Sherlock Holmes Test

John Clay

A criminal who disguised himself as Vincent Spaulding -The Red-Headed League

Mr. Victor Hatherley

Asked to come look at a machine; gets thumb cut off. -The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb

Sherlock Holmes is believed to be dead

Both the title of the story and the tone of the opening paragraph make it obvious that Sherlock Holmes is no longer practicing as a detective. Why is this?

Mr. Hilton Cubitt

Comes to Holmes after some drawings scare his wife. -The Adventure of the Dancing Men

Helen Stoner

Comes to Holmes fearing for her life -The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Very tall and muscular, dressed in fine clothes, wears a mask, wants to meet in secret, has a German accent, says a noble/royal family employs him, wishes to be a mystery.

Describe 'Count Von Kramm.'

He was striding (confident), tall, handsome, wearing a Panama hat, and "swaggered up the path as if the place belonged to him." (pg 195)

Describe Abe Slaney as he walked up to the home.

Elsie sent a note asking Abe to come. They talked through the window and she bribed him to leave. Abe and Mr. Cubitt shot at each other. Cubitt missed, hit the window. Abe killed Mr. Cubitt and left. Mrs. Cubitt shot herself.

Describe Abe's explanation of the early morning events.

He's so tall his hat touches the doorframe, he's evil-looking, has a hunting crop, long frock coat, and high gaiters (goes over shoes/pants.)

Describe Dr. Roylott when he comes to see Holmes and Watson.

Moriarty just showed up, making Holmes nervous. He tells Holmes he knows he's following him and warns him to stop. He threatens to kill him if he doesn't. Holmes cooly replies that he has business to attend to.

Describe the conversation between Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes.

Hilton got his gun and wanted to go after him. Elsie said to go back to bed and says that if it's bothering him, they could run off and travel.

Describe the night that Hilton and Elsie saw the strange man doing the drawings.

Mr. Wilson's assistant, "Vincent Spaulding" is actually a criminal named John Clay. "Duncan Ross" hired Wilson for Red-Headed League

Describe the two people who enter the room from the hole in the floor? Do you recognize them?

He has to copy the encyclopedia from 10am-2pm. If he leaves the office he loses his position forever.

Describe the work Mr. Wilson must do for the League. What exactly is it? When must he do it? What is supposedly the purpose? What happens if he leaves the office during working hours?

He finds there is no gun powder or stains on Mrs. Cubitt's hands, there are 4 bullets in the gun, one in her, one in him, and a 7th bullet in the window, so another gun was used. Someone must have opened the door/window to make the smoke spread.

Describe what evidence Holmes finds in the study to prove that a third person was in the room.

They will go to Briony Lodge to see Irene. Holmes will go in, Watson will wait for a sign and then yell fire. He'll throw in a smoke-rocket and then they'll meet at the end of the street.

Explain the plan between Holmes and Watson.

"Elsie" "Am here Abe Slaney" "Prepare to meet thy God." (death threat)

Explain what some of the coded messages said to Elsie Cubitt.

Mr. Jabez Wilson

Fiery red hair, stout, pompous, gets a job from being red-headed. Red-Headed League

Irene Adler

Had a secret relationship with the King of Bohemia. -A Scandal in Bohemia

He worked for him for a month, worked for half wages, answered a newspaper ad for the job. He's small, stout, has no facial hair, has an acid scar, and pierced ears (like a gypsy).

Holmes begins to question Mr. Wilson about his assistant. List some of the things that he learns.

Clay wanted to keep Wilson away from the store. He was digging a tunnel so he could rob the bank. They weren't worried about keeping Mr. Wilson away any longer, meaning the tunnel was done, they could rob the bank, and make a getaway.

Holmes explains to Watson how he guessed the truth. What was the purpose of Clay's hiring Mr. Wilson to copy the Encyclopedia? What was Clay doing in the cellar? How did Holmes know Clay would attempt to rob the bank that night?

He does manual labor, takes snuff, is a Freemason, has been to China, and does a lot of writing. Holmes knows by the size of Wilson's hand, his breastpin, his sleeves, his tattoo, and a coin he has. Wilson questioned Holmes. Watson watches Holmes to understand his deduction.

Holmes lists the "obvious facts" that he deduces from Mr. Wilson's appearance. What are they and how did Holmes know? How does Mr. Wilson react to Holmes's findings? Watson?

Dr. Watson

Holmes's companion; a doctor -In all stories

Professor Moriarty

Holmes's enemy; his intellectual equal -The Final Problem

They were supposed to be married, but she wanted to get away from the criminal lifestyle. She met Mr. Cubitt, married him, and stayed in England.

How did Abe Slaney know Elsie Cubitt and why did she not want to be with him?

He acts afraid, wants the shutters closed, and looks paler and thinner than usual.

How did Holmes behave when he came into Watson's consulting-room?

He went to her home helped the guys who take care of the horses, and asked for information about her. She is beautiful, she has a quiet life, sings at concerts, goes out at 5 every day/returns at 7pm, has 1 male visitor (Godfrey Norton) daily. He is a lawyer.

How did Holmes get all his information? What are some things he learned about Irene Adler?

He asks Watson if he's planning to invest in South African securities. He tells him how he figured that out.

How does Sherlock Holmes yet again surprise Watson with his great observing eye?

"the face of the most beautiful of women, and the mind of the most resolute of men." pg 10

How does the King describe Irene Adler?

She is about to be married and is sleeping in the same room.

How is Helen Stoner's present situation in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" similar to that of the murder victim's?

It shows Julia had probably heard something and was going to investigate.

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," what does Helen's description of the burnt match and the matchbox in Julia Stoner's hand reveal to Holmes and Watson about the events leading to her death?

They are afraid of the wild animals that roam the estate.

In "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," what reason does Helen Stoner give about why she and her late sister had locked their bedroom doors at night?

Made no noise during the murder or the horse's disappearance.

Scene: The Dog:

Was locked

Scene: The Door:

Was drugged (in his food) and fell asleep.

Scene: The Stable Boy:

Meals get passed through the window.

Scene: The Window:

Sherlock Holmes

Solves mysteries; is a detective -In all stories

Dead from a blow to the head.

Straker: His condition when found:

1 am

Straker: Time he left house:

HIs mackintosh (raincoat).

Straker: What he brought:

Appears at night near King's Pyland stables, starts asking about horses.

Stranger's Actions:

Fitzroy Simpson

Stranger's Name:

Gathering info about horses in an upcoming race.

Stranger's Purpose:

He has fiery red hair, is stout, red-faced, pompous, slow, wears baggy pants, sloppy clothes, and a heavy chain. Holmes is able to deduce things based on his appearance.

Watson finds Holmes with a visitor, Mr. Jabez Wilson. Give details about his appearance. Does this appearance tell anything about him as a person? Explain why or why not.

The goals are propagation and spread of red-heads, as well as providing them with income.

What are some of the goals of the league?

Abe is the most dangerous criminal from Chicago. Wilson Hargreave of the New York Police Bureau told Holmes.

What did Holmes learn about Abe Slaney and how did he get the information?

They went downstairs, saw Mr. Cubitt dead and Mrs. Cubitt wounded. The room was full of smoke and gun powder. The window was shut and locked from the inside. They hadn't been fighting.

What did the housemaid, Mrs. Saunders, and Mrs. King, the cook, have to say about the events?

They are planning a bank robbery.

What do you think is the major crime being planned?

He suggests that he asks his wife about the drawings.

What does Holmes advise Hilton to do about the drawings of the dancing men?

The landlord has never heard of The Red-Headed League.

What does Mr. Wilson learn from the landlord?

He is a doctor

What does our narrator do for a living?

Dr. Roylott intended to kill Helen (and had killed Julia) with the snake, but he actually gets poisoned and killed by it.

What does the following statement in "The Adventure of the Speckled band" mean? Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the it which he digs for another.

He asks for the photograph of Irene.

What fee does Sherlock Holmes ask from the King of Bohemia?

A man at the house seemed worked up, left in a rush, and yelled for the cab to get to Church of St. Monica in 20 min, then Irene left and told her coachmen same church in 20 min.

What happened when Holmes was watching for Irene Adler?

-Abe Slaney was taken to prison. -Elsie Cubitt recovered physically, was a widow, and spent her life caring for the poor and administering her husband's estate.

What has happened to Abe Slaney? How about Elsie Cubitt?

She sees chalk figures drawn on the windowsill and sees another paper with drawings on a sundial in the garden. She fainted.

What has happened to Elsie since she received the letter from America?

He notices at ticket stub, which means she's arrived by train. He can tell she started out on a dog cart, because of mud splatters on her dress.

What incident in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" first shows that Sherlock Holmes is very good at interpreting clues? Offer another of Holmes's early observations, one that concerns Miss Stoner.

He is afraid she will release it or blackmail him, because he is about to be married.

What is the King afraid that Irene will do with the photograph? Why?

He wants him to get a photo back from Irene Adler, because that shows the two of them together.

What is the King in need of from Sherlock Holmes?

-Requirement: red-hair -Benefits: $4 a week

What is the only requirement needed to apply for a vacancy in the Red-Headed League? What are the benefits?

A cataract knife, curried mutton hiding opium, shoe tracks with square toes, Simpson's cravat, lame sheep, no barking, locked door, tallow candle, milliner's bill for a dress made out to William Debushire.

What items/clues did Holmes use to solve the story?

Reading, studying crime, solving mysteries

What kept Sherlock Holmes going in his daily life?

There is French gold.

What of special interest is hidden where they wait?

He wants to know what some pictures of little dancing men mean and why they are terrifying his wife.

What strange case does Mr. Hilton Cubitt bring to Holmes and Watson?

Clergyman-to trick her to be brought in the house. Drunken-looking groom-to fit in to talk to stable guys.

What two sorts of people does Sherlock Holmes disguise himself as and why?

A snake was released through a ventilator slot into the room, poisoned Julia, then was called back by Dr. Roylott. Dr. Roylott was the murderer, with the snake as the murder weapon.

