Article #221-2 | Gutenberg Articles

Excerpt

Excerpt from The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle

I.--The Adventure of the Empty House.

IT was in the spring of the year 1894 that all London was interested,
and the fashionable world dismayed, by the murder of the Honourable
Ronald Adair under most unusual and inexplicable circumstances. The
public has already learned those particulars of the crime which came out
in the police investigation; but a good deal was suppressed upon that
occasion, since the case for the prosecution was so overwhelmingly
strong that it was not necessary to bring forward all the facts. Only
now, at the end of nearly ten years, am I allowed to supply those
missing links which make up the whole of that remarkable chain. The
crime was of interest in itself, but that interest was as nothing to
me compared to the inconceivable sequel, which afforded me the greatest
shock and surprise of any event in my adventurous life. Even now,
after this long interval, I find myself thrilling as I think of it, and
feeling once more that sudden flood of joy, amazement, and incredulity
which utterly submerged my mind. Let me say to that public which has
shown some interest in those glimpses which I have occasionally given
them of the thoughts and actions of a very remarkable man that they
are not to blame me if I have not shared my knowledge with them, for I
should have considered it my first duty to have done so had I not been
barred by a positive prohibition from his own lips, which was only
withdrawn upon the third of last month.

It can be imagined that my close intimacy with Sherlock Holmes had
interested me deeply in crime, and that after his disappearance I never
failed to read with care the various problems which came before
the public, and I even attempted more than once for my own private
satisfaction to employ his methods in their solution, though with
indifferent success. There was none, however, which appealed to me like
this tragedy of Ronald Adair. As I read the evidence at the inquest,
which led up to a verdict of wilful murder against some person or
persons unknown, I realized more clearly than I had ever done the loss
which the community had sustained by the death of Sherlock Holmes. There
were points about this strange business which would, I was sure, have
specially appealed to him, and the efforts of the police would have been
supplemented, or more probably anticipated, by the trained observation
and the alert mind of the first criminal agent in Europe. All day as
I drove upon my round I turned over the case in my mind, and found no
explanation which appeared to me to be adequate. At the risk of telling
a twice-told tale I will recapitulate the facts as they were known to
the public at the conclusion of the inquest.

Explanation

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Return of Sherlock Holmes – "The Adventure of the Empty House"

1. Context of the Source

This excerpt is the opening of "The Adventure of the Empty House," the first story in The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1903) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The collection marks Holmes’ dramatic return after his apparent death in "The Final Problem" (1893), where he and his nemesis, Professor Moriarty, seemingly perished at Reichenbach Falls.

The story is narrated by Dr. John H. Watson, Holmes’ loyal friend and chronicler. The murder of Ronald Adair, a young aristocrat, serves as the case that draws Holmes back into action—though the real mystery is not just the crime itself, but Holmes’ miraculous survival and reappearance.

2. Summary of the Excerpt

Watson begins by setting the scene in 1894, when London was captivated by the bizarre murder of Ronald Adair, a case that remained unsolved. He explains that while some details were made public during the police investigation, key facts were withheld because the evidence against the (unknown) culprit was already overwhelming. Now, nearly ten years later, Watson is finally permitted to reveal the full truth—implying that Holmes had forbidden him from disclosing certain details until now.

Watson reflects on how deeply his association with Holmes had shaped his interest in crime, and how, after Holmes’ disappearance, he tried (unsuccessfully) to apply Holmes’ methods to other cases. The Adair murder, however, stands out as particularly perplexing—a case that Holmes, had he been alive, would have solved effortlessly. Watson recaps the known facts (though the full details are not yet given in this excerpt), emphasizing the mystery’s strangeness and the public’s frustration at the lack of answers.

The passage ends with Watson preparing to reconstruct the case as it was known at the time, hinting that the real revelation—the return of Sherlock Holmes—is yet to come.

3. Key Themes

A. The Myth of Sherlock Holmes

The excerpt reinforces Holmes’ legendary status. Watson describes him as "the first criminal agent in Europe," framing him as an almost superhuman figure whose absence has left a void in justice.
The idea that London itself is diminished without Holmes suggests that he is not just a detective but a symbol of order and intellect in a chaotic world.
The suppression of facts for years adds to the mystique—Holmes’ methods and influence are so powerful that even Watson must obey his commands in silence.

B. The Unreliable Narrator & Selective Truth

Watson admits that not all facts were disclosed at the time, raising questions about what was hidden and why.
His personal investment in Holmes ("my close intimacy with Sherlock Holmes had interested me deeply in crime") suggests that his narration is not entirely objective—he is emotionally tied to Holmes’ legacy.
The delayed revelation (ten years later) creates dramatic tension, making the reader wonder: Why now? What changed?

C. The Allure of the Unsolved Mystery

The Adair case is presented as an enigma that defies conventional explanation, making it the perfect vehicle for Holmes’ return.
Watson’s failed attempts to solve cases without Holmes highlight the irreplaceable nature of genius, reinforcing the idea that some problems require extraordinary minds.
The public’s fascination with the crime mirrors the reader’s curiosity—both are eager for resolution, setting up Holmes’ reappearance as a triumphant moment.

D. Death and Resurrection

The underlying theme is rebirth. Holmes’ "death" at Reichenbach was a fake-out, and this story marks his return from the dead.
The ten-year gap (1894–1903) mirrors a biblical or mythic resurrection, reinforcing Holmes’ larger-than-life status.
Watson’s emotional language ("a sudden flood of joy, amazement, and incredulity") suggests that Holmes’ return is not just a plot twist but a personal and cultural revival.

4. Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices

A. Foreshadowing & Suspense

The phrase "the inconceivable sequel" hints at Holmes’ return without revealing it outright.
Watson’s delayed disclosure ("only now… am I allowed to supply those missing links") creates anticipation—the reader knows something major is coming.
The mystery of the suppressed facts makes the reader actively engage with the text, wondering what was hidden.

B. Dramatic Irony

The reader (especially in 1903) would have known that Holmes was alive, having read "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1901–02), which was set before his "death."
Watson, however, writes as if Holmes’ return is a shock, creating a dual perspective—the reader is in on the secret, while Watson (as narrator) plays along with the reveal.

C. Hyperbole & Elevated Language

Holmes is described in superlative terms: "the first criminal agent in Europe," "trained observation and alert mind."
Watson’s emotional outburst ("thrilling as I think of it") humanizes the narrative, making the reader feel the weight of the moment.
The formal, almost Victorian prose ("It can be imagined that…") gives the story a historical gravitas, reinforcing its status as a classic detective tale.

D. Metaphor & Imagery

The "remarkable chain" of events suggests a puzzle waiting to be solved, with each "link" representing a clue.
The "flood of joy, amazement, and incredulity" is a tidal metaphor, conveying the overwhelming nature of Holmes’ return.
The "loss which the community had sustained" frames Holmes as a public figure, not just a private detective.

E. Narrative Framing

Watson directly addresses the "public", breaking the fourth wall and inviting the reader into the story.
The reconstruction of past events ("at the risk of telling a twice-told tale") mimics Holmes’ own method of revisiting clues to find new meanings.
The shift from past to present tense ("Even now… I find myself thrilling") blurs time, making the past feel immediate.

5. Significance of the Passage

A. Holmes’ Return as a Cultural Event

This story revived Sherlock Holmes after Conan Doyle had killed him off, responding to public demand (fans had mourned Holmes’ death, and Doyle was pressured to bring him back).
The mystery of the Empty House (where Holmes reveals he survived) becomes a meta-commentary on resurrection in literature.

B. The Detective as a Mythic Figure

Holmes is more than a man—he is an idea, a force of reason in an irrational world.
His return reaffirms faith in logic and justice, contrasting with the chaos of unsolved crimes (like Adair’s murder).

C. The Role of the Watson Narrator

Watson’s humble, admiring voice makes Holmes’ genius more accessible—the reader sees Holmes through the eyes of an everyman.
His failed attempts at detection highlight Holmes’ uniqueness, reinforcing the master-apprentice dynamic.

D. The Birth of the "Comeback" Trope

This story pioneered the "fake death and return" trope, later used in comics (Superman, Batman), TV (Sherlock, Doctor Who), and film.
The delayed revelation (ten years later) sets a precedent for long-form storytelling where secrets are kept for dramatic effect.

6. Close Reading of Key Lines

"The crime was of interest in itself, but that interest was as nothing to me compared to the inconceivable sequel…"
- The "inconceivable sequel" is Holmes’ return—the real mystery is not the murder, but the detective’s resurrection.
- The phrase "as nothing" emphasizes that Holmes’ presence overshadows the crime itself.
"I should have considered it my first duty to have done so had I not been barred by a positive prohibition from his own lips…"
- Holmes controls the narrative—even in absence, his authority is absolute.
- The "prohibition" adds mystery and discipline, suggesting Holmes had a grand plan all along.
"There were points about this strange business which would, I was sure, have specially appealed to him…"
- Watson projects Holmes’ thoughts, showing how deeply he understands his friend’s mind.
- The "strange business" foreshadows that this case is unlike any other—it will defy expectations.
"All day as I drove upon my round I turned over the case in my mind, and found no explanation which appeared to me to be adequate."
- Watson’s meditative state mirrors the reader’s own puzzlement.
- His failure to solve it sets up Holmes as the only one who can.

7. Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters

This opening is not just a setup for a mystery—it is a literary resurrection. Conan Doyle uses Watson’s nostalgic, awestruck voice to:

Reintroduce Holmes as a legendary figure.
Tease the reader with unanswered questions (What was suppressed? How did Holmes survive?).
Reaffirm the power of detective fiction as a genre where logic triumphs over chaos.

The real crime here is not Adair’s murder, but the absence of Sherlock Holmes—and this excerpt promises his glorious return.

Final Thought:

The genius of this passage lies in how it manipulates the reader’s expectations. We think we’re being set up for a murder mystery, but we’re actually being prepared for the return of a hero. In doing so, Conan Doyle transcends the detective genre and turns Holmes into a timeless myth.

Questions

Question 1

The narrator’s description of his emotional response to "the inconceivable sequel" serves primarily to:

A. underscore the gravity of Ronald Adair’s murder as an unsolved crime that haunts the public conscience.
B. signal the personal and existential weight of an event that transcends the immediate details of the case.
C. critique the inadequacies of Scotland Yard’s investigative methods in comparison to Holmes’ deductive brilliance.
D. establish Watson’s unreliability as a narrator by revealing his tendency toward melodramatic exaggeration.
E. foreshadow the legal and ethical dilemmas that will arise from the suppressed evidence in the Adair case.

Question 2

The phrase "a positive prohibition from his own lips" is most effectively interpreted as an example of:

A. Watson’s passive submission to Holmes’ authoritarian control, revealing a power imbalance in their relationship.
B. a narrative contrivance to justify the withholding of information, undermining the story’s claim to realism.
C. the mythologizing of Holmes as a figure whose commands carry an almost sacred, unquestionable authority.
D. Conan Doyle’s meta-commentary on the ethical obligations of a biographer to respect a subject’s privacy.
E. a red herring designed to misdirect the reader from the true significance of the Adair murder’s peculiarities.

Question 3

The passage’s repeated emphasis on the "suppression" of facts during the original investigation is most plausibly intended to:

A. imply that the police were complicit in a cover-up to protect a powerful individual or institution.
B. suggest that Watson himself participated in the concealment of evidence, casting doubt on his credibility.
C. highlight the inefficiency of Victorian legal procedures, which prioritized expediency over thoroughness.
D. create a sense of narrative economy by justifying why certain details are only now being revealed.
E. amplify the mystique of Holmes’ methods by framing the full truth as something only he could unveil in its proper time.

Question 4

Watson’s assertion that "the loss which the community had sustained by the death of Sherlock Holmes" was uniquely felt in the Adair case primarily functions to:

A. provide a transition into a detailed reconstruction of the murder, grounding the narrative in factual specificity.
B. elevate Holmes from a mere detective to a symbolic figure whose absence disrupts the moral and intellectual order.
C. contrast the public’s fleeting fascination with crime against Watson’s enduring personal investment in justice.
D. introduce a thematic critique of society’s over-reliance on exceptional individuals to solve systemic problems.
E. foreshadow that Adair’s murder will ultimately be revealed as a crime orchestrated by Moriarty’s residual network.

Question 5

The passage’s closing sentence—"At the risk of telling a twice-told tale I will recapitulate the facts as they were known to the public at the conclusion of the inquest"—is most richly understood as:

A. a self-deprecating acknowledgment of Watson’s tendency to repeat himself, undercutting his authority as a narrator.
B. an ironic nod to the reader’s prior knowledge of Holmes’ survival, creating a layer of dramatic irony.
C. a literal warning that the subsequent details will be familiar to those who followed the case in the press.
D. a subtle indication that Watson’s recollection of the facts may be flawed or selectively remembered.
E. a performative act of reconstruction that mirrors Holmes’ own method of revisiting evidence to extract new meaning.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: B

Why B is most correct: The narrator’s emotional response—"a sudden flood of joy, amazement, and incredulity"—is disproportionate to the Adair murder itself, which he acknowledges was merely "of interest." Instead, the language signals that the "inconceivable sequel" (Holmes’ return) carries personal and existential weight, transcending the case’s procedural details. The passage frames this event as life-altering for Watson, elevating it to a moment of profound revelation rather than a mere plot development.