Chapters 8-10
Holmes, Russell and Watson are targeted by a group of people. Holmes's and Watson's houses were bombed. There was also a bomb taped to the door of Russell's dorm. Holmes, Watson and Russell take refuge with Holmes's brother. Yes, Holmes actually has a brother. Though he's not as smart as him, but he does know Scotland Yard inside and out. His name is Mycroft Holmes, which is a strange name by the way. Furthermore, Russell discovers that Holmes is a master of disguise because he has many storage rooms all over London. Each one has food and clothes to change appearances.
To relate to the case, Holmes is like a superhero. He certainly has intelligence that is unnatural and he even admits that he has many enemies who try to take revenge on him. It doesn't help that Holmes is famous due to the published works of Watson. His relationship with Russell starts to reveal a lot of the humanness inside him. For example, he purposely dressed up as an old woman and convinced Russell that a burglar was inside her dorm. He did this to make sure that she could still pick up clues and make the right decisions in case of an emergency. I saw this as representative of a father who's looking out for the safety of his daughter. I guess he's also very overprotective and he even got into the room with back injuries. This is probably what would happen if Holmes ever had children. When Russell does find out that the old woman is Holmes, the roles switch. Holmes has Russell tend to the wounds in his back. Once she's finished, she orders Holmes to lie on the bed and not sleep in a chair. He gives in like a child to a mother. He even admires Russell's long hair, which is a first. He notes the "vestige of feminity." This is true of an apprenticeship.
In addition, from Russell's point of view, we see that Holmes wasn't fond of Watson. Russell acknowledges that Holmes is always deceiving Watson because Watson cannot lie when asked to.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Post 6)
Book Two
Chapters 5-7
Russell embarks on her first big case with Holmes. It involves the kidnap of a baby and a ransom has to be met in a couple of days. Russell mentions that she'll get to see the true Sherlock Holmes at his best. All the cases she's had were minor ones and now she'll be able to witness Holmes's true ability. Because Russell is attending college, Holmes has begun to embark on cases himself. The author seems to suggest that Holmes is very protective of his image. He wants to ensure that he is still the most intelligent and ruthless man in the world. He constantly has to keep up, so to speak, with the image that Watson has created for him. That's why he prefers to solve some cases by himself. He's overprotective of his cases and likes to work alone. He doesn't like the fact that he's being refered to as a "miracle worker." He's the last man that people go to when cases cannot be solved. This makes him mad sometimes. So I guess Mary Russell is a challenge for him because he's always worked alone. Holmes admits that he's never considered Watson as a true partner. He considers Russell to be his first real partner because she was able to solve the case on her own. She found her own way inside the house where the baby was and carried the baby to safety.
In addition, Holmes decided at first that he didn't want Russell to be a part of the case, but she demanded that she be involved and Holmes gave in. It seems that Holmes may be letting go of his fear and hatred women because of his relationship with Russell. Either that or he's just being nice. Also in this book, the author reveals more change in Holmes. She shows much more about him that I didn't see in the older version. Holmes actually showed compassion when he was speaking to the mother of the baby in order to get information from her. He comforted the mother and held her hand. Furthermore, he treats Russell like a daughter and appreciates her input and presence in the current case. However, he does mock Russell's inexperience. For example, they were trying to figure out how the criminals left the scene. She guessed by automobile but was completely wrong because there were no tracks.
Finally, by having Holmes take an apprentice, such as Russell, it brings out the human side of him. When the baby was finally reunited with her family, Holmes cried. I'm guessing he did because he blew his nose loudly. He also finally acknowledges Russell because she was able to make the right decisions and solve the case by herself without too much help from Holmes. Holmes also reveals his reason for using cocaine after a case-cases usually wear him out. He loses sleep and the body just shuts down and he's completely exhausted. Russell experiences it first hand at the end of the case. She sleeps for a day.
Chapters 5-7
Russell embarks on her first big case with Holmes. It involves the kidnap of a baby and a ransom has to be met in a couple of days. Russell mentions that she'll get to see the true Sherlock Holmes at his best. All the cases she's had were minor ones and now she'll be able to witness Holmes's true ability. Because Russell is attending college, Holmes has begun to embark on cases himself. The author seems to suggest that Holmes is very protective of his image. He wants to ensure that he is still the most intelligent and ruthless man in the world. He constantly has to keep up, so to speak, with the image that Watson has created for him. That's why he prefers to solve some cases by himself. He's overprotective of his cases and likes to work alone. He doesn't like the fact that he's being refered to as a "miracle worker." He's the last man that people go to when cases cannot be solved. This makes him mad sometimes. So I guess Mary Russell is a challenge for him because he's always worked alone. Holmes admits that he's never considered Watson as a true partner. He considers Russell to be his first real partner because she was able to solve the case on her own. She found her own way inside the house where the baby was and carried the baby to safety.
