1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,800 Chapter 2 of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir, Arthur 2 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:06,500 Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in 3 00:00:06,500 --> 00:00:10,100 the public domain. Chapter 2. 4 00:00:10,900 --> 00:00:15,400 The curse of the Baskervilles I have in my pocket. 5 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,800 A manuscript said dr. James Mortimer. 6 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:21,200 I observed it. As you entered the room said 7 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:27,800 Holmes, it is an old manuscript. Early 18th century unless it is 8 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:31,900 a forgery. How can you say that sir you 9 00:00:31,900 --> 00:00:35,200 have presented an inch or two of it to my examination, all the 10 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:39,300 time that you have been talking, it would be a poor expert who 11 00:00:39,300 --> 00:00:42,300 could not give the date of a document within a decade or so 12 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:45,300 you may possibly have read my little monograph upon the 13 00:00:45,300 --> 00:00:50,500 subject. I put that at 17:30, the exact 14 00:00:50,500 --> 00:00:55,500 date is 1742 dr. Mortimer drew it from his 15 00:00:55,500 --> 00:00:59,100 breast-pocket. This family paper was committed 16 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:02,400 to my Care by Sir Charles Baskerville whose sudden and 17 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:06,600 tragic death, some three months ago created so much excitement 18 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,600 in Devonshire. I may say that I was his 19 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:14,600 personal friend as well, has his medical attendant He was a 20 00:01:14,607 --> 00:01:17,800 strong-minded man sir trude practical. 21 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:22,200 And as unimaginative as I am myself yet, he took this 22 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:25,100 document. Very seriously and his mind was 23 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:28,700 prepared for just such an end as did eventually overtake him. 24 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:33,000 Holmes stretched out his hand for the manuscript and flatten 25 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:37,400 it upon his knee. You will observe Watson the 26 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:41,700 alternative use of the long s and the short, it is one of 27 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:44,800 several indications which enabled me to fix the date. 28 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:48,000 I looked over his shoulder at the yellow paper. 29 00:01:48,100 --> 00:01:53,300 And The Faded script at the head was written Baskerville Hall and 30 00:01:53,300 --> 00:02:00,000 below in large scrawling figures 1742 it appears to be a 31 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:04,200 statement of some sort. Yes, it is a statement of a 32 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:07,300 certain Legend, which runs in the Baskerville family. 33 00:02:08,300 --> 00:02:11,400 But I understand that it is something more modern and 34 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,700 practical upon which you wish to consult me. 35 00:02:15,300 --> 00:02:19,600 Most modern a most practical, pressing matter, which must be 36 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:24,200 decided within 24 hours. But the manuscript is short and 37 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,500 is intimately connected with the affair with your permission. 38 00:02:27,500 --> 00:02:32,000 I will read it to you, Holmes, leaned back in his chair, placed 39 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,600 his fingertips together and closed his eyes with an air of 40 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:39,200 resignation, dr. Mortimer, turn the manuscript to 41 00:02:39,208 --> 00:02:42,500 the light and read in a high cracking voice. 42 00:02:42,700 --> 00:02:45,600 The following curious old, Old world narrative. 43 00:02:46,700 --> 00:02:49,400 Off the origin of the Hound of the Baskervilles. 44 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:53,500 There have been many statements yet as I come in a direct line 45 00:02:53,500 --> 00:02:58,000 from Hugo Baskerville and as I had the story from my father who 46 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:03,000 also had it from his, I have set it down with all belief that it 47 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:05,400 occurred even as is here set forth. 48 00:03:06,500 --> 00:03:10,300 And I would have you believe my son's that the same Justice, 49 00:03:10,300 --> 00:03:14,600 which punishes sin may also, most graciously, forgive it and 50 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,800 that no ban is so heavy. But that by prayer and 51 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:22,300 repentance, it may be removed, learn, then from this story, not 52 00:03:22,300 --> 00:03:26,500 to fear the fruits of the past, but rather to be circumspect in 53 00:03:26,500 --> 00:03:30,400 the future that those foul passions whereby our family has 54 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,100 suffered. So grievously may not gain, be 55 00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:36,100 loosed to our undoing. Know. 56 00:03:36,100 --> 00:03:40,100 Then that in the time of the Great Rebellion, the history