Chapter 2 The Scourge of the Baskervilles

"I have a manuscript in my pocket," said Dr. James Mortimer. "I saw you when you entered the room," said Holmes. "It's an old manuscript." "It's from the early eighteenth century, or it would be a forgery." "How do you know, sir?" "While you were speaking, I saw that the manuscript had been showing an inch or two. An expert who cannot date a document to within a decade or so is a very poor expert." Poor expert. Perhaps you have read my little treatise on the subject. As far as I can judge, the manuscript was composed in 1730."

"The exact date is 1742." Dr. Mortimer took it out of his breast pocket. "This ancestral letter was entrusted to me by Sir Charles Baskerville. His sudden and tragic death three months ago caused much horror in Devonshire. I was his friend as well as his doctor, so to speak. He was a man of strong will, sir, keen and experienced. , and as practical as I am. He took this document very seriously, and he was prepared to accept such an outcome; and in the end, he actually got it.” Holmes took the manuscript and spread it flat on his lap. "Attention, Watson, the interchange of long S and short S is one of the few features that allow me to determine the date."

I leaned over his shoulder and looked at the yellow paper and the faded handwriting."Baskerville Manor" was written on the top, and the number "1742" was scrawled below. "It looks like a record of some kind." "By the way, it is about a legend that has been passed down in the Baskervilles' house." "But I suppose you came to me for something more immediate and more practical?" "It is a matter that is near at hand. This is the most realistic and urgent matter, and a decision must be made within twenty-four hours. However, this manuscript is very short, and it is closely related to this matter. If you I will read it to you, if you will."

Holmes leaned back in his chair, put his fingertips together, and closed his eyes with an air of resignation.Mortimer held the manuscript to the light, and read the following strange and ancient story in a high and hoarse voice: "Much has been said about the Hound of the Baskervilles, and I am writing about it because I believe that such things as I have written have happened. I am a direct descendant of Hugo Baskervilles, and the matter I heard it from my father, and my father heard it directly from my grandfather. Sons, I hope you believe that the just gods can punish those who sin, but as long as they pray and repent, no matter what crime No matter how serious a crime you have committed, you can be forgiven. Knowing this, you don’t have to be afraid of the evil consequences of your predecessors. You only need to be careful in the future, so as to avoid the deep pain that our family has experienced in the past It falls again on our fallen descendants.

"It is said (and I recommend you with all my heart, that you should read the history written by the learned Lord Clarendon) that this Baskerville mansion was occupied by Hugo Baskerville, it cannot be denied that He was the most vulgar, ungodly man. In fact, if that were all, the neighbors would have forgiven him, for the Holy Faith never flourished in this part of the world. His natural arrogance, Cruelty, well known in the West, this Mr. Hugo fell in love by chance (if such a pure word could be used to describe his vile passion) to a farmer who planted a few acres near the Baskerville estate. But this young girl has always had a good reputation of prudence, so of course she wanted to avoid him, not to mention she was afraid of his notoriety. Later, on that day, this Mr. Xiu Guo knew that her father and brother were both After going out, together with five or six idle and dirty friends, they secretly went to her house and snatched the girl back. They brought her into the manor and locked her in a small room upstairs. Sitting around and drinking with friends, as they often do at night, while the poor girl upstairs heard the singing and shouting and the dirty words downstairs, she was terrified and bewildered It was said that Hugo Baskerville's drunken words, whoever repeated them, would have been punished by God. Finally, in a state of extreme terror, she did There came a thing which would have amazed even the bravest and most cunning of men. She came out of the window, climbed down from under the eaves by climbing the vines which still covered the south wall, and went straight across the moor. ran home, the estate was about nine miles from her home.

