In this early version the classic "Hound of the Baskervilles" mystery is not faithfully adapted, Watson's character is absent and there are two Holmes. Holmes' foe is called Stapleton and he menaces Holmes' client Lord Henry and his fiancée, Laura Lyons, masquerading himself as Holmes. Hidden passages, hand bombs and mechanical devices abound, reminding more of a serial than of a Conan Doyle story.
Under the assumed name of Stapleton, Roger of Baskerville is condemned to death for being instrumental in the death of a relative and probable heir to the Baskerville estates. After his plea of clemency is denied, he overpowers his keeper and escapes, taking up his residence near Baskerville Castle, and announcing himself to Lord and Lady Baskerville as Loris Collamore, a new neighbor.
Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy Stapleton has escaped a watery death in the 1914 "Hound of the Baskervilles" and returns to torment Lord Henry and his fiancée.
Lord Henry's tyrannical ancestor is seen to murder his wife and her faithful dog. The dog later returns to haunt his erstwhile master, involving Sherlock Holmes in the process.
When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.
German horror mystery movie from 1920.
