A Retrospection

1. Who was Stapleton? Why did he want to wipe out the rest of the Baskerville family?Stapleton's original name was Rodger. He was the son of Rodger Baskerville, younger brother of Charles, who fled to South America to escape Stapleton began to make enquiries about the Baskerville family. He found out that only two lives stood between him and Baskerville fortune. So he wanted to wipe off the Baskerville family to inherit the wealth and property.

2. If Stapleton had succeeded in his evil plan and inherited Baskerville Hall, how would he have proved his innocence?a) He could have claimed the property from South America. He could establish his identity before the British authorities there and obtain the fortune without coming to England.
b) He could have adopted and elaborate disguise during the short period he needed to be in London.
c) He could have furnished an accomplice with proofs and papers, putting him as heir.

3. Holmes devised a plan to catch Stapleton red-handed. What were the two things he did not foresee?Holmes plan was catch Stapleton red-handed. The two things he did not foresee were:
a) The dog was monstrous and diabolical.
b) He did not predict the fog which enabled the dog to burst on them at a very short notice.

4. Why did Vandeleur leave for South England?Vandeleur opened a school in York Shire. It began well, but later lost all its reputation. Vedeleurs then changed their name to "Stapleton". Then he left to South England with the remains of his fortunes.

5. At what point in the story did Holmes get suspicious about the Stapletons? How did he know that he was dealing with the hound?Holmes examined the paper on which the printed words had been stuck. He got a faint smell of jasmine. The perfume suggested that a lady was involved and his thought turned to Stapletons. It was essential for Stapleton to get some article of Sir Henry's in case he had to us the dog. When Sir Henry's old boot was stolen. Holmes concluded that they were dealing with a real hound.

6. Where did Stapleton buy the hound? How did he bring it to Devonshire? Where did he hide it?Stapleton bought the hound from a reputed dealer in London. He brought it by the North Devon railway line and hid it on an island in the Grimpenmire.

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The Hound of the Baskervilles

1. Describe what Watson sees through the window in Merripit House? Who is not in the room? Sir Henry and Stapleton were sitting at a table smoking. Stapleton was talking and seemed very excited. Sir Henry looked very pale. Stapleton left the room and went to the out house. There was a scuffling noise inside. Later, he went back to the house.

2. "Hist, look out! It is coming" Who is Holmes referring to? Describe briefly what happened next?Holmes referes to the Hound. It lept towards Sir Henry. Holmes. Watson and Lestrade were shocked. They had to let it pass. Recovering nerve. Holmes and Watson fired at it. But it did not stop. Sir Henry turned round, raised his hands and stared into it helplessly. It sprang on him, threw him to the ground and was reaching for his throat. Holmes emptied five rounds of his gun into the hound and it fell back dead.

3. Where does Miss Stapleton take Watson and Holmes the next mornig? Do they find Stapleton?Miss Stapleton took Watson and Holmes to the Grimpen Mire where Stapleton had his hide out but they did not find Stapleton any where.

4. What happened to Stapleton at last?On the morning, after the death of the Hound, Mrs. Stapleton took Holmes and Watson to Stapleton's hide out. They followed the path taken by Stapleton. After some distance, they found the old boot of Sir.Henry. They could not find Stapleton anywhere. They could not find any steps further. So, it was evident that Stapleton had been buried some where in the Grimpen Mire.

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Fixing the Nets

1. Sherlock Holmes appears to be very interested in Hugo Baskervilles portrait. Why? Does Watson immediately realize, What Holmes is trying to suggest? (Or) How did Sherlock Holmes deduce the resemblance of Hugo with Stapleton?While having dinner at the Baskerville Hall along with Sir Henry and Watson. Sherlock Holmes was started by a particular portrait in the series of family portraits of the Baskervilles. After finishing his dinner Holmes took Watson to study the same. The portrait belonged to Hugo. The face was prim and hard. He had a firm set, thin - lipped mouth and cold, intolerant eyes. He sported curly love - locks on either side of his face. Though the jaws resembled Sir Henry's Sherlock Holmes found a strong resembalance to Stapleton in Hugo's portrait once he had covered the hat and ringlets. He could then guess that Stapleton was a Baskerville.
No, Watson does not immediately realise, what Holmes is trying to suggest.

2. Does Sherlock Holmes really intend going back to London? What did he tell the baronet to do? Sherlock Holmes does not really intend going to London. He told the baronet to tell Stapleton that Watson and Holmes had gone to London. He also asked him to send his vehicle back as soon as he got to their house to make him believe that he intended to go to the Hall on foot.

