Title: Watson Solves the Case
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes
Disclaimer: I do not own nor do I profit from these characters.
Rating: G
Author: Alex (alex_cat_45@yahoo.com)
Type: 500 word ficlet.
Note: For
chaotic_binky, who asked for ‘Sherlock Holmes - the mystery of the two odd shoes and the walking stick?’
Summary: Watson has a mystery to solve this time.
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WATSON SOLVES THE CASE
It all began a few days ago when I came home from the surgery. I removed my shoes and placed my walking stick against the side of the fireplace. I set my shoes on the hearth to dry our since it had been raining when I came in and I’d forgotten to wear my boots.
It had been an awfully long day so I ate the delicious cold meal that Mrs. Hudson brought up and put myself to bed. I rose early in the morning though I was not due in the surgery that day. I dressed and ate breakfast, taking an extra tea as I read the morning papers.
Holmes was still abed when I got ready to leave. I went to the hearth to get my shoes and found there one black shoe and one brown shoe! Had I unknowingly worn mismatched shoes all day yesterday then? I looked around and found my walking stick missing entirely.
“Mrs. Hudson,” I called. “Has anyone been in the house this morning?”
“No one but you and Mr. Holmes and he’s still abed.”
I assured her then that everything was all right. I settled into an armchair and began to read the rest of the paper. Holmes came in about ten-thirty. He wore his dressing gown over his nightshirt and one black shoe and one brown shoe!
“Why, Holmes! I do believe you have taken up thievery!”
He looked surprised when I pointed down to his feet. He removed the black shoe and handed it to me and I handed him the brown one from my foot.
“Now where is my walking stick?” I asked. Again, he looked totally surprised to find my stick by his chair.
No more was said about the incident and I actually forgot about it. I stayed in all day, staying in out of the rain. I left my shoes and my stick by the fireplace.
In the night I was awakened by a noise in the sitting room. I got up and tiptoed to the door, opening it just enough to see out.
I saw Holmes walk up to the fireplace and do something to my shoes then he picked up my stick. He popped it against the palm of his hand once or twice before going back to his room.
The next morning, there was one black shoe, one brown shoe and no stick. He denied the whole thing though I’d seen it with my own eyes.
The next night, just as he was switching the shoes, I walked into the room.
“Holmes!” He never even acknowledged my presence though he did begin to speak.
At first I thought he was talking to me but then I heard what he said. “Mycroft will never figure out it was me. He thinks me too dull for fun.” I realized that he was sleepwalking. I returned to my bed with a smile. Tomorrow I’d tell him that
I had solved the case of the mismatched shoes!
~end~