In addition, Holmes decided at first that he didn't want Russell to be a part of the case, but she demanded that she be involved and Holmes gave in. It seems that Holmes may be letting go of his fear and hatred women because of his relationship with Russell. Either that or he's just being nice. Also in this book, the author reveals more change in Holmes. She shows much more about him that I didn't see in the older version. Holmes actually showed compassion when he was speaking to the mother of the baby in order to get information from her. He comforted the mother and held her hand. Furthermore, he treats Russell like a daughter and appreciates her input and presence in the current case. However, he does mock Russell's inexperience. For example, they were trying to figure out how the criminals left the scene. She guessed by automobile but was completely wrong because there were no tracks.
Finally, by having Holmes take an apprentice, such as Russell, it brings out the human side of him. When the baby was finally reunited with her family, Holmes cried. I'm guessing he did because he blew his nose loudly. He also finally acknowledges Russell because she was able to make the right decisions and solve the case by herself without too much help from Holmes. Holmes also reveals his reason for using cocaine after a case-cases usually wear him out. He loses sleep and the body just shuts down and he's completely exhausted. Russell experiences it first hand at the end of the case. She sleeps for a day.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The Beekeeper's Apprentice (post 5)
Chapters 3-4
We see that Holmes becomes more of a father figure. For example, Holmes began making puzzles for Russell to solve. They've also began playing chess. He even shows her how opium is made. So, Holmes is still a bit of a drug addict.
Holmes has many connections. He's come in contact with "kings, and sewer-men, and ladies of uncertain virtue," (35). He socializes with the upper class and maybe that's why he hates inferior beings.
However, Holmes does view Russell as Russell and not as some female. He would ignore the fact that she is a female. It was her attitudes, her choice of clothing and the shape of her body that protected him from having to acknowledge her nature. Holmes still has the fear of the opposite sex.
Furthermore, Russell attends Oxford University. When she came back for her birthday, she received presents from Watson, Holmes, and Mrs. Hudson. He received a brooch made of silver that was covered by pearls. Inside was a picture of Holmes's grandma who looks just like Russell.
Russell and Holmes finally receive their first case together. Mr. Barker was ill and his wife wanted to find the cause of it. She also thought he was a traitor to England and was sending messages to Germany. Holmes and Russell observed his house at night. They finally catch the criminal who was one of Mr. Barker's servants. However, it was Holmes who really did all the work. He went up onto the roof of Mr. Barker's house and found cigarettes and a slab of wood. He analyzed and even found out that someone was monitoring Mr. Barker's calls through a telephone line. Russell was merely following Holmes.
Next, Russell finds a case that she wants to solve for her friend. But Holmes at first objected to it because he doesn't care for smaller cases. But he gave in and eventually went to the scene of the crime. Holmes has definitely changed because he usually wouldn't give in so easily, but this time it was Russell who urged him to. They even use a dog to trace the ham that was stolen. I don't know why someone would steal hams, but they chase the criminal to a smokehouse and he was holding the box that he stole.
Sorry, if these brief summaries don't really make sense, I didn't feel like summarizing too much.
We see that Holmes becomes more of a father figure. For example, Holmes began making puzzles for Russell to solve. They've also began playing chess. He even shows her how opium is made. So, Holmes is still a bit of a drug addict.
Holmes has many connections. He's come in contact with "kings, and sewer-men, and ladies of uncertain virtue," (35). He socializes with the upper class and maybe that's why he hates inferior beings.
However, Holmes does view Russell as Russell and not as some female. He would ignore the fact that she is a female. It was her attitudes, her choice of clothing and the shape of her body that protected him from having to acknowledge her nature. Holmes still has the fear of the opposite sex.
Furthermore, Russell attends Oxford University. When she came back for her birthday, she received presents from Watson, Holmes, and Mrs. Hudson. He received a brooch made of silver that was covered by pearls. Inside was a picture of Holmes's grandma who looks just like Russell.
