#violet de merville

[eirinstiva]

"Amiga, date cuenta"

The first time I read The Adventure of the Illustrious Client it was in Spanish, probably during one of many bus trips I did on 2018. Now I have the joy to read it in English on 2023 thanks to my friend Watson and stirred a few things on my soul.

A very awful villain and who enjoys being a villain? We already had one with Charles August Milverton. An innocent woman being tricked by her lover? We had Mary Sutherland in A case of identity. Holmes life in danger? So many cases. A strong-willed woman? Maybe Maria Gibson in The Problem of Thor Bridge. But TWO STRONG-WILLED WOMEN? IN THE SAME STORY!?

Violet de Merville is a typical case of a woman who falls in the charms of a manipulative and narcissistic man and can't (and don't want) to see all the red flags in her lover, but she doesn't have the softness that Grace Dunbar has in Thor Bridge. Violet is totally ready to fight and fix with the power of love Gruner even when her family, her fiance's ex lover and a detective team told Violet that her life is in danger.

Kitty Winter, my beloved!. She was a victim and now she wants revenge. I love how Kitty helps Holmes with this case not for money or sorority, she just want to see Gruner's world on fire and kicks his face with her boot; however, she's ready to give Violet some common sense through fists! (or hair pulling). It's true that Kitty said that she doesn't care if Violet dies like the late baron's wife but when de Merville refuse her advice Winter tried to pull her hair instead of leaving de Merville alone with this problem. This could have ended really bad if Holmes didn't stopped Kitty or if a hat pin was involved.

In a more contemporary context (and as I see in my country) Kitty would be that woman that you don't know but sends you a message telling you "Amiga, date cuenta" (Friend, notice it) and lots of 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩and Violet would block her in every social media.

Will they fight in the next part? Good question but meanwhile let's keep suffering with that cliffhanger.

[no-side-us]

Letters From Watson Liveblog - Nov. 24

The Illustrious Client, Part 3 of 3

Watson has been fearing for Holmes' life since their adventures began, but usually in moments where he's also present so it passes by quickly. Since in this story there's a degree of separation, it's probably a lot easier for Watson to truly be horrified by the possibilities.

Does this mean that Holmes has been attacked enough times that the press and public are aware of it? I wonder what that does to his reputation.

Aw, how sweet. Holmes may be a more experienced fighter, but Watson's definitely the bruiser of the two.

The circumstances are different, but it's nice to see Holmes trusting Watson with the knowledge that he is actually doing well and not lying to him along with everybody else like in The Dying Detective.

Maybe I spoke too soon. It's certainly not every detail, but it's definitely a lot more than before.

Would Baron Gruner not know what Watson looks like? I would assume he's learned enough about Holmes to know about Watson as well, or maybe not actually? Is that why Watson isn't living with Holmes in this one, so it's more plausible for this part of the story to work?

I knew Watson likely wasn't going to completely deceive the Baron, but I would at least have liked to see him use some of that knowledge he studied so much. Though I guess in-universe the Watson writing this story would've forgotten all about that, so maybe it makes sense.

Good ol' Watson! Ever the doctor, coming to the Baron's aid instead of simply leaving him to suffer. It would have been easy for him to escape through the window like Holmes, but it's great that he stayed instead.

Good ol' Kitty Winter! Ever the vengeful spirit, making sure the Baron suffers as horrible a fate as possible. It would have been easy for her to simply not do that, but she did and that's great.

At least Miss de Merville is consistent with her love? And not vain.

In the world of these stories, that would be a good piece of trivia for a history buff. Regardless, Kitty getting a light sentence is terrific, but apart from the end of Miss de Merville's engagement there's not much else about the fate of the Baron himself.

Obviously with his disfigurement he can't be tricking women anymore, but he's still alive. He's still rich, with men and resources a plenty. This story is being written years later, so it's clear he didn't succeed in killing Holmes or Watson or anything, but I think there should have been more about him at the end.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

[milquetoast27]

I want to share my own thoughts that rose up while reading Holmes as an aroace person!

Something in particular that resonated with me is Holmes's disdain for romantic attraction and love. Living, especially, in a world that does not acknowledge the a-spectrum, it is no surprise that any aro/ace person (even today) would feel alienated and misunderstood. For Holmes, this manifested as disgust and bitterness towards, in his eyes, the rest of the planet who seem to grasp it. Because of this isolation, it heightens Holmes's need to have himself understood. He lacks the language that we have today, and it only gets murkier with the then, and still vague and varying usages of the word "love".

