Fic: The Wrong Vessel: G

[smallhobbit]

Title: The Wrong Vessel
Form/Word Count: 397
Characters/Pairing: Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Mrs Hudson, Esme the maid
Rating: G
Warning/Content: Holmes knows there's something wrong with a tea table, but can't see what.

 

Holmes looked at the crime scene, with its table neatly set for afternoon tea, and shook his head.  It was clear there was something wrong, it was equally apparent he couldn’t instantly see what it was.  He spun on his heel and strode out of the room.  With a nod of my head to Lestrade, I followed him.

As soon as we had returned to Baker Street, Holmes was running up the stairs, shouting, “Mrs Hudson, I need to lay the table for afternoon tea.”

“Very well.  I’ll just put the kettle on,” she replied.

“No, I don’t need the tea and whatnot, just the crockery and cutlery.”

Our landlady, who was well used to Holmes and his behaviour, took it all within her stride and reached up to open a cupboard.

Instantly, Holmes stopped her.  “I need specific items, so I shall do it.”

She glared at him but took a step back.

Once Holmes was satisfied he had everything he wanted, he carried the tray upstairs, with Esme and I following him.  Esme had been instructed by Mrs Hudson to ensure no harm came to any of the items, and that Holmes not be allowed to use them for any experiments.

Holmes set out the crockery exactly as it had been on the table in Devonshire Street and looked at it critically.  Still unsure what was wrong with it, he opened the door and bellowed for Mrs Hudson.

She arrived and looked at him with an expression best described as ‘that’s another bottle of gin you’re buying me this month’.

“What’s wrong with the table?” he demanded.

“The milk jug,” she replied instantly.

“But this,” he replied, holding up a tall jug with straight sides, “is a milk jug.”

“Indeed it is,” she agreed.  “It is the milk jug for the breakfast table, containing sufficient milk for cereals.  A tea table will have a much smaller jug,” she indicated with her hands, “containing just enough milk for cups of tea.”

Holmes nodded.  “And there’s the answer.  I must send a telegram to Lestrade immediately.”

Before Holmes could even sit down, Mrs Hudson and Esme had cleared the tea things and Esme took the tray downstairs.

“Will that be all, Mr Holmes?” Mrs Hudson asked.

“I don’t suppose a cup of tea would be possible?” Holmes asked.

Our redoubtable landlady bustled out without deigning to reply.

 

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Intriguing clue! Hope Holmes and Lestrade crack the case (not the pitcher).

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I'm sure they will - although it may well be the original milk jug was broken, hence the replacement by a larger jug.

[gardnerhill]

Smart man, Holmes - he enlists the aid of an expert in the field to catch the detail he'd miss.

[smallhobbit]

Yes - but don't tell Mrs Hudson or she'll be charging a consultation fee.

[debriswoman]

Ooh...the devil in the detail:-)

[smallhobbit]

A small mistake, but sufficient to trap the criminal.

[scfrankles]

“I don’t suppose a cup of tea would be possible?” Holmes asked. Our redoubtable landlady bustled out without deigning to reply. ^___^

A clever story, madam. Well played ^____^

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much.