3. Why did Holmes ask cartwright to send a telegram to Sir Henry from London?Holmes asked cartwright to send a telegram to Sir Henry from London, because he wanted the Stapletons to believe, that he had left for London. The telegram from London would remove any suspicion they (Stapletons) might still have.

4. What was Laura Lyon's reaction when Holmes told her that Stapleton was a married man? What information did she give him? When Holmes told her that Stapleton was a married man, she was shocked and got wild. She said that Stapleton had cheated her. She did not see why she should be faithful to him.
She admitted having written the letter to Sir Charles. It was dictated to her by Stapleton. After it was posted, Stapleton asked her not to keep the appointment saying it would hurt his self-respect if any other man paid expenses to her.

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Death on the Moor

Sherlock Holmes had seen the stub of a cigarette marked 'Bradley, Oxfor Street' The he knew that Watson was saiting for him in the hut as he always smoked that brand of cigarette. Watson was hurt and said that Holmes has used him and not trusted him. Holmes explained that their work would become easier by working on parallel lines. He informed that the lady who was passing as Stapleton's sister was actually his wife. Watson asked whether Holmes was sure of that and what the need for that deception was. While they were walking on the moor they heard a long yell of horror and pain. There was a deep manacing sound of the hound. They found a man dead with a reddish suit on him. That belonged to Sir Henry. They thought that the dead man was Sir Henry. Holmes examined the body and found the dead man with a beard. He was Seldon, the convict. Holmes cried and danced in joy. Holmes and Watson knew that Stapleton tried on the life of Selden mistaking him for Sir Henry. Sir Henry lent his suit to Barrymore and he passed it on to Seldon. Stapleton used the old mission boot of Sir Henry as a scent for the hound. So it attacked seldon in the clothes of Sir Henry. Holmes and Watson replied to the question of Stapleton that Seldon, while running wild on the moor must have fallen and broken his neck since they didn't like to give any hint of their suspicion about Stapleton.

1. "You have used me and not trusted me". "Then all my reports have wasted" says Watson. Why do you think Watson is hurt? What explanation does Holmes give for not having "treated" Watson?Dr. Watson was hurt because he felt that he was not taken into confidence by Sherlock Holmes. Holmes asked him to follow Sir Henry and gather information. At the same time, Holmes himself was gathering information secretly.

2. Why could not Holmes arrest Stapleton immediatlely?Sherlock Holmes could not arrest Stapleton because in both the attacks instigated by Stapleton there was no evidence of a physical attack by the hound either on the body of Sir Charles or on Selden. The deaths were mainly attributed to fear and shock due to the appearance of a diabolical hound. This particular fact cannot be established in any court since, the chain of events that caused death left no clues which could force a jury to incriminate Stapleton.

3. "Good Heavens Holmes. Are you sure? But why this deceptior?" I asked. What was Stapleton's deception? What did he hope to get by this deception?The above lines spoken by Dr. Watson express a complete surprise at a revelation made to him by Holmes. Holmes told Watson that the lady whom Stapleton introduced as his sister was none other than his wife Beryl, a girl from Costa Rica. The reason behind this deception was that Stapleton thought that she would be more useful to him as a free woman rather than as his wife.
Stapleton, who infact was a Baskerville himself who was keen to appropriate the fortune of Sir Charles Baskerville. Realising that only two people of the Baskerville family stood in the way of his usurpation, he began to make plans to eliminate them. With Sir Charles's poor medical history, Stapleton was successful easily, with Sir Henry, a young bachelor, he realized that using his wife as decoy, he would draw Sir Henry into their company and succed in setting the vicious hound upon him. Thus Stapleton deceived the world the by posing that they were siblings instead of a married couple.

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The Man on the Hill

Franklan observed the moor through his telescope from the top of his house. He saw a boy carrying food. He thought that he was carrying food to Seldon, the convict. The villagers were eager to know the where abouts of the covict. Franland informed Watson about this, but Watson knew that Barrymore was carrying food to the convict. So he thought that he was in the danger of being found out. When Frankland told Watson that the food was taken to the convict by a child. Watson felt relieved. He wanted to find out who the mysterious man on the hill was and he reached the top of the hill. There was a hut which had a bit or roof on it, for protection against bad weather. Some blankets rolled up in awater proof were lying there. The ashes of fire were heaped up in a fire place. Beside it lay some cooking utensils and a bucket half fullof water. In the centre of the hut, on a flat stone, lay some tinned food and bread. Under them lay a sheet of paper on which "Dr. Watson has gone to Coomber Tracey" was written on it. Holmes went to the Devonshire disguising himself as the mysterious 'man on the hill' by giving an impression to the others that he was at Baker Street. He had been watching Stapleton's movements where as Cartwright had kept an eye on the findings of Dr. Watson.

