The Pursuit of the House-Boat Being Some Further Account of the Divers Doings of the Associated Shades, under the Leadership of Sherlock Holmes, Esq.

A mischievous band of legendary spirits gathers in the depths of the River Styx, furious that the infamous pirate Captain Kidd has seized their beloved house‑boat and whisked away such illustrious ladies as Queen Elizabeth, Xanthippe and Ophelia. Their council, led by the ever‑observant Sherlock Holmes, quickly turns the outrage into a plan: assemble a curious search party, chart a daring course, and outwit the ruffian crew that now steers the stolen vessel.

The early chapters follow the shades as they mobilize, swapping witty banter with historical heavyweights like Socrates, Caesar and Bonaparte while preparing a quirky fleet that includes the oddly named “Gehenna.” Along the way, the reader meets a bewildered stranger who hands out enigmatic business cards, a marooned captain grappling with a peculiar obstacle, and a series of comedic yet tense moments aboard both the haunted house‑boat and its rival ship. The stage is set for a whimsical chase across mythic waters, where clever deduction meets supernatural satire.