Authors Magazine June 2015 issue

Page 1

June 2015 issue

ADVOCATE

ANDREW BROWN

More Inside: WALLY SEROTE Makes New Footprints

Quick Reads: THE DEVIL'S HARVEST THE ART OF WAR

NOXOLO CHALALE Shares Her Dreams SHERLOCK HOLMES SERIES: A Scandal in Bohemia II

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 1


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AUTHORS MAGAZINE


CONTENT

10

20

28

ANDREW BROWN

WALLY SEROTE

NOXOLO CHALALE

COVER STORY

MAKES NEW FOOTPRINTS

SHARES HER DREAMS

32

MINAH SINDANEBLOEM ARTICLE FROM COLUMNIST COVER STORY

36

SHORT STORY OF THE MONTH

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AUTHORS MAGAZINE 5


HOW WE RESPOND TO WHAT LIFE THROWS AT US

By: Shalate Portia Davhana June carries the bloody

Funerals turned into political

effects on the lives of the people.

meetings. The schools had

South Africa is not isolated from

turned into “base stations” for the

the rest of the continent. Even

army. The fighter jets and the

in post colonisation epoch, Africa

camouflaged helicopters hovered

is still infested with conflicts,

over the township skies as if they

disease, corruption and gross

were splashing a free air show.

human rights violations. Through

The security forces were always

literature such as Andrew Brown’s

roaming around like a hungry lion

memories of the history of South

Devil’s Harvest, humanity is

waiting at a chance to devour a

Africa. It is the month during

brought to close contact with the

prey.

plight of the other world citizens

which young lives were brutally cut short in the dusty streets of Soweto. It carries the memory of the dreadful events that shocked the world. The images of the butchered

Even though the country was on fire there was still some paper left to write on. Some

with the optimism that the effect will lead to a progressive change. Post-apartheid, writers are

compatriots chose to confront the

telling the story of a new

battle with the pen. No matter

beginning and a new hope.

how loud the oppressed wailed

brave teens were splashed

South African arts and literature

and how hard they sang struggle

on newspapers and television

is helping to pick up the pieces

songs, the noise from the conflict

networks across the globe. The

and construct a better future. On

overshadowed their cries for

kids faced the military armoured

the other hand, the new era of

freedom. It was during times

Casspirs and Hippos with sticks

life also poses social challenges

like these that The South African

and stones. Possibly in the

that threaten the future of the

literature carried the messages of

same spirit that King Shaka

South African teenager. Scourges

the oppressed to the world.

such as teenage pregnancy, child-

confronted the canons with spears and assegais. These kids were desperate to be free. Seemingly, it did not matter what the repercussions of their actions would be. They were unbendable. The police sirens were always

The work of many South African

headed households, substance

prominent writers such as

abuse and lifestyle diseases

Wally Serote, Nadine Gordimer,

have taken over the freedom of

Njabulo Ndebele, Can Themba

the South African child. It is the

and Bessie Head, to name a few,

freedom that fellow pupils such

has played a significant role in

as Hector Peterson died for….

depicting the lives of people who

The pen and the paper remain

wailing all over the streets as

were suffering under apartheid

if they were competing to be

the relevant means to challenge

to the world. On the other hand

on top of the music charts. The

the new monsters. Through

they also portrayed the intensity

smell of petrol bomb fumes

literature, song, theatre, drama

of the brutality and its dreadful

and poetry writers can revive the

replaced the scent from flowers.

6

AUTHORS MAGAZINE


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AUTHORS MAGAZINE 7


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ADVOCATE ANDREW BROWN

FOR THE LOVE OF WRITING 10 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Advocate Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown is a man of many talents. He practises as an advocate in Cape Town. He is a reservist sergeant in the South African Police Service. He is the author of five novels: Inyenzi, about the Rwandan Genocide, and the novels Coldsleep Lullaby, Refuge, Solace, Street Blues and Devil’s Harvest. In Street Blues he wrote about experiences as

the blame. If you walk into the

just South Africa. If you sell five

major bookstores, most of the

thousand copies in our country,

local stories are not even on the

you’re a best seller. However,

shelves. It seems as if American

in countries like Germany, they

works are preferred. That is so

would not even consider to print

sad considering there is great

less than twenty thousand copies.

South African works that is not

To be a best seller there, your

being given an opportunity by our

book must be in hundreds of

bookstores. Although now and

thousands. The margin for South

again, we do see a Dion Meyer

Africa is still very small.

or Tim Noakes, as an example

Authors: Then why do you write still?

a police reservist. Andrew won

Brown: For me it’s a hobby,

the 2006 Sunday Times Fiction Prize for Coldsleep Lullaby, and

it’s something I really enjoy

his work has been shortlisted for

doing. It makes it so much more

the Alan Paton Award and the

pleasurable. I have no deadline.

Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

I have no contract that forces

(Africa Region). He is married

me to write something. I write

with three children.

because I love it - I love sharing the stories with other people.

Authors sits with award winning

If I made it a career in a way,

author Andrew Brown to talk

most of what I just said would

about South African reading

change. Most of the career

habits, why readers have a right

authors have deadlines, often

to critique and why he writes in

included in their publishing

the first place… Authors: What are your views

- the process is too slow. The

about the South African reading

good news about it is that people

culture?

understand that South African

Brown: It is really frustrating.

authors write books that are also

People don’t read. I find that in

very nice to read. Many of those

our country, the readership is

works have a message. They

very small. The people who read,

are relevant. I think that is good

in many cases are not given the

for our country. And of course

best works. To a great extent, I

surviving only as a writer is out

think the bookshops are part of

of the question if your market is

contracts. The publishers want the manuscript by a specific date and for me, I don’t like that kind of approach. But I respect those who meet those conditions successfully. However, there are times that writing can suffer and become poorer because of those - sometimes unreasonable deadlines. It can

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 11


Advocate Andrew Brown

make writing quickly feel like a

intimidating I know. (He smiles).

like that can take hold of you.

job. I remember a conversation

There was a bit of good healthy

Even the cover I had in mind was

I had with one of the best crime

tension between me and my

probably going to intimidate even

fiction writers in the world, and

publisher on how we should

more. However the publisher

he said “I’m not a writer, I’m a

package this book. I had called

said we should call it something

manufacturer...I manufacture

it “Leaving Juba” because that’s

else and brought a new cover

a product called a book. It’s

how I felt about it. A book really

because we don’t want people

something that I make and sell”

too scared to even pick it up. We

- and yes he’s a multi-millionaire.

must make it a political thriller

I don’t want to feel like I’m

instead with a thriller title. I

manufacturing a book just to be

somehow think they were right. I

sold. In terms of “success” I look

think it sold very well because of

at it differently, I write stories

the new name, cover and overall

that I want to write, not exactly

packaging. Sometimes you’ve got

what I’m told people want to

to compromise a little bit. It took

read out there...

me a while, but I love the cover now.

