Chapter 11

The Remembered Guest

'By Jove !' remarked What-son, 'I just remembered our earlier guest !  And I do believe further explanations are in order.  For example, the letter he sent us was signed, K.D., yet you did not pull his book out of the "D" section.  It is not like you to allow any book to be out of place on our shelf.'
        Simply shaking his head, Homes walked to the desk where the mentioned book was laying.  He picked up the newly autographed book, opened it, and showed it to his companion.  What-son frowned as he observed the author's name.
        'The story of his name is rather interesting in itself.' spoke Sure-Luck.  'That name, by the way, is a mistake.  It indicates the author's name to be Arthur Doyl Konan.  His true name, however, is Konan Doyl.  The mix-up occurred during the initial publication of this book.  Mr. Doyl had written on his manuscript, the following:

        The first word is (Author), followed by his last name (Doyl), then a (,), and lastly his first name (Konan).
        It is customary to place one's last name before the first, separated by a comma.  But the Type-setter misread it.  Apparently our friend was in a bit of a hurry when he wrote it.  You see, the loop in the letter (u) does not come down far enough, thus appears to be an ( r ).  And the (o) was not joined together enough at the top, so it appeared to be a (u).  And lastly, the Type-setter apparently had ignored the comma between.
        The mistake was not discovered until far too many copies had already been printed, and since it would have been costly to reprint the book covers, Doyl figured he just let it go.  You might call it a "pen name".'
        Looking a bit skeptical, What-son said, 'Now THAT is quite a story, and I'm wondering if perhaps that is ALL it is . . . . . A "story" !  I mean how could you possibly know about such an incident ?'
        Seeing that What-son was beginning to regain his earlier suspicions about the entire morning, Homes grinned and said, 'Ah dear me !  You certainly know how to put any "doubting Thomas" to shame !'
        Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the object that their guest had handed him.  He held it in his open palm, for the doctor to see.  It was a silver-gray knob.
        What-son's eyes bulged wide open.  'My goodness !  Is that what I think it is ?'
        'It certainly is !' replied Homes.  'It's the object that ended up exposing the murder of Mr. Langford.'  Sure-Luck then placed the knob back in his pocket.
        What-son then spoke again.  'I say, homes !  I didn't get a chance to read what he wrote in it, for you.  May I ?'
        'But of course !' 

You've turned out to be
Even better than I could
Have hoped for.  Thank you
For all those wonderful
Years you gave me.
R-thur Doy-L Kon-N

       What-son was mystified by the signature.  'Now while the name pronounces okay, why on earth did he separate the letters (R, L, and N) ?'

Hmmm !  Perhaps one might have to ask our OWN author about THAT !!!  Heh !  Heh !

        Going on, What-son said, 'And what is that scripture all about ?'
        Sure-Luck grinned and answered, 'Why What-son, do you mean to tell me you haven't figured it out yet ?  Don't you realize who he wrote about all those years ?'
        What-son could but look questionably at Homes, as if to say . 'WHO ?'
        'US !', my dear fellow !  It was US he wrote about.  All those stories are about the cases we worked on together, you and I.'
        Looking quite doubtful now, What-son responded, 'What ?  Why that's RIDICULOUS !  Now how could he have written about our cases when he had already quit writing when you first began your career ?'
        With a peculiar smirk on his face, Homes answered, 'Here, take a look at the front cover of our writer friends first novel.'
        What-son complied, and nearly fainted.  'Good Heavens !'
        The cover revealed the following:


Sure-Luck Homes
In
The case of
Where there's a will,
There's (not necessarily) a way !

        Almost blue in the face from shock, the good doctor exclaimed, 'Why by the Saints !  Homes, This is incredible !!  It's unbelievable !!  It's . . . It's . . .'
        The broadly grinning Homes finished the speechless doctor's words with . . .

        '. . . . . It's . . . . . Elementary, my dear What-son !!!!!'


CONTINUE