"After a while, Xiu Guo left the guests, took food and wine—maybe there were even worse things—and went to find the girl he had taken captive, but found that the caged bird had died. He ran away. After that, he rushed downstairs as if possessed by a demon, and jumped onto the big dining table as soon as he reached the dining room. Everything in front of him, whether it was a wine bottle or a wooden plate, was kicked away by him. He He yelled and said that as long as he could catch up with that girl that night, he would give his body and soul to the devil at his mercy. When the drunken prodigal sons were stunned by his rage, a A particularly vicious guy—maybe because he was more drunk than others—yelled that the hounds should be let out to chase her. After hearing his words, Xiu Guo ran out, shouting for the groom to lead the horse and saddle her Release all the dogs in the kennel, let the hounds sniff the turban that the girl dropped, and drive them out in a swarm. These dogs ran wildly towards the moonlit swamp amidst a barking sound. .

"The prodigals stood stupefied, wondering what all this haste was all about. It took a while for them to figure out what they were going to do in the moor, and then they all started shouting again, Some shouted for pistols, some for their own horses, and some even wanted to bring another bottle of wine. Finally, their crazy minds finally regained a little reason, and all thirteen people mounted their horses and chased after them. The moon above their heads clearly shone on them, and they were close to each other and galloped along the only way that the girl must pass to return home.

"While they were running a mile or two, they met a shepherd in the moor, and they cried out to ask him if he had seen the man they were pursuing. The shepherd was said to have been so frightened that he could hardly speak. , at last he said that he did see the poor girl, with a pack of hounds pursuing her. 'I saw more than that,' said he, 'and Hugo Baskerville rode Here goes his black horse, and a great dastardly hound trails him silently. God, don't let such a dog follow me!' the drunken gentlemen scolded the shepherd After a pause they rode off again. But soon they were chilled with fright, for they heard the sound of a horse galloping in the moor, and then they saw the black horse with white blood streaming from its mouth. Momo ran past, saddleless, reins trailing on the ground. From then on the prodigals huddled together, for they were already terrified, but they kept going on in the swamp. If they were just one If people walked there, they would undoubtedly have turned their horses and ran back. They rode forward slowly like this, and finally caught up with the pack of hounds. Although these dogs are famous for their bravery and excellent breed , but at this time they were also huddled at the end of a deep ditch in the swamp, and they were wailing. Some of them had already fled, while others, with their neck hair on end, stared straight ahead into a narrow ditch. .

"The gang reined in their horses, and you can guess they're much more sober now than when they set out. Most of them didn't want to go any further, but three of the most daring—perhaps the most drunk— —Continue to ride the horse and go down to the ravine. There is a wide flat land in front of you. There are two large stone pillars in the middle-you can still see them-it was erected by someone in ancient times. The moonlight shines on the clearing. It was very bright, and the girl who had died of terror and exhaustion lay in the middle of the clearing. But it was neither the girl's body nor Hugo Basque, who lay near her, that terrified the three daring drunks. Will's body, but the terrible thing standing beside Hugo and tearing at his throat, a big, black beast, shaped like a hound, but no one has ever seen such a hound. Just as they As the creature tore Hugo Baskerville's throat, it turned its glistening eyes and drooling mouth towards them, and the three cried out in terror, and turned their horses They ran for their lives, even screaming as they crossed the moor. It is said that one of them died of fright that night when he saw the fellow, and the other two were left insane for life.

"This, my sons, is the origin of the legend of the hound, which is said to have harassed our family horribly ever since. I also write it because I feel: Listen What is seen and guessed is much more terrible than what is known. It is undeniable that many people in our family have died suddenly, tragically and mysteriously. Can be sheltered by the boundless love of God, and will not be punished by three or four generations of me who only listen to the Bible. My sons, I command you in the name of God, and I urge you to be careful, and do not avoid being in the Walk across the swamp when night falls and evil forces are rampant.

