Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of Black Peter

The Adventure of the Black Peter is a story from The Return of Sherlock Holmes. Retired whaling captain Peter Carey—nicknamed “Black Peter” for his savage temper—is found brutally murdered, harpooned through the chest inside his locked garden shed one stormy night. His terrified family calls in Holmes after the police arrest an innocent young man (John Neligan) whose father had once been ruined by Carey. Holmes quickly realizes the murder is connected to a past crime at sea and sets a clever trap by advertising for a skilled harpooner. The real killer, Patrick Cairns, another tough sailor, is caught when he returns to retrieve incriminating evidence. The story ends with Holmes handing the culprit over to Inspector Hopkins and features some of Holmes’s best practical detective work, including reading tracks in the snow and staging the trap. It’s a dark, atmospheric tale with a strong nautical flavor.