of 57 00:03:40,100 --> 00:03:42,900 which by the Learned Lord Clarendon, I most earnestly 58 00:03:42,900 --> 00:03:47,300 commend to your attention. This manner of Baskerville was 59 00:03:47,300 --> 00:03:52,200 held by Hugo of that name, nor can it be gainsaid that he was a 60 00:03:52,208 --> 00:03:55,000 most wild profane and Godless man. 61 00:03:55,700 --> 00:03:59,700 This in truth, his neighbors might have pardoned seeing that 62 00:03:59,700 --> 00:04:03,300 Saints have never flourished in those parts, but there was in 63 00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:07,000 him a certain wanton and cruel humor Her which made his name a 64 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:11,400 byword through the West. It chance that this Hugo came to 65 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:15,200 love if indeed so darker passion may be known under so bright a 66 00:04:15,208 --> 00:04:19,399 name the daughter of a yeoman who held lands near the 67 00:04:19,399 --> 00:04:24,100 Baskerville estate but the young Maiden being discreet and of 68 00:04:24,100 --> 00:04:29,300 good repute would ever avoid him for she feared his evil name so 69 00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:34,100 it came to pass that one michaelmas, this Hugo with five 70 00:04:34,100 --> 00:04:37,700 or six of his Idol and And wicked companions stole down 71 00:04:37,700 --> 00:04:41,100 upon the farm and carried off the maiden her father and 72 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:46,200 brothers being from home as he. Well knew when they had brought 73 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,700 her to the hall, the maiden was placed in an upper chamber while 74 00:04:49,700 --> 00:04:52,700 Hugo and his friends sat down to a long carouse. 75 00:04:53,100 --> 00:04:58,900 As was their nightly custom. Now, the poor lass upstairs was 76 00:04:58,900 --> 00:05:01,900 like to have her wits turned the singing and shouting and 77 00:05:01,900 --> 00:05:06,400 terrible owes, which came up to her from below for, they say 78 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:10,100 that the words used by Hugo Baskerville when he was in wine 79 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:14,600 was such as might blast the man who said them at last in the 80 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,900 stress of her fear. She did that which might have 81 00:05:16,900 --> 00:05:21,100 daunted the bravest or most active man for by the aid of the 82 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:25,500 growth of IV which covered and still covers the South Wall She 83 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:29,500 came down from under the eaves. And so Homewood across the Moor, 84 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,000 there being three leagues, betwixt the hall and her 85 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,600 father's Farm. It chanced that some little time 86 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:41,000 later, Hugo left, his guests to carry food and drink with other 87 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,900 worst things for chance to his captive. 88 00:05:44,300 --> 00:05:47,400 And so found the cage empty and the bird escaped. 89 00:05:48,300 --> 00:05:53,600 Then as it would seem, he became as one that hath a devil for 90 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,900 rushing, down the stairs, into the dining hall. 91 00:05:56,100 --> 00:06:00,000 He sprang upon the great table flagons and trenches flying 92 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:03,400 before him, and he cried aloud before, all the company that he 93 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:07,500 would that very night, Under his body and soul to the powers of 94 00:06:07,500 --> 00:06:12,100 evil, if he might not overtake the winch, and while the 95 00:06:12,100 --> 00:06:16,400 revelers stood aghast at the fury of the man, one more 96 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:20,800 wicked, or it may be more drunken than the rest cried out 97 00:06:20,900 --> 00:06:22,700 that they should put the hounds upon her. 98 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:27,300 We're at Hugo ran from the house crying to his Grooms that they 99 00:06:27,300 --> 00:06:31,300 should saddle his Mare and unkennel the pack and giving the 100 00:06:31,300 --> 00:06:34,600 hounds a kerchief of the maids, he swung them to the line. 101 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:38,100 Nine and so Off full cry in the moonlight, over the Moor. 102 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:43,900 Now for some space, the revelers stood a gape, unable to 103 00:06:43,900 --> 00:06:48,600 understand all that had been done in such haste button on 104 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,300 their bemused. Wits awoke to the nature of the 105 00:06:51,300 --> 00:06:55,200 deed, which was like to be done upon the moreland's everything 106 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:59,600 was now in an uproar, some calling for their pistols, some 107 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,900 for their horses, and some for another flask of wine. 108 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:07,200 But at length, some sense, came back to their crazed minds and 109 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:11,400 the whole of them 13. In number took horse and started 110 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,900 in Pursuit. The moon Shone clear above them 111 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:19,000 and they rode swiftly, abreast taking that course, which the 112 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,300 maid must needs have taken. If she were to reach her own 113 00:07:22,300 --> 00:07:26,300 home They had gone a mile or two when they passed one of the 114 00:07:26,300 --> 00:07:30,100 night Shepherds upon the moorlands and they cry to him to 115 00:07:30,100 --> 00:07:34,600 know if he had seen the hunt and the man as The Story Goes, was 116 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,700 so crazed with fear that he could scare speak. 