The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume I Part 78

"We now come to that portion of his life which has proved to be of such intense interest to us. The fellow had evidently made inquiry and found that only two lives intervened between him and a valuable estate. When he went to Devonshire his plans were, I believe, exceedingly hazy, but that he meant mischief from the first is evident from the way in which he took his wife with him in the character of his sister. The idea of using her as a decoy was clearly already in his mind, though he may not have been certain how the details of his plot were to be arranged. He meant in the end to have the estate, and he was ready to use any tool or run any risk for that end. His first act was to establish himself as near to his ancestral home as he could, and his second was to cultivate a friendship with Sir Charles Baskerville and with the neighbours.

"The baronet himself told him about the family hound, and so prepared the way for his own death. Stapleton, as I will continue to call him, knew that the old man's heart was weak and that a shock would kill him. So much he had learned from Dr. Mortimer. He had heard also that Sir Charles was superst.i.tious and had taken this grim legend very seriously. His ingenious mind instantly suggested a way by which the baronet could be done to death, and yet it would be hardly possible to bring home the guilt to the real murderer.

"Having conceived the idea he proceeded to carry it out with considerable finesse. An ordinary schemer would have been content to work with a savage hound. The use of artificial means to make the creature diabolical was a flash of genius upon his part. The dog he bought in London from Ross and Mangles, the dealers in Fulham Road. It was the strongest and most savage in their possession. He brought it down by the North Devon line and walked a great distance over the moor so as to get it home without exciting any remarks. He had already on his insect hunts learned to penetrate the Grimpen Mire, and so had found a safe hiding-place for the creature. Here he kennelled it and waited his chance.

"But it was some time coming. The old gentleman could not be decoyed outside of his grounds at night. Several times Stapleton lurked about with his hound, but without avail. It was during these fruitless quests that he, or rather his ally, was seen by peasants, and that the legend of the demon dog received a new confirmation. He had hoped that his wife might lure Sir Charles to his ruin, but here she proved unexpectedly independent. She would not endeavour to entangle the old gentleman in a sentimental attachment which might deliver him over to his enemy. Threats and even, I am sorry to say, blows refused to move her. She would have nothing to do with it, and for a time Stapleton was at a deadlock.

"He found a way out of his difficulties through the chance that Sir Charles, who had conceived a friendship for him, made him the minister of his charity in the case of this unfortunate woman, Mrs. Laura Lyons. By representing himself as a single man he acquired complete influence over her, and he gave her to understand that in the event of her obtaining a divorce from her husband he would marry her. His plans were suddenly brought to a head by his knowledge that Sir Charles was about to leave the Hall on the advice of Dr. Mortimer, with whose opinion he himself pretended to coincide. He must act at once, or his victim might get beyond his power. He therefore put pressure upon Mrs. Lyons to write this letter, imploring the old man to give her an interview on the evening before his departure for London. He then, by a specious argument, prevented her from going, and so had the chance for which he had waited.

"Driving back in the evening from Coombe Tracey he was in time to get his hound, to treat it with his infernal paint, and to bring the beast round to the gate at which he had reason to expect that he would find the old gentleman waiting. The dog, incited by its master, sprang over the wicket-gate and pursued the unfortunate baronet, who fled screaming down the yew alley. In that gloomy tunnel it must indeed have been a dreadful sight to see that huge black creature, with its flaming jaws and blazing eyes, bounding after its victim. He fell dead at the end of the alley from heart disease and terror. The hound had kept upon the gra.s.sy border while the baronet had run down the path, so that no track but the man's was visible. On seeing him lying still the creature had probably approached to sniff at him, but finding him dead had turned away again. It was then that it left the print which was actually observed by Dr. Mortimer. The hound was called off and hurried away to its lair in the Grimpen Mire, and a mystery was left which puzzled the authorities, alarmed the countryside, and finally brought the case within the scope of our observation.

"So much for the death of Sir Charles Baskerville. You perceive the devilish cunning of it, for really it would be almost impossible to make a case against the real murderer. His only accomplice was one who could never give him away, and the grotesque, inconceivable nature of the device only served to make it more effective. Both of the women concerned in the case, Mrs. Stapleton and Mrs. Laura Lyons, were left with a strong suspicion against Stapleton. Mrs. Stapleton knew that he had designs upon the old man, and also of the existence of the hound. Mrs. Lyons knew neither of these things, but had been impressed by the death occurring at the time of an uncancelled appointment which was only known to him. However, both of them were under his influence, and he had nothing to fear from them. The first half of his task was successfully accomplished, but the more difficult still remained.

"It is possible that Stapleton did not know of the existence of an heir in Canada. In any case he would very soon learn it from his friend Dr. Mortimer, and he was told by the latter all details about the arrival of Henry Baskerville. Stapleton's first idea was that this young stranger from Canada might possibly be done to death in London without coming down to Devonshire at all. He distrusted his wife ever since she had refused to help him in laying a trap for the old man, and he dared not leave her long out of his sight for fear he should lose his influence over her. It was for this reason that he took her to London with him. They lodged, I find, at the Mexborough Private Hotel, in Craven Street, which was actually one of those called upon by my agent, in search of evidence. Here he kept his wife imprisoned in her room while he, disguised in a beard, followed Dr. Mortimer to Baker Street and afterwards to the station and to the Northumberland Hotel. His wife had some inkling of his plans; but she had such a fear of her husband-a fear founded upon brutal ill-treatment-that she dare not write to warn the man whom she knew to be in danger. If the letter should fall into Stapleton's hands her own life would not be safe. Eventually, as we know, she adopted the expedient of cutting out the words which would form the message, and addressing the letter in a disguised hand. It reached the baronet, and gave him the first warning of his danger.

"It was very essential for Stapleton to get some article of Sir Henry's attire so that, in case he was driven to use the dog, he might always have the means of setting him upon his track. With characteristic promptness and audacity he set about this at once, and we cannot doubt that the boots or chamber-maid of the hotel was well bribed to help him in his design. By chance, however, the first boot which was procured for him was a new one and, therefore, useless for his purpose. He then had it returned and obtained another-a most instructive incident, since it proved conclusively to my mind that we were dealing with a real hound, as no other supposition could explain this anxiety to obtain an old boot and this indifference to a new one. The more outre outre and grotesque an incident is the more carefully it deserves to be examined, and the very point which appears to complicate a case is, when duly considered and scientifically handled, the one which is most likely to elucidate it. and grotesque an incident is the more carefully it deserves to be examined, and the very point which appears to complicate a case is, when duly considered and scientifically handled, the one which is most likely to elucidate it.

