing to take the case, Holmes and Watson rapidly find that Sir Henry Baskerville is being trailed
in London by a mysterious bearded outsider, and they hypothesize with respect to whether the
phantom be companion or enemy. Holmes, nonetheless, declares that he is too occupied in London
to go with Mortimer and Sir Henry to Devonshire to get to the base of the case, and he sends Dr.
Watson to be his eyes and ears, demanding that he report back normally.

Once in Devonshire, Watson finds a highly sensitive situation, with armed guards on the watch for a
got away convict wandering the fields. He meets potential suspects in Mr. Barrymore and Mrs.
Barrymore, the household help, and Mr. Jack Stapleton and his sister Beryl, Baskerville neighbors.

A progression of riddles touch base in quick progression: Barrymore is caught lurking around the
mansion at night; Watson spies a lonely figure keeping watch over the fields; and the doctor hears
what sounds like a dog's howling. Beryl Stapleton gives a puzzling warning and Watson learns of a
mystery experience between Sir Charles and a local lady named Laura Lyons on the night of his
death.

Doing his best to unravel these strings of the secret, Watson finds that Barrymore's nightly trips are
only his attempt to help the got away con, who ends up being Mrs. Barrymore's brother. The doctor
interviews Laura Lyons to evaluate her association, and finds that the lonely figure reviewing the
fields is none other than Sherlock Holmes himself. It takes Holmes—covered up so as not to tip off
the villain as to his association—to sort out the secret.

Mr. Stapleton, Holmes has found, is actually in line to acquire the Baskerville fortune, and as such is
the prime suspect. Laura Lyons was just a pawn in Stapleton's game, a Baskerville recipient whom
Stapleton persuaded to ask for and afterward miss a late night meeting with Sir Charles. Having
baited Charles onto the fields, Stapleton discharged his fierce pet pooch, which scared the
superstitious nobleman and caused a heart attack.

In a dramatic final scene, Holmes and Watson utilize the younger Baskerville as bait to catch
Stapleton in the act. After a late dinner at the Stapletons', Sir Henry heads home over the fields, just
to be waylaid by the tremendous Stapleton pet. Despite the thick mist, Holmes and Watson were
able to quell the monster, and Stapleton, in his terrified departure from the scene, drowns in a
marshland on the fields. Beryl Stapleton, who ends up being Jack's harried spouse and not his sister,
is found tied up in his home, having refused to participate in his devious plan.

Back in London, Holmes took care of the potential issues, reporting that the stolen shoe was used to
give the hound Henry's aroma, and that secretive warning note originated from Beryl Stapleton,
whose philandering husband had denied their marriage in order to seduce and use Laura Lyons.
Watson files the case closed.