117 00:07:38,100 --> 00:07:41,900 But at last, he said that he had indeed seen the unhappy Maiden 118 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:46,800 with the hounds upon her track. But I have seen more than that 119 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:50,200 said. He for Hugo Baskerville pass me 120 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:53,400 upon his black mayor and their ran mute behind him. 121 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:57,100 Such a Hound of hell is God forbid should ever be my eels. 122 00:07:58,100 --> 00:08:02,900 So the drunken Squires curse, the shepherd and rode onward but 123 00:08:02,900 --> 00:08:05,900 soon their skins turned cold for there. 124 00:08:05,900 --> 00:08:10,300 Came a galloping across the Moor and the black mayor dabbled with 125 00:08:10,300 --> 00:08:13,300 white Frost went past with trailing Bridal and empty 126 00:08:13,300 --> 00:08:16,900 saddle. Then the revellers road close 127 00:08:16,900 --> 00:08:20,800 together for a great fear was on them, but they still followed 128 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:23,600 over the more though. Each had he been alone? 129 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,800 Would have been, right? Glad to have turned his horse's 130 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,600 head riding slowly. In this fashion, they came at 131 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:33,100 last upon the hounds. These do known for their Valor 132 00:08:33,100 --> 00:08:36,400 and their breed were whimpering in a cluster at the head of a 133 00:08:36,408 --> 00:08:39,900 deep deep or goyal as we call it upon the Moor. 134 00:08:40,900 --> 00:08:45,800 Some slinking away and some with starting hackles and staring 135 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:48,800 eyes gazing down the narrow Valley before them. 136 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:53,700 The company had come to a halt more sober men as you may guess 137 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,300 than when they started the, most of them would by no means 138 00:08:57,300 --> 00:09:02,000 Advanced but three of them, the boldest or it may be the most 139 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,500 drunken Road forward down the coil. 140 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:09,100 Now it opened into a broad space in which to two of those great 141 00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:12,900 stones still to be seen there which were set by certain 142 00:09:12,900 --> 00:09:15,200 forgotten peoples in the days of old. 143 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:20,300 The moon was shining bright upon the clearing and there in the 144 00:09:20,300 --> 00:09:24,700 center, lay the unhappy maid, where she had fallen dead of 145 00:09:24,700 --> 00:09:30,200 fear and a fatigue, but it was not the sight of her body, nor 146 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:34,200 yet that of the body of Hugo Baskerville lying near her, 147 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,800 which raise the hair upon the heads of these three Daredevil 148 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,900 Roy stirrers. But it was that standing over 149 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:45,600 Hugo and plucking at his throat. There stood a foul thing. 150 00:09:45,900 --> 00:09:51,100 A great black beast shaped like a hound yet larger than any 151 00:09:51,100 --> 00:09:53,400 Hound that ever mortal eye has rested upon. 152 00:09:54,700 --> 00:09:58,200 And even as they looked the thing tour, the throat out of 153 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:02,300 Hugo Baskerville on which has it turned its blazing eyes and 154 00:10:02,300 --> 00:10:04,700 dripping. Jaws upon them, the three 155 00:10:04,700 --> 00:10:08,500 shrieked with fear and road, for dear life, still screaming 156 00:10:08,500 --> 00:10:12,200 across the Moor. One it is said died that very 157 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:15,800 night of what he had seen and the other Twain were but broken 158 00:10:15,800 --> 00:10:21,000 men for the rest of their days. Such is the tail, my sons of the 159 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,900 coming of the Hound, which is said, to have plagued the family 160 00:10:23,900 --> 00:10:27,800 so sorely ever. Since if I have set it down, it 161 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:32,000 is because that which is clearly known has less Terror than that 162 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:37,400 which is but hinted at and guest nor can it be denied that many 163 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,600 of the family have been unhappy in their deaths, which have been 164 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,800 sudden bloody and mysterious yet met. 165 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:46,800 We shelter ourselves in the infinite goodness of Providence, 166 00:10:47,100 --> 00:10:50,000 which would not forever. Punish the innocent beyond that 167 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,700 third or fourth