Basic Information

Abbreviation: MISS (J. F. Christ, 1947)
Word length: 8,076 (C. E. Lauterbach, 1960)
First published: Strand Magazine, August 1904; Collier's Weekly, November 26, 1904

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think Watson mentioned Holmes' drug addiction in the story? Did it play a part during the case?
• Why was Watson horrified when he saw Holmes holding a syringe in his hand?
• What was the purpose of Holmes acquiring Pompey, one of the local draghounds?
• Holmes stated he knew nothing about the sport rugby in this case. Do you think if he knew more about the sport, he would have solved the case more effectively?
• Why did Godfrey Staunton choose to take the telegram to the telegraph office himself rather than have someone else take it for him?
• Why didn’t Godfrey Staunton tell anyone he was married?