Sherlock Holmes: Hound Of The Baskervilles, Chapter 4 Of 15

Join me for Chapter Four - Sir Henry Baskerville - of this wonderful classic novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, said to be one of the most famous stories ever told.

Doctor Mortimer presents young Henry Baskerville, who has received an anonymous letter warning him to stay away from Baskerville Hall. When Sherlock asks him if anything else unusual has happened to him since he arrived in London, Baskerville says that one of his new boots has been stolen from outside his room.

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Transcript

Hello there, It's Mandy here. Welcome back to The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. There have been many attempts over the years to guess which stately house Baskerville Hall is based on. There are three possible houses on or near Dartmoor, Foulscombe, Hey for tall. And brookhall. People have also claimed that Baskerville Hall is based on a property in Clyro, Wales, Which was built by one Thomas Baskerville. Arthur Conan Doyle was apparently a family friend who often stayed there. Still other tales claim that Doyle was inspired by a holiday in North Norfolk, Where the tale of the hellhound, Black Shock, Is well known. Then Cromer Hall also closely resembles Doyle's vivid description of Baskerville Hall. Well, I don't suppose we will ever know. But anyway, We've reached Chapter 4, Sir Henry Baskerville, And before we go ahead, Please feel free to make yourself really comfortable and settle down into your chair or your bed, Relaxing your hands. Dropping your shoulders and softening your jaw. That's wonderful. So if you're ready, Then I shall begin. Chapter four. Our breakfast table was cleared early, And Holmes waited in his dressing gown for the promised interview. Our clients were punctual to their appointment, For the clock had just struck ten when Dr Mortimer was shown up, Followed by the young baronet. The latter was a small, Alert, Dark-eyed man, About thirty years of age, Very sturdily built, With thick black eyebrows and a strong pugnacity. Face. He wore a ruddy-tinted tweed suit and had the weather-beaten appearance of one who has spent most of his time in the open air. And yet there was something in his steady eye and the quiet assurance of his bearing which indicated the gentleman. This is Sir Henry Baskerville, Said Dr Mortimer. Why yes, Said he, And the strange thing is, Mr Sherlock Holmes, That if my friend here had not proposed coming round to you this morning, I should have come on my own account. I understand that you think out little puzzles, And I've had one this morning which wants more thinking out than I am able to give it. Pray take a seat, Sir Henry. Do I understand you to say that you have yourself had some remarkable experience since you arrived in London? Nothing of much importance, Mr Holmes, Only a joke, As like as not. It was this letter, If you can call it a letter, Which reached me this morning. He laid an envelope upon the table and we all bent over it. It was of common quality, Greyish in colour. The address, Sir Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel, Was printed in rough characters, The postmark, Charing Cross, And the date of posting, The preceding evening. Who knew that you were going to the Northumberland Hotel? " asked Holmes, Glancing keenly across at our visitor. No one could have known. We only decided after I met Dr Mortimer. But Dr Mortimer was no doubt already stopping that. No, I had been staying with a friend, Said the doctor. There was no possible indication that we intended to go to this hotel. Mmm. Someone seems to be very deeply interested in your movements. Out of the envelope he took a half sheet of full-scap paper, Folded into four. This he opened and spread flat upon the table. Across the middle of it, A single sentence had been formed by the expedient of pasting printed words upon it. It ran, As you value your life or your reason, Keep away from the more. The word more only was printed in ink. "'Now, ' said Sir Henry Baskerville, "'perhaps you will tell me, Mr Holmes, "'what in thunder is the meaning of that, "'and who it is that takes so much interest in my affairs? ' What do you make of it, Dr Mortimer? Asked Holmes. You must allow that there is nothing supernatural about this at any rate. No sir, But it might very well come from someone who was convinced that the business is supernatural. What business? " asked Sir Henry sharply. It seems to me that all you gentlemen know a great deal more than I do about my own affairs. You shall share our knowledge before you leave this room, Sir Henry. I promise you that, " said Sherlock Holmes. We will confine ourselves for the present with your permission to this very interesting document which must have been put together and posted yesterday evening. Have you yesterday's times, Watson? It is here in the corner. Might I trouble you for it? The inside page, Please, With the leading articles. He glanced swiftly over it, Running his eyes up and down the columns. Capital article this on free trade. Permit me to give you an extract from it. You may be cajoled into imagining that your own special trade or your own industry will be encouraged by a protective tariff, But it stands to reason that such legislation must in the long run keep away wealth from the country, Diminish the value of our imports and lower the general conditions of life in this island. What do you think of that, Watson? Cried Holmes. In high glee, Rubbing his hands together with satisfaction. Don't you think that is an admirable sentiment? Dr Mortimer looked at Holmes with an air of professional interest, And