Russell and Holmes finally receive their first case together. Mr. Barker was ill and his wife wanted to find the cause of it. She also thought he was a traitor to England and was sending messages to Germany. Holmes and Russell observed his house at night. They finally catch the criminal who was one of Mr. Barker's servants. However, it was Holmes who really did all the work. He went up onto the roof of Mr. Barker's house and found cigarettes and a slab of wood. He analyzed and even found out that someone was monitoring Mr. Barker's calls through a telephone line. Russell was merely following Holmes.
Next, Russell finds a case that she wants to solve for her friend. But Holmes at first objected to it because he doesn't care for smaller cases. But he gave in and eventually went to the scene of the crime. Holmes has definitely changed because he usually wouldn't give in so easily, but this time it was Russell who urged him to. They even use a dog to trace the ham that was stolen. I don't know why someone would steal hams, but they chase the criminal to a smokehouse and he was holding the box that he stole.
Sorry, if these brief summaries don't really make sense, I didn't feel like summarizing too much.
The Beekeeper's Apprentice (post 4)
Saanchi, you made a good observation about Russell's name and its connotation.
Chapter 2
"One came hither, to the school of the bees, to be taught the preoccupations of all-powerful nature...and the lesson of ardent and disinterested work; and another lesson too...to enjoy the almost unspeakable delights of those immaculate days that revolved on themselves in the fields of space, forming merely a transparent globe, as void of memory as the happiness without alloy," (King).
Russell and Holmes grew closer as time passed. Russell spends at least one day a week in Holmes's house. Usually she would also spend more time if Holmes needed an extra hand on an experiment. Holmes became her "foremost friend, tutor, substitute father, and eventually confidant," (29). So I see that their relationship has become more of a father-daughter relationship. Obviously, Russell looks up to Holmes for guidance and help. They've stopped addressing each other formally with "Mr." and "Miss." They've become so close that they "came to end the other's sentences, even to answer an unasked question," (29). This father-daughter relationship has given Holmes a new purpose in life. Before he had met Russell, he was drugging himself to death and was lifeless. Now he seems to be lively and he's even stopped his cocaine addiction! And I thought he hated women? But I think it's because he's found an equal, a best friend basically. He's found somehow who's interested in the same stuff that he is and who is as intelligent as he is. Finally, Watson believes that Holmes has been resurrected by Holmes denies it.
In addition, Russell met Watson for the first time. She hated him at first and wondered why Holmes still kept in touch with him. However, she finds Watson to be the purest of people. Holmes states his reason:
"Polished is a good image. Seeing myself reflected in Watson's eyes was useful when contemplating a case that was giving me problems. He taught me a great deal about how humans function, what drives them. He keeps me humble, does Watson. At any rate, as humble as I can be," (33).
In their previous partnership, I guess Holmes had all the brains, while Watson had the sympathy for human existence. I don't know if this makes any sense.
Chapter 2
"One came hither, to the school of the bees, to be taught the preoccupations of all-powerful nature...and the lesson of ardent and disinterested work; and another lesson too...to enjoy the almost unspeakable delights of those immaculate days that revolved on themselves in the fields of space, forming merely a transparent globe, as void of memory as the happiness without alloy," (King).
Russell and Holmes grew closer as time passed. Russell spends at least one day a week in Holmes's house. Usually she would also spend more time if Holmes needed an extra hand on an experiment. Holmes became her "foremost friend, tutor, substitute father, and eventually confidant," (29). So I see that their relationship has become more of a father-daughter relationship. Obviously, Russell looks up to Holmes for guidance and help. They've stopped addressing each other formally with "Mr." and "Miss." They've become so close that they "came to end the other's sentences, even to answer an unasked question," (29). This father-daughter relationship has given Holmes a new purpose in life. Before he had met Russell, he was drugging himself to death and was lifeless. Now he seems to be lively and he's even stopped his cocaine addiction! And I thought he hated women? But I think it's because he's found an equal, a best friend basically. He's found somehow who's interested in the same stuff that he is and who is as intelligent as he is. Finally, Watson believes that Holmes has been resurrected by Holmes denies it.
In addition, Russell met Watson for the first time. She hated him at first and wondered why Holmes still kept in touch with him. However, she finds Watson to be the purest of people. Holmes states his reason:
"Polished is a good image. Seeing myself reflected in Watson's eyes was useful when contemplating a case that was giving me problems. He taught me a great deal about how humans function, what drives them. He keeps me humble, does Watson. At any rate, as humble as I can be," (33).
