Sherlock Holmes: Trifles

"Good old index. You can't beat it." [SUSS] Sherlock Holmes had quite the index. We get glimpses of it in use at various times throughout the Canon, from a biographical reference to a logging of crime. Was Holmes's index a single large volume, or many smaller volumes? Was it hardbound or simply an assembly of files? And it never quite seemed like it was organized in a sensible way. How did Holmes manage to call to mind whatever he needed to find in this index? Please leave us a rating or review and consider supporting the show through Patreon. Show notes available at ihose.co/trifles58 Music: Beethoven's Violin Concerto performed by the US Marine Chamber Orchestra, public domain.

"Mrs. Hudson entered with the tea and coffee" [NAVA] When it comes to British mysteries, tea is like aqua vitae. It's a given that it's part of the scenery. And of course we do come across tea a number of times in the Sherlock Holmes stories. But have you ever taken a tally of how many times we witness tea being served versus coffee? Or of the therapeutic uses of either? Grab a cup (or a cuppa) and pull up a chair - we're about to have a coffee klatch on Trifles. Or as one entertainer might put it: Sherlockians in Cars Getting Coffee. Or is it tea? Links / Notes This episode: ihose.co/trifles57 A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich, and You Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"it is surely Hudson" [GLOR] One of the most enduring figures of the Canon after Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Mycroft Holmes and Inspector Lestrade is Mrs. Hudson. We know a little about her, but how did she happen to become the landlady of 221B Baker Street? And what were the "princely" rent payments that Holmes made? As we make our way across the Sherlock Holmes stories, we do come across one or two other Hudsons as well. What is their relationship to the landlady? These questions await your attention in the latest episode of Trifles. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes How Much Do We Really Know About Mrs. Hudson? Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"it is a nice household" [SPEC] We've got another recurring feature for you here on Trifles: seeing as there were so many unpublished cases that Watson mentioned, we find that there are plenty of trifles to discuss with regard to those. We're calling this series of episodes Unpublished Cases and we'll regularly revisit the topic. When we glance across a number of such cases that Watson mentioned in stories like "The Sussex Vampire," "The Problem of Thor Bridge," "The Golden Pince-Nez," "Black Peter," and "The Veiled Lodger," we find some unusual animals mentioned — animals that would not commonly be found in the home or on the farm. Just what are some of these species? Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes The giant rat of Sumatra The Sherlock Holmes International Exhibition The Canary Trainer by Nicholas Meyer Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"upon the sideboard" [BERY] In this episode of Trifles, we're starting what will become a recurring feature over the course of a few episodes: namely, we're looking at some of the things you'll find in Sherlock Holmes's sitting room at 221B Baker Street. We're calling the series Inside 221B. The sideboard makes a number of appearances in the Canon, and serves as a solemn but essential member of the Baker Street set as it features beef and fowl, drinks and related accouterments, and as a resting place for various objects. But just what is a sideboard and in which stories do we find it? Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes The Great Exhibition The Festival of Britain May - September 1951: An Exhibition on Sherlock Holmes Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"compound a felony as usual." [3GAB] Welcome to Season 2 of Trifles. We'll be working through some of the questions we ask in our show introductions this season, including a number of recurring themes. We hope you'll subscribe. In Episode 48 ("Gotcha!") we discussed times when Sherlock Holmes caught his criminal red-handed, dead to rights. But what about the times that he caught criminals but let them go? Was it solely his strong sense of right and wrong that caused Holmes to allow them to go free? Or was he simply disdainful of the official police? And what was it that he was doing with regard to felonies - compounding, commuting, or condoning? It's just a Trifle. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon. Links / Notes The Hero's Journey A Sherlock Holmes Handbook by Christopher Redmond The Encyclopedia Sherlockiana by Jack Tracy Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"compliments of the season" [BLUE] "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" is one of the more well-known stories in the Canon. And yet we're presented with a few trifling issues, including the color of the gem. But beyond that, we have a victim and perpetrators who didn't seem to have thought through things to their logical conclusion. How else can we factor in the use of poultry as a hiding place? And animal anatomy lessons indicate that that place didn't even exist... Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes "The Blue Carbuncle" Line O' Type, Chicago Tribune - December 1946 More Leaves from the Copper Beeches Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"there was peace in our hearts" [SIGN] Peace in the canon. Reading the Sherlock Holmes stories to find peace is something like going to Casablanca for the water. "But there are no waters in Casablanca." "I was misinformed." Regardless, during this season of peace, we reflect on moments — even if they're glimpses — of bucolic, peaceful moments we find scattered throughout the Sherlock Holmes canon. They're there, if you look for them — trifling as they may be. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes Christmas Peace (Wikipedia) Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"what a chorus of groans, cries and bleatings" [REDC] Agony column. Agony column? To the modern reader, that term might be unfamiliar. Well, at least it would be unfamiliar with the reader who is new to the Sherlock Holmes stories. The first time we come across Holmes using the agony column is in The Sign of Four when he advertised for the Aurora in the agony column of the Standard. Holmes regularly used newspaper classified ads and personal columns to track down criminals and surface clues. But just what is an agony column, how did it help Sherlock Holmes, and in which stories did he and others find a use for it? Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or Substack. Links / Notes Stories mentioned in this episode: A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, "The Engineer's Thumb," "The Noble Bachelor," "The Red Circle," "The Bruce-Partington Plans" Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: A Textbook of Friendship by Christopher Morley The Agony Column of The Times: 1800-1881, edited by Alice Clay, London: Chatto & Windus, 1881 Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"You have a grand gift of silence, Watson" [TWIS] When Cyril Overton sent a telegram to Sherlock Holmes, proclaiming the status of Godfrey Staunton, it was met with puzzlement. And even after Overton arrived at Baker Street, Holmes was still puzzled. We know that he had his "limits," based on Watson's famous list from A Study in Scarlet. But Watson sat in silence as Holmes twisted in the wind, his ignorance of popular rugby laid bare. Why was this? Was it for the sake of his readers, or did Watson have other intentions in mind? Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes "The Missing Three-Quarter" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"you have been caught in the act" [BERY] One of the general bits of enjoyment of the Sherlock Holmes stories is the denouement in which Sherlock Holmes apprehends the criminal. In some instances, he does so after the crime has been committed; in other instances, no crime has been committed. But what about those delicious times when the criminals are caught in the act? Or even better, those instances when they greeted with sweet, swift justice. It's just a Trifle. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon. Links / Notes "The Dying Detective" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"to mar the contentment of their family life" [VALL] Family. For many, it's a part of the holiday season. And with Thanksgiving coming up tomorrow in the United States, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on families in the Sherlock Holmes stories. And in doing so, we come to a rather sad conclusion: that many of the families in the Canon were not happy ones at all. Just what was it about these familial situations that caused things to go awry? We explore that question in this episode of Trifles. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or Substack. Links / Notes I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 58: Thankful for Sherlock Holmes Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"observing the dint of a pince-nez" [IDEN] For many of us, the first time we encounter the word "pince-nez" is in the Sherlock Holmes stories. But for many of us, we very likely saw pince-nez on characters in movies, cartoons or the theater before we knew exactly what they were called. Mentioned in three separate stories (do you know which three?), the eyewear is most closely associated with the adventure that contains its name. But what about the history of these peculiar glasses? We explore the various forms of pince-nez and how Sherlock Holmes came to make his deductions from a pair. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes Pince-nez (Wikipedia) "The Golden Pince-Nez" Colonel Ross in a monocle in "Silver Blaze" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"his military challenge" [STUD] November 11 marks Veterans Day in the United States, when we honor our men and women who have served in the military. From the very first Sherlock Holmes story, we're exposed to the military: A Study in Scarlet opens with "(Being a reprint from the reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D., late of the Army Medical Department.)" And from there, we find other members of the military who make questionable decisions in their lives. We explore some of the more notable cases, and we give you a trivia question that might possibly stump your Sherlockian friends at your next meeting. Links / Notes A Study in Scarlet The Sign of Four "The Crooked Man" "The Empty House" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"The world is big enough for us." [SUSS] With Halloween just behind us, it's natural to reflect on the supernatural. The Hound of the Baskervilles and "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" loom large in our consciousness as stories whose central premise was focused on spectral occurrences. But what of other references? And of the most curious case of all: Arthur Conan Doyle's belief in otherworldly things (such as spiritualism) juxtaposed with his most famous creation, who was steeped in facts and logic. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes The Hound of the Baskervilles "The Sussex Vampire" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"Why do you not write them yourself?" [ABBE] Aside from the untold tales which are hinted at occasionally by Watson, the most intriguing writings in the Canon are those penned by Sherlock Holmes himself. We of course refer to his famous monographs. In his earliest published cases, Holmes himself admits "in fact, I have written a monograph on the subject" [STUD] and "I have been guilty of several monographs" [SIGN], seemingly qualifying himself in the good doctor's (and our) eyes. How many monographs were there and what were they? We sum them up and categorize them, with the help of T.S. Blakeney and S.C. Roberts. Please be sure to leave us a rating or review on the podcast platform of your choice. And consider supporting the show through PayPal or Patreon. Links / Notes Sherlock Holmes: Fact or Fiction by T.S. Blakeney (1932, John Murray) Dr. Watson by S.C. Roberts (1931, Faber & Faber) Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"a quite epicurean little cold supper" [NOBL] In "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor," Lord Robert St. Simon assumed that Holmes was going up in the world by taking him on as a client; Holmes replied that he was actually descending, as his previous client was something of a king. But it was still a royal feast set out at 221B Baker Street for Lord Robert and the assembled guests. Just what was in that supper for five, and what did it say about Holmes and his guests? Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links / Notes "The Noble Bachelor" "221B Baker Street: Certain Physical Details" by Paul McPharlin, The Baker Street Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2 (OS) 1947, pp. 180-194 Dining with Sherlock Holmes by Julia Carlson Rosenblatt and Fritz Sonnenschmidt I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 103: Al & Julie Rosenblatt Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"several successful voyages" [BLAC] The second week of October marks the remembrance of Christopher Columbus in the U.S.. Long thought to be the individual who "discovered" America, we've come to understand that claim to be overblown and his tendencies less than flawless. Still, he was a brave voyager. What about some of the great voyages we know that took place in the Sherlock Holmes stories? From traversing the Atlantic and Indian oceans to travel to the deepest regions of Africa, we find ourselves among adventurers, tourists and immigrants alike. Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Queen Mary 2 IHOSE Episode 122: Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce A Study in Scarlet "The Gloria Scott" Trifles Episode 27 - Rebellion! "The Priory School" "The Devil's Foot" "The Sussex Vampire" "The Empty House" "His Last Bow" Sherlock Holmes and the Titanic Tragedy by William Seil Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"Sarasate plays at St. James's Hall this afternoon" [REDH] We know Sherlock Holmes enjoyed music. From his own violin playing to a few mentions of concerts he attended, he often escaped from the woes of the world and the problems he was trying to solve through music. In "The Adventure of the Red Headed League," he says "Sarasate plays at St. James's Hall this afternoon," and he and Watson make their way to the concert, where Holmes clearly enjoyed himself, "wrapped in the most perfect happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the music." But what do we know about Sarasate? Who was this performer who was able to distract Holmes for a few hours? Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help. And please consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Pablo de Sarasate (Wikipedia) Anthony Burgess's Murder to Music A recording of Sarasate playing Zigeunerweisen from 1904 in Paris Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"this terrible secret society" [FIVE] The Ku Klux Klan famously plays a role in "The Adventure of the Five Orange Pips." To British audiences, the 'K.K.K.' note would have seemed mysterious - something along the lines of a Dancing Men code. But to American audiences, it was a known entity. The KKK was a secret society founded in the southern United States following the Civil War, which committed many outrages. But the KKK as portrayed in this particular Sherlock Holmes story: was it true to life? Or was it a case of literary license? Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links "The Adventure of the Five Orange Pips" "Two Southern Exposures of Sherlock Holmes," Manly Wade Wellman, The Baker Street Journal, Vol 2. No. 4 (1947) - available on the eBSJ. Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"fondness for photography" [REDH] During the earliest days of the Sherlock Holmes stories, photography was still in its infancy. And yet, we are greeted with a number of instances in which photography plays a central or partial role in the plot. Who were the Canonical photographers and why did they pursue this hobby? And how did photographs play into Sherlock Holmes's ability to solve crimes? We also have a follow-up item from Episode 37, thanks to some listener feedback. Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Stories mentioned in this episode: "The Red Headed League" "The Copper Beeches" "A Scandal in Bohemia" "The Veiled Lodger" "The Three Garridebs" "The Lion's Mane" Arthur Conan Doyle, Photographer and the tale of "Chawles" - The British Journal of Photography Evidence of Holmes's studies: Sherlock Holmes at Oxford (2nd edition 1981) Fibber McGee and Molly Walter Paget Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"I have no idea what he intends to go in for" [STUD] It's our Back to School Blowout Sale! Okay, not really. But since it's September and class is in session, we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about Sherlock Holmes's school days. In his student days, Holmes said that he considered his habit of observation and deduction to be "the merest hobby." What subjects was he studying at college? What profession did he propose to follow before detective work lured him away? Wouldn't he have considered his skills at observation to be an asset in his main course of study, rather than a hobby unto itself? Or was he studying something where observation and deduction were not particularly useful to him? And listen closely — particularly if you're Nick Utechin — there is a listener challenge. Links "The Gloria Scott" Episode 27 - Rebellion! Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"I was already in debt to my tradesmen" [COPP] With Labor Day just behind us, what do we find in the Sherlock Holmes stories in the ways of the working class? Holmes said that the public could hardly tell "a weaver by his tooth or a compositor by his left thumb," [COPP] as two examples of the working class. Certainly, Sherlock Holmes himself took on the guise of workers, such as "a drunken-looking groom" [SCAN] and "a plumber with a rising business." [MILV] And the Molly Maguires played a role in VALL. What other Canonical tradesmen were we exposed to? Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links The Encyclopedia Sherlockiana by Jack Tracy The famous sniffing scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"a Greek by extraction" [GREE] "The Greek Interpreter" gives us our first glimpse of Mycroft Holmes, through the meeting with him at the Diogenes Club. But it's the introduction of the peculiar Mr. Melas, the Greek interpreter, that sets things in motion. When you think about all of the activity in this case, couldn't we argue that Melas was really the hero of this story? Or was it Holmes, with his deductions and bravery? Or was it Paul Kratides, who endured torture in order to protect his sister? We address the premise of the Greek hero in this episode of Trifles. Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links The Greek Interpreter Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"the matter is more mysterious" [CARD] "The Cardboard Box" opens with an iconic diversion on a hot August day on Baker Street. And while the story was published in The Strand Magazine just following "Silver Blaze" and just prior to "The Yellow Face." And yet when the second collection of short stories was published in book form as The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes in 1894, "The Cardboard Box" did not appear (at least in British editions) until it was included the collection of short stories titled His Last Bow in 1917. What's more, the famous "mind reading scene" originally included in "The Cardboard Box" was then inserted into "The Resident Patient" when The Memoirs were published. Just what is going on here? Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links The Cardboard Box The Resident Patient Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"Very well thumbed, I assure you" [HOUN] "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb" marks the only time that Watson has been responsible for bringing a case to Sherlock Holmes. Go ahead and look it up. We'll wait. Meanwhile, the few engineers we meet in the Canon are of varied types. But Bliss Austin, BSI, in his masterful magnum opus "Thumbing His Way to Fame," from the Baker Street Journal Vol. 1, No. 4 (Old Series) draws out one or two scientific details that seemed to have escaped Holmes but that may have been more apparent to a trained engineer. Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links The Engineer's Thumb I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 75: Bliss Austin Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"you will find your time very fully occupied" [NORW] In the opening of "The Norwood Builder," we find Watson back in Baker Street—he sold his practice and has moved back in with Sherlock Holmes. And we discover that it was Sherlock Holmes who made the financial arrangements that made it possible for Dr. Verner to purchase Watson's practice. What's going on here? Did Holmes tacitly indicate that he missed Watson and wanted his flatmate back? Was there a practical side to the partnership as well? Was this Holmes's way of saying that Watson was his ideal colleague and assistant? There are many questions to be answered regarding this particular trifle. Links The Norwood Builder Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"worthy of our steel" [HOUN] Sidney Paget was the illustrator who first brought widespread visual recognition of Sherlock Holmes to the public. His American counterpart Frederic Dorr Steele got a later start, but made a lasting impact as well. We discuss Steele's inspiration and the ultimate gift that he left us: an indelible impression of Sherlock Holmes through various publications for the better part of his career. Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Frederic Dorr Steele (Wikipedia) The Players Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"The chain of events is certainly one of extraordinary interest." [NAVA] Nepotism, bullying, carelessness and a locked room mystery — "The Naval Treaty" has it all. A young government employee is given a top secret assignment that keeps him at his desk late at night, but the document he was working on goes missing. And it's up to Sherlock Holmes to find the culprit. Clocking in at 12,701 words, this story is the longest of the 56 short stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon. But should it really have taken Holmes that long to figure out the mystery? We discuss some of the finer points of the story, including glaring plot point that you may have missed before. Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Please nominate us for a People's Choice Award or in the Arts category in the 2017 Podcast Awards "The Naval Treaty" "Bob's your uncle" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"there can be no question as to the authorship" [SIGN] "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" took place in July 1903 and it shares a distinction with one other Sherlock Holmes story: like "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane," this is the only other story that is told by a third person. We review some theories, summed up by Leslie Klinger, BSI ("The Abbey Grange") in his Daypark Press publication of a Baker Street Irregulars dinner memento in 2001. From Christopher Morley to O.F. Grazebrook, Gavin Brend, Martin Dakin and more, there are clever and preposterous suggestions as to whose pen was behind this story. Not to mention the question of the layout of 221B Baker Street, the mysterious bay window, the condition of the wax bust, and more. See which theory you side with in this episode of Trifles... Links Please nominate us for a People's Choice Award or in the Arts category in the 2017 Podcast Awards "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" Tim Greer on I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 115: Sherlock Holmes in the Theater There was a connection between Charlie McCarthy / Edgar Bergen and Sherlock Holmes: Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"among the harpooners my research was nearing its end" [BLAC] We have one of the most iconic openings in the Sherlock Holmes stories in "The Adventure of Black Peter" - the year '95, Holmes in disguise, returning from the butcher's with his weapon of choice: a harpoon. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle pulled on his own knowledge of whaling vessels and voyages (as referenced in an earlier IHOSE episode), but how likely was the occurrence which we learned of in this story? The era of hand-held harpooning was over by that time. How does one go about practice-harpooning a pig in polite London society? And what of the physics of the demonstration? These questions and more await in this episode of Trifles... Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or Substack. Links Please nominate us for a People's Choice Award or in the Arts category in the 2017 Podcast Awards "The Adventure of Black Peter" I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 48: Dangerous Work Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"there really was a plot" [GLOR] Independence Day is celebrated in the United States on July 4. It marks the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document that preceeded the American Revolution. This, as well as numerous other acts of rebellion in the years leading up to the war, represented a principled stand against British authority. And we have rebellion against British authority aptly represented in "The Gloria Scott," which William Baring-Gould placed in July of 1874. Trevor Sr. was sentenced to transportation for "breaking my country's laws" while he was a banker - namely, embezzlement. And perhaps the rebellious streak continued with Trevor, Jr. as he brought his dog on campus, to which we offer a toast penned by John Baesch, BSI, ASH. Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or Substack. Links Please nominate us for a People's Choice Award or in the Arts category in the 2017 Podcast Awards "The Gloria Scott" A history of transportation in Australia The Hyde Parks Barracks Museum in Sydney Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"Saw through my game, I suppose" [3GAR] Once again, we have a con man at work, eager to enrich himself. He finds his mark, manages to get him away from the scene where his work needs to happen, and is eventually caught red-handed by Sherlock Holmes. Does this plot device sound familar? It should. Or at least it did, once we got the names of the minor characters straight... This tale has been recognized as sharing the plot of "The Red-Headed League" and "The Stock-Broker's Clerk". If indeed the plot is strong enough to be employed three times, which story makes the best use of it, and why? Please leave us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs" "The Adventure of the Red Headed League" "The Stock-broker's Clerk" I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 91: The Confidence Game Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"she will not believe me" [IDEN] In the early stories in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson was admittedly new to the bio-docu-drama genre that he was creating. And while we've gotten comfortable with putting "The Adventure of..." in front of nearly every short story about Sherlock Holmes, a handful of these early stories were not titled that way. "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "A Case of Identity" were the first and third stories to be published in The Strand and did not carry that title. But aside from that difference, "A Case of Identity" stands out. Not because it was devoid of a crime, but because its premise seemed inherently unbelievable. A young lady not recognizing her own stepfather? How is it that Watson (and Arthur Conan Doyle) managed to pull this off? Links "A Case of Identity" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"He had described his household" [WIST] We're acutely aware of some of the fathers in the Sherlock Holmes stories, and the dastardly deeds associated with them. Individuals such as Jephro Rucastle and Grimesby Roylott spring to mind. But what about figures who occupied a position as head of the household who weren't necessarily fathers themselves? With Fathers Day coming up this weekend, we thought this was an excellent time to take a moment and reflect on who these individuals are and what their role in the Canon was. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 43: Fathers in the Canon Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"not long after my marriage" [ENGR] In this episode, we look at how married life was treating Dr. Watson in "The Adventure of the Boscombe Valley Mystery." William S. Baring-Gould placed this at June 6 or June 8, 1889. It was published as the fourth short story in the collection known as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In the opening scene, Holmes sends for the recently married Watson to accompany him on a case, and Mary Watson, far from nagging her husband about his penchant for dashing off with his friend, actually urges Watson to go. Watson gives her a charming compliment in return by alluding to their romantic meeting in The Sign of Four. The affectionate circle is completed when Holmes gives Watson very gracious thanks for agreeing to come along on the trip. What are we to make of Watson's home life? Is he simply using a literary technique by making his marriage seem able to weather the storm of Holmes? Or was Mary genuinely understanding of the push-pull relationship between the doctor and the detective? A tribute to the late Peter Sallis, an appearance by Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, and more surprises await. Links Remembering Peter Sallis "A Married Man" IHOSE Episode 26: A Musical Stroll Down Baker Street The Odd Couple Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"back to the same establishment" [GOLD] The last time we met, we were in the middle of a pub quiz. How were you doing? We're going to pick up where we left off, talking about various public houses, bars, taverns and inns that were mentioned in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Each played an important role in the story in which it was set. And as a bonus, we'll get you inside some of the real-life establishments* that you might stroll past the next time you're in London. *We're pleased to report that the Criterion is open, but under the name Savini at Criterion. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Episode 21 - Pubs and Taverns, Part 1 The Criterion - now Savini at Criterion The Criterion as seen in The Dark Knight The Sherlock Holmes Pub Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"gone to the nearest public house" [SOLI] We owe the entire Canon to Watson's drinking habits. Because he found himself at the Criterion Bar, he eventually found his way to Holmes. And just as importantly, public houses, taverns and bars play a role throughout the Sherlock Holmes stories. These locations are where they gathered intelligence, and met clients, or simply refreshed themselves. In the spirit of British pubs, we'll treat you to a bit of a pub quiz. Let's see how you do. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Academic Festival Overture by Johannes Brahms Gaudeamus igitur Bright College Days by Tom Lehrer Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"His Grace is surprised, Dr. Huxtable" [PRIO] The opening of "The Adventure of the Priory School" is one of the best in the entirety of the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Dr. Huxtable lands on the bearskin rug and from Watson's brandy administration to Holmes helping himself to the contents of Huxtable's pockets, it's vintage Sherlock Holmes. What do we know of Dr. Huxtable, and more importantly, what did he know about the Duke of Holdernesse? His days-long delay in seeking help meant that the trail was slightly cold for Holmes — a strange priority, even if His Grace was concerned about publicity. Just when did Dr. Huxtable first get to know the Duke and what did his station require? From tennis to tails, and Monty Python to Morgan Freeman reading the Canon, we've got it all. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links "The Adventure of the Priory School" The Adventures of Letterman Cathcart Towers Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"by the honour of your mother" [SIGN] There's no question that fathers play a significant role in many of the Sherlock Holmes stories. But what about mothers? As Mothers Day will be celebrated on May 14 in the United States, we thought it was an appropriate time to look at mothers and motherly figures in the Canon. From independent women to those who tragically lost their mothers, we see a common thread of strength. Where did Conan Doyle draw his examples from? And what did Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson make of such women? Its all here in Trifles. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"have a look at the horse" [SILV] One of the best regarded stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon is "Silver Blaze." The story has so many elements to it that lend themselves to the lore of Sherlock Holmes: the Baker Street opening, the image of Holmes and Watson in the railway carriage, a number of famous quotes. We'll be revisiting this story again in Trifles. But for this time, our focus is on the horse. With the Kentucky Derby approaching on May 6, it's an apt time to consider the heritage of Silver Blaze and the associated activities that were happening during that time. Noted sports columnist Red Smith had some thoughts about Holmes's actions and the racetrack bookie, and S. Tupper Bigelow took an opposite tack. Who was right? You'll have to tune in to hear. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.

