title: Return of Sherlock Holmes I: The Adventure of the Empty House and other stories
author: Arthur Conan, Sir Doyle
description: The lush, romantic notes of an Arthur Foote string quartet welcome listeners to this beautifully produced, thoroughly satisfying rendition of four Holmes stories. English actor David Timson, who has performed six previous Holmes compilations for Naxos, clearly appreciates Conan Doyle's clever writing. Holmes is masterful, but never Basil Rathbonish; Watson is solid, but not stolid; Lestrade is ingratiating, with an accent that reveals his determination to rise socially. Even the minor characters--a stubborn servant, a careful shopkeeper--are placed in context with accents that reveal class and personality. Timson's sensitive pacing and varied intonation make conversations spring to life, intensify dramatic moments, and highlight Conan Doyle's often disregarded humor. The liner, with CD-track detail and story notes written by Timson, is a bonus. A lovely package. A.C.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award &copy; AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- <i>Copyright &#169; AudioFile, Portland, Maine</i>
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  ![cover](resources/_cover_.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  # THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
  
  
  ## BY ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### I. -- The Adventure of the Empty House.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  IT was in the spring of the year 1894 that all London was
  
  
  interested, and the fashionable world dismayed, by the murder of
  
  
  the Honourable Ronald Adair under most unusual and inexplicable
  
  
  circumstances. The public has already learned those particulars
  
  
  of the crime which came out in the police investigation; but a
  
  
  good deal was suppressed upon that occasion, since the case for
  
  
  the prosecution was so overwhelmingly strong that it was not
  
  
  necessary to bring forward all the facts. Only now, at the end
  
  
  of nearly ten years, am I allowed to supply those missing links
  
  
  which make up the whole of that remarkable chain. The crime was
  
  
  of interest in itself, but that interest was as nothing to me
  
  
  compared to the inconceivable sequel, which afforded me the
  
  
  greatest shock and surprise of any eve