Stapleton’s Criminal Ascent

The Hound of the Baskervilles

This character-destiny thread follows Stapleton’s transformation from disgraced schoolmaster to concealed claimant and calculated killer.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Schoolmaster’s Failure A Schoolmaster’s Failure from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Schoolmaster’s Failure A borrowed enterprise Under another name, Stapleton runs a private school with the help of a tutor.

A Schoolmaster’s Failure from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Schoolmaster’s Failure A borrowed enterprise Under another name, Stapleton runs a private school with the help of a tutor.

A Schoolmaster’s Failure A borrowed enterprise Under another name, Stapleton runs a private school with the help of a tutor. Collapse and concealment An epidemic and the school’s declining reputation ruin the venture; he changes identity and moves south. His polished naturalist persona follows a disreputable past.

A Claimant Near Home A Claimant Near Home from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Claimant Near Home New surroundings Stapleton settles close to Baskerville Hall, presenting himself as a naturalist and neighbor.

A Claimant Near Home from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Claimant Near Home New surroundings Stapleton settles close to Baskerville Hall, presenting himself as a naturalist and neighbor.

A Claimant Near Home New surroundings Stapleton settles close to Baskerville Hall, presenting himself as a naturalist and neighbor. A hidden inheritance He knows or discovers that a valuable estate may be within his reach through family descent. The countryside becomes a stage for concealed ambition.

A Tool Made of Legend A Tool Made of Legend from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Tool Made of Legend An animal acquired Stapleton obtains a fierce dog and hides it in the remote mire.

A Tool Made of Legend from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Tool Made of Legend An animal acquired Stapleton obtains a fierce dog and hides it in the remote mire.

A Tool Made of Legend An animal acquired Stapleton obtains a fierce dog and hides it in the remote mire. Fear engineered He coats the animal with phosphorus and exploits Charles’s belief in the family hound. His scientific knowledge serves murder rather than discovery.

Women Used as Tools Women Used as Tools from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Women Used as Tools Manipulation organized Stapleton uses Laura Lyons to arrange Charles’s appointment and tries to direct Beryl’s influence over the heir.

Women Used as Tools from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Women Used as Tools Manipulation organized Stapleton uses Laura Lyons to arrange Charles’s appointment and tries to direct Beryl’s influence over the heir.

Women Used as Tools Manipulation organized Stapleton uses Laura Lyons to arrange Charles’s appointment and tries to direct Beryl’s influence over the heir. Control falters Beryl resists becoming a direct accomplice, while Laura’s hope of marriage exposes his lies. His power depends on deception rather than trust.

The Predator’s End The Predator’s End from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The Predator’s End The plan collapses Holmes and his companions kill the hound, and Beryl is freed to expose the hidden route.

The Predator’s End from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The Predator’s End The plan collapses Holmes and his companions kill the hound, and Beryl is freed to expose the hidden route.

The Predator’s End The plan collapses Holmes and his companions kill the hound, and Beryl is freed to expose the hidden route. The moor closes in Stapleton vanishes in the mire while attempting to reach his refuge. The calculating hunter becomes the final victim of the terrain he exploited.

Before Stapleton settles in Devon

Two years before the investigation

Before Charles’s murder

From Charles’s final months to Henry’s arrival

After the hound’s attack fails