The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (Doyle)
Short summary
England, late 19th century. Brilliant consulting detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. John Watson investigate a series of perplexing cases. In Dartmoor, they resolve the disappearance of the famous racehorse Silver Blaze and uncover his trainer's accidental death. They next tackle the sinister delivery of human ears linked to jealousy-inspired murder, unravel a domestic secret involving a hidden child, and prevent theft and murder orchestrated by deceitful brothers.
Holmes's past is uncovered when he narrates his first case involving the shipwrecked convicts of the Gloria Scott and hidden identities. He later deciphers the cryptic Musgrave Ritual, recovering ancient royal artifacts, and solves puzzling murders at Reigate through careful forensic deduction.
Holmes investigates the mysterious death of Colonel Barclay, uncovering past betrayal in India as the cause. He reveals the murderers behind the apparent suicide of a patient haunted by his criminal past. Joined by his brother Mycroft, Holmes delves into kidnapping and blackmail involving a Greek interpreter, rescues a stolen naval treaty critical to national security, and discloses Joseph Harrison as the culprit motivated by financial despair.
The detective faces his greatest challenge in Professor Moriarty. Holmes explains Moriarty's significance to Watson, saying:
He is the Napoleon of crime, Watson. He is the organizer of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city. He is a genius, a philosopher, an abstract thinker. He has a brain of the first order...
After persistent deadly attacks by Moriarty, Holmes and Watson escape across Europe. At Switzerland's Reichenbach Falls, Holmes confronts Moriarty, resulting in both falling to their presumed deaths, marking a tragic end to their struggle.
Detailed summary by stories
Silver Blaze
Holmes informed Watson that they were going to Dartmoor to investigate the disappearance of Silver Blaze, a famous racehorse, and the murder of his trainer, John Straker. During the train journey to Exeter, Holmes explained that the case was complicated by an excess of information, and the challenge lay in separating fact from speculation.
Holmes recounted the essential facts: Silver Blaze was a prized horse favored to win the Wessex Cup. John Straker, the trainer, was found murdered near the stables. A stable-lad had been drugged with opium in his supper, and a stranger named Fitzroy Simpson had visited the stables the night before.
"To the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime."
"The dog did nothing in the nighttime."
"That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes.
Upon arrival in Tavistock, they met Colonel Ross, the horse's owner, and Inspector Gregory, who believed Simpson was the culprit. Holmes pointed out weaknesses in the case and examined the scene of the crime, including Straker's possessions and the trampled ground. He found a half-burned wax vesta and deduced that Silver Blaze must have gone to either King's Pyland or Mapleton.
Holmes and Watson tracked the horse to Mapleton stables, where Holmes confronted Silas Brown, the trainer, who confessed to hiding Silver Blaze. Four days later, they attended the Wessex Cup, where the horse appeared and won. Holmes revealed that Straker had drugged the stable-boy to take Silver Blaze out to injure him, hoping to profit from bets against the horse. The horse, startled by Straker's actions, kicked him, causing his death.
The Cardboard Box
Watson began by explaining the difficulty of separating sensationalism from criminal cases when chronicling Holmes's abilities. On a hot August day in Baker Street, Holmes was absorbed in a letter while Watson, bored and longing for a holiday, observed Holmes's preference for city life and unsolved crimes.
Holmes suddenly spoke, echoing Watson's unspoken opinion about a "preposterous" dispute. Watson was astonished by Holmes's ability to read his mind, which Holmes explained by claiming to constantly deduce thoughts from observations. Holmes then introduced a new case: a gruesome packet sent to Miss Susan Cushing in Croydon, containing two human ears.
Holmes and Watson traveled to Croydon and met Lestrade, who was already investigating. They visited Miss Cushing, who denied any knowledge of the packet. Holmes examined the box, string, and brown paper, noting the tarred twine, the coffee smell of the paper, and the misspelled address. He then examined the ears, determining they were evidence of a serious crime.
Holmes questioned Miss Cushing about her sisters, Sarah and Mary, and learned that Mary and her husband, Jim Browner, were estranged from Sarah due to Jim's drinking and Sarah's meddling. Holmes later revealed that the packet was intended for Sarah Cushing, who had a connection to Jim Browner and his murdered wife, Mary. The murders were motivated by jealousy, and Browner was arrested upon his ship's arrival.
The Yellow Face
Watson prefaced the story by noting that he occasionally recounted cases where Holmes erred yet the truth was still discovered. Holmes accompanied Watson on a walk in the park one early spring day, but their outing was cut short by news of an impatient visitor who had left behind a valued pipe.