Authors: Who are you writing for?

Authors: You wrote a book about the Rwandan genocide?

Brown: Myself I think. I’m writing books that make me cry

Brown: “Inyenzi” was my

when I write them. I’m writing

first book about 15 years ago.

books that allow me to go to

Unfortunately a movie took some

interesting places. I’m writing books that allow me to say things that I want to say. If nobody reads them, then that’s still fine with me. The most important thing for me is to write what I want to write. It’s a passion to me. If it so happens that other people like what I wrote, that is great too. Authors: The “Devil’s Harvest”, this book is deep... Brown: The subject is a bit

12 AUTHORS MAGAZINE

about how I felt leaving Juba. A book about how South Sudan is the last place on earth you want to visit. It’s like visiting hell. But once you’ve spent a few weeks in “Hell” and you leave it, at least for me - I was completely emotional. I’ve been there three times already and each time I leave, I have tears in my eyes as the plane takes off. But the book is not talking about me. It’s about how people in a hard place

of the scenes from my book and never bothered to ask me :) Even after I wrote it, I debated with many people on “Am I entitled to write a book about the Rwandan genocide? Am I entitled to write a book about South Sudan? Do I as a white male South African have a right to write about South Sudan?”... I think the answer is that you can write about any country in the world as writer. But you have a responsibility to


Advocate Andrew Brown

research it properly and get it

smiles) The male ego is very

long standing national prizes

as right as you can. If I wrote

vulnerable. It punctures very

are now pulling back support.

a book set in South Sudan that

easily, so you must be careful

If there’s someone out there,

took one side’s view or promoted

with male writers. I’ve heard of

go for it. Make a South African

its political leaders as good guys,

people who say they read reviews

literary prize. Give it good rules

the world would furiously ask

and if it’s bad, they won’t buy a

like authors have got to be South

me; what are you doing? How

book. However I think that’s a

Africans who live in South Africa.

much did you research about this

very small percentage of people.

Such things are very important to

matter? A war criminal wanted by

I don’t think most people’s

help authors give their best.

the international court of justice,

decision to buy a book hinges

guilty of genocide in Darfur, etc,

upon a review. Word of mouth is

so if you don’t research properly,

important I think. Unfortunately

people have a right to critic you

we don’t have lots of literary

and say you haven’t done you

prizes in our country. It’s a great

work properly.

pity because some books deserve

Authors: How does a book review affect you? Brown: One word, EGO (He

to be held up and shown the world good South African writing. I don’t understand why even

Authors: You’re an Advocate that writes stories, any words for people who are not confident they can juggle time and start sharing their stories? Brown: We all have time. The difference is how we manage it. We all have time to do the

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 13


Advocate Andrew Brown

things we love. If writing is your

they are thinking too much...”how

looking for Schuster or someone

passion, then you do have the

is this looking?”...”Is this first line

about to make a joke on me

time. I write at night for example.

good enough?” Things like that.

(laughs). I was busy looking

During the day I’m working as

Just get it down. Once it is there,

for the hidden cameras... I was

the Advocate, and I don’t write

you can then start the process of

totally shocked when they kept

on the weekends. I might be

fiddling with it until it improves.

asking for my autograph, it never

seen as someone who doesn’t

But you need the momentum

happens here in South Africa.

have the time, but I write on

to keep going. There are lots of

There are many Germans who

two or three nights, not every

good stories to tell.

read South African works and

night. I’m a family man too so I have kids who need me to help

Authors: How was your book tour?

they are just interested in books that are from other countries. So

them with homework and other

the whole experience was really

activities. But writing is a hobby

amazing. I noticed they love

to me so I fit it in along my other

crime fiction. In their gigantic

responsibilities without any issue.

bookstores, there are many South

My friends who are career writers

African authors and they buy

are different. They have a room,

their books.

even outside the house. When

Authors: Can we do something

they close the door, nobody can

to improve South Africa’s

disturb them. I write in my study

perception of books?

at home, the door is open, the

Brown: We’ve got to get into

phone can ring at any time. The

the schools. Kids have got to

family can talk to me as I write.

read more. Once they understand

There’s lots of activity going on.

how nice it is to read, they will

This means I write more slowly

never stop. For example, my son

than other people, but when I do it, I love it. So my only advice to new writers is simple...get the words down to paper or screen. Don’t worry about the first sentence or the first page or even the first chapter. Just write the thing. I come across many people who tell me they started writing a book and couldn’t get past the first page. I think it is because

14 AUTHORS MAGAZINE

is 15 years old and loves X-Box Brown: My publisher, Random

and all the games that drive me

House, took me to Germany last

crazy, but because he got used

year. We did six cities in seven

to reading from an early age, no

days. In fact, they are working on

matter how much X-box he plays,

publishing “Devil’s Harvest” there

he always leaves time to read.

too. It’s funny when we got to

No one in my family can sleep

Cologne and there were people

unless they’ve read a chapter of a

with my photograph who wanted

book, even the kids. So they are

me to sign it. In my mind, I was

used to it by now and it happen


Advocate Andrew Brown

automatically. Authors: But how did you do it? Brown: I think it is because we love reading at home. They picked it up and they do it too. So we started reading bedtime stories to them early, and later introduced them to more books that caught their attention. I usually make an example of the Harry Potter books; if you look at it it did well to capture many kids and got them reading.

school, it’s amazing how those

being given to it, and so I started

kids where so fascinated about

working on Inyenzi. Even though

what Dion Meyer and I were

nobody wanted to publish it, I

talking about. In literary festivals,

decided to self-publish and even

when it’s time for questions,

the reviews that I received for it

usually few hands at best come

where quite nice, I think. So I do

up...but there, countless kids

believe that helped. And I am not

wanted to know this and that,

totally against someone sharing

and overall we had so much fun.

what they thought about a book.

They got to see that we all have

At that time, I produced my

stories to tell. So I really believe

manuscript, edited it on my own,

that when we show more kids

which I think is a very bad idea,

that reading is fun and writing is

then went to print it. The binding

for anyone. We need to create a

was terrible. Anyway my wife

buzz around this.

and I went to the bookshops and

Authors: What about your background? Brown: I loved English as a subject. Our teacher was very experimental and with influenced us to write stories, take part

sold the books to them. Some took it, others refused even after showing them the reviews. Authors: For you what is the hardest part about writing? Brown: The worst part of it is

in poetry workshops and other

when you finish a book and you

beneficial things outside the

have to move on. You lived with

curriculum. And I think that is

a character, a best friend in a

where my passion for stories

way - always there. And then you

got solidified. Even later on in

finish the book and have to say

University, I continued learning

goodbye...it’s very sad at that

language along with Law. And

point. But then again, life goes

Authors: Children who read...

then of course I had a family and

on...