1. Who is Laura Lyons? Where is she staying? What had happened to her marriage?Mrs. Laura Lyons was the daughter of Mr. Frankland of Lafter Hall and a neighbour of Sir Charles of Baskerville Hall. Laura stayed at the village of Coombe Tracy after her marriage with Lyons an artist, against her father's wishes. The marriage had failed and the artist had deserted her. Laura had instituted divorce proceedings against him and needed money for legal expenses. Since her father had refused to oblige, Stapleton and a few others.

2. What information does Dr. Watson get from Laura Lyons? Why does he feel that she has not told him the complete truth?Laura Lyons told Dr. Watson that she wrote once or twice to Sir Charles and had met him once or twice. She wrote to Charles to meet her but she did not keep the appointment because she got the help she needed from another source. She wanted to meet him the next day but he was dead. Dr. Watson felt that Laura Lyons was hiding some information because if what she said was the whole truth, she would have certainly met Sir Charles.

3. Frankland thinks he has gathered information that the police would be interested in. What is it? The police were on the look out for Selden. Frankland saw a boy taking food to the man living in one of the stone huts; he took the man for Selden. So he thought he had gathered some information that the police would be interested in.

4. Dr. Watson wants to find out who the mysterious man on the hill is. What does he discover inside the stranger's hideaway? Did you guess, who the mysterious stranger is? Dr. Watson went among the stone huts, one of which had a bit of roof on it. He thought it must be the mysterious man's hideaway. Walking in he found that it was a hut inhabited by an unknown person. He saw a sheet of paper with the words, "Dr. Watson has gone to Coombey Tracey" written on it.

There were two possibilities about the identity of the person. One was that he was the same as the person in the cab, who knew that Watson was doing some work in the case. The other was that he might be Sherlock Holmes keeping himself in the dark and investigating.

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Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson

As Selden was a public danger, Sir Henry wanted to catch hold of him. But Barrymore assured him that Seldon wouldn't break into any one's home. He requested Sir Henry that Seldon would go to South America as soon as the arrangements were made. Sir Henry promised to leave Seldon on his reuest. As Barrymore felt very happy with the assurance of Sir Henry, he told something about the death of Sir Charles. He told him that Sir Charles received a letter earlier in the day of his death, from a woman in Coombe Tracey requesting him to come to the wicket- gate by ten O'clock in the night and it was signed L.L. But he didn't know what L.L. Stands for.
The contents of the diary which was written on 17th October by Dr. Watson.

Dr. Morimer said that L.L. are the initials of Laura Lyons, the daughter of Frank land and lives in Comba Tracey Dr. Watson decided to go and meet Laura Lyons the next day to get some information from her. When he met her, she told that Mr. Stapleton presented himself as a Bachelor to her and promised to marry if she divorced her husband. He asked her to write a letter to Sir Charles seeking his help in meeting the legal expenses in her divorce case. So, she took dictation from Stapleton and wrote a note to Sir Charles asking him to meet her at the Moor gate.

1. What are the incidents from the diary of Dr. Watson feel that Sir Henry and he are living in the presence of danger?The death of Sir Charles fulfilled the conditions of the family legend. Peasants reported having seen a strange creature on the moor. Dr. Watson had himself twice heard the baying of a hound. Then there was the man in the cab who had followed them in London and the letter warning Sir. Henry to stay away from the moor. There was the stranger on the hill who might possibly be the man following them. All these have made Watson feel that Sir Henry and he were in danger.

2. "How could you conceal such an important information"? says Sir Henry Waht is the information that Barrymore has with held? Why does he now share it with Sir Henry?Barrymore told Sir Henry that on the night Sir Charles died, he went to meet a woman at the moor gate. He had received a letter from a woman in Coombey Tracey requesting Sir Charles to be at the gate by 10'0 clock and it was signed by L.L. This was the information withheld by Barrymore. Now he shares it with Sir Henry because Henry promised to let his brother - in - law, Selden alone.

3. What information did Barrymore give Watson about the man on the hill?Barrymore told Dr. Watson that his brother-in-law Selden had seen the man on the hill once or twice. He was a kind of gentleman and lives in one of the stone huts. A lad would give him all the needed and he went to Coombey Tracey for lther things. Holmes asked Watson to forgive him if he had accompanied Watson, his presence would have warned their enemy.