It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. (SCAN)

This line has been interpreted to death, but with the belief that this is something Holmes had made very clear to Watson, it's him wishing under all circumstances for him to be seen as he is.

Living in a hetero-amatanormative world, gender plays a large role into Holmes's descriptions of men and women. Holmes struggles to admit that he finds women aesthetically attractive (especially early-canon), for example affirming that Irene Adler being "the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet", is only known to him according to the men on the Serpentine-Mews. However, he never heistates on commenting on a man's attractiveness. For example, Godfrey Norton, only a few short sentences later, is described by Holmes as "dark, handsome and dashing." Holmes feels no reluctance to describe men in such a way due to the fact that a Victorian culture would never mistake this for romantic interest.

We can assume that in the majority of cases, this is Holmes trying to clarify -- to not be seen as a romantic, which unfortunately then was understood to be equal with aesthetic attraction. It is very clear, however, that Holmes possesses one and not the other.

Later in the canon, he is seen showing open appreciation for women's beauty, not only in appearance but also character, such as Violet de Merville or Maud Bellamy. I speculate strongly that this came about from understanding love in a new way through his partnership with Watson, and finding that love comes in many forms, between any two people. Perhaps he no longer feels insecure about being seen as a romantic individual, because he has someone who truly understands him. I find that this is true on many levels for Holmes, not only on his lack of attractions, but also his eccentricities and deeper emotions, that were likely never properly understood by many.

It's always gotta make me tear up, huh? A huge aspect of H&W's relationship is accepting people as they are, so long as there is something worth valuing. They may be misogynistic, seem "positively inhuman" at times, or destroy their own body. But they may also just prefer a little solitude, communicate in a different way, or see the world differently.

[mariana-oconnor]

The Illustrious Client pt 1

“It can't hurt now,” was Mr. Sherlock Holmes's comment when, for the tenth time in as many years, I asked his leave to reveal the following narrative.

Both Holmes and I had a weakness for the Turkish bath. It was over a smoke in the pleasant lassitude of the drying-room that I have found him less reticent and more human than anywhere else.

Right, yep. That tracks.

I had asked him whether anything was stirring, and for answer he had shot his long, thin, nervous arm out of the sheets which enveloped him...

Is this an actual Sherlock Holmes story, or is it porn? I'm finding it very difficult to tell at this point.

Sir James Damery was announced. It is hardly necessary to describe him, for many will remember that large, bluff, honest personality, that broad, clean-shaven face, and, above all, that pleasant, mellow voice. Frankness shone from his gray Irish eyes, and good humour played round his mobile, smiling lips. His lucent top-hat, his dark frock-coat, indeed, every detail, from the pearl pin in the black satin cravat to the lavender spats over the varnished shoes, spoke of the meticulous care in dress for which he was famous. The big, masterful aristocrat dominated the little room.

"It is hardly necessary to describe him." - proceeds to wax lyrican for 4 lengthy sentences.

Also, Watson is getting horny on main for this masterful aristocratic dom. This story is already so horny.

My mind is a bit stuck on the lavender spats, though. That is a definite choice.

“Of course, I was prepared to find Dr. Watson,” he remarked with a courteous bow. “His collaboration may be very necessary, for we are dealing on this occasion, Mr. Holmes, with a man to whom violence is familiar and who will, literally, stick at nothing. I should say that there is no more dangerous man in Europe."

Nice that he already knows about Watson, though. Strange how many people turn up and don't know who Watson is in spite of Watson writing all these stories.

“I have had several opponents to whom that flattering term has been applied,” said Holmes with a smile.

Haven't you, though?

“Mr. Holmes, I must beg you not to press that question. It is important that I should be able to assure him that his honoured name has been in no way dragged into the matter."

People in the early 20th century need to sort out their priorities. How often have we had a rich client that doesn't want to tell anyone anything because of SCANDAL, but they still want their problem solved, don't they?

“He has a daughter, Violet de Merville, young, rich, beautiful, accomplished, a wonder-woman in every way. It is this daughter, this lovely, innocent girl, whom we are endeavouring to save from the clutches of a fiend.”

What is it with girls called Violet? The others, iirc, were at least pretty smart and on the ball. Hopefully this one will be too. It's an ill-fated name in these stories, though.

Colonel Damery needs to chill out about her, though. He's getting a little excessive.

Can't believe I only just noticed he's a colonel. And he doesn't appear to be the bad guy. Will wonders never cease? Maybe ACD overcame his prejudices.

