Chapter Text
Introduction
I cannot compliment this book, because it is chiefly about me, and that would be unpardonable narcissism. As I am an unpardonable narcissist, I will confess that I adore it. I trust you won’t mention that to John. He has taken it on himself to cure me of the nastiest of my faults.
Perhaps John will not fault me for enjoying his stories. He has always told them with an eye to pleasing me, I believe. Certainly he portrays me as a gallant genius, and it is difficult to complain of that, except to accuse him of romanticising. However I have found that when one accuses one’s own husband of romanticism, one is subject to quite a pleasant series of fondly delivered indictments (and perhaps two or three kisses). Evidently my scolding is not as efficacious as is John’s.
Now I have made you all glad that John is your author and not me (though he would have ‘with Sherlock Holmes’ tacked on under his name on the cover of this book), I suppose I ought to be nearing the conclusion of my introduction. Only I’ve hardly done any introducing yet, and John’s terrifying editor is already certain to hack this to shreds (thank you, Stacey; you are very kind to assist us). Nonetheless, it is time for me to have done with my windbagging, and let you get on with the book. Nearly.
Herein you will read the details of our ridiculous adventures. We hope that you find them exciting and instructive in some small way (though the terrifying Stacey Augusta did excise every last one of the diagrams I drew). This is the story of the best things I’ve ever done, told by the bravest, kindest, wisest man I’ve known. And truly, the good that I have been fortunate enough to achieve has been under his assistance or at his service.
Look closely, and you will find that it is John and not I who is your dashing hero. Though I may be the one to have blundered, begged, borrowed, or stolen us into the bulk of our adventures, they have often come to their happy conclusions because of the boldness, the cleverness, the wisdom, and the strength of your author, my husband John Watson.
Or as John might say, if he could be induced to pay himself a compliment, John is your Prince Charming. You may trust him to carry you through peril and into your happily ever after. Let us congratulate ourselves on having chosen well and bask in the gladness that he has chosen us right back.