The collection includes humorous stories by the American Bret Harte and the Canadian Stephen Leacock - witty parodies of “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” and other popular works of literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stories are adapted (without simplifying the original text) according to the method of Ilya Frank. The uniqueness of the method lies in the fact that memorization of words and expressions occurs due to their repetition, without memorization and the need to use a dictionary. The manual promotes effective language acquisition and can serve as an addition to the curriculum. Intended for a wide range of people learning English and interested in English culture.