1. Connection from Scene 2 to Scene 3
Scene 2 showed us the domestic world of Shafter’s lodgings, where we met Jacob Shafter (the landlord), his daughter Ettie, Baldwin, and McMurdo. The scene revealed social tensions – Baldwin trying to court Ettie, Shafter warning about “those people” (likely referring to dangerous associates), and the introduction of McMurdo as a newcomer who clearly admires Ettie. The atmosphere was one of working-class life with underlying threats and romantic tension.
Scene 3 transitions us completely to a different world – from the American mining community setting to the sophisticated intellectual environment of 221B Baker Street in London, where Holmes and Watson are dealing with mysterious coded messages and criminal investigations. This shift shows the dual narrative structure of the story.
2. Setting
Location: 221B Baker Street, London – Holmes and Watson’s famous sitting room
Time: 1895, morning
Atmosphere: Tense and intellectually charged
Physical Details:
- Holmes examining two notes at a table
- Watson finishing breakfast nearby
- Later, an almanac (Whitaker’s Almanac) is brought to the table
- A notebook for recording deductions
- Mood: Urgent problem-solving atmosphere with underlying concern for someone’s safety
3. Characters and Their Relationships
Sherlock Holmes
- The brilliant consulting detective
- Relationship: Watson’s partner and flatmate
- Role: Decoding the cipher and planning their response
Dr. John Watson
- Holmes’s loyal companion and chronicler
- Relationship: Holmes’s best friend and assistant
- Role: Helping with the investigation and asking clarifying questions
Professor Moriarty
- Holmes’s arch-nemesis (mentioned but not present)
- Relationship: Criminal mastermind opposing Holmes
- Role: The suspected source of the threat
Fred Porlock
- Moriarty’s informant who sent the warning
- Relationship: Secret ally providing information to Holmes
- Role: The anonymous source trying to prevent a crime
Inspector MacDonald
- Police detective from Scotland Yard
- Relationship: Professional colleague who respects Holmes
- Role: Brings urgent news about a murder at Birlstone
Mrs. Hudson
- Holmes and Watson’s landlady
- Relationship: Domestic helper and gatekeeper
- Role: Announces MacDonald’s arrival
Mr. Douglas (mentioned)
- The intended victim of Birlstone Manor House
- Status: Already murdered by the time MacDonald arrives
4. Summary
The scene opens with Holmes intensely studying two mysterious notes while Watson finishes his breakfast at 221B Baker Street. Holmes explains his theory about their correspondent – comparing him to a small fish swimming with a shark, specifically identifying the “shark” as Professor Moriarty and the “fish” as his informant.
Watson inquires about Moriarty, prompting Holmes to describe him as the greatest criminal mastermind of their time , the organizer of every major crime in London’s underworld. Holmes reveals his frustration that, despite knowing Moriarty’s guilt, he cannot prove anything against the professor, who sits protected by layers of criminal associates like a chain, with each link protecting the others.
Holmes then focuses on decoding the cipher. He explains that it’s a book cipher where numbers refer to specific words on particular pages. The cipher contains references to page 534 and mentions “Douglas” and “Birlstone.” Holmes deduces they need a common book that both sender and receiver would possess.
After considering and rejecting the Bible (too many different editions exist, making it unreliable), Holmes suggests Whitaker’s Almanac. Watson retrieves it, and Holmes successfully decodes the message. The decoded warning reveals that there is danger coming to Douglas at Birlstone Manor House, and the situation is urgent.
Just as Holmes finishes his deduction and expresses satisfaction with solving the puzzle, Mrs. Hudson announces Inspector MacDonald’s arrival. MacDonald brings devastating news – they are too late. Mr. Douglas of Birlstone Manor House has been murdered that very morning. The scene ends with this dramatic revelation, showing that despite Holmes’s brilliant deductive work, the warning came too late to prevent the crime.
5. Short Quiz
1. What metaphor does Holmes use to describe his correspondent’s relationship with Moriarty?
a) A mouse with a cat b) A pilot-fish with a shark c) A lamb with a wolf d) A servant with a master
2. Why does Holmes reject the Bible as the cipher key?
a) It’s too religious b) Different editions are paginated differently c) It’s too long d) Moriarty wouldn’t use it
3. What book successfully serves as the cipher key?
a) Bradshaw’s Railway Guide b) The Bible c) A dictionary d) Whitaker’s Almanac
4. What does the decoded message warn about?
a) A bank robbery b) Danger to Douglas at Birlstone c) Moriarty’s escape d) A train accident
5. What tragic news does Inspector MacDonald bring?
a) Moriarty has escaped b) The cipher was fake c) Douglas has been murdered d) Porlock has been caught
6. Who is Fred Porlock?
a) A Scotland Yard detective b) Moriarty’s informant helping Holmes c) The murder victim d) Holmes’s new client
7. How does Holmes describe the criminal organization?
a) Like a spider’s web b) Like a chain with each link protecting the others c) Like an army d) Like a family
8. What is Holmes’s attitude when he solves the cipher?
a) Worried and anxious b) Disappointed c) Excited and satisfied (“Good, Watson, good”) d) Indifferent
9. Where is Birlstone located according to the text?
a) In London b) A village in North Sussex, ten or twelve miles northwest of Tunbridge Wells c) In Scotland d) Near Baker Street
10. What time does Inspector MacDonald arrive?
a) Late at night b) In the afternoon c) Early morning (they had “only just finished breakfast”) d) At noon
Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-d, 4-b, 5-c, 6-b, 7-b, 8-c, 9-b, 10-c