Brown: Whenever I look at the

didn’t write at all. I was busy with

AM

audience in literary festivals, I

life or so I thought. But about 15

worry because the demographics

years ago, I had a desire to write

don’t look younger. It’s usually

something about Rwanda...a

older people who are our current

massive loss of life happened and

small readership. I remember

I was not seeing any attention

doing a talk at a local high

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 15


16 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Advocate Andrew Brown

EXTRACT Gabriel left the tent and ignored Kamal’s glare. Glancing around, he saw Alek standing on the small bridge looking down into the rushes below. He walked past the soldiers to join her. He was used to men staring at her, but he noted with disquiet that their gaze was still fixed on the incoming road. “I’ve spoken to the officer,” he told her. “I’m not sure that it made any difference. But he says we must wait.” Alek shrugged, still gazing into the reeds. Small birds with red chests flitted back and forth among tightly woven nests. “This little river is an explanation

call it by its Arabic name and all

moustached officer, bolted out

the maps showed that name.

and scanned the sky, the officer

Now Juba and the Dinka rule,

with a pair of camouflage-

and we call it the Kiir. Hundreds

coloured binoculars. The soldiers

of thousands more will die here

manning the roadblock had

before it is over.” Alek gazed sadly

abandoned it and were sprinting

at the pools of water, the surface

to the trucks. The canvas was

disturbed by swarms of lacewings

ripped off the back and the barrel

and mosquitoes. “But it is still

of the anti-aircraft gun gleamed

just a river.”

in the sunlight. Someone started

Gabriel stood by her side,

the truck engine and it shifted

trying to locate the source of

backwards into a better position.

his uprising of distress. Why

“Jesus Christ,” Gabriel moaned,

was she telling him this? Was

feeling his bowel loosen,

he in physical danger? He had

suddenly warm and liquid. Kamal

never been exposed to violence

was running down the road in

before. Even the riots in Bristol,

the opposite direction, his legs

the lout that had slapped him

pounding the surface before he

across the face, the scenes of

threw himself at full speed into

carnage on television news,

a drainage ditch. Gabriel looked

none of it had broken the

around for similar cover.

intellectual crust that confined

“Get away from the bridge!”

of this whole country all on its

his emotions. But standing on

own,” she said obliquely. “This

Alek screamed, also now breaking

the bridge, surrounded by bush

river goes back into the memories

into a run but heading across the

and soldiers and the evidence of

of the tribes who live here. It is a

river and into the bush on the

war, his anxiety started to feel

part of the histories and stories of

other side.

increasingly visceral.

everyone. The Dinka people call it the Kiir River, which refers to their ancestors. But the Baggara call it Bahr al-Arab – the River of the Arabs. So this river forms the frontier between the Dinka and the Baggara. Hundreds of thousands have died here. When Khartoum ruled us, we had to

As if to answer his unspoken

Gabriel followed, his chest heaving. He should’ve run more

questions, one of the soldiers

with Jane, he thought vaguely

on the road edge suddenly

as the sound of blood pumping

pointed to the sky and shouted,

in his ears started to block out

“Antonov! Antonov!”

everything else. Alek was lying

The effect on the man’s

flat on her stomach just off the

comrades was dramatic. The

road, her neck craned to look

men in the tent, including the

up at the sky. Gabriel fell to the

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 17


Advocate Andrew Brown

ground beside her, the gravel and

metal shape glinted closer, then

back over the gun and the truck

stones scouring his chest and

disappeared into the haze. If he

lumbered back into the bush.

legs.

strained, he could still hear its

A few men laughed and lit up

distant drone.

cigarettes. The roadblock was

“What the hell is it?”

They seemed to lie alongside

re-established as if nothing had

pointed at a spot in the sky

one another for hours, silently

occurred, though Gabriel noted

some distance off the horizon.

waiting for the plane to make

that the young soldier who had

Something metal glinted and

its appearance. The ants kept

stopped them still scanned the

disappeared, then another flash

attacking him, stinging bites on

skies from time to time.

of reflected light. The road was

his legs and neck. The stones

Gabriel returned to the tent with

deserted now. The officer and his

pushed into his scratched and

Alek to find the officer back in his

men had disappeared from view,

sunburnt skin. Was this how war

position, the radio crackling.

and only two men had remained

was, a toxic mix of boredom and

behind with the truck and its

terror, he wondered. Waiting,

Nations,” the man said. He

gun, the barrel facing in the

holding your breath, hoping

handed Gabriel his passport. “You

direction of the aeroplane. Large

something might happen, praying

are free to carry on to Bentiu.

black ants crawled over Gabriel’s

that something else might not?

Good day.”

hands. One started to investigate

No one spoke. Then, without

“Russian Antonov.” She

the recesses behind his ear

further comment, it was over.

before he managed to squash it.

The soldiers emerged from the

A biting smell filled his nose. The

shadows, the canvas was pulled

18 AUTHORS MAGAZINE

“Transport plane for the United

AM


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AUTHORS MAGAZINE 19 Other info: Advertise your events for free: Send us mail to team@authorsmag.com (T&Cs Apply)


WALLY SEROTE

MAKING FRESH FOOTPRINTS 20 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Wally Serote

Professor Mongane Wally

His first published poetry

of a village singer who moves

collection, Yakhal‘inkomo, earned

to Jo’burg for greener pastures.

him substantial recognition as it

Reality dashes her dreams when

scooped the Ingrid Jonker debut

she discovers that not all is glitter

English Poetry Award in 1972.

in the “city of gold”. When her

He later earned a scholarship

venture to become a popular

Bio

to study Fine Arts at Columbia

singer takes a disappointing halt,

Professor Mongane Wally

University in which he graduated

she resorts to prostitution to

for the Master’s Degree.

survive. Tired of the city life she

Serote dedicates his time to rebuilding the African culture and traditions. By Shalate Portia Davhana

Serote is the CEO of iARi , the Indigenous African Renaissance

Professor Mongane Wally Serote

goes back to the village, with two

Innovation organisation. He

has since written a number of

just two suitcases. Her road to

also chairs on various boards

novels, poetry, essays and plays

re-discover herself takes off when

of organisations such as The

which has earned him several

she only finds ruins (marope) of

Johannesburg Theatres, the

esteemed awards locally and

her homestead. She begins the

Indigenous Knowledge system

internationally. In recent years,

journey to make fresh footprints.

