The Return of Sherlock Holmes · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Return 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
The Adventure of the Empty House
Holmes reveals to Watson that he survived the Reichenbach Fall by using baritsu to escape Moriarty, then hid for three years to allow his enemies to expose themselves. He returns to London and sets a trap using a wax bust of himself in Baker Street to lure Colonel Sebastian Moran, Moriarty's chief of staff, who attempts to assassinate him with an airgun. Holmes and Watson capture Moran, ending the threat.
Chapter 2
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
Holmes and Watson, having reunited at Baker Street, are visited by a frantic young solicitor, John Hector McFarlane, who fears arrest for the murder of builder Jonas Oldacre. The newspaper reports Oldacre's disappearance, a fire at his timber-yard, and bloodstained evidence pointing to McFarlane. Holmes investigates the scene, uncovers inconsistencies, and ultimately reveals that Oldacre has faked his own death and hidden in a secret room, exposing the plot as a malicious scheme to ruin McFarlane.
Chapter 3
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
Holmes demonstrates his deductive reasoning by revealing Watson's thoughts about South African securities. He then receives a visit from Mr. Hilton Cubitt, who presents a mysterious paper covered with dancing stick figures that frighten his wife. Holmes deciphers the cipher, revealing it to be a coded message from Elsie's past. The case culminates in a tragic confrontation where Hilton Cubitt is shot, and the American Abe Slaney is captured. Holmes explains the cipher's solution and the events leading to the tragedy.
Chapter 4
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
Miss Violet Smith, a young music teacher, seeks Holmes's help after being followed by a bearded cyclist while cycling to and from Farnham. She works for Mr. Carruthers and is engaged to Cyril Morton. The case involves the menacing Mr. Woodley and mysterious weekend parties at Charlington Hall. Holmes and Watson investigate, leading to an abduction attempt and a violent confrontation.
Chapter 5
The Adventure of Black Peter
In the year 1895, Sherlock Holmes investigates the brutal murder of Captain Peter Carey, known as Black Peter, who was found pinned to the wall of his cabin with a harpoon. With the help of Inspector Stanley Hopkins and Dr. Watson, Holmes deduces that the killer must have returned to the scene to retrieve something from a logbook. They set an ambush and capture a young man, who is revealed to be the murderer.
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8 more chapter companions sit beside the text in BetterReads — open a free preview to unlock the rest.
8 more companions → free preview- Chapter 6The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
- Chapter 7The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
- Chapter 8The Adventure of the Three Students
- Chapter 9The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
- Chapter 10The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
- Chapter 11The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
- Chapter 12The Adventure of the Second Stain
- Chapter 13List of Illustrations
