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no-side-us · 1 year

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Letters From Watson Liveblog - May 5

The Naval Treaty, Part 2 of 4

Nepotism? In my old British government? It's more likely than you think.

A naval treaty, if you will. I'd be curious to know how the readers of the time reacted to the information here about French fleets and alliances with Italy and what not, cause it seems to be pretty important if true.

The chart is appreciated. I wonder if Watson had the original drawing of the chart published, or if he redrew it himself later on after all the time that has passed.

Maybe it was the wind? The back of the clerk's room looks out to the lane below, so maybe some wind blew in, rang the bell, and whooshed the original out the window.

Fun fact: shirt cuffs used to be quite disposable so people would make notes on them and detach them later. Link to the post where I learned this. This isn't even the only time Sherlock would write notes on his cuffs.

The commissionaire's wife seems pretty suspicious at the moment, running off at the same time the treaty disappeared. Or is it too suspicious, cause what sort of thief makes their presence known and runs away at the same time something is stolen. Then again, it's an old woman, so perhaps she's not that great a thief. Then again, it's an old woman, so why would she be a thief in the first place.

A real mystery, this one.

It's always nice when the client thinks ahead as much as Holmes does, at least in some instances.

Well there goes the wind theory. Unless of course the wind shut the window as it blew in and out, and the force of the window coming down caused it to fasten itself. Sherlock Holmes mysteries have had more obtuse answers than this one, is all I'm saying.

A modern Sherlock Holmes would be able to smell the different flavors of someone's vaping, and probably know the brand of vape, the amount, where it was bought, etc. A modern Sherlock Holmes would probably also vape himself.

I'm sure Watson knows very well that Phelps was a sensitive kid. After all, he had a hand in making him like that.

I love when Holmes acts out of character for Watson, cause it could mean any number of things, but rarely is it ever because he's actually changing his behavior as Watson presumes.

Honestly, I'd be pretty disappointed too if I were expecting a great mystery-solving detective and instead got a thirteenth century monk trying to pass the time between bad haircuts. Though obviously Holmes is doing this for some specific reason.

Holmes is such a mischievous character at times. There was no reason he had to pause after saying that. He knew what it sounded like, he just wanted to make fun.

This sounds like such a British way of saying you're in a fever. "Oh, I'll just be in a fever in the meanwhile, no hurry."

At least Phelps has no illusions about his being fired, even with an uncle in the government. If he were a worse person, I could see him crying about his dismissal because of his uncle's position.

Conclude? E-mail? I thought this was a four-part series of letters. Looks like Watson's catching up with the times in his old age.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

#letters from watson #the naval treaty #sherlock holmes #john h watson #percy phelps #annie harrison #joseph harrison #lord holhurst #mrs tangey #mr tangey #charles gorot #mr forbes #arthur conan doyle #liveblogging sherlock holmes

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coopersgal · 7 months

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These two are like George Weasley and Fred Weasley as muggles with Percy Weasley and Molly Weasley man I love Callum Anderson and Finlay Anderson look at these two tree huggers pranksters and family lovers and I relate to these two in some ways I love characters I relate to it makes me love them more I can see why people are seeing similarities to Fred Weasley and George Weasley in these two. These two are real men I put them as one of my top favorite men I think there handsome how they are cool, silly, badasses, and have there sweet moments at times that's my type I love 💚

#Kingdom 2009 #Callum Anderson #Finlay Anderson #George Weasley #Fred Weasley #Percy Weasley #Molly Weasley #Oliver Phelps #James Phelps #Karl Davies #These Are Real Men #Characters I Relate To #Characters I Love #My Everything #These Two Men Are The Type Of Men I Love

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swamp-adder · 4 months

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I just read this fanfic which pointed out that after Watson moved out Holmes could have repurposed his bedroom for some other use but apparently chose to keep it as a guest room even though he basically never has any guests other than Watson, and now I can't stop thinking about it.