generation, which is threatened in holy writ 168 00:10:54,500 --> 00:10:58,000 to that Providence. My son's I hereby commend you 169 00:10:58,300 --> 00:11:01,600 and I counsel You by way of caution to forbear from 170 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:05,100 crossing, the more in those dark hours when the powers of evil 171 00:11:05,100 --> 00:11:10,100 are exalted this from Hugo Baskerville to his sons Roger 172 00:11:10,100 --> 00:11:14,200 and John with instructions that they say nothing they're off to 173 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:19,100 their sister Elizabeth When dr. Mortimer had finished reading 174 00:11:19,100 --> 00:11:22,300 this singular narrative. He pushed his spectacles up on 175 00:11:22,300 --> 00:11:24,800 his forehead and stared across at mr. 176 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:28,700 Sherlock Holmes, the latter yawned and toss the end of his 177 00:11:28,700 --> 00:11:34,800 cigarette Into the Fire. Well said, he do you not find it 178 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:39,800 interesting to a collector of fairy tales dr. 179 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:44,600 Mortimer drew a folded newspaper out of his pocket now mr. 180 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:48,000 Holmes we will give you something a little more recent. 181 00:11:48,500 --> 00:11:52,300 This is the Devon County Chronicle of May 14th of this 182 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:54,600 year. It is a short account of the 183 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,600 fact solicited at the death of Sir Charles Baskerville which 184 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:00,700 occurred a few days before that date. 185 00:12:01,500 --> 00:12:05,100 My friend leaned a little forward and his expression 186 00:12:05,100 --> 00:12:08,200 became intent. Our visitor readjusted, his 187 00:12:08,208 --> 00:12:11,600 glasses and began the recent sudden. 188 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:15,300 Death of Sir Charles Baskerville whose name has been mentioned as 189 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:17,700 the probable liberal candidate for Mid Devon. 190 00:12:17,700 --> 00:12:22,000 At the next election has cast. A Gloom over the county though. 191 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:24,400 Sir Charles had resided at Baskerville hall for a 192 00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:28,400 comparatively short period, his Amy ability of character and 193 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,900 extreme generosity had won the affection and respect Fact of 194 00:12:31,900 --> 00:12:35,700 all who had been brought into contact with him in these days 195 00:12:35,700 --> 00:12:38,300 of Nouveau. Riche, it is refreshing to find 196 00:12:38,300 --> 00:12:42,000 a case where the Scion of an old County family which had fallen 197 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:46,400 upon evil days, is able to make his own fortune and to bring it 198 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:50,000 back with him to restore the Fallen Grandeur of his line. 199 00:12:50,900 --> 00:12:53,200 Sir. Charles as is well-known made 200 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:57,800 large sums of money in South African speculation, more wise, 201 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:01,300 and those who go on until the wheel turns against them, he 202 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:04,000 Raised his gains and returned to England with them. 203 00:13:05,300 --> 00:13:08,500 It is only two years since he took up his residence at 204 00:13:08,500 --> 00:13:11,300 Baskerville Hall and it is common talk. 205 00:13:11,300 --> 00:13:14,900 How large were those schemes of reconstruction and Improvement 206 00:13:15,100 --> 00:13:18,800 which have been interrupted by his death, being himself 207 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:21,100 childless. It was his openly expressed 208 00:13:21,100 --> 00:13:24,400 desire that the whole Countryside should within his 209 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,300 own lifetime profit by his good fortune. 210 00:13:27,900 --> 00:13:30,700 And many will have personal reasons for be wailing, his 211 00:13:30,700 --> 00:13:34,500 untimely end. His generous donations to local 212 00:13:34,500 --> 00:13:38,100 and He Charities have been frequently chronicled in these 213 00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:42,200 columns the circumstances connected with the death of Sir 214 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:46,000 Charles cannot be said to have been entirely cleared up by the 215 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:50,500 inquest but at least enough has been done to dispose of those 216 00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:53,400 rumors to which local Superstition has given rise. 217 00:13:54,500 --> 00:13:58,700 There is no reason, whatever to suspect Foul Play or to imagine 218 00:13:58,700 --> 00:14:01,300 that death could be from any but natural causes. 219 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,700 So Charles was a widower and a man who may be said to have been 220 00:14:05,700 --> 00:14:09,700 in some ways of an eccentric habit of Mind, in spite of his 221 00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:13,200 considerable wealth, he was simple in his personal tastes, 222 00:14:13,700 --> 00:14:17,000 and is indoor servants. At Baskerville Hall consisted of 223 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:21,100 a married, couple named Barrymore, the husband acting as 224 00:14:21,100 --> 00:14:23,800 Butler and the wife as housekeeper. 