Sherlocking In Italy (Part 3)
By Don Hobbs

It is amazing how many famous people I saw when I was in Rome. We were in the Museum of the Vatican and I ended up standing next to Reba McIntire, I saw Tom Hanks, even though I did not know it at the time. These luminaries cannot hold the candle to the most famous person I saw on a train. I was taking a photograph of my traveling buddies, Jan and Bob Grimes when I notice the gentleman sitting a row behind them. Image my surprise at seeing none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on a train in Italy

Close up of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I knew from reading the Canon that Sherlock Holmes had helped in the sudden death of Cardinal Tosca at the request of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII, in 1895 but I was not aware of the Vatican's hidden Sherlockian treasures. In the Vatican Museum I came across a statue of what surely must be the Hound of the Vatican. There is a striking resemblance to the dog on the cover of first edition of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Once again, I have undisputable photographic evidence.

First edition cover

The Hound of the Vatican

I am not Catholic but one of the things I noticed at the Vatican is that they are proud of their Popes and Saints and such. There seemed to be a new statue of some Holy person at every turn.  I found the statue of St. Gregory the Innocent (AD 301.)  He was responsible for converting all of Armenia to Christianity. The only Sherlockian related thing about St. Gregory was I recognized the Armenian writing on his statue from my Armenian translations of the Canon in my collection.

St. Gregory the Innocent

The final Sherlockian treasure I found at the Vatican was a tribute to Holmes and beekeeping. As we were heading for the Sistine Chapel, the path led us through a small courtyard and I saw a sculpture of a honey bee. As I was herded along by the force of the river of people, I was only able to take one picture. There was a plaque I was unable to photograph, but I am sure it mentioned Tosca and Holmes and retirement and beekeeping. At least I think that's what it said because it was in Latin. The next time I am there I will be sure to get that picture.

Bee in relief on a garden wall inside the Vatican.

I hope everyone reading this page has the opportunity to visit Rome. I thought it was the most incredible place and I know I have just scratched the surface of this great city.

Happy Collecting!!