Sir Henry Baskerville turned a pair of puzzled dark eyes upon me. I don't know much about the tariff and things of that kind, " said he, But it seems to me we've got a bit off the trail so far as the note is concerned. On the contrary, I think we are particularly hot upon the trail, Sir Henry. Watson here knows more about my methods than you do, But I fear that even he has not quite grasped the significance of this sentence. No, I confess. I see no connection. And yet, My dear Watson, There is so very close a connection that the one is extracted out of the other. You, Your, Your, Life, Reason, Value, Keep away from the. Don't you see now whence these words have been taken? By thunder, You're right! Well, If that isn't smart! " cried Sir Henry. If any possible doubt remained, It is settled by the fact that keep away and from the are cut out in one piece. Well now, So it is. Really, Mr. Holmes, This exceeds anything which I could have imagined, Said Dr. Mortimer, Gazing at my friend in amazement. I could understand anyone saying that the words were from a newspaper, But that you should name which, And add that it came from the leading article, Is really one of the most remarkable things which I have ever known. How did you do it? The detection of types is one of the most elementary branches of knowledge to the special expert in crime. Though I confess at once, When I was very young, I confused the Leeds Mercury with the Western Morning News. But a Times leader is entirely distinctive, And these words could have been taken from nothing else. As it was done yesterday, The strong probability was that we should find the words in yesterday's issue. "'So far as I can follow you then, Mr Holmes, ' said Sir Henry Baskerville. "'Someone cut out this message with the scissors. '" Nail scissors, Said Holmes. You can see that it was a very short bladed scissors since the cutter had to take two snips over keep away. That is so. Someone then cut out the message with a pair of short-bladed scissors, Pasted it with paste. Gum, Said Holmes. With gum onto the paper. But I want to know why the word MORE should have been written. Because he could not find it in print. The other words were all simple and might be found in any issue, But more would be less common. Why of course that would explain it have you read anything else in this message mr holmes There are one or two indications, And yet the utmost pains have been taken to remove all clues. The address, You observe, Is printed in rough characters, But the Times is a paper which is seldom found in any hands but those of the highly educated. We may take it, Therefore, That the letter was composed by an educated man who wished to pose as an uneducated one. And his effort to conceal his own writing suggests that the writing might be known or come to be known by you. Again, You will observe that the words are not gummed on in an accurate line, But that some are much higher than others. Life, For example, Is quite out of its proper place. That may point to carelessness or it may point to agitation and hurry upon the part of the tatter. On the whole, I inclined to the latter view, Since the matter was evidently important, And it is unlikely that the composer of such a letter would be careless. If you were in a hurry, It opens up the interesting question why he should be in a hurry, Since any letter posted up to early morning would have reached Sir Henry before he would leave his hotel. Did the composer fear an interruption? And from whom? We are coming now rather into the region of guesswork, " said Dr Mortimer. Say, Rather, Into the region where we balance probabilities and choose the most likely. It is the scientific use of the imagination, But we have always some material basis on which to start our speculation. Now, You would call it a guess, No doubt, But I am almost certain that this address has been written in a hotel. How in the world can you say that? If you examine it carefully, You will see that both the pen and the ink have given the writer trouble. The pen has spluttered twice in a single word and has run dry three times in a short address, Showing there was very little ink in the bottle. Now a private pen or ink bottle is seldom allowed to be in such a state and the combination of the two must be quite rare. But you know the Hotel Inc and the Hotel Pan where it is rare to get anything else. Yes, I have very little hesitation in saying that could we examine the waste paper baskets of the hotels around Charing Cross until we found the remains of the mutilated Times leader, We could lay our hands straight upon the person who sent this singular message. Halloa! Halloa! What's this? He was carefully examining the false gap upon which the words were pasted, Holding it only an inch or two from his eyes. Well, Nothing, Said he, Throwing it down. It is a blank half sheet of paper without even a watermark upon it. I think we have drawn as much as we can from this curious letter. And now, Sir Henry, Has anything else of interest happened to you since you have been in London? Why no mr holmes i think not You have not observed anyone follow or watch you. I seem to have walked right into the thick of a dime novel, Said our visitor. Why in thunder should anyone follow or watch me? We are coming to that. You have nothing else to report to us before we go into this matter? Well, It depends upon what you think worth reporting. I think anything out of the ordinary routine of life well worth reporting. Sir Henry smiled. I don't know much of British life yet, For I have spent nearly all my time in the States and in Canada. But I hope that to lose one of your boots is not part of the ordinary routine