Trust of South African, (iIkssa).

former South African State

He is the former CEO of the

President Thabo awarded him

Freedom Park, a monument for

the sterling Order of Ikhamanga

the liberation heroes who died

Silver Award for “Excellent

in the struggle under the rule of

time making fresh footprints

contribution to literature, with

apartheid. He has been awarded

by innovating better ways to

emphasis on poetry and for

the Honourary Professorship by

preserve the African tradition

putting his artistic talents at the

the University of South Africa.

and culture. As the CEO of the

service of democracy in South

Incubation African Renaissance

Africa”.

Innovation (iARi) non-profit

His spear is the pen. Over the years, he has pierced out the

His latest staged theatrical

The Indigenous Knowledge Systems Professor Serote dedicates his

organisation, he has been

cruelty suffered by black people

production, The way we heal,

working around the clock to

under the regime of segregation

which he says focuses on

promote what he terms the

through many of his poems. He

“cleaning up” the institution of

“Indigenous Knowledge Systems”

laid bare the anguish of mothers

traditional healing (bongaka ba

which is involved in a number

who lost sons, wives who lost

setso) has just returned from

of projects to preserve, promote

husbands and sisters who lost

staging in Britain after at least

and maintain the African identity

brothers through clashes with

three tours in South Africa. Its

through different interventions.

the unjust security forces. He

successor, Fresh Footprints will

“ I believe that the indigenous

has fought for liberation using

hit the stage on 12 June this

knowledge systems should be

literature. The world has heard

year. The play depicts the plight

compulsory in schools as they

his voice.

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 21


Wally Serote

carry lots of valuable things that

though several activities took

the Freedom Park and noted

the country needs to do, such as

place before they embarked

the plight of the liberators

social cohesion as an example”,

on the journey to raise their

before leaving for Botswana.

he said. Professor Serote believes

conscience on the plight of the

“Upon returning to South Africa,

that the establishment of

freedom fighters, Professor

I asked them: Why did they

Indigenous Knowledge Centres

Serote was not entirely impressed

think that those extremely

across the country will be a step

with the outcomes. “When we

important symbols were places

towards progress. Currently a

arrived at the memorial site in

for modelling?” he sighs. “They

concept paper on Peer Review

Gaborone where 12 MK (Mkhonto

didn’t have an answer”, he adds.

has been developed and the

We Sizwe) soldiers killed by the

qualitative research

Youth Transformation Professor Serote

on some of the

believes that young

issues pertaining to

people no longer

Indigenous Knowledge

have “a culture

Systems.

of belonging to a

Projects for South

nation”. He points

African Youth

out that the manner

iARi has embarked

in which June 16 is

on the project to

“commemorated”

introduce the youth

currently, with people

to the path of the

wearing school

freedom fighters of

uniforms at taverns,

the apartheid regime.

leaves much to be

The project debuted

desired. On tertiary

last year September in which 18 young South Africans travelled the route from the south of Botswana to the North where the country meets with Namibia and Zimbabwe. He said: “It is important for the youth to know and understand that the freedom of this country was built on the blood of others, they have to be conscious of that fact”. Even

22 AUTHORS MAGAZINE

SADF in June 1985 are buried, I was shocked at the manner in which the youths posed for pictures, it was like they were modelling”, he adds with a slight frown. The same behaviour continued when they visited other sites as well, even though the entourage visited memorial sites such as The Apartheid Museum, The Voortrekker Monument and

institutions, he advises that young people should focus on the transformation of education rather than focusing their energies on destroying statues. Are South Africans xenophobic? Professor Serote cautions society to be careful from being “spoon-fed” with concepts and explain xenophobia as a very cruel activity that emanates


Wally Serote

he adds. Professor Serote

from people who are either very

readership. “If young people can

believes that leloko can still be

afraid of foreigners or have a

form reading groups and promote

recreated. He agrees that “family”

deep hatred for foreigners. “I

African literature, they could

has evolved from the traditional

don’t think that as South Africans

establish an audience that will

way we know it, that of a mother,

we are like that. We should

criticise in a relevant manner. His

father and their children. He

investigate other social causes of

book entitled “Revelation” was

urges that even with the current

the violence” he said. He does

published after five years on shelf

situation of single parenting and

not rule out that the behaviour

of his home because he refused

‘combined’ families that emanate

of people in the townships stems

the content to be changed,

from high divorce rate, society

from the brutal treatment of the

causing the initial publisher to

can accept those two realities and

apartheid regime. “When I grew

walk away.

work on still work on a common

up, it was common that every

purpose. “We should determine

morning there would be corpses

a Johannesburg restaurant, his

how to make Africa relevant in

lying in the street. I witnessed

mobile phone rings. He is due for

the 21st century”, he said.

that almost daily”, he said. He

another appointment. He wraps

adds that society should also take

up with a few valuable advices

heed of the fact that foreigners

on keeping family ties, before he

are a minority in townships where

quickly disappears into the hectic

resources are scares, making

Jo’burg city life.

Moving forward Professor Serote is currently writing a biography of the late Dr Ruth Mompati, affectionately known as ‘Mama Ruta’ who passed on at a Cape Town

them vulnerable to become scapegoats to social challenges.

Hospital where she was

IARI and African Renaissance

recovering from a short illness.

The organisation is on a

She was described as a tried and

mission to work with South

tested liberation struggle veteran

Africans and ultimately the

who has contributed immensely

continent to reclaimed the family

to a new united South African

structure that was destroyed by

nation. Dr Mompati died at the

colonisation, racial segregation

age of 89 years.

and unjust acts such as the

Professor Serote encourages

abolished “Group Areas Act” of

South Africans, especially the

the apartheid rule. “You, I and

black youths, to cultivate a

our families should reclaim our

culture of reading. He cautions

African renaissance. It is not by

that publishers often want to

accident that “leloko” (family

manipulate content based on the

tree) is scattered and shattered”,

After a lengthy encounter at

AM

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 23


Wally Serote

Madiba Poem

we must accept you will walk stop sit a bit and then you will lie down you will take a deep breath a relief and say oliver how are you you will we must accept and oliver I can see him with his pondo marks and a bright warm smile and laughter he will hug you he will say welcome nelson and you both will take a walk as he introduces you or reminds you this is dube this is mamphosho remember kate walter will come just now he is in council with thabo and zuma on earth i can hear you both break into laughter he holding your hand to cross you must cross over to become an

