From Watson to Holmes. London, 5th May. On no account venture into the open for a while yet. Doyle's far too busy to have anything to do with us at the moment, for he's over head and ears in the war movement. There's nothing at all in the Kettle story. Kettle is simply a low, maritime bully, who could not maintain the regard and affection of the British for more than six months. Besides, he's given up that business, and has been cavorting in "The Messenger Boy" at the Gaiety for a year back. I believe he has started a farm somewhere about Hythe lately. There was never the slightest danger that Kettle would interfere seriously with your position. Why — you are unique, my boy, unique! there has been you nothing like you since old Lecoq, and if you stayed away ten years you would be hailed like an emperor on your return. But make no mistake; if it is "oof" that is wanted I will send it. I can't see that the work of waiter at a Swiss hotel is any harder work for you than investigating, and if you continue to wear the false whiskers you'll never be discovered. In any case, it's not the time to come back here. We're all in a mess over the war; money is tight, and our particular form of entertainment would scarcely go, I fear.
From Holmes to Watson. Zermatt, 3d June. False whiskers! That's the confounded thing. The boss of this place insists on my shaving, and if my hirsute adornment goes it's all up with us, for I'll be spotted, sure. And you say I'll "never be discovered." I begin to fear that is what you want. Why, man, I long to be discovered. Discovery, let me remind you, Watson, was my business. It is all very well for you and Doyle to live like lords on the strength of my alleged reputation, but I'll be hang. it I stay here any longer waiting on Cook trippers and hunting Swiss fleas. Unless you send me enough money to get back to London comfortably, I shall blow the gaff. That's flat!
Telegram — Watson to Holmes. 5th June. For Heaven's sake don't! Will see what Doyle says. Newnes encourages the idea, but I think it suicide.
Telegram — Holmes to Watson. 5th June. I'm off. Will be in London this week.
Extract from Letter by Lord Roseberry to the London City Liberal Club. The paralysis of Liberalism is due to a fundamental and incurable antagonism of principle with regard to the Empire at large and our consequent policy. More vital than that is the fact that we want a Man — a Mind sufficiently strong to influence the warring elements of party; to placate the Opposition, now howling like wolves out of all harmony. In the great crises of history the hour brought such a Man, and I need scarcely recall to you the case of Napoleon, who took the scraps of Empire and welded them to his mighty purpose, But where are we to look for such a Man? I have in my mind at the moment the name of one who, it seems to me, is alone able to save the party, whose name some years ago was on every lip, though since then there has been an interregnum of mysterious silence. Need I say that I allude to Mr. Sherlock Holmes? If there is one in Europe to-day who could discover the mind of Liberalism, who could see what lies at our hearts as a party, it is this great and world-eminent investigator. It could not fail to gratify many of you to learn that Mr. Sherlock Holmes, whose death in Switzerland some years ago we were led by some as yet inexplicable events to deplore, has within the past fortnight been reported alive and well. If that is so — and there is every reason to believe it is so — we have in Mr. Sherlock Holmes the Man and the Mind. I myself shall never, voluntarily. return to public life associated with the party; but I have the utmost confidence in recommending Mr. Holmes to your notice.
From the Agony Column, London "Times," 20th July. Sh-r-ck H-lm-s. — If you are in town, come to us at once. All will be forgotten and forgiven. —W-ts-n.
30th July. W-ts-n. — Rats! Simply Rats! It's all over between us. Have seen Sir George and C. D., and we propose to leave you out of the show altogether. — The Ex-Waiter, Soho.
From the London "Star," 1st August. Sherlock Holmes is said to be back in London again, and residing in Soho. He is described as looking younger than ever, and we see, indeed, little reason why the suggestion of Lord Rosebery should not be followed, and Mr. Holmes be intrusted with the discovery of the Liberal party.
Dr. Doyle Interviewed. From "Literature," 2d August. "So it really is the case that Mr. Sherlock Holmes has been discovered alive?" "I do not commit myself in any way upon that point," said the distinguished author. "You have seen doubtless, as much of the evidence as I have. I know that my friend Mr. Watson is a most trustworthy man, and I gave the utmost credit to his story of the dreadful affair in Switzerland. He may have been mistaken, of course. It may not have been Mr. Holmes who fell from the ledge at all, or the whole thing might be the result of hallucination. I confess the stories now being published seem circumstantial enough, and that Holmes may be alive. But I have not seen him. There has been an advertisement in the Times suggesting that I have, but it is not true; I have never seen Holmes. Watson, however, lately came on certain old documents dealing with a part of the career of Holmes early in life, and I propose to publish these. They may be interesting; they may, indeed, induce Holmes, if he is really alive,to manifest himself again."