Basic Information

Abbreviation: ABBE (J. F. Christ, 1947)
Word length: 9,233 (C. E. Lauterbach, 1960)
First published: Strand Magazine, September 1904; Collier's Weekly, December 31, 1904

Discussion Questions

• How does the theme of morals and right vs. wrong appear in this story?
• Holmes almost always supports and informs law enforcement in his stories. What is the significance that in this story, he lets the clear culprit go free?
• If you were listening to Captain Crocker tell his story, would you have made the same decision about his fate as Holmes? Why or why not?
• How do you think Inspector Hopkins would have reacted if he had heard Captain Crocker’s truth?
• How does the theme of loyalty add to this story? How do the characters’ loyalties to each other drive the plot forward?
• Who do you think is the real villain of this story? Who is the hero?

Film Adaptations

• The Abbey Grange (Jeremy Brett, David Burke, 1986)