From Watson’s Tin Box: The Dying Detective | 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)

“It is a Coolie disease from Sumatra – a thing that the Dutch know more about than we, though, they have made little of it up to date” ~ WTB DYIN 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 Dying Detective, 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!

“‘You won’t take the key from me by force, Watson. I’ve got you, my friend.” ~ WTB DYIN Evidence Box

Finally, in my aimless perambulation, I came to the mantelpiece. A litter of pipes, tobacco-pouches, syringes, penknives, revolver cartridges, and other debris was scattered over it. ~ WTB DYIN Evidence Box

“In the midst of these was a small black and white ivory box with a sliding lid.” ~ WTB DYIN Evidence Box

‘Now, Watson,’ said he. ‘Have you any change in your pocket?’
‘Yes.’
‘Any silver?’
‘A good deal.’
‘How many half-crowns?’
‘I have five.’
‘Ah, too few! too few! How very unfortunate, Watson! However such as they are you can put them in your watch-pocket. And all the rest of your money in your left trowser-pocket. Thank you. It will balance you so much better like that.’

“There is a sugar-tongs there. Kindly raise that small ivory box with its assistance.” ~ WTB DYIN Evidence Box

“Indeed I cannot think why the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid mass of oysters, so prolific the creatures seem.” ~ WTB DYIN Evidence Box

“‘A match and a cigarette.'” ~ WTB DYIN Evidence Box

“There was the click of the closing handcuffs.” ~ WTB DYIN Evidence Box

“‘Three days of absolute fast does not improve one’s beauty, Watson. For the rest there is nothing which a sponge may not cure. With vaseline upon one’s forehead, belladonna in one’s eyes, rouge over the cheek-bones, and crusts of beeswax round one’s lips a very satisfying effect can be produced.” ~ WTB DYIN 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