#sherlock holmes #acd holmes #well except for percy phelps that one time #idk maybe he does find it useful to have a place where a client who's in danger can stay temporarily or whatever #or maybe that's just the excuse he uses for why he totally needs that guest room for reasons other than wanting watson to visit :P #i bet he does also keep some of his papers and other crap in there though #now that watson's not around most of the time to complain about it

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hell-heron · 1 year

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I think Percy Phelps and Mary Sutherland are some of my favorite clients bc they hit a very similar characterisation note that I like, which is Dumb Of Ass + slightly annoying/flawed in an histrionic way but however EXTREMELY proactive, it gives such an unique charming flavor to the case that really works for me in distinguishing them in a comparatively homogenous mass of clients

#i tend to in general have lots of affection for young professionals being given scammy opportunities so violet hunter and hall pycroft too #and mr melas mr melas my beloved #but i think the queering the basically assistant detective/absolute scammed ninny binary really gives phelps and sutherland the edge #plus the theme of trying to make it in the working world is strong with them as well #mary insisting in her clerical work and independent income despite visual defect and not really needing to #and percy a bright career threatened by caffeine addittion :(#letters from watson #op

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emotional-otter · 1 year

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Travis Phelps as Will Solace

#sally face #sally face crossover #percy jackson crossover #william solace #will solace #travis phelps #sally fisher #sal fisher #nico di angelo #solangelo

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edwardian-girl-next-door · 10 months

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Little moments from Granada's The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes S1Ep3 "The Naval Treaty" (1984). Dir. Alan Grint. Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, David Burke as Dr. Watson, David Gwillim as Percy Phelps, Alison Skillbeck as Annie Harrison, Gareth Thomas as Joseph Harrison

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holmesillustrations · 5 months

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Vote for your favourite, the top 9 will proceed in the bracket. Since theyre all different shapes and sizes, make sure to click into the full views!

Paget Eliminations

Other Artist Eliminations

Full captions and details for each illustration below the cut:

All Sidney Paget illustrations are for the Strand Jul 1891 - Dec 1904

"Then he stood before the fire." Scandal in Bohemia Characters: Watson, Holmes

“Lestrade shrugged his shoulders.” Boscombe Valley Characters: Lestrade, Alice Turner, Watson, Holmes

“She went straight to her uncle.” Beryl Coronet Characters: Mr Holder, Mary Holder, Watson

"He burst into convulsive sobbing." Blue Carbuncle Characters: Ryder, Holmes, Watson

"I got one in with my stick." Cardboard Box Characters: Alec Fairbairn, Jim Browner, Mary Browner

"Good heavens! What is the matter?" Reigate Squires Characters: Cunninghams, Watson, Col Hayter, Insp Forrester, Holmes

"Fast asleep in his box." Naval Treaty Characters: Percy Phelps, Commissionaire Tangey

"He scribbled the appointment on his shirt cuff." Hound of the Baskervilles Characters: Dr Mortimer, Holmes, Watson

"Really, sir, this is a very extraordinary question." Hound of the Baskervilles Characters: Watson, Laura Lyons

"My first movement, Watson," said he, "must be in the direction of Blackheath." Norwood Builder Characters: Holmes, Watson

"Holmes examined it in his minute way." Black Peter Characters: Hopkins, Holmes, Watson

"Holmes picked up the key and looked at it for an instant." Golden Pince-Nez Characters: Watson, Hopkins, Holmes, Prof. Coram

#acd holmes #sherlock holmes #tumblr bracket #sherlock holmes illustrations #elim poll #sp elim

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seriouslysam8 · 2 months

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I’m 5’10 and I hate it! I can’t wear heels because all the guys I’ve dated feel insecure when I’m taller than them. We can’t do this to Maia! You realize this means you need to pair her with Ron or one of the twins, right? Let’s pair her with Fred since we love Demelza and Angelina. We don’t know Audrey too well so meh we can sacrifices her and that husband of hers. Don’t worry about the age difference, they can date when she’s out of Hogwarts. Let Sirius worry about it, and have Remus tell Sirius he told him he wasn’t a big deal when he was dating Tonks so why does it matter now?? Sirius telling Maia he doesn’t approve of Fred is the first time Harry and Sirius have a big fight, because Harry always has Maia’s back. Now Sirius is even more upset with Fred because the thinks it’s his fault all of his kids and wife are upset with him. When Fred comes over for dinner he goes on about the Marauders Map and how they were all geniuses and Sirius is so annoyed because he loves the kid but wants to hate him so much. This is lowkey me trying to convince you not to kill Fred lol.

Just please kill Percy for the love of god. There’s too many fics of every other Weasley dying but no one is killing off the little git.

I’m pretty sure in canon the twins are short and stocky, not tall like the Phelps twins.

But Maia is like so beautifully tall, like all the other Blacks. She can totally just wear flats. (Wear flats, girl!! No need to kill your feet in heels!)

But I don’t know. It would be kind of funny for Harry to date Ron’s sister and Ron to date Harry’s sister. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 But I do adore Romelza.

