The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes is the final collection of twelve detective stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. The tales present varied mysteries and puzzles solved through observation and deduction; most are narrated by Watson, and a few by Holmes. It is worth reading for its elegant style and a farewell glimpse of the detective.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
THE CASE-BOOK OF
SHERLOCK HOLMES
BY ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
LONDON
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.
First Published 1927
PREFACE
I fear that Mr. Sherlock Holmes may become like one of those popular tenors who, having outlived their time, are still tempted to make repeated farewell bows to their indulgent audiences. This must cease and he must go the way of all flesh, material or imaginary. One likes to think that there is some fantastic limbo for the children of imagination, some strange, impossible place where the beaux of Fielding may still make love to the belles of Richardson, where
Scott's heroes still may strut, Dickens's delightful Cockneys still raise a laugh, and Thackeray's worldlings continue to carry on their reprehensible careers.
Perhaps in some humble corner of such a Valhalla, Sherlock and his Watson may for a time find a place, while some more astute sleuth with some even less astute comrade may fill the stage which they have vacated.
His career has been a long one—though it is possible to exaggerate it; decrepit gentlemen who approach me and declare that his adventures formed
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