The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-06
the work of Monsieur Bertillon must

the work OF Monsieur Bertillon must
always appeal strongly
Then had you not better consult him %
II said. sir. to the precisely scientific
mind. But as practical man Of affairs
it is acknowledged that you stand alone.
I trust, sir, that l have not inadvert-
entity
Just a little said Holmes. II think,
Dr. Mortimer, you would do wisely if
without more ado you would kindly tell
me plainly what the exact nature Of the
problem is in which YOU demand my as
sistance."
THE CURSE OF THE BAsKERvILLEs
Il have in my pocket a manuscript
said DR.. James Mortimer.
II observed Il as you entered the room,"
said Holmes.
1T is an old manuscript"
early eighteenth century, unless it is
a forgery
How can you say that. sir?''
You have presented an inch or two of
it to my examination all the time that
YOU have been talking. 1t would be a poor
expert who could not give the date OF
document within decade or so. You
may possibly have read my little mono
graph upon the SUBJECT L put that at
$780,
THE exact date is 1742' Dr. Mortimer
drew it from his breast-pocl1et. This
family paper was committed to my care
by Sir Charles Baskerville, whose sud-
den and tragic death some three months
ago created so much excitement in Dew
onshire l may say that | was his per-
sonoal friend as well as his medical at
tendant He was a strong-minded man,
sir, shrewd practical and as unin,agi-
native as am myself Yet he took this
document very seriously and his mind
was prepared for just such an end as
did eventual overtake him
Holmes stretched out his hand for the
manuscript and fattened 1t upon his
knee.
You will observe. Watson, the alter
native use of the long and the short.
1t is one Of the several indicat tons which
enabled me to fix the date.
I looked over his shoulder at the yellow
paper and the faded script. At the head
was written: baskerville Hail." and be-
low, in large. scrawling figures: "1142.''
1T appears to be a statement of some
sort
Yes, it is statement Of a certain
legend which runs in the Baskerville
family.
But I understand that 1t is something
more modern and practical upon which
you wish to consult me?'
Most modern. A most practical, press
Ing matter, which must be decided with
in twenty-four hours. But the manuscript
is short and is intimately connected with
the affair. With your permission 1 viii
read it to YOU
Holmes leaned back in his chair, placed
his finger-ti together, and closed his
eyes with an air of resignation. Dr. Nor
timer turned the manuscript to the light
and read in r. high. cracking voice the
following curious, old world narratives:
"Of the origin of the Hound of the
Baskervilles there have been many state
ments, yet as / come in a direct line
from Hugo Baskerville, and as I had
the story from my father. who also had
it from his, | have set it down with all
belief that it occurred even as is here set
forth. And 1 would have you believe. my
sons. that the same justice which pun
ishes sin may also most graciously for
give It, and that no ban Is so heavy but
that by prayer and repentance 1t may be
removed Learn then from this story not
to fear the fruits Of the past, but rather
to be curcumspect In the future, that
those foul passions whereby our family
has suffered so grlevously may not again
be loosed to our undoing.
Know then that in the time Of the
Great Rebellion Cthe history of which by
the learned Lord Clarendon l most ear
nestly commend to your attention, this
Manor of baskerville was held by Hugo
of that name. nor can it be galnsa1d that
he was a most wild, profane, and god
less man. This. in truth, his neishbors
might have pardoned seeing that saints
have never fourished in those parts, but
there was in him q certain wanton and
cruel humour which made his name a
byword through the West It CHANGED
that this Hugo came to love Gf. indeed,
SO dark a passion may be known under
SO bright a name) the daughter of
yeoman who held lands near the Basker-
vile estate. But the young maiden. being