victorian221b | Readalong: The Adventure of the Dancing Men

The Adventure of the Dancing Men

Firstly, I admit I find the Dancing Men one of the most tragic stories in the canon, so I'm already sad before I even begin. Granada however adapted this case beautifully in my opinion.

---We start rather amusingly despite what is coming with Watson complaining about the "malodorous product" Holmes is brewing bent over his chemical equipment. I think both Watson and Mrs Hudson are marvellous in their acceptance of Holmes' experiments.

---Naturally we segue into Holmes correctly inferring that Watson won't be investing in South African securities. Watson's astonishment is quite sweet considering how long he has known Holmes & is familiar with his methods.

---This is the tale where we have Holmes confirming he keeps Watson's cheque book locked in his drawer. I love this sign of trust in their friendship, because it shows Holmes the apparently "cold", "logical" and "machine" caring for his friend and seeking to prevent Watson from misusing his money.

---Ha, poor Holmes. After explaining his method as usual Watson declares the reasoning "absurdly simple".

---Mr Hilton Cubitt in my opinion is one of the nicest men in canon. His devotion & concern for his wife is profound.

---The Dancing Men code is quite clever from the perspective that few would even take notice of it in the first place, let alone ascribe any significance to the marks beyond some childish play.

---Mr Cubitt was rather understanding of Elise's desire to not reveal her past. I would be a trifle more wary of anyone reticent to share their past! To Elise's credit she did hint of disagreeable associations, though I doubt the most dangerous crook in Chicago would have leapt to my mind in those days.

---The worst thing about this tragic case is how so much could have been avoided if Elise Cubitt had trusted her husband! Or at least, afforded a better chance of a happy outcome. It is evident from Mr Cubitt's account how much he loves his wife and indeed, in Elise's actions after he is killed how much she loves him.

---Watson notes Mr Cubitt's affection:

His love for his wife and his trust in her shone in his features.

---Holmes shares my opinion and even suggests the best plan is a direct appeal to Mr Cubitt's wife, which he refuses because a "a promise is a promise", which is true, honourable & admirable, but alas results in sadness.

---Watson's patience while Holmes seeks to break the code and be brought into his confidence shows how much trust is in their friendship following Holmes' return :).

---Holmes' concern for his clients is highlighted when breaks the code:

"His face was haggard with anxiety."

---Watson's despair over what follows wrings one's heart:

"...and as I come to the dark conclusion of a story which had seemed to me to be only childish and bizarre, I experience once again the horror with which I was filled."

Same Watson 😥

---Again we witness Holmes' concern for people when the news from the Station Master is imparted to them on their arrival.

---Inspector Martin is a nice chap and very accommodating of Holmes which is grand.

---Holmes' subsequent detection in my opinion is remarkable for it also of course, stops Mrs Cubitt from facing the noose should she survive her wound.

---Abe Slaney is an unpleasant character, but at least he clears Elise's name which is one good act for him.

---Well, now I need a fanfic where Mr Cubitt survives - if there are any, please do rec!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

rachelindeed

Well, now I need a fanfic where Mr Cubitt survives - if there are any, please do rec!

There is one chapter of a much longer fic which does re-write "The Dancing Men" so that it has a far happier ending (at first it looks like it will be equally tragic, but hang in there!). The fic is a Regency romance omegaverse AU of BBC Sherlock, and the author has done some very interesting things with the legal and gender politics of the case in that setting while also incorporating a lot of the ACD original story. Although the rating of the whole fic is M, there is nothing in this chapter that would exceed a G rating:

Chapter 23 of "Watson's Folly" by Diana Williams (dkwilliams): The Dancing Men

From:

luthienberen

Thank you for the recs! Sorry for the late reply, life is crazy. Something to read this weekend :)

From:

rachelindeed

And I'm another author who's written a follow-up to "The Dancing Men," which does not undo the tragedy but does imagine healing and joy for Elsie beyond it:

To Cast Light on Each (4915 words) by rachelindeed
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson, Eugenia Ronder/Elsie Cubitt
Characters: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Eugenia Ronder (from The Veiled Lodger), Elsie Cubitt (from The Dancing Men)
Additional Tags: Fix-it fic for The Veiled Lodger, Developing Relationship (F/F), Established Relationship (Holmes/Watson), Non-graphic references to physical disfigurement, references to suicidal inclinations (Mrs Ronder's), and a past suicide attempt (Mrs Cubitt's), but no one is hurt or tries to hurt themselves in this story, it's focused on healing and comfort
Summary:

Holmes and Watson, searching for a way to help Mrs. Ronder, unveil unexpected possibilities.

A fix-it fic for "The Veiled Lodger" and a follow-up to "The Dancing Men."

