The Walking Stick Story

Engraved - (design or letters) cut into the surface of something.

Engraved: She engraved the ring in a floral pattern.

Well-esteemed - respected
Well-esteemed: He was well-esteemed by his neighbours.

Approval – appreciation
Approval: The audience showed its approval by cheering loudly

Amiable - friendly and pleasant

Amiable: My neighbours are very amiable people.

Astutely – cleverly
Astutely: He invested his fortune astutely.

Answer the following:

1. Why did Watson think that Dr Mortimer was a country practitioner?

Watson thought that Dr Mortimer was a country practitioner because his walking
stick had been used a lot. A town doctor would not need to walk long distances.
They may not want to use a worn- down walking stick either.

2. What, according to Watson and Holmes, was the meaning of ‘CCH’?

Watson thought ‘CCH’ was the name of some local hunt to whose members Dr
Mortimer had given some medical help. Holmes, on the other hand, thought ‘CCH’
stood for Charing Cross Hospital.

3. How did Holmes know about Mortimer’s dog and its size?
Holmes noticed the marks of the dog’s teeth on the walking stick. They were plainly
visible as the stick was quite heavy, and the dog, carrying his stick behind his master,
had held the stick tightly by the middle. Holmes understood from the space between
those marks that it was too broad for a terrier and not broad enough for a mastiff.
He knew it to be a curly- haired spaniel when he saw the dog on his doorstep.

Reference to Context:

“I BELIEVE YOU HAVE EYES IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD.”

a. Who said these words?
Watson said these words.

b. What does this statement express?

This statement expresses Watson’s surprise and admiration.