45940    At twelve o'clock Barrymore, finding the hall door still open, became alarmed and, lighting a lantern, went in search of his master.

45941    The day had been wet, and Sir Charles's footmarks were easily traced down the Alley.

45942    Half-way down this walk there is a gate which leads out on to the moor.

45943    There were indications that Sir Charles had stood for some little time here.

45944    He then proceeded down the Alley, and it was at the far end of it that his body was discovered.

45945    One fact which has not been explained is the statement of Barrymore that his master's footprints altered their character from the time he passed the moor-gate, and that he appeared from thence onwards to have been walking upon his toes.

45946    One Murphy, a gipsy horse-dealer, was on the moor at no great distance at the time, but he appears by his own confession to have been the worse for drink.

45947    He declares that he heard cries, but is unable to state from what direction they came.

45948    No signs of violence were to be discovered upon Sir Charles's person, and though the doctor's evidence pointed to an almost incredible facial distortion - so great that Dr Mortimer refused at first to believe that it was indeed his friend and patient who lay before him - it was explained that that is a symptom which is not unusual in cases of dyspnoea and death from cardiac exhaustion.

45949    This explanation was borne out by the postmortem examination, which showed long-standing organic disease, and the coroner's jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

45950    It is well that this is so, for it is obviously of the utmost importance that Sir Charles's heir should settle at the Hall, and continue the good work which has been so sadly interrupted.

45951    Had the prosaic finding of the coroner not finally put an end to the romantic stories which have been whispered in connection with the affair, it might have been difficult to find a tenant for Baskerville Hall.

45952    It is understood that the next-of-kin is Mr Henry Baskerville, if he be still alive, the son of Sir Charles Baskerville's younger brother.

45953    The young man, when last heard of, was in America, and inquiries are being instituted with a view to informing him of his good fortune.'

45954    Dr Mortimer refolded his paper and replaced it in his pocket.