"She dotes upon him; she is obsessed by him. Outside of him there is nothing on earth. She will not hear one word against him. Everything has been done to cure her of her madness, but in vain. To sum up, she proposes to marry him next month. As she is of age and has a will of iron, it is hard to know how to prevent her.”

Guys... I think maybe you've got to let her marry him. I know he murdered his last wife and all, but there comes a point where you've just got to accept that people don't want your help.

Clearly I'm not in a very generous mood today. Lol.

"My client, however, is an old friend, one who has known the General intimately for many years and taken a paternal interest in this young girl since she wore short frocks."

Oh, it's her gay dad. OK. That makes sense.

"I rather fancy that Shinwell Johnson might be a help.” I have not had occasion to mention Shinwell Johnson in these memoirs because I have seldom drawn my cases from the latter phases of my friend's career.

New character alert.

...but as he dealt with cases which never came directly into the courts, his activities were never realized by his companions.

I really hope he's already dead, because if he's not I bet his companions are about to realise his activities pretty damn quick.

“Who knows, Watson? Woman's heart and mind are insoluble puzzles to the male. Murder might be condoned or explained, and yet some smaller offence might rankle."

"He has breeding in him—a real aristocrat of crime, with a superficial suggestion of afternoon tea and all the cruelty of the grave behind it."

Love this line.

“‘Excuse my amusement, Mr. Holmes,’ said he, ‘but it is really funny to see you trying to play a hand with no cards in it. I don't think anyone could do it better, but it is rather pathetic, all the same. Not a colour card there, Mr. Holmes, nothing but the smallest of the small.’"

Why do these villains always insist on acting like villains? Surely it's always better to pretend not to be a villain until the last possible moment.

"'You have heard of post-hypnotic suggestion, Mr. Holmes? Well, you will see how it works, for a man of personality can use hypnotism without any vulgar passes or tomfoolery.'"

He's literally just coming out with 'she's hypnotised btw'??

Holmes came in with no cards and you're just telling him everything, huh?

And then a direct threat? Twirl your moustaches, my man. Why not laugh maniacally while you're at it.

IMPORTANT ADDITION FROM THE SECRETARIAL CAT: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggyhhfd

hhhhhhegwuyikkkkkkkkkkl;;pppppppp

[thefisherqueen]

Three days later appeared a paragraph in the Morning Post to say that the marriage between Baron Adelbert Gruner and Miss Violet de Merville would not take place. The same paper had the first police-court hearing of the proceedings against Miss Kitty Winter on the grave charge of vitriol-throwing. Such extenuating circumstances came out in the trial that the sentence, as will be remembered, was the lowest that was possible for such an offence. Sherlock Holmes was threatened with a prosecution for burglary, but when an object is good and a client is sufficiently illustrious, even the rigid British law becomes human and elastic. My friend has not yet stood in the dock.

Kitty Winter got more sympathy and mercy here than most abuse victims who attack their abuser get today. I wonder which sentence 'the lowest that was possible for such an offence' would be. Anyone has an idea? A few years in jail? I can't imagine Kitty Winter would be too upset by that, having both had her personal revenge and the knowledge that the baron's reputation was publicly destroyed. Still. That must have been a bad trail for her to go through.

And, yes, it is not fair but it makes sense that Holmes' client would use his influence to keep Holmes out of jail. Lucky, good-hearted, unhinged man. All in all an interesting case and a well written story, probably one of my favorites so far. I don't think it's likely, but I hope we will see more of Kitty Winter and Johnson

[dathen]

“‘You have been engaged, no doubt by General de Merville, to endeavour to stop my marriage with his daughter, Violet. That is so, is it not?’

“I acquiesced.

“‘My dear man,’ said he, ‘you will only ruin your own well-deserved reputation. It is not a case in which you can possibly succeed. You will have barren work, to say nothing of incurring some danger. Let me very strongly advise you to draw off at once.’”

Love how Holmes knows exactly one person who his client isn’t (General de Merville), but as soon as the Baron guesses that person, Holmes tells him the exact opposite. Good for you.

Also brrrrr the Baron isn’t even bothering to play innocent, here. Just telling him not to waste his time, and that he’ll be throwing away his reputation and safety if he interferes. The audacity.

[47gaslamps]

Really, how did Gruner expect Holmes to respond to that? If he actually wants Holmes to give up the chase, he is aping the wrong villain.

I think he might have had a better chance if he'd modeled himself after... mm... Neil Gibson, the Gold King. Make out that Violet de Merville is kindling in his bosom a new and purer fire, that he is becoming a changed man. Holmes is strangely credulous on matters like that.

