The Return of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The book was first published in 1905 and was the first Holmes collection since 1893, when Holmes had "died" in "The Final Problem". Having published The Hound of the Baskervilles in 1901–1902, which was set before Holmes' "death", Doyle came under intense pressure to revive his famous character. The first story is set in 1894 and has Holmes returning in London and explaining the period from 1891–1894, a period called "The Great Hiatus" by Sherlockian enthusiasts. Also of note is Watson's statement in the last story of the cycle that Holmes has retired, and forbids him to publish any more stories.
Source: Doyle, A.C. (1905) The Return of Sherlock Holmes London: Georges Newnes, Ltd
- Chapter I: “The Adventure of the Empty House”
- The story opens with the murder of Ronald Adair. Holmes tells Watson his account of tangling with Professor Moriarty and explains his expectation that someone will attempt to murder him. He sets up a dummy across the street, which is shot with an airgun. The killer is arrested.
- Chapter II: “The Adventure of the Norwood Builder”
- Holmes and Watson are visited by John Hector McFarlane. A murder occurs at Jonas Oldacre’s house in Norwood and McFarlane is accused. Holmes follows the clues to deduce that Oldacre faked his death.
- Chapter III: “The Adventure of the Dancing Men”
- Elsie marries Hilton Cubitt and tells him not to ask her about her past. She gets a letters from the United States and pictures of small dancing men start appearing everywhere around her. Holmes is brought in to get to the bottom of the pictures. From then on, things get worse until Holmes cracks the case.
- Chapter IV: “The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist”
- Holmes is contacted by Violet Smith. When she is followed by a strange man in a bicycle, Holmes decides to get to the bottom of it. When Violet is abducted, Holmes goes after the cyclist and discovers they’re both on the same side. Holmes tracks down the killers.
- Chapter V: “The Adventure of the Priory School, Part 1”
- Thorneycroft Huxtable, a principal at a New England prep school, comes to Holmes with the news that a student has been kidnapped. They must do what they can to track him down.
- Chapter V: “The Adventure of the Priory School, Part 2”
- Holmes and Watson find more clues as to the kidnapping of a prep school student. When the clues point to James Wilder, Holmes and Watson stop at nothing to catch him.
- Chapter VI: “The Adventure of Black Peter”
- A gruesome murder occurs in Forest Row and Police Inspector Stanley Hopkins asks Holmes for help. When Peter Carey’s (also called Black Peter) tobacco pouch is found at the scene of the crime, Holmes investigates.
- Chapter VII: “The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton”
- When someone blackmails Lady Eva Blackwell, Holmes is called to the case. He disguises himself as a plumber and goes undercover to catch the blackmailer.
- Chapter VIII: “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons”
- Holmes is called to investigate a case about a man who shatters busts of Napoleon. When a murder occurs, Holmes must work faster to solve the mystery.
- Chapter IX: “The Adventure of the Three Students”
- Holmes finds himself at a university town and discovers that a tutor’s office had been disturbed and Holmes suspects Bannister the servant.
- Chapter X: “The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez”
- Inspector Stanley Hopkins asks Holmes to investigate the murder of Willoughby Smith, a murder with no apparent motive. Holmes, along with Dr. Watson and Inspector Hopkins, must get to the bottom of the mystery.
- Chapter XI: “The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter”
- When Gaudfrey Staunton disappears, Cyril Overton asks Holmes to investigate. Dr. Armstrong is suspected.
- Chapter XII: “The Adventure of the Abbey Grange”
- Sir Eustace has been killed at the Abbey Grange and Holmes and Watson go to investigate. Lady Brackenstall’s past and former loves play a key role in the case and Holmes and Watson must solve the mystery.
- Chapter XIII: “The Adventure of the Second Stain”
- Lord Bellinger and Trelawney Hope come to Holmes to explain about a stolen document. When Watson tells Holmes that one of his known spies has been murdered, they must solve the case.