What was the mystery of the speckled band? Who was the murderer?

If there is a fire, Irene will run to get the picture. Then, Sherlock will know where she keeps it so he can go back and steal it.

What was the purpose of this plan?

The "murder weapon" turns out to be a snake from India.

What, if any, significance does Dr. Roylott's interest in Indian animals have as evidence in solving the mystery?

The gypsies are a "red hering" and provide no evidence (clue intended to mislead).

What, if any, significance does the presence of gypsies in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" have as evidence in the mystery?

He says they need to leave right away.

When Holmes receives the new drawings what is his reaction?

They have both been shot. According to the servants, Mrs. Cubitt shot and killed her husband, then shot herself.

When they arrive to Thorpe Manor what is the terrible news they find out about Mr. and Mrs. Cubitt?

She got married and left England for continental Europe.

Where did Irene Adler go?

Mr. Jones-Scotland Yard Mr. Merryweather-Bank director John Clay-murderer, thief, smasher, and forger.

Who are Mr. Jones, Mr. Merryweather, and John Clay?

He marries an American named Eloise Patrick, whom he met in London at a boarding house during Jubilee. They knew each other less than a month.

Who does Hilton Cubitt marry? Explain their marriage.

Moriarty is Holmes' enemy. He's a master criminal, a genius, and has a whole network of criminals. He is Holmes's intellectual equal.

Who is Professor Moriarty?

Dr. Watson, his former roommate. He is married now.

Who is our narrator in "A Scandal in Bohemia"? Why did he leave Sherlock Holmes?

The horse killed John Straker in self-defense. Straker tried to injure the horse's tendon with a knife. The horse kicked him and he died.

Who is the murderer of John Straker?

King of Bohemia. He is not used to doing business in person. This is a delicate matter, so he wanted to do it himself rather than sending someone.

Who is the real man behind the mask? Why was he hiding who he was?

They are waiting for bank robbers so that they can arrest them.

Who specifically do you think they are waiting for? Why?

Silas Brown wanted to hide Silver Blaze until after the Wessex Cup race was over, so that the horse he trains (Deborough) could win. He found Silver Blaze wandering around.

Who was responsible for taking the horse? What was the motive?

Supposedly, he was an American millionaire with red hair. He died and wanted to give easy, good-paying jobs to men with red hair.

Why did Ezekiah Hopkins start the league? Why do you think he "had a great sympathy for all red-headed men?"

He thinks he has cracked the case and has answers to give him.

Why did Holmes and Watson not go to Norfolk right away?

He wanted to see if it looked like he'd been digging.

Why did Sherlock want to see the knees of the assistant's trousers? Why do you think he beat the pavement with his cane?

He wants to be in the neighborhood of the pawn shop, to see the assistant "by accident".

Why do you think Sherlock wants to go to the violin concert?

If Wilson joins, he won't be at his pawnshop with Spaulding.

Why do you think Spaulding wants Wilson to so badly join the league?

They no longer need to keep him out of his shop.

Why do you think the job came to a sudden end?

He wants to meet him and try to gather more clues. He walks up and down the street, looking at the buildings and pounding the pavement with his cane.

Why does Holmes pretend to be lost and ask the way of Mr. Wilson's assistant? What other odd thing does he do in front of Mr. Wilson's place of business?

Dr. Roylott is violent and has a financial motive.

Why does Holmes quickly suspect that Dr. Roylott is the criminal?

He doesn't want the criminal to know he's there.

Why does Holmes wait for a signal before returning to the scene of the crime?

She says she has a better man now and the King doesn't need to worry about her getting revenge.

Why does Irene change her mind about sending the photograph to the King's fiancée?

It is a very unusual and comical situation

Why does the situation makes Holmes and Watson burst into laughter?

She fears for her safety. Her sister died (murdered) two weeks before her wedding, and now Helen is about to get married.

Why has Helen Stoner decided to visit Sherlock Holmes at that particular time?

She thinks she will be murdered.

Why is Helen Stoner afraid when she comes to see Holmes in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band"?

He likes cases that are interesting and unusual.

Why is Sherlock Holmes interested in Helen Stoner's case?

It seemed too good to be true because it's easy work and good money (just for having red hair).

Why was Mr. Wilson surprised that the job was actually real?

Silver Blaze

Winning horse in the Wessex Cup -Silver Blaze

Grimesby Roylott

Tries to kill Helen Stoner. -The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Watson knows Holmes is not usually a nervous man, so if Holmes feels there is a physical threat, Watson believes it.

To most people, Holmes' behavior would be considered paranoid. Yet Watson, a medical doctor was concerned only for Holmes' physical safety and was not alarmed about his emotional state. Why?

John Straker

Tries to injure Silver Blaze; gets killed -Silver Blaze

Colonel Barclay

Marries Mrs. Barclay after trying to kill Henry Wood -The Crooked Man

-He works for half the wages -He develops pictures in the cellar.

Mr. Wilson is a pawnbroker, one who lends money at interest to people who give him items of personal property in exchange. What is unusual about his assistant, Vincent Spaulding? Why does he spend a lot of time in the cellar?