Chapter 2 Summary

Dr. Mortimer wants Holmes to examine a manuscript he has with him. Holmes says it's circa 1730. Holmes has actually written a monograph on the subject of dating manuscripts. The 1742 manuscript is a statement of the legend of the Baskerville family, written by Sir Hugo Baskerville as told to him by his father and grandfather. The original Sir Hugo Baskerville was a "wild, profane and godless" man. One night he and six companions were very drunk. They kidnapped the daughter of a yeoman and kept her in an attic as they drank and became even more out of control. The terrified girl managed to escape by climbing down an ivy vine.

The outraged Sir Hugo Baskerville ordered the dogs to go after her. He gave them her scent from her kerchief and then he and his friends saddled their horses and rode out after...