“My first movement, Watson,’ said he, “must be in the direction of Blackheath’” — illustration to Arthur Conan Doyle's “The Adventure of the Norwood Builder” by Sidney Paget

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“My first movement, Watson,” said he, “must be in the direction of Blackheath”

Sidney Paget

1893

Photographic reproduction of ink or watercolor on paper

Illustration for Arthur Conan Doyle's “The Adventure of the Norwood Builder,” p. 470.

Note how Paget has depicted Holmes as an elegant Victorian gentleman with watch chain and silk hat. No deerstalker here. That's for the country.

See below for passage illustrated

Formatting and text by George P. Landow

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Passage illustrated

"My first movement, Watson," said he, as he bustled into his frockcoat, "must, as I said, be in the direction of Blackheath."

"And why not Norwood?"

"Because we have in this case one singular incident coming close to the heels of another singular incident. The police are making the mistake of concentrating their attention upon the second, because it happens to be the one which is actually criminal. But it is evident to me that the logical way to approach the case is to begin by trying to throw some light upon the first incident—the curious will, so suddenly made, and to so unexpected an heir. It may do something to simplify what followed. No, my dear fellow, I don't think you can help me. There is no prospect of danger, or I should not dream of stirring out without you. I trust that when I see you in the evening, I will be able to report that I have been able to do something for this unfortunate youngster, who has thrown himself upon my protection."

Bibliography

Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes. “Reproduced from the original publication in The Strand Magazine with the classic illustrations by Sidney Paget.” Edison, New Jersey: Castle Books, [after 1954]. Internet Archive version of a copy donated by Friends of the San Francisco Library. Web.

Last modified 13 December 2013