From:

dustbunny105

Naturally we segue into Holmes correctly inferring that Watson won't be investing in South African securities.

This is one of my favorite scenes throughout the canon-- gives me a little bit of a smile, if not a laugh, every time. Holmes himself has more than once expressed that his methods are perfectly simple if only people would pay attention yet Watson marveling over how "absurdly simple" his reasoning in this instance is gets his goat. It goes to show just how much he really enjoys being held in regard for his skills, not least by Watson.

From:

luthienberen

Sorry for the late reply ~ life just consumed me. :-)

An excellent point dustbunny105. Holmes really does care what people think, especially Watson since he holds his friend in such high regard. As you say, Holmes states his methods are simple if people paid attention...but most of don't I dare say, or at least to the extent Holmes does in canon. Thank you for your comment!

(I also enjoy that scene!)

From:

mightymads

I agree that it's a tragic story, and that much of the tragedy comes from the failure to communicate. I also keep wondering every time I read the story if the outcome would have been different if Holmes hadn't talked Mr. Cubitt out of his original intention to arm his men and ambush Slaney. Mr. Cubitt could have survived, but on the other hand, given how dangerous Slaney was, someone of the estate's men could have been killed. Or perhaps Holmes even prevented a massacre, if an enraged Slaney had gone on a kiling spree. I need a fanfic of that: Holmes contemplating and blaming himself, and Watson reassuring him.

Holmes reading Watson: this happens twice in the canon, if I'm not mistaken, when Holmes practically reads Watson's thoughts from minor observations. One time Watson agrees that it is simple, and the other time he is still astonished after the explanation. Anyway, Holmes has an advantage here: he knows Watson and his habits very well. That is, Holmes would not have been able to be that precise with anyone else. He knows Watson intimately, and hence, being as observant as he is, he can read Watson so well. It's actually a bit creepy, isn't it? Holmes knows precisely whom Watson meets and when and what they talk about. But I suppose it's Holmes being Holmes, and Watson is used to that.

The check-book thing is one of my favourties in the canon :D

A note on Mr. Cubitt's description: he is robust and ruddy, and can be easily recognised as a country-dweller, just like Miss Violet Smith from SOLI. The city environment was so polluted that poor Londoners were pale and less healthy due to constant exposure, as many historians write.

The case takes place 4 years after Holmes's return, in 1898, since Mr. Cubitt states that he met his wife the previous year, when he came to Londor for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, which was in 1897.

It is never not amusing how Watson can sit around for hours watching Holmes at work. The dude literally watches another dude for TWO hours, noting all minute changes in his manner, like whitsling, singing or frowning. Oh Watson!

Watson's tact and consideration shine yet again in this story: despite being curious, he doesn't force Holmes to share any thoughts on the case, waiting instead when Holmes is ready to do so himself. He trusts Holmes and knows that Holmes will talk to him eventually. Holmes is really lucky to have such a partner as Watson.

"At last the violet rim of the German Ocean appeared over the green edge of the Norfolk coast..." I did a double take of this line, wondering where the German Ocean might be. Turns out, "The North Sea was known as the German Ocean until the early 20th C., when hostilities with Germany meant this name became politically unacceptable in Britain." A fun little fact, isn't it?

Inspector Martin: "A dapper little man, with quick, alert manner and a waxed moustache". I'd say it was Poirot XD

Abe Slaney, who is in love with Elsie, yells, "Say that she is not hurt!" when he is told of Elsie's state. It's quite telling that Holmes exclaims excatly the same words in 3GAR when Watson is shot.

From:

luthienberen

Sorry for the slow reply! Life has been overwhelming. I agree with you mightymads. The crux of the story rests in that failure to communicate. Like you I wonder what would have happened if Mrs Cubitt had shared her past, or if Mr Cubitt had armed his men. I suspect like you that in the latter scenario more people would have been killed. Would the former action allowed Holmes to be ahead of Slaney if Mr Cubitt returned home & sought his wife's confidence? Who knows.

Holmes reading Watson: this happens twice in the canon, if I'm not mistaken, when Holmes practically reads Watson's thoughts from minor observations.

I believe you are correct!

Oh good point. Holmes succeeds in reading Watson so well, because he lives with him and due to the length of their friendship and intimacy. I'm sure Watson is used to Holmes knowing so much about him...even though he is always astonished!

The cheque book account is one of my favourite scenes as well :-)

It is sad to think how bad the pollution in London was that it should be so obvious who lived in city or who hailed from the country :/

Watson I'm certain is at his most observant when watching Holmes.

Thank you for the interesting fact!

Poirot the first :D

Ooo that is quite telling the similarity between what Slaney said & Holmes said about the people they cared for.