The Lasts of Holmes Quiz | Doyle, Arthur Conan

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman." Which Holmes story ends like this?

Answer: A Scandal in Bohemia

This story came out in 1891, the first short story to be published in 'The Strand Magazine' after the two novels - 'A Study in Scarlet' and 'The Sign of the Four'. So by that time, Holmes had already acquired a formidable reputation, both in his world and ours. More than a century later, it still holds its charm.

It is indeed ironic that the very first Holmes story Doyle published was his (Holmes's) failure, at least in his own eyes, but the client was well satisfied so no complaints there!

2. "In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Which Holmes story ends on this morbid note?

Answer: The Adventure of the Speckled Band

This remarkable story also happened to be the personal favourite of Conan Doyle.

If you can't recall the plot of the story, it's the one with the snake.

As far as Holmes's conscience is concerned, see what you can ascertain of it from his following quotes:

"You know, Watson, I don't mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal." ('The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton')

"There is no reason so long as the ends of justice are served, why I should disclose all that I know." ('The Adventure of the Priory School')

"I am not the law, but I represent justice so far as my feeble powers go...I suppose I shall have to compound a felony as usual." ('The Adventure of the Three Gables')

3. "Watson," said he, "if it should ever strike you that I am getting a little overconfident in my powers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves, kindly whisper 'Norbury' in my ear, and I shall be infinitely obliged to you." This is the ending of which story?

Answer: The Adventure of the Yellow Face

This story, like also 'The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual', is of the kind that even though Holmes erred, the truth was still discovered. After all, it is human to err, and Holmes, in spite of all his singular gifts, is still a human being at the end of the day. His deductions are probabilistic in nature; which is why his followers fail to come up with the same rate of success. You gotta have a knack for these kinds of things.

4. "If ever you write an account, Watson, you can make rabbits serve your turn." Which story is this the last line of?

Answer: The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

The reference to rabbits can be explained from the last paragraph of the story, which I now reproduce:

"'I fancy that, for some few years, you will find your time very fully occupied,' said he. 'By the way, what was it you put into the wood-pile besides your old trousers? A dead dog, or rabbits, or what? You won't tell? Dear me, how very unkind of you! Well, well, I daresay that a couple of rabbits would account both for the blood and for the charred ashes. If ever you write an account, Watson, you can make rabbits serve your turn.'"

5. "If you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief feature." This is the last line of which Holmes story?

Answer: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

This is probably Doyle's way of telling a Christmas story. Showing generosity of spirit, Holmes lets the perpetrator of the crime walk free. As put by Holmes - "I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to jail now, and you make him a jail-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of forgiveness."

The word 'investigation' in the given line refers to the supper which Holmes and Watson will now consume now that the little problem has been solved to their satisfaction.

6. "He said no more; but I fancy that I could guess at that lady's august name, and I have little doubt that the emerald pin will forever recall to my friend's memory the adventure of the Bruce- Partington plans." This is the last sentence of which Sherlock Holmes story?

Answer: The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans

All that glitters is not gold,
and all that's gold does not glitter.
The right answer is not always obvious,
but the obvious answer is not always the wrong one.

7. "Holmes, however, is, I fancy, of a different way of thinking, and holds to this day that, if one could find the Grecian girl, one might learn how the wrongs of herself and her brother came to be avenged." This is the last line of which Sherlock Holmes short story?

Answer: The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter

'Grecian' is the keyword here. A thrilling tale this one, in which the readers meet Sherlock's brother Mycroft for the first time. We also learn that Mycroft also possesses Sherlock's 'faculty of observation' and his 'peculiar faculty for deduction', but 'in a larger degree', as claimed by Sherlock himself; and don't you dare call Sherlock modest, because most likely Sherlock will take offence at it.

8. "It is grotesque, Watson," Holmes added, as he slowly fastened his notebook, "but, as I have had occasion to remark, there is but one step from the grotesque to the horrible." Which Sherlockian adventure has this as its last sentence?

Answer: The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

"The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" is the only two-part story, consisting of "The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles" and "The Tiger of San Pedro". On original publication in "The Strand", it bore the collective title of "A Reminiscence of Mr. Sherlock Holmes".

The Tiger of San Pedro is the villain Don Juan Murillo.
Mr. Eckles is the client in distress, who describes the experience he has just had as "most incredible and grotesque".

On being asked to do so by Holmes, Watson defines the word 'grotesque' as something "strange - remarkable". Holmes then adds there must also be "some underlying suggestion of the tragic and the terrible". He then goes on to put the adventure of the Red-Headed League and that of the Five Orange Pips under the same heading.

9. "Of their terrible chief few details came out during the proceedings, and if I have now been compelled to make a clear statement of his career, it is due to those injudicious champions who have endeavoured to clear his memory by attacks upon him whom I shall ever regard as the best and the wisest man whom I have ever known." Which memoir of Sherlock Holmes ends with this clarification?

Answer: The Final Problem

The sentence given in the question is a long-winded one, so let me help you make some sense out of it.

'Of their terrible chief (MORIARTY) few details came out during the proceedings, and if I (WATSON) have now been compelled to make a clear statement of his (HOLMES'S) career, it is due to those injudicious champions (MORIARTY's GANG) who have endeavoured to clear his (MORIARTY'S) memory by attacks upon him (HOLMES) whom I shall ever regard as the best and the wisest man whom I have ever known.'

As it turned out, it was not indeed 'the final problem' of Holmes's long and successful career. After all, you can't just kill Holmes and live to tell the tale!

10. "Well, well, Inspector, I often ventured to chaff you gentlemen of the police force, but Cyanea capillata very nearly avenged Scotland Yard." Which Holmes story ends with this dialogue?

Answer: The Adventure of the Lion's Mane

Cyanea capillata, more commonly known as the lion's mane jellyfish is 'the largest known species of jellyfish', if Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia) is to be believed. Check out its picture here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Largelionsmanejellyfish.jpg

Done it? If not, really do check it out, and you'll see that the title of the story is well justified.

Source: Author anubhav1990

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Lasts of Holmes Trivia Quiz

'Adventures', 'Memoirs', 'The Return', 'His Last Bow' and 'The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes' - if you have read them all, then come give this quiz a try. I'll give you the last line of a story and all you have to do is to identify it. Good luck!

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