Well. Unbeknownst to Gruner, subsequent developments will be fatal to that strategy as well. But then Holmes will have learned his lesson about dodgy manly sob stories.

[joemerl]

“He has a daughter, Violet de Merville, young, rich, beautiful, accomplished, a wonder-woman in every way."

[ogsherlockholmes]

19th October

In The Illustrious Client, there is no clearly defined 'crime’ technically, it’s more about Baron Gruner coercing Violet de Merville (I think she’s the fourth Violet in the canon) to marry him. This is how the client describes Gruner:

“The fellow is, as you may have heard, extraordinarily handsome, with a most fascinating manner, a gentle voice, and that air of romance and mystery which means so much to a woman. He is said to have the whole sex at his mercy and to have made ample use of the fact.” 

Don’t let this fool you, he’s not the next tumblr sexyman since he was quite literally accused of killing his old wife and managed to get away with it. 

Gruner was already on Sherlock’s radar, and he knew about his background before the client explained. The client wanted to convince Violet not to marry Gruner, so she wouldn’t be in danger, but that didn’t work and so Sherlock was called in. To get an idea of this guy, he is compared to the likes of Moriarty and Sebastian Moran.

“We are dealing on this occasion, Mr. Holmes, with a man to whom violence is familiar and who will, literally, stick at nothing. I should say that there is no more dangerous man in Europe.”  “I have had several opponents to whom that flattering term has been applied,” said Holmes with a smile... “If your man is more dangerous than the late Professor Moriarty, or than the living Colonel Sebastian Moran, then he is indeed worth meeting.”

At the same time, Gruner is also described as being a man of intellectual hobbies, so it’s difficult to understand what his character is. 

“He has expensive tastes. He is a horse fancier. For a short time he played polo at Hurlingham, but then this Prague affair [when he murdered his wife] got noised about and he had to leave. He collects books and pictures. He is a man with a considerable artistic side to his nature. He is, I believe, a recognized authority upon Chinese pottery and has written a book upon the subject.”

Violet refuses to listen to anyone’s advice and is practically entranced by Gruner. I don’t know what magic powers this man has, because he told her about his past and she still wanted to be with him, but Sherlock believes he’s managed to brainwash Violet. Maybe Violet has a thing for Chinese pottery.

Sherlock visits Gruner, to try to convince him to break off the engagement, but it’s almost like Sherlock fell under the spell as well. 

[Sherlock] “He is an excellent antagonist, cool as ice, silky voiced and soothing as one of your fashionable consultants, and poisonous as a cobra. He has breeding in him–a real aristocrat of crime, with a superficial suggestion of afternoon tea and all the cruelty of the grave behind it. Yes, I am glad to have had my attention called to Baron Adelbert Gruner.” [Watson] “You say he was affable?” “A purring cat who thinks he sees prospective mice. Some people’s affability is more deadly than the violence of coarser souls.

Side note: Sherlock tends to talk this way about most of his opponents who, although he doesn’t like them, he still feels impressed by them. 

Unfortunately, he gets nowhere. 

‘I [Gruner] rather thought I should see you sooner or later, Mr. Holmes...My dear man,’ said he, ‘you will only ruin your own well-deserved reputation. It is not a case in which you can possibly succeed. You will have barren work, to say nothing of incurring some danger. Let me very strongly advise you to draw off at once.’ “ ‘It is curious,’ I answered, ‘but that was the very advice which I had intended to give you. I have a respect for your brains, Baron, and the little which I have seen of your personality has not lessened it. Let me put it to you as man to man... It would not be pleasant for you if these facts of your past were brought to her notice.’ “The Baron has little waxed tips of hair under his nose, like the short antennae of an insect. These quivered with amusement as he listened, and he finally broke into a gentle chuckle. “ ‘Excuse my amusement, Mr. Holmes,’ said he, ‘but it is really funny to see you trying to play a hand with no cards in it. I don’t think anyone could do it better, but it is rather pathetic, all the same. Not a colour card there, Mr. Holmes, nothing but the smallest of the small.’ “ ‘So you think.’ “ ‘So I know. Let me make the thing clear to you, for my own hand is so strong that I can afford to show it. I have been fortunate enough to win the entire affection of this lady... You have heard of post-hypnotic suggestion, Mr. Holmes? Well, you will see how it works, for a man of personality can use hypnotism without any vulgar passes or tomfoolery. So she is ready for you and, I have no doubt, would give you an appointment... “ ‘By the way, Mr. Holmes,’ said he, ‘did you know Le Brun, the French agent?’ “ ‘Yes,’ said I. “ ‘Do you know what befell him?’ “ ‘I heard that he was beaten by some Apaches in the Montmartre district and crippled for life.’ “ ‘Quite true, Mr. Holmes. By a curious coincidence he had been inquiring into my affairs only a week before. Don’t do it, Mr. Holmes; it’s not a lucky thing to do. Several have found that out. My last word to you is, go your own way and let me go mine.’ 

