6 Short Answer Questions about a Reading
Watson’s comment clearly shows that Sherlock Holmes had a detached personality and was not one to be involved with sentiments. His feelings towards Irene were, therefore, not of love but something entirely different, as revealed later in the text.
The King viewed Irene as a beautiful woman who was adamant in her undertakings. He describes Irene as an adventurer and a soul of steel, implying that she is more robust than most women would tend to be. Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein was, therefore, letting know Sherlock that it would not be an easy task getting back the picture from her as she could outsmart most people.
Watson had a sense of guilt and shame by playing along to Sherlock Holme’s plan of attaining the picture as Irene tended to Homes with kindness and grace when she thought he had been injured. The text, therefore, portrays Irene as caring and thoughtful.
Irene hiding the photo was simply a way to protect herself as she did not know what steps the King would have taken in the future. In conclusion, Watson portrayed Sherlock Holmes as someone who couldn’t help but admire Irene for her impressive cunning abilities, power of observation, and general human knowledge, which very few people could master.
References
Whitmore, J. (2010). Coaching for Performance Fifth Edition: The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership UPDATED 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. Nicholas Brealey.