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vivdunstanOn to the next short story, and I'm going to discuss it with some major spoilers in there. So into the This is one of the shorter canon stories, and relatively slight in its content. It revolves around the identify of a mysterious man, which Holmes figures out fairly quickly. Along the way are technical discussions of using typewritten text as evidence, and also further demonstrations of Holmes's superb powers of observation. Interestingly Watson is also attempting to hone his skills in this area. Holmes is quite condescending re his success, but Watson does IMHO make a good attempt at it.
Significantly this is one of those Holmes stories where the ending is mixed in its success. The villain is unmasked, and foiled in their plot. But free to get away, and pursue more criminal activity, as Holmes expects them to do. Nor does the victim find the answers they seek.
I did like the callbacks to previous cases, especially the gifts that Holmes had received for recent detecting work, including in "A Scandal in Bohemia". Which this story specifically cites as one where Holmes was outwitted. Though I found its outcome more satisfying than this one's.
Again no mention of the police, except a criminal's relief that Holmes is _not_ one of the police.
And a rather different type of client for Holmes, who is well depicted, and interesting in herself. As well as representative of another group of British society in this era, young unmarried females, who need to work in some capacity to keep themselves. In this case the young lady makes sufficient money from typing. A very modern technology for the story's time. And of course one that the story uses in other ways.
So a rather slight Holmes story, but many interesting elements nevertheless.
Significantly this is one of those Holmes stories where the ending is mixed in its success. The villain is unmasked, and foiled in their plot. But free to get away, and pursue more criminal activity, as Holmes expects them to do. Nor does the victim find the answers they seek.
I did like the callbacks to previous cases, especially the gifts that Holmes had received for recent detecting work, including in "A Scandal in Bohemia". Which this story specifically cites as one where Holmes was outwitted. Though I found its outcome more satisfying than this one's.
Again no mention of the police, except a criminal's relief that Holmes is _not_ one of the police.
And a rather different type of client for Holmes, who is well depicted, and interesting in herself. As well as representative of another group of British society in this era, young unmarried females, who need to work in some capacity to keep themselves. In this case the young lady makes sufficient money from typing. A very modern technology for the story's time. And of course one that the story uses in other ways.
So a rather slight Holmes story, but many interesting elements nevertheless.