EDIT: I am a short girl. I wish I could wear flats without looking like I’m 12. Heels kill. 😭😭😭

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dathen · 6 months

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Letters from Watson: Worst clients ROUND 2

Instead of waiting five weeks between polls, we're going to jump ahead to pit the winners of past polls against each other in brackets! I'm attempting to seed the bracket so the big'uns don't knock each other out early on, so the first handful of polls will likely be VERY lopsided. But who knows...there may be some surprises!

The first surprise is: remember how I urged everyone to leave tags describing the rationale for their vote? I counted these up separately, and if the most common option was different in tags than in votes, both moved on to the next round! (This will also apply to future polls as we work through the rest of the stories)

For seeding, I tried to judge the placing in the bracket by the % of votes, the total # of votes, and the % lead vs. the 2nd place option. We have yet to learn who the last couple winners are, so there may be future wonkiness.

And without further ado, here's your first RANCID CLIENT FACE-OFF battle!

#lfw polls #letters from watson #sherlock holmes #acd holmes

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rosefilledpiano · 4 months

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New to this

Hello!! My name is Judas. Jude for short. I'm 17, and part of the LGBTQ community. (Aromantic and genderfluid). I'm an aspiring cryptozoologist, but I enjoy writing. I'm on here to practice writing, so please send in a request if you'd like. I don't have many boundaries, as long as it isn't incest, non-con, or pedophillia. I'll be writing for the fandoms under the banner.

Heroes of Olympus

Perseus (Percy) Jackson

Annabeth Chase

Grover Underwood

Luke Castellan

Thalia Grace

Nico Di Angelo

Clarrise La Rue

Will Solace

Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano

Jason Grace

Piper McLean

Leo Valdez

Hazel Levesque

Frank Zhang

Apollo/Lester papadopoulous (idek)

Sally Face

Sal Fisher

Larry Johnson

Ashley Campbell

Todd Morrison

Travis Phelps

Lisa Johnson

Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun

Yashiro Nene

Hanako-Kun (Amane Yugi)

Kou Minamoto

Mitsuba Sousuke

Tsukasa Yugi

Sakura Nanamine

Natsuhiko Hyuuga

Aoi Akane (male??)

Akane Aoi (female?)

Yako

Hunter x Hunter

Gon Frecss

Killua Zoldyck

Kurapika

Leorio Paradinight

Alluka (platonic)

Criminal Minds

Aaron Hotchner

Spencer Reid

Derek Morgan

Emily Prentiss

Penelope Garcia

Ouran Highschool Host club (I forgot the last names, so I'll have to make it work)

Tamaki

Haruhi

Kyoya

Hikaru

Kaoru

Honey-Senpai

Mori

Gravity Falls

Dipper Pines

Mabel Pines

Grunkle Stan

Stanford

Wendy

Soos

School Bus Graveyard

Ashlyn Banner

Aiden Clark

Ben Clark

Tyler Hernandez

Taylor Hernandez

Logan Fields

The Night and It's Moon

Nox

Amaris

----- (This is my own little series I've dreamed up. Requests are accepted and encouraged. I need help creating the title name, though. So after a few chapters, I'll need recommendations. Here are the characters so far.)

Enid Wright

Rubi Lawrence

Selene Aedes

Liam Hernandez

Aries Deam

Tyler Aedes

Sammy Deam

That's all for the moment. I'll be writing x readers, smuts, etc. Please request something soon! Thanks for reading this far!

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odarlingerrado · 1 month

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Era Uma Vez… Uma pessoa comum, de um lugar sem graça nenhuma! HÁ, sim, estou falando de você JAMES THOMAS DARLING. Você veio de NOVA YORK, ESTADOS UNIDOS e costumava ser NADADOR PROFISSIONAL por lá antes de ser enviado para o Mundo das Histórias. Se eu fosse você, teria vergonha de contar isso por aí, porque enquanto você estava JOGANDO VÍDEO GAME tem gente aqui que estava salvando princesas das garras malignas de uma bruxa má! Tem gente aqui que estava montando em dragões. Tá vendo só? Você pode até ser DISCIPLINADO, mas você não deixa de ser um baita de um ARROGANTE… Se, infelizmente, você tiver que ficar por aqui para estragar tudo, e acabar assumindo mesmo o papel de O DARLING PERDIDO na história PETER PAN… Bom, eu desejo boa sorte. Porque você VAI precisar!

