The disappearance of a young rugby player prior to an important match. Was it a kidnapping? His uncle, the wealthy, but miserly Lord Mount-James is not very co-operative.

As Christopher Redmond states in his book In Bed With Sherlock Holmes:  “On the surface it is a detective story; underneath, when all the secrets are revealed, it is just as much a story of ….passion and romance.”

(fr0m “An Elementary Guide” by Daniel Smith) “The first varsity match between Oxford and Cambridge took place in 1872.  Oxford won in 1896, the year of this story.”

Some might say this case is somewhat auto-biographical.  ACD, a rugby player himself, would suffer a loss.  Had he become “…half-crazed with grief”  and weeping at the bedside of his dying wife.

The Stormy Petrels of B.C. will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 7th to discuss The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter at their usual location in the lounge of The Chatham, Hampton Place, UBC at 7:00.

Please contact Fran for additional information at   franziskah@shaw.ca

Bonus question for those attending the meeting: What is the name of the dog featured on the cover of this issue of Collier’s?

“The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez”

First printed in the Strand Magazine in July 1904 and in Collier’s in Oct. 1904.

Stanley Hopkins, a young detective, turns to Holmes in hopes of solving the case regarding the death of a young secretary, Willoughby Smith.

A scream…a heavy thud…a body discovered by the maid.  What could the man’s final words mean?  “The professor – it was she.” Who is the owner of the golden pince-nez found clutched in the young man’s hand?

What was the significance of the excessive cigarette smoking and dropping ashes on the floor?

With a “…prescription of hot water and lemon…” please join the Stormy Petrels as they discuss this adventure of betrayal, revenge, theft, murder and Russian Nihilists.

When:  Tuesday, Dec. 6th at 7:00pm

Where:  The usual Hampton Place (Wesbrook Mall/16th Ave. – UBC)

Bonus Question for attendees:  Where were Holmes and Watson heading off to at the end of the adventure?

A man shattering busts of Napoleon – is this a matter of idee fixe or a red herring?

Is there a Napoleon-hating lunatic afoot in London?

How does the Black Pearl of the Borgias fit into the adventure?

The Stormy Petrels of B.C. will discuss “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons” on Tuesday, October 4th at 7:00 pm at the usual Hampton Place lounge.

Bonus question:  What did Holmes use to smash the final bust of Napoleon?

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