Dear Mr Cornwell, Like so many of your correspondents, over the years I have thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Richard Sharpe and many of your other novels. I found “Gallows Thief” particularly intriguing and wondered if you had thought of further stories involving the hero Rider Sandman? He is obviously a decent and resourceful chap and having served the Home Office so well would no doubt be a welcome asset at the Foreign Office. A 19th Century James Bond perhaps? An honourable Flashman? As you will know better than I, Britain was not involved in a European conflict for some while following the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Nevertheless, there were plenty of conflicts elsewhere (Spain, the Balkans, Central Asia, India, South America) in which British forces and interests were direclty or indirectly involved. HMG would no doubt have found that the presence of a cool, capable and reliable fellow such as Rider Sandman would have protected and advanced these interests wherever they were threatened. Suggested with the greatest respect in relation to an idea that was wholly and originally yours. Very sincerely, Simon Williams