It was difficult to cut that down so I’m not posting massive extracts from the book, but Baron Gruner and Sherlock’s meeting was full of good dialogue that really emphasise how uncomfortable Gruner makes people. What is most scary about him is that there are real men like him who can gaslight women in to turning against their entire families and then hurting them. For a book written in the 19th century, it’s surprisingly revealing and isn’t at all like how Gruner could have been romantacised in other novels. 

Kitty Winters is another woman whom Gruner took advantage of, and she tells Sherlock about one of his books. 

“It’s a book he has–a brown leather book with a lock, and his arms in gold on the outside. I think he was a bit drunk that night, or he would not have shown it to me.” “What was it, then?” “I tell you, Mr. Holmes, this man collects women, and takes a pride in his collection, as some men collect moths or butterflies. He had it all in that book. Snapshot photographs, names, details, everything about them. It was a beastly book–a book no man, even if he had come from the gutter, could have put together. But it was Adelbert Gruner’s book all the same. ‘Souls I have ruined.’” 

Gruner literally hunted women for sport and then documented it, like their lives were just trophies. 

Watson later meets Gruner, and we get yet another lengthy description about how good-looking he is: even Watson can’t help himself. 

“He was certainly a remarkably handsome man. His European reputation for beauty was fully deserved. In figure he was not more than of middle size, but was built upon graceful and active lines. His face was swarthy, almost Oriental, with large, dark, languorous eyes which might easily hold an irresistible fascination for women. His hair and moustache were raven black, the latter short, pointed, and carefully waxed. His features were regular and pleasing, save only his straight, thin-lipped mouth. If ever I saw a murderer’s mouth it was there–a cruel, hard gash in the face, compressed, inexorable, and terrible. He was ill-advised to train his moustache away from it, for it was Nature’s danger-signal, set as a warning to his victims. His voice was engaging and his manners perfect. In age I should have put him at little over thirty, though his record afterwards showed that he was forty-two. “

But, this is all just a facade, as the end of the description says. 

Hate Gruner yet? Lucky enough for you, Kitty Winters gets revenge and throws acid in his face! His face basically melts off, and I’m not sure if he survives, but at least it’s the end to him hunting and destroying lives. 

[tiger-moran]

I know we all like to make fun of Arthur Conan Doyle and his lack of fucks about canonical details and keeping them straight and the shit like 'wait is my other main character's first name John or James oh yeah it was definitely James' and all that but I still don't think some of his name choices were accidental at all, I think he deliberately chose some of these names for specific reasons (including Moriarty's and Moran's).

Like the name Adelbert means 'noble bright/shining'

And Adelbert Gruner is basically Austrian nobility and Violet de Merville calls him "'noble" when he's actually anything but noble and he's one of the darkest characters in the entire canon

Maybe that's deliberately ironic, calling him that name

Also his surname, it sounds like the German for green and remember how green could be a toxic colour in the Victorian era because of arsenic in the vivid green dyes? Is his surname maybe not a red flag but a green one signifying he is in fact poisonous? (I think that it's especially suggestive too when both Holmes and Kitty Winter describe Gruner as "poisonous" and also as "poisoning" Violet de Merville's mind)

[no-side-us]

Letters From Watson Liveblog - Nov. 22

The Illustrious Client, Part 2 of 3

I wish we got to see more of ol' Shinwell "Porky" Johnson and Miss Kitty Winter in other stories; they sound like a fun duo and they're not a type we often see, the sort of criminal-adjacent character.

Every detail about Baron Gruner makes him more disgusting of a character. I wonder if Doyle based him off of anyone in real life like he did with Charles Augustus Milverton. It seems possible but I couldn't find anything saying so.

I enjoy this line the same way I enjoy whenever Watson gets to show off some of his medical expertise.

This feels like just a more poetic way to say "opposites attract," though that doesn't feel necessarily appropriate here.

I know some people theorize that Holmes came up in an abusive household, and that has led to how sympathetic he is towards his female clients. I think this is probably a great piece of evidence for that theory since it implies that Holmes goes into very intimate detail about what that's like.