4. Sherlock Holmes thinks Laura Lyons might help him once she knows the truth about Stapleton's identify. Why? How will she help them? Laura Lyons hoped to marry Stapleton when she had divorced her husband. Once, she knew that Stapleton was married, she would certainly get wild with him and tell them how he had used her.

5. Why did Watson and Holmes think that the dead man was Sir. Henry? How did they find out who he really was?Watson and Holmes thought that the dead man was Sir. Henry from the dress worn by the dead man. While they were discussing how to take the body to the Hall, Holmes bent over the body and found he had a beard and confirmed it was Selden.

6. What is Stapleton's immediate reaction when he sees that the dead man is not Sir. Henry? is he satisfied when Holmes tells him Selden must have died? Why? When Stapleton saw that dead man was not Sir. Henry he was subdued with a sudden feeling of disappointment. It was quite evident from a sharp in-take of breath and the cigar falling from his hands.
He was not quite satisfied, when he heard that Selden must have died by falling over the rocks. He asked them if they had heard anything other than Selden's cry.

7. Why could not Holmes arrest Stapleton immediately after Selden's murder?Holmes could not arrest Stapleton immediately because they had nothing to prove against him. The court would laugh at them if the legendary dog was dragged into the case.

Written By D.watson

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Second Report of Dr. Watson

Selden, the escaped convict, was the brogher - in-law of Mr. Barrymore. He was hiding in the moor. Mr. Barrymore would hold a candle at a windo in the night. It was a signal to Selden that food was ready. A light on the moor was a signal to Barrymore that Seldon was at that place. Then. Mr. Barrymore would take him food. In the two reports Dr. Watson explained all these things to Sherlock Holmes.

1. Why does Sir Henry not want Dr. Watson to accompany him when he goes for a walk on the moor. What does Watson do?Sir Henry does not want Dr. Watson to accompany him when he goes for a walk on the moor because he expects Miss. Stapleton to meet him in the moor. He feels that they can not have a free conversation, if there is a third person. But Watson followed them secretely.

2. Can you describe briefly what Dr. Watson witness from his hiding place?Dr. Watson saw Sir Henry and Miss Stapleton were walking slowly and appeared to be in deep conservation. A little later he saw Stapleton going towards them. Sir Henry put his arm around Miss. Stapelton's who seemed to be straining away. Suddenly both of them sprung apart. Stapleton ran towards them abusing and getting angrier with Sir Henry who tried to explain, but stapleton walked away with his sister and they both walked away.

3. What explanation does Stapleton gives Sir Henry for his rude behaviour?Stapleton told Sir Henry that his sister was everything to him. They had always been together and he could not bear the idea of losing her. He was shocked when he saw her with Sir Henry and was not responsible for what he said. He regretted for his rudeness. He said that he realised that it was selfish and foolish of him to imagine her staying with him without marriage. He also said that if she had to marry it would be better to marry a neighbour like Henry. Stapleton requested Henry to give him three months time to get used to the idea. He said that Henry and Miss. Stapleton could be friendly meanwhile.

4. "It wasn't my secret, not a plot against you sir". Whose secret was it? What was the secret?
(Or)
How did Mrs. Barrymore explain her husband's strange behavious? It was not the secret of Mr. Barrymore.
It was the secret of Selden, the escaped convict Mrs. Barrymore told Henry that her brother Selden was starving on the moor; their candle showed food was ready and a light in the moor showed the place where Selden was. Then her husband would take him food.

5. Who was Selden? What was the case against him? What is the relationship between the Barrymores and Selden?Selden was the younger brother of Mrs. Barrymore. He was a spoilt child and as he grew up, he fell into bad company and ended up as a murderer. [Notting Hill Murderer] He killed the victim with senseless brutality. The police doubted his sanity. Selden escaped from prison and came to Mrs. Barrymore. Barrymores took him in and looked after him. If they get a sign of light from moor as an answer, Barrymore would take him food.

6. Why do Dr. Watson and Sir Henry want to capture Selden? What happens on the moor? Dr. Watson and Sir Henry wanted to capture Selden because he was a danger to the community. They were only doing their duty in capturing him. They armed themselves and went into the moor. On the way, they heard a moan followed by a loud howl. Sir Henry was frightened thinking, that the legend of the hound was true. Watson wondered if they should go back. But Henry refused to go back. Just then, they saw the convict's savage face. Immediately they sprang towards him. He screamed and hurled a stone at them and ran away. Dr. Watson wanted to shoot him in the leg. But gave up the idea of shooting an unarmed man. Selden disappeared eventually.

