UNITSIX THEHOUNDOFBASKERVILLES ArthurConanDoyle

(anextractfromtheabridgedversionofthenovel)

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III.TEXT Readthepassageandanswerthequestionsthatfollow: Ihaveinmypocketamanuscript,dated1742.Thisfamilypaperwasgiveninto mycarebySirCharlesBaskerville,whotookthedocumentveryseriously,andwas mentally prepared for just such an end as did eventually overtake him, said Dr Mortimer. Holmeslookedatthemanuscriptandsaid,Itappearstobeastatementofsome sort. "Yes,"repliedDrMortimer,"itisastatementofacertainlegendwhichrunsinthe Baskervillefamily." "Andwhatisituponwhichyouwishtoconsultme?" "A most practical, pressing matter. With your permission, I will read the manuscriptouttoyou." Holmesleanedbackandnoddedhishead.DrMortimerstartedreadinginahigh, cracklingvoice: OftheoriginoftheHoundoftheBaskervilles,therehavebeenmanystatements. Yet,asIcomeinthedirectlinefromHugoBaskerville,andasIhadthestoryfrom my father, who also had it from his, I have set it down with all belief that it occurredevenasitisheresetforth.Learnfromthisstorynottofearthefruitsof thepast,butrathertocircumspectinthefuture,thatthosefoulpassions,whereby ourfamilysufferedsogrievously,maynotagainbeletloosetoourundoing.Know

then,thatinthetimeoftheGreatRebellion,thisManorofBaskervillewasheldby Hugoofthatname.Hewasamostwild,profane,andgodlessman.Buttherewas in him a certain wanton and cruel humour which made his name a byword through the west. It chanced that this Hugo came to love the daughter of a yeomanwhoheldlandsneartheBaskervilleestate.Buttheyoungmaidenavoided him, for she feared his evil name. One day, Hugo and his wicked companions carriedoffthemaiden,herfatherandbrothersbeingawayfromhomeashewell knew.TheykeptherinanupperchamberoftheHallandsatdown,singingand shoutingterribleoaths,whiledrinkingwine.Infear,themaiden,bytheaidofthe growth of ivy which covered the south wall, came down from the room and ran homeward,acrossthemoor.Itchancedthatsometimelater,Hugofoundthebird hadescaped.Hebecameasonethathathadevil,andcriedaloudthathewould renderhisbodyandsoultothepowersofevil,ifhemightbutovertakethewench. Oneoftherevellerscriedoutthattheyshouldputthehoundsuponher.Hearing this, Hugo ran from the house, crying to his grooms that they should saddle his mareandunkennelthepack,andgivingthehoundsakerchiefofthemaiden,he swungthemtotheline,andwasofffullcryinthemoonlightoverthemoor.Allhis companions took their horses and started in pursuit. But soon their skins turned cold,fortherecamegallopingacrossthemoor,Hugo'sblackmarewithanempty saddle.