Here we have the third Solar Pons collection by August Derleth, which appeared in 1958 from Mycroft & Moran, and would later be reprinted by Pinnacle, but as volume six. (I have no idea why.)
The title of the collection, from Belanger Books, is kind of interesting, and David Marcum in his foreward points out that the Return of Sherlock Holmes volume collected the stories where Holmes was “returned” from the dead by Conan Doyle. Derleth kind of did the same thing as a small collection prior (whose works were included here) as he thought of ending the Pons stories. But instead he continued on with more.
This collection has 12 stories; nine of them had appeared in digest mystery magazines in the 1950s. We get a few stories that are inspired by unwritten Holmes stories. But we also see stories where Pons starts to become his own character, and has adventures that might have been done by Conan Doyle. These include the “Grice-Paterson Curse,” which is among the best of the Pons stories.
As noted, we get two forewords by Marcum and Derrick Belanger. Marcum gives background on this collection before repeating the story of Pons from the other volumes. Belanger’s foreword points out some of the notable stories here.
Then we move on to the contents from the original edition. This starts off with the introduction by Edgar W. Smith that appeared in the original edition. Then the book moves on to the stories.
In “The Adventure of the Lost Dutchman,” we get the “strange adventure of John Paul Renfield, clerk of Counsellors Extraordinary, Ltd.” Renfield’s job was unusual, working alone in an office creating lists for his employers — until a strange man come in. Renfield follows orders to leave the office, only to find the man dead in the office the next day and he fears he will be blamed. Can Pons get to the bottom of things and figure out what is really going on?
We have a missing country vicar in “The Adventure of the Devil’s Footprints.” He had gone out at night to scare off owls that he hates, and he disappeared. His footprints in the snow go up to a tree and disappear, and there are a set of hoofed footprints leave that point! Looking into the case, Pons determines the vicar was agitated about something in the last week. In looking in the church, Pons discovers a cache of money hidden in the burial vaults! And something more sinister is found. What is going on?
With “The Adventure of the Dorrington Inheritance,” we are introduced to a character who will be of importance to someone else in these stories: Constance Dorrington. What that importance you will soon learn. Her grandfather had struck it rich in the South African diamond fields, finding the Maracot Diamond. (I wonder if the name is a nod to “The Maracot Deep” by Conan Doyle?) But he apparently took advantage of his partners, and now her father is being threatened to do right by them. Is there more to the threat, and can Pons and Parker save her father?
While returned from Sussex after visiting Holmes, which I think might be the first clear mention of him in the stories, even if not named, we get “The Adventure of the ‘Triple Kent’.” Pons and Parker are pulled from the train to help solve a savage triple murder! A divorced woman, her daughter, and her housekeeper are all killed by a shotgun as they are sitting down to tea. Who could do such a crime and can Pons figure it out?
Bancroft is back with another case for Pon in “The Adventure of the Rydberg Numbers,” though it doesn’t involve the Foreign Office. And the Praed Street Irregulars help out, again lead by Alfred Peake. A young woman has approached him, as Bancroft knows her brother. She is mostly blind, and she has noticed that the person claiming to be her brother isn’t him as of the past couple of days. But if he’s been replaced, why? He is not working on anything of importance within the government. However, he has an interest in chemistry and physics, in particular, the subject of nuclear fission, which no one in the British government sees is of any importance. Does someone else?
In the classic story, “The Adventure of the Grice-Paterson Curse,” Pons is asked in to help with solving the so-named curse. Former governor-general of Malaya, Col. Grice-Paterson, had retired to an island off the coast of England, Uffa, and built his estate with various exotic plants. But since his passing, several of his family have died, some under mysterious circumstances. Hence the curse. His grandaughter has come to Pons as her fiance has died at the estate, from an apparent strangulation. Can Pons figure this out? This one does have a gothic feel to it.
Bancroft bring Pons “The Adventure of the Stone of Scone” on Christmas morning. Someone has stolen the Stone of Scone from the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. Can Pons figure out who did it and where it is?
In a tale hinted at by Doyle for Holmes, “The Adventure of the Remarkable Worm” gives us a ‘worm unknown to science’! A housekeeper comes to Pons regarding her reclusive employer, who has an enthusium for insects. He has got catatonic due to a strange message, and has now died after receiving a horrible worm! What is it and what is this all about? Interestingly, this time Pons deals with an Inspector Taylor rather then Jamison.
A different mystery is in “The Adventure of the Penny Magenta,” which should have appeared before the prior story. An antique dealer comes to Pons with a strange matter. Someone has been entering into his shop, but nothing is missing! What are they looking for. Pons notes this has occured after a client had left him an envelope with stamps of little value. But if they are of little value, are they the target? Inspector Taylor returns as well.
Another untold tale of Holmes is “The Adventure of the Trained Cormorant,” where a retired sea captain and his trained bird bring Pons into a unusual tale. His bird had brought him a large leather and cork wallet wrapped in waterproofing. In it is a letter to an MP from a local lighthouse keeper, a copy of the letter, and an unaddressed postcard. But after finding it, the sea captain noticed strange things going on, people asking about him, and someone broke into his house and stoled the wrapping. He had hidden the wallet in his peg leg. Pons soon figures out the real reason for the letter, and contacts Bancroft. Can he get to the bottom of things?
Parker is visiting after his marriage when Pons is approached by the agent of a certain doctor who resides in Limehouse in “The Adventure of the Camberwell Beauty.” His ward has apparently been abducted, most likely due to a rival of his. Pons had met the doctor before, in an unrecorded adventure, and even saved Pons life. Can Pons learn what has happened to his ward?
While on vacation, Pons is presented with a murder in “The Adventure of the Little Hangman.” The victim was a man convicted of murder himself, who was released due to issues with the trial, and had returned to his hometown. though few wanted him there so there are many possible suspects, not the least being the executioner who was frustrated he didn’t get a chance to hang the man living there. He has been found hanged near the shoreline, at a placed called “The Little Hangman.” The local constibule has asked for help. Will Pons be able to figure out what happened?
A young lady bring Pons “The Adventure of the Swedenborg Signatures.” She is the assistant to her rich aunt, who, along with her two children, believe several bizarre religious beliefs. She is a Swedenborgian, while her daughter is a Spritualist, and her son is a follower of Aleister Crowley. Due to several bizarre events, her aunt believes that the worst is coming. Can Pons figure things out before that occurs and see if there is a human agent behind it all?
It’s another great collection of stories with several excellent pieces. Most notable is the “Grice-Paterson Curse,” but others are also great such as the “Remarkable Worm” and “Penny Magenta.” The “Camberwell Beauty” is in a class by itself. We now move on to the next Solar Pons volume.
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