First edition, 1887

PART I:

Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D., Late of the Army Medical Department

Holmes meets Watson in Chapter One of A Study in Scarlet

The investigation of A Study in Scarlet

Chapter 1. Mr. Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 2. The Science of Deduction

Chapter 3. The Lauriston Garden Mystery

Chapter 4. What John Rance Had to Tell

Chapter 5. Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor

Chapter 6. Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do

Chapter 7. Light in the Darkness

PART II:

The Country of the Saints

Chapter 1. On the Great Alkali Plain

Chapter 2. The Flower of Utah

Chapter 3. John Ferrier Talks with the Prophet

Chapter 4. A Flight for Life

Chapter 5. The Avenging Angels

Chapter 6. A Continuation of the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D.

Chapter 7. The Conclusion

First published in Nov. 1887 as the main part of Beeton's Christmas Annual. First book edition by Ward, Lock & Co. in July 1888 with illustrations by Charles Doyle, father of ACD. The second edition (1889) was illustrated by George Hutchinson. &endash; The first American edition published by J. B. Lippincott Co. in 1890.

First book edition, 1888

Second book edition, 1889

---

THE SIGN OF FOUR

First edition in Lippincott's Magazine, 1890

Chapter 1. The Science of Deduction

Chapter 2. The Statement of the Case

Chapter 3. In Quest of a Solution

Chapter 4. The Story of the Bald-headed Man

Chapter 5. The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge

Chapter 6. Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstartion

Chapter 7. The Episode of the Barrel

Chapter 8. The Baker Street Irregulars

Chapter 9. A Break in the Chain

Chapter 10. The End of the Islander

Chapter 11. The Great Agra Treasure

Chapter 12. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small

First published in the Lippincott's Magazine, Philadelphia and London, in February 1890.

First book edition by S. Blackett in Oct. 1890.

The second book edition, 1892

First edition of The Adventures, 1892

The Adventure of A Scandal in Bohemia

First published in the Strand Magazine, July 1891, with 10 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Red-Headed League

First published in the Strand Magazine, Aug. 1891, with 10 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of A Case of Indentity

First published in the Strand Magazine, Sept. 1891, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Boscombe Valley Mystery

First published in the Strand Magazine, Oct. 1891, with 10 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Five Orange Pips

First published in the Strand Magazine, Nov. 1891, with 6 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Man with the Twisted Lip

First published in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1891, with 10 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Blue Carbuncle

First published in the Strand Magazine, Jan. 1892, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Speckled Band

First published in the Strand Magazine, Feb. 1892, with 9 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Engineer's Thumb

First published in the Strand Magazine, Mar. 1892, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Noble Bachelor

First published in the Strand Magazine, Apr. 1892, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Beryl Coronet

First published in the Strand Magazine, May 1892, with 9 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Copper Beeches

First published in the Strand Magazine, June 1892, with 9 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The whole collection was first published on 14 Oct. 1892 by G. Newnes Ltd in an edition of 10,000 copies.

Silver Blaze 

First published in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1892, with 9 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Yellow Face

First published in the Strand Magazine, Feb. 1893, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Stock-broker's Clerk

First published in the Strand Magazine, Mar. 1893, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

"The Gloria Scott"

First published in the Strand Magazine, Apr. 1893, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Musgrave Ritual

First published in the Strand Magazine, May 1893, with 6 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Reigate (Puzzle) Squire(s)

First published in the Strand Magazine, June 1893, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget. Alternative titles: The Reigate Squire and The Reigate Squires.

The Crooked Man

First published in the Strand Magazine, July 1893, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Resident Patient

First published in the Strand Magazine, Aug. 1893, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Greek Interpreter

First published in the Strand Magazine, Sept. 1893, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Naval Treaty

First published in the Strand Magazine in two parts, first part in Oct. 1893 with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget, second part in Nov. 1893 with 7 illustrations by Paget.

