Sherlock’s SPOTLIGHT · 2020. 11. 4. · – Irene Adler • “I am lost without my Boswell .” – Sherlock Holmes . Rob Nunn & Steve Mason. 10 | Sherlock’s Spotlight . Word

1 | S h e r l o c k ’ s S p o t l i g h t

Sherlock’s SPOTLIGHT

A Quarterly Gazette for Young Sherlockians Everywhere

Fall, 2020 A Scandal

in Bohemia

Artwork by Eleanor Hébert,

Texas

Your original artwork could be on the cover of our next issue…

See the bottom of page 4 for more details !


Welcome to

Sherlock’s SPOTLIGHT Volume 1, No. 1

Fall, 2020 – A Scandal in Bohemia

Contents Highlights from the Head-Light .................................................................................... 4 That’s–A–Maze-ing ............................................................................................................ 7 “A Scandal in Bohemia” ................................................................................................... 8 Word Search Challenge ................................................................................................. 10 Entertainment Resources for Younger Sherlockians ............................................... 12 2020 R. Joel Senter Essay Contest........................................................................... 14 Baker Street Elementary .............................................................................................. 15 Sherlock’s World ............................................................................................................. 17 Sherlock Holmes Mini-Mystery ................................................................................... 18 The Junior Sherlockian Society .................................................................................. 20 Practicing Your Detective Skills .................................................................................. 21 Too Hot to Handle Puzzle ............................................................................................. 21 Slylock Fox Solves the Case ........................................................................................ 22 Puzzle Answers ................................................................................................................ 23


Welcome to

Sherlock’s SPOTLIGHT

Volume 1, No. 1 Fall, 2020: “A Scandal in Bohemia”

Published four times a year by The Beacon Society, a society providing educators and others resources to bring the magic of Sherlock Holmes to life.

Editor: Steve Mason

Associate Editors: Rob Nunn and Michael McClure

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks so much to Michael McClure and the Chester Baskerville Society for their support and contributions to these efforts, including their wonderful newsletter of

years past, Holmes for the Holidays.

In addition, thanks to the Junior Sherlockian Society for their outstanding work in bringing Sherlock Holmes to younger Sherlockian fans everywhere.

Copyright: © 2020 by The Beacon Society All rights are hereby assigned to the contributors.

Find out more about the Beacon Society and our efforts to bring Sherlock Holmes to students at: www.beaconsociety.com

http://www.beaconsociety.com/


Highlights from the Head-Light

Welcome to the first issue of Sherlock’s Spotlight! We’ve filled this issue with fun facts about Sherlock Holmes and his adventures. You can explore his world and use his detective skills to solve word puzzles, find your way through a maze, and figure out which characters match.

If you’ve read about Sherlock Holmes or seen an actor play him in a movie or TV show, Sherlock’s Spotlight will help you learn more about him and his adventures. If you’ve never heard of him, Sherlock’s Spotlight will open a way into the wonderful world of Sherlock Holmes!

Who publishes Sherlock’s Spotlight? The Beacon Society is a group of Sherlockians who work with your teachers to help young people learn about Sherlock Holmes. Do you like to write? Our essay contest gives prizes to students who write about Sherlock Holmes [see page 13]. How did Sherlock Holmes solve all those mysteries? The Junior Sherlockian Society [see page 19] shows you how. Are you an artist? Then send us (with your parents’ or guardians’ permission) your drawing of Sherlock Holmes [see the directions below]. You might see your creation on the cover of a future issue of Sherlock’s Spotlight!

We’re glad you’ve joined us and we hope you enjoy this first issue of Sherlock’s Spotlight!

Carla Kaessinger Coupe Head-Light, The Beacon Society

Submit Your Original Artwork for our Gazette Cover We would love to use a student’s cover artwork for each of our issues.

If you would like to submit a .jpg, .png. or .pdf of an original artwork, please follow the simple rules… • You must be between the ages of 8-13. • You must have your parents’ permission to submit the artwork. • The artwork must be Sherlock-Holmes based.