I like that Holmes was willing to admit how annoyed he personally was with all this. Also, I feel like the Miss Winter gambit might've worked better if she did it alone, since Miss de Merville was clearly going into this interview with no intention of changing her mind about the baron. But if Miss Winter accosted her randomly on the street or something and warned her, then it might've been more effective.

The Baron sure works fast. A part of me wonders if this is why Doyle wrote Watson as living separately from Holmes, so he could create this drama where Watson wouldn't be there to protect him.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

[krinsbez]

The Women of the Sherlock Holmes Canon: Some random thoughts

Much as I love Irene Adler, I can't help but feel that the fandom's fixation on her does a disservice to the surprisingly large number of other formidable females in the Canon; asides from Isadora Klein of the understandably unpopular “The Three Gables”, who actually is the femme fatale people mistakenly believe Irene is*, we've the ferocious Kitty Winter and icy Violet de Merville (granted she's a dupe, but her determination to cling to her delusions are rather impressive) from "The Illustrious Client"; the unnamed avenger of "Charles Augustus Milverton"; Effie Munro of "The Yellow Face", the one person who unequivocally pulled one over Holmes; Violet Hunter, whom Watson himself ‘ships with Holmes, Elsie Cubitt of "The Dancing Man", who had the wherewithal to escape her criminal family and withstand Abe Slaney's attempts to intimidate her into returning, and bore that burden alone lest her husband's family honor be besmirched (which seems a bit weird nowadays, but I imagine would've been viewed more positively back then); Lady Mary Brackenstall of "The Abbey Grange", who fooled Inspector Hopkins and almost fooled Holmes into buying her cover-story for the killing of her husband...that's just a sampling of the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Really, the non-Irene women of the Canon deserve way more respect. Huh, I wonder if that could be a hook for a future adaptation? Like, I dunno, Mary Watson deciding to look into all these other beautiful ladies her husband is gushing about, and ends up forming some kind of support group or something? As an odd side note, is it weird that, despite my distaste for the idea of a heterosexual Holmes**, I've long felt that I would be willing to give props to an adaptation that had him romantically linked with Violet Hunter or Maud Bellamy or one of the other Canonical ladies other than Irene to which people have made arguments Holmes was involved with? *I believe she's probably the only one in the canon, although some others come close.

**Dude is 100% ace; Doyle (or Watson if you prefer) practically says so, or as close as Victorian/Edwardian terminology and propriety allows. More than once even.

[mariana-oconnor]

The Illustrious Client pt 3

Had a busy weekend, so I'm one behind again, but where were we?

A hypnotised woman, a man so evil he wants everyone to know about it and he keeps a special scrapbook of his favourite evil moments for him to read in bed at night when he can't sleep. My favourite character is probably not going to be in it again, seeing as she failed to convince the guy's latest victim that he's a murdering arsehole, but I really hope she gets to stamp his face in with her boot. Y'know. As a treat.

Oh, and then someone tried to kill Holmes. There was a cliffhanger. I almost forgot about that.

The Illustrious Client on whose behalf Sherlock Holmes was consulted was anxious to prevent the marriage of the young, rich and beautiful Miss Violet de Merville to Baron Gruner, an unscrupulous adventurer.

Given some of the descriptions Watson has given of perfectly nice clients, I feel like 'unscrupulous adventurer' is such a milquetoast way of putting this. And also rather offensive to adventurers.

“I'm a bit of a single-stick expert, as you know. I took most of them on my guard. It was the second man that was too much for me.”

See, this is why I don't get why everyone insists on Watson being the action man of the pair. Holmes is out there whacking people with sticks. Watson occasionally shoots a dog.

No, I'm never going to be over that.

"They'll come to you for news. Put it on thick, Watson. Lucky if I live the week out—concussion—delirium—what you like! You can't overdo it.”

This is a definite step up from The Dying Detective where Holmes was convinced that if Watson knew he wasn't dying, he'd never be able to convince anyone of it. Has Watson's acting got better or has Holmes just realised that pretending to be dying is a dick move? Something tells me it isn't the first option. I don't think it's the second, either, if I'm honest. I feel like Holmes needs Watson to do something. But still, not lying to your best friend about dying. So proud of you.

“Yes. Tell Shinwell Johnson to get that girl out of the way. Those beauties will be after her now."

If anything bad happens to Kitty, I riot.

He pushed to an extreme the axiom that the only safe plotter was he who plotted alone.

Even so, he's still doing way better than he used to. We're all very proud of him.

It was simply that among the passengers on the Cunard boat Ruritania, starting from Liverpool on Friday, was the Baron Adelbert Gruner, who had some important financial business to settle in the States before his impending wedding to Miss Violet de Merville...

Apparently it was almost a week to get to the States on a liner in those days, which is less time than I thought, but also quite a while to spend travelling (2 weeks, there and back) right before your wedding. The wedding is not that imminent, I guess.

"Now, Watson, I want you to do something for me.” “I am here to be used, Holmes.”

“Well, then, spend the next twenty-four hours in an intensive study of Chinese pottery.” He gave no explanations and I asked for none. By long experience I had learned the wisdom of obedience.

On the one hand, this also shows growth, on the other, blindly following Holmes' instructions seems like a terrible idea in so. many. ways. But y'know, whatever floats their boats. Ours not to kink shame.

I was sucking in knowledge and committing names to memory. There I learned of the hall-marks of the great artist-decorators, of the mystery of cyclical dates, the marks of the Hung-wu and the beauties of the Yung-lo, the writings of Tang-ying, and the glories of the primitive period of the Sung and the Yuan.

“It needs careful handling, Watson. This is the real egg-shell pottery of the Ming dynasty. No finer piece ever passed through Christie's. A complete set of this would be worth a king's ransom..."

Will the priceless historic china survive? That's the real question.

"You may as well be a medical man, since that is a part which you can play without duplicity. You are a collector, this set has come your way, you have heard of the Baron's interest in the subject, and you are not averse to selling at a price.”

OK. okayokayokayokayokay. No.

If this guy knows who Holmes is. Then he should, therefore, know who Watson is, too. We have even had, in this very story, evidence that supports that because the colonel (whose name I can't remember right now) was like 'yes, of course Dr Watson should be involved toodle pip." (I added the toodle pip part, but the rest was accurate enough.)

So surely the guy who arranged for Holmes to be murdered - who is apparently tracking down Kitty to murder her, too - surely he should know who Watson is. Therefore either this is a double bluff and Holmes is knowingly sending Watson into a danger that has already tried to claim his own life or he doesn't think that his opponent is smart enough to connect his enemy to their best friend who writes about them frequently and who has been visiting him daily since the attack.

If he turns out to be right and the baron doesn't recognise Watson immediately, I will be further annoyed at his incompetence.

On the same evening, with the precious saucer in my hand and the card of Dr. Hill Barton in my pocket, I set off on my own adventure.

Oh really? Like... an adventurer, would you say?

The place had been built by a South African gold king in the days of the great boom, and the long, low house with the turrets at the corners, though an architectural nightmare, was imposing in its size and solidity.

Glad to see Watson turning his scathing judgements to architecture as well as people. It was... it was a very solid building. It had that going for it.

He was certainly a remarkably handsome man. His European reputation for beauty was fully deserved. In figure he was not more than of middle size, but was built upon graceful and active lines. His face was swarthy, almost Oriental, with large, dark, languorous eyes which might easily hold an irresistible fascination for women. His hair and moustache were raven black, the latter short, pointed, and carefully waxed. His features were regular and pleasing, save only his straight, thin-lipped mouth. If ever I saw a murderer's mouth it was there—a cruel, hard gash in the face, compressed, inexorable, and terrible. He was ill-advised to train his moustache away from it, for it was Nature's danger-signal, set as a warning to his victims.

Oh my god. Watson. Watson. Quite being so horny on main. I am begging you. Stop ogling the man. And he can't help the way his moustache is away from his mouth - it's all the twirling.

"I would ask you what do you know of the Emperor Shomu and how do you associate him with the Shoso-in near Nara? Dear me, does that puzzle you? Tell me a little about the Northern Wei dynasty and its place in the history of ceramics.” I sprang from my chair in simulated anger.

Watson. Watson. My dude. My man. My good sir. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK was the point of you learning everything there is to know about Chinese pottery if you're not even going to bother to answer his motherfucking questions? What even is this? What was the point? WHY?

I mean, I'm pretty sure he knew who you were from the moment you sent the letter but even so. Even so! I can't get annoyed about him not committing to the bit when you're out here not even trying to commit to any of it.

Two steps took me to the open door, and my mind will ever carry a clear picture of the scene within. The window leading out to the garden was wide open. Beside it, looking like some terrible ghost, his head girt with bloody bandages, his face drawn and white, stood Sherlock Holmes.

Well, I was right. It was a double bluff. Watson was the distraction, cool cool. He was rubbish at it, but at least Holmes knew he was going to fail.

An arm—a woman's arm—shot out from among the leaves. At the same instant the Baron uttered a horrible cry—a yell which will always ring in my memory. He clapped his two hands to his face and rushed round the room, beating his head horribly against the walls. Then he fell upon the carpet, rolling and writhing, while scream after scream resounded through the house.

The features which I had admired a few minutes before were now like some beautiful painting over which the artist has passed a wet and foul sponge.

So that's why you went on about how hot he was. For the contrast. Gotcha.

Obviously this is terrible and throwing acid in people's faces is awful and horrible etc.

On the other hand, I support Kitty Winter and she's never done anything wrong ever in her life.

"It was that hell-cat, Kitty Winter!”

“It is his love diary?”

You say that like it's a normal thing.

???

"I knew I had only a few minutes in which to act, for my time was limited by your knowledge of Chinese pottery."

Holmes' perennial lack of faith in Watson's abilities is as sad as it is earned.

But he didn't even use his knowledge of Chinese pottery. He didn't even try.

“But if these injuries are as terrible as Dr. Watson describes, then surely our purpose of thwarting the marriage is sufficiently gained without the use of this horrible book.”

Wow, you think very little of Violet. I also think very little of her, but honestly, I'm pretty sure this isn't a deal breaker for her. Just say you think she's shallow and fickle, why don't you?

The same paper had the first police-court hearing of the proceedings against Miss Kitty Winter on the grave charge of vitriol-throwing. Such extenuating circumstances came out in the trial that the sentence, as will be remembered, was the lowest that was possible for such an offence.

Good for her.

...when an object is good and a client is sufficiently illustrious, even the rigid British law becomes human and elastic.

YAY! CORRUPTION!!

🥳🥳🥳

What a weird note to end it on. But the day was saved, I guess. Weirdly as it was. Violet de Merville presumably went on to continue to be a supercilious nightmare of a woman and Baron Adelbert Gruner was punished with *checks notes* disfigurement and blindness... so I guess that's a happy ending?

idek.

I'm glad Kitty got to fuck him up, though. That was very satisfying.

[thefisherqueen]

Miss Winter's advent rather amazed her, I think, but she waved us into our respective chairs like a reverend abbess receiving two rather leprous mendicants. If your head is inclined to swell, my dear Watson, take a course of Miss Violet de Merville.

Oh my, Holmes is really is not amused to be treated with such icyness. It's quite funny, however, the way he gently teases Watson with being hot-headed here

[educatedinyellow]

A potpourri of Holmesian illustrators: Flanagan, Nelson, and Thiriat

Okay, we’ve got a lot of fun illustrations to get through, my friends, so I’m going to start throwing together some of my faves. Here we go...

JOHN R FLANAGAN

Mr. Flanagan was an Australian illustrator. In 1924 he did sketches for two Holmes stories, “The Illustrious Client” and “The Three Garridebs.” But wow, I wish he’d done more -- his portraits are striking!

Shinwell Johnson has lived a hard life, and I love him.

Violet de Merville looks appropriately aloof and immovable here -- or “demure and remote,” according to Doyle.

Holmes, Watson, and Chinese pottery. I like the cosy mess of Baker Street, and how exhausted but determined they both look.

I love how chaotic and kinetic this climactic Garridebs shooting scene is!

I raise a lighter and wave it in the empty stadium for you, John R Flanagan. I wish the Holmesian fandom had gotten to enjoy more of your art!

GEORGE PATRICK NELSON

An American who only illustrated one Holmes story, “Thor Bridge,” in 1922. The magazine he was working for clearly liked to insert art into the margins of its printed columns so that the images flowed around the words, and it must have created a lovely dramatic effect. Look at Nelson’s interesting parallel images of the police finding a false clue (the pistol planted in Grace Dunbar’s wardrobe) versus Holmes finding a real clue (the telltale crack on the bridge railing):

I love how the intensely vertical compositions make it feel like the whole world is narrowing down to spotlight these clues and their deadly significance! Well done, Mr. Nelson. <333

PAUL THIRIAT

Out of the many hundreds of early Holmesian illustrations, one type of image that I have found to be sorely lacking is the Watson Hero Shot. In fact, I must admit I’ve found very few good drawings of Watson at all, and that’s a crying shame. I’m very grateful, therefore, to the French artist Mr. Thiriat for giving Watson his due in The Hound of the Baskervilles. If ever a man deserved to pose atop the Tor, lost in contemplation with the moody backdrop of the moors at his feet, it is *Watson*!

Also, look at how cleverly and beautifully he incorporated a huge clue into his cover design for “The Lion’s Mane,” without being so obvious as to give the game away!

I adore those creepy, thready tentacles!