A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – Wisteria Lodge (WIST) THE POLLYANNA OF DETECTIVES “Audacity and romance seem to have passed forever from the criminal world,” bemoans Sherlock Holmes in “The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge,” sounding like a Raffles fan who just watched an episode of “COPS.” Isn’t this view a bit… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Boscombe Valley Mystery (BOSC) DID THIS MAN EVER RECOVER FROM AFGHANISTAN? “You have been looking a little pale lately,” the good Mrs. Watson tells her husband at the beginning of BOSC. “I think that the change would do you good.” Holmes’s own… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Illustrious Client (ILLU) THE EVER-PERSISTENT WATSON “‘It can’t hurt now,’ was Mr. Sherlock Holmes’s comment when, for the tenth time in as many years.” What was it about this case that had Watson asking to publish it on an annual basis? Did he find… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Abbey Grange (ABBE) THE LIGHTING SITUATION IN 1897 Watson writes, of Holmes’s first appearance: “The candle in his hand shone upon his eager, stooping face …” Why a candle? Gaslights and oil lamps were available weren’t they? If Holmes was waking Watson so he’d get… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Solitary Cyclist (SOLI) PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS — OR NOT “For this reason I will now lay before the reader the facts connected with Miss Violet Smith, the solitary cyclist of Charlington, and the curious sequel of our investigation, which culminated in unexpected tragedy.” Once… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR) THE LEGENDARY TREASURE BOX “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, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Cardboard Box (CARD) AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT “Ring for our boots and tell them to order a cab. I’ll be back in a moment when I have changed my dressing-gown and filled my cigar-case.” Now, we know Holmes’s boots aren’t going… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – Charles Augustus Milverton (CHAS) SHERLOCK HOLMES LOSES CONTROL “As Holmes turned up the lamp the light fell upon a card on the table. He glanced at it, and then, with an ejaculation of disgust, threw it on the floor.” Perhaps the most telling example… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Naval Treaty (NAVA) WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONA … ER, STUDENT? Of Percy Phelps, Watson writes: “He was a very brilliant boy and carried away every prize which the school had to offer, finishing his exploits by winning a scholarship which sent him… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Man with the Twisted Lip (TWIS) WATSON’S LONDON GOSSIP COLUMN “Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D. D., Principal of the Theological College of St. George’s, was much addicted to opium,” this tale begins. While the Hounds have often discussed Watson’s protecting… Continue Reading