When you enter 221B Baker Street, London, you won’t need to do much detective work to figure out that you are in the real-life version of the imaginary home of Sherlock Holmes–just look at the hats and coats hanging by the door. Actually, you’re entering the first floor of the popular Sherlock Holmes museum, which you indeed will find at 221 Baker...

He’s one of the world’s most famous detectives with one of the most famous addresses in literature: 221B Baker Street, London. Sherlock Holmes’ fictional address is the real address of the Sherlock Holmes Museum. In summer 2013, I waited in line for two hours (including two brief rain storms) to tour the townhouse of this fictitious figure. The...