The visitor, Grant Munro, returned seeking Holmes's advice regarding his troubled marriage. He explained that he and his wife, Effie, had been happily married for three years, but a secret had recently arisen between them. Munro recounted Effie's past as a widow named Mrs. Hebron, who lived in Atlanta, where her husband and child died of yellow fever.
Six weeks prior, Effie had requested and received £100 from Munro without explanation. Recently, Munro noticed a new tenant in a nearby cottage and saw a disturbing, yellow face at the window. One night, Munro awoke to find Effie leaving the house at 3 AM, and later saw her visiting the cottage. Effie begged Munro not to enter the cottage, claiming it would ruin their lives.
Watson, if it should ever strike you that I am getting a little overconfident in my powers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves, kindly whisper 'Norbury' in my ear, and I shall be infinitely obliged to you.
Holmes suspected blackmail and theorized that Effie's first husband was in the cottage. Munro, Holmes, and Watson traveled to Norbury, where Munro forced his way into the cottage, finding a black child wearing a mask. Effie revealed that the child was her daughter from her first marriage to a black man, John Hebron, and she had kept her a secret out of fear of losing Munro. Munro embraced his wife and child, resolving to work through the situation together.
The Stockbroker's Clerk
Dr. Watson recounted establishing his medical practice in Paddington after his marriage. Three months into his practice, he was visited by Sherlock Holmes, who inquired about his health and his wife's well-being. Holmes revealed they were heading to Birmingham for a new case, and Watson arranged for his neighbor to cover his practice.
They met their client, Hall Pycroft, a stockbroker's clerk who had lost his job due to the Venezuelan loan crisis. After securing a position at Mawson & Williams, Pycroft was visited by Arthur Pinner, who offered him a position as business manager at the Franco-Midland Hardware Company with a much higher salary. Pinner requested Pycroft not to resign from Mawson's, claiming he had a bet with Mawson's manager.
In Birmingham, Pycroft met a man resembling Arthur Pinner but clean-shaven, who claimed to be Harry Pinner. Pycroft later noticed that Harry had a gold filling in the same tooth as Arthur, realizing they were the same person. Holmes, Watson, and Pycroft returned to Birmingham, finding Harry Pinner in distress. Holmes deduced that the situation was connected to a crime reported in the evening paper: the other Hall Pycroft, actually the forger Beddington, had attempted to rob Mawson & Williams.
The Gloria Scott
Holmes introduced Watson to the case of the Gloria Scott, triggered by a message that caused Justice of the Peace Trevor's death. Holmes explained that this was his first case, prompting Watson's curiosity about Holmes's entry into criminal research. Holmes recounted his college friendship with Victor Trevor, his only friend during his two years there.
Trevor invited Holmes to his father's estate in Norfolk. Holmes impressed the elder Trevor with his deductive abilities, correctly inferring his fear of attack, boxing experience, digging, travels, and a past relationship with someone whose initials were J.A. The revelation caused Mr. Trevor to faint. Shortly before Holmes's departure, a sailor named Hudson arrived, causing Mr. Trevor great distress.
Later, Holmes received a telegram from Victor, urgently requesting his return because his father was dying. Victor explained that Hudson's arrival had a devastating effect on his father. A letter arrived for Mr. Trevor from Fordingbridge, causing him to collapse and suffer a stroke. He died shortly after, leaving a message that papers were in the Japanese cabinet.
The papers revealed that Mr. Trevor, whose real name was James Armitage, had been convicted of embezzlement and transported to Australia on the Gloria Scott in 1855. He befriended Jack Prendergast, who planned a mutiny. The mutiny was successful, but a fight broke out and the ship exploded. Armitage and a few others escaped and were rescued by the Hotspur. They changed their names and returned to England as wealthy colonials. Hudson, a survivor of the Gloria Scott, tracked them down and blackmailed them.
The Musgrave Ritual
Dr. Watson described Sherlock Holmes's contradictory nature: meticulous in thought yet personally untidy. Watson detailed Holmes's habits, such as storing cigars in the coal scuttle and using the mantelpiece for knife-transfixed correspondence. One winter evening, Watson suggested Holmes tidy up. Holmes retrieved a tin box filled with records of his early cases.
In publishing these short sketches based upon the numerous cases in which my companion's singular gifts have made us the listeners to, and eventually the actors in, some strange drama, it is only natural that I should dwell upon his successes...
Holmes recalled how the Gloria Scott case sparked his interest in criminal investigation. He mentioned his early rooms in Montague Street, where he studied and waited for cases. The Musgrave Ritual was his third case. Reginald Musgrave, a former college acquaintance, visited Holmes seeking help with strange events at his estate, Hurlstone, where the police had failed to find answers.
Musgrave explained that his butler, Brunton, had been dismissed for secretly examining family documents, specifically the Musgrave Ritual. Two days later, Brunton disappeared, as did Rachel Howells, a housemaid recently jilted by Brunton. Holmes asked to see the Musgrave Ritual, a family tradition involving questions and answers. He believed Brunton saw something in it that others missed.
Holmes and Musgrave traveled to Hurlstone. Holmes used the measurements in the ritual to locate a stone-flagged passage and a cellar beneath it. In the cellar, they found Brunton's body, a brass-bound box, and old coins. Holmes reconstructed the events, surmising that Brunton and Howells attempted to move the stone together. Howells, scorned by Brunton, either accidentally or intentionally caused the stone to fall, trapping him. The metal and stones were part of the ancient crown of England, hidden during the Civil War.
The Reigate Puzzle
Dr. Watson recounted Sherlock Holmes's recovery from a taxing case involving the Netherland-Sumatra Company and Baron Maupertuis. Watson suggested a relaxing trip to the countryside, and they accepted an invitation from Colonel Hayter, an old friend of Watson's from Afghanistan, to stay at his house near Reigate in Surrey.
Upon arrival, Colonel Hayter mentioned a recent burglary at the home of a local magnate, Mr. Acton. The next morning, the Colonel's butler announced a murder at the Cunningham's residence. William Kirwan, the coachman, was shot while confronting a burglar. Inspector Forrester arrived, seeking Holmes's assistance. He revealed that Mr. Cunningham and his son, Alec, witnessed the crime. A fragment of a torn note was found in the dead man's hand.
The principal difficulty in your case lay in the fact of there being too much evidence. What was vital was overlaid and hidden by what was irrelevant... In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason backwards.
Holmes examined the scene, noting the lack of bootmarks in a ditch near the escape route. He interviewed Mr. Cunningham and Alec, finding their accounts suspicious. Holmes deliberately knocked over a dish of oranges, creating a distraction. During the confusion, Holmes disappeared briefly. He was then found being attacked by the Cunninghams in Alec's dressing room. Holmes accused them of murdering William Kirwan, and the Inspector arrested them.
The Crooked Man
Watson was at home late one night when Holmes arrived, seeking accommodation and assistance with a case. Holmes explained that he was investigating the death of Colonel Barclay in Aldershot. Colonel Barclay, a respected officer, was found dead after a quarrel with his wife, Nancy. The circumstances were mysterious: the door was locked from the inside, the key was missing, and a strange club was found near the body.
Holmes's investigation revealed that a man had entered the room through the window, accompanied by an unusual animal. He questioned Miss Morrison, who accompanied Mrs. Barclay to a meeting. She revealed that they encountered a deformed man named Henry Wood, who Mrs. Barclay recognized. This encounter seemed to trigger the argument between the Barclays.
Holmes and Watson visited Wood, who admitted to being present at the scene but denied killing Barclay, claiming the Colonel died of fright upon seeing him. Wood recounted his past with Nancy and Barclay in India, where Barclay betrayed him during the Mutiny. Wood was captured and tortured, leaving him deformed. After years of wandering, Wood returned to England and encountered Nancy. The inquest concluded Barclay died of apoplexy.
The Resident Patient
Dr. Watson reflected on the difficulty of selecting cases that showcased both Holmes's analytical skills and dramatic facts. A boisterous October evening found them returning home to find a doctor waiting for them. The visitor, Dr. Percy Trevelyan, introduced himself and mentioned his monograph on obscure nervous lesions. He sought Holmes's help due to a series of inexplicable events at his Brook Street residence.
Dr. Trevelyan recounted his promising college career, hampered by a lack of capital to establish a practice. A stranger named Blessington offered to finance his practice in Brook Street, becoming his resident patient in exchange for three-quarters of Trevelyan's earnings. Recently, Blessington became agitated after hearing about a burglary, insisting on stronger security measures.
Trevelyan received a letter from a supposed Russian nobleman seeking treatment for catalepsy. During the consultation, the nobleman feigned a cataleptic attack. Later, Blessington discovered footprints in his room, indicating an intruder. The next morning, Watson and Holmes found Blessington had hanged himself. Holmes declared it murder, not suicide, pointing out inconsistencies in the evidence. He identified the perpetrators as members of the Worthingdon bank gang, and Blessington as Sutton, the informer who betrayed them.
The Greek Interpreter
Watson reflected on Holmes's reticence about his family, which contributed to his perception of Holmes as an emotionless, isolated intellect. One evening, Holmes surprised Watson by mentioning his brother, Mycroft, during a conversation about heredity and talent. Holmes claimed Mycroft possessed even greater observational and deductive abilities than himself.
My dear Watson, I cannot agree with those who rank modesty among the virtues. To the logician all things should be seen exactly as they are, and to underestimate one's self is as much a departure from truth as to exaggerate one's own powers...
Holmes took Watson to the Diogenes Club to meet Mycroft. Mycroft demonstrated his observational skills by analyzing two men outside the club window. Mycroft then mentioned a peculiar problem brought to his attention by a Greek interpreter named Mr. Melas, who lodged above him. Melas recounted being hired by a Mr. Latimer to interpret for a Greek friend but was instead kidnapped and taken to a remote house.
In the house, Melas was forced to interpret between Latimer, another man, and a Greek man named Paul Kratides, who was being pressured to sign documents. Melas cleverly added extra sentences to his translations to gather information. A woman, Sophy, entered the room and recognized Kratides as Paul. Mycroft placed an advertisement seeking information about Paul Kratides and Sophy.
Dr. Watson introduced the case of the Naval Treaty, recalling his school friendship with Percy Phelps, now a Foreign Office employee. Phelps contacted Watson seeking Holmes's help after a disastrous event ruined his career. Phelps's letter detailed his misfortune: he was entrusted with copying a secret treaty between England and Italy by his uncle, Lord Holdhurst, the Foreign Minister. The treaty was stolen from his office desk while he was briefly away.
Holmes and Watson traveled to Woking to meet Phelps at his family's home, Briarbrae. They were greeted by Joseph Harrison, Phelps's future brother-in-law, and met Annie Harrison, Phelps's nurse and Joseph's sister. Phelps recounted the events of the theft. He was alone in his office, save for a clerk who left to dine. He summoned coffee from the commissionnaire, but his wife answered the bell. Upon returning from checking on the delayed coffee, he discovered the original treaty missing.
The next morning, Phelps reported an attempted break-in during the night. An intruder tried to enter his bedroom window, wielding a knife. Holmes examined the scene and instructed Annie Harrison to remain in the room all day and lock the door from the outside at night. Holmes, Watson, and Phelps traveled to London, but Holmes unexpectedly remained in Woking to investigate further.
It is one of those cases where the art of the reasoner should be used rather for the sifting of details than for the acquiring of fresh evidence. The tragedy has been so uncommon, so complete and of such personal importance...
The next morning, Holmes returned to Baker Street, his hand bandaged. He revealed that he had solved the case and recovered the treaty. He dramatically presented the treaty to Phelps during breakfast. Holmes explained that Joseph Harrison stole the treaty, hid it in Phelps's room, and attempted to retrieve it. Holmes waited outside Phelps's window, apprehended Joseph, and recovered the document. Joseph, facing financial difficulties, saw an opportunity to sell the treaty.
The Final Problem
Watson began writing the final words about Sherlock Holmes, prompted by Colonel James Moriarty's defense of his brother. After Watson's marriage, his interactions with Holmes became less frequent. Holmes unexpectedly visited Watson on April 24th, 1891, appearing pale and worn. He expressed fear and bolted the shutters, explaining he was being targeted by Professor Moriarty, a criminal mastermind.
Holmes described Moriarty as a man of genius with a phenomenal mathematical faculty who wrote a treatise on the Binomial Theorem at 21. He identified Moriarty as the "Napoleon of crime," the organizer of much of London's undetected evil. Holmes had been working to expose and break up this organization for years, but Moriarty was cunning and difficult to convict.
Holmes described a meeting with Moriarty, who confronted him in his room. Moriarty warned Holmes to cease his investigation, threatening him with destruction. Holmes refused, stating his duty to the public. Holmes recounted several attempts on his life that day, including a near miss with a van, a falling brick, and an attack by a thug. He asked Watson to accompany him to the Continent to escape Moriarty's reach.
What is the meaning of it, Watson? What object is served by this circle of misery and violence and fear? It must tend to some end, or else our universe is ruled by chance, which is unthinkable. But what end? There is the great standing perennial problem...
They traveled to the Continent, evading Moriarty. They reached Meiringen, Switzerland, where Watson received a false message about a dying Englishwoman, leading him away from Holmes. Upon his return, he found Holmes gone, with only his Alpine-stock and a farewell note indicating he had met Moriarty for a final confrontation at the Reichenbach Falls. The note revealed Holmes's conviction that the Meiringen letter was a hoax and that he allowed Watson to leave, anticipating the confrontation.
I am pleased to think that I shall be able to free society from any further effects of his presence, though I fear that it is at a cost which will give pain to my friends, and especially, my dear Watson, to you...