50 words to know before reading The Hound of the Baskervilles

1. The beginning or start of something.
2. The establishment or creation of an idea, process, or organization.

My Dear Robinson, It was to your account of a West-Country legend that this tale owes its inception. For this and for your help in the details all thanks. Yours most truly, A. Conan Doyle.

1. The back part of the head.
2. The area behind the skull.

For this and for your help in the details all thanks. Yours most truly, A. Conan Doyle. Hindhead, Haslemere

1. A fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
2. The main character in the "Sherlock Holmes" series.

I Mr. Sherlock Holmes Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent occasions when

1. A surname of English origin, famously associated with Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective.
2. Slang term for a detective or investigator, inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

I Mr. Sherlock Holmes Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who was usually very late in the mornings, save upon those not infrequent

1. A person actively engaged in a profession, especially medicine or law.
2. Someone who practices or performs a particular skill or activity.

a very handsome one has been so knocked about that I can hardly imagine a town practitioner carrying it. The thick-iron ferrule is worn down, so it is evident that he has done a great

1. Present participle of "char," meaning to burn slightly or scorch.
2. British slang for working as a charwoman (a cleaner or maid).

James, M.R.C.S., 1882, Grimpen, Dartmoor, Devon. House-surgeon, from 1882 to 1884, at Charing Cross Hospital. Winner of the Jackson prize for Comparative Pathology, with essay entitled ‘Is

1. Friendly and pleasant in manner.
2. Good-natured and easy to get along with.

right, amiable, unambitious, and absentminded. It is my experience that it is only an amiable man in this world who receives testimonials, only an unambitious one who abandons a London career

1. Lacking strong desire for success or achievement.
2. Not having or showing ambition.

that it is only an amiable man in this world who receives testimonials, only an unambitious one who abandons a London career for the country, and only an absentminded one who leaves his

1. A handwritten or typed document, especially an author's original text before publication.
2. An ancient or historical document written by hand.

II The Curse of the Baskervilles “I have in my pocket a manuscript,” said Dr. James Mortimer. “I observed it as you entered the room,” said Holmes. “It is an old

1. A breed of dog used for hunting, known for its keen sense of smell or speed.
2. To pursue relentlessly or harass persistently.

but broken men for the rest of their days. “Such is the tale, my sons, of the coming of the hound which is said to have plagued the family so sorely ever since. If I have set it down it is

1. A young unmarried woman.
2. The first occurrence or attempt of something.

and brothers being from home, as he well knew. When they had brought her to the Hall the maiden was placed in an upper chamber, while Hugo and his friends sat down to a long carouse, as was

1. An area of open, uncultivated land, often with poor drainage and covered with heather or grass.
2. To secure a boat or ship by attaching it to a fixed object with ropes or anchors.

of the maid’s, he swung them to the line, and so off full cry in the moonlight over the moor. “Now, for some space the revellers stood agape, unable to understand all that had been done in

1. Dogs, especially those used for hunting.
2. To pursue relentlessly or harass.

to have turned his horse’s head. Riding slowly in this fashion they came at last upon the hounds. These, though known for their valour and their breed, were whimpering in a cluster at the head

1. Slightly wet or moist.
2. To reduce the intensity or enthusiasm of something.

man was elderly and infirm. We can understand his taking an evening stroll, but the ground was damp and the night inclement. Is it natural that he should stand for five or ten minutes, as Dr.

1. A type of evergreen tree or shrub with dark green needle-like leaves and red berries.
2. The wood of the yew tree, often used in archery bows.

which leads on to the moor.” “Is there any other opening?” “None.” “So that to reach the yew alley one either has to come down it from the house or else to enter it by the moor-gate?” “There

1. A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.
2. A means of protection or defense against financial loss.

there is a strip of grass about six feet broad on either side.” “I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated at one point by a gate?” “Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the moor.” “Is

1. A small gate or door, especially one set into a larger one.
2. In cricket, the set of three stumps topped by two bails.

side.” “I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated at one point by a gate?” “Yes, the wicket-gate which leads on to the moor.” “Is there any other opening?” “None.” “So that to reach the yew

1. A decisive defeat or failure.
2. A city in Belgium where Napoleon was defeated in 1815.

you?” “By advising me as to what I should do with Sir Henry Baskerville, who arrives at Waterloo Station”—Dr. Mortimer looked at his watch—“in exactly one hour and a quarter.” “He being the

1. A tool used for cutting, consisting of two metal blades joined together.
2. A type of swimming kick where legs move in a scissor-like motion.

you are really looking for is the centre page of the Times with some holes cut in it with scissors. Here is a copy of the Times. It is this page. You could easily recognize it, could you not?”

