HOLMES “SUPPORTING CAST”
GASLIGHT The history of London’s gas lamps nearly parallels the history of the city itself during the nineteenth century. Ever since first lit in Pall Mall at the start of the century until forced to give away to the electric lamp in the years between 1886 and 1900, the gas lamp ruled the city nights. In “The Dying Detective,” turning up the gas is used as a signal. In “His Last Bow,” this has changed to turning off an electric lamp. Doyle mentions the gas street light only in a few stories like “The Red Circle,” “The Red-Headed League,” and “The Blue Carbuncle” and uses it surprisingly little as a prop.
Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery: Educator’s Guide 13