This hound, the legend states, will stalk and kill any Baskerville caught traversing the moors outside of Baskerville Hall at night for at least four generations: a veritable Baskerville curse. Hugo ruthlessly killed the woman, but he was quickly made to pay his due, as he was found shortly thereafter being devoured by a large, hellish hound. The legend states that Hugo agreed to sell his soul to the devil if only the devil helped Hugo to catch the woman before she made it back to town, and the devil made good on his side of the bargain. However, before Hugo had the chance to enact his awful plans, the woman escaped. Hugo had kidnapped a local townswoman with the intent to rape and otherwise brutalize her at his home in Baskerville Hall. The case begins with a document from 1742 that tells the legend of Hugo Baskerville and how he was mauled to death by a hound-allegedly from Hell-that came to be known locally as the hound of the Baskervilles.

Mortimer has come to present Holmes with a unique case, which he’s sure will interest the famous detective. Holmes has erred only in that Mortimer left the London hospital because he got married (although, Mortimer does lack ambition). The remaining information comes shortly thereafter, when Mortimer returns in search of both Holmes and his walking stick. Watson confirms most of Holmes’ deductions using a directory of medical professionals. Mortimer, he says, also owns a dog-one larger than a spaniel but smaller than a mastiff. Rather than an elderly old country doctor, Holmes supposes Mortimer to be a young surgeon in London, well-liked as Watson supposed, but who recently abandoned his position for the country due to a lack of ambition and not because of age. Holmes encourages Watson’s speculation but eventually reveals much of what Watson’s said to be false.

Watson deduces from the stick’s worn appearance that it belonged to an older man, successful and well-esteemed-an old country doctor, who makes his rounds on foot. Using this information, Holmes asks Watson to determine what he can about their mysterious guest. The stick was a gift, as shown by a plaque on it that says it’s from “friends of the C.C.H.” to James Mortimer.

John Watson are in Holmes’ Baker Street apartment, examining a walking stick left at the apartment the evening before by an unknown visitor.

Conan doyle the hound of baskervilles