24 AUTHORS MAGAZINE

ancestor

and millions

you will look back at us

and billions of freedom fighters

and you will wonder

generations upon generations of

when will we learn

them

that everything comes to pass

we hope

but you madiba will be light

you will then remember

kilometers

do ancestors have memory

away

you will remember

and

that we mean it when we say

although still near us

freedom

we will not hear what you and

peace

fischer

we mean so because there is no

talk about

other

what you and dadoo talk about

you all of you died so

and when you ask shaka

so many different types of death

with your husky voice and

mini

guttural

singing to the gallows

laughter

sizobadubulangembaibai

how are you

and fisher the chess man

and all of you will break into this

with that most beautiful smile of

laughter

his

which signals the joy in your

and those starry eyes which were

beings

like

you will be amused by what you

windows into his soul

all left

agrees for cancer to take him

behind

away

us

and kotane

flesh and blood

allows stroke to wrench his life

brain and spirit

away

still struggling to make sense

how come I only remember you

about all

all

of this

in smiles

and you

and eyes filled with laughter

then

and facial expressions filled with

will be in communion with

joy

hundreds

oh


Wally Serote

it is because your senses

all of you had such quite

when the heat of the sun talks to

your sight

whispering

different types of life

your touch

eyes

madiba

your sense of smell

perhaps that is what we must

you and others disappeared for

your sense of taste

remember

27

and your sense of hearing

about you

years

all of these things madiba

you fighters for freedom

you came back

exude from deep down your

you who spoke with amplified

do you remember how tambo left

spirituality

voices

with

you all men and women of

that the world heard

his stern face

sacrifice

you who strode the world and

and elias disappeared like a

must we remember you like that

straddled

snowflake

all I know

it with great familiarity

so did omgov

is that you will walk

you who starred into the distant

and you also watched mhlaba

you will stop

horizon

and

and then you will lie down a little

whose speech looked like a wink

mqayi leave

you will take a deep breath

and you focused in attention

often I wondered what you

a relief from this earth

because you knew that the sun

thought

you will have passed on

rises

as one by one your peers left

into communion

you knew that the sun sets

you used to look watchful and at

i do not know if dadoo still needs

the moon rises and sets

times

his

because nothing is for ever

starry eyed

pipe

even the birds as you know

and one day

to smoke

and that is why they migrate

like the good soldier you are you

does he

they hop

handed over the baton

does tambo need his spectacles

they perch on distant trees

and now you have walked off the

and his

they glide above clouds

screen

pondo marks

they ride different breezes

and now and then your shadow

does mamposho still need her

and they know even different

appears

blueblack

billows

beauty spot on her cheek

of the seas

it elongates along the earth

does shope still need his hard

even ants know this

and it walks like the second arm

rough

that is why they gather food all

of the

palms which were like hard stone

the time

clock

all of you had such clean facial

they disappear a little

i smile at times

expressions

and they come back again

as I imitate your dignity and

is tall this shadow too tall

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 25


Wally Serote

integrity

and billions of freedom fighters

your sight

as I rehearse your wisdom in my

generations upon generations of

your touch

head

them

your sense of smell

we must accept

we hope

your sense of taste

you will walk

you will then remember

and your sense of hearing

stop

do ancestors have memory

all of these things madiba

you will sit down a bit

you will remember

exude from deep down your

and then you will lie down and

that we mean it when we say

spirituality

sigh

freedom

you all men and women of

it is ok tata we will not hear what

peace

sacrifice

you and fischer

we mean so because there is no

must we remember you like that

talk about

other

all I know

what you and dadoo talk about

you all of you died so

is that you will walk

and when you ask shaka

so many different types of death

you will stop

with your husky voice and

mini

and then you will lie down a little

guttural

singing to the gallows

you will take a deep breath

laughter

sizobadubulangembaibai

a relief from this earth

how are you

and fisher the chess man

you will have passed on

and all of you will break into this

with that most beautiful smile of

into communion

laughter

his

I do not know if dadoo still needs

which signals the joy in your

and those starry eyes which were

his

beings

like

pipe

you will be amused by what you

windows into his soul

to smoke

all left

agrees for cancer to take him

does he

behind

away

does tambo need his spectacles

us

and kotane

and his

flesh and blood

allows stroke to wrench his life

pondo marks

brain and spirit

away

does mamposho still need her

still struggling to make sense

how come I only remember you

blueblack

about all

all

beauty spot on her cheek

of this

in smiles

does shope still need his hard

and you

and eyes filled with laughter

rough

then

and facial expressions filled with

palms which were like hard stone

will be in communion with

joy

all of you had such clean facial

hundreds

oh

expressions

and millions

it is because your senses

all of you had such quite

26 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Wally Serote

whispering

different types of life

integrity

eyes

madiba

as I rehearse your wisdom in my

perhaps that is what we must

you and others disappeared for

head

remember

27

we must accept

about you

years

you will walk

you fighters for freedom

you came back

stop

you who spoke with amplified

do you remember how tambo left

you will sit down a bit

voices

with

and then you will lie down and

that the world heard

his stern face

sigh

you who strode the world and

and elias disappeared like a

it is ok tata

straddled

snowflake

it with great familiarity

so did omgov

you who starred into the distant

and you also watched mhlaba

horizon

and

whose speech looked like a wink

mqayi leave

and you focused in attention

often I wondered what you

because you knew that the sun

thought

rises

as one by one your peers left

you knew that the sun sets

you used to look watchful and at

the moon rises and sets

times

because nothing is for ever

starry eyed

even the birds as you know

and one day

and that is why they migrate

like the good soldier you are you

they hop

handed over the baton

they perch on distant trees

and now you have walked off the

they glide above clouds

screen

they ride different breezes

and now and then your shadow

and they know even different

appears

billows

i is tall this shadow too tall

of the seas

it elongates along the earth

even ants know this

and it walks like the second arm

that is why they gather food all

of the

the time

clock

they disappear a little

i

and they come back again

i smile at times

when the heat of the sun talks to

as I imitate your dignity and

Mongane Wally serote

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 27


Noxolo Chalale

NOXOLO CHALALE

SHARES HER DREAMS

28 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Noxolo Chalale

Noxolo Karabo Chalale (23) describes writing her first book as a “terrible” experience. She was still a grade 7 learner afterall. However, that did not

Helderberg College, I just started

Intern at Business Day, what are

again.

your aspirations?

