The Hound of the Baskervilles
Summary – Rough Draft

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Doyle was born on May 22, 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Although his educational background was in medicine, he spent a great deal of his time reading spiritual and metaphysical literature. His passion to spirituality perhaps drew him out of medicine in the traditional sense. He spent a great deal of time traveling the word practicing in such odd locations as the Arctic where he became a doctor on a whaling ship, Africa and South East Asia.
Doyle published his first Sherlock Holmes novel in 1887. In 1894, however, he killed his most famous fictional character in “The Final Problem” because he had became bored with Holmes and wanted to devote his time and attention to his more serious writing. He wanted to be remembered for his historical writings rather than his ability to weave a fascinating tale. In 1903 public demand and a request from the Government persuaded Doyle to briefly reincarnate Holmes 1917 marked the final publication of a Sherlock Holmes novel. 
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote more than 50 books including historical novels, science fiction, comedy, seafaring adventure, the supernatural, poetry, military and many other subjects. His life, nevertheless, was anything but devoted to literature. An avid sportsman, traveler and physician, Doyle also ran for parliament twice. Although he was never elected, he remained active in many movements throughout the war and helped to greatly improve the lives of soldiers. 
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died on July 7, 1930, from heart disease.

Characters:

Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is probably literature’s most highly renowned detective. He seems to live in a world unto himself with his keen, logical mind, sharp eye and deductive reasoning.  Although he might seem to play a subjacent role to Watson in this story, Holmes remains a clear and influential presence throughout the tale. Even when Watson travels to Devonshire to solve the mystery, it is clear that he has neither the ability nor the confidence to decipher the clues on his own. Watson remains loyal to his mentor, regularly sending reports back to London in the hopes of gaining enlightenment from the master detective.

Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson, the narrator of the novel, although quite competent at his craft, does not possess the zeal and character of his mentor. He is eager to prove to Holmes that he is a very capable detective, but he always falls a little short. Although he is unable to completely emulate the methods of his master, he does succeed in bettering him in one respect – personality. Watson lacks the cockiness and arrogance f Holmes and which makes him a more personable and likeable character.

Sir Henry Baskerville
Believed to be the final heir to the Baskerville estate, Sir Henry traveled from Canada to England to claim his inheritance. He is described as a
small, alert, dark-eyed man, …very sturdily built, with thick black eyebrows and a strong pugnacious face. (He had the) appearance of one who has spent most of his time in the open air, and yet there was something in his steady eye and the quiet assurance of his bearing which indicated the gentleman. (p34)
However his appearance and spirit are quite transformed by the final events of the story. Indeed by the end of the story, he appears to be the shell of the man to whom we are introduced.

Sir Charles Baskerville
The Uncle to Sir Henry Baskerville. Sir Charles was an amiable philanthropist whose plans and actions had done a great deal to improve life for those living in the region surrounding his estate. Sir Charles was also an extremely superstitious man and remained terrified of the Baskerville curse, which plagued his family line.

Sir Hugo Baskerville
A self-indulgent aristocrat and catalyst for the curse that plagued the Baskerville family. Sir Hugo, unable to woo the woman whom had touched his heart, abducted her and kept her captive in his home. The woman fled from her captors and made her escape through the moor. Sir Hugo pursued the woman whilst unbeknownst to him was also being shadowed by a hound of beastly proportions. Legend explains this as the birth of the curse which followed the Baskerville family until now.

Mortimer      
Family friend and doctor of the Baskervilles and also the executor of the Baskerville estate. Mortimer enlists the help of Holmes and Watson in order to solve the mystery surrounding the Baskerville family and possibly endangering the Sir Henry’s life. Mortimer is also a phrenologist with the hopes of one day examining Holmes’ skull.

Mr. Jack Stapleton
A thin and distinguished looking entomologist and one time school master, Stapleton gives the impression of a calm, well mannered gentleman. It isn’t until later that his true nature is revealed and Holmes and Watson begin to take him for the villain that he truly is.

Miss/Mrs. Stapleton
This young Latin beauty is held out to be Mr. Stapleton’s sister but turns out to be his wife. She discreetly attempts  to warn Watson of danger. Years of abuse from Mr. Stapleton has left her too afraid to reveal her husbands plan outright.

