From Watson’s Tin Box – The Six Napoleons | The Fourth Garrideb

“Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, MD, Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid.”

– The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR)

The development for which my friend had asked came in a quicker and an infinitely more tragic form than he could have imagined. I was still dressing in my bedroom next morning, when there was a tap at the door, and Holmes entered, a telegram in his hand. He read it aloud:
Come instantly, 131, Pitt Street, Kensington. LESTRADE. ~ WTB SIXN Evidence Box

Watson’s Tin Box, a BSI scion that meets in Columbia, Maryland, shares a few select items from their tin evidence box for The Adventure of the Six Napoleons with us here at The Fourth Garrideb. These evidence boxes were originally created by the late Paul Churchill, BSI, one of the founders of Watson’s Tin Box and contains both genuine artifacts and genuine faux reproductions that he (and others) created. These items create a great deal of discussion at their monthly meetings and we hope it will do the same here. Enjoy!

There was no name on his clothing, and nothing in his pockets save an apple, some string, a shilling map of London, and a photograph. Here it is.’ ~WTB SIXN Evidence Box

A news-bill at the entrance announced ‘Kensington Outrage. Murder by a Madman’, and the contents of the paper showed that Mr Horace Harker had got his account into print after all. Two columns were occupied with a highly sensational and flowery rendering of the whole incident. Holmes propped it against the cruet stand and read it while he ate. Once or twice he chuckled. ~ WTB SIXN Evidence Box

‘Yes, sir; and you no doubt are Mr Sherlock Holmes? I had the note which you sent by the express messenger, and I did exactly what you told me. We locked every door in the inside and awaited developments. Well, I’m very glad to see that you have got the rascal. I hope, gentlemen, that you will come in and have some refreshment.’~ WTB SIXN Evidence Box

‘I have your letter here. You said, “I desire to possess a copy of Devine’s Napoleon and am prepared to pay you ten pounds for the one which is in your possession.” Is that right?’ ~ WTB SIXN Evidence Box

‘Well, it is very handsome of you, Mr Holmes. I brought the bust up with me, as you asked me to do. Here it is!’ He opened his bag, and at last we saw placed upon our table a complete specimen of that bust which we had already seen more than once in fragments. ~ WTB SIXN Evidence Box

‘You will kindly sign that paper, Mr Sandeford, in the presence of these witnesses. It is simply to say that you transfer every possible right that you ever had in the bust to me. I am a methodical man, you see, and you never know what turn events might take afterwards. Thank you, Mr Sandeford; here is your money, and I wish you a very good evening.’~ WTB SIXN Evidence Box

‘Gentlemen,’ he cried, let me introduce you to the famous black pearl of the Borgias.’ ~ WTB SIXN Evidence Box

Thanks to the 42nd Garrideb, Denny Dobry, for the scans in this post. Thanks also to Debbie Clark, the 58th Garrideb, the current keeper of the evidence boxes.

Watson’s Tin Box, a BSI scion in Columbia, MD, is one of the most active Sherlockian groups in the Middle Atlantic region, Generally meeting on the last Monday of each month, the meetings feature canonical toasts, good conversations and dining, as well as a discussion of the month’s featured story and an educational presentation. For more information about Watson’s Tin Box, please visit their website HERE.

A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars