The Hound of the Baskervilles · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Chapter 1
Dedication
Arthur Conan Doyle dedicates the novel to his friend Robinson, acknowledging that the story was inspired by Robinson's account of a West-Country legend and thanking him for his assistance with details.
Chapter 2
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The chapter introduces the legend of the Baskerville family curse, as Dr. Mortimer recounts the death of Sir Charles Baskerville and seeks Sherlock Holmes's advice. Holmes and Watson learn of the mysterious hound that supposedly haunts the family, and they prepare to investigate.
Chapter 3
I: Mr. Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson examine a walking stick left by a visitor, Dr. James Mortimer. Through deductive reasoning, Holmes corrects Watson's initial conclusions and reveals details about Mortimer's profession and background. Mortimer arrives and, after some preliminary conversation about his scientific interests, hints at a serious problem that requires Holmes's expertise.
Chapter 4
The Curse of the Baskervilles
Dr. Mortimer reads the ancient Baskerville legend about Hugo Baskerville and the spectral hound, then shares the recent newspaper account of Sir Charles's mysterious death, seeking Holmes's advice.
Chapter 5
III: The Problem
Dr. Mortimer consults Sherlock Holmes about the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville and the impending arrival of the heir, Sir Henry Baskerville. Mortimer reveals evidence of a spectral hound and expresses fear for Sir Henry's safety. Holmes agrees to investigate, requesting Mortimer to bring Sir Henry to Baker Street the next day. After Mortimer leaves, Holmes spends the day studying a map of Dartmoor and prepares to solve the case.
Chapter 6
IV: Sir Henry Baskerville
Sir Henry Baskerville arrives in London and consults Sherlock Holmes with Dr. Mortimer. He presents a threatening letter composed of pasted newspaper words warning him to stay away from the moor. Holmes deduces the source as a Times leader article and analyzes the clues. Sir Henry insists on going to Baskerville Hall despite the danger. After the meeting, Holmes and Watson secretly follow the visitors, spotting a mysterious man in a cab watching them.
Chapter 7
Three Broken Threads
Holmes and Watson visit Sir Henry Baskerville at the Northumberland Hotel, where Sir Henry is agitated by the theft of a new brown boot and then an old black boot. Holmes deduces that the people watching Sir Henry are not staying at his hotel, and sends telegrams to check on Barrymore's whereabouts. Later, the missing brown boot is mysteriously returned. Holmes receives telegrams confirming Barrymore is at the Hall and that a search for the cut Times page has failed. The cabman who drove the spy arrives, revealing that the spy gave his name as 'Mr. Sherlock Holmes,' a clever deception.
Chapter 8
Baskerville Hall
Watson accompanies Sir Henry Baskerville and Dr. Mortimer to Devonshire, receiving final instructions from Holmes. Upon arrival at Baskerville Hall, Watson observes the gloomy, ancestral atmosphere and hears a woman sobbing in the night.
Chapter 9
VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House
Watson and Sir Henry's first morning at Baskerville Hall is bright and cheerful, but Watson recalls hearing a woman sobbing during the night. Barrymore denies it, but Watson later sees Mrs. Barrymore with red, swollen eyes, suggesting she was the one crying. Watson visits the Grimpen postmaster to verify the delivery of a test telegram to Barrymore, but learns it was given to Mrs. Barrymore, not directly to him, leaving Barrymore's whereabouts uncertain. On his walk back, Watson meets Stapleton, a naturalist, who discusses the legend of the hound and Sir Charles's death. Stapleton invites Watson to Merripit House, where he meets Miss Stapleton. She warns Watson to leave the moor and return to London, but is interrupted by her brother. Watson returns to Baskerville Hall, troubled by the mystery.
Chapter 10
VIII: First Report of Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson writes to Sherlock Holmes from Baskerville Hall, describing the eerie atmosphere of the moor, the escaped convict, the Stapletons, Mr. Frankland, and the Barrymores. He notes Sir Henry's growing attraction to Miss Stapleton and Stapleton's apparent disapproval. The chapter ends with Watson recounting a visit to the yew alley where Sir Charles died, and a mysterious discovery involving Barrymore signaling from the tower at night.
Chapter 11
IX: Second Report of Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson reports to Holmes on the events at Baskerville Hall, including the discovery that Barrymore has been signaling to someone on the moor at night. Watson and Sir Henry confront Barrymore, who reveals that he has been signaling to the escaped convict Selden, who is actually Mrs. Barrymore's brother. Meanwhile, Sir Henry's romantic interest in Miss Stapleton faces complications due to Stapleton's disapproval.
Chapter 12
X: Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson, writing from his diary, describes the gloomy atmosphere at Baskerville Hall after the night's excitements. He reflects on the mysterious events—the death of Sir Charles, the spectral hound, and the stranger on the moor—and resolves to investigate the unknown watcher. He learns from Barrymore that there is a second man hiding on the moor, and from Dr. Mortimer he discovers the identity of Mrs. Laura Lyons, whose initials match those on a note. Watson plans to visit her in Coombe Tracey to unravel part of the mystery.
Chapter 13
XI: The Man on the Tor
Watson, acting on his discoveries about Mrs. Laura Lyons and the mysterious man on the moor, visits Mrs. Lyons to question her about her correspondence with Sir Charles Baskerville. He then ventures to the stone hut on the moor, where he finds evidence of the stranger's habitation, including a note revealing that his own movements are being watched. The chapter culminates in a dramatic encounter when the stranger reveals himself to be Sherlock Holmes.
Chapter 14
Death on the Moor
Watson discovers that Holmes has been secretly living in a hut on the moor, and the two reunite. They hear a terrible scream and find a body, which they initially believe to be Sir Henry Baskerville, but it turns out to be the convict Selden, wearing Sir Henry's clothes. Stapleton arrives on the scene and, after a tense exchange, Holmes and Watson decide not to arrest him yet due to lack of proof.
Chapter 15
XIII: Fixing the Nets
Holmes reveals himself to Sir Henry, who is relieved but puzzled by Holmes's sudden appearance without luggage. After explaining recent events, Holmes devises a plan to deceive Stapleton into thinking he and Watson have left for London, while secretly preparing to trap the murderer. He confronts Mrs. Laura Lyons, revealing that Stapleton is already married, and secures her cooperation. The chapter ends with Holmes receiving a telegram from Lestrade, signaling the final moves in the case.
Chapter 16
XIV: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade ambush Stapleton on the moor. The hound attacks Sir Henry but is shot and killed by Holmes. Stapleton flees into the Grimpen Mire and is presumed dead. Mrs. Stapleton reveals the truth about her husband's schemes. Sir Henry recovers from the ordeal.
Chapter 17
XV: A Retrospection
Holmes and Watson, back in Baker Street, discuss the entire Baskerville case. Holmes reveals Stapleton's true identity as a Baskerville, his criminal past, and the methodical execution of his plot to murder Sir Charles and Sir Henry for the family estate. He explains the use of the hound, the role of Mrs. Stapleton and Mrs. Laura Lyons, and his own secret investigation on the moor.
