Last month the Petrels discussed the first part of “The Valley of Fear” and opinions ran rather high. (even without Bob Coghill being present to give it a full mark of 10!)

The “all aboard” has been called as the Stormy Petrels venture deep into the Valley. 

Many opinions, in the past, have been raised as to whether this part should stand on its own, and not be considered part of a Sherlock Holmes adventure.  It could be considered a separate entity.

I have heard some people refer to this section as “the long, boring part”.

Delve into this Valley with an open mind, either having read it before, or if you are reading it for the first time, and form an opinion of your own…..

Please join us to share your thoughts on Tuesday, October 3rd at 7:00pm at our usual meeting spot at Hampton Place (UBC)

The bonus question for attendees at the meeting:   Finish this sentence:

“…where there is a lodge I’ll find ____  ________________.”

For more info, please contact Fran at:  franziskah@shaw.ca

The Stormy Petrels of BC will gather for another study session on Tuesday, September 5th to discuss part 1 of “The Valley of Fear”.

This adventure was published in The Strand Magazine from September 1914 to May 1915.

We begin with a coded message sent to Sherlock Holmes, a murder and a trip to Sussex.

Is Professor Moriarty behind this unfortunate incident at Birlstone Manor?  What is the significance of “VV341”?  Was the victim a member of a secret society in America?

A slipper print on a window ledge, an abandoned bicycle, a missing wedding ring and a missing dumb-bell.  What more could one ask?

The meeting will take place at 7:00 pm at our usual Hampton Place lounge at UBC (near Wesbrook Mall/16th Ave., Vancouver)

Bonus question for those planning on attending the meeting:  Whose name did Mrs. Douglas say her husband called out in a fever?

For more information, please contact Fran at:  franziskah@shaw.ca

“The Adventure of the Second Stain” was first published in The Strand Magazine in December 1904 and in Collier’s on January 28, 1905.

The morning paper announced: “A crime of mysterious character was committed last night at 16 Godolphin Street…”

How was this event connected to the two distinguished visitors to Baker Street?  One, Lord Bellinger (twice Premier of Britain, and the other, the Secretary for European Affairs.

Why did the Secretary’s wife call in at Baker Street? After her departure, Holmes, smiling, mentions to Watson: ” Now, Watson, the fair sex is your department.”

What did she want of Holmes?

Watson tells us that this was “…the most important international case which he (Holmes) has ever been called upon to handle…”

This adventure, the last in The Return, was ranked as #8 by ACD his list of 12 favourite stories.

Please join the Stormy Petrels as they discuss this case on Tuesday, June 6th at 7:00pm, meeting at their usual Hampton Place lounge.

Contact Fran for more info.

Bonus question:  What sort of weapon was used to rid the world of Eduardo Lucas?