Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #20. Arthur Conan Doyle

      STAFF

      Publisher: John Betancourt

      Editor: Marvin Kaye

      Non-fiction Editor: Carla Coupe

      Assistant Editor: Steve Coupe

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      Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine is published by Wildside Press, LLC. Single copies: $10.00 + $3.00 postage. U.S. subscriptions: $59.95 (postage paid) for the next 6 issues in the U.S.A., from: Wildside Press LLC, Subscription Dept. 9710 Traville Gateway Dr., #234; Rockville MD 20850. International subscriptions: see our web site at

      www.wildsidepress.com. Available as an ebook through all major ebook etailers, or our web site, www.wildsidepress.com.

      FROM WATSON’S NOTEBOOK, by John H Watson, M.D.

      As ever, Holmes is pleased that this issue is devoted solely to his adventures. In it are new adventures written from my notes, plus my own recounting of the case of the stockbroker’s clerk. In addition—for the first time in nearly a century a new Holmes tale is herein presented. I cannot take credit for it, though, it is of that small company by my literary agent Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that also includes “The Field Bazaar” and “How Watson Learned the Trick,” both of which appeared in earlier issues.

      And now here is my colleague and co-editor Mr Kaye…

      —John H Watson, M D

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      It’s always fun to assemble these all-Holmes issues. As ever, we offer both new authors and pieces by such regulars as Dan Andriacco, Carla Coupe, Jack Grochot, Gary Lovisi, Kim Newman and the good doctor’s agent Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the form of a newly-discovered Holmesian anecdote.

      I’m very excited about our next issue. In addition to reappearances by several authors including Dan Andriacco, Laird Long, and Jacqueline Seewald, as well as Dr. Watson’s important case, “The Naval Treaty,” we will welcome the long overdue appearance of Rex Stout’s huge detective Nero Wolfe.

      When this magazine was first planned, our publisher thought we should make it the Nero Wolfe Mystery Magazine. Though I love that series of novels and stories penned by Wolfe’s right-hand man Archie Goodwin, I thought we’d do better with a periodical devoted to Sherlock Holmes and in this the publisher concurred.

      But I hoped to bring Mr. Wolfe onto our pages sooner than this. In the next number, this will be accomplished with a new Wolfean anecdote by Archie Goodwin and an article discussing the cast of the series by Robert Goldsborough, who continues the series with his excellent Nero Wolfe novels approved by the Stout Estate.

      More details next issue…

      Canonically Yours,

      Marvin Kaye

      ASK MRS HUDSON, by (Mrs) Martha Hudson

      I have been planning on such a column as the present one for quite a while. Most of the queries I receive understandably display curiosity over my illustrious tenants Mr Holmes and Dr Watson, whereas I am often asked for new recipes and other “tips,” as the Yanks say, about household matters.

      But from time to time, affairs both domestic and romantic are raised, and I have been compiling these missives with an eye to devoting an entire essay—this one—to such matters.

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      Dear Mrs Hudson,

      For perhaps a year I have been courted by a gentleman considerably younger than myself. This, as you may imagine, is flattering, but I have not put much stock in his ardent youthful expressions … until now, for you see he has quite amazed me by proposing that we marry.

      I daresay his proposal is both legitimate and honourable, for he has ever conducted himself in a gentlemanly fashion and has never presumed to liberties that would be, at best, timely; the furthest he has ventured in this direction is to hold my hand.

      Well, I am tempted to say yes to him, but hesitate for a few reasons. Firstly, I have no idea in what manner he is employed, and though I am independently well-off, additional income for the purpose of banking regular sums to guard against health emergencies would surely be prudent. But secondly, you see, I have no idea where he lives, nor has he ever mentioned any member of his family. And third and lastly, whilst I find his company quite pleasant, I am afraid I do not share his professed romantic feelings to the extent that he has declared.

      You may wonder that his age—for he is much younger than I—does not constitute a fourth misgiving, but I am generally said to be quite comely, and as stated above, I am sufficiently wealthy to be no man’s burden.

      But I have never entered into any serious relationship before this, and thus have never married; since you have done both, it is to you I turn with the utmost trust.

      Yours faithfully,

      Amanda Worthington

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      Dear Miss Worthington,

      I do not wish to alarm you, but what you tell me concerning this young man disturbs me considerably. It sounds to me as if he is a confidence trickster who is after your money. However, in the event that he is both genuine and sincere, I should not act precipitately. If you’ve a mind to wed the gent, tell him your acquiescence depends on knowing more about him. To begin with, he must show you his “digs”… though an adept criminal will manage that convincingly. You should also inquire about his parents and siblings, but above all else, you must know what he does for a living and where he works. I stress most emphatically the importance of this final matter.

      It is quite conceivable that these demands may send him away on the instant. Yet even if he provides the answers you seek, there is still the possibility that he is weaving a tissue of falsehood. Since you are a woman of means, I urge you to employ a private investigator to root out the truth. (Of course I cannot recommend Mr Holmes to help you; he does not involve himself in this sort of “case”).

      Most sincerely,

      Mrs (Martha) Hudson

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      My Good Mrs Hudson—

      My wife has just left me for another man. What shall I do? I still love her.

      Broken-hearted in Brixton

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      Dear Broken-Hearted,

      Let me utter my sincere condolences for your sad plight. I do hope, at least, that there are no children involved in this unfortunate turn of events. Assuming that there are not, you should muster up patience for Dr Watson, who knows much more than Mr Holmes about affairs of the heart (except when they lead to blackmail or murder), once told me that the average affair runs its course in about three months, after which the novelty has worn off and each of the amatory partners suffer deep regret and wish to effect some sort of reconciliation with the person they cheated on. If indeed you do love her as much as you say, accept her return without recriminations and double your amatory attentions, if at all possible. She will be ever so grateful and unlikely to repeat her indiscretion… but if she does cheat on you again, you must steel yourself to get over her somehow!

      But if children are involved, your first duty must be to protect them, both as their father and as their legal guardian. Whilst I caution you not to say anything derogatory about their mother to them, I strongly advise you to seek the advice of a domestic attorney. Mr Holmes knows an excellent one who will exact a modest fee upon my tenant’s say-so.

      Sincerely,

      Mrs (Martha) Hudson

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