Please note that the December meeting has been changed to MONDAY, DECEMBER 10th.
Find out what happened to John Openshaw.
Why five pips?
Your Consulting Detective
DECEMBER 2012 MEETING
“As evening drew in the storm grew louder and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the chimney. “
Learn the fate of Mr. John Openshaw as we discuss “The Five Orange Pips” at the next meeting of The Stormy Petrels of BC.
December 4th at 7:00 pm at Hampton Place.
17 Steps to Sherlock Holmes
First penned by Fran in 1991:
1. Male or female, rich or poor, The perplexed client finds the door.
2. Deductions are made of those who seek The help of Holmes from week to week.
3. The tale is told, the client is gone. He takes his pipe to smoke alone.
4. He sits beside the crackling fire, Detatched from his world, thoughts inspire.
5. Watson, biographer, walks in the park, For he, like us, is in the dark.
6. Back to the rooms, he returns in time To hie with Holmes to the scene of the crime.
7. On his knees with lens to eye, The smallest of clues don’t pass him by.
8. He makes good use of a foreign phrase. French or German or Latin some days.
9. He mentions a monograph – he’s written a few. Ashes and footprints to name but two.
10. The police, he finds are often fools, For they know not how to use thier ‘tools’.
11. As for music, he says that German is best. He finds it more soothing than the rest.
12. A quote he has for every occasion. A witty remark, a clever quotiation.
13. To trick those villains, dark and sinister, He’ll don a disguise, perhaps a minister.
14. A telegram will be dispatched. The stage is set, the plot is hatched.
15. Through long, cold nights, through any weather, A vigil in the dark together.
16. The criminals are captured then And Sherlock Holmes has his men.
17. To Baker Street, the crime to explain, Only to begin again!
An Entirely New Country- Arthur Conan Doyle, Undershaw and the Resurrection of Sherlock Holmes” by Alistair Duncan
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I admit that I knew a little about Arthur Conan Doyle. A little. Now I know much more. Alistair Duncan writes in such a clear way as to enable us to envision the events as they were unfolding during the Undershaw years – the years that Arthur Conan Doyle and his family resided at this home which he had built in Hindhead in Surrey. Witness its birth, life and uncertain future. |
| Built in 1897, the house soon became alive with activity. Children playing, friends and relations visiting, author creating. | |
| The years that followed showed scandals, speculations, successes, controvercies and conflicts.Within these walls more happened in the life of ACD than most people realize. Mr. Duncan diarized the life of the Doyles in and around Undershaw.There were new beginnings, followed by sad endings. There was news of great importance, disapointments, literary genius was exercised, distinguished visitors walked the halls.Eventually, the house, although still physically visible, was leased. And after all the awards and achievements bestowed upon its famous resident, time went on and its life faded.Throughout the book, are rarely-seen drawings and photographs from the author’s collection.
With the more recent photos of Undershaw we can see how we need to breathe life back into the home, as ACD did with Holmes. Also by Alistair Duncan:
There is an introduction by Mark Gatiss, and praise from Roger Johnson. For me, this book filled in many blanks. It pulled the puzzle together. Definitely a must-read. |
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Vancouver's Official Sherlock Holmes Society 