# The Reigate Puzzle explained — The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

> Chapter companion for The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.

## What happens

Holmes, recovering from exhaustion after a major case, joins Watson at Colonel Hayter's country home near Reigate. A local burglary at Mr. Acton's house is followed by the murder of William Kirwan at the Cunningham estate. Holmes, despite his weakened state, deduces that the crime was committed by the Cunninghams themselves, using a torn scrap of paper written in two hands to expose their guilt.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reason and Deduction

Holmes uses handwriting analysis and logical inference to identify the Cunninghams as the murderers.

### Secrecy and Deception

The Cunninghams attempt to conceal their crime by staging a burglary and lying about the events.

### Crime and Justice

The murder of William Kirwan and the subsequent investigation highlight the pursuit of justice in a rural setting.

## Character check-ins

### Sherlock Holmes

Recovering from nervous prostration after the Netherland-Sumatra case; demonstrates deductive brilliance despite illness.

### Dr. Watson

Accompanies Holmes to Reigate for rest; assists in the investigation and takes blame for Holmes's deliberate distraction.

### Colonel Hayter

Hosts Holmes and Watson; a fine old soldier and friend of Watson from Afghanistan.

### Old Cunningham

Local magistrate; one of the murderers, exposed by Holmes through analysis of the torn note.

### Alec Cunningham

Son of Old Cunningham; complicit in the murder and burglary, revealed by Holmes's deductions.

### William Kirwan

The coachman murdered at the Cunningham house; found with a scrap of paper in his hand.

## Key lines

> It is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to recognize, out of a number of facts, which are incidental and which vital.

The key skill in detective work is distinguishing essential facts from irrelevant ones.

_Holmes explains his method to the group._

> I make a point of never having any prejudices, and of following docilely wherever fact may lead me

I avoid bias and let evidence guide my conclusions.

_Holmes describes his impartial approach to investigation._

> there cannot be the least doubt in the world that it has been written by two persons doing alternate words.

The note was clearly written by two people taking turns writing each word.

_Holmes reveals the dual authorship of the torn paper._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-reigate-puzzle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters