49404 Mrs Stapleton knew that he had designs upon the old man, and also of the existence of the hound.
49405 Mrs Lyons knew neither of these things, but had been impressed by the death occurring at the time of an uncancelled appointment which was only known to him.
49406 However, both of them were under his influence, and he had nothing to fear from them.
49407 The first half of his task was successfully accomplished, but the more difficult still remained.
49408 'It is possible that Stapleton did not know of the existence of an heir in Canada.
49409 In any case he would very soon learn it from his friend Dr Mortimer, and he was told by the latter all details about the arrival of Henry Baskerville.
49410 Stapleton's first idea was that this young stranger from Canada might possibly be done to death in London without coming down to Devonshire at all.
49411 He distrusted his wife ever since she had refused to help him in laying a trap for the old man, and he dared not leave her long out of his sight for fear he should lose his influence over her.
49412 It was for this reason that he took her to London with him.
49413 They lodged, I find, at the Mexborough Private Hotel, in Craven Street, which was actually one of those called upon by my agent in search of evidence.
49414 Here he kept his wife imprisoned in her room while he, disguised in a beard, followed Dr Mortimer to Baker Street, and afterwards to the station and to the Northumberland Hotel.
49415 His wife had some inkling of his plans, but she had such a fear of her husband - a fear founded upon brutal ill-treatment - that she dare not write to warn the man whom she knew to be in danger.
49416 If the letter should fall into Stapleton's hands her own life would not be safe.
49417 Eventually, as we know, she adopted the expedient of cutting out the words which would form the message, and addressing the letter in a disguised hand.
49418 It reached the Baronet, and gave him the first warning of his danger.