13. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
In February, 1905, the most recent thirteen short stories appeared in a compilation, with the title The Return of Sherlock Holmes. Published first in America, and a month later in London, it was the first Holmes book since the Hound of the Baskervilles. In the British edition, the Sidney Paget illustrations for the stories were retained. The American edition used those which appeared in Collier’s Magazine. The thirteen stories presented the diverse range of clients who appealed to Holmes for assistance, which ranged from school principals to a fictional Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The book sold well in both countries, despite the stories’ earlier appearances in magazines.
Following the publication of The Return of Sherlock Holmes Doyle again took a break from the character. He gave no indication he intended to do so, and the public outcry which followed the death of Holmes did not arise, though The Strand Magazine received scores of letters in which the writers mentioned the absence of Holmes and Watson. The Return of Sherlock Holmes also featured one of the last appearances of Inspector Lestrade in the series. The somewhat inept Scotland Yard detective was mentioned by other characters in subsequent stories, but he last consulted with Holmes in The Adventure of the Six Napoleons. The story appeared in The Strand and Collier’s in 1904.