Mr. And Mrs. Barrymore
The long time household help for the Baskerville family, this couple acts as the red herring to the story. Their attempt to conceal the fact that they are aiding and abetting a known felon, Mr. Barrymore’s brother leads Watson to believe he is behind the Baskerville curse.

Laura Lyons
Daughter to Mr. Frankland, Ms. Lyons unwittingly lures Sir Charles into the moor and to his subsequent death. Laura’s need for cash makes her an easy mark for a criminal mastermind such as Mr. Stapleton.

Mr. Frankland
Laural Lyons’ father, Mr. Frankland is a bit of a paradox. In one respect he is portrayed as a monster for his treatment of his daughter; however, he  is also plays the part of the jester. Frankland is the one who unknowingly leads Watson to Holmes’ hideout.

The Convict/Seldon
The vicious escaped convict roaming the moor, Selden is humanized as Mrs. Barrymore’s brother. Seldon adds confusion to the story leading Holmes and Watson on false trails and too false conclusions.

Summary
The story begins with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson trying to solve a mini mystery regarding to the owner of a walking stick that was left in Holmes’s home on Baker Street. Holmes challenges Watson to decipher the clues and give him a proper description of the cane’s owner. Watson seems to do well and is praised by his mentor for his keen and insightful mind.

He had never said as much before, and I must admit that his words gave me keen pleasure, for I had often been piqued by his indifference to my admiration and to the attempts which I had made to give publicity to his methods. p.8

The praise however turns out to be a subtle mockery of Watson’s rudimentary oversights.

I am afraid, my dear Watson, that most of your conclusions were erroneous. When I said that you stimulated me I meant, to be frank, that in noting your fallacies I was occasionally guided towards the truth. P. 9

This is the first time we see the cocky, almost arrogant pride and self-confidence that Holmes exudes.

Enter Mortimer, the executor of the Baskerville Estate and owner of the mysterious walking stick. He returns to Holmes abode and quickly shares a manuscript with the two that the detective immediately takes as fiction rather than fact. Within the words of the manuscript is contained the origin of the Baskerville curse. It seems that the blight on the Baskervilles originated with Hugo Baskerville, a “wild, profane and godless man”. Hugo, feeling the pains of unrequited love, takes to abduction. One night, however, the young lady escapes her confines and makes tracks through the moor behind the Baskerville estate. Hugo, not wanting to lose his love interest quickly takes off after the damsel only to find himself being stalked by a hound of beastly proportions. Hugo falls under the jaws of this creature and the curse begins, warning all Baskervilles to stay out of the moor after dusk.

Mortimer then shows Holmes a clipping from the Devon County Chronicle, which gives the facts of Sir Charles Baskerville’s recent demise. His body was also found in the moor, heart stopped short from fright. Mortimer also provides an interesting fact absent from the news report: the huge footprint of an obscenely large hound was pressed into the ground next to the cold Baskerville body. Apparently, reports Mortimer, Sir Charles was a man possessed with the Baskerville legend and his weak heart was already on the breaking point.

Holmes, the scientist is not taken by this supernatural tale and insists that there is a real and tangible explanation. Even when Mortimer reveals that there have been sightings of a luminescent creature roaming about the moor Holmes remains the skeptic.

‘And you, a trained man of science, believe it to be supernatural?’
‘I do not know what to believe.’
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. ‘I have hitherto confined my investigations to this world… ‘ p. 27

Holmes is dismissive and asks why Mortimer would come to him for assistance. Mortimer is quick to give a response -- because he is worried for the safety of the heir to the Baskerville estate. Holmes tells Mortimer to go and return the next day with the baronet. He asks Watson to leave him alone for a spell. When Watson returns to the smoke filled room Holmes reveals that Charles Baskerville was waiting for someone or something on the night that he collapsed and must have been running from something when his heart finally stopped beating.

The next day, Mortimer returns with young Baskerville. Sir Henry brings with him a note delivered to him at his hotel.

“As you value your life, or your reason, keep away from the moor.”

Holmes deduces that the printed words were cut from yesterdays Times and declares that the handwritten words must have been written in a hotel room within the city. Another mystery arises as Henry reveals that someone has stolen from the hotel, one of his newly purchased boots.

