Part – II
Admittedly, Holmes was a drug addict. He used to consume cocaine regularly and even morphine injections and used to keep a good stock for his own use. Dr. Watson did not write any prescriptions for him. He had developed the habit even before he met Dr. Watson. The Doctor, while living with him at his Baker street residence, had become irritable and his conscience swelled at the thought that he lacked the courage to protest. But, ultimately, he gathered courage to warn him of the injurious effects of the Drugs. The way Dr. Watson pleaded with him leaves any doubt about his sincerity and anxiety for the welfare of his friend. (A STUDY IN SCARLET and SIGN OF FOUR). There is no explanation anywhere about the source of supply of the drugs.
Holmes had connections with the under-world. It was not just a connection, but a very intimate one. Wiggins and the boys, the Baker Street irregulars, Holmes often employed for his investigation, no doubt, were pick-pockets and street hoodlums. The money offered by Holmes in exchange, for the services, was meager and much less possibly than their day’s income. And yet, whenever Holmes required of their services, they were at his beck and call. (SIGN OF FOUR).
Dr. Watson told us without any reservation that Holmes used to keep connections with the under-world and also had atleast five small refuges in different parts od London in which he was able to change his personality. (BLACK PETER).
He was an expert in opening locks and safes. Dr. Watson told us that he had a case complete with instruments and tools for opening locks and safes and “with the calm, scientific accuracy of a surgeon who performs a delicate operation” would open a lock or safe. “Opening of safes was a particular hobby with him and the joy which it gave him” was described in detail by Dr. Watson. (Charles Augustus Milverton). In the adventure of the GREEK INTERPRETER, he, just for once, opened a locked door in the presence of a police officer. “It is a mercy that you are on the side of the force and not against it” was the apparently innocuous remark made by the officer.
Sherlock Holmes had complete knowledge of the international spies present in England at a particular point of time, their names and also of their identities. When a very important document concerning international relations was stolen from the Government office, the Prime Minister himself sought his help. After listening to the details, he remarked that the stolen document, most probably were still in possession of several international spies and secret agents “whose names were tolerably familiar to him”. He further remarked that at the moment three foreign spies who might be said to be haeds of their profession, were in England and he would start his investigation from those people. (SECOND STAIN)
Mycroft Holmes, the elder brother of Sherlock, is almost unknown to us and whatever we know, we come to know through the mouth of Sherlock Holmes alone. According to him, Mycroft was the examiner of accounts in a Government office. “He was famous in his own circle, but had no ambition and no energy. He was the founder-member of the Diogenes Club, the queerest club in London and contained the most unsociable men in town and no member was permitted to take least notice of any other one.” Mycroft was “one of the queerest man”. (GREEK INTERPRETER). He , however, contradicted his earlier statement and in formed Dr. Watson that Mycroft’s position was unique. “He had made it for himself. He had the tidiest and most orderly brain. The conclusions of every government department were passed to him’. The Government, even the ministers, now and often, sought his advice on important matters. Many a times, the nation’s policies were decided on his advice only. (ADVENTURE OF THE BRUCE PARTINGTON PLAN). These were all Sherlock’s version about his elder brother. According to Sherlock, Mycroft was “the central exchange, the clearing house of all information of all the government departments” and if all other men in the government were only specialists, Mycroft’s “specialization was omniscience”.(ADVANTURE OF THE BRUCE PARTINGTON PLAN).
Dr. Watson told us of a character “Langdel Pike” who kept track of all social scandals and incidents and used to “earn a four figure income by the paragraphs he contributed to the garbage papers which catered for the inquisitive public”. Holmes used to keep in touch with this man and in Dr. Watson’s words “discreetly helped Langdel to knowledge and on occasion was helped in turn” (ADVENTURE OF THE THREE GABLES).
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