“these characters convey a message” [DANC]   It isn't every day that one has an opportunity to chat with someone who owns an intimate piece of clothing that belonged to "a certain gracious lady." Barbara Rusch, BSI ("The Mazarin Stone") is a collector of Victoriana and ephemera, and more importantly is the author of the play "The Crossing: or Three Authors in Search of a Character."   In a barren antechamber three titans meet unexpectedly. Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, and Harry Houdini are not pleased to be spending the afterlife in each other's company, and a clash of egos is the result. A mystery interloper only seems to add fuel to the fire. Ultimately, the connection is revealed: they all have unresolved issues with Arthur Conan Doyle, and their mission at last becomes clear. The resolution is only achieved with the assistance of a surprising yet familiar figure.   Barbara takes us on this fascinating journey to the afterlife and talks about her inspirations along the way.   We also have another installment of "As We Go to Press" with Mattias Boström, co-editor of the Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle in the Newspapers series. Try your hand at the latest Canonical Couplet quiz, see if you can figure out the story we're referring to, and you might win a prize.   Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below.   Sponsors We're proud to feature as our lead sponsor. They've been with us for nearly the entire run. Please visit their site and let them know you found them via I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere.   We have room for more than one sponsor. If you're interested in advertising with us, you can find more information here. Let's chat!   Links This episode:   (CBC)  Contact    Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at  as well as through our accounts on , , and .   Please subscribe on the podcast provider of your choosing: , , , , ,  or  — or perhaps another we haven't listed here — and be kind enough to leave a rating and review for the show. And please tell a friend about us, in any fashion you feel comfortable.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).