The Hound of the Baskervilles · Chapter
IV: Sir Henry Baskerville explained
Sir Henry Baskerville arrives in London and consults Sherlock Holmes with Dr.
What happens
Sir Henry Baskerville arrives in London and consults Sherlock Holmes with Dr. Mortimer. He presents a threatening letter composed of pasted newspaper words warning him to stay away from the moor. Holmes deduces the source as a Times leader article and analyzes the clues. Sir Henry insists on going to Baskerville Hall despite the danger. After the meeting, Holmes and Watson secretly follow the visitors, spotting a mysterious man in a cab watching them.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Disguise
The threatening letter is a deliberate attempt to deceive Sir Henry, using pasted words to hide the sender's identity and handwriting.
Reason vs. Superstition
Holmes applies logical deduction to the letter, while Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry grapple with the supernatural legend of the hound.
Characters to notice
- Sherlock Holmes
Analyzes the threatening letter, deduces its source from the Times, and decides to follow Sir Henry and Dr. Mortimer.
- Dr. Watson
Present during the consultation, assists Holmes, and accompanies him in tailing the visitors.
- Sir Henry Baskerville
Arrives in London, receives a warning letter, and firmly resolves to go to Baskerville Hall despite the danger.
- Dr. James Mortimer
Accompanies Sir Henry to Holmes, recounts the Baskerville case, and expresses amazement at Holmes's deductions.
Key passages
“As you value your life or your reason keep away from the moor.”
If you care about your safety or sanity, stay off the moor.
The threatening letter delivered to Sir Henry at the hotel.
“There is no devil in hell, Mr. Holmes, and there is no man upon earth who can prevent me from going to the home of my own people, and you may take that to be my final answer.”
Neither supernatural forces nor any human being will stop me from returning to my ancestral home.
Sir Henry's defiant declaration of his intention to go to Baskerville Hall.