Language: English
From 1921 to 1927, at the end of his life, Doyle wrote the last 12 short stories which would be combined into this Casebook. Just like the Last Bow portion of it, this edition uses an alternate, modern, order for these stories, but I'll discuss the original order of publication, as it was included in the 1927 edition of said Casebook.
I warn you right away that this entry is long, as it covers 12 stories.
Thus, I use the same system I did for the Last Bow.
Book order= chronological order (adding = overall order of publication)
3= 1 The adventure of the Mazarin Stone = 49
7= 2 The problem of Thor Bridge = 50
8= 3 The Creeping Man = 51
5= 4 The Sussex Vampire = 52
6= 5 The Three Garridebs = 53
1= 6 The Illustrious client = 54
4= 7 The Three Gables =55
2= 8 The Blanched Soldier = 56
9= 9 The Lion's Mane = 57
12= 10 The Retired Colourman =58
10= 11 The Veiled Lodger = 59
11= 12 The Shoscombe old place =60
Stories 49-52 were first published in the Strand, from October 1921 to January 1924 ;
Stories 53-54 in Colliers, in October & November 1924 ;
& 55-60 in Liberty, from September 1926 to March 1927.
The 1st story I read, therefore, is that of the Mazarin Stone. Watson visits his friend Holmes, where the page boy Billy who tells him what Holmes had been investigating - the theft of a priceless jewel, named the Mazarin stone, a case which had been given by the Prime Minister and Home secretary.
Just like in the Last Bow story, Doyle uses third person narrative, as this present story was adapted from a play, which confines the story to a single room and limits the viewpoint, as Watson was barely present in the play. Doyle changes a few elements from it, to keep the story fresh, albeit short, and different. He also adds a few elements from other Holmes stories, such as his talent for disguise, concealment, and lack of appetite whilst in the heat of an investigation. Scholar William S. Baring-Gould places the action to 1903.
- There was only a radio dramatization of this story in 1994.
Set in 1900, Thor Bridge involves Holmes and Watson hired by Neil Gibson to find the truth about who shot his wife Maria Gibson. The person arrested for this murder, Grace Dunbar, appears to be a decent person, although the weapon was found in her room and she admits having met her mistress on the bridge, she denied having killed her. Each person involved has a theory as to the culprit's identity.
- Contrary to the Mazarin stone, this story was adapted several times :
1968's BBC series with Peter Cushing (episode is lost) ;
A BBC radio drama in 1994 ;
Without being full adaptation, there are similar stories are used in Elementary season 1 episode 9 in 2012 and Season 2 episode 9 in 2013, as well as in Murder, She Wrote, season 8 episode 17 in 1992.
And to the one show I've been reviewing thus far, the Granada tv series with Jeremy Brett, adapts this story really well. It was episode 28, aired under the same title, on 28/02/1991.
The Creeping Man set in early September 1903, sees a slight change in the way the case is given to Watson. He is summoned as usual by Holmes. He shows up, and before his friend can tell him the story, the client, Mr Bennet, bursts in. In most stories, Holmes assures clients that Watson is a man of integrity, who can keep a secret and that the case may be laid in his presence just like it would be to Holmes. It's more rare that Doyle makes the client ask Holmes for privacy, before he or she, or they, are reassured.
Also, in most other stories, when a client or other detective is present, Doyle makes Holmes ask them to lay the case to Watson. Here, however, he start it himself, before he asks Mr Bennet to update with his newest development.
The case ? Mr Bennet is a secretary to Professor Presbury, and is also engaged to Edith Presbury, his only daughter. A change occurred in his temper and routine since late July (1903), with regular intervals, and he was observed creeping down the stairs late at night, on hands and feet, like an animal. He was also seen being attacked by his own dog, who otherwise attacks no one. Mr Bennet asks Holmes - and Watson - to come ot the bottom of this case. They set up to Camford to investigate it.
At the introduction to this story, Doyle, resuming the narration by Doctor Watson, announces via Holmes ' chronicler, that it was the last great case upon which his friend had embarked prior to retirement, and that the case had to be hushed for almost 20 years. Doyle, via Watson, also continues, with a lot of humour, to present the case and the relationship between the Doctor, who resumed his medical work some undisclosed time before this case, and his friend Holmes. For instance, Watson effaces himself, comparing his usefulness to his friend, analogous to that of a piece of furniture...