Authors: What attracted you to spoken word ? Noxolo: I’ve always loved

Noxolo: I would love to write hard hitting stuff, for one. But besides that, I really aspire to talk

stop her from exploring the

public speaking, and I think that

to the youth. I would be really

world of poetry and literature

kind of led me to spoken word

happy if I had the opportunity or

with passion. Authors sits with

performance.

platform to access the youth and

this charming young lady to find out what it is that attracts her to poetry and spoken word.

Authors: Oh you perform? Tell us more. Noxolo: Yes I do, well I try to. I

share ideas with them. Authors: What are you currently reading?

Authors: What would you

love spoken word; my favourites

Noxolo: Oh yes, I am currently

say your favourite book of all

include Joe Solomon, Siphokazi

reading ‘What Slavery is to Me’ by

time was? I know it is a cliché

Jonas and Sipho Ndebele. I also

Pumla Dieno Gqola

question, but I think it’s a good

really appreciate Lebo Mashile.

place to start. Noxolo: I would say, Joseph by Terri L Fivash, definitely one of my favourites. Authors: How would you describe your work? Noxolo: Personal yet very

Authors: Do you attend shows often? Noxolo: Yes, I try to whenever

Authors: How can people access your work? Please say you have a blog. Noxolo: I studied media, and for

I can. Here’s the thing about

that class, I had to have a blog

poetry, you often get so caught

as a part of my curriculum. But I

up in the rhyme or what not.

never picked it up beyond that. I

But if you go to a lot of poetry

plan to though, I promise.

abstract, stemming from my own

sessions you end up losing

personal experiences – I also use

the point of it because you

You really must, the great thing

a lot of analogies.

concentrate so much on the

about the internet is that it has

rhythm. It’s not about that, it’s so

made it so easy to share ideas

much more than that. It’s about

and whatever with little to no

what is actually being said by the

effort.

Authors: How did that come about? You writing your own work I mean. Noxolo: I think I wrote my first Novel when I was in grade 7, and elaborate story that I wouldn’t want to relive, it was

poets. Authors: Who or what inspires you? Noxolo: People. Everybody

quite terrible (laughs). For a long

inspires me. There’s a lesson to

time I didn’t think I could actually

be learnt from everyone I meet.

write, somewhere in Varsity at

Authors: I know you’re and

Authors: You don’t have a blog?!

Noxolo: I know! I am just a procrastinator of note, I am working on it though. I’d say that is one of my weaknesses. It is ‘work in progress’. Authors: We look forward to that.

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 29


30 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


AUTHORS MAGAZINE 31


MINAH SINDANE - BLOEM 32 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Minah Sindane-Bloem

In September 2013 I got a call from a young man asking me out for lunch. I had not seen or spoken to him in a while and was wondering what the reason for the lunch was. The last time I spoke to him was about my two self-published books. He told me he was interested in writing a book and would like to get some tips from me. So I thought this time he was coming to give me an update of how he is doing with his book. He made me a proposal and I reluctantly accepted. I told him that I thought what he was proposing is possible. We happen to work together in the defence industry some years ago. He is still within the industry. I worked there for just over eleven years. He said to me that he would like me to write a book on defence for learners at school. The aim of the book would be to demystify the world of defence for the majority of learners in our country, South Africa. He went on and on about how beneficial the book will be to the masses of learners. He continued to tell me that he could actually write the book but he doesn’t want to invent the wheel. He thought that

since I have written two books,

and it turns immediately before

I could actually start writing this

reaching the wall”. He went on

defence book and he will help

and on and I was sold. I was

me. I listened and was not sure

eating from the palm of his hand.

what to think.

I am almost certain that if he

He started relating things

was proposing marriage to me

that I know in such a manner

that day I would have accepted,

that I started becoming more

except that I am hooked already.

interested in what he was saying.

I went home and started

He said to me: “Imagine us

putting the structure of the book

telling the learner about the spy

together. I looked at different

camera that the soldiers use. It

titles of the book. I requested

is thin and long. Imagine them

an International Standard

understanding that the benefit

Book Number (ISBN) from the

of society from that camera is

State Library. I started writing

the fact that the technology was

the book. I told my co-writer,

used to invent a gastro scope,

Llewellyn Hartnick that we

the camera used by doctors to

are going to need someone to

check inside our stomachs from

sponsor this book. He told me

the mouth, down the oesophagus

not to worry. I started knocking

up to the stomach”. I trained as a

at a few doors. Some doors

nurse, I know the camera, but I

looked open but in fact they were

never knew that it has its origins

closed. By this time I was sold

from the military.

to the book and told myself that

He said to me: “Look at the radar. The technology was invented after watching a bat.

come rain or shine this book is going to see the light of day. Ask any writer who is a self-

A flying bat will never hit a solid

publisher how difficult it is to get

object because of the sensors

funding. In February 2014 Denel

it has. It sends out a signal and

State Owned Company (SOC),

that signal comes back to the

a reliable defence, security and

bat and it knows that there is an

technology solutions partner,

obstacle. That is why sometime

bought into our dream. They

when it looks like a bat is flying

agreed to sponsor the book.

towards a wall or a human being

They thought it a good project

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 33


Minah Sindane-Bloem

to coincide with their theme

the content of the book. The

book to read and then bring them

of celebrating 20 years of

assertion was that the book is

together as a group to explain

democracy in South Africa. Bingo!

difficult to read. I refused to

their understanding of what they

We were very excited and knew

believe that. I was supported by

read. All of us were surprised

that we were closer

by the level of

to realising our

understanding these

dream than when

children had. The

we first started.

book is written in English and one boy

We set the date for the launch

asked me to say his

between 17-19

piece in isiZulu, one

September 2014.

of the indigenous

This was exciting.

languages in South

Came June the book

Africa. He read the

was nowhere near

chapter on how

launching. The date

aeroplanes fly and

was postponed to

explained that it

November, then

is the tail of the

January then

aircraft that turns

February and I

it. The sponsor

lost count. One

representatives were

of the challenges

pleasantly surprised

that the sponsor

to learn that there

had with the book

is nothing difficult

was whether or

to understand in the

not the majority

book.

of the learners,

As I write this

especially grades

piece, the book is

7-9 will understand

out of the printing

what is written in there. So we

one of the reviewers who has

press, ready to be launched

got some experts to review

been teaching township children.

on 30 June 2015 – Defence

the book. We received both

I asked the sponsor to put the

Technology Made Easy – by

positive and negative reviews.

book to the test. Denel SOC has

Minah Sindane-Bloem and

The most negative one was that

a few township schools that they

Llewellyn Hartnick

it was going to be difficult for

sponsor. I asked them to give

township children to understand

grades 7, 8 and 9 learners the

I leave it to the reader to learn whatever lessons are found in this story.