Despite the threats and mysterious disappearance of his shoes Sir Henry can not be swayed from going to his newly inherited estate.

There is no devil in hell, Mr. Holmes, and there is no man upon earth who can prevent me from going to the home of my own people…p. 41

Sir Henry sets up a meeting with Holmes and Watson for the next day and walks back to his hotel. Holmes hurries Watson and the two secretly follow Baskerville from a distance. As they walk back, Holmes discovers another man stalking the young baronet in the cab of a taxi. Holmes refrains from his cautious manner and is noticed by the mysterious stalker. The cabbie is ordered to flee the scene but not before Watson and Holmes take not of the fare’s black beard and the cabs number, 2704.  Angry with himself for his impulsive actions, Holmes decides to hire a young boy, Cartwright, to assist in finding the identity of the bearded man. They tell the young boy to look in the paper waste of Hotels throughout the city in hopes of finding the remains of the Times from which the threatening letter was cut. Meanwhile he and Watson would find the name of the cabbie responsible for driving cab 2704.

The following day, Holmes and Watson find Baskerville ranting furiously over the abduction of yet another shoe, this time one from his older pair. Unable to solve this mystery the three turn their attention to the man who was seen following Baskerville the previous day. Mortimer informs them that indeed the servant Mr. Barrymre has a black beard. Immediately a telegram is sent to see if Barrymore is still at the Baskerville estate in Devonshire.  Holmes agrees to take the case, but insists that Watson accompany Mortimer and Baskerville back to Devonshire himself being too busy with other pressing engagements. Before Watson leaves Sir Henry’s new shoe is mysteriously returned and two telegrams are received; 1) Barrymore is and has always been present at the Baskerville estate; and 2) Cartwright has had no luck in finding the remains of the Times. Finally the cabbie of 2704 informs Holmes that the mysterious fare presented himself as none other than Sherlock Holmes. Holmes reveals his respect for their new adversary and fears for the life of Watson.

‘Snap goes our third thread, and we end where we began,’ said he. ‘The cunning rascal! He knew our number…I tell you, Watson, this time we have got a foeman who is worthy of our steel. I’ve been checkmated in London. I can only wish you better luck in Devonshire. But I’m not easy in my mind about that.  P. 55

Watson then leaves for Devonshire with his companions. As they are being ferried by horse drawn carriage from the train to the Bakersville estate, they pass by a mounted soldier and are told that he is looking for an escaped convict, a ruthless killer, that is taking refuge out on the moor.

Sir Henry and Watson are quickly acquainted with Barrymore, the butler and his wife. Both report to be chilled by their master’s demise and promise to leave the estate when replacements are hired.

That night as Watson is settling into his first night’s sleep he hears the wound of a woman weeping. The next day Barrymore claims to have heard no such a sound; however, Watson is quick to notice his wife’s red puffy eyes as he greets her in the hall. Watson’s uneasiness about the servant is increased when he finds out that the telegram sent from London was never actually delivered to Barrymore himself.

Introduce Mr. Stapleton of Merripit house, a naturalist, former schoolmaster and friend to Mortimer and the late Sir Charles Baskerville. Mr. Stapleton lends himself out to be a man of kind and peaceful demeanor and he offers his assistance in this matter. Watson and Mr. Stapleton take off through the moor to visit Stapleton’s sister.  As they walk through the moor Watson hears a low moan which chills him to the core. They also see in the background a number of caves where Neolithic men used to live.  Mr. Stapleton cuts the tour of the moor short when he catches sight of a butterfly fluttering about and tries to chase it down. At the same time, Miss Stapleton mistakes Watson for Sir Henry and almost hysterically offers a warning.

Can you not tell when a warning is for your own good? Go back to London! Get away from this place at all costs.  p. 75

Upon realizing that he is Watson and not Sir Henry, Miss Stapleton apologizes for her mistake, but begs him to take Baskerville away from the moor for fear of some harm that will befall him.

From here the story is written as if it were taken from the pages of reports written to Holmes. He talks of Baskerville’s meeting with Miss Stapleton and his immediate attraction towards her.

