Chapter 9

Test yourself

Chapter 9: A Break in the Chain

Watson awakens to find that Holmes has had no news of the steamboat.

Worries about Holmes

He decides to visit Mary Morstan and offer an update on the case – on the way, he returns Toby the dog to his owner.
When Watson returns to Baker Street, their landlady, Mrs Hudson, says Holmes has been worrying her because he is so restless.

Holmes' frustration

The next morning, Holmes still has not slept. He becomes even more restless that evening when there is still no news from Baker Street Irregulars.
The following day, Holmes has had enough waiting and decides to go to the river himself – he will not allow Watson to go with him and will not give him any details.

Inspector Jones' arrival

Later that day, Inspector Jones arrives.
Surprisingly, Jones admits that Thaddeus Sholto could not have committed the crime and asks for ‘a little assistance’. Jones also praises Holmes.
Jones reveals that he has received a telegram from Holmes, telling him to meet him at Baker Street as he has almost solved the case. He invites Jones to go with him and Watson to apprehend the criminals.

Holmes arrives in diguise

Suddenly, a ‘wheezing’ old man begins to climb the stairs – he looks like an old, poor, shaky sailor.
The old man pretends to be looking for Holmes, then reveals himself as Holmes in disguise.

Holmes' plan

After some discussion, Holmes tells Jones that he is welcome to go with him and Watson to solve the case – he will even allow Jones to take ‘all the official credit’ but he must agree to follow Holmes’ instructions.
Jones agrees to cooperate and provide Holmes with some men to help him.
Jones is a bit reluctant to ambush Small at first – he says he has no evidence on Jonathan Small. But despite his initial objections, Inspector Jones agrees to Holmes’ plan.

Key Quotations from Chapter 9

Here are three key quotations from Chapter 9:

Sherlock's distress

‘He walked and he walked, up and down, and up and down’ (Mrs Hudson).
- The repetition of this action illustrates the frustration in Holmes’ mind – he becomes fixated on one thing and cannot do anything else (even sleep) until he reconciles his theories in his mind.
- Not knowing the location of Jonathan Small causes him mental frustration. He channels his frustration into physical movement.

All-consuming problem

‘This infernal problem is consuming me’ (Sherlock Holmes).
- Holmes feels irritated because he cannot understand what has happened to the boat, or how the men have disappeared.
- The verb ‘consuming’ suggests that this problem is filling his brain, eating away at him.
- This links to the title of the chapter, ‘A Break in the Chain’ – Holmes feels his brain is almost broken, and so he uses a different technique to break the chain of waiting; he disguises himself as an old sailor.

Jones' admiration for Holmes

‘I should be very glad of a little assistance’ (Inspector Jones).
- For the first time, Jones openly admits that Sherlock Holmes is good at what he does. He confides in Watson that Holmes is a brilliant detective, even saying that he should be a police officer.
- Jones also shows some humility here as he acknowledges that he cannot do this without Holmes. This reflects the inability of the Victorian police to solve criminal cases – they needed help and advice on how to do this well.

1Context

1.1Victorian England & British Empire

1.1.1Author Background

1.1.2Victorian Crime & Police

1.1.3Historical Context

1.1.4Victorian London

1.1.5Women

1.1.6The British Empire

1.1.7End of Topic Test - Author & Victorian Police

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Victorian London & Empire

2Plot Summary

2.1Chapter Summaries

2.1.1Chapter 1

2.1.2Chapter 2

2.1.3Chapter 3

2.1.4Chapter 4

2.1.5Chapter 5

2.1.6Chapter 6

2.1.7Chapter 7

2.1.8Chapter 8

2.1.9Chapter 9

2.1.10Chapter 10

2.1.11Chapter 11

2.1.12Chapter 12

2.1.13Chapter 12: Jonathan Small's Stories

2.1.14End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

2.1.15End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-12

3Characters

3.1Key Characters

3.1.1Sherlock Holmes

3.1.2Sherlock Holmes: Quotations

3.1.3Dr John Watson

3.1.4Mary Morstan

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Key Characters

3.1.6Exam-Style Questions - Mary & Dr Watson

3.2Other Characters

3.2.1Thaddeus Sholto

3.2.2Jonathan Small

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Thaddeus and Jonathan Small

3.3Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.3.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.3.2Extract Analysis - Tonga

4Key Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Corruption

4.1.2Criminals & Victims

4.1.3Victorian Fear

4.1.4British Empire & Imperialism

4.1.5Duality

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Narrative Voice

5.1.2Dialogue

5.1.3Structure

5.1.4Structure & Characters

5.1.5Pathetic Fallacy

5.1.6End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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