The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.
Chapter 1
A Scandal in Bohemia
Sherlock Holmes is hired by the King of Bohemia to retrieve a compromising photograph from Irene Adler, a former lover. Holmes employs elaborate disguises and a staged street fire to discover the photograph's hiding place, but Adler outwits him, fleeing the country with her new husband and leaving behind a letter and her portrait for Holmes. Holmes is deeply impressed by her intellect, and she becomes 'the woman' in his eyes.
Chapter 2
A Scandal in Bohemia
Dr. Watson, now married and in private practice, visits his old friend Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street after a long absence. Holmes demonstrates his powers of observation by deducing details of Watson's recent activities. A mysterious masked client arrives with a note of introduction. After initial concealment, the client reveals himself to be Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, the hereditary King of Bohemia. He seeks Holmes's help in recovering a compromising photograph of himself with the retired opera singer and adventuress, Irene Adler, with whom he had a past entanglement, to prevent a scandal that could threaten his impending royal marriage.
Chapter 3
II
Holmes, disguised as a disreputable groom, investigates Briony Lodge and learns of Irene Adler's routine and her frequent visitor, Godfrey Norton. That evening, Holmes and Watson stage a street brawl and a false fire alarm at the Lodge. Holmes, feigning injury, is taken inside and observes Adler's instinctive reaction to the cry of 'Fire,' which reveals the hiding place of the photograph.
Chapter 4
A Scandal in Bohemia: Chapter III
Holmes, Watson, and the King of Bohemia return to Briony Lodge, only to discover Irene Adler has fled the country with her new husband, Godfrey Norton. She leaves behind a letter for Holmes, revealing she saw through his disguise during the street fire ruse. She assures the King the incriminating photograph will not be used against him, as she loves another. Holmes, though outwitted, requests and receives Adler's portrait as his sole reward, and she earns his lasting respect.
Chapter 5
The Redheaded League
Dr. Watson visits Sherlock Holmes and finds him with a new client, the redheaded pawnbroker Jabez Wilson. Wilson recounts the bizarre story of how he was hired by the 'Redheaded League' for a well-paid, nominal job copying the Encyclopaedia Britannica, only for the League to suddenly vanish. Holmes deduces key facts about Wilson from his appearance and, after hearing the full story, visits Wilson's shop to examine his assistant, Vincent Spaulding, and the surrounding area, hinting at a deeper criminal scheme.
Free preview
10 more chapter companions sit beside the text in BetterReads — open a free preview to unlock the rest.
10 more companions → free preview- Chapter 6A Case of Identity
- Chapter 7The Boscombe Valley Mystery
- Chapter 8The Five Orange Pips
- Chapter 9The Man with the Twisted Lip
- Chapter 10The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
- Chapter 11The Adventure of the Speckled Band
- Chapter 12The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb
- Chapter 13The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
- Chapter 14The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
- Chapter 15The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
