Question

Who was Selden? Why was he on the moor?

Answer 1

Selden is a convict who had escaped from the Princetown prison in Devonshire. Referred to as the ‘Notting Hill murderer’ in the novel, Selden is Mrs. Barrymore’s younger brother. Watson recalls that Selden’s crime had been so peculiarly ferocious and his actions so wantonly brutal that doubts had been raised as to his complete sanity.

After Selden escaped from the prison, he sought help from his sister. The husband and wife took the fugitive in and looked after him. But when Henry arrived at the Hall, Selden's hideout had to be shifted to the moor.