№1.
Of the origin of the Hound of the Baskervilles there have been many statements, yet as I come in a direct line from Hugo Baskerville, and as I had the story from my father, who also had it from his father, I have written it down with all belief that it happened . And you, my sons, believe that the same Justice which punishes sin may also forgive it. Learn then from this story not to fear the past, but rather to be careful in the future not to loose the evil to our undoing. Know then that in the old times this Manor of Baskerville was held by Hugo who was a most wild and godless man. His neighbours might have forgiven this, seeing that saints have never lived in those lands, but there was in him a certain cruelty which made his name a notorious one through the West. It happened that this Hugo came to love (if we can call “love” so dark a passion) the daughter of a man who held lands near the Baskerville estate. But the young girl, being of good repute, would ever avoid him, for she feared his evil name. But one day this Hugo, with five or six of his wicked companions, stole down upon the farm and carried off the girl, while her father and brothers were away from home.