The Notorious Canary-Trainers
A Scion of the Baker Street Irregulars
for friends and fans of Sherlock Holmes
-- celebrating our 40th year!

Cases reviewed between April and June 2009 6/15/2009

From "The Blanched Soldier." Artist H. K. Elcock

(For other Sherlock Holmes cases we've reviewed, click here.)

APRIL 2009: THE BLANCHED SOLDIER
Wednesday, January 7 - Monday, January 12, 1903

First published in the Liberty magazine in the U.S. in October 1926 and in the Strand magazine in England a month later with five illustrations by Howard K. Elcock. Now available in "The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes."

According to Baring-Gould's 1974 chronology in his "The Annotated Sherlock Holmes," the case takes place about three and one-half months after the case of "The Red Circle" which we considered at our March meeting.

Quotes to Note:

(Holmes speaking of Watson) "A confederate who foresees your conclusions and course of action is always dangerous, but one to whom each development comes as a perpetual surprise, and to whom the future is always a closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate."

(Holmes) "I see no more than you, but I have trained myself to notice what I see."

To read the full text of this story online, go to this Web site or The Sherlockian Net.

For a Wikipedia plot summary and related links, click here.

For a commentary on this account, try this essay.

For other questions to review after reading the story -- to test yourself on how well you have observed -- check out these links:

Hounds of the Internet

The Sherlockian Net

MAY 2009: THE THREE GABLES
Tuesday, May 26 – Wednesday, May 27, 1903

First published in the Liberty magazine in the U.S. in September 1926 with six illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine in England a month later with four illustrations by Howard K. Elcock. Now available in the "Casebook of Sherlock Holmes."

According to Baring-Gould's 1974 chronology, as set down in "The Annotated Sherlock Holmes," the case takes place from Tuesday, May 26, to Wednesday, May 27, 1903. That's about four months after the case of "The Blanched Soldier" which we considered at our April meeting.

Quotes to Note:

(Holmes)"I am not the law, but I represent justice so far as my feeble powers go."

(Susan to Holmes) "I'll see you in hell first." (Holmes in reply) "Oh, Susan! Language!"

(Holmes)"But there are always some lunatics about. It would be a dull world without them."

(Watson)"He swung a huge knotted lump of a fist under my friend's nose. Holmes examined it closely with an air of great interest. 'Were you born so?' he asked. 'Or did it come by degrees?' It may have been the icy coolness of my friend, or it may have been the slight clatter which I made as I picked up the poker. In any case, our visitor's manner became less flamboyant."

To read the full text of this story online, go to this Web site or The Sherlockian Net.

For a Wikipedia plot summary and related links, click here.

For a commentary on this account, try this essay.

For other questions to review after reading the story -- to test yourself on how well you have observed -- check out these links:

Hounds of the Internet

The Sherlockian Net

JUNE 2009: THE MAZARIN STONE
One summer day, 1903

First published in the Strand magazine in England in October 1921 and in Hearst's International, in the U.S., in November 1921. Now available in the collection, "The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes." Alfred Gilbert provided three illustrations for the Strand version and Frederic Dorr Steele created four for Hearst's.

According to Baring-Gould's 1974 chronology, as set down in "The Annotated Sherlock Holmes," the case takes place just weeks and no more than three months after the case of "The Three Gables" which we considered at our May meeting.

Quotes to Note:

(Holmes to Watson) "How far am I justified in allowing him to be in danger?" (Watson) "Danger of what, Holmes?" (Holmes) "Of sudden death. I'm expecting something this evening." (Watson) "Expecting what?" (Holmes) "To be murdered, Watson."

(Watson to Holmes) "But why not eat?" (Holmes) "Because the faculties become refined when you starve them. Why, surely, as a doctor, my dear Watson, you must admit that what your digestion gains in the way of blood supply is so much lost to the brain. I am a brain, Watson. The rest of me is a mere appendix. Therefore, it is the brain I must consider."

(Holmes) "It is a small point, Count Sylvius, but perhaps you would kindly give me my prefix when you address me. You can understand that, with my routine of work, I should find myself on familiar terms with half the rogues' gallery, and you will agree that exceptions are invidious."

(Holmes) "No violence, gentlemen -- no violence, I beg of you! Consider the furniture!"

(Holmes) "Your morals don't improve, Watson. You have added fibbing to your other vices."

To read the full text of this story online, go to this Web site or The Sherlockian Net.

For a Wikipedia plot summary and related links, click here.

For a commentary on this account, try this essay.

For other questions to review after reading the story -- to test yourself on how well you have observed -- check out these links:

Hounds of the Internet

The Sherlockian Net