October 15, 2025 and on this day 110 years ago in 1915, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing H. R. H. THE RIDER, a novel of romance, mistaken identity, and European intrigue. In some ways the story is a western set in the small fictional European kingdom of Karlova. The western novel, The Outlaw Sheriff by Hal Dunning published in 1928 followed a very similar story line.
The 38,000-word story was serialized in All-Story Magazine in three instalments in December of 1918 and was combined with THE OAKDALE AFFAIR for its book publication on February 15, 1937.
Details about the publication history, several covers, illustrations, reviews, and a complete electronic version of the story are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0764.html
The 100-word fictional drabble for today, “Who Was That Masked Man,” was inspired by “H. R. H. The Rider.” H. R. H. stands for His Royal Highness.”
Princess Mary asked the King of Karlova, “Why stop the execution? Didn’t the Rider kill Prince Boris?”
“No, the Prince and the Rider are the same man. I only pretended his execution to teach him a lesson.”
“He didn’t kill the Prince? The same man? That’s disappointing.”
The King grumbled, “What, you wish the Prince had been killed?”
“No, but it was exciting to be courted by two men at the same time, a crown prince and a notorious outlaw.”
The Prince overheard and asked, “And which version of me did you prefer?”
Princess Mary blushed. “That would be telling.”
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