Dear Mr. Cornwell,

This is second time I’m writing to you, first time was 2 years ago. You probably do not remember me (“biggest” fan from Serbia).  Back then I tried to solve (unsuccessfully) riddle about Sharpe’s father. “Take you out, put me in and a horse appears in this happy person.” ( Btw, I still like my theory about Sir John More).  Since then I spent many days browsing the internet in the search for an answer. I found some of your old interviews where You said that it would be ironic/paradoxical that Sharpe’s father is French (since he spent most of his life fighting them). Also You mentioned that “Sharpe thinks that he is English”. For me that was irrefutable proof that his father is a French (I was sooo wrong). I spent many days browsing wikipedia for “famous French people of 18th century” , trying to switch any “u” or “ou” in the name with “me” or “i” and then google  that new (nonsensical) word to see if gives a name of some famous horse.  Needless to say – not much success there.  For some time I gave up my search, then I read about “The Smugglers Song” at your site, and noticed that twice (at least) You said “close/not entirely wrong”  to the  readers who suggested that Sharpe’s father is/was smuggler.  After that I googled “Famous British smugglers” and first link I got was the list of 9 names, in which one name stands out – ROGER RIDOUT (North Dorset smuggler who earned legendary status for his tricks). At that moment I realized that “Take you out” doesn’t mean “Take out YOU” , but “you (should) take OUT” , and “put me in” isn’t “put ME in” , but ” IN – put me”. So we get ROGER RIDIN (ridin’ as short for riding a horse), and  about happy person , who is more happy than “Jolly Roger”?

I also heard that one who solves the riddle can ask anything from Bernard Cornwell, so, I would like to became a King of Mercia (I heard a rumor that there is an Empty Throne there) or in case if that is unavailable – a signed book by Bernard Cornwell .

Best Regards, Miro Kordić