Basic information

Abbreviation: BLUE (J. F. Christ, 1947)
Word length: 7,879 (C. E. Lauterbach, 1960)
First published: Strand Magazine, January 1892

Discussion Questions

• The crime the owner of the hat committed seems “petty” more or less. Why is it so important that the commissionaire  find the owner’s identity?
• In the story, Sherlock mentions that the hat owner’s perspiration indicated that he was not in good shape. Do you think this is a logical deduction?
• Why is Watson seemingly surprised by Sherlock’s deduction skills?
• It is mentioned the “Baker” is a very common last name? How was Holmes able to find the correct Henry Baker if the name is not unusual?