The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chapter 4 summary

What happens

1. Sir Henry Baskerville and Dr. Mortimer arrive at ten, bringing an anonymous message that warns Sir Henry against the moor.
2. Holmes identifies the newspaper source and suggests that an educated writer disguises his handwriting and uses hotel writing materials.
3. Sir Henry reports a missing new boot, hears Mortimer’s account, and insists on going to Baskerville Hall.
4. Holmes and Watson follow their visitors and spot a bearded watcher in a cab, but he escapes.
5. Holmes keeps the cab number, questions the beard’s authenticity, and sends Cartwright to search hotel wastepaper for the cut newspaper.
6. Holmes plans to identify the cabman by telegram before joining the visitors for lunch.

In this chapter

What to notice

The message makes Sir Henry’s possible danger immediate. Its wording and construction give Holmes physical evidence, but its sender’s purpose remains uncertain.

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