The Stormy Petrels will, once again, meet in person for their May meeting.

The story for discussion will be “The Adventure of the Dancing Men“, first published in the Strand Magazine (UK) and Collier’s (US) for Dec. 1903.

Arthur Conan Doyle ranked this adventure as number 3 on his top 12 favourites list, and referred to it as “a strong, bloody story”

A story including loyalty, secrets, trust, passion, cryptic clues, a triangle, a stalker, and eventually a murder!

Where do you believe ACD’s inspiration for this particular cipher originated?

What indication do we have that Dr. Watson was a little careless with his pension?

BONUS QUESTIONS:

1. Sherlock Holmes wrote a monograph upon the subject of ciphers in which he analyzed how many different ciphers?
2. Can you decipher the code at the end of this message?

All these questions, and more will be answered at the May meeting.

When: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Hampton Place lounge, The Chatham (UBC – near Wesbrook Mall/West 16th Ave)

Be prepared for a special news bulletin from Fran!

“It was a masterpiece of villainy, and he carried it out like a master.”

At the next meeting of The Stormy Petrels of BC, we will be discussing “The Adventure of the Norwood Builder” which first appeared in Collier’s (US) in October 1903 and in the Strand (UK) in November 1903.

Good news for our out-of-town members and friends, we will be meeting via Zoom for this meeting. All are invited.

When: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 7:00 Pacific time

Contact: Please e-mail Fran at franziskah@shaw.ca if you would like an invitation, or if you would like to present a short paper.

Believing Holmes had met a watery end, Dr. Watson returned to London alone, leaving behind “the best and the wisest man whom I have ever known.”

Although “The Adventure of the Empty House” was set in 1894, it appeared in Collier’s Magazine (US) in September 1903, and in the Strand Magazine (UK) in October 1903.

Here is a quintessential locked-room mystery. While trying his hand at deciphering what happened, Watson is surprised by the appearance of his old, dear friend.

We hear, first hand, exactly what happened at the Reichenbach Falls. How Holmes escaped the watery grave, and about his travels for the next three years.

(Illustration by Isabelle Follath from “Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock” by Linda Bailey)

We learn about brother Mycroft’s role during all this time, and we witness Mrs. Hudson’s devotion, performing a very important, and dangerous task.

It was interesting to see Watson’s and Mrs. Hudson’s reactions upon seeing Holmes for the first time in three years.

Come to the next meeting to discuss this adventure and enjoy Sherlockian fellowship. We welcome all new-comers.

When: Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00

Where: The Chatham at Hampton Place (Wesbrook Mall/West 16th) UBC, Vancouver

Any questions? Please contact Fran at: franziskah@shaw.ca