In their previous partnership, I guess Holmes had all the brains, while Watson had the sympathy for human existence. I don't know if this makes any sense.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Beekeeper's Apprentice (post 3)
Chapter 1 (cont.)
Despite age getting the best of Holmes, he is still considered "A Legend." Russell considers Holmes a legend and the stories from Watson have immortalized Holmes as one. But the funny thing is that Russell isn't amazed by the "legend" so far. His manners are terrible and he seems to lack the intuition that he was once so famous for.
Though, Russell is just like Holmes. Because of this, this makes the book very interesting to read. She views the world almost the same as Holmes too. She has the same opinion of bees as does Holmes. They both believe that bees are like humans. The females do all the work while the males do nothing and all the bees ever do is gather honey. Honey that is only to be stolen and used by humans.
Furthermore, the author zooms into the relationship between Holmes and Mrs. Hudson who is his housekeeper. Now, the previous books didn't reveal much about her, but Holmes doesn't really appreciate Mrs. Hudson. Holmes is not fond of the amount of food that Mrs. Hudson makes for Holmes. She manages his diet and was glad that Holmes actually ate when Russell was over.
So Holmes wants to learn more about Russell, but she challenges him to a contest. They will try to figure out each other's past using Holmes's deductive reasoning. Holmes goes first and believes that his mind is rusty. But it isn't and he is spot on. He figured out everything about Russell from just looking at her. However, not everyone is fond of Holmes's ability. Watson was astonished by it, but Russell feels that his ability is like witchcraft. She claims that he would have been burned 200 years ago. Then Russell begins to try and figure out Holmes's past. She fails at first because she guesses the wrong age. Apparently Holmes hates guessing. He believes it is "a weakness brought on by indolence and should never be confused with intuition," (21). Russell tries harder and seems to get it right. While she was doing this, it revealed a lot about Holmes's past. He has a shaky relationship with his parents and it seems that he's distanced himself from his family. But he still keeps a formal photograph of his family on the shelf close to his chair. He doesn't mount it on the wall and it seems that he still wants to remember them somehow. Russell believes his past relationship with his family has prevented him from trusting women. She even discovers that he used to be a spy and was supposed to spy on the Kaiser of Germany. She had noticed that he had an area of pale skin on his chin where a goatee used to be. After she finished Holmes could do nothing but stare with amusement.
Finally, Holmes seems to find much pleasure in this new relationship. He's found someone who shares the same gift that he has. It will be interesting to find out more about the clash between a feminist and a woman-hater.
Despite age getting the best of Holmes, he is still considered "A Legend." Russell considers Holmes a legend and the stories from Watson have immortalized Holmes as one. But the funny thing is that Russell isn't amazed by the "legend" so far. His manners are terrible and he seems to lack the intuition that he was once so famous for.
Though, Russell is just like Holmes. Because of this, this makes the book very interesting to read. She views the world almost the same as Holmes too. She has the same opinion of bees as does Holmes. They both believe that bees are like humans. The females do all the work while the males do nothing and all the bees ever do is gather honey. Honey that is only to be stolen and used by humans.
Furthermore, the author zooms into the relationship between Holmes and Mrs. Hudson who is his housekeeper. Now, the previous books didn't reveal much about her, but Holmes doesn't really appreciate Mrs. Hudson. Holmes is not fond of the amount of food that Mrs. Hudson makes for Holmes. She manages his diet and was glad that Holmes actually ate when Russell was over.
So Holmes wants to learn more about Russell, but she challenges him to a contest. They will try to figure out each other's past using Holmes's deductive reasoning. Holmes goes first and believes that his mind is rusty. But it isn't and he is spot on. He figured out everything about Russell from just looking at her. However, not everyone is fond of Holmes's ability. Watson was astonished by it, but Russell feels that his ability is like witchcraft. She claims that he would have been burned 200 years ago. Then Russell begins to try and figure out Holmes's past. She fails at first because she guesses the wrong age. Apparently Holmes hates guessing. He believes it is "a weakness brought on by indolence and should never be confused with intuition," (21). Russell tries harder and seems to get it right. While she was doing this, it revealed a lot about Holmes's past. He has a shaky relationship with his parents and it seems that he's distanced himself from his family. But he still keeps a formal photograph of his family on the shelf close to his chair. He doesn't mount it on the wall and it seems that he still wants to remember them somehow. Russell believes his past relationship with his family has prevented him from trusting women. She even discovers that he used to be a spy and was supposed to spy on the Kaiser of Germany. She had noticed that he had an area of pale skin on his chin where a goatee used to be. After she finished Holmes could do nothing but stare with amusement.