"Then we had the visit from our friends next morning, shadowed always by Stapleton in the cab. From his knowledge of our rooms and of my appearance, as well as from his general conduct, I am inclined to think that Stapleton's career of crime has been by no means limited to this single Baskerville affair. It is suggestive that during the last three years there have been four considerable burglaries in the west country, for none of which was any criminal ever arrested. The last of these, at Folkestone Court, in May, was remarkable for the cold-blooded pistolling of the page, who surprised the masked and solitary burglar. I cannot doubt that Stapleton recruited his waning resources in this fashion, and that for years he has been a desperate and dangerous man.

"We had an example of his readiness of resource that morning when he got away from us so successfully, and also of his audacity in sending back my own name to me through the cabman. From that moment he understood that I had taken over the case in London, and that therefore there was no chance for him there. He returned to Dartmoor and awaited the arrival of the baronet."

"One moment!" said I. "You have, no doubt, described the sequence of events correctly, but there is one point which you have left unexplained. What became of the hound when its master was in London?"

"I have given some attention to this matter and it is undoubtedly of importance. There can be no question that Stapleton had a confidant, though it is unlikely that he ever placed himself in his power by sharing all his plans with him. There was an old manservant at Merripit House, whose name was Anthony. His connection with the Stapletons can be traced for several years, as far back as the schoolmastering days, so that he must have been aware that his master and mistress were really husband and wife. This man has disappeared and has escaped from the country. It is suggestive that Anthony is not a common name in England, while Antonio is so in all Spanish or Spanish-American countries. The man, like Mrs. Stapleton herself, spoke good English, but with a curious lisping accent. I have myself seen this old man cross the Grimpen Mire by the path which Stapleton had marked out. It is very probable, therefore, that in the absence of his master it was he who cared for the hound, though he may never have known the purpose for which the beast was used.

"The Stapletons then went down to Devonshire, whither they were soon followed by Sir Henry and you. One word now as to how I stood myself at that time. It may possibly recur to your memory that when I examined the paper upon which the printed words were fastened I made a close inspection for the water-mark. In doing so I held it within a few inches of my eyes, and was conscious of a faint smell of the scent known as white jessamine. There are seventy-five perfumes, which it is very necessary that a criminal expert should be able to distinguish from each other, and cases have more than once within my own experience depended upon their prompt recognition. The scent suggested the presence of a lady, and already my thoughts began to turn towards the Stapletons. Thus I had made certain of the hound, and had guessed at the criminal before ever we went to the west country.

"It was my game to watch Stapleton. It was evident, however, that I could not do this if I were with you, since he would be keenly on his guard. I deceived everybody, therefore, yourself included, and I came down secretly when I was supposed to be in London. My hardships were not so great as you imagined, though such trifling details must never interfere with the investigation of a case. I stayed for the most part at Coombe Tracey, and only used the hut upon the moor when it was necessary to be near the scene of action. Cartwright had come down with me, and in his disguise as a country boy he was of great a.s.sistance to me. I was dependent upon him for food and clean linen. When I was watching Stapleton, Cartwright was frequently watching you, so that I was able to keep my hand upon all the strings.

"I have already told you that your reports reached me rapidly, being forwarded instantly from Baker Street to Coombe Tracey. They were of great service to me, and especially that one incidentally truthful piece of biography of Stapleton's. I was able to establish the ident.i.ty of the man and the woman and knew at last exactly how I stood. The case had been considerably complicated through the incident of the escaped convict and the relations between him and the Barrymores. This also you cleared up in a very effective way, though I had already come to the same conclusions from my own observations.

"By the time that you discovered me upon the moor I had a complete knowledge of the whole business, but I had not a case which could go to a jury. Even Stapleton's attempt upon Sir Henry that night which ended in the death of the unfortunate convict did not help us much in proving murder against our man. There seemed to be no alternative but to catch him red-handed, and to do so we had to use Sir Henry, alone and apparently unprotected, as a bait. We did so, and at the cost of a severe shock to our client we succeeded in completing our case and driving Stapleton to his destruction. That Sir Henry should have been exposed to this is, I must confess, a reproach to my management of the case, but we had no means of foreseeing the terrible and paralyzing spectacle which the beast presented, nor could we predict the fog which enabled him to burst upon us at such short notice. We succeeded in our object at a cost which both the specialist and Dr. Mortimer a.s.sure me will be a temporary one. A long journey may enable our friend to recover not only from his shattered nerves but also from his wounded feelings. His love for the lady was deep and sincere, and to him the saddest part of all this black business was that he should have been deceived by her.

"It only remains to indicate the part which she had played throughout. There can be no doubt that Stapleton exercised an influence over her which may have been love or may have been fear, or very possibly both, since they are by no means incompatible emotions. It was, at least, absolutely effective. At his command she consented to pa.s.s as his sister, though he found the limits of his power over her when he endeavoured to make her the direct accessory to murder. She was ready to warn Sir Henry so far as she could without implicating her husband, and again and again she tried to do so. Stapleton himself seems to have been capable of jealousy, and when he saw the baronet paying court to the lady, even though it was part of his own plan, still he could not help interrupting with a pa.s.sionate outburst which revealed the fiery soul which his self-contained manner so cleverly concealed. By encouraging the intimacy he made it certain that Sir Henry would frequently come to Merripit House and that he would sooner or later get the opportunity which he desired. On the day of the crisis, however, his wife turned suddenly against him. She had learned something of the death of the convict, and she knew that the hound was being kept in the outhouse on the evening that Sir Henry was coming to dinner. She taxed her husband with his intended crime, and a furious scene followed in which he showed her for the first time that she had a rival in his love. Her fidelity turned in an instant to bitter hatred, and he saw that she would betray him. He tied her up, therefore, that she might have no chance of warning Sir Henry, and he hoped, no doubt, that when the whole countryside put down the baronet's death to the curse of his family, as they certainly would do, he could win his wife back to accept an accomplished fact and to keep silent upon what she knew. In this I fancy that in any case he made a miscalculation, and that, if we had not been there, his doom would none the less have been sealed. A woman of Spanish blood does not condone such an injury so lightly. And now, my dear Watson, without referring to my notes, I cannot give you a more detailed account of this curious case. I do not know that anything essential has been left unexplained."

"He could not hope to frighten Sir Henry to death as he had done the old uncle with his bogie hound."

"The beast was savage and half-starved. If its appearance did not frighten its victim to death, at least it would paralyze the resistance which might be offered."

