A Study in Scarlet · Chapter
VI: Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do explained
The newspapers sensationalize the 'Brixton Mystery,' each offering different theories about the murder of Enoch Drebber.
What happens
The newspapers sensationalize the 'Brixton Mystery,' each offering different theories about the murder of Enoch Drebber. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson read the clippings with amusement. Holmes's Baker Street irregulars report in. Inspector Gregson arrives to share his progress: he has traced Drebber's boarding house, interviewed Madame Charpentier and her daughter Alice, and arrested Arthur Charpentier on suspicion. Gregson lays out his theory that Arthur killed Drebber in a fit of jealousy. Lestrade then enters, disheveled, and announces that Joseph Stangerson has been murdered at Halliday's Private Hotel.
Themes in this chapter
Rationality and Deduction
Holmes observes the detectives' methods with amusement, contrasting Gregson's confident but flawed theory with the need for more rigorous deduction.
Class and Social Mobility
The Charpentiers' financial desperation (accepting Drebber's offensive behavior for the high rent) highlights class pressures on a widow and her family.
Characters to notice
- Sherlock Holmes
Reads newspaper accounts of the Brixton Mystery with amusement, sends out the Baker Street irregulars, and listens to Gregson's theory before Lestrade brings news of Stangerson's murder.
- Dr. Watson
Reads the newspaper clippings with Holmes and observes the interactions between Holmes, Gregson, and Lestrade.
- Tobias Gregson
Visits Holmes to report his investigation: he traced Drebber's boarding house, interviewed the Charpentiers, and arrested Arthur Charpentier, presenting a theory that Arthur killed Drebber.
- Mr. Lestrade
Arrives disheveled and troubled, interrupting Gregson's triumphant report to announce that Joseph Stangerson has been murdered.
- Mrs. Charpentier
Interviewed by Gregson; she reluctantly reveals that Drebber behaved coarsely toward her daughter Alice and that she gave him notice to leave.
- Alice
The Charpentiers' daughter; she insists on telling Gregson the truth about seeing Drebber again, leading to her mother's confession about Arthur.
Key passages
“I told you that, whatever happened, Lestrade and Gregson would be sure to score.”
Holmes remarks that the detectives will take credit regardless of the outcome.
Holmes's cynical view of police reputation.
“It's the Baker Street division of the detective police force”
Holmes introduces his network of street urchins as his unofficial detective squad.
Holmes's use of unconventional resources.
“was murdered at Halliday's Private Hotel about six o'clock this morning.”
Lestrade reveals that Joseph Stangerson has been killed.
The second murder escalates the case.