The Hapsburg Falcon

No detective is as famous as Sherlock Holmes, and perhaps no object of mystery is as shrouded in legend as the Maltese Falcon. These two iconic figures cross paths in this recently discovered manuscript from the pen of Dr. John H. Watson recounting Holmes’ encounter with the fabulous statue.

The affair involves not only Holmes’ former adversary Irene Adler, but also a certain rotund gentleman who may have been the nemesis of private eye Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon. Paralleling in some ways the fictionalized version of Spade’s adventure with the statue, The Hapsburg Falcon casts refreshing glimpses on the great detective and those around him, as well as perhaps helping to uncover his real-life connection with Spade.

Among the many apocryphal Holmes adventures, this may be one of the most revealing.