of life over here. You have lost one of your boots. My dear sir, Cried Dr Mortimer, It is only mislaid. You will find it when you return to the hotel. What is the use of troubling Mr Holmes with trifles of this kind? Well, He asked me for anything outside the ordinary routine. Exactly, Said Holmes, However foolish the incident may seem. You have lost one of your boots, You say. Well, Mislaid it anyhow. I put them both outside my door last night and there was only one in the morning. I could get no sense out of the chap who cleans them. The worst of it is that I only bought the pair last night in the Strand and I've never had them on. If you have never worn them, Why did you put them out to be cleaned? They were tan boots and had never been varnished. That's why I put them out. Then I understand that on your arrival in London yesterday you went out at once and bought a pair of boots. I did a good deal of shopping. Dr. Mortimer here went round with me. You see, If I am to be squire down there, I must dress the part, And it may be that I've got a little careless in my ways out west. Among other things, I bought these brown boots, Gave six dollars for them, And had one stolen before ever I had them on my feet. It seems a singularly useless thing to steal, Said Sherlock Holmes. I confess that I share Dr Mortimer's belief that it will not be long before the missing boot is found. And now, Gentlemen, " said the Baronet, With decision, It seems to me that I have spoken quite enough about the little that I know. It is time you kept your promise and gave me a full account of what we are all driving at. Your request is a very reasonable one, " Holmes answered. Dr Mortimer, I think you could not do better than to tell your story as you told it to us. Thus encouraged, Our scientific friend drew his papers from his pocket and presented the whole case as he had done upon the morning before. Sir Henry Baskerville listened with the deepest attention and with an occasional exclamation of surprise. Well i seem to have come into an inheritance with a vengeance said he when the long narrative was finished of course i've heard of the hound ever since i was in the nursery it's the pet story of the family though i never thought of taking it seriously before but as to my uncle's death well it all seems boiling up in my head and i can't get it clear yet you don't seem quite to have made up your mind whether it's a case for a policeman or a clergyman. Precisely. And now there's this affair of the latter to me at the hotel. I suppose that fits into its place. It seems to show that someone knows more than we do about what goes on on the moor, " said Dr Mortimer. And also, Said Holmes, That someone is not ill-disposed towards you, Since they warn you of danger. Or it may be that they wish, For their own purposes, To scare me away. Well, Of course, That is possible also. I am very much indebted to you, Dr Mortimer, For introducing me to a problem which presents several interesting alternatives. But the practical point, Which we now have to decide, Sir Henry, Is whether it is or is not advisable for you to go to Baskerville Hall. Why should I not go? There seems to be danger. Do you mean danger from this family fiend, Or do you mean danger from human beings? Well, That is what we have to find out. Whichever it is, My answer is fixed. 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. His dark brows knitted and his face flushed to a dusky red as he spoke. It was evident that the fiery temper of the Baskervilles was not extinct in this their last representative. Meanwhile, Said he, I have hardly had time to think over all that you have told me. It's a big thing for a man to have to understand and to decide at one sitting. I should like to have a quiet hour by myself to make up my mind. Now look here mr holmes it's half past 11 now and i'm going back right away to my hotel Suppose you and your friend, Dr Watson, Come round and lunch with us at two. I'll be able to tell you more clearly then how this thing strikes me. Is that convenient to you Watson? Perfect clay. Then you may expect us. Shall I have a cab called? I'd prefer to walk, But this affair Has flurried me rather. I'll join you in the walk with pleasure, ' said his companion. Then we meet again at two o'clock. Au revoir and good morning. We heard the steps of our visitors descend the stair and the bang of the front door. In an instant Holmes had changed from the languid dreamer to the man of action. Your hat and boots Watson, Quick, Not a moment to lose. He rushed into his room in his dressing gown and was back again in a few seconds in a frock coat. We hurried together down the stairs and into the street. Dr Mortimer and Baskerville were still visible about 200 yards ahead of us in the direction of Oxford Street. Shall I run on and stop them? Not for the world, My dear Watson. I am perfectly satisfied with your company, If you will tolerate mine. Our friends are wise. It is certainly a very fine morning for a walk. ' He quickened his pace until we had decreased the distance which divided us by about half. Then, Still keeping a hundred yards behind, We followed into Oxford Street and so down Regent Street. Once our friend stopped and stared into a shop window, Upon which Holmes did the same. An instant afterwards he gave a little cry of satisfaction, And, Following the direction of his eager eyes, I saw that a handsome cab, With a man inside, Which had halted on the other side of the street, Was now proceeding slowly onwards again. There's our man Watson come along we'll have a good look at him if we can do no more At that instant I was aware of a bushy black beard and a pair of piercing