I sat down to write my first detailed report to Holmes. So much had happened since we arrived at Baskerville Hall. I described the gloomy house and the wild moor around it. I told him about Barrymore and his strange nightly activities. I mentioned the Stapletons and Miss Stapleton's warning. I wrote about the terrible howling sound on the moor. There were so many mysteries in this place. Besides the Stapletons, there were other neighbors. Mr. Frankland lived at Lafter Hall nearby. He was an elderly man who loved to argue with everyone. He spent his time watching the moor with a telescope. He hoped to help catch the escaped convict. Sir Henry was adapting to his new life. But I noticed he seemed interested in Miss Stapleton. They had met several times during walks on the moor. Stapleton seemed unhappy about this. He did not want his sister spending time with Sir Henry. One afternoon, I saw them arguing on the moor. Stapleton was waving his arms angrily. Miss Stapleton stood quietly while her brother shouted. Later, Stapleton came to apologize to Sir Henry. 'I am sorry for my behavior,' he said. 'My sister is very important to me.' 'The idea of losing her to anyone is painful.' Sir Henry accepted his apology graciously. But I could see that he still had feelings for Miss Stapleton. I wrote all of this to Holmes. I also mentioned that the escaped convict was still free. Selden had not been caught despite the searches. Some people believed he had already left the area. But others said he was hiding somewhere on the moor. I wondered if Barrymore's signals were meant for the convict. Perhaps he was helping Selden hide from the police. But why would a butler help a dangerous murderer? There had to be some connection between them. I told Holmes I would investigate further. The weather had been cold and foggy. The moor looked especially threatening at night. Sometimes the fog was so thick we could not see the garden. On those nights, the howling seemed even closer. Even the servants were afraid. Mrs. Barrymore had been crying, I noticed. Her eyes were red and swollen at breakfast. Barrymore pretended not to notice. But there was clearly something troubling them both. I finished my letter and sent it to London. I hoped Holmes would have some advice for me. I felt alone in this dark and mysterious place. Sir Henry seemed unaware of the danger around him. He was more interested in Miss Stapleton than in staying safe. I had to watch over him constantly. Holmes had trusted me with this important task. I would not let him down. That night, I decided to confront Barrymore. I needed to know what he was doing with those signals. I told Sir Henry about my plan. 'Good idea,' he said. 'Let us catch him in the act tonight.' We agreed to stay awake and watch. Soon we would have answers.
B1Chapter 8 / 15498 words60 sentences
First Report of Dr. Watson
Chapter 8 · The Hound of the Baskervilles · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
Watson writes to Holmes about life at Baskerville Hall and the mysterious people around them.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Who was Laura Lyons?
2
What did Watson notice about Sir Henry and Beryl Stapleton?
3
What did Laura Lyons admit to Watson?
4