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sherlock60This week we are reading The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier. It carries the themes of seclusion and secrets.
First off, might I say that this was less an adventure and more of a favor of a tale? I had to double check myself when writing adventure; it seems rather dull. But maybe we can put that down to the fact that Holmes writes this tale and he admitted that he has no great ability to write so flourish a tale as Watson does. (And where is Watson? How did Holmes say it? "deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action" which is telling about Holmes I think.)
The case is presented in an intriguing way. Mr. John Kent returned two years ago from the Boer War front, needing not just to straighten out his affairs, but also to inquire about a fellow solider, Godfrey Elmsworth. They had fought side by side and formed a friendship; Godfrey returned home earlier than John because of injuries. He had written to John a few times, but then the letters stopped completely. John Kent sent letters a few times and then tried the father, Colonel Elmsworth who said that Godfrey had gone on a year long trip to recover his health. After John managed to straighten his affairs, he tried again only to be forceable told to not interfere again.
This of course led John Kent to ask Holmes about the matter. It seems rather straightforward of a case however that I wonder why Holmes took it up. He did admit it seemed a novelty and that he plenty of intriguing cases already -- they prevented him from addressing the matter right away. I wish Holmes had said more of his reasons as he was in charge of the pen this time.
Kent, Holmes, and a friend of Holmes' (a doctor we learn later) arrive at the Elmsworth home to threats of being arrested for burglary. Holmes however offers a written word to prove that secrets can no longer be accepted and that discretion will of course be kept. Colonel Elmsworth relents and they finally find out the fate of Godfrey. After a battle, he was wounded and found a homestead and an empty bed to rest in before he got to a hospital. It turns out however the homestead was a home for patients with leprosy and that Godfrey contracted it from the bed. To save him from further segregation in society -- I would argue that he was already was, but I suspect that what was actually meant was to save him from death threats and other abuses as some I think still believed that leprosy was too catching -- the Colonel had kept his son in a small building on the grounds with a doctor for company, claiming that the man was traveling to stop any inquires. (One wonders what the Colonel would have said if some started asking about when his son would be coming home and gossiping about other possibilities.)
Holmes explains how he arrived at the conclusion in a dry manner, lamenting in writing that Watson had a better flair for it. All in all, a short quick case further saved because the doctor Holmes had brought announced it was only a disease that mimics leprosy and it could be cured. Thoughts?
First off, might I say that this was less an adventure and more of a favor of a tale? I had to double check myself when writing adventure; it seems rather dull. But maybe we can put that down to the fact that Holmes writes this tale and he admitted that he has no great ability to write so flourish a tale as Watson does. (And where is Watson? How did Holmes say it? "deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action" which is telling about Holmes I think.)
The case is presented in an intriguing way. Mr. John Kent returned two years ago from the Boer War front, needing not just to straighten out his affairs, but also to inquire about a fellow solider, Godfrey Elmsworth. They had fought side by side and formed a friendship; Godfrey returned home earlier than John because of injuries. He had written to John a few times, but then the letters stopped completely. John Kent sent letters a few times and then tried the father, Colonel Elmsworth who said that Godfrey had gone on a year long trip to recover his health. After John managed to straighten his affairs, he tried again only to be forceable told to not interfere again.
This of course led John Kent to ask Holmes about the matter. It seems rather straightforward of a case however that I wonder why Holmes took it up. He did admit it seemed a novelty and that he plenty of intriguing cases already -- they prevented him from addressing the matter right away. I wish Holmes had said more of his reasons as he was in charge of the pen this time.
Kent, Holmes, and a friend of Holmes' (a doctor we learn later) arrive at the Elmsworth home to threats of being arrested for burglary. Holmes however offers a written word to prove that secrets can no longer be accepted and that discretion will of course be kept. Colonel Elmsworth relents and they finally find out the fate of Godfrey. After a battle, he was wounded and found a homestead and an empty bed to rest in before he got to a hospital. It turns out however the homestead was a home for patients with leprosy and that Godfrey contracted it from the bed. To save him from further segregation in society -- I would argue that he was already was, but I suspect that what was actually meant was to save him from death threats and other abuses as some I think still believed that leprosy was too catching -- the Colonel had kept his son in a small building on the grounds with a doctor for company, claiming that the man was traveling to stop any inquires. (One wonders what the Colonel would have said if some started asking about when his son would be coming home and gossiping about other possibilities.)
Holmes explains how he arrived at the conclusion in a dry manner, lamenting in writing that Watson had a better flair for it. All in all, a short quick case further saved because the doctor Holmes had brought announced it was only a disease that mimics leprosy and it could be cured. Thoughts?
