Discussion Post: Shoscombe Old Place

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

It's Sunday, and we're back at sherlock60 for another new canon story. This week, we're reading and writing about Shoscombe Old Place. What did you all think? Let's hear it! As always, here are a few thoughts and questions of mine to get you started. Please add your own!

- Sir Robert is a successful jockey despite him being "huge in stature". Surprising? Maybe his rough will and powerful need make up for his extreme size.

- How close were Sir Robert and Lady Beatrice? They supposedly were the best of friends, but Sir Robert seems awfully calm when she finally passes away. She had been ailing for a long time and it would make sense he would be prepared for the inevitable to some extent emotionally. And of course he had the fear of absolute destitution to push him along. But surely if he had truly loved her as we heard, it would have been more upsetting to discover her death, carry her dead body around twice, and have to give away her sweet, devoted dog when he would not leave her side. Was he honestly that cold a person at heart? Or just so desperate he was able to push his mourning aside to do it?

- There's something wonderful about Watson's selectively ornate way of speaking. Instead of just "fishing", he says "extirpation of the fish of the neighborhood". That is beautiful like fine filigree, decorative and intricate.

- Which one of them caught the trout for dinner?

- The casual racism about Jewish creditors is difficult for a modern reader. The lens of time isn't kind to everything in these stories. Overall they hold up remarkably well given the great distance between when they were written and now. But occasionally you get something truly incompatible with modern conventional ethics that was acceptable in its time. We see that here and we'll see it again next week in Sign of the Four with negative minority stereotypes. How much, if at all, do things like this detract from the story for you? Do they bother you or do you find them part and parcel of the time and therefore not a problem?

- Speaking of Sign of the Four, are you reading yet? We're taking on the whole novel in next Sunday, so everybody get to it! :)

The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place: Antecedents

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes
Summary: Holmes reflects on the relationship between Sir Robert and Lady Beatrice.
Warnings: Mild spoilers for SHOS.
Word Count: 60
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories, plus a quote from the story itself (in italics).
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

SHOS -- The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

‘He is a devil of a fellow and must lead her a most uneasy life. Yet I have heard that she is devoted to him.’

His sister, they all said. His much older sister, who doted on her rapscallion brother and denied him nothing in her power to give.

Well, it might be so. But I saw her portrait, and observed Sir Robert’s ears.

Her family wouldn’t have been the first to disguise illegitimate fruit of one offshoot as the younger sibling of its parent.

Shoscombe Old Place: Handy Guide to the Turf

[shadowycat.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place
Title: Handy Guide to the Turf
Author: shadowycat
Character: John Watson
Rating: G

I smiled at the name Holmes gave to me for my horse racing knowledge. It’s not often that I can provide my friend with more information on a subject than he already has, and I relished the opportunity to be of value. That sparkle of interest in his eyes always feels sweeter if I’m the one who puts it there.

Shoscombe Old Place: Partner

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: Shoscombe Old Place
Title: Partner
Author: spacemutineer
Rating: G

Holmes took to fly fishing as he took to everything else: naturally. He danced with pole, line, and fluid grace until his eager partner, the glistening fish, leapt from the currents to follow his lead.

Upon his proud success, I congratulated him exactly as my brother had me on my first trout.

"Well done! Now you get to clean it!"

Shoscombe Old Place: Derby Day

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: Shoscombe Old Place
Title: Derby Day
Author: thesmallhobbit
Rating: G

“Shoscombe Prince won the Derby,” Holmes announced as I entered 221B.

“My dear Holmes, how could you know?  You have not been out of the flat today and Mrs Hudson would not tell you.”

“The fact that you did not return as promptly as might have been expected showed that you made a detour in order to collect your winnings.”

The Second Stain: Trivial, G

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

The Adventure of the Second Stain

Title Trivial

Author tweedisgood

Rating G



It is poorly disguised, that tale. Four friends have already asked me if I am Lady Hilda. My husband angrily demands “the truth”.

Trivial? Mr Holmes, if women's conduct still appears so to you, consider this. For what faults - that in men are excused as not worth serious attention - are we even now, summarily judged and condemned?

Shoscombe Old Place: Wildflower

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: Shoscombe Old Place
Title: Wildflower
Author: hisietari
Rating: G
Warnings: cockroaches
Author's Notes: Racing cockroaches don't win because they're stronger, but because their body temperature and therefore metabolism rate etc. etc. are higher. Imagine the loving caresses necessary to achieve that...


The poor doctor had often glanced at the stables with a deep sigh of longing. So heartbroken he was that for his birthday I gave him a cockroach. Her name was Wildflower, and she won many a race. I’m just afraid that she did not have quite the effect on females of our species which a horse would have granted.

Shoscombe Old Place, Unwanted Gift, G

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

Shoscombe Old Place

Title Unwanted Gift

Author tweedisgood

Rating G

Note: As has been pointed out, Shoscombe Old Place was the last published (April 1927) in serial form of the Canon Holmes stories. ACD died in 1930. But what if we are playing The Game?



“There will be no more stories now, but what a gift he left you. He made you immortal, Holmes.”

“An unwelcome prospect, Sir Arthur, I can assure you.”

“Come, now, be a little grateful. Men have fought wars for reputation. You truly wish it otherwise? Why?"

“Simplicity itself. A legacy cannot be enjoyed with the giver.”