As a scientist, Sherlock Holmes would have certainly been familiar with the famous dictum attributed to Aristotle: Nature abhors a vacuum. In that same vein, fans of the Great Detective must look at 1885 and 1886 and see a somewhat similar void. Conan Doyle set no cases during those years; in fact, if you believe Doyle, Holmes and Watson remained inactive for a period of some 30 months. Given the expenses of everyday life, it’s difficult to imagine Holmes moonlighting as a hansom driver (a job he would have been eminently suited for, given his intimate knowledge of London’s streets and byways) or Watson, putting in extra hours at the clinic. Obviously, they were working on various cases, including a number that were withheld for various reasons. However, we have reached out to Sherlockians around the globe and asked them to review carefully any correspondence with Dr. Watson which may have come into their possession.

As you might expect, they unearthed a plethora of stories which occurred in 1885 and ‘86. We have culled through them with an eye towards selecting not only those cases which showcase the amazing deductive abilities of the Great Detective but those which offer insights into his unique personality as well as those highlighting the relationship between Holmes and his Boswell. Having said that, know that once again, “The game is afoot!” Enjoy!