Finally, Holmes seems to find much pleasure in this new relationship. He's found someone who shares the same gift that he has. It will be interesting to find out more about the clash between a feminist and a woman-hater.
The Beekeeper's Apprentice (post 2)
Chapter 1
Yeah, like I said I'm going to break down my discussion.
"The discovery of a sign of true intellect outside ourselves procures us something of the emotion Robinson Crusoe felt when he saw the imprint of a human foot on the sandy beach of his island," (King).
Mary Russell describes her early encounter with Holmes at the age of fifteen. She was reading a book and she bumped into Holmes. As usual, Holmes still looks down on people. He still has his "singularly condescending and irritating manner," (6). What was funny was that Russell was ready to fight Holmes because of his response. It'll be interesting to see Holmes's conflict with a young and pugnacious girl. In there encounter, Holmes was challenged because Russell was able to figure out Holmes's reason for lying in the hillside. She figured out that he was watching for bees in order to replenish his stock. She did this using the same deduction methods that Holmes has. So Holmes has met his match at last? Yes and no because her deduction isn't as sharp as Holmes and I'll explain this in the next post. After Russell figured out Holmes's plans, he replied, "My God it can think," (8). Yes, Holmes is still not fond of the weak minded. But, Russell snaps back, "My God, it can recognise another human being when it's hit over the head with one. And to think that I was raised to believe that old people had decent manners," (8). It is amusing to see the clash between Holmes and Russell because Russell is much more rebellious.
What angers Russell even more was that Holmes's deduction fails him. He calls her "young man." This just enrages Russell. But Holmes's shows a side that he didn't show in the previous books I read. He laughs at this and it shows that he's still a regular human being despite having his gift. He never laughed in the previous books. I guess old age seems to make people nicer since they know their lives are coming to an end. Another example is that Holmes seems to want to enjoy life more as he gets older. When he escorted Russell to his house for tea, he ran down a hill with full speed almost like a child would. Maybe he isn't what he used to be, a hard and unbreakable man who doesn't trust women. Someone who always keeps his defenses up. But he's still hospitable as he offers an invitation to Russell for tea at his house.
What's also intriguing is that Holmes has declined a right to knighthood previously. In addition, why would Holmes become a beekeeper? He's even turned to writing books.
Yeah, like I said I'm going to break down my discussion.
"The discovery of a sign of true intellect outside ourselves procures us something of the emotion Robinson Crusoe felt when he saw the imprint of a human foot on the sandy beach of his island," (King).
Mary Russell describes her early encounter with Holmes at the age of fifteen. She was reading a book and she bumped into Holmes. As usual, Holmes still looks down on people. He still has his "singularly condescending and irritating manner," (6). What was funny was that Russell was ready to fight Holmes because of his response. It'll be interesting to see Holmes's conflict with a young and pugnacious girl. In there encounter, Holmes was challenged because Russell was able to figure out Holmes's reason for lying in the hillside. She figured out that he was watching for bees in order to replenish his stock. She did this using the same deduction methods that Holmes has. So Holmes has met his match at last? Yes and no because her deduction isn't as sharp as Holmes and I'll explain this in the next post. After Russell figured out Holmes's plans, he replied, "My God it can think," (8). Yes, Holmes is still not fond of the weak minded. But, Russell snaps back, "My God, it can recognise another human being when it's hit over the head with one. And to think that I was raised to believe that old people had decent manners," (8). It is amusing to see the clash between Holmes and Russell because Russell is much more rebellious.
What angers Russell even more was that Holmes's deduction fails him. He calls her "young man." This just enrages Russell. But Holmes's shows a side that he didn't show in the previous books I read. He laughs at this and it shows that he's still a regular human being despite having his gift. He never laughed in the previous books. I guess old age seems to make people nicer since they know their lives are coming to an end. Another example is that Holmes seems to want to enjoy life more as he gets older. When he escorted Russell to his house for tea, he ran down a hill with full speed almost like a child would. Maybe he isn't what he used to be, a hard and unbreakable man who doesn't trust women. Someone who always keeps his defenses up. But he's still hospitable as he offers an invitation to Russell for tea at his house.
What's also intriguing is that Holmes has declined a right to knighthood previously. In addition, why would Holmes become a beekeeper? He's even turned to writing books.
