[Long Cut]

"Sorta recalls Steed and Mrs. Peel, Don't it. And to, she might be the criminalist technician, commanding her own *Baker Street Irregulars* in specialized forensic fields...."

Great minds DO think alike. I had Watson in my concept imagined as a physician herself...a forensic pathologist for Scotland Yard. I see her as a widow, about 50, but still quite attractive and of good breeding. She might have one child, with whom she speaks frequently, a daughter.

Let's say, she examines a murder victim whose corpse provides more questions than answers. Unable to come to any conclusions, and with the Yard baffled, she remembers the old stories her family told her about great-grandad's best friend, and that that legendary detective has a descendant who shares his interests, and who ALSO has a reputation with the police, although not one nearly so respectful.

I picture the new Holmes as having grown up roughly, on the streets of London. He might have military service in his record...perhaps as an Enlisted SAS operator. In his mid-thirties now, he has educated himself well, and makes a comfortable living in his work. He has the legendary deductive skills, talent for disguise, and scientific knowledge of his forebear, but also the street-smarts that came with his youth on the mean streets. Although he also has classical knowledge, he has yet to lose his Cockney accent, or his willingness to use fists as well as his brains, a facet of him which proves surprising and somewhat dangerous to the proper Ms. Watson.

[archy]

Great minds DO think alike. I had Watson in my concept imagined as a physician herself...a forensic pathologist for Scotland Yard. I see her as a widow, about 50, but still quite attractive and of good breeding. She might have one child, with whom she speaks frequently, a daughter.

Let's say, she examines a murder victim whose corpse provides more questions than answers. Unable to come to any conclusions, and with the Yard baffled, she remembers the old stories her family told her about great-grandad's best friend, and that that legendary detective has a descendant who shares his interests, and who ALSO has a reputation with the police, although not one nearly so respectful.

I picture the new Holmes as having grown up roughly, on the streets of London. He might have military service in his record...perhaps as an Enlisted SAS operator.

I can improve on that. A Chessman.

In his mid-thirties now, he has educated himself well, and makes a comfortable living in his work. He has the legendary deductive skills, talent for disguise, and scientific knowledge of his forebear, but also the street-smarts that came with his youth on the mean streets. Although he also has classical knowledge, he has yet to lose his Cockney accent, or his willingness to use fists as well as his brains, a facet of him which proves surprising and somewhat dangerous to the proper Ms. Watson.

Clearly, he spent enough time around the Sasmen to have picked up some of their ways. You happen to have read Freddy Forsyth's compilation *The Veteran?* If not, give the title story a good read, and check out *The Miracle* while you're at it.