Mystery Language
What does “carbuncle” mean in the story?
A blue gem
How did Holmes first learn about the jewel in the goose?
The doorman told him
What caused the blue carbuncle to end up with Henry Baker?
Thief put it in a goose
Why does a detective ask lots of small questions?
too learn as much as possible
Two people tell the same story, but small details differ. What does this indicate?
One or both may be lying or misremembering.
What does Holmes mean by “You see, but you do not observe”?
People notice facts but don’t think about their significance.
Why did the Red-Headed League hire Mr. Jabez Wilson for the job?
To get him out of the shop so criminals could dig a tunnel.
What was the effect of the Red-Headed League shutting down suddenly?
Wilson hires Sherlock
What would you check first if you were trying to find a hidden object in a mystery story?
Unusual locations, weight differences, or inconsistencies in behavior.
A room smells faintly of perfume but no one is wearing any. What can you infer?
Someone recently visited or left something scented behind.
In detective stories, what does it mean to “follow the trail”?
To track clues step by step to find the truth.
Why did the scientist enter the well? (Barney)
Barney dropped a key in the well
Why does Tayloe get fired? What actually happened?
poisoned barney, barney tried to poison himself
If an object is unusually heavy or light, what might a detective deduce?
That it could contain something hidden or unusual.
You see footprints leading to a wall and stopping. What might that indicate?
hidden door
What is deductive reasoning?
using knowledge we have to make specific conclusions about something
What is Sherlock's reward?
The joy of solving the mystery
What happens as a result of the scientist saying he will kill Barney?
Why might a criminal choose an unusual method, like hiding a jewel in a goose?
To avoid detection and make the plan seem ordinary.
You notice a person always wears gloves indoors. What might you deduce?
They are hiding something on their hands, like a cut or fingerprints.
What is a "red herring"
a distraction to the reader
Compare Holmes’ reactions in Blue Carbuncle and Red-Headed League—how do his decisions reflect his values?
Holmes cares about peoples safety, if it doesn't pose an ethical problem he has no problem letting a criminal go
What caused Holmes to doubt the The Red headed Leagues purpose?
The strange hours
How could you deduce someone’s occupation from the way they dress or carry objects?
Observe wear, stains, size, or style that suggest habits or profession.
A diary has pages torn but only certain dates are missing. What can you deduce?
Someone wanted to hide or remove information about specific events.