The Beekeeper's Apprentice (post 1)
I have a lot to say about this book so far, so I'm going to break it up into separate posts.So a little background on the Beekeeper's Apprentice:
Sherlock Holmes has been retired for a decade and a half. The nineteenth century has ended-gas lamps are replaced by electric ones, horse drawn carriages are replaced by automobiles and telephones were beginning to circulate. Moreover, Europe is engulfed in the first world war...
After reading the summary on the sides of the cover, I realized that this book is going to be great. It pits Holmes against a younger woman who's trying to learn his trade and technique in solving cases. It'll be interesting to see how Holmes deals with this younger woman because from what I have read so far about Holmes, he doesn't seem too fond of women and he definitely doesn't trust them at all.
I've read the prelude and it really made me interested. I think I'm going to quote the phrases that occur before each chapter/section:
"To this spot a sort of aged philosopher had retired...Here he had built his refuge, being a little weary of interrogating men...."
So Holmes has moved out of London and I think he lives in the countryside. From Mary Russell's (who is the woman that Holmes encounters) prelude, she states that Holmes has been immortalized by writers and journalists of his time period. Holmes has had stories and novels written about him where authors are "plucking him up and setting him down in bizarre situations, putting impossible words into his mouth, and obscuring the legend still further." Watson has published his accounts of Sherlock Holmes and from there, Holmes has "become ethereal, dreamy. Fictional." Russell keeps mentioning Conan Doyle and this is making me believe that Holmes was actually real, I don't know if he is. I'll try and research more about that. From the prelude, Russell says she be offering a different perspective of Holmes. Watson had viewed Holmes from "a position of inferiority, and his perspective was always shaped by this." But now Russell is an equal to Holmes. She has the same kind of intuition as he does. So it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Lastly I leave the last lines of Russell's Prelude that I thought were very metaphorical and they make a lot of sense:
"To continue with the analogy, my perspective, my brush technique, my use of colour and shade, are all entirely different from his[Watson]. The subject is essentially the same; it is the eyes and the hands of the artist that change."
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Chapters 10-12
Oh snap! first post of 2008
So, Holmes and Watson borrow a police boat and they chase down the Aurora. A battle ensues in which, Tonga, the man who fired the poisoned arrow is killed. They capture Jonathan Small, who is the man with the wooden leg and Watson brings the treasure chest to Miss Morstan. However, when they open it there is nothing inside. Small tells his story and reveals who the "four" were. Including Small, they were people who originally found the treasure. Major Sholto and Captain Morstan were involved because Small promised to divide the treasure by 5, but Major Sholto ran off with the treasure and Small wanted revenge. And this leads to the death of Major Sholto, whom Tonga kills.
I don't really have much to say about the final chapters, though I did notice that Holmes is afraid of love. Holmes believes love "is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things. I should never marry myself, lest I bias my judgment," (157).
In addition, Holmes definitely is a drug addict. Watson is a bit disappointed that everyone else is rewarded. For example, Watson is going to marry Miss Morstan and Jones gets all the credit. Holmes says that he gets the cocaine-bottle. When I first read this I laughed. It just seems odd for a man of such intelligence to reward himself with cocaine. And this is how the book ends-Holmes reaches up for the bottle... Well on to my next book
So, Holmes and Watson borrow a police boat and they chase down the Aurora. A battle ensues in which, Tonga, the man who fired the poisoned arrow is killed. They capture Jonathan Small, who is the man with the wooden leg and Watson brings the treasure chest to Miss Morstan. However, when they open it there is nothing inside. Small tells his story and reveals who the "four" were. Including Small, they were people who originally found the treasure. Major Sholto and Captain Morstan were involved because Small promised to divide the treasure by 5, but Major Sholto ran off with the treasure and Small wanted revenge. And this leads to the death of Major Sholto, whom Tonga kills.
I don't really have much to say about the final chapters, though I did notice that Holmes is afraid of love. Holmes believes love "is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I place above all things. I should never marry myself, lest I bias my judgment," (157).
In addition, Holmes definitely is a drug addict. Watson is a bit disappointed that everyone else is rewarded. For example, Watson is going to marry Miss Morstan and Jones gets all the credit. Holmes says that he gets the cocaine-bottle. When I first read this I laughed. It just seems odd for a man of such intelligence to reward himself with cocaine. And this is how the book ends-Holmes reaches up for the bottle... Well on to my next book
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