The Final Problem

First published in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1893, with 9 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The whole collection was fist published on 13 Dec. 1893 by G. Newnes Ltd. in an edition of 10,000 copies, as third volume of The Strand Library. The first American edition (by Harper & Brothers, Feb. 1894) also included The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, which was removed from English editions.

The Adventure of The Empty House

First published in Collier's Weekly, Sep. 1903, with 7 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Oct. 1903, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Norwood Builder

First published in Collier's Weekly, Oct. 1903, with 7 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Nov. 1903, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Dancing Men

First published in Collier's Weekly, Dec. 1903, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1903, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Solitary Cyclist

First published in Collier's Weekly, Dec. 1903, with 5 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Jan. 1904, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of the Priory School

First published in Collier's Weekly, Jan. 1904, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Feb. 1904, with 9 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of Black Peter

First published in Collier's Weekly, Feb. 1904, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Mar. 1904, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton

First published in Collier's Weekly, Mar. 1904, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Apr. 1904, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Six Napoleons

First published in Collier's Weekly, Apr. 1904, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, May 1904, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The Adventure of The Three Students

First published in the Strand Magazine, June 1904, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget, and in Collier's Weekly, Sep. 1904, with 9 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of The Golden Pince-nez

First published in the Strand Magazine, July 1904, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget, and in Collier's Weekly, Oct. 1904, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of The Missing Three-Quarter

First published in the Strand Magazine, Aug. 1904, with 7 illustrations by Sidney Paget, and in Collier's Weekly, Nov. 1904, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of the Abbey Grange

First published in the Strand Magazine, Sep. 1904, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget, and in Collier's Weekly, Dec. 1904, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of The Second Stain

First published in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1904, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget, and in Collier's Weekly, Jan. 1905, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The whole collection was first published in the USA in Feb. 1905 by McClure, Phillips & Co., illustrated by Charles R. Macauley. The first British edition in Mar. 1905 by G. Newnes Ltd. (The Strand Library).

First edition, 1902

Chapter 1. Mr. Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 2. The Curse of the Baskervilles

Chapter 3. The Problem

Chapter 4. Sir Henry Baskerville

Chapter 5. Three Broken Threads

Chapter 6. Baskerville Hall

Chapter 7. The Stapletons of the Merripit House

Chapter 8. First Report of Dr. Watson

Chapter 9. Second Report of Dr. Watson

Chapter 10. Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson

Chapter 11. The Man on the Tor

Chapter 12. Death on the Moor

Chapter 13. Fixing the Nets

Chapter 14. The Hound of the Baskervilles

Chapter 15. A Retrospection

The story was first published monthly in the Strand Magazine, Aug. 1901 - Apr. 1902, with 60 illustrations by Sidney Paget. The first book edition was published on 25 Mar. 1902 by G. Newnes Ltd. in an edition of 25,000 copies. The first American edition by McClure, Phillips & Co. on 15 Apr. 1902 in an edition of 50,000 copies.

DEDICATION

MY DEAR ROBINSON: It was your account of a west country legend which first suggested the idea of this little tale to my mind. For this, and for the help which you gave me in its evolution, all thanks.

Yours most truly,

A. CONAN DOYLE

The Strand Magazine from Sept. 1914 with the first two chapters of the novel.

PART 1:

The Tragedy of Birlstone

Chapter 1.The Warning

Chapter 2. Sherlock Holmes Discourses

Chapter 3. The Tragedy of Birlstone

Chapter 4. Darkness

Chapter 5. The People of the Drama

Chapter 6. A Dawning Light

Chapter 7.The Solution

PART 2:

The Scowres

Chapter 1. The Man

Chapter 2. The Bodymaster

Chapter 3. Lodge 341, Vermissa

Chapter 4. The Valley of Fear

Chapter 5. The Darkest Hour

Chapter 6. Danger

Chapter 7. The Trapping of Biry Edwards

Epilogue

First published in the Strand Magazine, Sept. 1914 - May 1915, with 31 illustrations by Frank Wiles. First book edition on 27 Feb. 1915 by G. H. Doran Co. of New York (the story wasn't still published in the Strand). First British book edition by Smith, Elder & Co. on 3 June 1915, in an edition of 6,000 copies

The Strand Magazine from December 1911 with The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

Part 1. The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles

Part 2. The Tiger of San Pedro

First published in the Collier's Weekly Magazine, Aug. 1908, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Sept.-Oct. 1908, with 10 illustrations by Arthur Twidle.

