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John Hector MacFarlane bursts into Sherlock Holmes' room in a state of panic, claiming to be accused of murder.
MacFarlane pleads for Holmes' help, fearing that he will be arrested for the murder of Jonas Oldacre.
Holmes reads a newspaper article about the mysterious case, which implicates MacFarlane in the crime.
MacFarlane is arrested on suspicion of murder, based on the evidence found at the crime scene.
Holmes promises to help MacFarlane and asks him to tell his story slowly and calmly.
MacFarlane reveals that Jonas Oldacre, the murder victim, had received a late-night visitor, implicating himself in the crime.
MacFarlane fears that he will be framed for the murder, as he believes the evidence leads straight to him.
Holmes expresses his interest in the case and assures MacFarlane that he will do everything possible to clear his name.
Holmes and Watson delve into the details of the case, determined to uncover the truth and save MacFarlane from a wrongful conviction.
A man named Hilton Cubitt seeks Holmes' assistance with a peculiar case. He explains that his wife, Elsie, has been receiving strange drawings of dancing men, which have caused her great distress. Holmes examines the drawings and promises to help.
Holmes advises Cubitt to keep a close eye on any strangers in the area and to take note of any new dancing men drawings. When new drawings appear, Cubitt contacts Holmes again, revealing that no strangers have been seen and provides him with copies of the drawings.
After studying the drawings, Holmes determines there is a hidden message within them. He realizes that they are a substitution cipher, and he deciphers the code to reveal a message. Holmes deduces that the culprit is someone close to Cubitt and instructs him to speak openly to his wife. Later, Cubitt returns with new information, including an encounter with the man responsible for the drawings. Holmes assures Cubitt of his assistance and tells him to keep a close eye on the situation.
Miss Violet Smith, a music teacher, seeks Holmes' advice regarding a strange man who follows her on her bicycle every Saturday and Monday. Holmes deduces that the man takes a footpath leading to Charlington Hall. He instructs Watson to observe the hall and its occupants. Watson reports back that the hall is in a state of gloom and decay, and he observes a man with a black beard following Miss Smith. The man disappears into the hall grounds. Holmes concludes that something sinister is happening at Charlington Hall.
Holmes advises Watson to continue investigating. Watson keeps watch at Charlington Heath and witnesses Miss Smith encounter the mysterious cyclist again. She confronts him, causing him to flee. Holmes deduces that the man lives at Charlington Hall. Watson also discovers that the hall is surrounded by a dense shrubbery, making it difficult to observe any further. Holmes decides to seek more information about Charlington Hall and its occupants from a firm in Palmaal.
Holmes and Watson visit the firm in Palmaal and learn that Charlington Hall is unoccupied, and the property is managed by a Mrs. Dixon. They also discover that the previous tenant of the hall, Mr. Carruthers, is a wealthy man interested in South African gold shares. Holmes suspects a secret connection between Carruthers and the sinister events. He instructs Watson to continue monitoring the hall, where they expect more developments to unfold.
The Duke of Holden-S sends his son to the prestigious Charlington Hall preparatory school. The boy mysteriously disappears, along with one of the German masters, Heidegger. The police have made no progress in the case.
Sherlock Holmes examines the priory school grounds and finds a bicycle track leading away from the school. However, he determines that it is not the bicycle used by the missing boy or the German master. Holmes and Dr. Watson continue their search across the moor.
Holmes and Watson find the bicycle belonging to the German master, but the rider has been killed. Holmes examines the body but is unsure of the significance of the discovery. He is determined to continue his investigation despite the lack of progress.
Captain Peter Carey, a retired seal and whale fisher, is found dead. His household consists of his wife, his daughter, and two female servants. Carey was known for his violent behavior and had a reputation as a dangerous man. The initial investigation uncovers a tobacco pouch with Carey's initials, but no pipe is found. Inspector Hopkins expresses his frustration at the lack of progress in the case and asks for Holmes' assistance.
Holmes examines the evidence, including the tobacco pouch, and suggests it as a starting point for the investigation. He joins Hopkins at Woodman's Lee, where they learn more about Carey's history and violent tendencies. Holmes is intrigued by the case and offers his support to Hopkins. They begin their investigation, hoping to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of Captain Peter Carey.
The episode revolves around the murder of Captain Peter Carey, a despised neighbor known as Black Peter. The investigation focuses on a young man named John Neligan, who claims to be innocent. Suspicion is later shifted to Patrick Cairns, a seaman aboard the Sea Unicorn, who reveals that he killed Carey in self-defense after an argument. Holmes uncovers compelling evidence, such as a blood-stained notebook, leading to Cairns' arrest. Hopkins, the inspector, acknowledges Holmes' superior deduction skills and expresses gratitude for his involvement.
Holmes utilizes alternative thinking by considering the possibility of another culprit besides Neligan, leading him to Cairns. Through interviews, Holmes extracts vital information regarding the murder and uncovers a motive related to stolen securities. After a tense stakeout, Holmes apprehends Cairns, who confesses to the crime and justifies his actions as self-defense. Holmes's unconventional methods and attention to detail result in a swift and successful resolution.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Book 6, Part 1
Title: The Return of Sherlock Holmes
Overview: The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a 1905 collection of 13 Sherlock Holmes stories, originally published in 1903–1904, by Arthur Conan Doyle. The stories were published in the Strand Magazine in Britain and Collier's in the United States. The book was first published in February 1905 by McClure, Phillips & Co. (New York). then on 7 March 1905 by Georges Newnes, Ltd. It was the first Holmes collection since 1893 when Holmes had "died" in "The Final Problem". Having published The Hound of the Baskervilles, set before Holmes's "death", in 1901–1902, Doyle had come under intense pressure to revive the character. The first story, set in 1894, has Holmes returning to London and explaining the period from 1891–1894. Also of note is Watson's statement in the last story in the book that Holmes has retired and has forbidden him to publish any more stories (although again, two more collections and a novel appeared later).
Published: 1905
Series: Sherlock Holmes
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: Detective, Detective Fiction, Mystery & Suspense, Novel, Mystery, Detective Novel, Crime Fiction
Episode: The Return of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Book 6, Part 1
Part: 1 of 2
Length Part: 5:52:39
Book: 6
Length Book: 11:51:17
Episodes: 1 - 7 of 14
Narrator: David Clarke
Language: English
Edition: Unabridged Audiobook
Keywords: sherlock, holmes, detective, mystery, suspense, deduction, logic
Credits: All LibriVox Recordings are in the Public Domain. Wikipedia (c) Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. WOMBO Dream.
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