The Case Against Stapleton

The Hound of the Baskervilles

This conflict thread traces how Holmes turns a chain of circumstantial clues into a witnessed attack and an exposed pattern of deception.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Suspect Among Neighbors A Suspect Among Neighbors from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Suspect Among Neighbors A limited field Holmes lists the people surrounding Henry, including the Barrymores, Mortimer, Frankland, and Stapleton.

A Suspect Among Neighbors from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Suspect Among Neighbors A limited field Holmes lists the people surrounding Henry, including the Barrymores, Mortimer, Frankland, and Stapleton.

A Suspect Among Neighbors A limited field Holmes lists the people surrounding Henry, including the Barrymores, Mortimer, Frankland, and Stapleton. Caution over accusation He warns Watson not to eliminate suspects prematurely or confuse suspicion with guilt. The investigation begins broadly rather than fixating on one man.

A Motive and a Method A Motive and a Method from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Motive and a Method The inheritance connection The portrait suggests Stapleton is related to the Baskervilles and has reason to want the estate.

A Motive and a Method from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". A Motive and a Method The inheritance connection The portrait suggests Stapleton is related to the Baskervilles and has reason to want the estate.

A Motive and a Method The inheritance connection The portrait suggests Stapleton is related to the Baskervilles and has reason to want the estate. A concealed instrument The dog and its luminous disguise explain how fear could be turned into a weapon. A plausible theory emerges, but proof is still missing.

Laura’s Testimony Laura’s Testimony from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Laura’s Testimony A manipulated letter Laura confirms that Stapleton dictated her letter and prevented her from meeting Sir Charles.

Laura’s Testimony from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Laura’s Testimony A manipulated letter Laura confirms that Stapleton dictated her letter and prevented her from meeting Sir Charles.

Laura’s Testimony A manipulated letter Laura confirms that Stapleton dictated her letter and prevented her from meeting Sir Charles. Motive strengthened Her account links Stapleton to the appointment but does not by itself prove he killed Charles. The first half of the plot becomes legible.

The Failed Attack The Failed Attack from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The Failed Attack The intended victim survives Stapleton’s hound follows Henry’s clothes but kills Selden instead.

The Failed Attack from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The Failed Attack The intended victim survives Stapleton’s hound follows Henry’s clothes but kills Selden instead.

The Failed Attack The intended victim survives Stapleton’s hound follows Henry’s clothes but kills Selden instead. The murderer remains free Holmes recognizes the likely design yet cannot arrest Stapleton on conjecture alone. The conflict shifts from deduction to the need for witnesses.

The Net Closes The Net Closes from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The Net Closes A witnessed assault The hound attacks Henry as the detectives watch from the path.

The Net Closes from "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The Net Closes A witnessed assault The hound attacks Henry as the detectives watch from the path.

The Net Closes A witnessed assault The hound attacks Henry as the detectives watch from the path. Flight and exposure After the animal is killed, Stapleton flees and Beryl identifies his route through the mire. The planned crime becomes an observable chain of events.

After Watson meets the local residents

After the family portrait is examined

The afternoon before the final ambush

The night Selden dies

The final night at Merripit