Chapter 2 The Curse of the Baskervilles

I haven't my pocket a manuscript, said Dr. James Mortimer.

I observed it as you entered the room, said Holmes.

It is an old manuscript.

Early 18th century, unless it's a forgery, how can you say that, sir?

You've presented an intro to it to my examination all the time that you've been talking.

It would be a poor expert who could not give you the date of a document within a decade or so.

You may possibly have read my little monograph upon the subject.

I put that at 1730.

The exact date is 1742, Dr. Mortimer drew it from his breast pocket.

This family paper was committed to my care by Sir Charles Baskerville, who sat in and

tragic death some three months ago created so much excitement in Devonshire.

I may say that I was his personal friend, as well as his medical attendant.

He was a strong-minded man, sir, shrewd, practical, and as unimaginative as I am myself.

Yet he took this document very seriously, and his mind was prepared for just such an end

as did eventually overtake him.

Vombs stretched out his hand for the manuscript and flattened it upon his knee.

You will observe Watson the alternative use of the long S and the short.

It is one of several indications which enabled me to fix the date.

I looked over shoulder at the yellow paper and the faded script.

At the head was written Baskerville Hall and below in large scrolling figures 1742.

It appears to be a statement of some sort.

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