Question

Which detail supports the inference that Holmes believes in the importance of reliable alliances when solving mysteries?

Answer 1

"Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Best of Sherlock Holmes" is a set of recounts about some of the most iconic cases that were solved by Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is obsessed with ascertaining the truth, and while his personality does not lend to partnership, he realizes that reliable alliances are crucial to his ability to uncover clues which he otherwise would not be able to obtain on his own.

In this one “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Holmes employs his most consistent partner, Dr. Watson. After entering Irene Adler’s house, he signals to Watson to drop in a smoke rocket through the window which allows him to determine Adler’s most prized possession which she reaches for when she believes a fire has started.

In “The Man with the Twisted Lip,” Watson finds that Holmes disguised in an opium den.

Something important to highlight is that Holmes understands that he cannot always form alliances with his detective identity and he must utilize disguises in order to gain the trust of others.

These are the alliances that are not always in a human form. In “The Adventure of Silver Blaze,” the case is broken open when Holmes realizes that the only reason the dog would not bark in the night is if the dog recognized the perpetrator, which immediately drastically narrows the suspect pool. In other cases, Holmes uses a hound in order to track scents.

Hope this helps.