The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb

A sample extract from the resource:

At the address on Mr Victor Hatherley’s card you discover from his clerk that Hatherley did not arrive for work that morning. The clerk confirms that the description you give of the injured man matches Hatherley’s profile. The clerk also reveals the following:

• Hatherley worked for a large firm, Venner & Matheson, for seven years before his father’s death provided enough money for Hatherley to start his own practice.
• Hatherley’s business is doing rather badly; in twelve months he has only had three consultations and one small job, making only twenty-seven pounds.
• Hatherley was visited by a potential new client yesterday morning, a Colonel Lysander Stark, who refused to give his profession or address.
• After Stark’s visit, Hatherley seemed in better spirits, but refused to discuss any aspect of the case with his clerk, saying he had given his word to the Colonel not to betray his confidence.
• Stark is described as nearer 40 than 30, quite tall but exceedingly thin, he has a sharp nose, tight skin and spoke in a slight German accent.

Hatherley is both a bachelor and an orphan.

Discuss and decide

• How important is Hatherley’s profession?
• Is it relevant that he is a bachelor and an orphan?
• Is there any information that you think is irrelevant?  Explain why.
• Now you have some new clues, what do you think has happened to Mr Hatherley?
• In the morning you are able to visit Hatherley.  After his sleep, he remembered some fragments of the day’s events.