Chapter 4 Summary

During another frigid dinner, the Baudelaire children do their best to convince their aunt that Captain Sham is truly Count Olaf, but do not have any luck. In the middle of their meal, which the Baudelaires do not eat, the phone rings. Since Aunt Josephine is terrified of the phone, Violet answers the call. It is Captain Sham and Violet hangs up on him immediately.

Violet returns to the table and tells her aunt that it was a wrong number. Aunt Josephine praises her bravery and begins to think she might be able to answer her own phone one day. She doesn't have to wait long to try it out, as the phone rings again. Once more, it is Captain Sham and he begins weaving his web around Aunt Josephine.

She asks the children to leave the room, stating that Captain Sham has...