Question for the Holmesians

[neadods]

Just because I have about 10 other critical things that require my brainpower and effort doesn't mean that I'm not above asking questions about completely unrelated issues. So:


QUESTION FOR THE HOLMESIANS: Which 1 to 3 short stories would you recommend to people who want to start reading canon? (And why - because you like it, because you think it has specific objective merit, because it's the most exciting, explains the characters the best, etc.)


I have an idea percolating in the back of my head...