7. When Henry and Watson went to the moor to capture Selden, they saw a man standing on a hill. Who was this man? What was he doing on the moor?The man on the hill was Mr. Sherlock Holmes. He stood with his feet and his arms folded, his head bowed, as if he was brooding over the moor. He had been observing the persons and the facts related to the death of Sir Charles.

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First Report of Dr. Watson

Mrs. Stapleton knew her husband was plotting against the life of Sir Henry. She was good by nature. So, she had already warned the baronet through her letter but the ignored it and came over to the Baskerville Hall. Once she mistook r. Watson for Sir Henry and warned him to return to London.

1. When Dr. Watson follows Barrymore in the middle of the night, what does he find him doing? Barrymore took a candle and entered a room at the farther end of the corridor. He crouched at the window with the candle held against the glass. He was staring into the moor. He stood there for a few minutes. Then he gave a groan and put out the light. Later he went back to his room.

2. What is the most God forsaken place according to Dr. Watson? What does he say about the place?The most God forsaken place according to Dr. Watson is Baskerville Hall and the moor. He says that the more one stays there, the more one gets involved in the moor and it's gloomy charm.

3. What did the people think had happened to the escaped convict? Why did they think so? The people thought that the escaped convict had left the place. They thought so because though he could hide himself in any stone hut there, there was nothing to eat unless he killed a sheep there. They thought he had gone and were happy and sleeping better.

4. What did Watson tell Holems about Frankland? Give a short account of Frankland?Frankland lived about four miles away from the Baskerville Hall. He was an elderly gentleman with red face and bad temper. He was fond or fighting and litigation. He spent a lot of money on litigation. At that time he was an amateur astronomer. He hoped to spot the escaped convict.

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The Stapletons of Merripit House

Mr. Stapleton was the son of Rodger Baskerville, the younger brother of Charles. He changed his name many times. Being a Baskerville, he came to Devonshire with his wife, planning to inherit the Baskerville fortune. He explained Dr. Watson that his taste for Botany and Zoology had brought him to Devonshire. He passed his own wife (Mrs. Stapleton) for his sister to attract Sir Henry.

1. Why does Dr. Watson visit Grimpen Postmaster? What does he discover?Watson visits Grimpen Postmaster to ask him if the telegram was given to Brrrymore personally. He discovered that the telegram was given to Mrs. Barrymore who said that Mr. Barrymore was in the loft.

2. Who does Miss Stapleton think Dr. Watson is? What does she tell him in secret?Miss Stapleton took Dr. Watson to be Sir Henry. She asked him to leave the place immediately and go back to London. When Dr. Watson said he had come only the previous day. She told him to take it as a warming.

3. What explanation does Stapleton give Watson for having settled in a 'gloomy' place like Devonshire?Stapleton told Watson that he had settled in Devonshire because the moor was a wonderful place. with some rare plants and butterflies in the hills there. Which keeps everyone refreshed with wonderful secrets. And Stapleton claimed to be a naturalist would like to settle is a gloomy place like Devonshire. One would never be tired of it. It held wonderful secrets. also Stapleton said he as a naturalist. There were some rare platnts and butterflies in the hills there.

4. Why did Dr. Watson first accept the invitation of Stapleton? Why did he later decline his invitation for lunch?Dr. Watson accepted the invitation of Stapleton because it was an occasion for him to watch Stapleton. Later, he declined his invitation to lunch because he was eager to get back to Sir Henry. The melancholy moor and the baying of the hound had saddened him. On top of it. Miss Stapleton's warning worried him a bit.

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Baskerville Hall

1. Sherlock Holmes tells Watson to study and watch all the people who live around Sir Henry Baskerville. Make a list of the people he names? The Barrymores, two moorland farmers, the groom at the Hall, Dr. Mortimer and his wife Stapleton and his sister, Mr. Frankland of Lafter Hall and one or two other neighbours.

2. What advice did Holmes give Henry as he was going to Bakserville?Holmes advised Henry to be always with Watson. And also he advised Henry to avoid roaming on the moor alone after dark when the powers of evil were at their peak.

3. Why are soldiers posted at different places at the time Sir Henry arrives in Devonshire? A dangerous criminal named Selden, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment escaped from Princetown. It was thought that he might perhaps be somewhere in those parts. So soldiers were posted to watch every road and every station in the area.

4. Describe Baskerville Hall? Baskerville Hall was a large room panelled with Oak. The wooden beams were black with age. A square gallery ran round the top of the old Hall. It could be approached by a double stair. Two long corridor extended the whole length of the building. The bed rooms opened from them. They were more modern and brighter than the central part of the house. The dinning room was long and dark.

