Re-read: The Black Peter

[mightymads]

Time flies, doesn't it? Today is the last day of July, unbelievable! But our read-along continues. The Black Peter is a great adventure story and has everything to make a great TV-episode: neat deductions, waiting in an ambush, the wrongly accused suspect, and finally a spectacular grand reveal. It is really a pity that no major adaptation includes it. Fair enough, the ending is somewhat similar to STUD, when Holmes catches Cairns with a cunning trick, but excercising in harpooning? Holmes's boltholes? Captain Basil? I'd like to see all that. 

This tale was clearly inspired by ACD's experience on a whaler during his student days, so he had some first-hand experience with sea-folk and harpooning techniques. And there's also a fascinating insight into Neligan's crime, that he actually was a fraud who had no intention of returning the money to his creditors because there was no need to sell the securities abroad. I highly recommend the blog called An Observance of Trifles.

I don't have any more notes on this story except that I enjoyed it and that there's one of my favourite lines in the canon characterizing Watson: "He said nothing of his business to me, and it was not my habit to force a confidence." I keep returning to it when I write Holmes fic.

Comments

[luthienberen]

I wish to know where the time has flown! Truly, this year is flying.

The opening of the story is interesting for me, because it is another tale where Watson reiterates how busy Holmes was in 1895, which fits into the busy period Watson describes in the Solitary Cyclist and again is evidenced in the Priory School. Watson even mentions the Duke here. Ha. Consistency? Is it truly Doyle? ;)

I do wonder who these "illustrious clients" were however. We know Watson grants hints, or openly comments that the Prime Minister himself visited them later on in the Second Stain, so perhaps more Royalty? Both British and Foreign? I wonder!

I would have loved to read the case Holmes was investigating at the request of the Pope :O.


The Black Peter is a great adventure story and has everything to make a great TV-episode: neat deductions, waiting in an ambush, the wrongly accused suspect, and finally a spectacular grand reveal. It is really a pity that no major adaptation includes it. Fair enough, the ending is somewhat similar to STUD, when Holmes catches Cairns with a cunning trick, but excercising in harpooning? Holmes's boltholes? Captain Basil? I'd like to see all that.

I copied your entire paragraph because I agree completely, plus you summarise Black Peter perfectly. It would make a superb tale to adapt and I'm sorry it never has been (to my knowledge).

Doyle, methinks, missed an opportunity for a series of cases set on the high seas :)

Oh, we meet young Stanley Hopkins here! An interesting character certainly. Holmes showing hope in a member of the rising police force is encouraging, because it would be beneficial for his methods to be taken up.

Very much enjoyed the tidbit of history that Watson offers here regarding the "weald" that once protected Britain from Saxon invaders, now mostly felled for smelting iron ore.

I don't have any more notes on this story except that I enjoyed it and that there's one of my favourite lines in the canon characterizing Watson: "He said nothing of his business to me, and it was not my habit to force a confidence." I keep returning to it when I write Holmes fic.

Watson's trust in Holmes is remarkable and Holmes is indeed fortunate to have such a devoted companion. I also like how Holmes genuinely enjoys Watson's company, repaying Watson's trust by insisting he accompanies them to the weald. Then he decided that while they wait, he and Watson will walk leisurely among the birds and flowers.

Hmmm, perhaps here we are seeing Holmes' gradual change of opinion concerning the countryside in how he wishes to sample the woods?

Watson's thrill at the hunt is amusing ~ truly a man suited for adventure! Again, I repeat my remark above. A series on the high seas would suit these men perfectly, and an alternative version where Watson is a navy man or even an army surgeon still but traveling to the next posting where he meets Holmes on the way... Or maybe both men have to run to sea because they were in trouble back home yes?

Thank you on the info about Doyle and his shipping days. Always fascinating to know the influences behind Doyle's stories and creations. Though Doyle clearly preferred the more tragic sea tale!

[mightymads]

Oh yes, the untold cases mentioned in this story sound especially intriguing. I'd love to read them!

Doyle occasionally showed surprising consistency. Well, since these stories are all in the same series, perhaps they remained longer in his memory.

And yes, absolutely agree: I love Watson's narrative here: one can really see him as a writer, adding more intrigue and poetic descriptions to a case which is interesting in itself.

Re: adventures in the high seas, I can recommend this collection of stories

https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Tales_of_Pirates_and_Blue_Water

The Captain of the Pole Star is especially eerie and gothic.

[luthienberen]

An excellent point, perhaps because he wrote these relatively all close together there was more consistency between them.

Oh, thank you for the recommendations! High seas ahead :-D

I do wonder whether Doyle ever scribbled notes on the untold Cases. 🙂