"No doubt. There only remains one difficulty. If Stapleton came into the succession, how could he explain the fact that he, the heir, had been living unannounced under another name so close to the property? How could he claim it without causing suspicion and inquiry?"

"It is a formidable difficulty, and I fear that you ask too much when you expect me to solve it. The past and the present are within the field of my inquiry, but what a man may do in the future is a hard question to answer. Mrs. Stapleton has heard her husband discuss the problem on several occasions. There were three possible courses. He might claim the property from South America, establish his ident.i.ty before the British authorities there, and so obtain the fortune without ever coming to England at all; or he might adopt an elaborate disguise during the short time that he need be in London; or, again, he might furnish an accomplice with the proofs and papers, putting him in as heir, and retaining a claim upon some proportion of his income. We cannot doubt from what we know of him that he would have found some way out of the difficulty. And now, my dear Watson, we have had some weeks of severe work, and for one evening, I think, we may turn our thoughts into more pleasant channels. I have a box for 'Les Huguenots,'he Have you heard the De Reszkes? Have you heard the De Reszkes?35 Might I trouble you then to be ready in half an hour, and we can stop at Marcini's for a little dinner on the way?" Might I trouble you then to be ready in half an hour, and we can stop at Marcini's for a little dinner on the way?"

ENDNOTES.

1 (p. 14) (p. 14) Thomas Carlyle: Thomas Carlyle: This great Scottish essayist and historian, born in 1795, first gained prominence by publishing a history of the French Revolution in 1837. His highly unorthodox style puzzled and enraged many readers but inspired many more. He died on February 4, 1881, days before Watson and Holmes met. This great Scottish essayist and historian, born in 1795, first gained prominence by publishing a history of the French Revolution in 1837. His highly unorthodox style puzzled and enraged many readers but inspired many more. He died on February 4, 1881, days before Watson and Holmes met.

2 (p. 19) (p. 19) Gaboriau . . . Lecoq: Gaboriau . . . Lecoq: French author emile Gaboriau (1832-1873) was the creator of the detective novel. Between 1866 and 1869 he wrote five such works in which his detective, the simple Monsieur Lecoq, solves a host of baffling crimes. French author emile Gaboriau (1832-1873) was the creator of the detective novel. Between 1866 and 1869 he wrote five such works in which his detective, the simple Monsieur Lecoq, solves a host of baffling crimes.

3 (p. 19) (p. 19) even a Scotland Yard official can see through it: even a Scotland Yard official can see through it: This remark is not as sarcastic as it may appear. Scotland Yard, a nickname for the London Metropolitan Police, had not yet gained its reputation for crime investigation. That came later, partly as a result of adopting the scientific techniques of Sherlock Holmes. Scotland Yard is so named because the building in which the service was housed was once the site of the home of Scottish kings when they visited London. This remark is not as sarcastic as it may appear. Scotland Yard, a nickname for the London Metropolitan Police, had not yet gained its reputation for crime investigation. That came later, partly as a result of adopting the scientific techniques of Sherlock Holmes. Scotland Yard is so named because the building in which the service was housed was once the site of the home of Scottish kings when they visited London.

4 (p. 22) (p. 22) Cremona fiddles and the difference between a Stradivarius and an Amati: Cremona fiddles and the difference between a Stradivarius and an Amati: For three generations, the Amati family of Cremona, beginning with Andrea (c.1510-c.1578) and extending through his grandson Nicol (1596-1684) were celebrated violin makers. Together with Nicol's pupils, Antonio Stradivari (c.1644-1737) and Andrea Guarneri (c.1626-1698), they created what are still considered the finest violins and violas ever made. Cremona is synonymous with great string instruments. For three generations, the Amati family of Cremona, beginning with Andrea (c.1510-c.1578) and extending through his grandson Nicol (1596-1684) were celebrated violin makers. Together with Nicol's pupils, Antonio Stradivari (c.1644-1737) and Andrea Guarneri (c.1626-1698), they created what are still considered the finest violins and violas ever made. Cremona is synonymous with great string instruments.

5 (p. 27) (p. 27) "They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains": "They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains": A common corruption of Thomas Carlyle's well-known saying, from his A common corruption of Thomas Carlyle's well-known saying, from his History of Friedrich II of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great History of Friedrich II of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great (1858-1865), book 4, chapter 3: " 'Genius' (which means transcendent capacity of taking trouble, first of all)." By quoting this saying Holmes revealed that, for whatever reason, he misled Watson when he pretended to be ignorant of Carlyle's very existence. As Carlyle was the leading British man of letters of his day, no educated man of the time could have been unaware of his importance. In addition, as Carlyle's death had occurred just weeks before the conversation about him that Watson records, Holmes certainly would have read about him in the newspapers he so regularly devoured. (1858-1865), book 4, chapter 3: " 'Genius' (which means transcendent capacity of taking trouble, first of all)." By quoting this saying Holmes revealed that, for whatever reason, he misled Watson when he pretended to be ignorant of Carlyle's very existence. As Carlyle was the leading British man of letters of his day, no educated man of the time could have been unaware of his importance. In addition, as Carlyle's death had occurred just weeks before the conversation about him that Watson records, Holmes certainly would have read about him in the newspapers he so regularly devoured.

6 (p. 30) (p. 30) Halle's concert: Halle's concert: From 1861 until his death in 1895, pianist and conductor Charles Halle gave a series of seasonal concerts in London that included piano recitals, operatic performances, and symphony orchestras. He was knighted in 1888. From 1861 until his death in 1895, pianist and conductor Charles Halle gave a series of seasonal concerts in London that included piano recitals, operatic performances, and symphony orchestras. He was knighted in 1888.

7 (p. 30) (p. 30) Norman Neruda Norman Neruda: Born in Germany, Wilhelmine Neruda (1839-1911) was a musical prodigy as a child. She gave her first violin recital at the age of six, then toured Europe three years later, when she made her London debut. After she married Swedish composer Ludwig Norman, she used the name Norman-Neruda. After Norman's death, she married Sir Charles Halle, with whom she played many concerts. She retired upon his death in 1895, but resumed her career again in 1898.

8 (p. 36) (p. 36) Henri Murger's Henri Murger's Vie de Boheme: Louis-Henri Murger (1822-1861) was among the first French writers to depict the lifestyle of young students, painters, and writers who scorned conventional mores. His Vie de Boheme: Louis-Henri Murger (1822-1861) was among the first French writers to depict the lifestyle of young students, painters, and writers who scorned conventional mores. His Scenes de la vie de boheme Scenes de la vie de boheme ( (Scenes of Bohemian Life; 1847-1849) formed the basis of Giacomo Puccini's opera La Boheme La Boheme (1896). (1896).