RESUMO : James Darling (Sim, este é seu sobrenome de verdade, uma grande ironia, veja só) era, até pouco tempo atrás, um nadador profissional, natural do Queens, Nova York. Antes de se tornar um Perdido, ele estava focado em treinar para os Jogos Olímpicos. Agora... bom, agora ele está perdidinho da silva em um mundo que ele não entende muito bem, tendo que aceitar que pode acabar se tornando um personagem de conto de fadas caso alguém não conserte logo a situação. Ele está feliz com isso? Não mesmo. Mas ele não vê outra escolha a não ser lidar com a situação.

*Bio completa + curiosidades bacaninhas logo abaixo :)

O ANTES

Se você, caro leitor, se interessa bastante por esportes ou pelo menos gosta de acompanhar as olimpíadas de 4 em 4 anos, então é quase certo que já tenha ouvido o nome James Darling pelo menos uma vez. Membro da equipe de natação dos Estados Unidos, você talvez se lembre. Um rapaz ainda novato, eu diria, pois participou de apenas uma Olimpíada até agora, mas que já está sendo chamado de o próximo Michael Phelps. Tudo bem, isso não é bem verdade. Só ele mesmo pensa assim. A verdade, no entanto, é que ele estava começando mesmo a se destacar, e a olimpíada na França seria sua grande chance de fazer seu nome!

É, você leu certo. Seria, se ele não tivesse se metido na maior confusão de sua vida e ido parar em um um outro mundo, que ele não achava ser real nem em seus sonhos mais loucos. Mas vamos falar sobre isso já já. Primeiro, talvez você precise de um pouco mais de informações sobre ele, até porque ele é um nadador e não um grande jogador de futebol americano.

James nasceu e foi criado no Queens, Nova York. Sendo filho único, sempre recebeu muita atenção de seus pais, o que era bom, porque ele sempre foi um garoto cheio de energia para gastar e precisava de muita supervisão, ou acabaria quebrando a casa inteira (e ele mesmo no processo). Ele também sempre foi bem mimado, afinal, era só ele, mas isso não vem ao caso agora. Sendo tão ativo, era natural que ele se interessasse por algum esporte enquanto crescia e, depois de tentar vários, a natação o conquistou.

Percebendo bem rápido que era disso que gostava, ele passou a se dedicar 100% aos seus treinos. James sempre se sentiu muito bem perto da água, o próprio Percy Jackson, se me permite dizer. Nadar sempre foi sua paixão, e algo no qual ele era muito, muito bom. Começou sua carreira participando de campeonatos escolares, depois campeonatos regionais, estaduais, passando para nacionais e internacionais, até conseguir uma vaga na equipe olímpica dos Estados Unidos.

Não foi bem o maior destaque em sua primeira competição oficial por seu país, mas não fez feio também. Voltou para casa com duas medalhas de bronze e uma de prata, e agora sonha com a de ouro. James treinou como ninguém para as Olimpíadas que estão chegando. Estava completamente focado nisso, quando o livro apareceu em sua vida. E aí, nossa, tudo mudou.

É aqui que a diversão começa.

O AGORA

James ainda está tentando entender como diabos foi parar naquele lugar de malucos. Sim, malucos. Personagens de contos de fada sendo reais? Qual é, que loucura era aquela? Ele nunca se sentiu tão perdido quanto quando se viu preso naquele lugar, só de roupão, touquinha e sunga (porque veja bem, ele estava treinando, ok?). Se lembrava de alguns contos por ter assistido um ou outro filme quando criança e por memes na internet, mas seu conhecimento sobre o assunto sempre foi bem limitado, o que certamente já começou a dificultar sua vida.

Não está muito feliz em estar preso nesse lugar novo, afinal, ele tem uma droga de Olimpíada para participar em pouquíssimos meses e ele deveria estar treinando, não estudando sobre reinos fictícios. Mas já que não tem muito o que ele possa fazer… decidiu não nadar contra a maré. Ou não muito, pelo menos.

CURIOSIDADES:

Nasceu em 27 de Novembro. Possui 1,89m de altura. (O cara é alto). E é bissexual.

Sim, seu sobrenome real é Darling, exatamente como o de seus supostos "novos irmãos”. É uma grande coincidência, ou ironia do destino. Talvez esse seja o motivo de ele ter sido escolhido para esse conto, quem sabe. Ele não tem todas as respostas.

James sempre foi mais inclinado para a Pixar, portanto ele é muito mais familiarizado com filmes como Toy Story, Monstros S.A, Carros, Procurando Nemo, Carros e os Incríveis. Infelizmente, para ele, nenhum desses reinos se encontra presente ali. Que saco, né?

