A Challenging Sherlock Holmes Trivia Question

This question is not original. I found it in a list of questions used for a 'College Bowl' type quiz show emphasizing Sherlock Holmes trivia. Or, if you don't remember that TV show, think in terms of 'Jeopardy' where one of the column headings is 'Sherlock Holmes'.

The point is, the question is designed to be answered without reference to any outside material - written or otherwise. Just what is in your head. Also, you are under 'time pressure'. You want to press your buzzer and give your answer before any of the other players.

Having said all that, I did supply two hints and the answer. The first hint is a mild one, while the second hint should, more or less, give away the answer. In all three cases, the actual hints and answer are initially hidden from sight. You have to click where indicated to reveal the actual text.

So, here is the question:

Let's begin by ignoring Doyle's frequent use of 'The Adventure of the ...' in the title of many of the 60 stories (4 + 56); also ignore the word 'The ...' when the story title did not start with 'The Adventure of the ...'. In other words, 'The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone' becomes just 'Mazarin Stone'. 'The Adventure of the Cardboard Box' just 'Cardboard Box'. 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' becomes 'Hound of the Baskervilles'. You get the idea.

OK, now, putting all the titles, modified in this way, into alphabetical order, name the first and last titles.

GO!

Click here for Hint One

The first title does start with the letter 'A'.

Click here for Hint Two

The last title starts with the letter 'Y'.

Click here for the Answer

'Abbey Grange' and 'Yellow Face'.

Hope you liked it.

Rich