The Crime Doctor: A Forgotten Gem by the Creator of Raffles

The Crime Doctor by Ernest William Hornung

Introduction

You’ve probably heard of Raffles, the gentleman thief who steals from the rich and lives a double life as a society cricketer. He was created by E.W. Hornung, a prolific and versatile writer who was also the brother-in-law of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. But did you know that Hornung also wrote another series of stories featuring a very different kind of hero? His name is John Dollar, and he is the Crime Doctor.

The Crime Doctor is a collection of short stories that was published in 1914, shortly before Hornung’s death. It follows the adventures of John Dollar, a former soldier who suffers from a head injury that causes him to become a kleptomaniac. He is cured by a Swiss surgeon, Dr. Theodor Dolliner, who also teaches him the art of medicine and psychology. Dollar then decides to use his skills to help the victims and perpetrators of crime, as well as to solve mysteries and prevent disasters. He travels across Europe, encountering various cases that challenge his intellect and morality.

The Crime Doctor is a fascinating and original work that combines elements of crime fiction, medical drama, and spy thriller. It showcases Hornung’s talent for creating memorable characters, intriguing plots, and witty dialogue. It also reflects his interest in social issues, such as war, poverty, suffrage, and justice. The Crime Doctor is a forgotten gem that deserves to be rediscovered by modern readers.

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The Stories of The Crime Doctor

The Crime Doctor consists of nine short stories that are loosely connected by the character of John Dollar and his mentor, Dr. Dolliner. Each story has its own title and setting, ranging from London to Paris to Switzerland. Here is a brief summary of each story:

• The First Patient: This story introduces John Dollar as a wounded soldier who is treated by Dr. Dolliner in Switzerland. He discovers that he has developed a compulsion to steal things, which he calls his “war souvenir”. Dr. Dolliner cures him by hypnotizing him and making him return all his stolen items. He also inspires him to become a doctor and a detective.
• The Little Old Man: This story follows John Dollar as he visits London for the first time after his recovery. He meets an old man who claims to be the secretary of state for foreign affairs, and who asks him to deliver a letter to the prime minister. However, he soon realizes that the letter contains a secret code that could endanger the country’s security. He decides to expose the old man’s plot and save the day.
• The Broken Toad: This story takes place in Paris, where John Dollar attends a trial of a young man who is accused of murdering his uncle. He notices that the defendant has a peculiar habit of playing with a broken toy toad that belonged to his uncle. He suspects that there is more to the case than meets the eye, and he decides to investigate further.
• The Reclaimed Cracksman: This story features John Dollar’s encounter with an old acquaintance from his army days, Harry Hawke, who is now a reformed criminal. Hawke tells him that he has been hired by a wealthy lady to steal some jewels from her husband’s safe, but he has changed his mind and wants to return them. However, he fears that he will be caught by the police or betrayed by his employer. He asks John Dollar to help him out.
• The Spy’s Bedside Book: This story involves John Dollar’s involvement in a spy ring that is trying to steal some naval plans from the Admiralty. He is contacted by an agent who claims to have the plans in his possession, but who is dying from poison. He asks John Dollar to meet him at his hotel room and take the plans from under his pillow. However, when John Dollar arrives at the hotel, he finds himself in a trap set by the enemy spies.
• The Sleeping Partner: This story recounts John Dollar’s journey on a train from Paris to Geneva with Dr. Dolliner. He shares a compartment with a young couple who seem to be very much in love. However, he soon discovers that they are not what they appear to be, and that they are involved in a dangerous scheme that could cost them their lives.
• The Magic Casket: This story brings John Dollar back to Switzerland, where he visits Dr. Dolliner at his clinic in the Alps. He learns that Dr. Dolliner has been treating a mysterious patient who suffers from a rare disease that makes him age rapidly. He also learns that the patient has a magic casket that contains a secret formula that can reverse the aging process. He decides to help Dr. Dolliner and his patient, but he also faces a moral dilemma.
• The Haunted Rectory: This story transports John Dollar to England, where he is invited by an old friend to stay at his rectory. He finds out that the rectory is haunted by the ghost of a former rector who was murdered by his wife and her lover. He decides to solve the mystery of the haunting and to bring justice to the culprits.
• The Last Resource: This story is the final and longest story in the collection. It pits John Dollar against his arch-enemy, Count Zuroff, a ruthless and cunning villain who is behind many of the crimes that John Dollar has encountered. John Dollar learns that Count Zuroff has kidnapped Dr. Dolliner and is holding him hostage in his castle in Austria. He also learns that Count Zuroff has a sinister plan to start a war between Britain and Germany. He decides to rescue Dr. Dolliner and to stop Count Zuroff’s scheme, even if it means risking his own life.

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FAQs

• Q: How is The Crime Doctor related to the Raffles series?
• A: The Crime Doctor is not directly related to the Raffles series, but it shares some similarities and connections with it. Both series are written by E.W. Hornung, who was influenced by his brother-in-law Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Both series feature protagonists who have dual identities and who operate in the gray areas of morality and legality. Both series also explore themes such as crime, justice, war, and society. However, The Crime Doctor is more realistic and serious than the Raffles series, which is more humorous and romantic.
• Q: Is The Crime Doctor based on real events or people?
• A: The Crime Doctor is not based on real events or people, but it is inspired by Hornung’s own experiences and observations. Hornung was a keen traveler who visited many countries in Europe and Australia. He was also interested in social issues, such as war, poverty, suffrage, and justice. He used his knowledge and imagination to create fictional scenarios and characters that reflected the realities and challenges of his time.
• Q: Where can I find The Crime Doctor online or in print?
• A: The Crime Doctor is available online for free on various websites, such as Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive. You can also find it in print on Amazon or Book Depository. However, be aware that some editions may have different titles or formats than the original one.
• Q: What are some other books or authors that are similar to The Crime Doctor?
• A: If you like The Crime Doctor, you might also like these books or authors:
  • The Raffles series by E.W. Hornung, which features the adventures of A.J.Raffles, the gentleman thief.
  • The Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle, which features the cases of Sherlock Holmes, the master detective.
  • The Father Brown series by G.K.Chesterton, which features the stories of Father Brown, the priest detective.
  • The Dr.Thorndyke series by R.Austin Freeman, which features the investigations of Dr.Thorndyke, the forensic scientist.
  • The Dr.Fu Manchu series by Sax Rohmer, which features the exploits of Dr.Fu Manchu, the evil genius.

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Conclusion

The Crime Doctor is a remarkable collection of short stories that showcases E.W. Hornung’s skill and versatility as a writer. It offers a unique and captivating perspective on the world of crime and medicine in the early 20th century. It also introduces a memorable and original hero in John Dollar, who is both a doctor and a detective, a healer and a fighter, a savior and a sinner. The Crime Doctor is a book that deserves to be read and appreciated by fans of crime fiction, historical fiction, and adventure fiction.

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