Both “The Adventure of the Speckled Ban

Both “The Adventure of the Speckled Ban

Both “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” and “The Boscombe Valley Mystery” end with Sherlock Holmes solving the case, yet neither story contains an arrest of the guilty party. In “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” Holmes turns back the swamp adder, which leads to the death of Dr. Roylott. In “The Boscombe Valley Mystery,” Holmes lets Mr. Turner live out the rest of his life in freedom. How does the way Holmes handles the perpetrators of the crimes affect the way you view Holmes? Is he entirely admirable? Is he somehow “above the law”? Is his behavior ethical? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from each work in your response.