The John H Watson Society

Make sure you are referring to the 100 question set: https://wp.me/p5iDM7-37o

[Update: Please be certain you have the 100 question version below]

The first mystery of the 2021 Treasure Hunt is where the heck is it? Due to some miscommunication (or the interference of Moriarty, probably) it has been ready to go but never made it to the web. As a result, we will extend the deadline to September 5. Please send your answers to this year’s blameless Treasure Hunt Master, Richard Krisciunas, JHWS “Hector” at  treasurehunt@johnhwatsonsociety.com.

Team/Individual Name(s):

Primary Contact if for a team:

Primary Contact email:

2021 JOHN H. WATSON TREASURE HUNT

1 point for every correct answer unless otherwise specified.

PART 1: WATSONIAN WORLD OLIO

1. How many wives did John Watson have? Name them all alphabetically.

2. What is a far Eastern intestinal inflammation caused by Salmonella?

3. What is an Augean stable for couch potatoes? 

4. Who was thin as a narrow piece of wood and brown as a nut?

5. Bozo would have been proud of whom for being the glue?

6. The most famous “Angel” in the Canon, Hosmer, didn’t really exist. Can you name five others who were real? 5 points

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

7. Name eight Canon kings without royal blood. 8 points

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

8. What was Nigel Bruce’s middle name? 

9. What was Basil Rathbone’s middle name?

10. Dr. Watson frequently dispensed his favorite medicine, brandy. What other two medicines did he consider? 2 points

a.

b.

11. Which person in the Canon had been jollified?

12. What was found near a fictitious river near Xiamen?

13. Name three who were, initially, sentenced to death but spared? 3 points

a.

b.

c.

14. The official colors of the Baker Street Irregulars were chosen by Christopher Morley based on what item and which colors?  

a.

b.

15. Who was the combined age of: when one became master of the house plus the number of crew on a ship lost at sea?   3 points

 16. Two men played chess together in Lewisham 29 years before their almost namesakes met again in what Sherlockian story?

17. In reference to q. 16, what were the chess players’ names in the story? 2 points

a.

b.

18. He met his Maker while standing but no bullet was fired. Name the story.

19. In reference to q. 18, who died?

20. He hired a one-legged man to help him manage his blues. Name the boss, the man and the story. 3 points

a.

b.

c.

21. Watson thought Holmes could have rivaled which actor?

22. This poet’s Shakespearean pastiche was one of a kind. Who was the author and what was the title? 2 points

a.

b.

23.Two Scotland Yard inspectors used a term to compare a man and a woman with young, rowdy people who cause damage. What was the term?

24. In reference to q. 23, who were the two inspectors?  2 points

a.

b.

25. In reference to q. 23, who was the man?

26. In reference to q. 23,  who was the woman? 

27. [The sum of the numbers of two unused upper circle tickets] – [The house number of the address where the wife with aroused suspicions exited the cab] + [The number of minutes in a first-class carriage ride to Birmingham]  ÷  2/3 = [What Canonical plant]? 4 points

28. There was confusion caused by two individuals in a story having the same initials. Name the three pairs and the three stories where this confusion occurred. 6 Points (2 points each)

a.

b.

c.

29. How many places could Holmes go to disguise himself?

30. Sherlock Holmes allergy to cats affects his ability to solve a case in a short story by what famous writer? 

31. According to one canonical Mister, this person was more of an expert than Holmes. Who was the person?

32. Which military fencing champion portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the movies?

33. One was short-sighted, another naturally blind, the third missed a train. Two died and one survived. What did the three have in common? 

34. In reference to q. 33, who were the three persons? 3 points

a.

b.

c.

35. Who was the man from Gdansk who Holmes showed how it really happened?

36. Who was the first voice to speak after host Brad Keefauver on the first episode of the Watsonian Weekly podcast?

37. In reference to q. 36, what topic did the person discuss?

38. Who composed the theme song for the Watsonian Weekly podcast? 

39. Two characters had the same surname; one a future bridegroom, one a lawbreaker. Who were they? 2 points

a.

b.

