Posted on by Margie Deck/JHWS "Mopsy"

3rd Annual JHWS Treasure Hunt Forum Is Open

Hi Treasure Hunters!  This post is now open for clarifications/questions/discussion concerning the 3rd Annual JHWS Treasure Hunt.  It will remain open through September 1.  Please feel free to discuss anything related to the hunt with the exception of posting specific answers to any of the questions.  Any questions to /clarifications needed from the Treasure Hunt Master will be answered as quickly as possible.   Good luck!

20 Replies to “3rd Annual JHWS Treasure Hunt Forum Is Open”

  1. Is there a typographical error in question 93 — “improbably” should be “improbable”?

  2. Probably. 😉

    Actually, yes: it should be improbable.

    Thanks for posting the needed correction here. Helps everybody.

  3. In question 84, when it states the 18th century, you are referring to the years between 1700-1799, correct?

  4. Hi Rob:

    Yes, the name requested came into common useage in the years between 1700 and 1799.

    Thanks,
    Margie

  5. Hi Treasure Hunters:

    It has been brought to my attention that question #27 is unclear in wording and intent. I thought about trying to re-word it, but at this point in the contest, it seems the best option is simply to strike it. I see it may have been well-intended but, is, in fact, incomplete at best, and incorrect at worst. Therefore, #27 will not be counted when tallying results. The intent was:

    27. Five Daily papers were mentioned in no less than eleven of Holmes’s cases. Despite their common usage, Watson found it necessary to give two of them false names. Which two?
    Answer: Daily Gazette (REDC), Daily Herald (VALL)

    —See Tracy, The Encyclopedia Sherlockiana, Doubleday & Company, New York, 1977, p. 96, for the discussions concerning the Daily Chronicle, Daily Gazette, Daily Herald, Daily News, and Daily Telegraph, mentioned in CARD, SILV, IDEN, REDC, VALL, STUD, GREE, COPP, NORW, SECO, BRUC.

    As the master said, ‘We can but try.’

    My apologies for any time and effort you have expended on this question.

    Thanks,
    Margie

  7. Hi Denny: I have reviewed #55 and the desired answer. It is correct as written. There is a specific quote that includes the names of the deceased, their familial relationship and where the two led the way and who they led the way for. Find the quote and you will know who is speaking and therefore who assured Holmes that this odd occurrence happened. Good luck! Margie

  8. Hi Margie, regarding question #11: is it correct that “jack” is written without the capital letter? Thanks.

  9. Hi ‘Reggie’: Yes, the small ‘j’ is correct. In this hunt, every capital letter, or not, as the case may be, is intended to give a clue to the answer. As does anything presented in italics. Thanks, Margie

  10. The wording of question #100 is confusing me. Is it referring to 2 seperate books ? Is it a biography of Sherlock Holmes written by a Sherlockian or a biography of a Sherlockian ?

  11. Hi: The answer to your question is: Yes. 🙂

    The book, “edited” by the poet in question, is an unusual combination of two texts: an autobiography of Holmes, and a biography of Holmes by..hmmm…someone who could be considered one of the first Sherlockians.

    Don’t forget: ’tis possible to work backwards from The Final Treasure to answer question #100.

    Margie

  14. Hi Denny: #80 is correct as written. It is probably good to remember that our beloved ‘W’, the 1930 Doubleday, is an American publisher’s edition. Thanks, Margie

  15. Halloa, Hunt Master,
    A couple of questions:
    #28: “combine events” does this mean we are to put together events then come up with a person?
    #61: very confused about the “natural order.”
    We are but trying!

  16. Hi Daisy: So glad to hear you are still working on the questions. I know all hunters are getting tired at this point. To answer your questions:

    #28: This is one of the most difficult questions this year. The names given have something–an event/happening—very much in common/similar. If you discover the event the names given have in common, then you will discover another person (name) that also has the same happening in common. As with most questions in this hunt, the phrasing of the question is specifically written to provide you with a clue. “In good form” is important because the phrasing, hopefully, brings to mind an often repeated quote about Mr. Holmes—you might consider question #43;
    #61: The compendiums/enclycopedias of Holmes (Clarkson, Goodrich, Tracey) have compiled lists of ‘types of death’, or ‘murders’. I would focus on these deaths as these are very specific and fewer in number, perhaps, than assaults. “Out of the natural order” is provided as a clue for you to consider. For example, Sebastian Moran committing murder or assualt would certainly not be out of the natural order of things–this behaviour from him would very much be expected. So you are looking for a death inflicted upon another by an entity that would not be expected to commit murder–a death caused by this entity would be very surprising; going against ‘nature’ so to speak. Once you add the surprise to the given information that the entity was to be used in the commission of another crime, the ‘murderer’ you seek should be much easier to find. You find this unexpected death, and a similar assault will come to mind perhaps. Good luck! Margie

  17. Hi Margie, about #18: we non-native English speakers are uncertain about what could be considered a “piece of furniture”. Would a small domestic item such as a poker, a rug or a mat come under this definition?

  18. Hi Reggie: So nice to hear from you. To answer your question: the small items you mentioned would be considered home accessories. You are looking for a larger piece of common furniture (bed, table, chair, bureau, sofa, etc.) In the quote sought, Watson names a piece of furniture that would, he said, work as a substitute for himself. Thanks, Margie

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