THE GREEK INTERPRETERS

On Saturday, December 21st, fifteen members of the Greek interpreters met at The Henry Center for our annual holiday meeting. The story selected for study was "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle", and as part of the Canonical Toasts, Message-Boy (Charles Press) offered a special toast to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Founder of the Feast". In lieu of a goose, the members feasted on roast turkey, sans disjecta membra.
This was the first meeting at which we were not challenged by a quiz provided by Etta Abrahams (The Woman I). The gap was filled by six impromptu questions posed by Foulest Antecedent (Howard Brody). These questions were:

  1. What two objects lay on the seat of the chair, on the back of which Holmes had hung Henry Baker's hat?
  2. What is the population of London stated by Holmes?
  3. What two kinds of dust did Holmes look for on the hat?
  4. How did Holmes deduce the the age of the hat as three years?
  5. On the banks of what fictitious Chinese river was the Blue Carbuncle found?
  6. Under what pretense was John Horner lured to the Countess of Morcor's room?

     

The guttering candle sheds its waning light
Over a cloth now strewn with crumbs and stains,
So closely was the bird investigated
That on the platter only bones remain.
The port has gone to lees, and in the fire
Burn only embers, crumbling into ash.
Flame answers flame as lighted vestas hover
At meditative clay and calabash.

The two men settle deeper in their chairs
As cold and dark stand on the windowsill.
The tall man draws in smoke and then declares,
"I've missed you, Watson"; then the room is still.
It seems so little for a friend to say.
It was the greatest gift that holiday.

by Susan Rice
     

Following the quiz, Ted Lopushinsky introduced the members to the Sir Harry Flashman books, written by George M. Fraser, and called our attention to the appearance of Holmes and Watson in the "Flashman and the Tiger" story. His presentation was followed by a lively discussion. The meeting concluded, as usual, by reading Vincent Starrett's "221B" poem, and the singing of The Anthem.