40. Which woman did Holmes compare to a chicken? 

Part 2: LONDON NEWSPAPERS

Name the Daily newspaper and the story in which the item mentioned appeared:

2 points for each correct pair of answers

41. This newspaper labeled the crime as a political one.

42. This newspaper’s advertisement sheet was thrown aside by Sherlock Holmes.

43. This newspaper was picked up by Mycroft Holmes.

44. This newspaper was removed from Holmes’ knee by the accused murderer.  

45. This newspaper reported a murder discovery made by the Parisian police.

46. This newspaper labeled one officer in charge as the smartest detective.

47. This newspaper reported a lady’s distress on a bus.

48. This newspaper was visited by Holmes and Watson at the end of a busy day.

49. This newspaper’s editor was beaten.

Part 3: UNTOLD STORIES

Sherlockians and pastiche writers love speculating about the untold adventures discussed by Dr. John H. Watson. Name the title of the untold adventure and the story in which it appeared.  2 points for each correct pair of answers

50. Petroselinum crispum

51. Costermonger pushcart 

52. Don’t judge a book by its cover

53. Wind up  

54. Umbrella 

55. Dentures 

56. Toothless 

57. Fake 

58. Peerless 

59. Plague

60. Understood by one

61. Female but not a woman 

 62. Powderless 

Part 4: HOUSEKEEPERS IN THE CANON

Identify the housekeeper by the clue.

63. She didn’t notice the scratch.

64. She slept through the night and heard nothing.

65. She didn’t hesitate to let them in.

66. She was mistakenly arrested.

67. She was hard of hearing.

68. She was old but respectable.

69. She found the fingerprint.

70. She had a black cat.

Part 5: WATSONIAN WORD OLIO CONTINUED

71. An electrician, a solicitor, a marine, a second son and a cashier walk into a bar in London, what do they all have in common?

72. In reference to q. 71, name with whom?  5 points

a. Electrician/

b. Solicitor/

c. Marine/

d. Second son/

e. Cashier/

73. Dr. John H. Watson mentioned two people who he knew in Afghanistan. Who were they? 2 points

a.

b.

74. He once made the beer, and he was responsible for the introduction. Who, who and who? 3 points

a.

b.

c.

75. More than likely it was this ten-year-old best-selling text Watson laid aside when he lost interest due to the weather. What text? Which author?

76. John H. Watson’s literary agent was quite taken with this person’s Holmes-like power of disguise when the person was acting like Holmes. Who?

77. This Madame appeared in the world of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson almost 30 times. Who?

78.  Supply the missing names.  6 points.

a. Douglas:: Nigel:: ?, ?

b. Benedict:: Martin:: ?

c. Jeremy:: ?, ? ::Rosalie

d. ?:: Colin:: Sarah

79. In an apocryphal tale, Watson patiently and quietly accepts Sherlock Holmes’s error as to the doctor’s  background as Holmes describes a letter Watson has received. Watson reports Sherlock Holmes saying to him, “This I gathered from the use of the word ‘Doctor’ upon the address, to which, as a Bachelor of Medicine, you have no legal claim.”  Which word in Holmes’s statement is false?

80. Holmes, after some gentle searching near the light, found the hiding place for a short shotgun. Where was the hiding place?

81. While Watson did not exactly call it an alternative, he chose this public version over a home version. What?

82. According to Sherlock Holmes, a little talk about this produces the desired appearance of mental disturbance.  A little talk about what?

83. Bow windows are mentioned as existing in four different places in the Canon; what four places?

4 points

a.

b.

c.

d.

84. While it rained frequently in London, only four persons in the Canon had an umbrella. Who were they? 4 points

a.

b.

c.

d.

85. Who were the two men in the Canon whose blood ‘boiled”?

a.

b.

86. Holmes offered a cigar and was sunk in deep thought at which railway station?

87. Her husband was an elected official in a town by the Cotswolds that houses the tomb of a king. Who was she?

88. Sherlock Holmes paid each of these six men a half-sovereign. Who were they? 6 points

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

89. Which author did Holmes say was always tersely cogent?

90. Sherlock Holmes studied the ashes of various tobaccos and smoked several cigarettes and pipes while contemplating his cases. To whom did Holmes offer a cigarette? 2 points

a.

b.

91. This newspaper reported a mid-May death. What was the paper?

92. While Holmes re-read a letter in October, Watson’s thoughts turned to a sandless beach in Southern England. What was the name of the beach?

93. Sherlock Holmes played the violin well and played it to take his mind off of bad weather. Who else was known to have played a violin in the Canon?

94. Two medical men in the Canon wore tennis shoes. Who were they? 2 points

a.

b.

95. Who was the unhappy, single, professional man who rang the bell at 221B?

96. Two men wore spats when they asked Sherlock Holmes for help. Who were they? 2 points

a.

b.

97. Arthur Conan Doyle was extremely athletic; swimming, playing golf, cricket, football (soccer), hockey and baseball. In what sporting activities did Sherlock Holmes participate?