The Adventure of The Cardboard Box

First published in the Strand Magazine, Jan. 1893, with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget. The story was not included in the first English edition of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, thought in the first American edition by Harper in 1894.

The Adventure of The Red Circle

First published in the Strand Magazine, Mar. - Apr. 1911, with 3 illustrations by H. M. Brock and 1 by Joseph Simpson, and in the American edition of the Strand Magazine, Apr. - May 1911, illustrated as above.

The Adventure of The Bruce-Partington Plans

First published in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1908, with 6 illustrations by Arthur Twidle, and in the Collier's Weekly Magazine, Dec. 1908, with 5 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of The Dying Detective

First published in Collier's Weekly Magazine, Nov. 1913, with 3 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1913, with 4 illustrations by Sidney Paget's brother, Walter Paget.

The Disappearance of Lady Francis Carfax

First published in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1911, with 5 illustrations by Alec Ball, and in the American Magazine, Dec. 1911, with 5 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of The Devil's Foot

First published in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1910, with 7 illustrations by Gilbert Halliday, and in the American edition of Strand Magazine in Jan. - Feb. 1911 with 8 illustrations by Gilbert Halliday (one additional illustration was required due the two-part publication).

His Last Bow

First published in the Strand Magazine, Sept. 1917, with 3 illustrations by A. Gilbert, and in the Collier's Weekly Magazine, Sept. 1917, with 5 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The whole collection was first published in Oct. 1917 by John Murray in an edition of 10,684 copies. First American edition published by the G. H. Doran Co. in New York also in Oct. 1917.

PREFACE

THE friends of Mr. Sherlock Holmes will be glad to learn that he is still alive and well, though somewhat crippled by occasional attacks of rheumatism. He has, for many years, lived in a small farm upon the downs five miles from Eastbourne, where his time is divided between philosophy and agriculture. During this period of rest he has refused the most princely offers to take up various cases, having determined that his retirement was a permanent one. The approach of the German war caused him, however, to lay his remarkable combination of intellectual and practical activity at the disposal of the government, with historical results which are recounted in His Last Bow. Several previous experiences which have lain long in my portfolio have been added to His Last Bow so as to complete the volume.

JOHN H. WATSON, M.D

The Strand Magazine from January 1925 with The Adventure of the Three Garridebs

The Adventure of The Illustrious Client

First published in Collier's Weekly Magazine, Nov. 1924, with 4 illustrations by John Richard Flanagan, and in the Strand Magazine, Feb.-Mar. 1925, with 8 illustrations by Howard K. Elcock.

The Adventure of The Blanched Soldier

First published in Liberty, Oct. 1926, with 5 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Nov. 1926, with 5 illustrations by Howard K. Elcock.

The Adventure of The Mazarin Stone

First published in the Strand Magazine, Oct. 1921, with 3 illustrations by A. Gilbert, and in Hearst's International Magazine, Nov. 1921, with 4 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of Three Gables

First published in Liberty, Sep. 1926, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Oct. 1926, with 4 illustrations by Howard K. Elcock.

The Adventure of The Sussex Vampire

First published in the Strand Magazine, Jan. 1924, with 4 illustrations by Howard K. Elcock, and in Hearst's International Magazine, Jan. 1924, with 4 illustrations by W. T. Benda.

The Adventure of The Three Garridebs

First published in Collier's Weekly Magazine, Oct. 1924, with 3 illustrations by John Richard Flanagan, and in the Strand Magazine, Jan. 1925, with 5 illustrations by Howard K. Elcock.

