The Best of Sherlock Holmes
Study Guide
Student Copy
A Scandal in Bohemia
Vocabulary
abhorrent – hated
astrakhan – a fi ne wool
averse – opposed to
beryl – a semi-precious stone
bijou – French term meaning jewel-like or pretty
Bohemian – unconventional
Boswell – a biographer who wrote about Samuel Johnson
brooch – a decorative pin
brougham – a closed coach
cabinet – a large sized photograph
capital – very large
carte-blanche – [French] a blank paper; traditionally, however, carte-blanche means
freedom
to do as one pleases or being able to use unlimited resources.
chamois – soft leather
cocaine – an addictive drug derived from the opium poppy
compromising – dishonoring, jeopardizing (a reputation)
compunction – qualms or reservations
condescend – to lower oneself
copper – a penny
docketing – making a list
dubious – uncertain, unreliable
eclipses – blocks from view
epistle – a letter
exalted – superior
expostulating – arguing
freemasonry – a friendly companionship
gasogene – an early type of machine for putting carbonation into a liquid
Gazetteer – an atlas
gibe – a sarcastic comment
grit – a tiny piece of dirt
guinea – a gold coin
half a crown – a low price
half a guinea – a gold coin
half and half – a mixture of half lager (light beer) and half stout (dark beer)
S-2
hanging lip – a loose and dominant lower lip, similar to the Hapsburg lip that
characterized
members of that royal family
hereditary – attaining by birth, not by merit
incisive – quick-thinking, sharp
incognito – [Latin] in disguise
incorrigible – very diffi cult to control
inextricable – very complicated and confused
Inner Temple – one of the London areas where lawyers have their offi ces
introspective – deep in thought
intrusion – an invasion of another’s privacy
invariable – unvarying
inviolate – pure; unable to change
iodoform – a type of iodine
landau – a carriage
languid – relaxed; unhurried
loathed – hated
malignant – evil
marm – a title of respect
mews – an area where horses are kept and cared for
Mr. John Hare – a famous Nonconformist clergyman
née – [Latin] formerly
nitrate of silver – a compound used as an antiseptic
Nonconformist – a Protestant but not a member of the Church of England
obstinacy – stubbornness
opulence – fanciness
ostlers – people employed to care for horses
over-precipitance – being overly hasty; done too quickly
post – the mail delivery
predominates – controls, rules
preposterous – ridiculous-looking
Prima donna – the main singer; someone who overrates his or her
importance
quench – to reduce; put out
reproachfully – wearily
resolute – fi rm
scissors-grinder – a man who went from house to house sharpening scissors and
knives
slavey – a servant
smoke rocket – a tool used by plumbers to check for leaks
sovereign – a coin
spirit-case – a holder for liquor
subtle – indirect
succinct – brief
surpliced – a manner of dressing for religious fi gures
trifl ing – unworthy, insignifi cant
ulster – an overcoat
vizard – a visor, the part of a helmet used for seeing
Wallenstein – an Austrian general
S-3
1. Who is “the woman” and how does Sherlock Holmes view her?
2. How does the narrator describe Holmes?
3. Why has the narrator seen little of Holmes lately?
4. What serious problem does Holmes have?
5. What is the narrator’s background, and how does the reader learn his name?
6. What is the time setting when the story begins?
7. Holmes surprises Watson with shrewd observations about his weight and attire.
What is
the point of this exchange? How does this exchange establish Watson’s role?
8. What does Watson mean when he says that Holmes might “have been burned” if
he had
lived in earlier times? (Pg. 11)
S-4
9. According to Holmes, why is Watson unable to make the same deductions as the
detective?
10. Holmes guides Watson to make certain deductions about the note before their
visitor
arrives. What are these deductions?
11. The visitor introduces himself as Count Von Kramm. How does Holmes deduct
that the
Count is actually the King of Bohemia?
12. What is the nature of the King’s problem?
13. What does Holmes learn when he observes Irene Adler’s residence and talks
with her
servants? How does Holmes disguise himself?