1. A person who governs a kingdom in the absence of the monarch.
2. A member of a governing board, especially in educational institutions.

at the top flew up, something was screamed to the driver, and the cab flew madly off down Regent Street. Holmes looked eagerly round for another, but no empty one was in sight. Then he dashed in

1. On or to a higher floor of a building.
2. The upper floor(s) of a building.

a most important fact by these questions, Watson,” he continued in a low voice as we went upstairs together. “We know now that the people who are so interested in our friend have not settled down

1. The reflexive form of "you," referring to the person being addressed.
2. Used to emphasize the subject "you."

and which has made him a small presentation in return.” “Really, Watson, you excel yourself,” said Holmes, pushing back his chair and lighting a cigarette. “I am bound to say that in all

1. A request for information or an official investigation.
2. The act of asking questions to gain knowledge or understanding.

The German was sent for but professed to know nothing of the matter, nor could any inquiry clear it up. Another item had been added to that constant and apparently purposeless series of

1. A person legally entitled to inherit property or a title.
2. A successor in a position or role.

his death he would have warned me against bringing this, the last of the old race, and the heir to great wealth, to that deadly place. And yet it cannot be denied that the prosperity of the

1. A hard, coarse-grained igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
2. Used metaphorically to describe something extremely durable or unyielding.

with many loopholes. To right and left of the turrets were more modern wings of black granite. A dull light shone through heavy mullioned windows, and from the high chimneys which rose from

1. A feeling of deep sadness or sorrow, often without a clear cause.
2. A pensive or reflective sadness, sometimes with a poetic quality.

and asking countless questions. To his eyes all seemed beautiful, but to me a tinge of melancholy lay upon the countryside, which bore so clearly the mark of the waning year. Yellow leaves

1. Not bright or clear; lacking light.
2. Having faint or indistinct vision.

of a wood there rose in the distance a gray, melancholy hill, with a strange jagged summit, dim and vague in the distance, like some fantastic landscape in a dream. Baskerville sat for a long

1. A message sent by telegraph and then delivered in written or printed form.
2. A popular messaging app known for its speed and security features.

his own wife ought to know where he is,” said the postmaster testily. “Didn’t he get the telegram? If there is any mistake it is for Mr. Barrymore himself to complain.” It seemed hopeless to

1. Relating to sexual or gender identities that are not heterosexual or cisgender.
2. Strange, odd, or unconventional.

throbbing murmur once again. Stapleton looked at me with a curious expression in his face. “Queer place, the moor!” said he. “But what is it?” “The peasants say it is the Hound of the

1. A stretch of swampy or boggy ground.
2. A difficult or troublesome situation.

they get in the way of going there in the dry weather and never know the difference until the mire has them in its clutches. It’s a bad place, the great Grimpen Mire.” “And you say you can

1. Relating to the period before written records.
2. Extremely old or outdated.

Mortimer lunched with us. He has been excavating a barrow at Long Down and has got a prehistoric skull which fills him with great joy. Never was there such a single-minded enthusiast as he! The

1. Small, simple shelters or dwellings, often made of wood or other natural materials.
2. Temporary or basic structures used for camping or storage.

huge monoliths which are supposed to have marked their temples. As you look at their gray stone huts against the scarred hillsides you leave your own age behind you, and if you were to see a

1. Being the only one of its kind; unique.
2. (Grammar) Referring to a form representing one person or thing.

back upon this one. I think we’ll shut that window again, if you don’t mind. It is a singular thing, but I find that a concentrated atmosphere helps a concentration of thought. I have not

