Holmes, who first appeared in publication in 1887, was featured in four novels and 56 short stories. The first novel, A Study in Scarlet, appeared in Beeton's Christmas Annual in 1887 and the second, The Sign of the Four, in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1890.
The character grew tremendously in popularity with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine, beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" in 1891; further series of short stories and two novels published in serial form appeared between then and 1927. The stories cover a period from around 1880 up to 1914.
In an unreleased story, SYNDICATE ENDS A CITY, Holmes and Watson received a mysterious letter...
Holmes : Who sent the letter?
Watson : TRACY P. MAX
Holmes : What else did he leave behind?
Watson : He dropped this...
Holmes : Let's hurry, we have to uncover his plan before he turns funeral into real fun...