You may send the artwork via our website submittal form at: www.beacon.society/ or you may email the

artwork directly to: Steve Mason at [email protected] Either have your parents email the artwork to us, or have them include a statement authorizing the use of your

artwork in our Gazette.

http://www.beacon.society/mailto:[email protected]


Character Profile: Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes has been known around the world for more than 100 years. His thin, hawk-like face, deerstalker cap, pipe, and magnifying glass make him a symbol that immediately makes readers think of mystery stories. If he were to walk down the street today, people would instantly recognize him! Holmes was the world’s first consulting detective from 1881-1904. During these years, he helped London’s police force and many clients to solve their problems with the help of his friend and colleague, Dr. John Watson. Even though he helps many important people like the King of Bohemia in “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Holmes often finds the smaller cases to be more interesting. Holmes and Watson first met in a laboratory in St. Bart’s Hospital in 1881, when they were both looking for a roommate. They soon started renting an apartment at 221b Baker Street, and the Sherlock Holmes stories would make that address one of the most famous addresses in the world. Although Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character, people

would write letters to him for years and years, asking for his help! Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first appearing in A Study in Scarlet, published in a book called Beeton’s Christmas Annual of 1887. Most of the Sherlock Holmes stories following A Study in

Scarlet were published in the Strand Magazine starting in 1891, and the majority of these cases took place in a time known as the Victorian period, the latter part of the 19th century when Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire. Sherlock Holmes is one of the most logical people the world has ever seen and January 6th, 1854 is widely believed to be his birthday. He looked at each crime as a

problem that could be solved by facts and science. Holmes called this method The Science of Deduction, and looked for any information that was available before coming to a conclusion. He did not believe that an investigator’s emotions should affect how a problem was solved. But Sherlock Holmes wasn’t just a great thinker; he also


enjoyed musical performances, playing violin, and performing chemistry experiments. Holmes pursued criminals throughout London, the south of England, and other parts of Europe. He is best known for deductive abilities based on observations. One of his more famous quotes is evidence of this: “You see, but you do not observe.” Holmes offered some insight into his method, claiming that “When you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Sherlock Holmes was considered a pioneer in modern criminal investigative techniques, including: • The art of disguise • Cryptography (art of

writing or solving codes) • Analysis of tobacco ash • Analysis of blood testing

for dust and dirt • Fingerprinting and

other physical characterizations

• Analysis of typewriting machines

• Casting and analysis of footprints

• Handwriting analysis and the patterns of handwriting

• Detection and identification of poisons • Analysis of gunpowder stains • Study of bicycle tires Conan Doyle modeled Holmes’s methods and mannerisms on his professor at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, Dr. Joseph Bell, particularly his ability to gather evidence based on observation. Holmes made a significant impact upon the mystery literature world, and has continued to be the most enduring character of the detective story. Since Conan Doyle’s 60 stories appeared, Sherlock Holmes has appeared in thousands of other stories, and hundreds of films,

stage plays, radio broadcasts, and comic books. At the end of “The Final Problem”, Dr. Watson describes Holmes as “…the best and the wisest man whom I have ever known.”

Rob Nunn & Steve Mason


That’s–A–Maze-ing The King of Bohemia has asked Sherlock Holmes to recover a photograph of Irene Adler. Help Sherlock Holmes find the photo and return it back to its rightful owner.


“A Scandal in Bohemia” Story Profile

First published in • Strand Magazine, United

Kingdom, July, 1891 • Courier-Journal, United States,

July, 1891 When the story takes place

• March, 1888 Primary Cast of Characters • SHERLOCK HOLMES, the first

consulting detective • JOHN WATSON, friend,

companion, and chronicler of Holmes’ efforts

• THE KING OF BOHEMIA, a royal who wants to retrieve a photograph before his wedding

• IRENE ADLER, an opera singer who has the photograph, and was a very clever woman

• GODFREY NORTON, a prominent young attorney, engaged to Miss Adler

Summary Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are visited by the King of Bohemia, trying to disguise himself. Holmes quickly sees through the disguise and the King says he has a special mission for the detective.

The King wants Holmes to retrieve a very important photograph from the beautiful Irene Adler. The King and Miss Adler appear in this picture together, and if it is released to the public, it would ruin his upcoming marriage to a princess. But it won’t be easy. Miss Adler has hidden the photograph. The King has tried time and time again to get it back, but has failed every time. Sherlock Holmes is his last hope.

Holmes disguises himself as a horse groom and investigates Miss Adler’s neighborhood,

learning that she rarely leaves home but has a friend named Godfrey Norton that visits her often. She also leaves home every evening and returns at the same time each night. While investigating, Holmes sees Godfrey Norton arrive at Miss Adler’s home in a rush. He soon runs out of her house, hails a cab, and races off to a church. Miss Adler soon follows, also in a big hurry.

