The Final Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Introduction

His Last Bow, published in 1917, is the fourth collection of short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson. Unlike earlier collections, it spans stories written between 1908 and 1917, many of which reflect the shifting world of the early 20th century. The title story, set on the eve of the First World War, depicts Holmes in retirement, returning to service for one last patriotic mission.

Stories Included

The collection contains eight stories:

1. The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge
2. The Adventure of the Cardboard Box*
3. The Adventure of the Red Circle
4. The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans
5. The Adventure of the Dying Detective
6. The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax
7. The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot
8. His Last Bow: The War Service of Sherlock Holmes

* Note: “The Cardboard Box” originally appeared in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes but was later reprinted here in some editions.

Publication History

The stories were published in magazines such as The Strand between 1908 and 1917, then collected in book form in 1917 by John Murray (UK) and George H. Doran (US). The collection is distinctive for blending traditional detective plots with contemporary concerns, particularly espionage and international conflict on the eve of the First World War.

Significance

His Last Bow shows Holmes adapting to a new century. In “The Bruce-Partington Plans,” espionage threatens national security; in “His Last Bow,” Holmes emerges from retirement to outwit a German agent, symbolising the detective’s enduring relevance. The collection reflects Doyle’s patriotism and acknowledges Holmes’s role not just as a consulting detective but as a servant of the British nation.

Adaptations

• Granada Television (1980s–1990s): Jeremy Brett’s Holmes starred in adaptations of most of these stories, including “The Bruce-Partington Plans” and “His Last Bow.”
• BBC Radio: The stories were dramatised as part of the long-running radio series featuring Carleton Hobbs and later Clive Merrison as Holmes.
• Modern Influence: “His Last Bow” is often cited in adaptations that bring Holmes into the 20th century, including BBC’s Sherlock and the Guy Ritchie films.

Conclusion

His Last Bow captures Holmes in transition — older, wiser, and engaged with global events. The collection bridges Victorian detective fiction and modern spy narratives, proving Holmes’s adaptability and Doyle’s awareness of a rapidly changing world. It stands as both a continuation of beloved mysteries and a poignant farewell to the detective in the years of global upheaval.