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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CONTENT
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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
AUTHORS MAGAZINE 3
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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.
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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
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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
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