I forget that there was an actual murder in The Empty House because this is all I remember.
‘I found my collar-ends undone and the tingling aftertaste of brandy upon my lips. Holmes was bending over my chair, his flask in his hand. “My dear Watson,” said the well-remembered voice, “I owe you a thousand apologies. I had no idea you would be so affected.” I gripped him by the arm.’
‘Again I gripped him by the sleeve and felt the thin, sinewy arm beneath it.’
‘Holmes’s cold, thin fingers closed around my wrist.’
‘My hands put his hand upon my shoulder and his lips close to my ear.’
‘An instant later he pulled me back into the darkest corner of the room, and I felt his warning hand upon my lips. The fingers which clutched me were quivering.’