Introduce Mr. Frankland, an elderly choleric man who takes great pleasure in fighting any legal battle in which he can enmesh himself. He is also an amateur astronomer who spends much time on his roof looking at the moors instead of the stars in the hopes of catching sight of the escaped convict.

Watson begins to write about his suspicion towards Barrymore. He is concerned that Barrymore didn’t receive the telegram and nor did he send one in response. As well, he has also seen Barrymore creeping about the house in the middle of the night and pressing a lit candle to the window looking over the moor.

Watson mentions Barrymore’s midnight strolls to Sir Henry; however, the baronet is more interested in pursuing his romantic interest, Miss. Stapleton and he ventures into the moor to meet with her. Watson secretly follows Sir Henry to his rendezvous and watches as Sir Henry tries to steal a kiss from young woman. The interlude is quickly terminated however when Mr. Stapleton aggressively intervenes and whisks his sister away.  Sir Henry is at first quite offended by Stapleton’s actions until Stapleton offeres his apologies.

However, our conjectures were set at rest by a visit from Stapleton himself that very afternoon. He had come to offer apologies for his rudeness of the morning, and after a long private interview with Sir Henry in his study the upshot of their conversation was that the breach is quite healed … p94

Watson, sure that one of the piling mysteries has been solved.

So there is one of our small mysteries cleared up. It is something to have touched bottom anywhere in this bog in which we are floundering. We know now why Stapleton looked with disfavor upon his sister’s suitor. … And now I pass on to another thread, which I have extricated out of the tangled skein, the mystery of the sobs in the night, of the tear stained face of Mrs Barrymore, of the secret journey of the butler to the western lattice window.  p. 95

That night Baskerville and Watson stay up and wait for Barrymore to venture to the balcony to confront him about his strange behavior. At first Barrymore refuses to explain, until his wife enters the room crying. The two reveal that the convict in the moor is actually Mrs. Barrymore’s brother, Selden, and every second night they signal him from the window and bring him food and clothing. Upon hearing of this, the baronet and Watson take it upon themselves to attempt to capture the villain. As they scour the moor in search of the convict, Watson hears for the second time and Sir Henry for the first, a terrifying cry of a hound. Baskderville is chilled to the core, but the two continue to search for Selden. They spot the convict

(o)ver the rocks(.) (I)n the crevice of which the candle burned, there was thrust out an evil yellow face, a terrible animal face, all seamed and scored with vile passions. p. 102

Unfortunately, the scoundrel eludes capture and escapes into the pitch-black moor and to add to his dismay, Watson catches glimpse of another man in the moor.

Watson seems exasperated with the case and reveals his dependence on his mentor.

Perhaps in my next I may be able to throw some light upon this also. Best of all would it be if you could come down to us. p. 104

The next day Barrymore expresses anger in the chasing of his brother in law. He reveals that plans have been made to transport him to South America. Watson and Sir Henry agree to let him leave without reporting his presence to the authorities. To show his gratitude, Barrymore discloses that Sir Charles Baskerville was going out to meet a woman with the initials L.L. on the night he died. He had disclosed that he found the burnt remains of a letter written to Sir Charles. The letter read:

Please, please, as you are a gentleman, burn this letter, and be at the gate by ten o’clock.

Upon inquiry, Mortimer reveals that L.L. are the initials of Laura Lyons, Frankland’s daughter. He disowned her because she married without consent. Watson sets off for Coombe Tracey to find Miss Lyons. Watson finds her and she admits to having met Charles Baskervill in Coombe Tracey. Their meetings, however, were kept secret. She initially denies having written to lettery to Sir Charles, however, she is persuaded to admit to writing it and setting up a meeting. She explains, however, that something private kept her from actually going to the appointed meeting.  Lyons further explains that she was in a terrible marriage and wanted desperately to divorce her husband. Having been disowned by her father, she had to find other means with which to pay the legal costs. She begged for help. Sir Charles was going to help her, however she received money from another source, the identity of which she refused to disclose.