Das princesas ele sabe só o básico e é muito provável que ele se refira a elas como “aquela do vestido azul” ou “aquela do vestido amarelo” e provavelmente vai fazer confusão com todo mundo.

Ele tem uma rotina bem rígida de treinamentos, que consiste em 3 horas dentro da piscina de manhã e mais três à tarde, com uma hora e meia de academia a noite. Em suas pausas, ele costuma cochilar, e jogar videogame com seus amigos para espairecer. Ele vai tentar manter essa rotina de alguma forma, ou adaptar para fazer pelo menos metade disso, ou vai entrar em colapso.

Gosta muito de estar dentro de uma piscina.

Não gostou muito de sua descrição na história, afinal, ele não se vê como o irmão “estraga prazeres”. Ele achou isso um absurdo total (mas… bom, ele pode ser sim um pouco rabugento, especialmente no começo.)

Mesmo assim, ele ficou feliz e um tanto quanto aliviado por ter tido a sorte de fazer parte de um conto mais “normal” (afinal, os irmãos Darling vieram do mundo real, certo? Apenas de outro país, outra época…pelo menos é do que ele se lembra do filme que assistiu anos atrás.), e de ter um papel relativamente importante. No fim das contas, ele podia estar em uma situação bem pior. Ele podia ser a hiena número 4….

O rapaz tende a ser um pouquinho surtado (não agressivo, só de dar uns chiliques aqui e ali quando tá muito nervoso).

O que ele mais sente falta é da musica e dos jogos do mundo real.

#✶ // — ❮ PINNED ❯#acho que não faltou nada #depois vou adicionando mais coisas :)

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no-side-us · 1 year

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Letters From Watson Liveblog - May 3

The Naval Treaty, Part 1 of 4

There's some build up here for The Second Stain, and at first it doesn't seem to correlate with the story we read. Apparently, it was published 11 years after The Naval Treaty, so there's your Doylist explanation (literally) for any discrepancies.

However, looking closer, it's not that far off. The Second Stain was published in 1904, so it did come after the "new century," and it was indeed a very important case for the British government that involved an unknown "foreign potentate" that has been theorized to be Kaiser Wilhelm II, so close enough.

No mention of Monsieur Dubugue (Dubuque?) or Fritz von Waldbaum though, but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't exist. The case did involve an investigation in Paris, so perhaps the interview Holmes had with them occurred after the case was over, in which case they wouldn't be involved in the actual story.

Aw, poor Percy Phelps. So Watson was a bit of a playground bully, or at the very least participated in some widespread teasing and harassment.

I wonder how he got that nickname. Was it as simple as him looking at a tadpole one day, so everyone started picking on him for it as kids do, or did he get really invested in frogs and tadpoles for a time, as kids do.

Mary appearance! In every story where she appears for just one line, I like to imagine an alternate universe where Mary is a chronicler and it's Watson who gets referred to as "my husband" all the time.

It's stuff like this that probably occupies most of Holmes' time, the "boring" crime solving that Watson doesn't really write about. The chemical works, sending telegrams, even the consulting he does for other investigators, all in the background of the more exciting adventures he goes on.

Damn, Holmes just got got by Joseph Harrison. I like this guy already.

You know, Watson has written some descriptions for people ranging from slightly mean to outright insulting, and I just wonder how those people react when they read back these stories. How would Ms. Harrison feel, knowing that thousands of people have read this and will think of her in their minds as "a little short and thick for symmetry?" I'd love to see someone write out the fictional mail sent to The Strand Magazine by those Watson has described.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4

#letters from watson #the naval treaty #sherlock holmes #john h watson #mary watson #percy phelps #joseph harrison #annie harrison #arthur conan doyle #liveblogging sherlock holmes

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pop-goes-the-weasel · 1 year

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After Pretzel Holmes and Semi Pretzel Watson, meet the quarter Pretzel client Percy Phelps

Of The Naval Treaty

(Link along with image)

#letters from watson #Naval treaty #Sherlock holmes #Sidney paget

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mariana-oconnor · 1 year

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The Naval Treaty pt 3

Yes, we apparently have got to the point where I'm memeing myself.

Right, last time, after Percy, Watson's old 'pal' from school failed magnificently at understanding how to protect confidential data, he followed an old woman into the night and the stress gave him a brain fever. Meanwhile, I'm still certain that Joseph Harrison, who has not been implicated in any way, is involved because I am a well-balanced and entirely reasonable person.