5. On their first night at the Baskerville Hall, Dr. Watson and Henry heard a woman crying? Who was crying? Why was she crying? Ans: Mrs. Barrymore was crying because she was worried about the safety of her brogher Selden, the escaped criminal.

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Three Broken Threads

1. Sir, Henry's new boot is returned to him and his old boot is stolen instead from the hotel in London. Why would anyone want a single old boot? Where did Holmes find it in the end? First a new boot was stolen. It was returned and a single old boot was stolen. This points out that there was a purpose which could not be served by a boot not at all put on, but only by a boot which was used by Henry. In the end Holmes found the boot in the middle of the quagmire. It was thrown away by Stapleton in his flight.

2. "House, land and dollars must go together" Who says this? Why?Sir Henry says this. He says so because he feels that the owner of the Hall of Baskerville should restore the glories of Baskerville and it is impossible if he as not enough money.

3. What were the three threads which Holmes hopes may help him solve the complex case? Does any one of these threads give him a lead? The three threads which Holmes hopes may help him solve the case are:
1) Who is the person following Sir Henry in the cab?
2) From which place the letter has been sent to Sir Henry? And
3) Is it Barrymore who is following Sir Henry? These three threads did not help him to get any lead.

4. Who is John Clayton? Can you briefly describe what he tells Holmes?John Clayton is the owner of the cab with No: 2704 in which the person following Sir Henry was travelling. He tells Holmes that a man who said he was a detective, hailed him in Trafalgar Square and offered him two guineas if he would do what he wanted for that day. Then they drove to Northumberland hotesl. When the two gentlle men came out, they followed them to Holmes' house. And again they followed them down Baker street, when suddenly the man asked him to take him to the Waterloo station. After reaching the station the man left saying he was Sherlock Holmes.

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Sir Henry Baskerville

1. Sir Henry would have visited Sherlock Holmes even if Dr. Mortimer had not arranged a meeting between them. Why? What are the two strange experiences he has? (oct, '92) Sir Henry received a letter addressed to him at Northumberland Hotel; saying. "As you value you life or your reason, keep away from the moor". It was a puzzle to him. He did not know who wrote it and why. They asked him to stay away from the moor. So he wanted to see Holmes.

The two strange experiences he had were (1) receiving the letter asking him to stay away from the moor and that (2) he lost his new boot which has not been put on so far.

2. Sherlock Holmes reads out an article on 'Free Trade' from 'The Times'. Why? Do the three listeners understand his intention? (88, 89, 91,98) On seing the letter Holmes found that the letter was composed of the words cut from 'The Times'. He concluded that it must have been the previous day's paper because the letter was posted on the previous evening. So he got the paper and began to read the article on Free Trade. The others could not understand his intention because they could not see any connection between the article and the letter. The word 'moor' was not there in the article so it was written in ink.

3. "As soon as Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry Baskerville leave Baker Street. Holmes and Watson dress quickly and follow them". Why? What do they discover? (95, 97) After Dr. Mortimer and Henry left. It suddenly occurred to Holme that somebody must be following Sir. Henry from the time of his arrival in London. He also thought that a person should be following Sir Henry that day too. He wanted to find out who it was and so followed Sir Henry and Mortimer along with Dr. Watson. They discovered a bearded man in a cab. Before they could see who he was, he hurried away, closing the top of the cab hiding his identity.

4. Sherlock Holmes shows Cartwright the names of twenty-three hotels and asks him to visit each one of them in turn. Why? (92, 02) Sherlock Holmes thought that the person who sent the anonymous letter to Sir Henry the previous day must have been staying in one of the 23 hotels of the city. The person had cut the word from the 'The Times' paper to avoid detection of his hand writing So he asks Cartwright to visit each hotel to find out if the center page of 'The Times' with some holes cut in it with a scissors can be traced from the waste papers. Holmes hoped he would trace the culprit and find a solution to Sir Henry's problem.

5. How is Sir Henry entitled to inherit the property of Sir Charles? Sir Charles had two broghers, the youngest brother was Roger Baskerville. He left London for Central America and died. Henry is the son of Sir Charle's secon brogher and the last Baskerville. So Sir Henry is the only heir of the Baskerville family to inherit the property of Sir Charles.

6. If Sir Henry were to die, who would inherit his property? If Sir Henry would die, the Doesmonds who are distant cousins of Sir Charles would inherit his property. It would go to James Desmond an elderly clergyman in Westmoorland.

7. What reason did Holmes give for not going to Baskerville Hall with Sir Henry?Holmes said that he had his consulting practice to take care of. With constant appeals which come to him from many places it was impossible for him to be away from London for an indefinite period. And also he said if matter turn dangerous, he would try to present in person.

