The Hound of the Baskervilles Summary: Plot, Characters and Ending
In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, found on the Devon moor beside the footprints of a gigantic hound. They must protect his heir, Sir Henry, from a family curse that someone is using as a cover for murder.
It is the most famous Sherlock Holmes novel.
| Character | Who they are |
|---|---|
| Sherlock Holmes | Consulting detective |
| Dr. John Watson | Holmes's friend and narrator |
| Sir Henry Baskerville | Heir to Baskerville Hall |
| Dr. James Mortimer | Country doctor who asks for help |
| Jack Stapleton | Naturalist living on the moor |
| Beryl Stapleton | Woman he introduces as his sister |
| The Barrymores | Butler and housekeeper at the Hall |
| Selden | Escaped convict hiding on the moor |
What is the legend of the hound?
Dr. Mortimer brings Holmes an old manuscript. In the seventeenth century, wicked Hugo Baskerville was killed by a monstrous hound, which has haunted the family ever since. Sir Charles, who believed the legend, has just died of a heart attack on the path near his house, and Mortimer saw the footprints of an enormous hound nearby.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens in London?
Sir Henry arrives from Canada. He receives an anonymous note warning him to keep away from the moor, and one of his boots is stolen from his hotel. A bearded man follows him through London in a cab. Holmes says he is too busy to go to Devon and sends Watson to watch over Henry.
↑ Back to the topWhat does Watson find on the moor?
At Baskerville Hall, Watson hears a woman sobbing at night and sees Barrymore signaling from a window. It turns out Mrs. Barrymore's brother is Selden, an escaped convict they are feeding. Henry falls for Beryl Stapleton, who warns Watson to make Henry leave. Watson discovers a stranger living in a stone hut on the moor: it is Holmes, who has been there secretly all along.
↑ Back to the topWho is behind it?
Selden is found dead, having fallen while fleeing a hound; he was wearing Henry's old clothes, which explains the stolen boot. Holmes reveals that Stapleton is really a Baskerville, the son of Sir Charles's younger brother, and next in line for the fortune. Beryl is his wife, not his sister. He bought a huge dog, kept it hidden in the Grimpen Mire and painted it with phosphorus to look like the legend.
↑ Back to the topHow does it end?
Holmes uses Henry as bait, letting him walk home across the moor after dinner with the Stapletons. In thick fog the glowing hound attacks. Holmes and Watson shoot it dead before it can kill Henry. They find Beryl tied up in the house; she leads them to Stapleton's hiding place in the mire. Only one of Henry's boots is found. Stapleton has vanished, presumably swallowed by the bog. Henry goes on a trip around the world to recover.
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This summary reveals the whole plot, including the ending.