9 (p. 38) (p. 38) Vehmgericht . . . the Ratcliff Highway murders: Vehmgericht . . . the Ratcliff Highway murders: Every item in this list refers in some way to the history of crime. The Vehmgericht in Germany and the Carbonari in France and Italy were secret criminal tribunals, operated by "holy bands" sworn to secrecy on pain of death. Aqua tofana was a secret poison supposedly invented and used by a Sicilian woman named Tofana at the end of the seventeenth century to dispatch no fewer than 600 souls. The Marchioness de Brinvilliers was a notorious poisoner in seventeenth-century France. Charles Darwin's thesis of natural selection-the "survival of the fittest," as the philosopher Herbert Spencer put it-was sometimes popularly interpreted to describe a direct and ruthless struggle for the resources that support life, evoked by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in his line "Nature, red in tooth and claw." Thomas Malthus predicted disastrous results when populations grew faster than the food supply, which would produce strife among peoples. The last item is a series of sensational crimes the public still remembered seventy-five years later-the "7 Pear Tree Murders," which took place in 1811 on Ratcliff Highway in the East End of London. Every item in this list refers in some way to the history of crime. The Vehmgericht in Germany and the Carbonari in France and Italy were secret criminal tribunals, operated by "holy bands" sworn to secrecy on pain of death. Aqua tofana was a secret poison supposedly invented and used by a Sicilian woman named Tofana at the end of the seventeenth century to dispatch no fewer than 600 souls. The Marchioness de Brinvilliers was a notorious poisoner in seventeenth-century France. Charles Darwin's thesis of natural selection-the "survival of the fittest," as the philosopher Herbert Spencer put it-was sometimes popularly interpreted to describe a direct and ruthless struggle for the resources that support life, evoked by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in his line "Nature, red in tooth and claw." Thomas Malthus predicted disastrous results when populations grew faster than the food supply, which would produce strife among peoples. The last item is a series of sensational crimes the public still remembered seventy-five years later-the "7 Pear Tree Murders," which took place in 1811 on Ratcliff Highway in the East End of London.

10 (p. 55) (p. 55) From the Sierra Nevada . . . silence: From the Sierra Nevada . . . silence: American readers may be pardoned for raising both eyebrows at this wildly exaggerated description. Such fanciful notions of American geography were not uncommon among Europeans. d.i.c.kens sets part of American readers may be pardoned for raising both eyebrows at this wildly exaggerated description. Such fanciful notions of American geography were not uncommon among Europeans. d.i.c.kens sets part of Martin Chuzzlewit Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-1844) in the miasmal swamps a short train ride away from New York, and Puccini's lovers in (1843-1844) in the miasmal swamps a short train ride away from New York, and Puccini's lovers in Manon Lescaut Manon Lescaut (1893) wander in the deserts outside New Orleans. (1893) wander in the deserts outside New Orleans.

11 (p. 60) (p. 60) Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith (1805-1844), founder of the Mormons, was born in Palmyra, New York, where he experienced spiritual visions beginning at an early age. He established his church in Fayette, New York, in 1830 and moved west several times in search of freedom from persecution, ending up in Commerce, Illinois, which he renamed Nauvoo. After political squabbles and charges of corruption, he was murdered by a mob in 1844 at Carthage, Illinois. After Smith's death, Brigham Young (1801-1877) became leader of the Mormons. He led the migration to Utah in 1846 and 1847, established a settlement at Salt Lake City, in a state the Mormons established and called Deseret, and later became governor of Utah. Joseph Smith (1805-1844), founder of the Mormons, was born in Palmyra, New York, where he experienced spiritual visions beginning at an early age. He established his church in Fayette, New York, in 1830 and moved west several times in search of freedom from persecution, ending up in Commerce, Illinois, which he renamed Nauvoo. After political squabbles and charges of corruption, he was murdered by a mob in 1844 at Carthage, Illinois. After Smith's death, Brigham Young (1801-1877) became leader of the Mormons. He led the migration to Utah in 1846 and 1847, established a settlement at Salt Lake City, in a state the Mormons established and called Deseret, and later became governor of Utah.

12 (p. 68) (p. 68) Danite Band: Danite Band: Although such a group did exist, its activities were not nearly as sensational as those depicted here. The group existed for only a few months in 1838, and while it did retaliate against people who had run afoul of the Mormons, it was far from the bloodthirsty group portrayed in this story. Conan Doyle later apologized to the Mormons for this exaggeration when he spoke to them in Salt Lake City while on an American speaking tour. Although such a group did exist, its activities were not nearly as sensational as those depicted here. The group existed for only a few months in 1838, and while it did retaliate against people who had run afoul of the Mormons, it was far from the bloodthirsty group portrayed in this story. Conan Doyle later apologized to the Mormons for this exaggeration when he spoke to them in Salt Lake City while on an American speaking tour.

13 (p. 101) (p. 101) wounded leg. I had a Jezail bullet through it: wounded leg. I had a Jezail bullet through it: On page 7 of On page 7 of A Study in Scarlet A Study in Scarlet this bullet was said to be in Watson's shoulder. This discrepancy has fueled a minor industry of explanations, from the ingenious to the bizarre. The most probable is that Conan Doyle simply misremembered where he had located the wound. In only his second Sherlock Holmes story, he hadn't foreseen that generations of sharp-eyed devotees would scan every line for inconsistencies with the fervor of medieval scholastics explicating Holy Writ. this bullet was said to be in Watson's shoulder. This discrepancy has fueled a minor industry of explanations, from the ingenious to the bizarre. The most probable is that Conan Doyle simply misremembered where he had located the wound. In only his second Sherlock Holmes story, he hadn't foreseen that generations of sharp-eyed devotees would scan every line for inconsistencies with the fervor of medieval scholastics explicating Holy Writ.

14 (p. 114) (p. 114) a genuine Corot . . . that Salvator Rosa . . . the Bouguereau: a genuine Corot . . . that Salvator Rosa . . . the Bouguereau: This collection indicates that Sholto not only had fine taste in art, but the means to collect expensive works. Jean Baptiste Camille Corot (1796-1875) was a French landscape painter of the Barbizon School; Salvator Rosa (1615-1673), from Naples, was known for landscapes and battle scenes; Adolph William Bouguereau (1825-1905), a French painter much admired in his day, is remembered now chiefly for his sentimental renderings of mythological scenes and for his strenuous opposition to the Impressionists. This collection indicates that Sholto not only had fine taste in art, but the means to collect expensive works. Jean Baptiste Camille Corot (1796-1875) was a French landscape painter of the Barbizon School; Salvator Rosa (1615-1673), from Naples, was known for landscapes and battle scenes; Adolph William Bouguereau (1825-1905), a French painter much admired in his day, is remembered now chiefly for his sentimental renderings of mythological scenes and for his strenuous opposition to the Impressionists.

