Here's why:
* Different Editions: There are many editions of the stories, some with slight variations in text or even extra stories.
* Word Count Software Limitations: Word counting software doesn't take into account the variations in different editions, and counting manually is very time-consuming.
* No Official Tally: There's no single authoritative source that has compiled a total word count for all the stories.
However, we can give you a rough idea:
* Four Novels: The four novels (A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and The Valley of Fear) are significantly longer than the short stories.
* Fifty-Six Short Stories: The fifty-six short stories are generally shorter.
To get a sense of the scale, you can:
* Look at individual editions: Check the word count for individual editions of the novels and short story collections you have.
* Use an online word count tool: Paste a sample from a story into a tool like Wordcounter.net. This will give you an idea of the average word count per story.
Ultimately, a precise word count for all Sherlock Holmes stories is a fascinating but challenging task.