Chapter 7: The Stapletons of Merripit House

In this chapter, Dr. Watson investigates Merripit House, the home of the Stapleton family, who live nearby. He has a bizarre encounter with a woman on the moor who advises him not to go to the home, but he goes nonetheless.

At Merripit House, Watson meets Sir Henry’s neighbor, Mr. Stapleton, a slender, pallid man with a goatee beard. Stapleton is pleasant and invites Watson to supper, where he tells him about the local legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles..

Stapleton appears to be educated about the moor and the Baskerville family’s history, and Watson is pleased with his intelligence. However, he notices that Stapleton appears to be keeping something from him and concealing it behind his back.

After supper, Watson walks around the property and notices a light in one of the windows. He looks inside and notices a woman sitting at a table, but when he attempts to get a closer look, she disappears.

Watson returns to Baskerville Hall and informs Holmes of his visit to Merripit House. Holmes is skeptical of Stapleton and that he was implicated in Sir Charles Baskerville’s death.

This chapter introduces the Stapleton family, who play an essential role in the plot. It also adds to the mystery surrounding the hound and the Baskerville curse, as Watson learns more about local folklore and hears whispers about unusual happenings on the moor.