eyes turned upon us through the side window of the cab. Instantly the trapdoor at the top flew up, Something was screamed to the driver and the cab flew madly off down Regent Street. Holmes looked eagerly around for another, But no empty one was in sight. Then he dashed in wild pursuit amid the stream of traffic, But the start was too great and already the cab was out of sight. There now said holmes bitterly as he emerged panting and white with vexation from the tide of vehicles was ever such bad luck and such bad management too Watson, Watson, If you are an honest man, You will record this also and set it against my successors. Who was the man? I have not an idea. A spy. Well, It was evident from what we have heard that Baskerville has been very closely shadowed by someone since he has been in town. How else could it be known so quickly that it was the Northumberland Hotel which he had chosen? If they had followed him the first day, I argued that they would follow him also the second. You may have observed that I twice strolled over to the window while Dr Mortimer was reading his legend. Yes i remember i was looking out for loiterers in the street but i saw none We are dealing with a clever man, Watson. This matter cuts very deep, And though I have not finally made up my mind whether it is a benevolent or a malevolent agency which is in touch with us, I am conscious always of power and design. When our friends left, I at once followed them in the hopes of marking down their invisible attendant. So wily was he that he had not trusted himself upon foot. But he had availed himself of a cab so that he could loiter behind or dash past them and so escape their notice. His method had the additional advantage that if they were to take a cab he was all ready to follow them. It has, However, One obvious disadvantage. It puts him in the power of the cabman. Exactly! What a pity we did not get the number. My dear Watson, Clumsy as I have been, You surely do not seriously imagine that I neglected to get the number. Number 2704 is our man, But that is no use to us for the moment. I fail to see how you could have done more. On observing the cab, I should have instantly turned and walked in the other direction. I should then, At my leisure, Have hired a second cab and followed the first at a respectful distance, Or, Better still, Have driven to the Northumberland Hotel and waited there. When our unknown had followed Baskerville home, We should have had the opportunity of playing his own game upon himself and seeing where he made for. As it is, By an indiscreet eagerness, Which was taken advantage of with extraordinary quickness and energy by our opponent, We have betrayed ourselves and lost our man. We had been sauntering slowly down Regent Street during this conversation, And Dr Mortimer, With his companion, Had long vanished in front of us. There is no object in our following them, Said Holmes. The shadow has departed and will not return. We must see what further cards we have in our hands and play them with decision. Could you swear to that man's face within the cab? I could swear only to the beard. And so could I, From which I gather that in all probability it was a false one. A clever man, Upon so delicate an errand, Has no use for a beard save to conceal his features. Come in here, Watson. He turned into one of the district messenger officers where he was warmly greeted by the manager. Ah, Wilson, I see you have not forgotten the little case in which I had the good fortune to help you. No, Sir, Indeed I have not. You save my good name, And perhaps my life. My dear fellow, You exaggerate. I have some recollection, Wilson, That you had among your boys a lad named Cartwright who showed some ability during the investigation. Yes sir, He's still with us. Would you ring him up? Thank you, And I should be glad to have change of this £5 note. A lad of fourteen, With a bright keen face, Had obeyed the summons of the manager. He stood now gazing with great reverence at the famous detective. Let me have the hotel directory said holmes thank you now cartwright there are the names of 23 hotels here all in the immediate neighborhood of charing cross do you see Yes, Sir. You will visit each of these in turn. Yes, Sir. You will begin in each case by giving the outside porter one shilling. Here are 23 shillings. Yes, Sir. You will tell him that you want to see the waste paper of yesterday. You will say that an important telegram has miscarried and that you are looking for it. You understand? Yes, Sir. But what you are really looking for is the centre page of the Times with some holes cut in it with scissors. Here is a copy of the Times. It is this page. You could easily recognise it, Could you not? Yes, Sir. In each case the outside porter will send for the hall porter, To whom also you will give a shilling. Here are 23 shillings. You will then learn in possibly 20 cases out of 23 that the waste of the day before has been burned or removed. In the three other cases you will be shown a heap of paper and you will look for this page of the Times among it. The odds are enormously against you finding it. There are 10 shillings over in case of emergencies. Let me have a report by wire at Baker Street before evening. And now Watson, It only remains for us to find out by wire the identity of the cabman number 2704 and then we will drop into one of the Bond Street picture galleries and fill in the time until we are due at the hotel. To be continued.

Reviews

So fun to hear your different voices for each character as they converse. Excellent!! Thank you Mandy! By the fourth listen I managed to make it through to follow the story without falling asleep!!