Since that time, many of the sons of the Baskerville family have died while they were young. Many of them have died strangely. This is the Curse of the Baskervilles. The black dog – The Hound of the Baskervilles – still walks on the moor at night.
Well, Mr Holmes, what do you think of this story?
asked Dr Mortimer.
I do not think it is a true story, said Sherlock Holmes.
Why do you show me this story? Do you believe it?
Before Sir Charles Baskerville’s death, I did not believe the sotry, Dr Mortimer answered. But Sir Charles believed the sotry. It worried him. He became ill and his heart was weak.
Why did he believe this story? I asked.
Because he saw the hound on the moor, answered Dr Mortimer. Or he thought he saw it. When Sir Charles told me this story, I told him to take a holiday. I told him to go to London for a few weeks and forget all about the curse.
Did he take a holiday? I asked.
No, said Dr Mortimer. He planned to go to London the following Friday But, on the Thursday evening, he went for a walk on the edge of the moor. And he never returned.
How did he die? I asked.
He died of a heart attack, answered Dr Mortimer. His servant came to fetch me. I found Sir Charles near the house, on the edge of the moor. He was running away from something when he died. I am sure of that. I think he was terrified of something.
Terrified? asked Holmes. What was he running away from?