The Case of the Teller of Tales

by Martin Rosenstock

About the Author: Martin Rosenstock studied modern literature at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After job hopping around the colder latitudes of the U.S., he decided to return to warmer climes and took a teaching position in Kuwait. He has contributed stories to Mystery Magazine, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, and The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories. For Titan Press, he edited Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Seven (2019). When not brooding over plot twists, he spends too much time traveling.

Excerpt

I had been sitting at my desk, writing with uncommon ease, when there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” I said, looking up.

“Ah, you’re busy,” said Holmes.

“Not terribly. Just getting a case of yours down on paper, the business with that South African brute from a few years ago. I’m thinking about calling it ‘The Adventure of the Cycling Lady’—remember Miss Violet, the beautiful music teacher?”

“Ah, yes” said Holmes. “How about ‘The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist’? Has a nice mysterious ring to it, no?” He held up a telegram. “In any case—no pun intended—it appears more business is in the offing. Lestrade. An ‘intriguing little puzzle,’ which he has well in hand, needless to say. Do you care to come along?”

“Practically my calling—in case you hadn’t noticed. Let me just finish this paragraph, and I’ll be ready.”

A few minutes later, I had put on my shoes and donned my coat and was following Holmes down the steps of 221 Baker Street. A hansom cab stood waiting by the curb. I noticed that Holmes was holding a newspaper, but did not comment.

“I hope I didn’t break your inspiration,” he said, as we climbed aboard. “I wouldn’t like to be some kind of person from Porlock.”

“I wasn’t off in Xanadu,” I remarked as the vehicle jolted into motion. “All I do is chronicle what has transpired.”

“Well, you do embellish here and there, you will admit.”

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