Can

Explain the significance of the whistling sound heard by Holmes and Watson in 'The
Speckled Band'

The significance of the whistling sound is that it confirms that there is a snake in Dr
Roylott’s room as the snake was recalled using the whistle.

In 'The Three Students', describe Holmes' initial impressions of each of the three
students based on the room inspection

To Ask.

Explain how Holmes solved the mystery of “The Resident Patient”

Holmes was called by Percy Trevelyan early in the morning. He informs Holmes that
Blessington had committed suicide and when the maid had gone to serve him his tea in the
morning Blessington was hanging from a hook in the ceiling and he had jumped off from his box
where he kept his money which he had shown Holmes yesterday. Holmes immediately rushes
to Brook Street and goes to Blessington’s room. The police inspector present at the scene
informs Holmes that he was driven out of his senses due to fright and was smoking heavily at
night. He then gives the four cigar ends to Holmes examines it and says that Blessington’s used
a Havana cigar and the others are of different brands, two were smoked with a case and two
without, two had been cut by a knife and two were bitten off. Holmes arrives to the conclusion
that this was a cold-blooded murder. Holmes then examines the rope, the lock and the key, the
dead body, the chairs and the carpet. The rope was cut of a coil which Blessington had kept if
he wanted to escape in the event of a fire. He also asks the page to be arrested but he was not
to be found> Holmes explains that 3 men entered this room last night which can be confirmed
by the scratches in the locks. They gagged Blessington who must have been either asleep or
too petrified to shout for help. Some kind of conference was held and the cigars were smoked
during it. It ended by hanging Blessington. The page then locked the door. Holmes then gets the
names of the people who went and killed Blessington. They were Biddle, Moffat and Hayward
who formed the Worthingdon Bank Gang and Blessington was the name under which Sutton
chose to hide. Sutton then turned as the informer and got 1 member hanged and the others 15
years in jail. When they got out they took revenge on Blessington by killing him. This was the
reason Blessington was so agitated when he heard the news about their release.

1. Explore Dr. Percy Trevelyan's motivations for seeking the assistance of Sherlock
Holmes in 'The Resident Patient.' How do his actions reflect his character and the
challenges he faces?
TO ASK

2. Analyze the role of the narrator, Dr. Watson, in 'The Resident Patient.' How does
his perspective contribute to the unfolding of the mystery and the overall narrative?

Explore the significance of the bell rope in Julia’s room. How does its presence
contribute to the overall mystery, and what role does it play in Holmes's deduction?

The bell rope was a dummy and it was used to bring down the snake inside the room
through the ventilator down the bell rope to harm the person ie. Julia or Helen Stoner. Since the
windows and door was locked, the only way to bring in anything that could kill somebody was
the bell rope.

Analyze the significance of Helen Stoner's visit to Holmes and Watson. How does her
account shape the course of the investigation, and what key information does she
provide?

The significance of Helen Stoner’s visit is that it helps Holmes solve the case and
therefore save Helen Stoner’s life and also kill the evil Dr. Roylott.

Her account gives all the important details of Julia’s death and her and her
stepfather's background

The doctor is a part of the Roylott family in Stoke Moran, who established a large
practice in Calcutta, India. In a fit of anger, he beat a native butler to death and suffered a
long prison sentence. After this, he returned to England as a bitter and disappointed
man. When Dr Roylott was in India he married Mrs. Stoner a young widow. Julia and
Helen were only two years old at that time, and Mrs. Stoner had a considerable amount of
money. She bequeathed this to Dr Roylott while we resided with him with the provision
that a certain annual sum would come to Helen and Julia at the time of their marriage.
Mrs Stoner died soon after the family moved to England and the family lived at Roylott’s
ancestral house in Stoke Moran.
The doctor seldom came out, except to quarrel ferociously with anyone who
crossed his path he became the terror of the village and people feared him, for he was a
man of immense strength and uncontrolled in ager. He has a passion for indian animals
and they own a cheetah and a baboon which wander freely over the estate. They are
feared by their villagers more than their masters………………………….. Page 52 sister
died

b) 'The Devil's Foot':

Investigate the significance of the Cornish setting in 'The Devil's Foot.' How does the
remote location impact the atmosphere and add to the mystery?
Examine the importance of Dr. Leon Sterndale's character in the story. How does his
presence influence the case's resolution, and what thematic elements does he bring to
the narrative?

Dr Strendale was distantly related to the family. He was the person who showed
Mortimer The devil's foot root poison. Mortimer stole it and therefore killed Brenda due to
a family quarrel about money Sterndale loved. To take revenge Sterndale held Mortimer
at gunpoint and killed him the same way he killed Brenda

c) 'The Three Students':

Explore the significance of the examination paper in 'The Three Students.' How does it
serve as a central element in the plot, and what does it reveal about the characters
involved?

