The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-06

the unhappy maid where she had fallen.
dead of fear and Of fatigue. But it was
not the sight of her body, nor yet was
it that of the body Of Hugo Baskerville
lying near her. which raised the hair
upon the heads of these three daredevil
roysterers. but it was that. standing over
Hugo, and pluckiug at his throat, there
stood q foul thing. q great, black beast
shaped like hound yet larger than any
hound that ever mortal eyes has rested
upon. And even as they looked the thing
tore the throat out of Hugo Baskerville.
on which. as 1t turned its blazing eyes
and dripping jaws upon them. the three
shrieked with fear and rode for dear life.
still screaming, across the moor. One, it
is said. died that very night OF what he
had seen, and the other twain were but
broken men for the rest OF their days.
Such is the tale. my sons. OF the COM
ing of the hound which is said to have
plagued the family sorely ever since
If I have set it down it is because that
which is clearly known hath less terror
than that which is but limited at and
guessed. Nor can it be denied that many
of the family have been unhappy in their
Deaths which have been sudden. bloody
and mysterious. 7 ct may we shelter our
selves in the infinite goodness of Provi-
dence. which would not forever punish
the innocent beyond that third or fourth
generation which is threatened in Holy
Writ To that Providence, my sons,
hereby commend you, and counsel you
by way OF caution to forbear from cross
ing the moor ia those dark hours when
the pow>.a of evil are eNhalted.
This flSs.l Hugo Baskerville to his
sons Rodger and John. with instructions
that they say nothing thereof to their
sisted Elizabeth.
When DR. Mortimer had finished read
ing this singular narrative he pushed
his spectaces up on his forehead and
stared across at Mr.. Sherlock Holmes.
The latter yawned and tossed the end of
his cigarette into the fire
"Wel?' said he.
do you not find it Interestingly"
ITO a collector of fairy tales
Dr. Mortimer drew folded newspaper
out of his pocket
Now Mr.. Holmes. we will give you
something little more recent. This is
the Devon County Chronicle of May 18th
OF this year. It is a short account of the
facts elcitated at the death OF Sir
Charles Baskerville. which occurred
few days before that date.
My friend leaned a little forward and
his expression became intent. Our visitor
readiusted his glasses and began:
THE recent sudden deaf tn of Sir Charles
Baskerville, whose name has been men
toned as the probable Liberal candidate
for Mid-Devon at the next election. has
cast a gloom over the county Though
Sir Charles had resided at baskerville
Hall for a comparatively short period
his anna bility of character and extreme
generosity had won the affection and re-
spect of all who had been brought into
contact with him In these days of
Nouveatlx riches it IS refreshing to find
a. case where the scion of an old county
family which has fallen upon evil days
is able to make his own fortune and to
bring it back with him TO restore the
fallen grandeur OF his line. SIR
Charles as IS well known. made lars0
sums of money in South African specu-
la1ion. More wise than those who go
on until the wheel turns against them,
he realized his gains and returned TO
England with them. 1t Is only two years
ca he took up his residence at Bas-
how large were those schemes of re-
construction and improvement which
have been interrupted by his death Be
ing himself chidless. it was his openly
exon essed desire that the whole country
side should, within his own lifetime.
profit by his good fortune, and many
will have personal reasons for bewailing
his untimelv end His generous dona-
tens to local and county charities have
BEEN frequently chronicled in these col
uInns.
The circumstances connected with the
death OF Sir Charles cannot be said to
have been entirely cleared UP by TIE in
quest, but at least enough has been done
to dispose of those rumors to which local
superstition has given rise. There is no
reason whatever to suspect foul play. or
to ina game that death could
be from any but nat
ural causes. Sir Charles was a widower.
and a man who may be said to have
been in some way of an eccentric habit
OF mind. In spite OF his considerable
wealth he was simple in his personal