Setting in The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Many of the Sherlock Holmes tales take place mainly out in the country, including the well-known "The Hound of the Baskervilles." The country settings also offer the readers an imaginary pleasure excursion. The train service in Britain was dependable and extensive. Holmes and Watson could get practically anywhere by taking a train to a country station and then hiring a horse-drawn conveyance to take them to their final destination.

Note the emphasis on the fire and warmth. This indicates that the weather is very cold outside, a fact that will come into play at the climax of the story.

This information explains why there are only three bedrooms available in such an enormous mansion. All the bedrooms are situated side by side on the ground floor with windows opening on the front lawn. The setting is essential to the plot, as readers will learn later in the story.

This establishes that there is an inn very close to Roylott's big house. This is important for Holmes and Watson later in their investigation.