The significance of the examination paper was that it was the reason that
Gilchrist, a student, chose to copy the proof so that he could ace it. Bannister remained
truthful to his old master as well as his new one and he showed the path to success for
Gilchrist. Gilchrist was initially bad-hearted as he wanted to copy the proofs but later he
took the advice of Bannister and did the right thing.

Analyze the role of the university setting in the story. How does it contribute to the
motives and actions of the characters, and what commentary might Doyle be making
about academic life?

d) 'The Resident Patient':

Discuss the significance of the character Blessington in 'The Resident Patient.' How does
his presence contribute to the mystery and impact the relationships between other
characters?

Main char. Has vengeance with the Worthington Bank gang

Explore the importance of Dr. Percy Trevelyan's medical condition in the story. How does
it influence the unfolding events, and what thematic elements does it introduce?

e) 'The Crooked Man':

Discuss the role of Mrs. Barclay in 'The Crooked Man.' How does her character contribute
to the unfolding of the plot and the resolution of the mystery?

She was loved by Henry and Barclay but she was true to Henry. Barclay betrays Henry
and Marries Nancy. She was found speaking with Henry while she was with Ms.Morrison.
She also hears that Nancy believed that Henry was dead for 30 years. In the end, she
asks Morrisson to promise that she will not tell this to anyone.

a) 'The Speckled Band':

1. Significance of Dr. Roylott's Collection: Explore the significance of Dr. Roylott's

exotic animal collection in the narrative. How does it reflect his character, and what
thematic elements does it introduce regarding power and control?

These tell that he had an interest in Indian wild animals and had a lot of knowledge about
them> This acts as a clue for homes to discover the mode of murder which was an adder.

2. Symbolism of the Speckled Band: Analyze the symbolic significance of the speckled
band itself. How does it function as a key to unlocking the mystery, and what deeper
meanings might be associated with it?

This tells us that something similar to a snake had harmed Julia. This also tells us
about the color of the snake which is yellow.

3. Impact of the Swamp Adder: Discuss the impact of the swamp adder on the story's
atmosphere. How does its presence contribute to the tension, and what role does it play
in the resolution of the case?
b) 'The Devil's Foot':

1. Role of African Mysticism: Investigate the role of African mysticism in 'The Devil's
Foot.' How does this element influence the characters' beliefs and actions, and what
commentary might Doyle make about cultural perceptions?

2. Impact of the Cornish Setting: Explore the impact of the Cornish setting on the
characters, particularly Holmes and Watson. How does the isolated location shape their
experiences and contribute to the overall mood of the story?

3. Significance of the Locals: Discuss the significance of the local Cornish people in the
narrative. How do their beliefs and reactions add layers to the mystery, and what insights
do they provide?

They believed in superstitions.

c) 'The Three Students':

1. Motivation Behind Cheating: Explore the motivations behind cheating in the

examination, as depicted in 'The Three Students.' How do the characters' backgrounds
and aspirations drive them to such actions, and what consequences arise?

The fortesque scholarship was very valuable and getting an advantage over the
others could guarantee a scholarship

d) 'The Resident Patient':

1. Blessington's Influence on Relationships: Explore how Blessington's presence

`influences the relationships between other characters in 'The Resident Patient.' How
does he serve as a catalyst for tension and conflict?
2. Medical Condition and Plot Development: Discuss how Dr. Percy Trevelyan's medical
condition influences the development of the plot. How does it shape events and
contribute to the overall mystery?

3. Blessington's Significance in the Resolution: Analyze Blessington's significance in

the resolution of the case. How does his character impact the outcome, and what broader
themes can be derived from his role?

e) 'The Crooked Man':

2. Role of Mrs. Barclay in the Plot: Discuss the specific role of Mrs. Barclay in the
unfolding of the plot. How does her character contribute to the mystery and impact the
relationships between other characters?

What was the event that reduced Blessington to his pitiable state?
Two days ago a Russian nobleman requested an appointment for Percy Trevelyan
because he had a rare nervous disorder. He was accompanied by a tall, young and
extraordinarily handsome man. While Percy examined his patient the patient suddenly ceased
to speak. Percy knew a medicine which showed good results for this type of symptoms. After he
prepared it and went back to his room both the patient and the accompanying man had
disappeared. When Percy questioned his page he replied that he did not know about the
disappearance of the patient and his caretaker. Later the duo came back and apologized for
their abrupt departure. After Blessington was back after his evening walk he discovered that
there was someone who had been inside the room. This reduced Blessington to his pitiable
state.
Reference to context:
“I have a pistol. I will fire if you come any closer”
a) Who said these words to whom?[1]
b) Why does Blessington act in this manner? From Whom does he intend to protect
himself from?[3]
a) Blessington/Sutton said these words to Percy Holmes and Watson
b) He acts in this manner to protect himself from getting killed
He intends to protect himself from his ex-gangmates who he snitched upon. After their
release he gets scared that they are after him and have an intention of killing him therefore he
arms himself with a pistol.