Full Marks for this Featured Detective
The Dear Holmes “Featured Detective” Program honors one detective per mystery for their clever and well-thought-out solution to the case. To learn how to send in your own solution, visit Dearholmes.com/solve.
Esteemed Investigators,
Eoghan Finucan can now rest at ease knowing he’s been cleared of all charges, no doubt because of your efforts in bringing the truth to light. Without your astute observations, The Professor’s Assistant might have wound up jailed for far longer than a handful of nights.
When Mr. Finucan first requested assistance, eyes immediately turned to the fellow’s old friends, Mack and Kenn. A number of sleuths were eyeing Constable Sallow as well, but evidence (and theories) were scarce beyond two facts: 1) something odd was amiss, and luckily for the “Professor’s Assistant”, 2) Finucan truly seemed innocent. Then, the constable himself wrote a letter, insisting in Finucan’s guilt while making it seem all the more plausible that his friends were conspiring against him. As many investigators noted, Mack and Kenn not only had easy access to the university grounds, but also an apparent disdain for Moriarty and Finucan, his former assistant. This made the case against them compelling, however, as several expert detectives pointed out, it also made the case against Sallow even more compelling — the man seemed quite invested in pointing the finger at any and all suspects, after all.
Courtesy of Holmes’ extensive network, our own detectives were quickly able to confirm this theory and shine the spotlight on our villain. Based on Mr. Tirney’s interviews and the information Loughty & Loughty gathered from the local pawnbroker and innkeeper, it was clear that the constable’s story wasn’t quite adding up the way it should’ve been. In fact, it wasn’t adding up at all. It wasn’t long before detectives realized that Sallow himself had been responsible for nearly all of the supposed “evidence” put forth against Mr. Finucan. The stolen astrolabe, the garnet in the pitcher, the soot in the atrium — all but pieces of Sallow’s villainous plot.
Now, while a fair number of detectives successfully arrived at this conclusion (shoutout to Detective Anna J. for a speedy, stylish takedown of Sallow!), one investigator’s solution especially stood out among the rest. Detective Alison A, of Calgary, Alberta, was the first to provide a comprehensive breakdown of this scholarly mystery, addressing not only Sallow’s guilt, but also the breadcrumbs left by him throughout the entirety of the mystery. Detective Alison caught onto Sallow’s torn sleeve, his cigarette case, its connection to Raeburn’s shop and the locket, and even the man’s access to the Adelard College “tour list”. As icing on the cake, this Featured Detective stamped and sealed their solution with a gorgeous original wax seal.
Congratulations from the Dear Holmes Team to Detective Alison A. for an “A+” effort — a special reward will soon be on its way!
Want to be next month’s Featured Detective? Mail your solution to 1101 14th St NW, Suite 910, Washington DC 20005, or submit online at Dearholmes.com/solve.