“[This is a letter home to the two sons, Roger and John, urging them not to tell their sister Elizabeth of the matter.]” When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this grotesque account, he pushed his spectacles up to his forehead, and looked straight at Sherlock Holmes.Holmes finished his yawn and threw the end of his cigarette into the fire. "Huh?" he said. "Don't you find it interesting?" "For a man who collects myths, it is very interesting." Dr. Mortimer drew a folded newspaper from his pocket. "Mr. Holmes, I will now tell you a relatively recent incident. It is a piece of the Devonshire Register dated the fourteenth of May this year. It is an article concerning Charles Basker a few days ago. A brief account of Sir Vile's death." My friend leaned forward slightly, and his expression became more focused. Our visitor put his glasses back on and began to read again: "The county has mourned the recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville. It is said that this man may be chosen as the Mid-Devon Liberal candidate at the next election. Although Sir Charles was in the Basque Country Weir Manor has not lived for a long time, but its kindness and generosity have won the respect and love of the surrounding people. At a time when nouveau riche is flooding, the descendants of such a famous family as the Childs can return home rich and revive a family that has been weakened by bad luck. It is a joyous thing indeed. Sir Childs is well known to have speculated in South Africa to get rich. But he was wiser than those who have been so unlucky, and he returned to England with the money he sold. He came to Baskerville The manor was only two years old, and people were generally talking about his huge rebuilding and curtain repairing plan, but this plan has been interrupted by his own death. Because he has no children, he has publicly stated that in his lifetime, the entire His sudden demise was much mourned as the country was to receive his support, and his generosity to local and county charities has often been reported in this column. "The results of the post-mortem have not yet cleared up the circumstances connected with Sir Childs' death, at least not all the rumors which have arisen from local superstitions. There is no reason to suspect any criminal element, or imagined death. Not from natural causes. Sir Childs is a widower, and is said to be in some respects of a disturbed state of mind. In spite of his wealth, his personal interests are very simple. The only servants at Baskerville Hall are Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore , the husband was steward and the wife was housekeeper. Their testimonies, corroborated by several friends, show that Sir Childs had shown signs of ill health, especially several heart symptoms; Severe neurasthenia. James Mortimer, friend and personal physician of the deceased, also testifies to the same. "The facts of the case are quite simple. It was the habit of Charles Baskerville to walk every evening before going to bed along the famous yew-lined walk of Baskerville Hall. The testimony of the Barrymores shows that this was the habit of the deceased. 5 Sir Childs had declared on the 4th of April that he wished to go to London the next day, and had ordered Barrymore to prepare his luggage for him. He went out that night for his evening walk as usual, often smoking a cigar, but he never returned. At two o'clock Barrymore was startled to find the hall-door still open, so he lit his lantern and went out in search of his master. It was so damp that it was easy to see the Sir's tracks down the lane, and the There was a gate in the middle which led to the moor. There was every indication that Sir Childs had stood at the gate, and he went down the lane at the end of which his body was found. One thing has yet to be found. The fact of explanation is: Barrymore said that his master's tracks changed after he passed the gate to the moor, as if he had changed to walk on tiptoe since then. There was a gypsy horse called Murphy The dealer, who was in the moor not far from where it happened, but was very drunk by his own admission. He said he had heard shouts, but could not tell where they came from. On Sir Childs No trace of violence could be found, but the doctor's note stated that lying before him, disfigured to an almost unbelievable degree, lay the corpses of his friends and patients—a condition, it was explained, A common occurrence in death from dyspnea and heart failure. This explanation has been proved by autopsy, indicating the presence of a long-standing sensory disorder. The court coroner also produced a certificate consistent with the doctor's certificate It is right that this should be so concluded, as Sir Childs descendants would still reside at the estate, and would continue the good deeds for which they had sadly interrupted, so it is evident that this point is of the utmost importance, as the coroner's mediocre findings cannot Finally to put out the wild tales passed down from the neighborhood about the matter, it will be difficult to find a home for Baskerville Manor. It is understood that if the Sir's nearest living relative is known, it is his brother's son Henry. Mr. Baskerville. It was previously heard that the young man was in