1. Causing gloom or depression; dreary.
2. Pitifully inadequate or of low quality.

request to show us exactly how everything occurred upon that fatal night. It is a long, dismal walk, the yew alley, between two high walls of clipped hedge, with a narrow band of grass upon

1. A small cart with handles, used for carrying loads.
2. A large mound of earth or stones over a burial site.

a grave without the consent of the next of kin because he dug up the Neolithic skull in the barrow on Long Down. He helps to keep our lives from being monotonous and gives a little comic relief

1. A long passage in a building with doors leading to rooms on either side.
2. A narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas.

indescribably guilty and furtive in his whole appearance. I have told you that the corridor is broken by the balcony which runs round the hall, but that it is resumed upon the farther side.

1. A cylinder of wax with a central wick that is lit to produce light.
2. A unit of luminous intensity.

When at last we reached the door and peeped through we found him crouching at the window, candle in hand, his white, intent face pressed against the pane, exactly as I had seen him two nights

1. A high rocky hill or mountain (Scottish origin).
2. A prominent rock or pile of rocks.

and he was not in the mood for fresh adventures. He had not seen this lonely man upon the tor and could not feel the thrill which his strange presence and his commanding attitude had given to

1. A book where personal experiences and thoughts are recorded daily.
2. A daily record of events or transactions.

X Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson So far I have been able to quote from the reports which I have forwarded during

1. A short valley or hollow, often found in chalk or limestone areas.
2. A small, steep-sided valley or basin, typically formed by erosion.

he added after a pause. “There is Laura Lyons—her initials are L. L.—but she lives in Coombe Tracey.” “Who is she?” I asked. “She is Frankland’s daughter.” “What! Old Frankland the crank?”

1. Used to emphasize a statement or response.
2. Truly or certainly (often expressing agreement).

problem. Recognizing, as I do, that you are the second highest expert in Europe—” “Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the first?” asked Holmes with some asperity. “To the

1. A small, simple shelter or dwelling, often made of wood or other natural materials.
2. A temporary or basic structure used for camping or storage.

the Black Tor. That, then, should be the centre of my search. From there I should explore every hut upon the moor until I lighted upon the right one. If this man were inside it I should find out

1. A person who is cruel, violent, or insensitive.
2. An animal lacking intelligence or reasoning.

gone out of our souls. Holmes groaned, and his face glimmered white through the darkness. “The brute! The brute!” I cried with clenched hands. “Oh Holmes, I shall never forgive myself for having

1. The evening meal, typically lighter than dinner.
2. A social gathering where a light evening meal is served.

seemed to have a fascination for him, and his eyes were continually fixed upon it during supper. It was not until later, when Sir Henry had gone to his room, that I was able to follow the trend

1. Full of life and energy; active and outgoing.
2. Bright, vivid, or striking in appearance.

for I have kept my promise. If I hadn’t sworn not to go about alone I might have had a more lively evening, for I had a message from Stapleton asking me over there.” “I have no doubt that you

1. The projecting part of an animal's face, including the nose and mouth.
2. A device placed over an animal's mouth to prevent biting or eating.

have ever seen. Fire burst from its open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smouldering glare, its muzzle and hackles and dewlap were outlined in flickering flame. Never in the delirious dream of a

1. A delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern.
2. A cord or string used to fasten shoes or clothing.

you see anything there?” I looked at the broad plumed hat, the curling love-locks, the white lace collar, and the straight, severe face which was framed between them. It was not a brutal

1. A piece of land planted with fruit trees.
2. A garden or grove where trees are cultivated for food production.

I tiptoed down the path and stooped behind the low wall which surrounded the stunted orchard. Creeping in its shadow I reached a point whence I could look straight through the uncurtained

1. Wet, spongy ground with decaying vegetation (e.g., a marsh or swamp).
2. (Verb) To sink or become stuck in mud or wet ground.

wander into it. He never came out. I saw his head for quite a long time craning out of the bog-hole, but it sucked him down at last. Even in dry seasons it is a danger to cross it, but after

1. Past tense of flee; ran away from danger or trouble.
2. Having left quickly to escape.

image, they tell me, of the family picture of old Hugo. He made England too hot to hold him, fled to Central America, and died there in 1876 of yellow fever. Henry is the last of the