Wah! I just wrote a monster response down under Cesario's comment, in which I address (I hope) both of your guy's points. Not in a disputatious manner, either! (again, I hope) However, I must say I can't imagine you watching me cry over the spot where I thought you had died, and then failing to tell me you were actually alive for three years... I also always pictured Holmes doing rather personal things while he was away, with perhaps the occasional favour for his brother, but that's just my own brain version of events and as such should not be held against Laurie R. King.