One of the modern masters of fantasy, Gene Wolfe began his publishing career more than 50 years ago in the pages of The Commentator, a student publication at Texas A&M University. Since then, Wolfe has authored such influential works as The Fifth Head of Cerberus, The Book of the New Sun and A Walking Tour of the Shambles, the latter co-written with Neil Gaiman.

In the following story, one of the earliest of Wolfe's career, a natural skill with wordplay is clearly evident, as is a love of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous creation and a whole-hearted embrace of one particular collegiate rivalry that continues to this day...

Artwork © Doug Potter.