Part I:

·       Why do you think Holmes is eager to have Watson as a companion?

·       How does Watson’s military background qualify him to be Holmes’ partner?

·       What roles do Gregson and Lestrade play at the Lauriston Gardens crime scene?

·       Are the political views expressed in the London newspapers regarding the murder pertinent to the plot?

Part II:

·       What similarities and differences does Lucy Ferrier have with the other characters in the story?

·       Is Mormonism an important attribute of the characters? Could they belong to any faith?

·       How are women represented in the story?

·       To what extent are Jefferson Hope’s actions justified?