Question

The narrator describes Henry Baker: "A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his habits." (Pg. 56) What does this description insinuate about the character?

Answer 1

In this description, we learn that Henry Baker had a few particular characteristics that Holmes was able to observe. We learn that Henry Baker has a red nose and cheeks. We also learn that when he extended his hand, this was shaky. Moreover, Holmes concludes from this description that Baker has a particular habit that causes these characteristics. This habit is alcoholism. The insinuation in this text is that Henry Baker is an alcoholic.