Chapter 3 Summary

Holmes begins an extensive questioning of Dr. Mortimer about the night of Sir Charles's death. He asks about the logistics of the yew bridge, the shape of both Sir Charles's and the hound's footprints, and other empirical details. When Dr. Mortimer mentions that he believes Sir Charles must have stood at the bridge for between five and ten minutes because he saw that ash had dropped twice from his cigar, Holmes congratulates him on his acute observation. Holmes asks if anyone has seen the hound since Sir Charles's death. Dr. Mortimer replies that three people saw it before his death but no one has seen it since.

Dr. Mortimer asks what he should do about Sir Henry Baskerville, who is due to arrive in about an hour. Sir Henry is the only heir and the last of the Baskervilles. Holmes tells him to...