225 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:29,000 They're evidence corroborated by that of several friends tends to 226 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:34,000 show that Sir Charles Health has for some time been impaired and 227 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,700 points especially to some affection of the heart 228 00:14:37,100 --> 00:14:39,300 manifesting itself in changes of color. 229 00:14:39,700 --> 00:14:43,300 Breathlessness and acute attacks of nervous depression. 230 00:14:44,300 --> 00:14:47,600 Dr. James Mortimer. The friend and medical attendant 231 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,900 of the deceased has given evidence to the same effect. 232 00:14:51,500 --> 00:14:54,300 The facts of the case are simple Sir. 233 00:14:54,300 --> 00:14:57,700 Charles Baskerville was in the habit every night before going 234 00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:01,400 to bed of walking down the famous yew alley of Baskerville 235 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:04,100 Hall. The evidence of Barrymore's 236 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:08,300 shows that this had been his custom on the 4th of May, Sir 237 00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:11,500 Charles had declared his intention of starting next day 238 00:15:11,500 --> 00:15:15,200 for London and at ordered Barrymore to prepare his luggage 239 00:15:16,100 --> 00:15:18,100 that night. He went out as usual for his 240 00:15:18,100 --> 00:15:21,200 nocturnal walk in the course of which he was in the habit. 241 00:15:21,300 --> 00:15:26,700 Of smoking a cigar, he never returned at 12:00 Barrymore, 242 00:15:26,900 --> 00:15:30,900 finding the hall door. Still open became alarmed and 243 00:15:30,900 --> 00:15:34,900 lighting a lantern went in. Search of his master, the day 244 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:38,500 had been wet and Sir, Charles is footmarks, were easily traced 245 00:15:38,500 --> 00:15:42,500 down the alley, halfway down this walk. 246 00:15:42,500 --> 00:15:46,200 There is a gate which leads out onto the Moor there were 247 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,400 indications that Sir Charles had stood for some little time here. 248 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:54,100 He then proceeded down the alley and it was at the far end of it, 249 00:15:54,100 --> 00:15:58,200 that his body was discovered. One fact, which has not been 250 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:01,400 explained is the statement of Barrymore that his master's 251 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:05,100 Footprints, altered, their character, from the time that he 252 00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:08,600 passed a moorgate, that he appeared from thence onward, to 253 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:13,600 have been walking upon his toes. One Murphy a gypsy horse dealer 254 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:17,500 was on the Moor at no great distance at the time but he 255 00:16:17,500 --> 00:16:20,900 appears by his own confession to have been the worse for drink. 256 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:25,400 He declares that he heard cries but is unable to state from what 257 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:29,100 direction they came. No signs of violence were to be 258 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:31,100 discovered upon sir, Charles's person. 259 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:35,200 And though the doctors evidence pointed to an almost incredible 260 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:38,400 facial Distortion, so great that dr. 261 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:41,600 Mortimer refused at first to believe that it was indeed his 262 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:46,000 friend and patient who lay before him, it was explained. 263 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:50,200 That is a symptom which is not unusual in cases of dyspnea and 264 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:54,600 death from cardiac exhaustion. This explanation was borne out 265 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:58,100 by the post-mortem examination, which showed long-standing 266 00:16:58,100 --> 00:17:01,300 organic disease and the coroner's jury returned, a 267 00:17:01,308 --> 00:17:03,700 verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. 268 00:17:04,599 --> 00:17:08,800 It is, well, that this is so for it is obviously of the utmost 269 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:12,800 importance that Sir Charles is are should settle at the hall 270 00:17:13,099 --> 00:17:16,700 and continue the good work which has been so sadly interrupted 271 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:21,300 had the prosaic finding of the coroner, not finally put an end 272 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,900 to the Romantic stories. Which have been whispered in 273 00:17:23,900 --> 00:17:27,099 connection with the affair. It might have been difficult to 274 00:17:27,099 --> 00:17:29,100 find a tenant for Baskerville Hall. 275 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,900 It is understood that, the next of kin is mr. 276 00:17:32,900 --> 00:17:36,500 Henry Baskerville. If he is still alive, the son of 277 00:17:36,500 --> 00:17:40,100 Sir, Charles Baskervilles younger, brother, the young man 278 00:17:40,100 --> 00:17:43,600 when last heard of was in America and inquiries are being 279 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:46,600 instituted with a view to informing him of his good 280 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:51,100 fortune. Dr. Mortimer e folded, his paper 281 00:17:51,100 --> 00:17:55,400 and replaced it in his pocket. Those are the public facts, mr. 282 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,300 Holmes, in connection with the death of Sir Charles 283 00:17:58,300 --> 00:18:02,400 Baskerville. I must thank you said Sherlock 284 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,000 Holmes for calling my attention to a case which certainly 285 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,000 presents some features of Interest. 