Holmes is brought in because of his ability to keep his cases from the public eye. Watson's portrayals occur well after the fact. In this one, a school boy at a private institution and his German teacher have disappeared. The trail proves one, requiring great patience and personal strength. The suspected perpetrator suddenly becomes a victim and the case gets rather ragged. At the center is the aristocratic father, whose world has become complicated. When one of Holmes' clients is as taciturn as this man, we know that the road will ultimately lead back to him in some way. The real joy of the episode is the use of several red herrings that need to be dismissed. The Victorian view of children born out of wedlock is certainly disturbing. It's interesting how such a "refined" culture needs to maintain its status through subterfuge and dishonesty. We still have some of this going on today. The unique thing about Holmes is that it is nearly always about the "case." While this episode plods on at times, it also teases us, and leads us astray. The clues are all there if you view it with knowledge of the conclusion. Good writing; good mystery.