The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle                                   A Sherlock Holmes short story

The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor is part of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes collection.(The sixth story, chronologically, in the complete Sherlock Holmes canon.)

Holmes takes the case that every detective must eventually solve – the disappearing bride (or groom in some instances). The abandoned groom is an illustrious personage, British lord, and the disappearing bride is an American commoner, but newly enriched heiress who disappears almost immediately – before the marriage is consummated – fortunately. (bit of a spoiler that, IF…you have Holmes’ power of deduction.

Holmes was a bit different in this adventure – more gregarious than he’s been before. In one respect, that made feel more pleasant, but perhaps less fun as Holmes lacked his usual contempt and biting sarcasm. He still manages to infuriate and embarrass inspector Lestrade. 

I liked this adventure. It is very short.

Few excerpts I liked:

Holmes on opening what looks like an invitation to a social event:

This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.

To an American, after the case is solved:

It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a Minister in fargone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes.

To Watson, the closing line:

Draw your chair up, and hand me my violin, for the only problem which we have still to solve is how to while away these bleak autumnal evenings.

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