The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-07-13

plainly what the exact nature of the prob
lem is in which you demand my assistance"
THE CURSE OF THE BAsKERvILLEs.
Il have in my pocket q manuscript" said
Doctor James Mortimer.
Il observed it as you entered the roOm."
said Holmes.
1t IS an old manuscript"
Early Eighteenth Century. unless II is a
forgery"
How can you say that. sir
You have presented an inch or two OF
q to my examination all the time that You
have been talking. Il would be a poor cx-
pert who could not give the date OF a docu-
meEt within a decade or so. You may pos
sihly have read my little monograph upon
the subject ! put that at 10.
The exact date is l7f." Doctor Morii-
mer drew it from his breast-pocket. This
family paper was committed to my care by
Sir Charles Baskerville. whose sudden and
tragic death some three months ago Great
Ell 50 much excitement in Deyoushire. I
may say that I vas his personal friend as
vel - his medical attendant. He was q
s-rorE-minded man. sir. shrewd. practical.
and IS unimaginat!ve as ! am myself. Yet
he took this document very seriously. and
his mind was prepared for Just such an end
as did eventually Ovsrtake him
Holmes stretched out his hand for the
manuscript and hattened It upon his knee.
You will observe. Watson. the alternative
use Of the long : and the short. II Is one
OF several indications which enabled ne TO
tx the date"
1 looked over his shoulder at the yellow
paper and the faded script. At the head
was written: Baskerville Hall" and below
in large. scrawling figures: 'I742."
1T appears to be a statement OF some
sort"
Yes. It Is a statement OF a certain legend
which runs IN the Baskerville family"
But I understand that it is something
more modern and practical upon which you
wish TO consult me-
Most modern. A most practical. pressing
matter, which must be decided within TWEEN
ty-four hours. But the manuscript is short
and is Intimately connected with the az
fair. With you permission I will read It
to you"
Holmes leaned back in his chair. placed
his finger-tips together. and closed his eyes.
with an cir OF resignation. Doctor MortI-
mer turned the manuscript to the light and
read IN a high. cracking voice the follow
ing curious. oId-world narrltlye:-
Of the origin OF the Hound OF the Bas-
kervilles there have been many
yet as l com in 4 direct line from Hugo
Baskerville, and as l had the story from
my father. who also had il from his. 1 have
set IL down with all belief that II occurred.
even as is hero set forth. And / would have
you believe. my sons. that the same justice
which Furnishes sin may also most gracious
" forgive ii, and that no ban is 50 heavy
but that by prayer and repentance Il may
be removed. Learn then from this story
not 10 fear the fruits OF the past. but rather
TO be c!rcumspect in the future. that those
foul passions whereby our family has SUI
fered 50 grieyOusly may not again be /,
lOosened TO our undoing. /.
know then that in the time OF the Great
0he history OF which by the
learned Lord Clarendon I most earnestly
commend 10 your attention. this Manor
Of Baskerville was held by Hugo OF that
nor can 1t be gainSa!d that he was
= most Wild, prUfSne. and god ess mar.
This. in truth. his neighbOrs might have
pard"ned.. seeing that SAINTS have never
nOUFished In these parts, but there WAS In
him a certain wuHtCn and cruel humor
which made his name 4 byword through the
West II CHANGED that this Hugo came TO
love uf. indeed. - dark a passion may be-
known under so brigh. a nameJ the daugh-
Ter 0f u yeoman VINO held lands near the
Baskerville estate. But the young maiIen.
discreet and Of good repute. would
ever avoid him. for she feared his evil
50 II came to pass that one Michael
mas this Hugo, with i've or six OF his Idle
and wicked companions. stole down upon
he farm and carried on the maiden. her
iathcr and brothers being from home, as he
well knew. When they had brought her
10 the Hall the maiden was placed IN an
upper chamber, while Hugo and his friends
sat down TO a long carouse. as was their
nightly custom. Now. the poor lass up-
stairs was Ike TO have her wits turned at
he singing and shouting and terrible oaths
which came up to her from below. for they
'ay that the words used by Hugo Basksr-
lille. when he was in wine. were such as
night blast the man who said them. AT
asst IN the stress OF her fear she did that !
which might have daun;ed the bravest or
most active man. for by the aid OF the
;rowth Of ivy which covered (and stIl COW
Isl the south wall she came down from
inder the eaves and so homeward across !
he moor. there being three leagues betSixt
he Hall and her father's farm.
Tt CHANGED that some little time later q,
hugo left his guests to carry food and +,
rrnk-with other worse things. perchance- ,
o his captive, and 50 found the cage emp {
y and the bird escaped. Then. as IL would
eem. he became as one that hath a devil. &
or. rushing down the stairs into the dining 6
he sprang upon the great table. iagons
nd trenehers nyfng before him. and he i
ried aloud before all the company Tim he I