"I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain" [3GAR] In "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches," we're treated to a range of emotions and reactions from Sherlock Holmes. The opening scene is one of those Canonical gems: Outside, there is a thick fog, while inside, we see a cheery fire, the gleaming breakfast table, and an eloquently irritable Holmes with his cherry-wood pipe, expounding upon art and detection just long enough to bring us up to the arrival of his attractive and interesting young client. We have a plethora of information about Holmes's personality in not only this opening, but the story itself: his annoyance with Watson and the general public, his charming way with female clients, his thinking, and the age-old question of whether he was attracted to Violet Hunter. Hop on board with us as we explore the glimpses we have of Sherlock Holmes in "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches," the story that originally appeared in the Strand Magazine in June 1892 and was the final story in the Adventures. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links "The Copper Beeches" Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"it is with a heavy heart" [FINA] "The Final Problem" is a shocking tale, both for contemporaries of the Strand Magazine as well as for first-time readers of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Christopher Morley wrote: "Devoted readers have rarely had such a shock as the opening words of this story when it first appeared in the Strand Magazine." And so too did we. Some reflections on the drastic turn of events and of the reactions to readers around the world. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links "The Final Problem" Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: A Textbook of Friendship Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"tell me how you came alive" [EMPT] While there is no explicit mention of Easter in the Sherlock Holmes story, we do have a story arc that follows the Easter mystery. While Holmes himself may not have been terribly religious (although he did express some acknowledgement of a higher power from time to time), he respected the tradition and the necessary belief in resurrection.

"roused its snakish temper" [SPEC] "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is consistently ranked as one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And in it, there are so many gems, so many possibilities to explore. We manage to delve into a few of them, including Dr. Roylott's clever yet poorly executed plan, the seemingly disparate time it took for victims to die, a passing glance at scores of untold cases accumulated during those early years, and more. Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, or the listening platform of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" Nerve and Knowledge: Doctors, Medicine and the Canon Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"quarter day is at hand" [WIST] There are at least two instances in the Sherlock Holmes stories when we come across a mention of quarter day. Just what is quarter day, and what is the significance with regard to these two stories? We delve into the history of quarter days, cross-quarter days and why the real estate market had such an impact on calendars and ultimately played into the plots of "Wisteria Lodge" and "The Resident Patient." Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Quarter days (Wikipedia) The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge The Resident Patient Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"To Sherlock Holmes, she is always the woman" [SCAN] It is the first story in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and it is also the first of what we might call the stories of legend: those Canonical tales that have inspired our imaginations far beyond the events that Watson wrote down. We already have Holmes and Watson, legends enough for anyone, but just as "The Greek Interpreter" reveals brother Mycroft Holmes, and "The Final Problem" outlines the evil figure of Moriarty, "A Scandal in Bohemia" introduces a character so compelling that she pervades our image of Sherlock Holmes forever after. Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory — to us, she is always "the woman!" Please leave us a rating and review on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links "A Scandal in Bohemia" Episode 10 Warren Buffet's annual letter to shareholders Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

"you could not celebrate him without being known yourself" [HOUN] With mid-March upon us, we thought it was high time to investigate some of the Irish connections in the Sherlock Holmes stories. From the obvious to the subtle, we go from Belfast to Waterford to Skibbereen, across the pond to America, and back again. Short stories and novels alike, there are glimpses of the Emerald Isle in a number of hiding places in the Canon. Did we miss any? Well, you'll just have to tell us. Please subscribe to us on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links No links this episode Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"He was clad in his dressing gown" [CREE] You'll find Sherlock Holmes lounging in his dressing gown in no fewer than 14 of the original stories. And yet, its color changed from story to story. Sherlock Holmes's dressing gown was alternatively purple, blue and mouse — how can this be? We discuss the possibilities that scholars have put forth over the course of many decades and even add our own conjecture. Add in a quick primer on what dressing gowns are and what Victorian / Edwardian habits were that required them, and you've got the best podcast episode about dressing gowns and Sherlock Holmes you've ever heard. A tip of the deerstalker goes to Bill Hyder, BSI, whose 1995 BSI Dinner publication "TRIFLES" contained this very topic. Please subscribe to us on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal. Links Dressing Gowns: Loungewear of Old Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 --

"embrace the true faith" [STUD] We see glimpses of religion in a number of stories, from plot devices to red herrings, saintly inferences to clever disguises. What role did religion play in the Sherlock Holmes stories? And Arthur Conan Doyle's own faith had some bearing on what we see as well. It's a chat about religion, faith, and their multitude of instances in the Canon. Links The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0