- Apart for the 1994 BBC radio drama, this story was adapted only once to TV,by the Granada show. It was overall faithful but added a subplot of theft, investigated by Lestrade, connecting the theft case and that of the creeping man's- these elements being absent in the written form. This was episode 32, aired 28/03/1991.
In the Sussex Vampire, An assessment company feels that their client, Robert Ferguson's request isn't their purview, but that Sherlock could possibly help him find the truth about his second wife's actions, as he observed her attacking both their children. One of them is 15 and is Robert's son from his first marriage, whom she has been seen beating with a stick, and worse still, seems to have sucked their infant son's blood, much like a vampire. Mr Ferguson tells Holmes that he also thought to contact him, as he is an old acquaintance of his friend, Doctor Watson. Holmes, of course, disregards vampirisme, and thinks of more earthly reasons to the attacks. According to scholars, action is set in 1896 - though this isn't specified in the text, and one has to use maths from other cases mentioned in it.
- Granada's tv episode The Last Vampyre aired 27/01/1993, alters the case of this story. It makes the vicar town calling Holmes to investigate the death of the baby, which doesn't occur in the text. I assume that by changing the prime suspect to a man, the show didn't want to explore the possibility of a mother attacking both her own kid. The nature of the criminal's motives is changed from the text, to a whole different one, which I find deplorable in this adaptation.
- There was a BBC radio dramatization in 1994, too, but I as usual, I haven't listened to note its quality.
Set in June 1902, The Three Garridebs sees a man asking Holmes to help finding other Garridebs, as he met an elderly one back in the USA, and whom stipulated, shortly before his death, that if he would find two other men with the name, they would all 3 share a large sum in inheriting him. Holmes and Watson set on this investigation with mixed feelings.
- This is the first american televised adaptation of the most famous fictional detective, as early as 1937, by the-then newly formed NBC. It cast Louis Hector as Holmes & William Podmore as Watson. I cannot attest to its quality, but NBC got their rights from Lady Doyle herself, a few years after her husband died.
- During filming of the Adventures of the Mazarin Stone, with which this story is conflated, for Granada's tv episode 40 (out of 41), Jeremy Brett had taken ill, and thus Charles Gray reprises his role as Holmes' brother Mycroft to lead the investigation.
- There was also a BBC radio drama in 1994, and the case is referenced in the newest Sherlock show, in the Final Problem episode.
The Illustrious client is the longest of the stories in the Casebook. Its action starts on 3rd of September 1902. While talking in the Turkish Bath, Holmes shows Watson a letter, from Sir James Damery, who shall call upon them the next day, to lay a case of utmost importance. Indeed, on said hour, he shows up, asking them on behalf an important person who prefers to remain unnamed and unchecked, to dissuade General de Merville's young daughter, Violet, from marrying a most violent man, one Baron Adelbert Bruner, whom she loves absolutely and completely, as he presented his criminal life as if he was the victim.
- A 1965 show for Sherlock Holmes, starring Douglas Wilmer as Holmes, Nigel Stock as Watson, Peter Wyngarde as the Baron, adapts this story. I haven't seen it yet.
- The Granda tv was faithful, including the conclusion, with one exception to explain this conclusion, which is different the written form.
- It was dramatized for BBC radio 4 in 1994
- and included as an arc in Elematary's third season, a show I refuse to watch due to its nature, veering so far from Doyle's creation.
in The Three Gables, after an intimidation attempt on Holmes at his own quarters at Barker Street, he and Watson set to meet Mary Maberly, at her home, which is called the Three Gables. She is confused about an extraordinary offer she had received, to sell her house with its full content, and asks the detective to find out more about it - thoguht at this point, upon advice of her lawyer, she refused to sign the documents agreeing to sell her personal belongings. Holmes and Watson set to investigate. This story was published in 1926 and set in 1902. Due to the period, it includes the N-word.
- The Granda episode makes 5 big and 1 small changes to the story, by changing familial link (the smallest change), adding a death of a character after a month of pneumonia resulting from a beating ; and a few other changes that aren't at all present in the original.
- There was a BBC radio 4 drama in 1994
- Both Elementary, and a radio series called The adventures of Sherlock Holmes veer even further from this story
- There's also an NHK puppet series for Sherlock Holmes, in which the Three Gables, and the Blue Carbuncle are combined into "the Adventures of the Blue Polar Bear".