286 00:18:08,900 --> 00:18:12,400 I had observed some newspaper comment at the time but I was 287 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,600 exceedingly preoccupied by that little Affair of the Vatican 288 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:19,300 cameos, and in my Xiety to oblige the Pope. 289 00:18:19,500 --> 00:18:21,400 I lost touch with several interesting. 290 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:25,300 English cases. This article, you say, contains 291 00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:28,000 all the public facts. It does. 292 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:33,800 Then let me have the private ones, he leaned back, put his 293 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:37,900 fingertips together and assumed his most impassive and judicial 294 00:18:37,900 --> 00:18:43,600 expression in doing so said, dr. Mortimer, who had begun to show 295 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:48,400 signs of some strong emotion? I am telling that which I have 296 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:52,000 not confided to anyone. My motive for was holding it 297 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,900 from the coroner's inquiry. Is it a man of science shrinks 298 00:18:55,900 --> 00:18:59,100 from placing himself in the public position of seeming to 299 00:18:59,100 --> 00:19:03,500 endorse a popular Superstition? I had the further motive that 300 00:19:03,500 --> 00:19:07,000 Baskerville Hall as the paper says would certainly remain 301 00:19:07,100 --> 00:19:09,200 untenanted. If anything were done to 302 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,000 increase its already, rather Grim reputation. 303 00:19:12,700 --> 00:19:16,100 For both these reasons, I thought that I was justified. 304 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:20,500 In telling rather less than I knew since no practical good 305 00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:23,500 could result from it. But with you, there is no reason 306 00:19:23,500 --> 00:19:25,500 why I should not be perfectly Frank. 307 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:30,100 The more is very sparsely inhabited and those who live 308 00:19:30,100 --> 00:19:32,800 near each other are thrown very much together. 309 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:37,300 For this reason I saw a good deal of Sir, Charles Baskerville 310 00:19:38,300 --> 00:19:41,800 with the exception of mr. Frankland of lafter Hall and mr. 311 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:44,200 Stapleton. The naturalist there are no 312 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:45,900 other men of Education within many. 313 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:50,300 Mi Sir Charles was a retiring man but the chance of his 314 00:19:50,300 --> 00:19:53,600 illness brought us together and a community of interest in 315 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:57,300 science, kept us. So he had brought back, much 316 00:19:57,300 --> 00:20:01,200 scientific information from South Africa and many a Charming 317 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:03,600 evening. We had spent together discussing 318 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:08,200 the comparative, anatomy of the Bushmen and the Hottentot within 319 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:12,100 the last few months, it became increasingly plain to me, that 320 00:20:12,100 --> 00:20:14,800 Sir Charles has nervous system was strained to the breaking 321 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:18,400 point. He had taken this Legend, which 322 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:23,100 I have read, you exceedingly to heart so much so that although 323 00:20:23,100 --> 00:20:26,300 he would walk in his own grounds, nothing would induce 324 00:20:26,300 --> 00:20:30,200 him to go out upon the Moor at night, incredible as it may 325 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:33,000 appear to you mr. Holmes, he was honestly 326 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:38,200 convinced that a dreadful fate / hung his family and certainly 327 00:20:38,500 --> 00:20:41,800 the records which he was able to give of his ancestors, were not 328 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:45,000 encouraging. The idea of some ghostly 329 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:46,900 presence constantly, haunted him. 330 00:20:47,500 --> 00:20:50,500 And on more than one occasion, he has asked me whether I had on 331 00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:54,400 my medical Journeys at night. Ever seen any strange creature 332 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,400 or heard the baying of a hound. The latter question. 