FICTION

THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF

THE KNIGHTS OF THE ABBE DE CHOISEY

(A newly discovered manuscript from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D., late of the Army Medical Department)

edited by

Linda AZ-8-B

"Third young nobleman found slain in three weeks. . . Scotland Yard Baffled" read the headline of the Chronicle. How Holmes would have enjoyed investigating this case. It has been only five short months since we laid him to his eternal rest. It took me the better part of a month to recover from the shock of finding him lifeliess, slumped in his favorite chair at our former residence on Baker Street. He apparently had met his final fate as a result of an overdose of cocaine to which, for many years, he had been addicted.

In his will he had remitted the landlady a substantial sum to cover the the letting of his abode for many years to come. He had instructed that I was to have use of it and its equipment and furnishings for the remainder of my life. Yet, somehow I could not bring myself to ever return to those quarters whre we have shared so many a fascinating adventure. As I sat there wrapped in my memories, my wife informed me that there were two callers for me in the parlor. To my great surprise the callers were my old friend Inspector Lestrade and an attractive woman of apparently high breeding.

"Dr. Watson, so sorry to drop in on you unannounced. I hope I have caused you no inconvenience?" my old comrade greeted me.

"Not at all, Inspector, not at all," I answered.

"Doctor, allow me to introduce Lady Olivia Hampton. She came to me in an attempt to contact our dear departed friend Sherlock Holmes, When I told her of Mr. Holmes' most unfortunate demise, she insisted that I direct her to your address."

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