2 points

a.

b.

98. Holmes described this man as having a heart of metamorphic rock. Who was he?

99. Two different items in two different stories the Canon cost the same price. Both were part of a set. What was the price?

100. In reference to q. 99, what were the different items and what were the two stories?

4 points

a.

b.

BONUS QUESTION

Sherlock Holmes relied on Dr. John Watson to help him with his cases. Can you decipher this story to find a hidden, well-known phrase that demonstrates Holmes’s reliance on Watson?  15  points

It was another cold, rainy morning where Holmes was looking at the agony column of the Daily Mail. Remnants of supper remained where Mrs. Hudson had placed them the night before. Seated in his chair was Dr. Watson who was warming his cold feet in the toasty fire that Hudson had just prepared. Outside, a man closed his umbrella and approached 221B Baker Street to ring the bell.

Holmes called to Mrs. Hudson, “We have a visitor. Stop what you are doing and let him in. Please tell Billy to open the door so that my friend Watson can help bring an end to this poor man’s suffering.

Looking worried, a stranger entered but Holmes laughed. “You need not worry because Watson’s here.”

As the man looked nervously around the room, Holmes noticed that Dr. Watson had taken out his revolver. Holmes reached for his pipe, inserted fresh tobacco from a Persian slipper that he had refilled from the previous day’s problem solving that involved members of Royal families from two different European nations.

“Don’t worry, old boy. My dear friend Is apprehensive. His sixth sense has caused him to expect that you are here with some problem that could bring serious danger to our home. I perceive he is incorrect.”

“One can never be too cautious.”

“Tell us what brings you. Elucidate your problem. I can see that no one has been able to help. Let us bring an end to your dilemma.”

The stranger’s face relaxed and a twinkle formed in his old eyes.

”This is what happened.”

He carefully explained his situation and then, Watson interrupted, “I solved it, Holmes!” Nothing gets past Dr. Watson.

“Great!,” Holmes said, and the man left happily.

Born August 1, 1937, Hogg has appeared in many BBC productions including EastEnders, Bleak House, and Doctor Who.

Due to a family obligation of the usual host and the lack of a backup plan, the usual monthly Zoom won’t be happening for July. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal in August, but if you have any potential alternatives for fellow members of the society to gather, post them in the comments.

Born July 9, 1935, Williams was the husband of Dame Judi Dench. Williams portrayed Watson in every Canonical story for BBC Radio 4 between 1989 and 1998.

The June meeting of the John H. Watson Society today featured a lively discussion of John Watson’s childhood, which somehow took Watson from traveling via balloon to whether nannies counted as “experience of women,” a a lot of sideroads along the way. Would Paul Newman make a better Watson than a Holmes? And why was he in that convent with one of our members? How did you stop a monowheel? Did young Watson have toffee?

If you needed a reminder, which we failed to send, we’ll try better next time. What does “next time” mean? Our July meeting will feature a recognizable and colorful passage from the good Watson as read in as many different languages as our members can speak! Which passage will that be? We need suggestions!

What part of the Canon would you know even if it were in a language you don’t speak? What paragraph or dialogue is Watson at his best? Throw your suggestions in the comments and we’ll pick one a couple weeks in advance for our next meeting.

Others may start to gather in person, but the John H. Watson Society Zooms again! Saturday, June 26 at 10 AM PDT, 11 AM MDT, 12 Noon CDT, 1 PM EDT, 6 PM BST, 7 PM CEST, etc. is the next appointed meeting time, and we’ll get together to discuss John Watson’s childhood and all that it might have held. Favorite sweet? Favorite games? Favorite books? Family drama is for adults, so let’s let Watson be a kid and see where that takes us. Come one, come all. If the Zoom invitation doesn’t turn up in your mailbox somehow, drop a line to podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com and we’ll see you get one.

Carleton Hobbs was most famous for portraying Sherlock Holmes, but he first portrayed Doctor Watson alongside Arthur Wontner in a 1943 production of The Boscombe Valley Mystery. He was born June 18, 1898.

So, summer’s here, and you find yourself sitting around the Shingle of Southsea with fifteen or twenty minutes on your hands, and you’re just tired of listening to the cries of the various sea birds . . . what do you do? Remember the Watsonian Weekly?
https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/june-7-2021-the-coronet-of-watsons-summer-place (Also in all those places you find random podcasts. Just search “Watsonian Weekly” — nobody else is using that name, trust us!)