15 (p. 119) (p. 119) Holmes declares . . . sedative: Holmes declares . . . sedative: Holmes claims, probably facetiously, that Watson has reversed the dosages for these two drugs. Two drops of castor oil produce little effect, while large doses of strychnine are fatal. Holmes claims, probably facetiously, that Watson has reversed the dosages for these two drugs. Two drops of castor oil produce little effect, while large doses of strychnine are fatal.

16 (p. 138) (p. 138) Jean Paul: Jean Paul: Pen name of Johann Paul Friedrich Richter (1763-1825), German novelist who was immensely popular in the nineteenth century. Holmes refers to one of his Pen name of Johann Paul Friedrich Richter (1763-1825), German novelist who was immensely popular in the nineteenth century. Holmes refers to one of his a.n.a.lects a.n.a.lects ent.i.tled "The Grandeur of Man in His Littleness.' Richter's work was introduced to the English public by Thomas Carlyle. ent.i.tled "The Grandeur of Man in His Littleness.' Richter's work was introduced to the English public by Thomas Carlyle.

17 (p. 169) (p. 169) great mutiny: great mutiny: Also known as the Indian Mutiny and the Sepoy Mutiny or the Sepoy Rebellion, it was an uprising, in 1857 and 1858, against British rule in India. Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, who were employed by the British East India Company, ma.s.sacred the Europeans at Meerut, then joined with other Indian forces as the rebellion spread, but were eventually suppressed by British troops. Also known as the Indian Mutiny and the Sepoy Mutiny or the Sepoy Rebellion, it was an uprising, in 1857 and 1858, against British rule in India. Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, who were employed by the British East India Company, ma.s.sacred the Europeans at Meerut, then joined with other Indian forces as the rebellion spread, but were eventually suppressed by British troops.

18 (p. 176) (p. 176) After Wilson took Delhi . . . Nana Sahib made himself scarce over the frontier: After Wilson took Delhi . . . Nana Sahib made himself scarce over the frontier: Brigadier-General Archdale Wilson (1801-1874) a.s.sumed command of the Bengal Artillery after initial British losses, and did much to turn the tide in the English favor. Sir Colin Campbell (1792-1863) became commander-in-chief in India shortly after the mutiny began. Nana Sahib, adopted son of an Indian prince, was one of the Indian leaders of the mutiny. Brigadier-General Archdale Wilson (1801-1874) a.s.sumed command of the Bengal Artillery after initial British losses, and did much to turn the tide in the English favor. Sir Colin Campbell (1792-1863) became commander-in-chief in India shortly after the mutiny began. Nana Sahib, adopted son of an Indian prince, was one of the Indian leaders of the mutiny.

19 (p. 190) (p. 190) Wallenstein: Wallenstein: Bohemian statesman and general Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius von Wallenstein, duke of Friedland (1583-1634), commanded the armies of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II during the beginning of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). He was a.s.sa.s.sinated after his alienation from the Emperor. Bohemian statesman and general Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius von Wallenstein, duke of Friedland (1583-1634), commanded the armies of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II during the beginning of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). He was a.s.sa.s.sinated after his alienation from the Emperor.

20 (p. 226) (p. 226) d.u.c.h.ess of Devonshire fashion: d.u.c.h.ess of Devonshire fashion: Georgiana Spencer Cavendish (1757-1806), ancestor of Princess Diana and wife of William, fifth duke of Devonshire, was not only the leader of London's high society, but one of the most popular figures in the history of English social life. Georgiana Spencer Cavendish (1757-1806), ancestor of Princess Diana and wife of William, fifth duke of Devonshire, was not only the leader of London's high society, but one of the most popular figures in the history of English social life.

21 (p. 238) (p. 238) Hafiz: Hafiz: This (or Hafez) is the pen name for Mohammad Shams od-Din Hafez, a fourteenth-century Persian poet who was known for pa.s.sionate poems spiritualizing his ideal woman, much as Dante did for Beatrice. The name Hafez, which means "keeper," is given to one who has memorized the Koran, which he did at an early age. Scholars have not been able, however, to trace Holmes's quotation to Hafez. This (or Hafez) is the pen name for Mohammad Shams od-Din Hafez, a fourteenth-century Persian poet who was known for pa.s.sionate poems spiritualizing his ideal woman, much as Dante did for Beatrice. The name Hafez, which means "keeper," is given to one who has memorized the Koran, which he did at an early age. Scholars have not been able, however, to trace Holmes's quotation to Hafez.

22 (p. 260) (p. 260) Jackson's army . . . Hood . . . Lee: Jackson's army . . . Hood . . . Lee: Thomas Jonathan ("Stone-wall") Jackson (1824-1863), John Bell Hood (1831-1879), and Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) were generals in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Thomas Jonathan ("Stone-wall") Jackson (1824-1863), John Bell Hood (1831-1879), and Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) were generals in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.

23 (p. 271) (p. 271) Gravesend: Gravesend: Although a ship leaving London would necessarily pa.s.s Gravesend, the mention of its name here is an ironic comment on the fate of the Although a ship leaving London would necessarily pa.s.s Gravesend, the mention of its name here is an ironic comment on the fate of the Lone Star Lone Star.

24 (p. 309) (p. 309) Regency: Regency: The period between 1811 and 1820, when the prince of Wales, later George IV, was appointed regent to rule England because of the insanity of his father, George III. The period between 1811 and 1820, when the prince of Wales, later George IV, was appointed regent to rule England because of the insanity of his father, George III.

25 (p. 321) (p. 321) Palmer and Pritchard: Palmer and Pritchard: The reference is to two notorious doctors: William Palmer (1824-1856) was hanged for poisoning one of his friends, while Edward Pritchard (1825-1865) was hanged for poisoning his wife and mother-in-law. The reference is to two notorious doctors: William Palmer (1824-1856) was hanged for poisoning one of his friends, while Edward Pritchard (1825-1865) was hanged for poisoning his wife and mother-in-law.

