Discussion Post: The Adventure of the Speckled Band

[methylviolet10b]

Hi all! The Speckled Band is one of my personal favorites of the canon stories, even with all its problematic bits surrounding 'the murder weapon,' so I'm doubly thrilled to be here hosting the conversation. As announced, I'm pinch-hitting for spacemutineer this week, but she's hardly left me anything to do. :-) She's come up with all sorts of lovely thoughts and questions to help us kickstart the conversation. Take it away, mod-in-absentia!

- This is a great story with a rich, spooky atmosphere. Stoke Moran is a scary place, with
cheetahs, baboons, snakes, and a creature more dangerous and sinister than even those,
Grimesby Roylott. Roylott is some piece of work, isn't he? He's a murderer multiple times over
and beyond that, there seems to be something quite disturbing going on with his relationship to
his stepdaughters. Is grabbing her wrist tightly enough to leave distinct fingerprints all he did to
poor Helen? I suspect there were other... acts of violence in that household.

- The creepy atmosphere does its magic on Holmes as well as the reader. Very rarely does
he seem honestly terrified, but waiting in the dark for Roylott's deadly adder does the trick. At
least Watson is there with some moral support (and ballistic backup). Speaking of Watson's
gun, I love that all Holmes says they need for the night are Watson's revolver and a toothbrush.
Adorable.

- Holmes' sitting room standoff with a raging Grimesby Roylott is one for the ages. Facing a
violent psychopath wielding a hunting crop, Sherlock Holmes is a smirking, dismissive smartass.
That is perfection. Did anyone else try to bend a fireplace poker with their bare hands after
reading this section like I did?

- For all its intrinsic awesomeness, SPEC poses some problems in the logic department.
Snakes cannot climb up and down a rope, they can't really be trained, and snake bites are
very obvious wounds with gradual effects. Julia Stoner would have had visible fang marks on
her body, swollen and red at the very least. Regardless of the type of snake, neither she nor
Roylott could have died so quickly from a bite as well. Roylott dies within ten seconds! That's
some ludicrously fast acting poison. Is this an exaggeration on Watson's part or something
else?

...and adding on my own observation here, Roylott couldn't have summoned the snake with a whistle, as I understand that they can't hear such sounds. ;-)  Alas, Doyle had no Internet for research purposes! It's fun to speculate what the real 'murder weapon' could have been though.

So: what are your thoughts? Please share! And don't forget: we've got STUD coming up in two weeks, so consider getting a head start on reading if you can!

The Speckled Band; No Matter the Risk

[shadowycat.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Title: No Matter the Risk
Author: shadowycat
Character: John Watson
Rating: G

Holmes and I sat together in darkness, our eyes trained on the distant lights of Stoke Moran. The risks we faced that night must be grave for Holmes to openly express his reluctance to take me with him. Still I knew he depended on my support, and I’d never allow him to face such danger without me at his side.

The Speckled Band: An Untimely Death

[numberthescars.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Speckled Band

Title: An Untimely Death

Author: numberthescars

Rating: G

Author's Notes: I always love reading these, but this is my first time joining in--I couldn't miss the chance to write about one of my favorite stories. This was inspired by Watson's comment at the beginning of the story: "I have only been freed during the last month by the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given..."

"I see you have read about Ms. Stoner," commented Holmes. "An unhappy occurrence. Still, some good may come of it."

True, the case would clear her name, but I wondered: did we do her disservice, all those years ago? A serpent's bite killed Cleopatra instantly--consumption is a slow and painful passing. I would know. I miss my Mary still.

The Speckled Band: Vagabonds

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

The Speckled Band

Title: Vagabonds

Author: tweedisgood

Rating: G

I heard the gossip, aye, and had the story read to me from the Strand.

Still, I judge as I find, and Doctor Roylott never had his gamekeeper shoot at us just for showing our faces; never looked on our women as whores; shared my fire and my pipe as if I were a human being and not an animal.

The Speckled Band: Responsibility

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Speckled Band
Title: Responsibility
Author: hisietari
Rating: G

One day our parents decided that it was time for us to be taught responsibility. While I was gifted with a not particularly gifted kitten, Mycroft’s protégé was a snake. Long story short, it’d have starved in my brother’s (lack of) care, so I set the poor beast free. The snake looked considerably happy. Mrs Wilson from next door didn’t.

The Adventure of the Speckled Band: London Zoo

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Title: London Zoo
Author: thesmallhobbit
Rating: G

The reptile house at London Zoo may be a wonderful place, but I can never enter it without being reminded of the horrifying events that occurred at Stoke Moran.  Indeed, unless pressed, I prefer not to enter the house and I am not alone in this, for I have known even Holmes make his excuses when a visit is suggested.

The Adventure of the Speckled Band - An Offer He Can't Refuse

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson
Summary: Holmes wonders at the evidence.
Warnings: Mild spoilers for SPEC.
Word Count: 60, interwoven with lines from SPEC in italics.
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

SPEC -- The Adventure of the Speckled Band

"I have really some scruples as to taking you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger."

How could I bring my Watson into it, a friend I never expected to find? A chance-met acquaintance two years ago, now my dearest – only – friend.

"Can I be of assistance?"

I could not refuse him.

"Your presence might be invaluable."

More truth, though I doubted Watson comprehended all my meaning.

"Then I shall certainly come."

I did not deserve such courage, such loyalty, but it was mine all the same; an unimagined, invaluable gift.

 “It is most kind of you.”