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Cover of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, comic edition

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

by Arthur Conan Doyle1892

The woman who outwits Holmes opens twelve cases of vanished brides, coded clues, and impossible crimes.

Portrait of Sherlock HolmesHolmesPortrait of John WatsonJohnPortrait of Irene AdlerIrenePortrait of Mrs. HudsonHudsonPortrait of Inspector LestradeLestradePortrait of King of BohemiaKingPortrait of Godfrey NortonGodfrey
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 1: Sherlock Holmes rarely spoke of Irene Adler by name. To him, she was always “the woman.”
Sherlock Holmes rarely spoke of Irene Adler by name. To him, she was always “the woman.”
It was not love. Holmes distrusted any feeling that might cloud his judgment.
Yet this woman earned a respect he gave to very few people.
I am Dr. Watson, his friend. Let me tell you how they met.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 2: One evening in March 1888, I passed our old rooms in Baker Street.
One evening in March 1888, I passed our old rooms in Baker Street.
Since my marriage, my home and medical practice had kept me away.
But there was Holmes at the window, pacing as I remembered.
That restless stride meant only one thing: a new problem had caught his attention.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 3: I rang the bell. Holmes welcomed me into the room we had once shared.
I rang the bell. Holmes welcomed me into the room we had once shared.
Marriage suits you, Watson.
You have gained seven pounds at least.
And you are seeing patients again.
I never told you that. How did you know?
The medicine on your finger. The stethoscope bulging inside your hat.
Your shoes tell me something else.
Someone scraped off the mud so roughly that they cut the leather.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 4: I laughed. His explanation made the mystery disappear.
I laughed. His explanation made the mystery disappear.
The letter had no signature or return address.
It sounds simple when you explain it. Why do I miss these things?
You see them, but you do not stop to notice them.
How many steps did you climb to reach this room?
I have climbed them hundreds of times. I have no idea.
Seventeen. Now, try your powers on this letter.
“A gentleman will call at a quarter to eight on a confidential matter.”
“Please do not be alarmed if he wears a mask.”
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 5: A masked visitor?
A masked visitor?
What do you suppose he wants?
Let us learn something about him first.
Guess too soon, and you start bending the facts to fit.
Well, this paper is expensive. He must have money.
Good. But the paper can tell us more.
Hold it against the light.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 6: Those letters in the paper must be the maker’s initials.
Those letters in the paper must be the maker’s initials.
Some stand for “paper company.” But look at “Eg.”
This gazetteer lists a town called Egria.
It is in Bohemia, and it has paper mills.
So our visitor writes on Bohemian paper.
Exactly. And his English follows German word order.
A German speaker, then, with a reason to hide his face.
Listen. Perhaps he has arrived to explain the rest.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 7: A carriage stopped outside.
A carriage stopped outside.
Then the doorbell rang.
Two fine horses. An expensive carriage.
Our mysterious visitor is certainly wealthy.
Perhaps I ought to leave you to your business.
Stay, Watson. I may need your help.
Come in!
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 8: You received my letter?
You received my letter?
I had hoped to speak to you alone.
You may call me Count von Kramm, of Bohemia.
Dr. Watson stays.
You may trust him as you trust me.
Then you must both swear to keep this secret for two years.
You have my word.
And mine.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, illustrated page 10: Five years ago, in Warsaw, I fell in love with Irene Adler.
Five years ago, in Warsaw, I fell in love with Irene Adler.
She still has my letters. And a photograph.
The opera singer. Her details are in my index, Watson.
That photograph could ruin me.
A portrait of you proves nothing. Anyone could buy one.
We are in it together.
I should never have allowed it.
I see. That is harder to explain away.
I was young. I was not yet king.

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About The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of English detective and mystery stories centered on Sherlock Holmes, a private investigator whose cases draw him into matters of crime, secrecy, scandal, and high social consequence. Holmes works from rooms in Baker Street, aided and observed by Dr. Watson, who records his methods and exploits. The book invites you into a world where a muddy shoe, a chemical stain, a scrap of paper, or an unusual sentence may carry more weight than an obvious clue. Holmes’s investigations range beyond the official police, and even a visitor in disguise with a dangerous secret can become the subject of his exacting attention.

The prose has the crisp, attentive character of late-nineteenth-century storytelling, combining formal narration with lively conversation and richly observed London interiors, clothing, manners, and social rank. Watson provides warmth, curiosity, and occasional bewilderment, while Holmes answers confusion with cool logic, theatrical confidence, and a sharp distinction between seeing and observing. Readers drawn to methodical puzzles, atmospheric period settings, memorable detective personalities, and mysteries solved through close attention will find an engaging sequence of cases.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

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