The Hound of the Baskervilles By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | Short Summary | Question-Answers | Video Explanation

-Watch this Video for detailed Explanation- 
The Hound of the Baskervilles was published in 1992. The novel pertains to the mystery genre. The novel shows a case where the death of Charles Baskerville unfolds mysterious events. The life of Sir Henry, the heir to the Baskerville Hall, is in danger since the moor is haunted by a legendary hound. Here, some incidents from the novel have been depicted.


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- SHORT SUMMARY -
The story starts with a curtain raised and we see Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Sir Henry Baskerville, talking to each other. Sherlock Holmes finds the warning letter strange and asks Watson, if he finds it real . Sir Henry tells them that he received the manuscript from his late uncle’s close friend, Dr. John Mortimer. According to the curse mentioned in the manuscript said that "all the male descendants to Baskerville household will die on the moor". The letter Sir Henry receives says that he should never return to Baskerville Hall. 

Now, Holmes concludes the three facts - 
# A boot has been stolen from Henry’s hotel. 
# He has been followed since his arrival in London, 
# The two letters, one informing about the demise of his late uncle and second the albeit more ominous letter warning to keep away from Baskerville Hall.


When Watson examines the letter carefully, he could easily make out that the words of the letter are cut from the London Times & pasted onto the letter. Holmes sniffs the letter and finds that it’s still fresh and the author of the note is in London right now.

Now, Sir Henry informs Holmes that he was followed by two men ,one a silly fellow with beard in a plaid suit. He works very hard not to be seen, but a bit of an idiot and he could see him constantly. Mortimer enters and introduces himself as the one who was entrusted for sending the manuscript to Sir Henry. Holmes suspects him and asks for his cane and hat to examine. Also asks if he has a dog, to which Mortimer tells that he has a setter (large dog with long hair). Mortimer informs Sir Henry that they had found sinister ( dangerous) footprints near his uncle’s body. He also tells Henry that it was his duty to inform him about this curse. Holmes also agrees to accompany Henry to the hall. Holmes warns Henry to stay away from Dr. Mortimer. And tells him that it is his duty to suspect everyone and alarms him again.


When Holmes and Watson are alone Holmes discusses that Dr. Mortimer looks younger than his age and seems he has put make-up. He concludes that he was not the actual Dr. Mortimer. There was another proof to prove it-The cane he had examined. He saw bite marks in the middle, which means he must have a smaller dog, like a spaniel that gripped the stick tightly in the centre for balance and the bite marks were also small .They could not have belonged to a large dog like setter. Hence he was lying.

Cartwright returns and informs Holmes that there were two men waiting in the street. He also tells that there was a woman, whom the other man joined in a cab. Now, Holmes orders Cartwright to find out the area where the taxi no 4565 picked up its passengers and search the areas for middle-class hotels. Also to inspect the waste paper baskets of every room occupied by a couple to search for the morning edition of The London Times. He was looking for the holes cut into them ,which were pasted in the manuscript. Watson is amazed to see that how Holmes could deduce (conclude) all of that from a walking stick. To this Holmes remarks that it is not the stick but the traces of a woman’s perfume. Now he is sure that he will find their names in the hotel’s register.


Now, enters a new character Lestrade, the policeman looking for Sir Henry as according to him, it is his moral duty to take care of the members of nobility. Later, he asks Holmes to handover the investigation details to him, Holmes cheerfully gives him all the details of the crime. He informs Lestrade that Sir Henry has also lost his boot in the hotel. To this Lestrade says that it means a crime is a foot. He praises himself & his way of investigation. He makes sure that now the case is in the best hands of Scotland Yard.

Later, Holmes orders Watson to pack his bags for Dartmoor. He tells him that he is going with Mortimer and Sir Henry. He asks Watson to be his eyes and ears and keep informing him through letters of anything suspicious and strange. Watson makes fun of Holmes and says if Holmes is scared for Sir Henry or does he believe in Baskerville prophecy. To this Holmes says that he is not scared as he is sending Watson to prevent Henry’s death.



- WORD MEANINGS -
  • Hounds - Dogs
  • Albeit - Although
  • Ominous - Suggesting that something bad is going to happen
  • Entrusted - Assigned
  • Cane - Walking stick
  • Setter - A large dog with long hair
  • Sinister - Dangerous
  • Amends - To compensate
  • Piqued - Provoked
  • Disguise - Unrecognisable
  • Deduced - Concluded
  • Traces - Remaining
  • Nobility - High social position
  • Deduction - Find the answer to a problem

- QUESTION /ANSWERS -

Q. Who was Sir Henry Baskerville? Why has he sought the services of Sherlock Holmes?
Q. How many letters has Sir Henry Baskerville received? What is written in them?
Q. How does Sherlock Holmes deduce that the person who has visited them is not the actual Dr. Mortimer?
Q. What is Sherlock Holmes plan of action?
Q. Reference to Context
A.

“ When I said everything, I meant the facts. I’m sure you’ll agree that curses and other superstitions don’t count as facts.”

a. Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to?
b. Which fact is the speaker talking about?
c. Which curse is being discussed here?


B.

“ It’s strange that John Mortimer would issue such a warning.”

a. Who is John Mortimer?
b. What warning has John Mortimer issued?
c. Why does the speaker find the warning strange?

C. 

“ Mr. Holmes, the best of Scotland Yard is on it! ”

a. Who is the speaker?
b. What is the best of Scotland Yard on?

- ANSWERS -


- SELF EVALUATION TEST -
This is a quiz based test which is consist of 20 Multiple Choice Questions to test your Understanding about this Chapter...


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