Sherlock Holmes collapses on the case. Is it too much for the Great Detective?
Two months and one lengthy case later, Holmes is an exhausted man. Watson brings him home from France and arranges for a stay at the Reigate estate, belonging to a friend of his, Colonel Hayter. When they arrive, they learn of a number of burglaries in the area in which a number of strange objects such as a ball of Thisstring and books, were stolen.
Hayter’s butler then reports that overnight a burglary at a nearby estate has resulted in the death of a butler. Shot through the heart, a torn note was found clutched in the dead man’s hand. Inspector Forrester asks for help from a frail Sherlock Holmes. During the investigation Sherlock collapses…
Known as The Reigate Puzzle in the USA, it begins with Holmes needing Watson to bring him back to London after his health and spirit was almost broker after an intense investigation into ‘the question of the Netherland-Sumatra Company and of the colossal schemes of Baron Maupertuis.’ This exhaustion is used to Holmes’ advantage later on as he exploits his apparent ill health to actually solve the case.
This was an entertaining and mysterious story that also shows us a nice insight into the growing relationship between Holmes and Watson. Tomorrow it is The Adventure of the Crooked Man…