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Sherlock Holmes

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle

A1 · English · Free ?

Original English: B2 (indicative) ?

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes gathers Dr. Watson's accounts of the detective's most memorable early investigations. Holmes untangles a dark family secret in The Gloria Scott, exposes ingenious frauds and cruel domestic plots, recovers a vital stolen government document in The Naval Treaty, and reads guilt from the smallest of clues in cases of blackmail, disguise, and murder. The stories showcase his cold logic, disguises, and theatrical revelations, along with glimpses of his past and his formidable brother Mycroft. The collection famously concludes with The Final Problem, in which Holmes confronts his intellectual equal, the criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty. Pursued across Europe, the two grapple at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland, where they appear to plunge together to their deaths, a stunning ending that seemed, at the time of publication, to close forever the career of the world's greatest consulting detective.

General English edition: simplified and original readings, with word and culture notes. No translations.

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“I am sorry, Watson. I must go,” said Holmes. We were having breakfast together one morning.

“Go! Where to?”

“To Dartmoor; to King’s Pyland.”

I was not surprised. I only wondered why he was not already part of this case. Everyone in England talked about it. For a whole day, my friend walked around the room. His chin was on his chest. His brows were knitted. He filled his pipe again and again with strong black tobacco. He did not hear my questions or remarks. New papers came from the news agent. He glanced at them and threw them in a corner. Still, I knew what he was thinking about. Only one problem could test his skill. It was the strange disappearance of the favorite for the Wessex Cup. The trainer had also been murdered. So when he suddenly said he would go to the scene, I was not surprised. It was what I had both expected and hoped for.

“I would be happy to go with you. Only if I am not in the way,” said I.

“My dear Watson, you would do me a great favor. Come with me. I think your time will not be wasted. This case has points that make it very unique. I think we have just enough time to catch our train at Paddington. I will tell you more on the journey. Please bring your very good field-glass.”

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