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The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chapter 2 summary

Chapter 2 of 15 · 15 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 2, Dr. James Mortimer reads a family legend about a monstrous hound and presents the reported circumstances of Sir Charles Baskerville’s death to Sherlock Holmes. Although the inquest supports natural causes, Mortimer privately reveals enormous hound tracks near the body, giving Holmes a concrete mystery beyond the old curse.

What happens

  1. Mortimer presents a manuscript dated 1742 and says an urgent practical question requires a decision within twenty-four hours.
  2. The manuscript describes Hugo Baskerville abducting a farmer’s daughter, pursuing her escape, and dying beneath a monstrous hound.
  3. Holmes dismisses the legend, but becomes attentive when Mortimer reads the newspaper account of Sir Charles Baskerville’s death.
  4. The report describes heart disease, strange footprints, a distorted face, and an inquest verdict supporting natural causes.
  5. Mortimer explains Sir Charles’s fear of the family curse and his planned departure for London on medical advice.
  6. Mortimer reveals that he discovers fresh tracks near the body and identifies them as those of an enormous hound.

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In this chapter

HolmesSir Henry BaskervilleMortimerTheme: Evidence and beliefTheme: Fear and vulnerability

What to notice

Mortimer connects physical traces near Sir Charles’s body with the creature in the legend. His disclosure challenges the sufficiency of the public account without proving a supernatural cause.

Quick check

What evidence does Mortimer withhold from the inquest?

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