Holmes follows them to a church, and stumbles into Irene Adler and Godfrey Norton’s rushed and secretive wedding. In


fact, Holmes is recruited to be the best man at the wedding in his disguise! That night, Holmes disguises himself as a minister, stages a rowdy brawl in the street outside Miss Adler’s (now Mrs. Norton) house, and has Watson create a fake house fire to find the image. He expects Miss Adler to give away where she has hidden the photograph in all of the commotion of the night. Holmes feels confident that he has solved the problem, but he is surprised to see a young man follow him home. Has Holmes underestimated Irene Adler and her ability to protect herself? The adventure ends the following morning at Irene’s house. Holmes, Watson, and the King visit her to retrieve the photograph, but will they be too late? “A Scandal in Bohemia” is a favorite Sherlock Holmes story for many readers and will have you wondering at the end just

who the real winner of this contest really was! Notable Quotes from the Story • “You see, but you do not observe.” –

Sherlock Holmes • “Not in the least.” – Dr. Watson, when

asked if he minded breaking the law • “It is a capital mistake to theorize before

one has data.” – Sherlock Holmes • “What a woman! What a queen she

would have made!” – The King of Bohemia

• “She is the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet.” – Sherlock Holmes

• “I love and am loved by a better man than he.” – Irene Adler

• “I am lost without my Boswell.” – Sherlock Holmes

Rob Nunn & Steve Mason


Word Search Challenge

You and a friend can now test your clue-finding skills in the fog-shrouded streets of London.

1. One player will take Holmes’ team, the other player will take Watson’s team. 2. Each player shall search his letter grid for the 5 names from “A Scandal in Bohemia” listed next to the grid

3. Circle each letter of the name. The remaining letters, not circled, will fill out a Sherlock Holmes quote from the story. Place each letter in the spaces below the word search.

4. The first player to find all 5 names and complete the quote wins. Holmes’ Team

T O S H E R L O C A

HOLMES

WATSON

ADLER

NORTON

ORMSTEIN

O S E M L O H N D K

H R O L M E O L S S

H E M I S S E A L W

A Y S S T R T H E W

O M A A T N V W F V

F E W Y W E B B D Z

V V C K O R I P C K

W D J Y E U H N B N

N O T R O N W S W C


1. One player will take Holmes’ team, the other player will take Watson’s team. 2. Each player shall search his letter grid for the 5 names from “A Scandal in Bohemia” listed next to the grid

3. Circle each letter of the name. The remaining letters, not circled, will fill out a Sherlock Holmes quote from the story. Place each letter in the spaces below the word search.

4. The first player to find all 5 names and complete the quote wins.

Watson’s Team

H T O S H E R L O C

HOLMES

WATSON

ADLER

NORTON

ORMSTEIN

K O R E L D A H O L

M E L S S H E I S A

L W A M Y S T H E W

O M A N E S I L J C

S E P G A S Z J R W

M N O T R O N C E L

O R M S T E I N Q B

Z A I D Q Q W O M F

N O S T A W D C C T


Entertainment Resources for Younger Sherlockians by Beth Gallego

Enola Holmes on Netflix and “The Case of the Missing Marquess”

The Enola Holmes Mystery series by Nancy Springer opens with The Case of the Missing Marquess, published in 2006. As the story begins, Enola Holmes has spent most of her life roaming free on the grounds of Ferndell Hall, where her mother and two servants are the only other occupants. On her 14th birthday, her mother vanishes, leaving Enola a drawing kit, a book on the meanings of flowers, and a small handmade book of ciphers. Enola hopes for help from her much older brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes, but when they arrive from London, there is nothing but disappointment. Appalled by the state of the house and grounds, and Enola’s lack of proper wardrobe and education in the womanly arts, Mycroft decrees that Enola will be sent to boarding school.

Instead, Enola devises a plan to make her way to London and find her mother on her own. On her way there, she finds herself tangled in the case of a missing young nobleman, which might put her search for her mother to a permanent end. Vivid details bring to life the scents, sounds, and sights of late-nineteenth-century London. Clever and determined, Enola is a heroine who is clearly out to rescue herself, thank you very much. There is a lot of humor in her voice as she presents the scenes to the reader. She is also aware of the very real dangers faced by a young woman alone in the city. While one mystery is solved by the end of the book, the loose threads of a larger story make the sequels must-reads.


