Welcome to a review of all the Sherlock Holmes stories which are collected in the work, “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.” The appeared in the Strand Magazine from July 1891 to June 1892. Over 12 episodes, I will be reviewing each story and mine them for leadership, compliance and ethical lessons. In this episode I consider some of the ehtical lessons from the story, “The Adventure of the Copper Beeches” which was originally published in the Strand Magazine in June 1892 and was the final story in the collection ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’.
Summary
In the story, a young governess named Violet Hunter consults Holmes about whether to accept a strange job offer from a Mr. Rucastle, who lives at the Copper Beeches in Hampshire. The conditions are odd – she is to be paid a much higher than usual wage, she is to wear a dress that is laid out for her every day, and she is occasionally to cut her hair short and wear a blue dress to sit in a certain window. However, due to her financial circumstances, she decides to accept the position.
After some time at the Copper Beeches, Violet becomes suspicious of Mr. Rucastle’s erratic behavior, his mysterious and seemingly ill-treated wife, a locked wing of the house, and the ominous presence of a fierce dog kept on the premises. She sends for Sherlock Holmes, who comes with Dr. Watson to investigate.
Upon arrival, they discover that Rucastle’s daughter, Alice, who closely resembled Violet, had been locked away after refusing to marry a wealthy suitor who stood to inherit a fortune. Rucastle had hoped to trick the suitor into believing Alice was still at the estate and content, using Violet as a stand-in. Upon being found out, Rucastle releases his dog to chase them, but the dog attacks its owner instead.
In the end, Alice escapes with her fortune, Violet leaves her employment, and the Rucastles are left to deal with the aftermath of their deeds.
Ethical Lessons
1. Honesty and integrity: Throughout the story, Holmes demonstrates his commitment to honesty and integrity, and he is determined to uncover the truth and restore justice. Leaders in business can learn from this by being honest and transparent in their dealings with others and by upholding their ethical principles.
2. Respect for privacy: In the story, Holmes is careful to respect the privacy of the individuals involved and to avoid intruding on their personal lives. Leaders in business can learn from this by respecting the privacy and confidentiality of their employees and by being mindful of their actions and words.
3. Responsibility: Holmes takes responsibility for his actions and is accountable for his decisions. Leaders in business can learn from this by being responsible and accountable for their actions and by assuming responsibility for the outcomes of their decisions.
4. Fairness: Throughout the story, Holmes strives to be fair and impartial, and he is determined to uncover the truth regardless of the circumstances. Leaders in business can learn from this by being fair and impartial in their dealings with others and by treating everyone equally.
5. Responsibility for the truth: Holmes recognizes the importance of uncovering the truth and restoring justice, and he takes this responsibility seriously. Leaders in business can learn from this by recognizing the importance of telling the truth and being transparent in their dealings with others.
6. Compliance with laws and regulations: In the story, the employer’s actions are illegal and unethical. Leaders in business can learn from this by ensuring that they comply with all relevant laws and regulations and by avoiding illegal and unethical practices.
Resource
The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes
