The Hound of the Baskervilles · Character

Miss Stapleton

A striking, dark-eyed woman on the moor who warns Sir Henry away from the Grimpen Mire, yet seems watched by her own brother at every turn.

supporting

Also known as the Miss Stapleton, Stapleton, Mrs. Stapleton

First appearance: VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House

As a supporting figure in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Miss Stapleton is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Warns Watson to leave the moor and take Sir Henry with him; her intense earnestness suggests hidden danger.

In the storyVII: The Stapletons of Merripit HouseOpen this moment free

See Miss Stapleton in VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House Book page

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Living with her brother at Merripit House, she is the beautiful neighbour whose presence stirs Sir Henry Baskerville's heart almost the moment he arrives on the moor. Yet her warmth is shadowed by a strange constraint: she mistakes Watson and Sir Henry for someone else on the path, and her brother's interruptions carry an edge of control. Her warnings and her unease make her one of the earliest threads Watson cannot quite explain, and her fear quietly shapes the danger closing around the Hall.

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See Miss Stapleton in VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Miss Stapleton sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Social
Family
Other

Character groups

Main Cast and Suspects
Protagonist

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Dr. Watson reaches his psychological breaking point, openly adm…

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Relationships

Sherlock Holmes
psychological · ambivalent
Miss Stapleton is a pawn in her brother's scheme, and Holmes sees her as a key witness… How this plays out →
Sir Charles Baskerville
psychological · negative
Barrymore
social · ambivalent
Mr. Stapleton
family · negative
Sherlock Holmes
psychological · ambivalent
Miss Stapleton is a pawn in her brother's scheme, and Holmes sees her as a key witness… How this plays out →
Mr. Stapleton
family · negative
Sir Charles Baskerville
psychological · negative
Sherlock Holmes
psychological · ambivalent
Miss Stapleton is a pawn in her brother's scheme, and Holmes sees her as a key witness… How this plays out →
Barrymore
social · ambivalent
Mr. Stapleton
family · negative

Sherlock Holmes
Miss Stapleton is a pawn in her brother's scheme, and Holmes sees her as a key witness and potential victim of manipulation.
Sir Charles Baskerville
Miss Stapleton was used by her brother to lure Sir Charles to his death on the moor, acting as a decoy.
Barrymore
Barrymore, the butler, has minimal direct interaction with Miss Stapleton, but she is known to him as a local resident.
Mr. Stapleton
Miss Stapleton is actually the wife of Mr. Stapleton, though he passes her off as his sister to further his schemes.
Sherlock Holmes
Miss Stapleton is a pawn in her brother's scheme, and Holmes sees her as a key witness and potential victim of manipulation.
Mr. Stapleton
Miss Stapleton is actually the wife of Mr. Stapleton, though he passes her off as his sister to further his schemes.
Sir Charles Baskerville
Miss Stapleton was used by her brother to lure Sir Charles to his death on the moor, acting as a decoy.
Sherlock Holmes
Miss Stapleton is a pawn in her brother's scheme, and Holmes sees her as a key witness and potential victim of manipulation.
Barrymore
Barrymore, the butler, has minimal direct interaction with Miss Stapleton, but she is known to him as a local resident.
Mr. Stapleton
Miss Stapleton is actually the wife of Mr. Stapleton, though he passes her off as his sister to further his schemes.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Miss Stapleton in VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House

In the story

Miss Stapleton appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House
Warns Watson to leave the moor and take Sir Henry with him; her intense earnestness suggests hidden danger.
VIII: First Report of Dr. Watson
Fascinating and beautiful; appears attracted to Sir Henry; often glances at her brother for approbation.
XIV: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Reveals Stapleton's true nature and the location of his refuge.
XV: A Retrospection
Actually Stapleton's wife, forced to play the role of his sister; Holmes interviewed her.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Miss Stapleton unlock in the free preview.

See Miss Stapleton in VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House