1. SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE AUTHOR OF THE ICONIC SHERLOCK HOLMES AND WATSON

2. HIS LIFE Born in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 22, 1859 He came from an affluent, Catholic family although he later renounces his religion for Spiritualism Obtained a medical degree although he preferred to write and later focused on that and not medicine Enjoyed writing about his faith more than anything else, although his Sherlock Holmes stories paid the bills He married twice – the second after his first wife died of tuberculosis He was diagnosed with chest pain and died clutching his chest on July 7, 1930. Source: "Arthur Conan Doyle." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 31 July 2014.

3. VOCABULARY FOR “THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND” Aperture: (n) opening Averted: (v) looked away Blandly: (adj.) showing no concern Dissolute: (adj.) indulged in sensual pleasures or vices Fain: (adv. Or adj.) gladly, willingly Fortnight: (n) two weeks Herald: (n or adj.) a sign of something to come Insolence: (noun) arrogance or impertinence Morose: (adj.) gloomy Parapet: (noun) low wall Pauper: (noun) extremely poor person Reverie: (noun) day dream Vigil: (noun) watch kept during normal sleeping hours