The Hound of the Baskervilles · Chapter
X: Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Watson, writing from his diary, describes the gloomy atmosphere at Baskerville Hall after the night's excitements. He reflects on the mysterious events—the death of Sir Charles, the spectral hound, and the stranger on the moor—and resolves to investigate the unknown watcher. He learns from Barrymore that there is a second man hiding on the moor, and from Dr. Mortimer he discovers the identity of Mrs. Laura Lyons, whose initials match those on a note. Watson plans to visit her in Coombe Tracey to unravel part of the mystery.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Landscape
The dreary, foggy moor and the lonely stone huts emphasize the physical and psychological isolation of the characters, heightening the sense of danger.
Reason vs. Superstition
Watson struggles to reconcile the spectral hound legend with his common sense, acknowledging the eerie sounds while dismissing supernatural explanations.
Deception and Disguise
The presence of a hidden stranger and the secretive behavior of Barrymore and Selden underscore the theme of hidden identities and concealed motives.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Watson
Narrates from his diary, feeling a weight of impending danger and resolving to investigate the stranger on the moor.
- Sir Henry Baskerville
In a black reaction after the night's excitements, silent and distrait, his nerves shaken by the sound on the moor.
- Barrymore
Reveals to Watson that there is a second man hiding on the moor, and expresses his unease about the goings-on.
- Dr. James Mortimer
Gives Watson a lift in his dogcart, troubled by the disappearance of his spaniel, and identifies Mrs. Laura Lyons as Frankland's daughter.
- Mrs. Laura Lyons
Identified by Mortimer as Frankland's daughter with initials L. L., living in Coombe Tracey, and the subject of Watson's planned inquiry.
- Selden
Mentioned as the convict who informed Barrymore about the second man on the moor.
Key passages
“It is incredible, impossible, that it should really be outside the ordinary laws of nature. A spectral hound which leaves material footmarks and fills the air with its howling is surely not to be thought of.”
Watson dismisses the idea of a supernatural hound, insisting that any creature leaving physical tracks must be natural, despite the eerie sounds.
Highlights Watson's rational skepticism in the face of mysterious events.
“I have not lived for years with Sherlock Holmes for nothing.”
Watson implies that his association with Holmes has taught him to be observant and strategic in his inquiries.
Shows Watson's growing investigative skills and his determination to solve the mystery.
“There, in that hut upon the moor, seems to lie the very centre of that problem which has vexed me so sorely.”
Watson believes the key to the mystery is the hidden stranger living in the ancient stone hut on the moor.
Sets up Watson's resolve to investigate the hut and the mysterious watcher.