Dear Mr. Cornwell: Some of your recent comments have caused me some concern. When you talk about future Sharpe books, you say you are not inclined to “go back”, and you even include in this Sharpe’s early adventures in the Peninsula. I can understand and accept your not wanting to talk about the teenage Sharpe in London and Flanders. But surely, Rolica and Vimeiro and the Corunna campaign immediately preceeding “Sharpe’s Rifles” are vitally important incidents in Sharpe’s saga, and it seems to me that neglecting them would be an unfortunate decision. And this period is only two years before “Escape,” and hardly ancient history. Please reconsider filling the presently gaping hole that now yawns between Prey and Rifles with a couple of novels. You don’t have to do it in the very next book, as long as you eventually do it. While I would be happiest with your promise to see to this, I’ll settle for you assurance that you’ll give it serious thought. Sincerely, Alan Kempner