The Problem of Thor Bridge

First published in the Strand Magazine, Feb.-Mar. 1922, with 7 illustrations by A. Gilbert, and in Hearst's International Magazine, Feb.-Mar. 1922, with 3 illustrations by G. Patrick Nelson.

The Adventure of The Creeping Man

First published in the Strand Magazine, Mar. 1923, with 5 illustrations by Howard K. Elcock, and in Hearst's International Magazine, Mar. 1923, with 6 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele.

The Adventure of The Lion's Mane

First published in Liberty, Nov. 1926, with 7 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Dec. 1926, with 3 illustrations by Howard K. Elcock.

The Adventure of The Veiled Lodger

First published in Liberty, Jan. 1927, with 4 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Feb. 1927, with 3 illustrations by Frank Wiles.

The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

First published in Liberty, Mar. 1927, with 7 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Apr. 1927, with 5 illustrations by Frank Wiles.

The Adventure of The Retired Colourman

First published in Liberty, Dec. 1926, with 4 illustrations by Frederic Dorr Steele, and in the Strand Magazine, Jan. 1927, with 5 illustrations by Frank Wiles.

The whole collection of The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes was published by John Murray in June 1927, in an edition of 15,150 copies. The first American edition was published on the same day by the G. H. Doran Co.

PREFACE

I FEAR that Mr. Sherlock Holmes may become like one of those popular tenors who, having outlived their time, are still tempted to make repeated farewell bows to their indulgent audiences. This must cease and he must go the way of all flesh, material or imaginary. One likes to think that there is some fantastic limbo for the children of imagination, some strange, impossible place where the beaux of Fielding may still make love to the belles of Richardson, where Scott's heroes still may strut, Dickens's delightful Cockneys still raise a laugh, and Thackeray's worldlings continue to carry on their reprehensible careers. Perhaps in some humble corner of such a Valhalla, Sherlock and his Watson may for a time find a place, while some more astute sleuth with some even less astute comrade may fill the stage which they have vacated.

His career has been a long one&endash;though it is possible to exaggerate it; decrepit gentlemen who approach me and declare that his adventures formed the reading of their boyhood do not meet the response from me which they seem to expect. One is not anxious to have one's personal dates handled so unkindly. As a matter of cold fact, Holmes made his debut in A Study in Scarlet and in The Sign of Four, two small booklets which appeared between 1887 and 1889. It was in 1891 that 'A Scandal in Bohemia,' the first of the long series of short stories, appeared in The Strand Magazine. The public seemed appreciative and desirous of more, so that from that date, thirty-nine years ago, they have been produced in a broken series which now contains no fewer than fifty-six stories, republished in The Adventures, The Memoirs, The Return, and His Last Bow, and there remain these twelve published during the last few years which are here produced under the title of The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes. He began his adventures in the very heart of the later Victorian era, carried it through the all-too-short reign of Edward, and has managed to hold his own little niche even in these feverish days. Thus it would be true to say that those who first read of him, as young men, have lived to see their own grown-up children following the same adventures in the same magazine. It is a striking example of the patience and loyalty of the British public.

I had fully determined at the conclusion of The Memoirs to bring Holmes to an end, as I felt that my literary energies should not be directed too much into one channel. That pale, clear-cut face and loose-limbed figure were taking up an undue share of my imagination. I did the deed, but fortunately no coroner had pronounced upon the remains, and so, after a long interval, it was not difficult for me to respond to the flattering demand and to explain my rash act away. I have never regretted it, for I have not in actual practice found that these lighter sketches have prevented me from exploring and finding my limitations in such varied branches of literature as history, poetry, historical novels, psychic research, and the drama. Had Holmes never existed I could not have done more, though he may perhaps have stood a little in the way of the recognition of my more serious literary work.

And so, reader, farewell to Sherlock Holmes! I thank you for your past constancy, and can but hope that some return has been made in the shape of that distraction from the worries of life and stimulating change of thought which can only be found in the fairy kingdom of romance.

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE