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His Last Bow
by Arthur Conan Doyle
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.
Contents
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot The Adventure of the Red Circle The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax The Adventure of the Dying Detective His Last Bow: The War Service of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge
The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles The Tiger of San Pedro
1. The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles
I find it recorded in my notebook that it was a bleak and windy day towards the end of March in the year 1892. Holmes had received a telegram while we sat at our lunch, and he had scribbled a reply. He made no remark, but the matter remained in his thoughts, for he stood in front of the fire afterwards with a thoughtful face, smoking his pipe, and casting an occasional glance at the message. Suddenly he turned upon me with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
“I suppose, Watson, we must look upon you as a man of letters,” said he. “How do you define the word ‘grotesque’?”
“Strange—remarkable,” I suggested.