On "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor" from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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On "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor" [NOBL] from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

::: PUBLICATION HISTORY :::

The Strand Magazine (UK) April 1892

The Strand (US) May 1892

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Coll.) October 1892

::: NOTES & GRADING :::

An armchair investigation requires a cosy atmosphere, which surely exists here. The irreverent banter placed within adds some fun. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety,” he [Holmes] answered, smiling, “and the humbler are usually the more interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." More excellent dialog, a back and forth with Holmes and the jilted Lord St. Simon, who sent the epistle in question: "I understand that you have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of society." "No, I am descending." "I beg pardon." "My last client of the sort was a king." ZING, am I right? A top-notch snarkily dismissive Holmes outing.

We get the full spectrum of Holmes, really, as both flippant and deeply caring. (Is he acting as this poor girl's mother?) Not to mention he's what can only be referred to as precociously opinionated. Add in there that Watson brings his A-game as a professional writer. Also, he's an excellent audience to a fully catered bit of dinner theater which Holmes puts-on, followed-up by a private violin recital. Let's just say Watson begins bored and ends quite not. Staying with the good doctor a beat longer--and his old vaguely placed war wound--where exactly was he shot? On the battlefield, of course. Then there is Lestrade in brilliant form as both rival and somewhat butt-of-the-joke foil, in his nautical wear, dragging up the Serpentine. “In Heaven’s name, what for?” “In search of the body of Lady St. Simon.” Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily."

A tale of old money and new money. The old and new world and we find exactly where Holmes stands there, as one makes him yawn and the other, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your company,” said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." That sentiment is a (thankfully and awkwardly) rare time where it seems we have Doyle's thoughts coming through Holmes's mouth. At least we can be quite glad that his interests in the supernatural and Spiritualism decidedly never broke into canon.

To fully declare a belief in Holmes caring beyond what best stimulates his mind would be a mistake. "... how to while away these bleak autumnal evenings." Now how to while away the rest of this article? Via holding it up against the categories listed below, of course. I have touched some on the characters. Let's add in here the heavy Annie Oakley vibes of Hatty and her straight-shooting honest beau. A thought: was there ever a time when only England-alone owned and operated "tomboy?" The pompous Lord fits nicely with the superficial scanning of Holmes as some sort of Victorian egalitarian. Again, he simply wants to be entertained by those who are of interest to his own tastes. Self-serving, then... and admirably flagrantly-so. At least Watson is shown a good time in the shadow of that. Although I'm sure it made Holmes happy to provide. Settings, as alluded to at the top, are excellent although limited. 

The plot flows easily-well. I've said before (elsewhere) that the solution cannot be better than the problem. Here, we meet an exception to that rule which I shat out sans much thought in the first place. But to be clear--we aren't talking about anything more than presentation. Flare. It's not hard-won solving; Holmes had that done at first blush. There was just left to tie up some loose ends and to set the stage for the reveal. I suppose some gumshoe footwork was involved there to be fair. As to that reveal: "There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock" A brace indicates a pair, so this was service for four--thereby Holmes never did expect the Lord to stay for the spread. Nor did he hold it against him even in the face of Watson's disapproval of his early leave. Ultimately, the solution solved itself, and Holmes quite literally just set the table for its inevitable conclusion.

My conclusion? NOTHING REALLY HAPPENED HERE. But really so much subtly did and I loved reading all about its singular particulars. In the end, the trifle that most caught my eye is what most caught Holmes's: "Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it." Oh, do tell. Here I thought Watson had the only set of eyes for the fairer sex. 

CHARACTERS: 2/2 

SETTING: 1.5/2  

PLOT: 1/2 

PROBLEM: .5/2 

SOLUTION: 1/2 

FINAL GRADE: 6/10

I'd like to take a moment to remind you kind Gentlepersons that I write these thoughts under the assumption of you having read these adventures. They are readily available everywhere, including for free at Project Gutenberg as well as Wikisource, where you can listen to it read, as well.

Also, please bear in mind that this post is part of a series in which I'm working through every case in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. For other entries in this series, use the Search Kaplowitz Media. function to the right of your screen and plug in either particular adventures contained within that collection, or The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes to view them in their entirety.

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::: very :::