Kitty then makes it clear that Violet might end up ruined, or murdered, by Gruner if she continues. Violet still stands firm, and the meeting ends with Holmes narrowly averting a public scene involving the enraged Kitty. Later, Holmes is attacked by two of Gruner's men, and the newspapers imply that he is near death. Watson goes to 221B Baker Street, only to discover that Holmes's injuries have been exaggerated to give the impression that he will be out of action for quite a while. Several days later, Holmes is sufficiently recovered to be out of bed. The Baron is planning a trip to the United States just before the wedding, and will be leaving in three days. Holmes knows that Gruner will take his incriminating book with him, never daring to leave it behind in his study. Holmes orders Watson to learn everything that he can about Chinese pottery in the next 24 hours. The next day, Holmes presents Watson with a fake business card styling him as "Dr. Hill Barton" and an actual piece of Ming pottery, a saucer. He is to go to Baron Gruner's house, pose as a connoisseur of Chinese pottery, and try to sell the saucer. Watson does as Holmes tells him, but cannot fool the Baron for very long. Gruner realises who has sent him. As Watson faces his murderous captor, a noise from another room alerts the Baron, and he rushes into his study just in time to see Holmes jump out of the window, having stolen the book. The Baron rushes to the window, but Kitty Winter, who has been hiding outside, throws oil of vitriol in his face. Watson applies treatment to his injuries until further assistance comes. The Baron is now hideously disfigured, but Holmes says this would not break Violet's attachment. When Violet sees the book of conquests, written in her fiancé's handwriting, she is forced to admit she has been wrong. An announcement in The Morning Post reports the engagement has been called off, and also that vitriol-throwing charges are being pressed against Kitty Winter. Extenuating circumstances reduce her sentence to the lowest possible for such an offence. Publication history "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client" was first published in the US in Collier's in November 1924, and in the UK in The Strand Magazine in February–March 1925. The story was published in Collier's with four illustrations