On his way home to the Baskerville estate, Frankland, who had recently won a legal proceeding, meets Watson. He wants to celebrate and asks Watson to accompany him for a cup of wine. Watson agrees and is soon privy to Frankland’s most recent success: using his telescope, he has caught sight of the convict’s errand boy and has a good idea of the whereabouts of theconvict’s hideout. Watson looks through the telescope and sees the young messenger. He runs off to follow him into the hills. His search leads him to a stone hut in which he uncovers the remains of food and some telegrams reporting his own movements.

Enter Sherlock Holmes. Holmes makes his appearance and declares that he was the mysterious silhouette in the moor. Not wanting to scare away the criminal Holmes made his home in the hills and hired Cartwright to  be his errand boy. Holmes expresses his respect for Watson’s work.

I must compliment you exceedingly upon the zeal and intelligence which you have shown over an extraordinarily difficult case. p. 130

Holmes updates Watson on his own findings. He is aware of Miss. Lyons and reveals a relationship between herself and Mr. Stapleton. He also shock Watson with the news that Miss. Stapleton not Mr. Stapleton’s sister, but in actuality, she is his wife. An examination of photos and descriptions of old school masters led him to this conclusion. Apparently he had duped Miss. Lyons into thinking he was single to elicit her assistance. However being the smug man that he is, Holmes does not reveal all of the information which he has gained in the course of his own investigation.

Do not ask me for particulars. My nets are closing upon him… p. 133

The two are distracted from their conversation by a scream in the distance. The two charge into the moor and fear the worst when they approach a man dressed in Baskerville’s clothing, neck broken from a fall onto the rocks. Thankfully, it was not Sir Henry, but rather Selden dressed in his clothes.

Stapleton enters into the scene shocked to find that it is Selden the convict that fell to his death. As Holmes and Watson walk back to the estate Holmes reveals his respect for Stapleton.

What nerve this fellow has! How he pulled himself together in the face of what must have been a paralyzing shock when he found that the wrong man had fallen a victim to his plot. I told you in London, Watson, and I will tell you now again, that we have never had a foeman more worthy of our steel. p. 139

Holmes explains that his theory has no proof only conjecture. When they return to the Estate, Sir Henry is thrilled to see Holmes. Suddenly Holmes is in shock as he looks at the portrait of Hugo. He realizes that Stapleton and Hugo share the same features. At last, the mystery comes together.

The next day, Holmes tells the baronet to keep his engagement to dine at Merripit house. He will return to London. He further tells Watson to send word that he will be unable to accompany Sir Henry for dinner. Baskerville is to take his carriage to the Merripit House and tell Stapleton that he intends to walk home through the moor.  Holmes sets up an elaborate ruse to convince that Watson and himself have left Devonshire for London and that Sir Charles is finally alone.

Watson and Holmes set of to see Miss Lyons and confront her with the truth about Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton. Embittered with the news she turns on Stapleton and reveals that he dictated the letter and then persuaded her not to go to the meeting place. After Sir Charles’ mysterious death, Stapleton threatened her not to say anything about the letter or her relationship with Sir Charles or the police would believe that she was involved in his death.

With this information the duo teams up with Detective Lestrad from London and set off for the Merripit House to capture Stapleton before he does away with Sir Henry. When they reach the house they notice that Mrs. Stapleton is not visible. Tension begins to build as a thick fog begins to roll in, limiting visibility. Finally Baskerville leaves Stapleton’s as the fog closes in. A sound is heard off in the distance of the moor and they all catch sight of an enormous hound, jaws seemingly alive with the flames of hell. Holmes rushes in to save the day and shoots the beast dead only to find out that phosphorous was used to set its jaws ablaze.  Holmes secures a terrified Sir Charles and returns to the house to find Mrs. Stapleton bound, abused and exhausted. She informs Holmes of her husband’s hiding spot in heart of the mire. Stapleton, in his panicked flight from the scene drowns in the marshland on the moor.

Back in London, Holmes ties up the loose ends, announcing that the stolen shoe was used to give the hound Henry's scent, and that mysterious warning note came from Beryl Stapleton, whose philandering husband had denied their marriage so as to seduce and use Laura Lyons. Watson files the case closed.

The Importance of the Novel

Natural vs. Supernatural
Throughout the story there is a constant conflict between real and supernatural, between truth and fiction. We are first introduced to this mystery as being a supernatural phenomenon. Dr. Mortimer arrives at Holmes already convinced that Sir. Baskerville’s death is a result of supernatural intervention.

Since the tragedy, Mr. . Holmes, there have come to my ears several incidents which are hard to reconcile with the settled order of Nature.  (p.27)

Holmes does not waver from his scientific pedestal for a second. Upon hearing the facts of the case he is convinced that there is a logical, scientific explanation for the tragedy.

“If I had only been there!”, he cried. “it is evidently a case of extraordinary interest, and one which presented immense opportunities to the scientific expert…. (p. 27)

The story contrasts the two realms of belief. The setting and atmosphere both have a very gothic, supernatural feel. Doyle’s description of the moor and the Baskerville estate give an eerie almost surreal feeling to the reader thus creating a mystical illusion. Holmes’ logical sensibilities, however,  contrast the paranormal overtones and create doubt in the reader’s mind that anything other than a scientifically proven conclusion would be impossible.

It is doubtful that if this story were to be written in the present day, that the mystical overtones would be so easily discarded. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was certainly a pioneer to his genre however, the ease with which he resolved the conundrum of the ‘hound from hell’ wouldn’t be accepted by today’s audience with so much fervor and excitement.  Science has almost pushed the limits as far as it can go and thus today’s audience yearns for supernatural explanation that cannot be thwarted by logic and science.

The Red Herring
A red herring is an intrinsic part of mystery/suspense writing. It has become so ingrained in  the minds of readers that they constantly look for possibilities refusing to ball prey to their intended misdirection. Doyle’s used Barrymore and Selden as attempts to lead his audience astray. It is likely that these attempts would have shocked an early generation of suspense readers. Hoyle certainly laid the foundation for today’s authors. His ingenuity most certainly made authors look ‘outside of the box’ for  more  intriguing and innovative red herrings.

 

There are two sides to every coin
Doyle managed to keep his readers guessing by showing both sides to the characters as well as the settings. He was a master of misdirection not only because of his red herrings and literary illusions, but also because his descriptive methods gave the ying and the yang, the good and the bad. For example, he introduces the moor as a place of mysterious beauty.

‘It is a wonderful place, the moor,’ said he looking around over the undulating downs, long green rollers, with crests of jagged granite foaming up into fantastic surges,. ‘You never tire of the moor. You cannot think the wonderful secrets which it contains. It is so vast, and so barren, and so mysterious. (p. 72)

However, he is quick to point out its darker, murkier side.

Something brown was rolling and tossing among the green sedges. Then a long agonized, writing neck shot upwards and a dreadful cry echoed over the moor. It turned me cold with horror. (p. 73)

After such a full description the reader is left unsettled and unsure of where the story is taking them.

Doyle’s descriptions of his characters leave readers with the same sense, very nervous, very on edge. For example Doyle establishes Mr. Stapleton. as a

small, slim, clean-shaven, prim-faced man, flaxen-haired and lean-jawed, (p. 69)

man.  We are led to believe that he is a man of honest and true characteristics until Doyle completes the picture.

(Stapleton) was running wildly towards them, his absurd net daggling behind him. He gesticulated and almost danced with excitement in front of the lovers.  … it seemed that he was abusing Sir Henry  (p. 92)

As it is true in life, everything has a light and a dark side and it is only with truly open eyes that we are able to take in the true essence of what we see. Doyle makes it easy to absorb everything he writes about because he tries to give a complete picture. In doing this, however, he adds to readers confusion because we are left unsure of which side, the light or the dark, on which our attention should be focused  It is not until the climax of the story that the picture which he has drawn begins to make sense.

Questions:

The sudden reappearance of Sherlock Holmes in the moor is the precursor to the story’s climax. Do you think that Doyle rushed the ending by introducing Holmes’ findings so abruptly? Why or why not?

Why do you think Doyle chose to tell this story through the eyes and words of Watson. Did such a perspective add or detract from the novel?

What influences do you think Doyle’s own preoccupation with spiritualism had on this novel? How do you account for the inherent conflict between the author’s spiritual beliefs and the purely scientific standpoint of Sherlock Holmes?

Why do you think Sherlock Holmes has received such worldwide notoriety? Why is his character so well renowned?

How do you think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has influenced his genre of writing?