26 (p. 482) (p. 482) Queen Anne house: Queen Anne house: Houses designed by Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) became fashionable during the reign of Anne Stuart (1665-1714), queen of England from 1702 to 1714. Houses designed by Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) became fashionable during the reign of Anne Stuart (1665-1714), queen of England from 1702 to 1714.

27 (p. 517) (p. 517) Vernet, the French artist: Vernet, the French artist: There was indeed a French artist of that name: emile Jean Horace Vernet (1789-1863) was a painter known for battle scenes. There was indeed a French artist of that name: emile Jean Horace Vernet (1789-1863) was a painter known for battle scenes.

28 (p. 518) (p. 518) the Diogenes Club: the Diogenes Club: Diogenes (412-322 B.C.), was a Greek Cynic philosopher who exhibited contempt for riches and honors, and proclaimed self-sufficiency for the individual. He was said to carry a lamp around Athens during the daytime, insisting he was searching for an honest man. The joke here is that while clubs were formed as places where men could share similar interests with other men of their cla.s.s, this club makes every man an island unto himself. Diogenes (412-322 B.C.), was a Greek Cynic philosopher who exhibited contempt for riches and honors, and proclaimed self-sufficiency for the individual. He was said to carry a lamp around Athens during the daytime, insisting he was searching for an honest man. The joke here is that while clubs were formed as places where men could share similar interests with other men of their cla.s.s, this club makes every man an island unto himself.

29 (p. 547) (p. 547) Bertillon . . . measurements: Bertillon . . . measurements: Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914), while working for the Paris police as chief of identifications in 1880, invented a system for identifying people through records of body measurements and markings. His system was later superseded by fingerprinting, but for a decade it was the most sophisticated form of identification. Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914), while working for the Paris police as chief of identifications in 1880, invented a system for identifying people through records of body measurements and markings. His system was later superseded by fingerprinting, but for a decade it was the most sophisticated form of identification.

30 (p. 579) (p. 579) Bertillon: Bertillon: See note directly above. See note directly above.

31 (p. 581) (p. 581) Clarendon: Clarendon: Edward Hyde (1609-1674), first earl of Clarendon and a Royalist statesman and historian, served as chief minister and lord chancellor, and wrote Edward Hyde (1609-1674), first earl of Clarendon and a Royalist statesman and historian, served as chief minister and lord chancellor, and wrote History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England.

32 (p. 616) (p. 616) Swan: Swan: In 1860 English chemist and physicist Sir Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914) invented a primitive electric light; in 1880 both Swan and Thomas Edison produced a practical light bulb. In 1860 English chemist and physicist Sir Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914) invented a primitive electric light; in 1880 both Swan and Thomas Edison produced a practical light bulb.

33 (p. 674) (p. 674) Kneller . . . Reynolds: Kneller . . . Reynolds: German-born Sir G.o.dfrey Kneller (1646-1723) was a court painter for Charles II, William III, and other monarchs; he became the leading portrait painter of his time. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), one of the great names in English painting, was also known for portraits. German-born Sir G.o.dfrey Kneller (1646-1723) was a court painter for Charles II, William III, and other monarchs; he became the leading portrait painter of his time. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), one of the great names in English painting, was also known for portraits.

34 (p. 675) (p. 675) Rodney . . . Baskerville . . . Pitt: Rodney . . . Baskerville . . . Pitt: British admiral George Brydges Rodney (1718-1792), won a number of important naval battles against the French, Spanish and Dutch. William Pitt (1759-1806) was prime minister for eighteen years under George III. British admiral George Brydges Rodney (1718-1792), won a number of important naval battles against the French, Spanish and Dutch. William Pitt (1759-1806) was prime minister for eighteen years under George III.

35 (p. 695) (p. 695) the De Reszkes: the De Reszkes: Jean de Reszke (1850-1925), renowned Polish tenor, was the leading singer in Paris between 1884 and 1889. He often appeared with his brother Edouard and sister Josephine. Jean de Reszke (1850-1925), renowned Polish tenor, was the leading singer in Paris between 1884 and 1889. He often appeared with his brother Edouard and sister Josephine.

COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.

In this section, we aim to provide the reader with an array of perspectives on the text, as well as questions that challenge those perspectives. The commentary has been culled from sources as diverse as reviews contemporaneous with the work, letters written by the author, literary criticism of later generations, and appreciations written throughout the history of the stories. Following the commentary, a series of questions seeks to filter Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes stories through a variety of points of view and bring about a richer understanding of these enduring works. stories through a variety of points of view and bring about a richer understanding of these enduring works.

Comments G. K. CHESTERTON.

In attempting to reach the genuine psychological reason for the popularity of detective stories, it is necessary to rid ourselves of many mere phrases. It is not true, for example, that the populace prefer bad literature to good, and accept detective stories because they are bad literature. The mere absence of artistic subtlety does not make a book popular. Bradshaw's Railway Guide contains a few gleams of psychological comedy, yet it is not read aloud uproariously on winter evenings. If detective stories are read with more exuberance than railway guides, it is certainly because they are more artistic. Many good books have fortunately been popular; many bad books, still more fortunately, have been unpopular. A good detective story would probably be even more popular than a bad one. The trouble in this matter is that many people do not realize that there is such a thing as a good detective story; it is to them like speaking of a good devil. To write a story about a burglary is, in their eyes, a sort of spiritual manner of committing it. To persons of somewhat weak sensibility this is natural enough; it must be confessed that many detective stories are as full of sensational crime as one of Shakespeare's plays.

There is, however, between a good detective story and a bad detective story as much, or, rather more, difference than there is between a good epic and a bad one. Not only is a detective story a perfectly legitimate form of art, but it has certain definite and real advantages as an agent of the public weal. . . .

The narrowest street possesses, in every crook and twist of its intention, the soul of the man who built it, perhaps long in his grave. Every brick has as human a hieroglyph as if it were a graven brick of Babylon; every slate on the roof is as educational a doc.u.ment as if it were a slate covered with addition and subtraction sums. Anything which tends, even under the fantastic form of the minutiae of Sherlock Holmes, to a.s.sert this romance of detail in civilization, to emphasize this unfathomably human character in flints and tiles, is a good thing.

-from The Defendant The Defendant (1901) (1901)

THE ATHENaeUM.

The work that has made this author popular is the series of tales, admirable in their way, a.s.sociated with Sherlock Holmes, a character, as is now generally known, imitated from Poe. Sherlock Holmes has so seized the popular ear that he almost alone of the abundance of men and women provided by living authors supplies a familiar reference used everywhere, an ineffaceable part of the English language. Such impression of a figure on the public is an achievement of the rarest (it is only equalled, as far as we recall at the moment, by the case of Jekyll and Hyde), but in this case it is an achievement which has little to do with letters.