14. What unexpected event takes place when Holmes is watching the house?
15. What is Holmes’ plan for recovering the photograph?
16. What is the result of Holmes’ plan?
S-5
17. What curious incident occurs when Holmes and Watson return to Baker Street?
18. Holmes plans to have the King accompany him to Miss Adler’s house to retrieve
the
photograph. What does this action suggest about Holmes’ character?
19. What does Holmes fi nd when he takes the King to Miss Adler’s house?
20. Is the King satisfi ed with the case?
21. What is Holmes’ error in this case? Give examples to support your reply.
22. What does Holmes request for payment and why?
23. What reason does the King give for not marrying Irene Adler in the fi rst place?
Explain
Holmes’ response to the King’s statement.
S-6
The Red-Headed League
Vocabulary
‘L’homme c’est rien—l’oeuvre c’est tout – “The man is nothing—the work is
everything.”
abutted – adjoined
acute – keen, sharp
Albert chain – a watch chain worn across the vest in the style of Prince Albert,
Queen
Victoria’s husband
aperture – an opening
askance – sideways
astuteness – cleverness
benefactor – a person who has done good things, in this case, the man who has left
the
money
billet – accommodations, board
bracelets – [slang] handcuffs
bullion – gold
chagrin – embarrassment; sadness
chink – a small opening, crack
cobbler’s wax – shoe polish
compunction – regrets
conundrums – riddles, puzzles
coster’s orange barrow – the wheelbarrow of a fruit salesman (or costermonger)
crack a crib – to break into a house
dank – damp
deference – polite respect
derbies – [slang] handcuffs
ejaculated – spoke suddenly and forcefully
embellish – to add to, exaggerate
endeavored – tried
engaged – busy
ennui – boredom
fl orid – reddish
foolscap – the standard size British writing paper
Freemason – a member of the Masons, a secret society
frock-coat – a formal black coat
George Sand – a female English novelist, who wrote under a man’s name so she
would be
taken more seriously as a writer
greatcoat – an overcoat
grotesque – odd and slightly irrational
Gustave Flaubert – a French novelist
imperiled – put in danger
incites – provokes, urges
introspective – meditative, refl ective
labyrinth – a maze
languid – relaxed
S-7
lurid – bright; vivid
misgivings – doubts
napoleons – gold coins
nocturnal – nighttime
Omne ignoratum pro magnifi co – a Latin phrase meaning “we have great notions
of what is
unknown to us”; in other words, when we are ignorant of something, it can seem
more
mysterious and complex than it really is
oppressively – heavily
partie carrée – a party of four, which would be needed for a game of bridge or whist
pensioners – those who receive a regular payment from a fund
portly – fat
premises – locations, rooms
propagation – multiplying, reproduction
proposition – an idea, concept
quill-pen – a pen made from a feather and dipped into liquid ink for writing
recommence – to begin again
rubber – a series of bridge hands
Sarasate – a famous Spanish violinist
settee – a comfortable chair or small sofa
shepherd’s check – an informal woolen plaid
smasher – [slang] counterfeiter
snigger – a superior little laugh
sovereigns – the gold coin equivalent to a British pound
staggered – astounded
stagnant – unmoving, unprogressive
stalls – orchestra or theater seating areas
started – jumped
subduing – restraining
tenacious – strong, powerful
the City – the fi nancial center of London
theoretical – based on ideas rather than on observable facts
this day eight weeks – eight weeks from today
Three gilt balls – the symbol of a pawnshop
unfeigned – genuine
vex – to irritate
waistcoat – a vest
1. Holmes explains, “For strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go
to life
itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination.” (Pg. 29-30)
Why is this comment ironic?
S-8
2. Watson studies the client’s clothing in an effort to determine more about him, but
decides that the client is a common British businessman or shopkeeper. Holmes,
however, astounds Watson by deducing a number of things about the client, Mr.
Jabez
Wilson. What does Holmes deduce, and how?
3. Mr. Wilson’s assistant, Vincent Spaulding, has two peculiarities. What are they?
4. Mr.Wilson explains that Mr. Spaulding frequently dives “into the cellar like a rabbit
into
its hole.” (Pg. 32) What fi gure of speech is used to describe Mr. Spaulding’s habit?
5. How does Mr. Wilson learn about the Red-Headed League?
6. What are Mr. Wilson’s duties as a member of the Red-Headed League? Why is
the job
suspicious?
7. Mr. Wilson consults Sherlock Holmes after he fi nds the Red-Headed League’s offi
ce
closed. What does Mr. Wilson decide about the League?
S-9
8. What is Holmes’ reaction to the physical description of Mr. Spaulding?
9. List as many clues from the story as you can.
10. Why does Holmes enlist detectives from Scotland Yard when he thinks that no
crime
has been committed?
11. Who is Mr. Merryweather?
12. What do the thieves attempt to steal? How is the robbery stopped?
13. What is unusual about John Clay’s social status?
14. At the end of the story, Watson, in his role as a foil to Holmes, asks questions
that allow
Holmes to explain his thought process. Why does Conan Doyle write the end of the
story in this manner?
S-10
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
Vocabulary
“Pink ’un” – [slang] a sporting newspaper that carried news of gambling and society
abstracted – removed, separated
akimbo – bent at the elbow, folded
anoints – smears into, rubs
ascertaining – determining
billycock – a derby hat
bonny – [slang] lovely, beautiful
carbuncle – a semi-precious stone, usually called garnet
confederate – an accomplice
conjectured – guessed at
cravats – neckties
crop – the part of a bird’s throat that prepares food for digestion
devoid – empty, absent
disjecta membra – [Latin] “scattered parts”
facet – one of the polished surfaces of a cut gem
forceps – a tool used for grasping
gaol – prison
have recourse – to have the option
impunity – an exemption from punishment
jollifi cation – a festivity, party
jostling – pushing, shoving
labyrinth – a confusing maze
morocco casket – a small leather-covered case
obstinate – stubborn
patent – obvious
penal – pertaining to punishment, as for a crime
pomposity – self-importance
purveyor – the supplier; source
quavering – shaking, quivering
remonstrance – a stated protest
retrogression – the return to a worse condition
rifl ed – searched through
round – a duty
scintillating – shimmering, shining
scrupulous – careful
sedentary – inactive
shillings – coins
staccato – hesitant; jumpy
summarily – immediately
surly – impolite
tallow – animal fat used to make candles
transpired – happened
S-11
ulsters – long overcoats made with heavy fabric
vestige – a trace
vitriol-throwing – throwing sulfuric acid
whimsical – humorous; curious
woodcock – a small bird
1. What is odd about the hat in Holmes’ apartment?
2. How does Peterson come into possession of the hat and a goose?
3. Why is Peterson unable to return the goose even though the owner’s name is on a
tag?
4. What does Holmes deduce from the hat, and how?
5. What does Peterson’s wife fi nd in the goose, and what does Holmes identify the
item
to be?
S-12
6. According to the newspaper, how was the carbuncle supposedly stolen?
7. How does Holmes locate the owner of the hat?
8. Why is the Countesses’ carbuncle more precious that a typical stone?
9. The narrator describes Henry Baker: “A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a
slight
tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes’ surmise as to his habits.” (Pg. 56)
What
does this description insinuate about the character?
10. How is Holmes’ sure that Mr. Baker is the not the thief?
11. Holmes and Watson track the source of the goose to the Covent Garden Market.
Why is
the vendor angry when Holmes asks about the goose?
S-13
12. How does Holmes trick the vendor into telling him where he purchased the
goose?
13. Who approaches the vendor after Holmes and Watson leave, and what does he
want?
14. According to Ryder, how did the carbuncle come to be inside the goose?
15. What does Ryder’s sister call the bird that she fattened for her brother, and how
is the
nickname ironic?
16. What does Sherlock Holmes do with Ryder after he confesses, and why? What
does
Holmes’ action reveal about his character?
17. What is Holmes’ opinion of the justice system? Cite an example from the text to
support
your answer.
S-14
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Vocabulary
affected – touched, infl uenced
apparition – a sudden, unexpected appearance; ghost
at liberty to defray – able to pay
averse – against
averted – turned aside
bell-pull – a bell-rope
bell-rope – a rope suspended from the ceiling, used to call servants
bequeathed – gave; left to in a will
bile-shot – yellowed; wild
breaches – openings
compliance – agreement, obedience
dawdling – wasting time
defray – to help pay the costs of
delirium – an irrational state, insanity
dissolute – degenerate, immoral
dog lash – a dog leash
draught – [British] a draft, slight breeze
dummy – a fake; not connected
Eley’s No. 2 – a cartridge for a revolver
fain – wanted to
ferocious – loud, intimidating
fortnight – two weeks
gables – raised triangular roof areas
gaiters – a type of overshoe
gaiters – heavy cloth coverings for shoes
haggard – tired and sick-looking
half-pay major – an offi cer who retired with a retirement payment of half his salary
hasp – a fastener
homely – plain, unattractive
hunting-crop – a leather whip for hunting with horses
impending – about to happen
imperturbably – without being bothered
imprudence – foolishness; a lack of wisdom
insolence – disrespect
Jack-in-offi ce – a rude, arrogant person in an authoritative position
knocked up – woken up, to be awakened by the sound of knocking
leave – permission, allowance
lichen – a type of fungus
loathsome – horrible
mania – obsession; lunacy
manifold – many, numerous
meddler – one who interferes
S-15
metropolis – a city
morose – sad, melancholy
parapet – a railing
pending – until; waiting for
pitiable – extremely sad
poker – an iron tool for tending a fi re
Regency – the period from 1811–1820 in England
reverie – idle thoughts; daydreaming
roof-tree – a roof-line or shape
Saxon – the early rulers of England
Scotland Yard – England’s central police; the name is from their offi cial location
seared – burned
singular – unusual
stile – a step used for climbing over a wall or fence
Stoke Moran – the name of the house owned by Dr. Roylott
subtle – slight, faint
successive – in sequence
Surrey – a rural county south of London
tangible – physical, visible, or touchable
tiara – a small crown
trap – an open cart or carriage, usually pulled by a single horse
would fain have said– wished or tried to say
1. According to Watson, what type of cases does Holmes select, and why?
2. What is Dr. Roylott’s background?
3. What does Helen Stoner tell Holmes about herself?
4. What mysterious conversation did Helen and Julia have on the night of Julia’s
death?
S-16
5. What pets does Helen tell Holmes about? How do these pets affect Helen’s
behavior?
6. What other inhabitants of the manor does Helen discuss?
7. How does Helen characterize Dr. Roylott’s mental status?
8. Describe the events that took place on the night that Julia Stoner died, including
her
dying words?
9. Julia’s death was thoroughly investigated. Why was the investigation so thorough,
and
what was the conclusion?
10. What developments have occurred in Helen’s life since Julia’s death?
11. Holmes, after agreeing to travel to Stoke Moran, points out that she is keeping
some
important information from him. What is it?
12. Who visits Holmes after Helen Stoner leaves? Describe the visitor and his
behavior.
S-17
13. What is Holmes’ reaction to Dr. Roylott?
14. Before departing, Holmes says to Watson, “I should be very much obliged if you
would
slip your revolver into your pocket. An Eley’s No. 2 is an excellent argument with
gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots.” (Pg. 77) What does Holmes
mean?
15. Watson describes the day as he and Holmes travel to Stoke Moran. How does
this
imagery contrast the task at hand?
16. In describing Stoke Moran, Watson uses a simile to convey its appearance.
Explain the
simile and how it affects the mood of the story.
17. What unusual features does Holmes observe when he studies Helen Stoner’s
room, the
same room in which her sister died?
18. What does Holmes fi nd when he inspects Dr. Roylott’s room?
19. What is Holmes’ plan for the night?
S-18
20. What scare do Holmes and Watson encounter on their way back to Stoke Moran
in
the dark?
21. Describe what Holmes and Watson see and do in the darkness of Miss Stoner’s
bedroom.
22. What do Holmes and Watson encounter in Dr. Roylott’s room?
23. What is the speckled band?
24. How did Dr. Roylott use the snake to kill Julia?
25. How does Holmes feel about Dr. Roylott’s death and his involvement in the
situation?
26. Helen Stoner mentioned that gypsies were on the property when her sister died,
but
they were not involved in the crime. Why are they in the story at all?
S-19
The Final Problem
Vocabulary
“Engaged” – “Reserved”
air-guns – a powerful weapon
antagonist – an adversary, opponent
army coach – a tutor who helped men study for the qualifying exam for army offi
cers
ascetic-looking – thin, pale, unworldly
bludgeon – a club
bowlder – a boulder
brougham – a type of carriage
caldron – a kettle
carpet-bags – suitcases made of heavy carpeting
cassock – a full-length robe, usually worn by priests
chair – a professorship at a college or university
chasm – a deep and rocky gorge
compliance – an agreement
condescended – lowered oneself from a dignifi ed level
congenial – agreeable
consumption – another name for tuberculosis
Continent – Europe
coup-de-maitre – [French] a master stroke
devolves – becomes the duty of; transfers
diabolical – devilish, fi endish
double-handed – for two hands
ecclesiastic – a religious person, like a priest
Englisscher Hof – a hotel catering to English visitors
equanimity – composure, calm
exuberant – joyful
facility – skill
frontal development – the forehead
giddy – dizzy
hamlet – a small village
hemorrhage – bleeding profusely
inadmissible – prohibited, unallowable
incoherent – not making sense; rambling
incommoded – inconvenienced, bothered
inevitable – unavoidable
injudicious – unwise, foolish
injunctions – directions, requirements
lithe – fl exible; graceful
malefactor – a felon, criminal
Meiringen – a town in the Alps
mercenary – someone who is hired or paid
Napoleon – a skilled French general and emperor
S-20
oscillating – vibrating, shifting
perversion – a corruption, misuse
phenomenal – unusual
pinnacle – the highest point
protrude – to stick out
recurred – returned
Reichenbach – a river featuring steep chasms, violent currents, and falls
reptilian – like a reptile
rogue – a criminal
ruefully – with sorrow, regretfully
salle-à-manger – [French] the living or dining area
scrutiny – to study
syndicate – a confederation or gang
thrust-and-parry – a strategic attack used in sword-fi ghting
torrent – a violent current of water
treatise – a scholarly paper
venerable – old and respected
vogue – an appeal, popularity
wily – sneaky
1. Both the title of the story and the tone of the opening paragraph make it clear that
Sherlock Holmes is no longer practicing as a detective. How is this confi rmed?
2. How does Holmes behave when he arrives at Watson’s consulting-room in April
1891?
3. Holmes’ behavior may be considered paranoid, but Watson is only concerned for
Holmes’ physical safety and is not alarmed about his emotional state. Why?
4. Who is Professor Moriarty?
5. Have Holmes and Moriarty actually met?
S-21
6. What happens after Moriarty leaves Holmes?
7. What invitation does Holmes extend to Watson?
8. Watson boards the train after following Holmes’ detailed directions. Whom does
Watson
fi nd in his compartment, and who do they see?
9. What is Moriarty’s plan after he is unable to get the train to stop for him?
10. What is Holmes’ response to Moriarty’s continued pursuit?
11. How do Monday’s events make Moriarty even more dangerous?
12. From the Englischer Hof, their hotel in Meiringen, Holmes and Watson set out on
a hike to another village. The hotel owner recommends that they detour to see the
Reichenbach Falls. How do the falls enhance the drama of the story?
13. What message do Holmes and Watson receive at the falls?
S-22
14. Why does Watson leave Holmes alone?
15. Describe the foreshadowing that appears in Watson’s story.
16. Watson misses an additional clue to Holmes’ danger. What was it?
17. How does Watson learn that he has been fooled?
18. What does Watson fi nd when he returns to the falls?
19. What does Holmes tell Watson in the note?
20. What does Watson do after he reads the note?
21. Why does Watson write this account, and how does he summarize Holmes?
S-23
The Adventure of the Empty House
Vocabulary
abominable – horrible
abyss – a deep gorge or hole
aquiline – with a curved nose resembling an eagle
aristocrat – a member of an upper class
ascetic – disciplined; reserved
asperities – harshness or roughness of manner
audacity – daring; boldness
austere – plain
baritsu – a martial art similar to jujitsu
bereavement – grief
bibliophile – a lover or collector of books
bungler – an error-prone individual
C.B. – Commander of Bath, an order of knights
cataracts – a disease of the eyes
chasm – a hole in the ground
confederate – an ally
conjectured – thought
convulsively – shakily
cravats – types of ties
cynical – jaded, world-weary
deal-topped – wooden; topped with lumber
deposed – testifi ed
dispatches – reports to the British Army headquarters noting particular bravery
eccentricity – an oddness
effi gy – a dummy, model
ejaculation – an exclamation
endeavouring – attempting
epitome – the essence; end; highest point
fanlight – a window shaped like a fan, often an architectural feature over doorways
farcical – foolish
fi end – a devil
formidable – alarming; frightening; dangerous
frockcoat – a formal black coat
garroter – someone who kills by using a sharp wire to strangle a victim
gaunt – thin
gibes – taunts; jokes
grizzled – gray
hansom – a carriage
heavy-game – large animals sought by hunters: tigers, elephants, rhinos
Honourable – a title given to the son or daughter of an earl
hypothesis – a theory
inconceivable – unbelievable
S-24
incredulity – disbelief
indiscretion – carelessness
inexorable – unstoppable; unchangeable
inexplicable – unable to be explained, confusing
inquest – a legal hearing
jew’s-harp – a small musical instrument
judicious – wise
Khalifa at Khartoum – the local ruler in the Sudan
lama – a religious leader in Buddhism
Lhassa – Tibet
loiterers – people with no occupation
maltreated – treated poorly
Mecca – the holy city of the prophet Mohammed, founder of Islam
mews – houses
minute – careful, detailed
obscure – rare
opera hat – a top hat, a formal black silk hat
Persia – modern-day Iran
played foul – cheated
precursor – a sign, forerunner, predictor
prohibition – a ban
recapitulate – to restate
reconcile – to resolve; unite
rubber of whist – a series of games
sardonic – ironic; scornful
sensualist – someone drawn to physical pleasures
shikari – big-game hunter
sibilant – a hissing sound
sibilant – hissing
sinewy – muscular, tough
sojourn – a stay
stalwart – loyal; strong
stature – size, height
stratagem – a trick; plan
suffi ce – be suffi cient
suppressed – kept secret
swarthy – dark
unwonted – unusual
virile – forceful
wizened – wrinkled
1. With what crime does the story open, and what makes it mysterious?
S-25
2. What does Watson suggest when he says, “The crime was of interest in itself, but
that
interest was as nothing to me compared to the inconceivable sequel, which afforded
me
the greatest shock and surprise of any event in my adventurous life”? (Pg. 105)
3. This story was published in England. What would readers there understand about
the
victim’s family that a modern American reader might not know?
4. What does Watson say about Ronald Adair’s life?
5. What was Ronald Adair’s preferred card game?
6. What evidence was given at the inquest about the family’s movement on the night
of
the crime?
7. This story is an example of a “closed room mystery.” What does this mean?
8. Why does Watson go to look at the house where the crime was committed?
S-26
9. Who does Watson bump into, and how does this character behave?
10. What happens after Watson returns home?
11. How does the bookseller reveal his true identity?
12. What does Watson do when he recognizes Holmes?
13. How did Holmes escape from Professor Moriarty at the falls in “The Final
Problem”?
14. Why did Holmes remain undercover using a disguise?
15. Why did Holmes decide to not let Watson know that he was alive, and who did
he
entrust with this knowledge?
S-27
16. Where did Holmes go while he was supposedly dead?
17. Why did Holmes return to London?
18. Watson refers to his “own sad bereavement.” (Pg. 112) What does this mean?
19. Where do Holmes and Watson go that night?
20. What does Watson see in the window?
21. What allusion does Holmes make concerning his bust?
22. How does Holmes arrange for the wax dummy to seem more lifelike?
23. What startling development occurs in the dark and empty house?
S-28
24. What happens after the intruder shoots at Holmes’ bust?
25. Who is the intruder? What does Holmes say about the intruder’s life?
26. Holmes makes another allusion when he greets Colonel Moran. What is it, and
what is
the intention?
27. What is the connection between Colonel Moran and Ronald Adair?
28. When Sherlock Holmes read about the Park Lane Murder, how did he know that
Colonel Moran was the murderer?
29. How did Colonel Moran know that Sherlock Holmes was alive and had returned
to London?
30. What is Holmes’ theory as to why Moran killed Ronald Adair?
31. In what way is “The Adventure of the Empty House” a frame story, that is, a story
within
a story?
S-29
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans
“in the main” – primarily
abstruse – diffi cult to understand
abutted – was next to
articulate – able to speak clearly
august – impressive; important
austere – plain; humorless
austerity – seriousness
avail – to help
axiom – a well-stated belief, proverb
bereaved – full of sorrow
contingencies – possibilities
corroborated – backed up
curacao – a type of sweet liqueur
demeanour – behavior
dirge – sounds associated with funerals, like tolling bells or sad music
discreet – careful; wise
domiciliary – relating to a home
drab – dull, gloomy
draughtsman – someone who makes detailed plans for buildings, ships, etc.,
engineer
foolscap – writing paper
furtive – secretive
garish – showy; tasteless
girt – encircled
gruff – harsh; bad-tempered
hypothesis – the beginnings of a theory
impending – about to happen
imperious – authoritative
impetuous – impulsive
inquest – a formal investigation
interminable – unending
jemmy – a crowbar
life-preserver – a “blackjack” or “sap,” which is small leaden stick covered in leather
used to
knock out a person;
meanderings – wanderings
metier – [French] trade, occupation
monograph – a scientifi c paper
omniscience – a knowledge of all things, all-knowing
plate-layer – a person who lays track for a railroad, subway, etc.
porticoed – with porches
portly – heavyset
post-haste – immediately
precipitated – thrown from
prostrate – lying down
querulous – complaining
S-30
reconnaissance – an inspection or search of an area
reparation – a repayment or amends
reproach – criticism
reverie – deep thought
row – an uproar, disturbance
save – except
sheaf – a stalk of grain, like corn
singular – unusual, unique
solemnity – seriousness
unkempt – messy
unwieldy – awkward
want – need
1. As the story opens, Holmes and Watson are confi ned to their home because a
dense fog
has settled in town. What purpose does this fog serve?
2. What simile does Holmes use to describe a thief or murderer in the fog?
3. Describe Mycroft. What is Mycroft’s job, and how is it unique?
4. Who is Cadogan West? What are the circumstances surrounding his death?
5. Describe the documents that were found on Cadogan West’s person. What
problem does
Mycroft confi de about the papers?
6. What does Mycroft ask Holmes to do?
S-31
7. Why does Mycroft ask Sherlock to take the case instead of doing it himself?
8. Who holds the two keys to the safe where the secret documents are stored, and
why are
these men not suspected?
9. Sherlock theorizes that Cadogan West stole the documents using false keys, with
the
intention of selling the secrets and returning the documents before morning. He met
with misfortune, however, while on route to sell the papers. What fl aws does Mycroft
see with this theory?
10. What does Holmes notice is missing when he inspects the crime scene? What
theory
does he draw from this development?
11. What shocking news do Holmes and Watson receive when they visit Sir James’
home?
12. What does Holmes discover when he investigates the safe?
13. Holmes sends a note asking Watson to join him for dinner. What does Holmes
ask
Watson to bring?
14. What evidence points to Mr. Hugo Oberstein, an international agent, as being a
culprit?
S-32
15. Holmes gives Watson a pep talk: “Think of Mycroft’s note, of the Admiralty, the
Cabinet,
the exalted person who waits for news. We are bound to go.” (Pg. 140) What is
Holmes
trying to encourage Watson to do?
16. In Mr. Oberstein’s house, what evidence do Holmes and Watson fi nd that solves
the
crime?
17. How does Holmes capture the thief, and who is he? What is Holmes’ reaction to
the
identity of the thief, and what does his reaction reveal about Holmes’ character?
18. Describe the circumstances that lead to Cadogan West’s death.
19. How are the Bruce-Partington plans returned?
20. How does Sir Arthur Conan Doyle create drama in “The Adventures of the BrucePartington Plans”?