From Watson’s Tin Box: Shoscombe Old Place | 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)

Sherlock Holmes had been bending for a long time over a low-power microscope. ~ WTB SHOS 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 Shoscombe Old Place 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!

‘Then I’ll make you my “Handy Guide to the Turf” ~ WTB SHOS Evidence Box

You had my note, Mr Holmes?’
‘Yes, but it explained nothing.’
‘It was too delicate a thing for me to put the details on paper. And too complicated. It was only face to face I could do it.’ ~ WTB SHOS Evidence Box

Why else would he give away her pet spaniel that she loved as if he were her child? He gave it a few days ago to old Barnes, what keeps the “Green Dragon”, three miles off, at Crendall. ~ WTB SHOS Evidence Box

He took a paper from his pocket and, unwrapping it carefully, he exposed a charred fragment of bone.
Holmes examined it with interest.
‘Where did you get it?’
‘There is a central heating furnace in the cellar under Lady Beatrice’s room. It’s been off for some time, but Sir Robert complained of cold and had it on again. Harvey runs it – he’s one of my lads. This very morning he came to me with this which he found raking out the cinders. He didn’t like the look of it.’
‘Nor do I,’ said Holmes. ‘What do you make of it, Watson?’
It was burned to a black cinder, but there could be no question as to its anatomical significance.
‘It’s the upper condyle of a human femur,’ said I. ~ WTB SHOS Evidence Box

‘Is there good fishing in that part of Berkshire?’
The honest trainer showed very clearly upon his face that he was convinced that yet another lunatic had come into his harassed life.
‘Well, sir, I’ve heard there are trout in the mill-stream and pike in the Hall lake.’
‘That’s good enough. Watson and I are famous fishermen – are we not, Watson? ~ WTB SHOS Evidence Box

Within a quarter of an hour we saw the big open yellow barouche coming down the long avenue, with two splendid, high-stepping grey carriage horses in the shafts. ~ WTB SHOS Evidence Box

‘I got your note, Mr Holmes. Sir Robert has not returned yet, but I hear that he is expected to-night.’ ~ WTB SHOS Evidence Box

With his lens he was eagerly examining the edges of the heavy lid. Then he drew from his pocket a short jemmy, a box-opener, which he thrust into a chink, levering back the whole front, which seemed to be secured by only a couple of clamps. ~ WTB SHOS 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