In 2020, Netflix released the film Enola Holmes, with Millie Bobby Brown as Enola, Helena Bonham Carter as her mother Eudoria, Sam Claflin as Mycroft, and Henry Cavill as Sherlock. For the adaptation, elements of The Missing Marquess are taken and rearranged into a more cinematic story. This Enola is slightly older, and this Eudoria is more openly feminist, as well as an active suffragist. Enola’s relationship with her mother is portrayed as having been very close, making Eudoria’s disappearance even more shocking. Tewksbury, the missing nobleman of the novel, played by Louis Partridge, is also a little older, and he plays a much larger role in the movie. Additional action-packed scenes give the movie its punch, but Enola remains the heart of the story. The smart and funny narrative style of the book makes the jump to screen by having Enola speak directly to the audience several times. The movie is beautifully shot, with gorgeous scenery, fabulous costumes, and clever use of animation in the transitions. This is a fun adventure for the whole family.


2021 R. Joel Senter Essay Contest


Baker Street Elementary


Sherlock’s World Sailor, Plumber, or Priest ?

by Liese Sherwood-Fabre Throughout the 60 Sherlock Holmes stories created by Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes uses many disguises to solve the mysteries or adventures. Some of these disguises include:

• A sailor • A horse-groom • A minister • An unemployed workman • A sea captain • An elderly book-collector • A plumber • An old woman • An American spy

Holmes had an amazing ability to change his profession, age, and appearance, including looking older or sickly. Changing his accent and acting as if he was at death’s door also assisted in his work. Holmes was even convincing enough during one adventure to make a young woman fall in love with him! Inspector Jones of Scotland Yard declared to Holmes, “You would have made an actor, and a rare one.”

In “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Dr. Watson stated, ‘the stage lost a fine actor… when he [Holmes] became a specialist in crime.’ We also learn that Holmes had several places around London where he could change his appearance. But it was not just his appearance that had to change for Holmes’s disguises to work. Many

times, his change in expression, manner, or personality helped to conceal his real identity. Changing his walk and behavior, and thinking ahead also helped him succeed in fooling people. This change to another

person was so perfect that Sherlock many times would even fool his closest friend, Dr. Watson. One must wonder whether the disguises even worked on Mrs. Hudson, Mr. Holmes and Watson’s landlady, or did she simply giggle as Holmes would go up or down the stairs in his varied costume?


Sherlock Holmes Mini-Mystery Can you help Sherlock Holmes solve the mystery from the clues provided ? Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are summoned by Inspector Lestrade to a small house on the outskirts of Croydon, south of London. Mr. Winston Midland, owner of the Midland Hardware Company, and his wife, had been invited to the home by Sterling Ross, the accountant for the Midland’s hardware store. When Holmes and Watson arrive, they find Ross and Mrs. Midland sitting on the sofa, while Mr. Midland is in a nearby armchair, obviously sick. Ross was visibly shaken, sweating profusely. Mrs. Midland, at the request of Sherlock Holmes, gave a detailed account of what had happened. Once the couple had arrived, Ross had requested Mr. Midland assist him in cutting up a stack of firewood behind the house. Approximately forty-five minutes later, both men returned to the den, where their toils were evident from the sweat, dirt, and small wood debris on each face. Ross retrieved a bucket of ice from his icebox in the kitchen, and prepared tumblers of ice water for both he and Midland. Both men rapidly downed the first glass of water. A second glass of water was poured, which Ross again gulped down in just a few seconds. Midland slowly sipped his second glass of water over several minutes, complaining he had

experienced a “brain freeze” from drinking the cold water too quickly. The two men then settled down to discuss finances of the business. Ross offered biscuits to snack on, which Mrs. Midland graciously accepted, but her husband had passed, stating his stomach was beginning to cramp, probably from drinking an excess of cold water after getting overheated outside. Midland admitted he was extremely worried, that the account books were not making sense to him. For his part, Ross simply smirked and denied that he had any idea of why the amounts of money would not match up. About ten minutes into the discussion, Midland suddenly stopped talking in mid-sentence, began gasping, as if he could not swallow or breathe properly.

His face turned crimson red, particularly around his mouth and nose. Mrs. Midland rushed over to her husband, loosening the tie around his neck, but to no avail. Within another minute or so, Mr. Midland was struggling with his breathing.

Ross rushed into town to retrieve a doctor, as well as the local police constable.


Upon his return, the doctor realized he could do nothing for the husband, not knowing what was wrong with him. The gasping, red face, and labored breathing were all classic symptoms of a possible heart attack. Upon questioning by Holmes, Mrs. Midland confirmed that she had seen Ross prepare both drinks, the water and ice for both men coming from common containers. Holmes proceeded to pour another glass of water, adding ice from the bucket, which he then offered to Ross to help relieve his sweating. Ross politely declined the glass of water, stating the sweating was simply nerves from seeing a good friend get sick before his very eyes, in his own home.

