From Watson’s Tin Box – The Solitary Cyclist | 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)

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 Solitary Cyclist 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!

“He seemed to be a middle-aged man, with a short, dark beard.” ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

‘Well, at least he is fairly well-to-do. But he goes into the City two or three times a week. He is deeply interested in South African gold shares.’ ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

“Next morning we had a note from Miss Smith, recounting shortly and accurately the very incidents which I had seen, but the pith of the letter lay in the postscript:” ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

“The Thursday brought us another letter from our client:” ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

‘Hullo! Stop there!’ he shouted, holding his bicycle to block our road. ‘Where did you get that dog-cart? Pull up, man!’ he yelled, drawing a pistol from his side-pocket. ‘Pull up, I say, or, by George, I’ll put a bullet into your horse!’ ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

“One was a woman, our client, drooping and faint, a handkerchief round her mouth. ” ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

“Between them an elderly, grey-bearded man, wearing a short surplice over a light tweed suit, had evidently just completed the wedding service, for he pocketed his Prayer-Book as we appeared, and slapped the sinister bridegroom upon the back in jovial congratulation.” ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

“‘You have heard of me, I see. I will represent the official police until their arrival. Here, you!’ he shouted to the frightened groom, who had appeared at the edge of the glade. ‘Come here. Take this note as hard as you can ride to Farnham.’ He scribbled a few words upon a leaf from his notebook. ‘Give it to the superintendent at the police-station. Until he comes, I must detain you all under my personal custody.'” ~ WTB SOLI Evidence Box

‘We had a licence for the marriage. I have it here in my pocket.’ ~ WTB SOLI 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