Mr. Joseph Harrison drove us down to the station

See! He's trying to get rid of you! 🤣🤣😂

“It's a very cheery thing to come into London by any of these lines which run high, and allow you to look down upon the houses like this.”

Last time we had Holmes looking out a train window: Ugh, look how terrible the countryside is! I can't bear it.

The contrast is palpable.

“The board-schools.” “Light-houses, my boy! Beacons of the future! Capsules with hundreds of bright little seeds in each, out of which will spring the wise, better England of the future. I suppose that man Phelps does not drink?”

Board schools are not the same as boarding schools, the internet tells me, but the first state run schools with no religious affiliation. I was about to be cynical about Holmes' view of children and Victorian educational standards, but I can't. He's right, those schools were important and really did pave the way for a brighter future.

And then a bit of mental whiplash as he snaps back to the case at hand, because he's Holmes.

In answer to the question, I can't say whether Percy drinks alcohol, but he definitely has a caffeine addiction that he should work on. If not for that, he wouldn't be in this mess.

Also, it was unreasonable of his uncle to expect him to copy so much text in a foreign language in one night. But even so, Percy needs to work harder on curbing his need for coffee.

"Then came the smash, and she stayed on to nurse her lover, while brother Joseph, finding himself pretty snug, stayed on too."

Oh, so he's just hanging around leeching off people, huh? Exactly as I suspected! This is just the beginning. Clearly, he's been a wrong'un all along and I will be vindicated.

"But to-day must be a day of inquiries.” “My practice—” I began. “Oh, if you find your own cases more interesting than mine—” said Holmes, with some asperity.

First of all, Watson does have a job, Holmes. I get that you want to play with him, but he does have responsibilities. You really shouldn't be bitchy about that.

Second, if Watson actually cares enough about his patients to ditch you, that would be the first time ever.

“I was going to say that my practice could get along very well for a day or two, since it is the slackest time in the year.”

See. No problem at all. Why would Watson ever do his actual job when he could be running around with Holmes? What a preposterous idea!

"...there is Lord Holdhurst.” “Lord Holdhurst!” “Well, it is just conceivable that a statesman might find himself in a position where he was not sorry to have such a document accidentally destroyed.” “Not a statesman with the honorable record of Lord Holdhurst?”

Oh Watson, my sweet summer child. Out there believing in unicorns and fairies and honourable politicians.

I discounted him because honestly, a political plot involving the politician uncle and corruption seemed too spy thriller. Also, the time frame of everything being nine weeks ago, I think discounts a political motive because if there were spy games going on, it would be far too late to do anything about it. Of course, it might be the case. These stories have surprised me a few times so far.

“£10 reward. The number of the cab which dropped a fare at or about the door of the Foreign Office in Charles Street at quarter to ten in the evening of May 23d. Apply 221b, Baker Street.”

The Bank of England inflation calculator tells me that's equivalent to approximately £1000 today, which is a pretty impressive reward for a little bit of information. Honestly, I'd expect people to be climbing out of the woodwork to say they saw Queen Victoria herself driving the cab and dropping off Jack the Ripper.

"Why yes, Mr Holmes, I saw a man with a long white beard and carrying a large sack. No, it was right odd, y'see: he didn't go in through the door. He climbed up on' roof and went down the chimney, that he did."

"And then, of course, there is the bell—which is the most distinctive feature of the case. Why should the bell ring?"

This is what I'm most interested in. What is up with that bell?

He sank back into the state of intense and silent thought from which he had emerged; but it seemed to me, accustomed as I was to his every mood, that some new possibility had dawned suddenly upon him.

Tell me! Tell me! I need to know. The bell is plaguing me.

a small, foxy man with a sharp but by no means amiable expression.

So Lestrade is a ferret and Forbes is a fox. Must all police officers be described as animals? This appears to be a pattern.

“You are ready enough to use all the information that the police can lay at your disposal, and then you try to finish the case yourself and bring discredit on them.” “On the contrary,” said Holmes, “out of my last fifty-three cases my name has only appeared in four, and the police have had all the credit in forty-nine. I don't blame you for not knowing this, for you are young and inexperienced, but if you wish to get on in your new duties you will work with me and not against me.” “I'd be very glad of a hint or two,” said the detective, changing his manner.

