The Hound of the Baskervilles; Chapter 7: Qs. & Ans.

Topics on Chapter 7

Topic 1 :The incidents leading to Dr.  Watson’s Suspicion about Stapleton

ü  Sherlock Holmes had already instructed Dr. Watson to remain very much alert at Baskerville Hall as there was danger to Sir Henry’s life.

ü  So Dr. Watson tried to study each and every thing there during his stay. He also wanted to show to Sherlock Holmes that he was also a very alert detctive.

ü  Much of his suspicion was focussed on Barimore couple.

ü  At the breakfast time, Barrimore was called by Sir Henry to explain as to who could be the woman that kept on sobbing the previous night.

ü  Barrimore showed his ignorance to it, Dr. Watson’s sharp eyes were able to see Mrs. Barrimore’s wife’s red and swollen eyes.

It confirmed the fact it was she who was sobbing and weeping last.

ü  After that, Dr. watson went to meet the Grimpen post master to clarify from him whether the test telegramme was received by Mr. Barrimore or someone else at the Baskerville Hall.

ü  The postmaster told him that it was Mrs. Barrimore who had actually recived the telegramme saying that her husband was upstairs.

ü  Thus, Sherlock Holmes was unable to find out whether Barrimore was in London on the day when Sir Henry was being spied by the man in the cab having black beard like that of Mr. Barrimore.

ü  In this way, Dr. Watson’s doubts about Barrimore couple were strenthened.

Topic 2  Watson’s doubts on Stapleton:

ü  Dr. Watson has reasons for doubting Stapleton. He shows extra concern in the case of Sir Charles’s death. He also wants to know from Dr. Watson much very about Sir Henry.

ü  He is very curious to know about the course of action Sherlock Holmes is going to take in his investigations about the causes of Sir Charles death. He alos offers his help in the case.

ü  Stapleton becomes so much informal with Dr. Watson in his first meeting with him that he also invites him to visit Meripit House.

ü  Dr. watson accepts the invitation because he wanted to know much about the place as wellas Stapleton and his sister.

ü  During the conversation, Stapleton also warns Watson about the hdden dangers of the Moor, so he warns the detective against moving here and there on the Moor.

ü  Stapleton does not forget to hint at the superstition of the curse on the Baskervilles. He aslo wants to confirm from Watson if Sir Henry believes in superstions or not.

ü  He also talks as to how the family curse of the hound had affected Sir Charles’ already weak heart. Stapleton firmly adds that Sir Charles must have seen something dangerous on that fateful night. It had caused his tragic death.

ü  As Stapleton runs after a moth or a butterfly, Miss Stapleton arrives there. She mistook Dr. watson for Sir Henry. Without mincining any word, she warns Watson to leave the place at once for safety reasons.

Topic 3.  Meeting between Watson and Miss Stapleton

ü  In the chapter 7, two meetings take place between Dr. watson and Miss Stapleton. First, he meets her when she appears all of a sudden in front of him as Stapleton runs after a moth or a butterfly. She mistakes him for Sir Henry and without making any formality, she tells him to leave Baskerville Hall at once. She also advises him not to say anything about it to her brother Stapleton. He was coming towards them.

ü  When Stapleton calls Dr. Watrson by name, then she realises her mistake of misidentifying him.

ü  After that, Dr. Watson leaves Meripit House to reach Baskerville Hall. But then Miss Stapleton finds time to secretly meet Dr. Watson. She comes behind him tells him that her warning was meant for Sir Henry, not him. She requests Watson to persuade Sir Henry to leave the Moor and return to London as there was danger to his life there.

ü  Again she requests Dr. Watson to keep it as secret from her brother that she had said anything to him.

ü  Thus we see that these two meetings between Dr. Watson are very much important for Sherlock Holmes. It also helps Dr. Watson to reach the conclusion that there was solid reason behind Miss Stapleton’s hiding of what she had said to Dr. Watson.

Topic 4. Mysteries of the Moor highlighted by Stapleton.

ü  Stapleton tells Dr.Watson about the beauty as well as the hidden dangers of the moor.

ü  If he calls it ‘a wonderful place’, he also calls it ‘barren and mysterious.’  While telling about Grimpen Mire, Stapleton tells Dr. Watson that ‘a false step yonder means death to man or beast.’

ü  Then he refers to the hills and calls them islands cut off on all sides, but he appreciates them for the rare species of plants and butterflies.

ü  The deep moaning sound heard by Dr. watson also adds to the grim and mysterious atmosphere of the place.

ü  Stapleton interprets this as the call given by the hound of Baskervilles for prey. Stapleton also points towards a hillside and calls it the home of Prehistoric man.

ü  In this way, Stapleton’s purpose of filling a sense of chill and fear in Dr. Watson’s mind becomes clear. He wants to scare the detective so that he fails in his mission and leave the place in in fright.

ü  But the irony is that it is Stapleton who meets his death in the end as he fall into the mire and is swallowed by it. His warning that ‘a false step yonder means death to man or beast’ proves true on him.

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