-January 9, 1904

ANDREW LANG.

The idea of Sherlock is the idea of Zadig in Voltaire's conte conte, and of d'Artagnan exploring the duel in "Le Vicomte de Bragelonne," and of Poe's Dupin, and of Monsieur Lecoq; but Sir Arthur handles the theme with ingenuity always fresh and fertile; we may constantly count on him to mystify and amuse us. . . . If we are puzzled and amused we get as much as we want, and, unless our culture is very precious, we are are puzzled and amused. The puzzled and amused. The roman policier roman policier is not the roof and crown of the art of fiction, and we do not rate Sherlock Holmes among the masterpieces of the human intelligence; but many persons of note, like Bismarck and Moltke, are known to have been fond of Gaboriau's tales. In these, to be sure, there really is a good deal of character of a sort; and there are some entertaining scoundrels and pleasant irony in the detective novels of Xavier de Montepin and Fortune du Boisgobey, sonorous names that might have been borne by crusaders! But the adventures of Sherlock are too brief to permit much study of character. The thing becomes a formula, and we can imagine little variation, unless Sherlock falls in love, or Watson detects him in blackmailing a bishop. This moral error might plausibly be set down to that overindulgence in cocaine which never interferes with Sherlock's physical training or intellectual acuteness. Sir Arthur writes in one of his prefaces:- is not the roof and crown of the art of fiction, and we do not rate Sherlock Holmes among the masterpieces of the human intelligence; but many persons of note, like Bismarck and Moltke, are known to have been fond of Gaboriau's tales. In these, to be sure, there really is a good deal of character of a sort; and there are some entertaining scoundrels and pleasant irony in the detective novels of Xavier de Montepin and Fortune du Boisgobey, sonorous names that might have been borne by crusaders! But the adventures of Sherlock are too brief to permit much study of character. The thing becomes a formula, and we can imagine little variation, unless Sherlock falls in love, or Watson detects him in blackmailing a bishop. This moral error might plausibly be set down to that overindulgence in cocaine which never interferes with Sherlock's physical training or intellectual acuteness. Sir Arthur writes in one of his prefaces:- I can well imagine that some of my critics may express surprise that in an edition of my works from which I have rigorously excluded all that my literary conscience rejects, I should retain stories which are cast in this primitive and conventional form. My own feeling upon the subject is that all forms of literature, however humble, are legitimate if the writer is satisfied that he has done them to the highest of his power. To take an a.n.a.logy from a kindred art, the composer may range from the oratorio to the comic song and be ashamed of neither so long as his work in each is as honest as he can make it. It is insincere work, scamped work, work which is consciously imitative, which a man should suppress before time saves him the trouble. As to work which is unconsciously imitative, it is not to be expected that a man's style and mode of treatment should spring fully formed from his own brain. The most that he can hope is that as he advances the outside influences should decrease and his own point of view become clearer and more distinctive.Edgar Allan Poe, who, in his carelessly prodigal fashion, threw out the seeds from which so many of our present forms of literature have sprung, was the father of the detective tale, and covered its limits so completely that I fail to see how his followers can find any fresh ground which they can confidently call their own. For the secret of the thinness and also of the intensity of the detective story is that the writer is left with only one quality, that of intellectual acuteness, with which to endow his hero. Everything else is outside the picture and weakens the effect. The problem and its solution must form the theme, and the character-drawing be limited and subordinate. On this narrow path the writer must walk, and he sees the footmarks of Poe always in front of him. He is happy if he ever finds the means of breaking away and striking out on some little side-track of his own.Not much more is left to be said by the most captious reviewer. A novelist writes to please; and if his work pleases, as it undeniably does, a great number and variety of his fellow-citizens, why should his literary conscience reject it? If Poe had written more stories about Dupin-his Sherlock Holmes-and not so many about corpses and people buried alive, he would be a more agreeable author.-from Quarterly Review Quarterly Review (July 1904) (July 1904) Questions 1. Raymond Chandler, the author of hard-boiled detective novels, wrote, "Sherlock Holmes is after all mostly an att.i.tude and a few dozen lines of unforgettable dialogue." Is Chandler being fair? If not, how? 1. Raymond Chandler, the author of hard-boiled detective novels, wrote, "Sherlock Holmes is after all mostly an att.i.tude and a few dozen lines of unforgettable dialogue." Is Chandler being fair? If not, how?2. How do you explain the continuous popularity of the Holmes stories? They are not very realistic, after all.3. Would it be possible to write detective stories featuring characters like Holmes and Watson, but set in New York or Chicago or San Francisco in the twenty-first century?4. In A Study in Scarlet A Study in Scarlet America is described as lawless and violent, politically, domestically, and s.e.xually-even the landscape is violent and inhospitable. This lawlessness is imported by Americans into England, as exemplified by the scene of the crime, where the evidence is radically unrelated and violently disordered. The circ.u.mstances in America is described as lawless and violent, politically, domestically, and s.e.xually-even the landscape is violent and inhospitable. This lawlessness is imported by Americans into England, as exemplified by the scene of the crime, where the evidence is radically unrelated and violently disordered. The circ.u.mstances in The Sign of Four The Sign of Four are similar, but instead of America the setting is India, at the time a British colony. Luckily, Holmes is around to save the day. Are there variations of this framework in the stories? What was going on in Britain at the end of the nineteenth century to make it relevant? are similar, but instead of America the setting is India, at the time a British colony. Luckily, Holmes is around to save the day. Are there variations of this framework in the stories? What was going on in Britain at the end of the nineteenth century to make it relevant?

FOR FURTHER READING.

Other Works by Arthur Conan Doyle Fiction The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard. London: George Newnes, 1896. Among the most popular books Doyle ever wrote, this is an account of an officer in Napoleon's army who could be a precursor to Inspector Clouseau, the b.u.mbling Peter Sellers character. London: George Newnes, 1896. Among the most popular books Doyle ever wrote, this is an account of an officer in Napoleon's army who could be a precursor to Inspector Clouseau, the b.u.mbling Peter Sellers character.

The Land of Mist. London: Hutchinson, 1926. Those interested in Doyle's thoughts about spiritualism will want to read this novel. London: Hutchinson, 1926. Those interested in Doyle's thoughts about spiritualism will want to read this novel.

