🐾 Chapter 2: The Curse of the Baskervilles
Summary:
Dr. Mortimer visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to seek their help regarding a strange and
tragic case involving his friend Sir Charles Baskerville, who recently died under mysterious
circumstances at his family estate in Dartmoor, Devonshire.
Mortimer reads aloud an old family manuscript that tells the legend of the Baskerville curse.
According to the manuscript, the curse began with Sir Hugo Baskerville, a cruel and wild
ancestor. Sir Hugo once kidnapped a young farm girl and locked her in his house. The girl
escaped and ran across the moor, and Hugo, mad with rage and drink, chased after her with his
hunting hounds. His companions followed, but when they reached the moor, they found the girl
dead from fear and exhaustion — and near her body was Hugo’s corpse, torn apart by a giant
spectral hound.
Since then, it is said that a supernatural hound haunts the Baskerville family, bringing death to
any heir who lives at Baskerville Hall.
Dr. Mortimer then explains that Sir Charles Baskerville, the latest heir, had been deeply
disturbed by this legend and always felt anxious and afraid. One night, he was found dead near
the yew alley of Baskerville Hall. The ground near his body had footprints of a gigantic hound,
although no living dog was seen. His face showed an expression of terrible fear, and although his
heart was weak, the cause of death seemed to be fright, not physical attack.
Mortimer now fears for the safety of Sir Henry Baskerville, the next heir, who is arriving from
Canada to live at Baskerville Hall. He seeks Holmes’s advice on whether Sir Henry should go
there or not.
Chapter 3: The Problem
Summary:
Holmes listens carefully to Dr. Mortimer’s story and starts questioning him to uncover clues.
He asks about the footprints, and Mortimer says they were twenty yards away from Sir
Charles’s body, belonging to a large hound. There were no other footprints, and Sir Charles had
stopped several times as if waiting or frightened.
Holmes and Watson discuss whether the hound was supernatural or real. Holmes, being
rational, doubts any supernatural cause, but he doesn’t dismiss it completely since the evidence is
strange.
Holmes also asks about the people living near Baskerville Hall. Mortimer says there are few
neighbors: Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore (the butler and his wife), Mr. Stapleton (a naturalist), and
his sister Miss Stapleton, as well as a few farmers and locals.
Holmes finds it interesting that the legend and Sir Charles’s fear might have played a role in his
death.
He also suspects that someone might have used the legend to commit murder, knowing Sir
Charles was already afraid.
Mortimer gives Holmes a letter announcing Sir Henry’s arrival and asks Holmes whether he
should go to Baskerville Hall or stay away for safety. Holmes says he needs more facts before
advising him and invites them to return with Sir Henry the next day.
🏰 Chapter 4: Sir Henry Baskerville
Summary:
The next morning, Sir Henry Baskerville arrives at Holmes’s house with Dr. Mortimer. He is a
young, strong, and bold man, very different from the fearful Sir Charles.
However, a mystery begins immediately — Sir Henry has received an anonymous letter at his
hotel. The letter warns:
“As you value your life or your reason, keep away from the moor.”
The letter is made up of cut-out words from a newspaper except for the handwritten word
“moor,” suggesting someone was trying to hide their identity.
Holmes examines the letter and notices that it was sent from Charing Cross, and the words were
cut from The Times newspaper. He deduces that the writer is educated and trying to disguise
themselves.
Another strange event occurs — Sir Henry discovers that one of his new boots is missing from
his hotel room at the Northumberland Hotel. The staff cannot explain it.
Holmes believes this is not a coincidence. He and Watson secretly follow Dr. Mortimer and Sir
Henry back to the hotel and spot a mysterious man with a black beard following them in a
cab.
Holmes notes the cab’s number and plans to trace it later. He now feels certain that someone is
watching Sir Henry, and that the danger is real and immediate.
The chapter ends with Holmes determined to uncover the truth and protect Sir Henry before he
travels to Baskerville Hall.
🧠 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
📝 10-Mark Questions (Detailed Answers Needed)
1. Explain in detail the legend of the Baskerville curse as told by Dr.
Mortimer.
2. Describe the circumstances of Sir Charles Baskerville’s death. Why did
Dr. Mortimer find it mysterious?
3. How does Holmes analyze the strange events after hearing Dr.
Mortimer’s story in Chapter 3?
4. What clues and deductions does Holmes make from the anonymous
letter sent to Sir Henry?
5. Describe Sir Henry Baskerville’s character and how he differs from Sir
Charles.
6. How do the events of Chapters 2–4 create suspense and mystery in the
story?
✏️5-Mark Questions
1. What was written in the letter warning Sir Henry, and what did Holmes
deduce from it?
2. What evidence made Dr. Mortimer believe in the existence of the
hound?
3. What were Holmes’s first impressions of Dr. Mortimer and his story?
4. Why did Holmes follow Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer secretly? What did
he find?
5. What made Holmes think that someone educated wrote the warning
letter?
✍️4-Mark Questions
1. Who was Sir Hugo Baskerville and what terrible act did he commit?
2. What did the footprints near Sir Charles’s body reveal?
3. Who are the Barrymores and where do they live?
4. What was unusual about Sir Henry’s missing boot?
5. How does Holmes’s reaction differ from Dr. Mortimer’s belief in the
supernatural?
