Sherlock Holmes

Verdict: Amusing diversions (‘a manufactory of artificial
kneecaps’) colour this weird but intriguing tale of redheads and
encyclopaedia-copying. 4/5
5) A Case of Identity
UK: The Strand Magazine (September 1891, SP)
The Case: A retiring office clerk mysteriously vanishes just
before his wedding…
Characters: Mary Sutherland, James Windibank, page, Hosmer
Angel, Mr Hardy.
Locations: 221B Baker Street; St Saviour’s, near King’s Cross; 31
Lyon Place, Camberwell; Westhouse & Marbank, Fenchurch Street.
Recorded Case: A Scandal in Bohemia.
Unrecorded Cases: The Dundas separation case, an intricate
matter from Marseilles, Mr Etherege’s disappearance, similar
cases in Andover in 1877 and The Hague the previous year.
Holmes: Uses an amethyst-inlaid snuffbox given to him by the
King of Bohemia, and wears a ring from the reigning family of
Holland (see A Scandal in Bohemia). Has 10 or 12 cases currently
on the go. Smokes an old black clay pipe. Observes people’s
sleeves, thumbnails and bootlaces. Has studied the typewriter
and its relation to crime and wants to write a monograph on it.
Elementary: Deduces that Mary Sutherland is a short-sighted
typist.
S H E R L O C K H O L M E S
• 34 •

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Quotable Quote: ‘My first glance is always at a woman’s sleeve.
In a man it is perhaps better first to take the knee of the
trouser.’
Problem: Holmes says the final quotation is from the works of
fourteenth-century Persian lyric poet Hafiz  – it isn’t (no one
knows where it’s from).
Observations: Holmes solves the case without venturing outside
his rooms, and a page (a ‘boy in buttons’) appears for the first
time. This story was written (and set) before The Red-Headed
League, but the latter was considered stronger and was
published first.
Verdict: Deduct two points for the preposterous twist, but the
notion of such long-term fidelity is charming and having Holmes
assume the role of a moral guardian is very effective. 3/5
6) The  Boscombe Valley  Mystery
UK: The Strand Magazine (October 1891, SP)
The Case: In a small West Country district, a young man has
been accused of murdering his father…
Characters: John Turner, Alice Turner, Inspector Lestrade,
Charles McCarthy, James McCarthy,William Crowder, Patience Moran,
Dr Willows.
Locations: Watson’s medical practice; Paddington Station;
Hereford Arms, Ross, Herts; Hatherley  Farm, Herts;
Boscombe Pool, Herts.
Holmes: Wears a long grey travelling cloak and a close-fitting
cloth cap, and at Boscombe he also has a waterproof. Describes
himself and Watson as middle-aged. Reads Petrarch and
George Meredith (1828–1909). Exhibits lust for the chase, and
answers questions with an impatient snarl when concentrating.
Watson: Is very strict about shaving properly.
T H E C A N O N
• 35 •

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Elementary: Deduces Watson’s bedroom window is on the right-
hand side.
Quotable Quote: ‘The more featureless and commonplace a
crime is, the more difficult it is to bring it home.’
Problem: In the newspaper article, the ‘Witness’ and ‘Coroner’
directions disappear three quarters of the way through.
Observations:The first case not to feature 221B Baker Street.The
story was inspired by Henry Beresford Garrett, one of a gang
who robbed the Bank of Victoria in the Australian town of
Ballarat in October 1854, stealing £14,300. Sidney Paget drew
Holmes’ famous deerstalker and ulster for the first time,
although the former is not mentioned by Doyle.