34 AUTHORS MAGAZINE

AM


AUTHORS MAGAZINE 35


Sherlock Holmes

CHAPTER II.

into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five

At three o’clock precisely I was at Baker Street,

minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old.

but Holmes had not yet returned. The landlady informed

Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out

me that he had left the house shortly after

his legs in front of the fire and laughed heartily for

eight o’clock in the morning. I sat down beside the

some minutes.

fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him,

“Well, really!” he cried, and then he choked and

however long he might be. I was already deeply

laughed again until he was obliged to lie back, limp

interested in his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded

and helpless, in the chair.

by none of the grim and strange features

“What is it?”

which were associated with the two crimes which I

“It’s quite too funny. I am sure you could never

have already recorded, still, the nature of the case

guess how I employed my morning, or what I

and the exalted station of his client gave it a character

ended by doing.”

of its own. Indeed, apart from the nature of the

“I can’t imagine. I suppose that you have been

investigation which my friend had on hand, there

watching the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss

was something in his masterly grasp of a situation,

Irene Adler.”

and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a

“Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I

pleasure to me to study his system of work, and

will tell you, however. I left the house a little after

to follow the quick, subtle methods by which he

eight o’clock this morning in the character of a

disentangled the most inextricable mysteries. So

groom out of work. There is a wonderful sympathy

accustomed was I to his invariable success that the

and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of

very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter

them, and you will know all that there is to know. I

into my head.

soon found Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a

It was close upon four before the door opened,

garden at the back, but built out in front right up to

and a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and

the road, two stories. Chubb lock to the door. Large

sidewhiskered,

sitting-room on the right side, well furnished, with

with an inflamed face and disreputable

long windows almost to the floor, and those preposterous

clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I

English window fasteners which a child

was to my friend’s amazing powers in the use of

could open. Behind there was nothing remarkable,

disguises, I had to look three times before I was

save that the passage window could be reached

certain that it was indeed he. With a nod he vanished

from the top of the coach-house. I walked round it

36 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Sherlock Holmes

and examined it closely from every point of view,

the former, she had probably transferred the photograph

but without noting anything else of interest. “I then

to his keeping. If the latter, it was less likely.

lounged down the street and found, as

On the issue of this question depended whether I

I expected, that there was a mews in a lane which

should continue my work at Briony Lodge, or turn

runs down by one wall of the garden. I lent the

my attention to the gentleman’s chambers in the

ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and

Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the

received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and

field of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these

half, two fills of shag tobacco, and as much information

details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties,

as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say

if you are to understand the situation.”

nothing of half a dozen other people in the

“I am following you closely,” I answered.

neighbourhood

“I was still balancing the matter in my mind

in whom I was not in the least interested,

when a hansom cab drove up to Briony Lodge,

but whose biographies I was compelled to listen

and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remarkably

to.”

handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached—

“And what of Irene Adler?” I asked.

evidently the man of whom I had heard.

“Oh, she has turned all the men’s heads down

He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the

in that part. She is the daintiest thing under a bonnet

cabman to wait, and brushed past the maid who

on this planet. So say the Serpentine-mews, to

opened the door with the air of a man who was

a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives

thoroughly at home.

out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp

“He was in the house about half an hour, and

for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except

I could catch glimpses of him in the windows of

when she sings. Has only one male visitor, but

the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking excitedly,

a good deal of him. He is dark, handsome, and

and waving his arms. Of her I could see

dashing, never calls less than once a day, and often

nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more

twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner

flurried than before. As he stepped up to the cab,

Temple. See the advantages of a cabman as a confidant.

he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked

They had driven him home a dozen times

at it earnestly, ‘Drive like the devil,’ he shouted,

from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him.

‘first to Gross & Hankey’s in Regent Street, and

When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began

then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware

to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more,

Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes!’

and to think over my plan of campaign.

“Away they went, and I was just wondering

“This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important

whether I should not do well to follow them when

factor in the matter. He was a lawyer. That

up the lane came a neat little landau, the coachman

sounded ominous. What was the relation between

with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under

them, and what the object of his repeated visits?

his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking

Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If

out of the buckles. It hadn’t pulled up before

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 37


Sherlock Holmes

she shot out of the hall door and into it. I only

vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and

caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was

generally assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler,

a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die

spinster, to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was

for.

all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman

“ ‘The Church of St. Monica, John,’ she cried,

thanking me on the one side and the lady on the

‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.’

other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front.

“This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I

It was the most preposterous position in which I

was just balancing whether I should run for it, or

ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought

whether I should perch behind her landau when

of it that started me laughing just now. It seems

a cab came through the street. The driver looked

that there had been some informality about their

twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before

license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to

he could object. ‘The Church of St. Monica,’ said

marry them without a witness of some sort, and

I, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty

that my lucky appearance saved the bridegroom

minutes.’ It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and

from having to sally out into the streets in search

of course it was clear enough what was in the wind.

of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and

“My cabby drove fast. I don’t think I ever drove

I mean to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of

faster, but the others were there before us. The cab

the occasion.”

and the landau with their steaming horses were in

“This is a very unexpected turn of affairs,” said

front of the door when I arrived. I paid the man

I; “and what then?”

and hurried into the church. There was not a soul

“Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced.

there save the two whom I had followed and a

It looked as if the pair might take an immediate

surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostulating

departure, and so necessitate very prompt and energetic

with them. They were all three standing in

measures on my part. At the church door,

a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side

however, they separated, he driving back to the

aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a

Temple, and she to her own house. ‘I shall drive

church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the

out in the park at five as usual,’ she said as she

altar faced round to me, and Godfrey Norton came

left him. I heard no more. They drove away in different

running as hard as he could towards me.

directions, and I went off to make my own

“ ‘Thank God,’ he cried. ‘You’ll do. Come!

arrangements.”

Come!’

“Which are?”

“ ‘What then?’ I asked.

“Some cold beef and a glass of beer,” he answered,

“ ‘Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it

ringing the bell. “I have been too busy

won’t be legal.’

to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still

“I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before

this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your

I knew where I was I found myself mumbling

co-operation.”

responses which were whispered in my ear, and

“I shall be delighted.”

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Sherlock Holmes

“You don’t mind breaking the law?”

“Entirely.”

“Not in the least.”