8. "A touch Watson, an undeniable touch" said Holmes. "He is as quick as me". Who is Holmes referring to? What is the touch he is referring to? Holmes is referring to the person who followed Sir Henry to Holme's House. Clayton told Holmes that the person whom he drove was Sherlock Holmes. The man knew what was going on. He was as quick in action in action as Holmes. This was the touch.

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The Problem

1. Describe the Yew Alley? The Yew Alley was near Baskerville Hall and the moor is on its right. There are two lines of old hedge, four metres high and impenetrable. There is a wall in the centre two metres across and a strip of grass about two metres broad on either side. There is a wicket gate which leads to the moor.

2. "After Dr. Mortimer leaves Baker street, Watson also goes out" Why? Watson has felt that Holmes would think over the matter again and then decide which points were important for the case. So Watson has left in-order to provide Holmes solitude and seclusion.

3. Why does Mr. Mortimer feel that the thing is supernatural? (March 99) Dr. Mortimer could find fresh and clear foot prints of a gigantic hounds some distance away from Sir Charle's body. But there were no traces of the hound having approached the body. So he thinks that the thing is supernatural. In addition to this, several people have reported to have seen a creture on the moor which resembled Baskerville demon which couldn't be any animal known to science.

4. How does Holmes come to the conclusion that Charles had been frightened even before he gegan to run? (Oct 95) Sherlock Holmes concluded that while Charles was walking across the moor, he might have heard some sound similar to that of the hound of Baskerville. So he began to run for his life being frightened by the hound.

5. "Excellent, This is a colleague Watson after our own heart". Who was Holmes making these remarks about? What made him do so? (March 93)Holmes was making this remark about Dr. Mortimer. When Dr. Mortimer said that Sir Charles had stood near the gate for five or ten minutes. Holmes asked him how he knew that. Then Mortimer pointed that the ash had been dropped twice from Charles cigar near the gate. So Holmes was much impressed by his keen observation and made thiks remark, which he felt was necessary.

6. Sherlock Holmes says "we are faced with two questions" [Regarding the death of Sir Charles] what are they?The first question is whether any crime is committed at all Secondly, what is the crime and how was it committed.

7. How is Henry Baskerville entitled to inherit the property of Sir Charles Baskerville?
Sir Henry Baskerville is entitled to inherit the property of Sir Charles Baskerville because Charles' younger brother, Rodger Baskerville. died unmarried. Henry is the son of Charles second brother and the last Baskerville. Hence. Henry would be the only heir to the estate.

8. Why did Dr. Mortimer think it unsuitable for Sir Henry to stay at Baskerville Hall?Dr. Mortimer believed that there was some supernatural force behind the death of Sir Charles, and the stories he had heard from several inhabitants of the moor confirmed it. Besides, the old manuscript revealed that many members of the Baskeville family have had sudden unhappy and mysterious deaths. So Mortimer concluded that any heir who stayed at the Hall would die and therefore thought it unsuitable for Sir Henry to stay at the Baskerville Hall.

9. After Dr. Mortimer leaves baker street, Watson also goes out. Why? Watson knew that Holmes needed solitude and seclusion in those hours of intense concentration. He would think over the whole matter again, construct alternative theories and weigh them against each other. Then he would decide which points were important and which were immaterial. So Watson went out.

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The Curse of the Baskervilles

1. When Hugo discovered that his prisoner had escaped, what did he do? (Mar90)When Hugo discovered that his prisoner had escaped he was overcome with rage. He ran downstairs into the dining room, jumped on the the table and shouted at every one that he would destroy himself if he did not overtake the girl. He ran from the house and got on a horse and went in pursuit of her.

2. According to the "Devon Country Chronicle" How did Sir Charles die? Does Dr. Mortimer agree with this version? According to the Devon Country Chronicle Charles died of heart failure. There is no reason to suspect foul play or to imagine that his death was unnatural No signs of violence could be seen on his body. The doctor's report said that Sir Charles face was deformed. But it is not unusual in deaths caused by heart failure. The report also said that he had a long standing organic disease but Dr. Mortimer does not agree with this version.

3. What is the private fact that Shelorck Holmes wants Dr. Mortimer to tell him? Why didn't Dr. Mortimer tell the jury this?
(Or)
What fact did Dr. Mortimer withhold from the coroner's jury at the time of inquest? Why did he do so? (March 99)Dr. Morimer observed some fresh and clear foot prints a little away from the body of Sir Charles. They were the foot prints of a gigantic hound. Dr. Mortimer didn't say this in court because he thought it would have seemed rediculous that a man of science should believe in such superstitions. Also no one would want to rent Baskerville Hall if anything else were added to its already grim reputation.