The next two stories are both narrated by Holmes, and Watson doesn't appear in either of The Blanched Soldier, nor in the Lion's mane. Doyle's humour continues when he uses Holmes' voice in reminding the reader Watson's remontrances over the years, as answers to his own critic to his friend and biographer as to his embellishments.
In the Blanched soldier, set in January 1903, Holmes takes the pen, telling this story and that he sees no other way to use his journal, but to do just like Watson always did: to present the case in a manner that shall interest the reader. He also indicates that usually, due to his humility, Watson would underrate his own qualities and that during this particular case, the good doctor had abandoned him, to remain with his wife, and that this was the only time that he ever did so.
The case regards Mr Dodd, a soldier, who wanted to reunite with Godfrey Emsworth, another mate from his unit, whom he met during the Boer war - just ended shortly before, but that his family seemed to avoid the topic and to lie about it. Mr Dodd manages to invite himself into their home, and in his attempt to find out the truth, he is sure that during that night, he saw his buddy, with whitened skin. Before he could find more, Godfrey's father, a stern and strong Colonel, evicted Mr Dodd, who came now to ask for Holmes's aid. The ending surprises, and Holmes misses Watson's presence.
- There were only 2 adaptations of the Blanched solider, both are radio dramatizations, from 1959 & 1994.
The only story that is in its original spot is the 9th of the Casebook. It was first published in 1926. The Lion's Mane, title of this story, are after the words, uttered in a state of delirium, seconds before Fitzroy McPherson dies, right next to Sherlock Holmes and Harold Stackhurst, by a beach in Sussex, where the famous detective finally retired to enjoy nature, fresh air and simpler life, far away from London and its grime and crimes. He changed vocation to beekeeping, and thus, that morning at the end of July 1907, he thought he could have a simple stroll by the beach, when a case dropped itself quite literally to his lap.
This is the second story where Holmes narrates and misses Watson, who isn't present at all. The culprit is quite of an usual nature, as shall be discovered.
- There was only a radio drama in 1994, and the case was indirectly referenced in the newest Sherlock BBC show (the one created by Gatiss & Moffat).
Still published in 1926, The Retired Colourman set most probably in late 1898 (according to William S. Baring-Gould, a Holmes scholar), a 61 year old man, Josiah Amberly, a retired art supplies dealer from Lewisham, who's wife disappeared, along his life savings, and a neighbor. He wants Holmes to track them down, but as Holmes is otherwise engages, sends Watson instead. (of note, the action isn't dated in the text, only events from the client's life can suppose it takes place in 1899, but as I said, the scholar above places it in 1898, and hence, I think it should be the end of that year).
- After only 2 stories, Doyle resumes narratives and presence by Watson for this story. which would be adapted in a 1965 Sherlock Holmes series with Douglas Wilmer & Nigel Stock. Apparently (as I haven't seen it) the only difference regards replacing Inspector Mackinnon by Lestrade. There was also a BBC radio 4 drama in 1994 as part of the full Sherlock adaptations that year.
The last 2 stories were published in January & March 1927. Mrs Merrilow, a landlady, comes to Sherlock in the Veiled Lodger, which is set in 1896. She explains that after 7 years of tenancy, she has accidentally seen the face of her lodger, for the first time. The person had a horribly disfigured face, and only after this incident, consented to tell her story to someone, before she dies. Watson lays the story, admitting that he kept the year of occurrence, but changed the name and location, to preserve the privacy of those involved. In this story, he also mentions that Sherlock's career as an consulting detective prior to his retirement lasted for 23 years and that he was present during 17 of these.
- There was only the BBC radio drama in 1994 to adapt the Veiled Lodger.
Date unspecified in the text, The Shoscombe old place is supposed to occur in 1902 according to the same scholar mentioned above. In this story, John Mason, who is Head Trainer from a racing stable in Bershire, asks of Holmes to find out of his master, Sir Robert Norberton, has gone mad, as he displayed several odd attitudes of late. The case, seeming rather interesting, picks Holmes' curiosity. He & Watson set to investigate.
- The 1968 BBC episode with Peter Cushing, adapting this story, is now lost (like many others).
- Apart for the 1994 BBC radio 4 drama, this story was adapted by Granada's show, with Brett. It was episode 29, aired 7 March 1991. I recall it rather well adapted, but haven't watched it just prior to posting this review, as I read 3 stories in a row.
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