James Moriarty

Professor James Moriarty is Sherlock Holmes's most famous enemy. A former mathematician, he chose to use his exceptional intellectual skills in the criminal area. Why exactly? We don't know for sure. What we know is that Sherlock sees in him his dark ego, gifted with the same powerful mind, and thus the most dangerous criminal.

The final problem

After his marriage, Watson had seldom opportunities to see Holmes and follow him in his investigations. Lately, he could just read about his work in papers. There have been months since the last contact. And suddenly, in April 1891, turns up a pale, thin and unusually worried Holmes.

The naval treaty

Poor Percy Phelps, Watson's schoolmate, is desperate. A fortnight ago, he was a man with a promising future, betrothed to a beautiful young lady. Now, after a mistake for which no one else is to blame, his career is on the verge of being ruined and his honour definitely stained. Sherlock Holmes is his last hope.

The Greek interpreter

Here comes Mycroft at least!

On a quiet day, while chatting about heredity, an astonished Watson learns that Sherlock does have a brother! Having never heard of a family, he had pictured him alone and orphan... Without any further delay, Sherlock takes him to the very discreet Diogene's club.

The resident patient

Dr Percy Trevelyan is a brilliant physician. Specialist of catalepsy and nervous diseases, he cannot afford to open a practice and works as a researcher. A man named Blessington makes him a generous offer: he will pay for the practice and get in return three quarters of the doctor's earnings. At first, this arrangement turns out to be a good one for both men.

The crooked man

Colonel Barclay, commander of a famous military unit, has been murdered. He was found in a closed room, his wife next to him, very shocked, but otherwise unharmed. As a violent row between them had been heard by the servants, the wife seems the best suspect, the only one, as a matter of fact...

The Reigate squire

Holmes is exhausted after the resolution of a complex case. Three countries were involved, and it took two months of intense work for the genius to sort it out. As always, Holmes is also deeply depressed, because such an opportunity is not likely to come upon him soon.

Watson persuades him to pay a visit to an old friend, met in Afghanistan, Colonel Hayter, who lives near Reigate, in Surrey. The Colonel and Holmes have much in common, and Watson is soon relieved, confident that his friend will take some rest without being too bored. But the fate seems to persist against him: a burglary, and then a murder, is committed in peculiar fashion in two houses of the neighbourhood. 

The Musgrave ritual

Holmes wasn't famous from the start. After having decided to become a private detective -thanks to the unfortunate Mr Trevor, he experimented long period without any case to solve. But there came a former knowledge from the College, Reginald Musgrave, a noble name from an ancient aristocratic family. Two members of his staff disappeared, without any motive or hint of an explanation.

The Gloria Scott

Sherlock Holmes is in a mood for sharing memories. Watson is lucky enough to learn something precious: Holmes very first case (or sort of).

When he was at College, young Sherlock had only one friend, Victor Trevor -met thanks to a collision with a dog... During summer, Holmes was invited to his friend's house, and met his father, a judge, a good and peaceful man.

But Mr Trevor was soon disturbed by Holmes's deductions about his past. And when a sailor came to visit him, an ancient knowledge, the man's distress became pathetic.

The stockbroker's clerk

Hall Pycroft is a reliable and conscientious clerk. However, his last employer, Coxon & Woddhouse, was ruined, and after a few months, the money he could saved ran out. Luck came back when he could get a vacancy at Mawson & Williams great stockbroking firm. Actually, he was lucky enough to receive another offer, too generous to be declined. So generous is the offer, that Mr Pycroft soon become suspicious...

The yellow face

An upset man appears to Baker Street. 3 years ago, Jack Grant Munro married Effie, a young widow, and they lived an happy life together in the countryside, near Norbury.

Both have a comfortable income, the husband’s job leaves him time at home, and they love each other sincerely. But a few days before Mr Munro’s visit to Sherlock Holmes, his wife’s behavior has changed, and that could be linked to another event seemingly trivial: the closest house, unoccupied for some time, is now inhabited.

Silver Blaze

A singular case hit the headlines: Silver Blaze, the favourite for the Wessex Cup, has disappeared and his trainer, John Straker, was found dead. Colonel Ross, owner of the horse and Inspector Gregory, in charge of the enquiry, have both called for Sherlock's help. Holmes and Watson go to Tablestock, Dartmoor, where the events took place.

The copper beeches

Miss Violet Hunter lost her last place as a governess when her former employer moved to Nova Scotia. Unemployed for several months, she is a very well paid job. She has to take care of a child, and that's all. There is only an additional request: she must satisfy certain whims, such as wearing a blue dress, reading before the window...

The beryl coronet

A man comes to Sherlock's office in a state of total panic. He fears to have lost both his honor and his only son. This wealthy client is no less than one of the most famous banker, Alexander Holder. On the previous day, he granted a important loan to a high noble man -whose name he will not say, even to Sherlock Holmes- and received, as a guaranty, the beryl coronet. 

The noble bachelor

The noble name of Lord St Simon, Duke of Balmoral, has been stained by a scandal entertaining gossips. Robert, the second son in his early forties, got married with an American heiress. But the bride chose to disappear just after the ceremony.

The engineer's thumb

A wounded man arrives at Watson's practise, early in the morning. His thumb has been chopped off. Exhausted and confused, he can hardly provide any explanation, but Watson understands that it's a case for Holmes.

The speckled band

A young woman arrives early in the morning, very frightened. Two years ago, her twin sister, who were about to get married, died in strange circumstances, after have heard several times a whistle during the night. Her sister died in her arms, whispering "this is the speckled band". Now, Helen Stoner is about to get married too. And last night, she heard the deadly whistle.

The blue carbuncle

Soon after Christmas, Peterson, a commissionaire, has become the happy owner of a good fat goose, in a unusual way. Even more peculiar is the special gift he finds in its crop: a wonderful big blue gem!

The man with the twisted lip

Poor Mrs Whitney, an old friend from Mary, is despaired: her husband, addicted to opium, disappeared for several days. Watson promises to help and leaves to fetch the guy. But in the lair where he knows he will find him, the doctor has the surprise to meet Sherlock Holmes!

The five orange pips

1887. In the latter days of September, a storm unleashes on London. While Mary Watson is visiting her mother (* see below), John lives for a few days at Baker Street again. Despite the violent weather, a client arrives: young John Openshaw seems to have  inherited a dreadful fate!