An Analysis Of The Adventure Of The Empty House

The Adventure of the Empty House by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was written in 1985. This story was extremely exciting because it involved two mysteries in one. The first mystery was to figure out who murdered Ronald Adair? , and the second was to figure out who was out to kill Sherlock Holmes?

In the beginning of the story, you learn that Holmes has been gone for three years from his supposed "death" at the hands of Moriarty. Holmes discusses with Watson how he escaped his death with nemesis Professor Moriarty, "He drew no weapon, but he rushed at me and threw his long arms around me. He knew that his own game was up, and was only anxious to revenge himself upon me. We tottered together upon the brink of the fall. I have some knowledge, however, of baritsu, or the Japanese system of wrestling, which has more than once been very useful to me. I slipped through his grip, and he with a horrible scream kicked madly for a few seconds, and clawed the air with both his hands. But of all his efforts he could not get his balance, and over he went" (298). After Holmes discusses with Watson his escape from death, the usual story structure happens.

According to our notes, on the basic structure of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, a visitor is supposed to arrive. In this story, Sherlock Holmes would be the visitor. Watson not knowing that Holmes is still alive is extremely shocked by his return, "I moved my head to look at the cabinet behind me. When I turned again, Sherlock Holmes was standing smiling at me across my study table. I rose to my feet, stared at him for some seconds in utter amazement, and then it appears that I must have fainted for the first and the last time in my life" (296).

The story structure continues with the story being told and the problem presented. In The Adventure of the Empty House, the case presented is the murder of Ronald Adair. Ronald Adair was the second son of the Earl of Maynooth, the governor at the time of Australian colonies, who was "mutilated" by an expanding revolver bullet. Watson goes on to say, "On the evening of the crime, he returned from the club exactly at ten. His mother and sister were out spending the evening with a relation. The servant disposed that she heard him enter the front room on the second floor, generally used as a sitting-room. She had lit a fire there, and as it smoked she had opened the window. No sound was heard from the room until eleven-twenty, the hour of the return of Lady Maynooth and her daughter. Desiring to say good-night, she attempted to enter her son's room. The door was locked on the inside, and no answer could be got to their cries and knocking. Help was obtained, and the door forced. The unfortunate young man was found lying hear the table..." (294). Watson and Holmes discuss more about the case and then they dash out, "Let that suffice until half-past nine, when we start upon the notable adventure of the empty house. It was indeed like old times when, at