Sherlock Holmes story rediscovered over a century later

LONDON: A Sherlock Holmes story, which languished in obscurity for more than a century, has been rediscovered.
Master story teller Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had written it to raise funds for flood-hit Scottish town of Selkirk at the turn of the 20th century.
Walter Elliot, an 80-year-old historian in the UK, stumbled upon the 48-page literary work.
He found the literary treasure in his attic and remembered how a friend had gifted it to him 50 years ago.
While leafing through the book, Elliot stumbled upon the work – ‘Sherlock Holmes: Discovering the Border Burghs’.
Doyle was a frequent visitor to Selkirk and loved a wooden bridge, which was ravaged by flood of 1902.
Locals organized a three-day event to raise funds for a new one in 1904. As part of the event, organizers sold a collection of short stories by locals called ‘The Book o’ the Brig’.
The famed author contributed a tale for the fundraiser. “The town did not have the money to replace it so they decided to have a bazaar to replace the bridge in 1904,’’ said Elliot.
“The local MPs and landowners raised £560, which was quite some sum then. The Saturday was opened by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.’’
He said Doyle had written a wee story about Sherlock Holmes and Watson and this was in the book. “He really must have thought enough of the town to come down and take part and contribute a story to the book. It is a great little story.’’