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Away with Murder…

From Dr Watson to Sherlock Holmes Esq:

(From the diary of Dr Watson)

After the excitement of possibly facing yet another threat to our continued partnership via the odd band of villains known as The Black Moriartys, I have to admit to being a little disappointed to find Holmes had solved the case of the Green Bicycle Murder. Our pal Marshall Hall, naturally enough, was having none of it and is convinced his client Ronnie Light is a shining beacon of innocence, so much so that he point blank refused to even consider Holmes’ theories.

“The man’s a fool,” muttered my companion as we settled ourselves into our carriage for the journey home. “Can’t see beyond his own self-importance.” (I almost pointed out that Holmes is on occasion a victim of such pretensions himself, but thought better of mentioning it – I can always add something along those lines as a footnote to what will eventually be the published account of this adventure in The Strand Magazine). Instead, I offered platitudes along the usual themes of reputation and experience and eventually my kind words lulled Holmes into a restful sleep.

It may be that someday the world will recognise the guilt of Mr Light and my friend’s conclusions given due consideration, but as always, Holmes is already thinking about our next case: a telegram arrived at the hotel as we were leaving, inviting us to the home of one Charles Condomine, who apparently is having some problems with his dead wife. No doubt that awful charlatan Madame Arcati will turn up, as the house is very near her own residence. (I haven’t mentioned this last detail to Holmes since I can imagine his response…)

We should have a little time to recharge our detectivational batteries before setting out on what I shall title The Adventure of the Man Whose Wife Was Already Dead. Or something along those lines…

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2014 in Detective Fiction

 

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Cases…

From Dr Watson to Sherlock Holmes Esq:

My Dear Holmes
Now that we have recovered from our recent foray into foreign lands, I assume you’ll be happy to accept at least one of the recent interesting and varied cases that
have been thrust our way? No doubt you have had several requests for assistance at your end, and I too have received a good sackful of letters and invitations relating to murders, burglaries, buggeries, kidnappings and other nefarious wrongdoings.

I have outlined some of the most interesting ones below and look forward to your response:

1 Lady Minge-Tottie Caboodle of Alderley Edge begs your indulgence in the case of her missing husband. It seems the fellow went out to buy a bag of sugar and never
came back. (My brief enquiries have found that Lord Minge-Tottie Caboodle does in fact deal in the import of that particular commodity from the West Indies). While this may be an interesting case (she has offered a large reward for any information), I feel it may not pique your interest enough to warrant our intervention.

2 Elizabeth Short, also known as The Black Dahlia, was found murdered several months ago in a Los Angeles suburb. Her body was neatly severed in half, gutted, and drained of blood. The case has baffled the FBI chap (a certain Mr Elliot Ness) and the authorities are keen that a fresh perspective might shed some light on this most
terrible of crimes. It would, of course, mean a trip to America (and I know how you hate Americans after that case involving the Pinkerton detective), though I do think it would be a feather in your deerstalker to solve this one.

3 An Englishwoman, one Florrie Nightingale, has, as you may have heard, been doing “good deeds” at Scutari Hospital over in the Crimea. However, one of the army
doctors (an old pal of mine) has suggested that Miss Nightingale’s success in apparently curing many thousands of wounded soldiers, may have less to do with actual medical expertise and more to do with her being a distant relative of our old friend Count Dracula. Yes, I thought that would make you gasp! It may, of course, be a load of bloodsucking codswallop, but a number of soldiers who have since returned home, have reported strange markings on their necks and a curious appetite for eating recently deceased animals. Also, a couple of them have been found sleeping in wooden boxes during the day, which I’m sure I don’t have to remind you, is a pretty sure sign of vampiric tendencies.

Let me know if any of the above interests you, Holmes. I shall pop round in the morning for some crumpet (please alert Mrs Hudson).

Later
Watty.

 
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Posted by on November 8, 2013 in Detective Fiction

 

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