Sherlock Holmes

Problems: Grant Munro’s wife repeatedly calls him ‘Jack’.
(Perhaps Doyle is making the point that wives adopt pet names
for their husbands, as Mary Watson did in The Man with the
Twisted Lip.) Interracial marriages were illegal in Georgia. In
the American Doubleday edition, the yellow face becomes
‘chalky white’ (although the title remains unchanged). Why
didn’t Grant Munro notice that the photograph he commis-
sioned of his wife was missing?
Verdict: The main villain of this story is the appalling racism of
Victorian England. And although Doyle ends the narrative on
an optimistic note, the unconscious xenophobia of all
(including, it must be said, the author) is particularly
unsavoury. Interesting, I suppose, to see Holmes getting things
totally wrong for once, but hard to like. 2/5
18) The Adventure of the Stockbroker’s Clerk
UK: The Strand Magazine (March 1893, SP); USA: Harper’s
Weekly (11 March 1893,WHH)
The Case: A City worker grows suspicious when two employers
turn out to be the same man in disguise…
Characters: Hall Pycroft, Arthur and Harry Pinner, the
Beddington brothers, Mary Watson, landlady, Parker, Sergeant
Tuson, Constable Pollock, Dr Farquhar.
Locations: Watson’s practice, Paddington; Franco-Midland
Hardware Company Ltd, 126B Corporation Street,
S H E R L O C K H O L M E S
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Birmingham; Coxon and Woodhouse, Drapers’ Gardens; Mawson and
Williams, Lombard Street; 17 Potter’s Terrace, Hampstead; New Street
hotel, Birmingham.
Recorded Case:The Sign of Four.
Watson: Shortly after his marriage, he buys a failing medical
practice in the Paddington district, which has now become
very busy (he and his neighbour cover for each other). At the
drop of a hat he rushes off with Holmes, so must have a very
understanding wife.Thinks Cockneys make the best sportsmen
and athletes.
Elementary: Deduces Watson has had a cold, and that his prac-
tice is more successful than his neighbour’s.
Quotable Quote: ‘I am afraid that I rather give myself away when
I explain… Results without causes are much more impressive.’
Problems: It is never explained how Arthur Pinner knew of
Pycroft’s new job. It seems odd that a large financial house
would employ a clerk without an interview.
Observations: Published originally as The Stock-broker’s Clerk, the
story takes place a few months after Watson’s marriage and the
events of The Sign of Four.
Verdict: A clever conundrum – albeit virtually identical to The
Red-Headed League – which remains pleasantly puzzling up to
the gratifyingly unexpected conclusion. 4/5
19) The Adventure of the ‘Gloria Scott’
UK: The Strand Magazine (April 1893, SP); USA: Harper’s Weekly
(15 April 1893,WHH)
The Case: Holmes’ student friend’s father faces a sinister man
from his shady past…
Date: Summer-autumn 1885.
Characters:Victor Trevor, Mr Trevor, Sir Edward Hoby, maid, Hudson,
T H E C A N O N
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Beddoes, Dr Fordham, James Armitage, Jack Prendergast, Evans, Lt.
Martin, Wilson.
Locations: 221B Baker Street; house in Donnithorpe, Norfolk.
Holmes: Only had one friend at college (Victor Trevor), wasn’t
very sociable, but did fence and box. Built his analytical system
at college. Does organic chemistry in his summer holiday.