Holmes then asked to speak to Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard in private for a minute. Upon return, Lestrade took Ross into custody, stating he was being arrested for attempted murder of Mr. Midland. Mr. Holmes immediately had Mr. Midland taken to a hospital, where treatment was started and Mr. recovered. What had Holmes observed that led him to persuade Lestrade to arrest the accountant?

Steve Mason


The Junior Sherlockian Society


Practicing Your Detective Skills Too Hot to Handle Puzzle As Sherlock Holmes takes the first bite of the dinner prepared by Mrs. Hudson, he quickly recognizes that Mrs. Hudson has made a major mistake in the recipe, adding approximately five times as much curry powder as called for… Can you find the two Holmeses which are identical by looking for small details that may be different in each drawing ?

1 2 3 4


Slylock Fox Solves the Case Bob Weber Jr. and Sr.

Chief Mutt can’t do police work today because overnight his wool uniforms were destroyed. Dr. Weirdly says the chief’s closet must have been invaded by hungry moths. Upon inspection, Slylock Fox did indeed find moths flying in the closet. Does Slylock agree with Dr. Weirdly’s explanation?

Chief Mutt has accused Wanda of speeding. Wanda claims she hasn’t exceeded the speed limit since leaving her job at the Forest Diner 15 minutes ago. Slylock Fox knows Wanda Weasal is lying. How?


Puzzle Answers THAT’S-A-MAZE-ING

SHERLOCK HOLMES’ MINI-MYSTERY SOLUTION: Based on Mrs. Midland’s testimony, Holmes theorized that Ross had created the ice cubes containing a small amount of a poison. Ross drank his two glasses of water so quickly, the ice did not have a chance to melt. As Midland sipped his second glass of water, it gave time for the ice to melt, releasing the poison into the water, thus making Mr. Midland sick. Ross knew the glass offered by Holmes would also sicken him, as the ice would have had time to melt within the insulated container. Once confronted with the evidence, Ross admitted to stealing funds from the company to pay off gambling debts, and told them which poison he had used. Mr. Midland was able to be treated at the hospital for the specific poison. SLYLOCK FOX #1 SOLUTION: No. Slylock knows that adult moths do not eat wool. It is only when they are babies in the caterpillar stage that they do. Slylock thinks that Dr. Weirdly secretly put the adult moths in the closet as a decoy, and that Weirdly is really the one who destroyed Chief Mutt’s uniforms. SLYLOCK FOX #2 SOLUTION: The diner manager confirmed that Wanda left work fifteen minutes ago. The only way she could have come ten miles in fifteen minutes is if she were traveling an average of forty miles per hour. TOO HOT TO HANDLE SOLUTION: Drawings # 2 and # 4 are the same. Drawing # 1 is missing part of the food. In Drawing # 3, the level of water is less than the other ones.


WORD SEARCH: Holmes’s Team

T O S H E R L O C A

HOLMES

WATSON

ADLER

NORTON

ORMSTEIN

O S E M L O H N D K H R O L M E O L S S H E M I S S E A L W A Y S S T R T H E W O M A A T N V W F V F E W Y W E B B D Z V V C K O R I P C K W D J Y E U H N B N N O T R O N W S W C T O S H E R L O C K H O L M E S S H E I S A L W A Y S T H E W O M A N

Watson’s Team

H T O S H E R L O C

HOLMES

WATSON

ADLER

NORTON

ORMSTEIN

K O R E L D A H O L M E L S S H E I S A L W A M Y S T H E W O M A N E S I L J C S E P G A S Z J R W M N O T R O N C E L O R M S T E I N Q B Z A I D Q Q W O M F N O S T A W D C C T T O S H E R L O C K H O L M E S S H E

I S A L W A Y S T H E W O M A N

Highlights from the Head-LightThat’s–A–Maze-ing“A Scandal in Bohemia”Word Search ChallengeEntertainment Resources for Younger Sherlockians2021 R. Joel Senter Essay ContestBaker Street ElementarySherlock’s WorldSherlock Holmes Mini-MysteryThe Junior Sherlockian SocietyPracticing Your Detective SkillsToo Hot to Handle PuzzleSlylock Fox Solves the CasePuzzle Answers

Documents

Sherlock’s SPOTLIGHT · 2020. 11. 4. · – Irene Adler • “I am lost without my Boswell .” – Sherlock Holmes . Rob Nunn & Steve Mason. 10 | Sherlock’s Spotlight . Word