Section 1, A Scandal in Bohemia Summary

"A Scandal in Bohemia" is the first short story in the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Watson narrates the story and it begins some time after the second Sherlock Holmes novel, The Sign of Four. Watson is now married and his domestic bliss and medical practice has kept him so busy that he hasn't seen very much of Holmes. On March 20th, 1888, however, as Watson happened to be passing by Holmes address at 221B Baker Street, he decides that he should go upstairs and visit his old friend.

Once upstairs, Holmes welcomes Watson warmly and is clearly happy to see the doctor. Holmes quickly deduces from Watson's appearance facts about the state of his married life. Sherlock them moves to a letter that he has just received that says a man with a mask will...