Forbes changes his tune pretty quickly here, so he seems open minded enough. Although it does seem a bit like he doesn't understand the purpose of Holmes. Yes, he's supposed to take all the evidence the police give him and try to solve the case. That's kind of how being a detective works. I get the emphasis here is on 'yourself', but still.

I like this exchange, because we've already seen in the stories that Holmes really doesn't care about the notoriety or the accolades - though he's more than willing to display gifts he's given in his own home - it's entirely the case and helping the people involved that he cares about.

Not sure he really needed to say that 'you are young and inexperienced' bit, though. Seems a tad direct.

“We have set one of our women on to her. Mrs. Tangey drinks, and our woman has been with her twice when she was well on, but she could get nothing out of her.”

OK, I thought it sounded unlikely that there were female police officers in the late 1800s, and it seems like the first female police officer in London was in 1919. But it definitely appears from this that they have women working for them - unless one of them has set his wife on a suspect, which... fair. Fascinating either way.

Also, Mrs Tangey has an alcohol problem, that could be an angle.

“What explanation did she give of having answered the bell when Mr. Phelps rang for the coffee?” “She said that he husband was very tired and she wished to relieve him.”

Alright, so it either was her, or she's involved in some way. Which I think we already suspected, but this clarifies that no one impersonated her without her knowledge, at least.

“Did you point out to her that you and Mr. Phelps, who started at least twenty minutes after he, got home before her?” “She explains that by the difference between a 'bus and a hansom.”

That's fair. Not everyone can afford their own taxi. Check your privilege, Holmes.

Standing on the rug between us, with his slight, tall figure, his sharp features, thoughtful face, and curling hair prematurely tinged with gray, he seemed to represent that not too common type, a nobleman who is in truth noble.

I may have rolled my eyes at this bit. Watson sometimes needs to back off on his earnest belief in the glory of England and its political and social systems. He's so classist it's actually painful at some points. Even if he's saying the type is 'not too common' it just makes me wrinkle my nose.

I also don't like Lord Holdhurst, but that's mainly because I believe hereditary nobility is immoral and also because he is a tory politician. There was never any hope of me liking him. I don't think he murders puppies, but I bet he'd pass legislation saying that murdering puppies is okay in certain circumstances if his old chum wanted to start a puppy murdering business and was a generous donor.

"I fear that the incident must have a very prejudicial effect upon his career.”

Yeah, that I do agree with.

“But if the document is found?” “Ah, that, of course, would be different.”

This, I do not agree with. Not after nine weeks, anyway. If it had been a couple of hours and the document was found to have fallen down the gap between the desk and the wall then he could probably just be given extra training and not allowed to touch confidential documentation without supervision for a few years. But it's been nine weeks. That treaty is lost. Even if it's returned, he still lost it for nine weeks.

“Did you ever mention to any one that it was your intention to give any one the treaty to be copied?” “Never.” “You are certain of that?” “Absolutely.”

OK. That cuts off that line of thinking, as Watson's insistence on him looking 'noble' clearly means we're supposed to believe him. But we already knew it wasn't him.

Because it's Joseph Harrison.

“If the treaty had reached, let us say, the French or Russian Foreign Office, you would expect to hear of it?” “I should,” said Lord Holdhurst, with a wry face.

Like I say, any political motivations would have been thoroughly completed by now, before Holmes was even called upon, so that's not likely.

“Of course, it is a possible supposition that the thief has had a sudden illness—” “An attack of brain-fever, for example?”

Given he called Holmes in, I sincerely doubt Percy's involved. Again, if this weren't a Sherlock Holmes story, there's a slim possibility it could be that his brain fever cause amnesia meaning that he doesn't remember taking the treaty and causing the whole problem, but that doesn't seem like a likely plot here.

“But he has a struggle to keep up his position. He is far from rich and has many calls. You noticed, of course, that his boots had been re-soled?"

OK so now we give him a motive, when you've all just gone on about how he's a 'fine fellow'? Are Lord Holdsworth's money problems going to be relevant to the plot? Maybe. We've heard nothing of Percy having any cousins, so as it stands he might be his uncle's heir. Not sure how that would lead to the treaty being stolen, but we'll bear it in mind.

Ah, and then Watson is racist again. Native Americans this time. These stories are really trying to spread the racism around, aren't they. This whole section is strange though, because it's about how Watson can't read Holmes' face, when multiple times (in this very story) he's said how he knows Holmes so well that he can instantly tell from his face what Holmes is thinking.

“God bless you for saying that!” cried Miss Harrison. “If we keep our courage and our patience the truth must come out.”

She and Watson should get together and have optimist meetings.

Although, it's definitely your brother, Miss Harrison. I don't know how, but it is. It's got to be. We're running out of suspects. Mrs Tangey seems like she might be involved, but I doubt she's the mastermind behind events.

Maybe Joseph just bribed her into trying to discredit Percy, she saw the paper and thought 'well this looks important' and took it not really knowing what it was.

But that doesn't explain the bell. Unless it's because she was drunk and she stumbled and grabbed it. Or she didn't really want to be doing it, so she pulled it in a weird attempt to get caught. Or she let Harrison in and then saw him stealing something and pulled the bell, only to be threatened if she said anything.

“Yes, we have had an adventure during the night, and one which might have proved to be a serious one.” His expression grew very grave as he spoke, and a look of something akin to fear sprang up in his eyes. “Do you know,” said he, “that I begin to believe that I am the unconscious centre of some monstrous conspiracy, and that my life is aimed at as well as my honor?”

He's probably right to be worried - maybe not for his life, but I'm pretty sure this entirely thing is aimed at him, not the treaty. But at the same time, this does not sound like the thinking of a mentally healthy person.

"A man was crouching at the window."

No. No, you see it could be him. Of course you're going to want to make it seem like it was someone from outside forcing their way in. To keep the suspicion off the people who live in the house. It has to be him. Has to be.

Did he have a knife, or was it just something that looked like a knife... like...

uh...

The thing he used to unlock the window?

"As it was, I rang the bell and roused the house. It took me some little time, for the bell rings in the kitchen and the servants all sleep upstairs. I shouted, however, and that brought Joseph down, and he roused the others."

Oh oh... convenient, being the first person on the scene, huh? Was that because you weren't in bed asleep at all? Mr Joseph Harrison?

(If I am by some miracle right about this, it will be entirely undeserved as literally the only reason I decided it was him is because he seemed too happy and his sister is getting married)

"There's a place, however, on the wooden fence which skirts the road which shows signs, they tell me, as if some one had got over, and had snapped the top of the rail in doing so."

Okay... well... well... that doesn't really fit with my theory at all, but maybe it's a coincidence. People climb over fences all the time. Maybe it happened ages ago. I bet they don't check the fences every day. Totally not a sign I'm wrong.

“Oh, yes, I should like a little sunshine. Joseph will come, too.”

Why?

No, seriously. Why? Percy says Joseph will come, but not his fiancee? That's weird. Is it because Joseph is stronger if Percy needs to be carried back?

"I should have thought those larger windows of the drawing-room and dining-room would have had more attractions for him.” “They are more visible from the road,” suggested Mr. Joseph Harrison.

And right here we have the classic Columbo moment. I know Sherlock Holmes came first, no need to send me angry messages. But this is something that happens in Every. Single. Columbo. It's part of his method, it's kind of his whole method. He makes a comment about 'I wonder why the murderer didn't do x' to the person he (and the audience) knows is the murderer and the villain, in an attempt to cover their own tracks, immediately presents an explanation.

“Do you think that was done last night? It looks rather old, does it not?” “Well, possibly so.”

Aw shucks, is Holmes not falling for your clever ruse? What a pity!

“Miss Harrison,” said Holmes, speaking with the utmost intensity of manner, “you must stay where you are all day. Let nothing prevent you from staying where you are all day. It is of the utmost importance.” “Certainly, if you wish it, Mr. Holmes,” said the girl in astonishment.

Not the weirdest thing Holmes has ever asked a person to do - still remember Watson pretzeling himself behind the headboard that one time - but still kinda weird. I hope she has some sort of enrichment in her enclosure. Tell me she has a bookcase at least.

“Why do you sit moping there, Annie?” cried her brother. “Come out into the sunshine!”

Look! LOOK! He's trying to get her out of the room. He hid the treaty in the room and now he's trying to get it back but he can't! All aboard the Joseph Harrison train, next stop: Vindication.

Got to assume that even though Joseph wasn't present when Holmes was speaking to Anne, or when he was speaking to Percy, he will be aware that Percy is not in the house. But he'll only be able to break into the room by the window again, so I guess that is the plan. To catch him red-handed.

#Letters from Watson #The Naval Treaty #Sherlock Holmes #long post #It's beginning to look like I'm right #But that's absolutely nothing to do with my problem solving ability and everything to do with my natural paranoia and distrust #Also ACD has a type #We saw it in The Copper Beeches and in The Greek Interpreter #Men who laugh too much and smile too easily

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