The Clayton Ritual
by "The Rascally Lascar"
(This responsive reading, patterned after the Musgrave ritual from
the Sherlock Holmes case of the same name, is used to begin every
meeting of the Hansoms of John Clayton, the first, the leading,
and the only Sherlock Holmes scion in Peoria,
IL. Reprinted here with pemission of the author, Bob Burr,
alias "The Rascally Lascar")
Q: What was his name?
A: John Clayton.
Q: Where did he live?
A: No. 3, Turpey Street, the Borough
Q: What did he do?
A: He drove a hansom cab.
Q: And what was its number?
A: 2704.
Q: Whence came the cab?
A: Out of Shipley’s Yard, near Waterloo Station
Q: When was his famous ride?
A: September 26, 1888
Q: And who was his infamous fare?
A: Rodger Baskerville, alias Stapleton, alias Vandeleur,
Alias Sherlock Holmes.*
*The last line "alias Sherlock Holmes" is not a part of the original
ritual but is often added by some Hansoms. It is thought to have
been first uttered by Mike Cook, and refers to Stapleton identifying
himself as "Sherlock Holmes" to John Clayton at the end of his cab
ride.