333 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:02,100 He put to me several times and always with a voice, which 334 00:21:02,100 --> 00:21:06,300 vibrated with excitement. I can well, remember driving up 335 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:09,000 to his house in the evening, some three weeks before the 336 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:11,900 Fatal event. He chanced to be at his whole 337 00:21:11,900 --> 00:21:15,400 door. I had descended from my gig and 338 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:18,800 was standing in front of him. When I saw his eyes fixed 339 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:22,700 themselves over my shoulder and stare past me with an expression 340 00:21:22,700 --> 00:21:27,000 of the most Dreadful horror I whisked round and had just time 341 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:31,100 to catch a glimpse of something, which I took to be a large black 342 00:21:31,100 --> 00:21:33,400 calf passing at the head of the drive. 343 00:21:34,700 --> 00:21:38,200 So excited and alarmed. Was he that I was compelled to 344 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:41,300 go down to the spot where the animal had been and look around 345 00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:45,000 for it, it was gone. However, and the incident 346 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:48,800 appeared to make the worst impression upon his mind, I 347 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:52,700 stayed with him all the evening and it was on that occasion to 348 00:21:52,700 --> 00:21:56,400 explain the emotion, which had shown that he confided to my, 349 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:58,600 keeping that narrative, which I read to you. 350 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:03,500 When I first came in I mentioned the small episode because it 351 00:22:03,500 --> 00:22:06,700 assumes some importance in view of the tragedy which followed 352 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:10,300 but I was convinced at the time that the matter was entirely 353 00:22:10,300 --> 00:22:14,000 trivial and that is excitement had no justification. 354 00:22:15,300 --> 00:22:18,000 I was at my advice that Sir Charles was about to go to 355 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,000 London. His heart was, I knew affected 356 00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:24,200 and the constant anxiety in which he lived. 357 00:22:24,500 --> 00:22:28,000 However, chimerical. The cause of it might be was 358 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:30,600 evidently having a serious effect upon his health. 359 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:34,700 I thought that a few months among the distractions of town 360 00:22:35,100 --> 00:22:37,500 would send him back. A new man, mr. 361 00:22:37,500 --> 00:22:40,300 Stapleton. A mutual friend, who was much 362 00:22:40,300 --> 00:22:44,500 concern that his state of health was of the same opinion at the 363 00:22:44,500 --> 00:22:49,000 last instant came. This terrible catastrophe on the 364 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,400 night of Sir. Charles's death Barrymore, the 365 00:22:51,408 --> 00:22:55,300 butler who made the discovery sent Perkins, the groom on 366 00:22:55,300 --> 00:22:58,900 Horseback to me. And as I was sitting up late, I 367 00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:00,600 was able to reach Baskerville Hall. 368 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:05,100 Within an hour of the event, I checked and corroborated all the 369 00:23:05,100 --> 00:23:07,400 facts which were mentioned at the inquest. 370 00:23:08,100 --> 00:23:10,400 I followed the footsteps down the yew alley. 371 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:14,600 I saw the spot at the Moor gate where he seemed to have waited. 372 00:23:15,300 --> 00:23:17,500 I remarked the change in the shape of the prince. 373 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:21,300 After that point, I noted that there were no other footsteps 374 00:23:21,500 --> 00:23:23,700 save those of Barrymore on the soft gravel. 375 00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:28,400 And finally, I carefully examined the body which had not 376 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:34,000 been touched until my arrival. So Charles lay on his face, his 377 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:38,200 arms out, his fingers, dug into the ground and his features 378 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:42,500 convulsed with some strong emotion to such an extent that I 379 00:23:42,508 --> 00:23:44,700 could hardly have sworn to his identity. 380 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:50,000 It was certainly no physical injury of any kind, but one 381 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,300 false statement was made by Barrymore at the inquest. 382 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:57,400 He said that there were no traces upon the ground around 383 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:02,200 the body. He did not observe any but I did 384 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:06,400 some little distance off but fresh and clear. 385 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:14,100 Footprints Footprints, a man's, or a woman's dr. 386 00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:17,700 Mortimer looked strangely at us for an instant and his voice 387 00:24:17,700 --> 00:24:22,000 sank almost to a whisper as he answered mr. 388 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:27,000 Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic Hound. 389 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,300 End of chapter 2. End of chapter 2.