The adventure for discussion at the April meeting will be “The Speckled Band” Once again, we will meet via Zoom.

This case was first published in the Strand Magazine (UK) in February 1892 and in the US edition of the Strand in March 1892.

This case features what can be described as Gothic elements…Murder, terror, exotic animals roaming the grounds of an ancient manor house in the country, and a dastardly villain.

Dr. Watson: “It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business.”

Sherlock Holmes: ” Dark enough, and sinister enough.”

Arthur Conan Doyle was asked to write a list of his favourite 12 stories. (Not including the stories in The Casebook). In 1927 the Strand Magazine offered a prize to any reader who could match ACD’s list. The winner was Mr. R.T. Norman, who matched 10 out of 12.

Note: “The Speckled Band” was first on the list

Re: The successful stage play in 1910 at the Adelphi Theatre in London. It featured H.A. Saintsbury in the role of Sherlock Holmes. The play was to be called “The Stonor Case” but was changed back to it’s original name.

The following page can be found in “Sherlock Holmes in America” by Bill Blackbeard.

Several changes were made, including omitting the poker-bending scene, as “…no pliable prop could be found.” (from “Teller of Tales – the Life of Arthur Conan Doyle” by Daniel Stashower.

Daniel Stashower also reports that there were issues concerning the snake. An artificial snake was favoured by the cast and crew, but ACD insisted that they use the real thing. He imported a Rock Python. Conan Doyle finally admitted “…the snake made a poor actor.”

Mr. Richard Krisciunas will have a presentation for us.

Mr. Sheldon Goldfarb will read his Musings on the “Speckled Band“

Please join us on Tuesday April 6, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

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

Bonus question: What were the two exotic animals which roamed the grounds at night at Stoke Moran?

Our March adventure was first published in the Strand Magazine in January 1892. Christopher Morley called it “A Christmas story without the slush.” When it was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, an alternative title was used – “The Christmas Goose That Swallowed the Diamond.”

On Tuesday, March 2nd the Stormy Petrels will meet via Zoom to discuss “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle”

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Find out what Dr. Watson learns as he visits his friend, Holmes, on the second day after Christmas.

What is a commissionaire?

Find out how a precious gem ended up in the “disjecta membra” of a foul.

What did Holmes deduce from the hat of Henry Baker and why did his wife force Baker the wear a scotch bonnet?

Holmes says it is “the season of forgiveness.” Was Holmes commuting a felony or saving a soul?

Bonus questions: 1. The blue carbuncle may have been based on which real-life gem? 2. Which American Novelist had a story published in 1851 titled “The Great Carbuncle” (in his collection of Twice-Told Tales) 3. In which other Sherlock Holmes adventure do we find an incident of vitriol throwing?

The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Listen to Sheldon Goldfarb read his musings on the story. Join the discussion.

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

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