The Lost World. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1912. Still in print and the subject of more than one film, this novel featuring dinosaurs of all stripes is likely to remain Doyle's most popular work after the Holmes stories. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1912. Still in print and the subject of more than one film, this novel featuring dinosaurs of all stripes is likely to remain Doyle's most popular work after the Holmes stories.

Micah Clarke. London: Longmans, Green, 1889. This non-Holmesian work was Doyle's first historical novel, and one for which Oscar Wilde expressed enthusiasm. London: Longmans, Green, 1889. This non-Holmesian work was Doyle's first historical novel, and one for which Oscar Wilde expressed enthusiasm.

The Stark Munro Letters. London: Longmans, Green, 1895. This autobiographical novel is worth reading if only for the bizarre but fascinating account it gives of Doyle's friend and betrayer, George Budd, fictionalized as Cullingworth. London: Longmans, Green, 1895. This autobiographical novel is worth reading if only for the bizarre but fascinating account it gives of Doyle's friend and betrayer, George Budd, fictionalized as Cullingworth.

Nonfiction The History of Spiritualism. London: Ca.s.sell, 1926. Reflecting Doyle's most pa.s.sionate concern, this book is more revealing than his autobiography. London: Ca.s.sell, 1926. Reflecting Doyle's most pa.s.sionate concern, this book is more revealing than his autobiography.

Memories and Adventures. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1924; second edition, London: John Murray, 1930. This autobiography gives a surface account of the many colorful adventures Doyle lived but does not invite the reader into the workshop of his soul. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1924; second edition, London: John Murray, 1930. This autobiography gives a surface account of the many colorful adventures Doyle lived but does not invite the reader into the workshop of his soul.

Through the Magic Door. London: Smith, Elder, 1907. This justification of the Western cla.s.sics describes the books in Doyle's personal library and what they have meant to him; it contains some very fine writing. London: Smith, Elder, 1907. This justification of the Western cla.s.sics describes the books in Doyle's personal library and what they have meant to him; it contains some very fine writing.

Biography Lellenberg, Jon L., ed. The Quest for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Thirteen Biographers in Search of a Life. The Quest for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Thirteen Biographers in Search of a Life. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1987. A good biography with an introduction by Doyle's daughter, Dame Jean Conan Doyle. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1987. A good biography with an introduction by Doyle's daughter, Dame Jean Conan Doyle.

Nordon, Pierre. Conan Doyle: A Biography. Conan Doyle: A Biography. Translated from the French by Frances Partridge. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1966. A biography written at a time when access to private, unpublished material was not legally restricted. Translated from the French by Frances Partridge. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1966. A biography written at a time when access to private, unpublished material was not legally restricted.

Pearson, Hesketh. Conan Doyle: His Life and Art. Conan Doyle: His Life and Art. New York: Taplinger, 1977. Brief, but highly entertaining. New York: Taplinger, 1977. Brief, but highly entertaining.

Stashower, Daniel. Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle. Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle. New York: Henry Holt, 1999. A big, handsome volume that takes advantage of all the previously collected material. New York: Henry Holt, 1999. A big, handsome volume that takes advantage of all the previously collected material.

Criticism Baring-Gould, William S., ed The Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Four Novels and the Fifty-six Short Stories Complete. The Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Four Novels and the Fifty-six Short Stories Complete. With an introduction, notes, and bibliography by Baring-Gould. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, 1968. If exact and minute detail is what you're after, you will find it to your heart's content in this ma.s.sive two-volume edition. Baring-Gould and a host of subeditors combed every piece of published material about the stories and did some research of their own in compiling details about when and where every story was published, identifications of all the real people and places in the canon, speculations about the models for some of the fictional ones, historical information, opinions from doctors about Watson's medical p.r.o.nouncements, comparisons of things like weather, phases of the moon, and train schedules in the stories to the historical ones-no, there was no 9:13 train that night, but there was one at 9:15-and attempts to establish the internal dates of all the stories. With an introduction, notes, and bibliography by Baring-Gould. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, 1968. If exact and minute detail is what you're after, you will find it to your heart's content in this ma.s.sive two-volume edition. Baring-Gould and a host of subeditors combed every piece of published material about the stories and did some research of their own in compiling details about when and where every story was published, identifications of all the real people and places in the canon, speculations about the models for some of the fictional ones, historical information, opinions from doctors about Watson's medical p.r.o.nouncements, comparisons of things like weather, phases of the moon, and train schedules in the stories to the historical ones-no, there was no 9:13 train that night, but there was one at 9:15-and attempts to establish the internal dates of all the stories.

Dakin, D. Martin. A Sherlock Holmes Commentary. A Sherlock Holmes Commentary. Newton Abbot, UK: David and Charles, 1972. Packed full of rewarding material. Newton Abbot, UK: David and Charles, 1972. Packed full of rewarding material.

Green, Richard Lancelyn, ed. The Uncollected Sherlock Holmes. The Uncollected Sherlock Holmes. Harmondsworth, UK: Penguin, 1983. Contains all of Doyle's writings about Sherlock Holmes, as well as comments of others such as J. M. Barrie. Harmondsworth, UK: Penguin, 1983. Contains all of Doyle's writings about Sherlock Holmes, as well as comments of others such as J. M. Barrie.

---. The Sherlock Holmes Letters. The Sherlock Holmes Letters. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1986. Republishes a collection of public letters from readers about the stories. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1986. Republishes a collection of public letters from readers about the stories.

Hardwick, Michael. The Complete Guide to Sherlock Holmes. The Complete Guide to Sherlock Holmes. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1986. Solves many mysteries and satisfies many curiosities. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1986. Solves many mysteries and satisfies many curiosities.

Shreffler, P. A. The Baker Street Reader: Cornerstone Writings about Sherlock Holmes. The Baker Street Reader: Cornerstone Writings about Sherlock Holmes. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1984. A collection of essays. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1984. A collection of essays.

Other Works Cited in the General Introduction Doyle, Arthur Conan. Arthur Conan Doyle: Letters to the Press. Arthur Conan Doyle: Letters to the Press. Edited by John Michael Gibson and Richard Lancelyn Green. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1986. Edited by John Michael Gibson and Richard Lancelyn Green. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1986.

Hoving, Thomas. Tutankhamun: The Untold Story. Tutankhamun: The Untold Story. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978.

Other Works Cited in the Introduction to Volume I Carr, John d.i.c.kson. The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. New York: Harper, 1949. New York: Harper, 1949.

Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. The Hound of the Baskervilles. Edited and with an introduction by W. W. Robson. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Edited and with an introduction by W. W. Robson. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.