“It is nothing very formidable,” he said, taking

“Nor running a chance of arrest?”

a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. “It is an

“Not in a good cause.”

ordinary plumber’s smoke-rocket, fitted with a cap

“Oh, the cause is excellent!”

at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is

“Then I am your man.”

confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it

“I was sure that I might rely on you.”

will be taken up by quite a number of people. You

“But what is it you wish?”

may then walk to the end of the street, and I will

“When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I

rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have made

will make it clear to you. Now,” he said as he

myself clear?”

turned hungrily on the simple fare that our landlady

“I am to remain neutral, to get near the window,

had provided, “I must discuss it while I eat,

to watch you, and at the signal to throw in this

for I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In

object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you

two hours we must be on the scene of action. Miss

at the corner of the street.”

Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at

“Precisely.”

seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.”

“Then you may entirely rely on me.”

“And what then?”

“That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost

“You must leave that to me. I have already arranged

time that I prepare for the new role I have to play.”

what is to occur. There is only one point on

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned

which I must insist. You must not interfere, come

in a few minutes in the character of an amiable

what may. You understand?”

and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His

“I am to be neutral?”

broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie,

“To do nothing whatever. There will probably

his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering

be some small unpleasantness. Do not join in it.

and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John

It will end in my being conveyed into the house.

Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely

Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room

that Holmes changed his costume. His expression,

window will open. You are to station yourself close

his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every

to that open window.”

fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine

“Yes.”

actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when

“You are to watch me, for I will be visible to

he became a specialist in crime.

you.”

It was a quarter past six when we left Baker

“Yes.”

Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour

“And when I raise my hand—so—you will

when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. It

throw into the room what I give you to throw, and

was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted

will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You

as we paced up and down in front of Briony

quite follow me?”

Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 39


Sherlock Holmes

house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock

can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own

Holmes’ succinct description, but the locality

house.”

appeared to be less private than I expected. On

“But it has twice been burgled.”

the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood,

“Pshaw! They did not know how to look.”

it was remarkably animated. There was a

“But how will you look?”

group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing

“I will not look.”

in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel,

“What then?”

two guardsmen who were flirting with a nursegirl,

“I will get her to show me.”

and several well-dressed young men who were

“But she will refuse.”

lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.

“She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble

“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to

of wheels. It is her carriage. Now carry out my

and fro in front of the house, “this marriage rather

orders to the letter.”

simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a

As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a

double-edged weapon now. The chances are that

carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It

she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr.

was a smart little landau which rattled up to the

Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the

door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the

eyes of his princess. Now the question is—Where

loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open

are we to find the photograph?”

the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was

“Where, indeed?”

elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed

“It is most unlikely that she carries it about with

up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke

her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment

out, which was increased by the two guardsmen,

about a woman’s dress. She knows that the

who took sides with one of the loungers, and by

King is capable of having her waylaid and searched.

the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the

Two attempts of the sort have already been made.

other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant

We may take it, then, that she does not carry it

the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was

about with her.”

the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling

“Where, then?”

men, who struck savagely at each other with their

“Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double

fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd

possibility. But I am inclined to think neither.

to protect the lady; but just as he reached her he

Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do

gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the

their own secreting. Why should she hand it over

blood running freely down his face. At his fall

to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship,

the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction

but she could not tell what indirect or political

and the loungers in the other, while a number of

influence might be brought to bear upon a business

better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle

man. Besides, remember that she had resolved to

without taking part in it, crowded in to help the

use it within a few days. It must be where she

lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler,

40 AUTHORS MAGAZINE


Sherlock Holmes

as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but

maid rushed across and threw open the window.

she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined

At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and

against the lights of the hall, looking back into the

at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with

street.

a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out of my

“Is the poor gentleman much hurt?” she asked.

mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well

“He is dead,” cried several voices.

dressed and ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servantmaids—

“No, no, there’s life in him!” shouted another.

joined in a general shriek of “Fire!” Thick

“But he’ll be gone before you can get him to hospital.”

clouds of smoke curled through the room and out

“He’s a brave fellow,” said a woman. “They

at the open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing

would have had the lady’s purse and watch if it

figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes

hadn’t been for him. They were a gang, and a

from within assuring them that it was a false alarm.

rough one, too. Ah, he’s breathing now.”

Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my

“He can’t lie in the street. May we bring him in,

way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes

marm?”

was rejoiced to find my friend’s arm in mine, and

“Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There

to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked

is a comfortable sofa. This way, please!”

swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until

Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony

we had turned down one of the quiet streets which

Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while

lead towards the Edgeware Road.

I still observed the proceedings from my post by

“You did it very nicely, Doctor,” he remarked.

the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds

“Nothing could have been better. It is all right.”

had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as

“You have the photograph?”

he lay upon the couch. I do not know whether he

“I know where it is.”

was seized with compunction at that moment for

“And how did you find out?”

the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt

“She showed me, as I told you she would.”

more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than

“I am still in the dark.”

when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I

“I do not wish to make a mystery,” said he,

was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with

laughing. “The matter was perfectly simple. You,

which she waited upon the injured man. And yet it

of course, saw that everyone in the street was an

would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw

accomplice.

back now from the part which he had intrusted to me. I

They were all engaged for the evening.”

hardened my heart, and took the smokerocket

“I guessed as much.”

from under my ulster. After all, I thought,

“Then, when the row broke out, I had a little

we are not injuring her. We are but preventing her

moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed

from injuring another.

forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face,

Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw

and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick.”

him motion like a man who is in need of air. A

“That also I could fathom.”

AUTHORS MAGAZINE 41


Sherlock Holmes

“Then they carried me in. She was bound to

with the King to-morrow, and with you, if you

have me in. What else could she do? And into

care to come with us. We will be shown into the

her sitting-room, which was the very room which

sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probable

I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom,

that when she comes she may find neither us nor

and I was determined to see which. They laid me

the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his

on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled

Majesty to regain it with his own hands.”

to open the window, and you had your chance.”

“And when will you call?”

“How did that help you?”

“At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so

“It was all-important. When a woman thinks

that we shall have a clear field. Besides, we must

that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to

be prompt, for this marriage may mean a complete

rush to the thing which she values most. It is a

change in her life and habits. I must wire to the

perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more

King without delay.”

than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the

We had reached Baker Street and had stopped

Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me,

at the door. He was searching his pockets for the

and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married

key when someone passing said:

woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one

“Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.”

reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to me

There were several people on the pavement at

that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house

the time, but the greeting appeared to come from a

more precious to her than what we are in quest of.

slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by.

She would rush to secure it. The alarm of fire was

“I’ve heard that voice before,” said Holmes, staring

admirably done. The smoke and shouting were

down the dimly lit street. “Now, I wonder who

enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded

the deuce that could have been.”

beautifully. The photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all.” “And now?” I asked. “Our quest is practically finished. I shall call

42 AUTHORS MAGAZINE

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Sherlock Holmes

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