4. How did Hugo meet his death? (I.M.P.) (Or) Who was the prisoner of Hugo? Why was she a prisoner? Why and how did she escape? (Sep. '93)Hugo fell in love with a neighbouring landowner's daughter. She avoided him as she was frightened of his evil reputation. One day Hugo and a few of his wicked friends carried her away. They locked her up in a room in the Manor. The girl escaped from the room by climbing down the ivy growing on the South wall. When he went to give her food and drink, he found her missing. He ran from the house, and got on a horse and went inpursuit of her. His friends went after him, found the dead bodies of the girl and Hugo in a narrow valley.

5. What was the verdict of the Coroner's jury about the death of Sir Charles? How did they arrive at it? The verdict of the Coroner's jury was that Charles died of heart failure. No signs of violence could be seen on his body. The doctor's reports said that Sir Charles face was deformed. But it is not unusual in deaths caused by heart failure. The postmortem also showed a long standing organic disease. So the Coroner's jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical report.

6. Why did Dr. Mortimer advise Sir Charles to go to London? Sir Charles had a bad heart. He believed in the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles. He was convinced that a dreadful fate overhung his family. He was hunted by some ghostly presence. Often he saw a strange creature at night. He was very much frightened of it. Dr. Mortimer thought this constant anxiety was having a bad effect on his already bad heart. So Mortimer advised Charles to go to London for a change.

7. What were the public facts concerning Charle's death? What private facts does Dr. Mortimer add? (March 96, 2002) The public fact was that Sir Charles died of heart failure or some organic disease. the private fact was that Sir Charles was convinced that a dreadful fate overhung his family and he was haunted by some ghostly presence. Dr. Mortimer did not reveal these facts in the court as it would have seemed ridiculous and nobody would want to rent Baskerville. Hall if anything else were added to its already grim reputation.

8. How did Dr. Mortimer's version of Sir Charles' death differ from the official account? The official version of Sir Charles death was in accordance with the medical report. According to it, he died of heart failure and nervous depression and there were no signs of and violence on his body. But Dr. mortimer believed in the family legend since he had seen some fresh and clear and enormous foot prints of a gigantic hound a little away from Charles' body. so he suspected that there was some supernatural element behind the death of Caharles.

9. What kind of a person was Sir Hugo Baskerville? How did he bring about his own death and a curse on his family?Hugo was a wild, wordly and godless man. He loved the daughter of neighbouring landlord but the girl avoided him. So he along with some friends carried the girl away and locked her up in the Manor. She managed to escape. Hugo chashed the girl on his black mare. He let the hounds loose on her. Later, surprisingly Hugo was lying dead next to her in the valley. People say that black beast larger than any hound had plucked his throat and killed him. Thus Hugo brought about his own death and a curse on his family. Many members of the family have had unhappy deaths, which have been sudden, bloody and mysterious.

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Sherlock Homes

1. How does Dr. Watson guess that the visitor is a doctor? Is he rightDr. Watson looked at the visitor's stick on whcih "To James Mortimer, F.R.C.S from the friends of the C.C.H. 1884" was engraved. By this engraving he guessed that the visitor is a doctor. He is right.

2. "Really Watson, you excel yourself. I must say that in all you have written about me and my small achievements you have always underrated your own abilities. Some people without actually possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it" What does Holmes mean by this?Some people do not actually possess genius. But they have a power to show out that they are very intellignet. Here, Holmes means to say that Watson has drawn conclusions which are not quite correct.

3. "I would not lose that stick for the world" Who says this? Why? James Mortimer says this. He says so because he had a great liking for it. Moreover. It was presented to him by his friends at the time when he was leaving the Charing cross hospital into the country where he worked as the house surgeon.

4. What conclusions about the owner of the stick did Watson draw and how?
(Or)
How did Dr. Watson describe the visitor by looking at his walking stick? Where did he go wrong? Dr. Mortimer was a successful, elderly medical man, and well respected. It was evident from the stick given to him as a mark of appreciation. The thick iron bottom was worn out From this, he concluded that he had done a great deal of walking with it. He was a country doctor because a town doctor would not use a stick. He also concluded that it must have been present to him by someone 'Hunt' from the letters C.C.H on it. 'H' for 'Hunt'.

5. What was the curse on the hous of Baskervilles?Many members of the family have had unhappy deaths which have been sudden, bloody and mysterious.

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