Miss Saturday’s meeting of the John H. Watson Society and need a report on it? Want to hear what brand new feature that Paul Thomas Miller has concocted for podcast listeners? All that and the features you’ve come to know and hopefully have some measure of affection for, on this week’s latest Watsonian Weekly. Find it online at:

https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/may-24-2021-hats-on-for-watson

Or you can always check your favorite podcast provider to see if they carry it! There are plenty of Sherlockian podcasts out there, but still only one Watsonian Weekly!

For John H. Watson, May of 1891 may have been a time of sad bereavement, but for the John H. Watson Society it is time to Zoom again! Saturday, May22 at 10 AM PDT, 11 AM MDT, 12 Noon CDT, 1 PM EDT, 6 PM BST, 7 PM CEST, etc. is the next appointed meeting time, and we’ll get together to discuss John Watson’s life in May of 1891 from the 5th through the end of the month. Where did he go? Who did he talk to? What were his next steps, if he could even rise to make them?

If you need the Zoom invitation, please send a request to podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com and we’ll get you the link.

And if you just want some good Watson to warm up for the meeting, this week’s episode of The Watsonian Weekly, our club’s official podcast, is on the e-air once again. Check it out at https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/may-17-2021-norfolk-mice-in-emerald-watson or wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.

Born May 14, 1937, Battista portrayed Doctor Watson in a 1977 production of The Hound of the Baskervilles for CBS Radio Mystery Theater. He had starred in the 1950s soap opera Love of Life and appeared in a number of spaghetti Westerns.

Ralph Truman was born May 7, 1900 and he appeared in a variety of Disney and Alfred Hitchcock productions. He portrayed the good doctor in a 1943 production of My Dear Watson for the BBC Home Service.

Our own Bullpup Buck, Paul Thomas Miller, known for his tireless advocacy for wildlife in the Rear of the Year competition, has annotated the complete Canon so that you may now cite passages by chapter and verse. Check it out here: Chapter and Verse Holmes

Bullpup Buck has invited everyone to download and freely share it as well.

The John H. Watson Society will Zoom again on Saturday, April 24 at 10 AM PDT, 11 AM MDT, 12 Noon CDT, 1 PM EDT, 6 PM BST, 7 PM CEST, etc. (At least we think that’s how the time zones will work!)

This time out we’re breaking our toasting free of those same three monthlies, so bring toasts on anything Watson-related if you got ’em. Also, we’ll be doing a deep dive into that page that Watson says is missing from his letters to Holmes at the start of Chapter Eight of The Hound of the Baskervilles. What was Watson hiding from his reading public? Where did that page go? We’ll be entertaining all theories or any “found text” versions of that page you might have found (or claim to have found), so bring everything you’ve got on this Watsonian mystery we’re going to try to solve!

If you need the Zoom invitation, please send a request to podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com and we’ll get you the link.

And if you just want some good Watson to warm up for the meeting, this week’s episode of The Watsonian Weekly, our club’s official podcast, is on the e-air once again. Check it out at https://watsonianweekly.libsyn.com/april-19-2021-gorilla-hardwicke-strychnine or on Apple podcasts or Spotify!

As if there weren’t enough to occupy your time on a Saturday in spring, including a virtual 221B Con, today at noon Central Standard Time, the Watsonian Weekly will be recording it’s 100th episode! Not the best weekend for it to happen, but one hundred is one hundred, and if you’d like to be present for the live recording and hear all the stuff that gets edited out before it gets edited out, just toss an email to podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com for the Zoom link. We only hit one hundred once, so stop by and get a rare look at podcast history in the making!

You may have seen this ranking of Sherlock Holmes portrayals today: https://crimereads.com/100-sherlock-holmes-ranked/

Not to be outdone, we ranked all the Doctors Watsons. They all tied for first place.

Born April 7, 1930, Sachs appeared on many shows including Fawlty Towers and Coronation Street. He portrayed Doctor Watson from 2002-2010 in The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Just in case you missed the earlier notice, the John H. Watson Society’s monthly Zooms are springing forward a couple weeks to the fourth Saturday, which seems like a less-trafficked Zoom day. Invitations aren’t out yet, but be sure to update your calendar to March 27th. Hope to see you then!

Per the results of the previous survey we will be moving to the fourth Saturday of the month. However, there was effectively a tie between keeping the same time or moving an hour later. If those are the only two options, which do you prefer.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScb3yLnS_rGXOHT6ocITbZIkiSS4PKiqyDhmTzrpdbFzz0W0w/viewform?usp=sf_link