Sherlock Mondays Ep 3: The Sign of Four (part 1)

The Sign of Four was first published in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in February 1890 in both Philadelphia and London. The American magazine cost 25 cents and the British sold for one shilling. The original title was The Sign of the Four, but the second “the” was dropped when published as a book.
In this episode we’ll cover the first half of the story, chapters 1-6. Sherlock’s riding that train, high on cocaine until a pretty young thing, Mary Morstan, arrives with a singular case. Years before, her father returned home from military service in India, only to immediately disappear. Mary was unknowingly subscribed to the Pearl-a-Year-Club, but now has received a mysterious message stating she is a “wronged woman and shall have justice.” Holmes can’t resist, puts down the syringe and he and Watson are off in search of the Great Agra Treasure.

You can find a pdf of the story as it originally appeared in Lippincott’s here:

Edward G. Pettit with cohost, Monica Schmidt

We'll also have a special guest to talk about a Sherlockian topic. Leslie S. Klinger joins us to talk about Annotated Editions of Sherlock Holmes. His New Annotated Sherlock Holmes books were the most important new contribution to Sherlock Holmes literature since William Baring-Gould’s 1967 classic work.

This week’s Sher-locktail (Every show features a Sherlock-themed cocktail created by Mary Alcaro)
7 Percent Solution
As the mind of Sherlock “rebels at stagnation,” Watson eyes their new lady visitor who proposes a “singular case.”
1 ½ oz Seagrams 7
5 ½ oz 7-Up soda
Bitters-- Dash
Rim garnish: lemon juice, granulated sugar, poppy seeds
In a dish, add poppy seeds and sugar.* Run a lemon slice around the rim of a highball glass, and dip it in the poppy-sugar mixture. Add ice,1 ½ oz of Seagrams 7 (or other Canadian style whiskey) and balance with 7Up (or other lemon lime soda). Add a dash of bitters to suit your taste/ mood.
(*Note-- White this drink is morphine-free, we do not encourage consuming large quantities of poppyseeds if you anticipate being drug tested in the near future).

Sherlock Mondays is sponsored by Lisa Washington.
Music by Pleated Gazelle
Artwork and Credits by Scott Banks
Inspiration from Arthur Conan Doyle

The Rosenbach Museum & Library’s new Biblioventure focuses on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. We’re taking a deep-dive into the adventures of the world’s first consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his assistant, Dr. John Watson, as they battle the criminal forces of London. We’ll begin with the first case, A Study in Scarlet, and continue with each story as they were chronologically published, finishing with “The Adventure of the Empty House.” Twenty-seven stories in 30 weeks. Host Edward G. Pettit and a rotating group of cohosts will have a conversational annotation about each story, providing context and insight about Doyle and his creation. Once a month we’ll also have a special guest for a conversation about a different Sherlockian topic. Join us live every Monday, 7pm ET (beginning Sep 18, 2023) for our livestream, or watch the recordings here.

The Rosenbach holds in its collection first editions of some of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books, as well as the handwritten manuscript of “The Adventure of the Empty House.” Our founder Dr. Rosenbach was deeply committed to mystery and crime literature, corresponded with the famous Sherlockian and founder of the Baker Street Irregulars, Christopher Morley, and once purchased Doyle’s personal crime library.

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[annec]

I love that you thought of Monty Python and the Holy Grail too. I had to stop and repeat the end of that scene for myself before I could continue. 🤣

[MaxPMagee]

Oh hey, has the scenery always moved past the train car's window!? I only just noticed that. Wow.

[edwardgpettit]

@Tammy Dotts: Has Ed mentioned any Sherlock Mondays merch yet?
Answer: we are still working out the details. Stay tuned.

[edwardgpettit]

@PCallahanPhilly: Is this going to be 2 hours, again? The website says it runs 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
Answer: when we have a special guest, the show will always run two hours. When we don’t have a special guest, I do try to keep the shows at 90 mins (but don’t always succeed).

[clairedaines]

'Tis the voice of the Yarder, I heard him declare,
"Of my masterful brain, let all villains beware!"
As a dog on a scent, so he follows his nose,
Arresting whomever he finds as he goes.

When a crime has him baffled, red herrings galore,
He will hasten his steps towards Baker Street door,
But when Holmes saves his colleague from public disgrace,
He takes all the credit for solving the case!

[edwardgpettit]

@Kevin Quinn: If a pound was worth five dollars, and there were twenty shillings in a pound, is a quarter worth one shilling?
Answer: sorry that’s too much math for me.