Occupied as I was with my medical practice, I saw little of Sherlock Holmes in the spring of 1890, though the papers were filled with tales of his exploits, particularly in the case of Lady Violet Churchill. “A dark affair,” said Holmes to me one evening. “Robbery, was it not?” “Blackmail, Watson! The lady hadContinue reading “Reflections on a Case”
Category Archives: Writing
Comparative Religions
Shortly after Merlin’s arrival in Camelot, he asked Gaius to explain the differences between the “Old Religion” and the religion practiced by the king — Christianity. This proved a mistake. Gaius droned on for hours, only embaffling Merlin with excessive detail. Merlin considered asking Prince Arthur the next day, then decided his curiosity would promptContinue reading “Comparative Religions”
After Reichenbach
I had been not long returned from Switzerland when, one afternoon after making my rounds, my travels brought me by Holmes’ old lodgings in Baker Street. Mrs. Hudson, our former landlady, greeted me warmly and we spoke for some time. “I began to tidy up his things,” said she, “until a telegram arrived from hisContinue reading “After Reichenbach”
Between Planets
“Collision alert!” the Doctor shouted above the din of alarms. The TARDIS lurched. Nyssa clutched the console, attempting to steady herself. The Doctor, somehow, stood fixed, his hands flying across the controls the bring the ship safely from the vortex. “Collision? With what? Where are we, Doctor?” “Earth’s solar system, somewhere between Earth and Mars. Continue reading “Between Planets”
Theatricality
I long believed that Holmes loved as much the theatrics of his profession as the deductions themselves, and the Irving affair confirmed my suppositions. A German anarchist had made threats upon the life of noted thespian Henry Irving and Holmes, rather than simply collar the fiend, chose to draw him out with an elaborate disguiseContinue reading “Theatricality”
The Vault
“We’ve identified one of the bodies.” Elizabeth Shelby looked skeptical. “Which one?” Artifacts collected across the galaxy over the past two centuries crowded every alcove. At the far end stood three cryogenic tubes. Frozen within were the bodies of three things, once intelligent beings now turned into something else, inhuman and cybernetic — Borg. “TheContinue reading “The Vault”
On the Cusp of History
Many times in his life the Doctor had been on the cusp of battle. But never like this. The TARDIS was hundreds of miles away in London. There would be no escape for him as bullets flew, as cannonshot fell. His life could easily end here, on the deck of Victory. His companion, much shorterContinue reading “On the Cusp of History”
Bleacher Creatures
“I can’t believe you wore that,” Peri said. “How was I to know?” the Doctor said indignantly, raising his voice to shout above those jeering at him. Peri frowned. “You could have asked.” “Did you not say, ‘Let’s go to a baseball game.’ Is this not the proper attire?” He gestured at the cap andContinue reading “Bleacher Creatures”
Of the Wanderers in the Fields of the Unbroken Arda
Though the Lamps were thrown down by Melkor long ages ere the awakening of the Elves and Men, it is said that one of the Kindred of Men, with a spirit that flowed like the waters of the mighty Sirion in later days, walked in the fields of the unbroken Arda and looked upon theContinue reading “Of the Wanderers in the Fields of the Unbroken Arda”
Ghosts of the Past
She knew the face — the finely etched lines, the slicked back hair, the sallow skin — but the familiar yellow eyes had none of the depth she remembered. “You seem familiar,” he said, aware of her attention. He scrutinized her face. “Do I know you?” “No,” she said. “I thought you were someone IContinue reading “Ghosts of the Past”