America. An inquiry has been made so that he may be notified to receive this considerable fortune." Mortimer folded the newspaper and put it back in his pocket. "Mr. Holmes, these are the generally known facts concerning the death of Sir Charles Baskerville." "I am very obliged to you," said Sherlock Holmes, "for calling my attention to this interesting case. I had read some of the newspaper reports at the time, but I was at that time preoccupied with the Vatican gem case." A trifle, under the urgent entrustment of the Pope, to neglect some cases in England. Do you say that this news contains all the public facts?" "yes." "Then tell me some more inside facts!" He leaned back in his chair and pressed the fingertips of his hands together.He showed his extremely calm, judge-like expression. "Then," said Dr. Mortimer, with growing emotion, "I shall tell what I have not told anyone, even the coroner. For a man of science A working man is most afraid of appearing in public as if he believes in a popular superstition. My other motive, as the newspapers say, is if anything to further aggravate its already rather dire reputation. , then Baskerville Manor would really never be dared to live again. For these two reasons, I thought it was right not to tell all I knew, because it would do no good, but to Come to think of it, I have no reason not to be open and honest and talk it through. "The inhabitants of the moor lived at great distances from each other, and those who lived nearer to each other formed close ties. I therefore had many occasions to meet Sir Charles Baskerville. Apart from Mr. Frankland and Mr. Stapleton, the biologist, there is no educated person within a radius of dozens of miles. Sir Childs was a reclusive man, but his illness took us both and a common interest in science has greatly helped to bring us closer together. He brought back a great deal of scientific material from South Africa, and I often spent whole lovely evenings with him discussing comparisons and comparisons. anatomically. "In the last few months I have seen more and more clearly that Sir Childs' nervous system is strained to the extreme. He believes the legend I read you--though he is often in his own house. but he refuses to go out on the moor at night. Mr. Holmes, it seems so unbelievable to you, yet he is convinced that his family is doomed. Of course, he The legends that the elders had learned were indeed unpleasant. The thought of something terrible about to happen often occupied him physically and mentally. It was the howling of a hound. He had asked me the latter question many times, always in a trembling tone of alarm. "I remember very well that I drove to his house one evening, about three weeks before the fatal incident. He happened to be at the hall door. I had gotten out of my little buggy. I got down and stood in front of him, and suddenly I saw his eyes staring at my back with an expression of extreme terror in his eyes. I turned around suddenly, just in time to see a black thing like a big calf He was so frightened and frightened that I was obliged to go and look around where the animal had been. It had gone. But the incident seemed to have created a very bad feeling in his mind. I stayed one night with him, and it was then that, in order to explain the emotions he displayed, he entrusted me with the preservation of the account which I read to you when I first arrived. I therefore refer to This little episode, because it might have had some importance in the tragedy that followed, was, at the time, really thought to me a trivial incident, and his alarm unfounded. "On my advice, Sir Childs intends to go to London. I know that his heart has been affected, and his constant anxiety, however fanciful the cause, has evidently been seriously affected. His health. I think a few months of city life can turn him into a new man. Our mutual friend Mr. Stapleton is very concerned about his health, and he agrees with me. But it is terrible The disaster happened at the last moment before leaving. "On the night of Sir Childs' sudden death, Barrymore, the steward, found out, and immediately sent the groom, Perkins, to find me on horseback. As I was late for bed, I was in Barry within an hour after the accident. Skyville Hall. I verified all the facts mentioned in the course of the post-mortem. I followed his footprints along the pine-lined road, and looked at the place where the gate opened on the moor. It seemed that he had Having waited there, I noticed a change in the shape of the tracks from that point onwards. I also found no other tracks than those of Barrymore on the soft ground. At last I examined the body carefully again, No one had touched it before I arrived. Sir Childs was sprawled on the ground, arms outstretched, his fingers dug in the earth; There were no marks of any kind. But at the time of the autopsy, Barrymore gave a false testimony. He said that there were no marks on the ground around the body, and he saw nothing. However, I did see it--at a distance Far away, it is not only clear but also traces are still fresh." "Footprints?" "Footprints." "Is it a man's or a woman's?" Mortimer looked at us strangely for a moment, and answered in a voice almost whispered: "Mr. Holmes, the paw-print of a gigantic hound!"

---

Notes: