Holmesian Derivations

… has decided that the next time he and Holmes venture an evening outing, he will pick the time, location, and dress protocol.

… wonders why Holmes keeps showing up only after Mary is in bed or has gone away for a trip to her mother’s house.

Context: After The Sign of Four, Holmes doesn’t appear to suffer the presence of Mary Watson ever again on willing terms in the stories.

… observes that, while Sherlock Holmes’ chemistry experiments may cause explosions, unpleasant smells, and possible eviction from their lodgings, at least while Holmes is so engaged he is not shooting himself up with cocaine.

Context: The Sign of Four, which is part mystery, part romance, and very likely one of the reasons why Holmes faked his death years later. Here, Mary Morstan has discovered that all the treasure is gone. But that’s okay! Because now Watson can declare his love for her.

I’ve always wondered what the rivalry was like between Holmes and Mary. (And this was why I was quite amused by House and Amber fighting over Wilson.)

Context: The Scarlet Letter A Study in Scarlet¹, in the first chapter where Watson introduces himself to the reader as a recovering veteran from the colonial wars being fought in India (they did not go well). He had to be carried off the field.

Poor Watson.

Although it does recall to me some of Watson’s temper. Illustrated here, after Holmes is in bed with stitches in his head from being beaten by hired thugs in “The Illustrious Client.”

“What can I do, Holmes? Of course, it was that damned fellow who set them on. I’ll go and thrash the hide off him if you give the word.”

You might end up like that again, Watson. Sigh.

1. Yes, it was late and I am embarrassed. [↩]