holmes_minor | Fic: An Interesting Problem: G

Title: An Interesting Problem
Form/Word Count: 482
Characters/Pairing: Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes
Rating: G
Warning/Content: There is something strange going on and Holmes is determined to find out what it is.
(This is part of a larger story, but this episode can stand alone)

One afternoon, Holmes said to me, “You haven’t given me your views on the lecture we attended last week. You were very thoughtful afterwards, so I didn’t ask you at the time, but I assume by now you will have come to some conclusion.”

I sat back in my armchair and lit my pipe, while Holmes cleared a space on the table for a fresh sheet of notepaper.

“As I said at the time, if what they claim is true then this is a valuable medical breakthrough.”

“But you have your doubts?”

“I have since spoken to some of my colleagues who attended the lecture, and none of them has been privy to the research which was undertaken. And surely, if this is such a revolutionary procedure, Professor Drake would wish to share his knowledge with others.”

“Not everyone is as altruistic as you, my dear Watson. There is good money to be made from it.”

“I appreciate that. But there will always be those who are prepared to pay extra to be treated by the doctor who discovered the process. It only enhances his reputation, and that of his clinic, if others can practise it. Unless…”

“A scientific experiment is only valid if it can be repeated by another with similar results.”

“Precisely.”

Holmes nodded, and produced a sheet of paper from within the pile by his elbow. “I am interested in the Beresford Clinic. I asked Bradstreet if he could obtain for me a plan of its layout. He had some difficulty, and in the end his sergeant drew this from information based on questioning some of the staff. He does not guarantee it is entirely accurate but hoped it would be sufficient for my purpose. Come and take a look.”

I went over to the table and looked at the plan.

Holmes then placed a second plan on the table. “Bradstreet’s sergeant put together his plan based on what he was told. I have followed the reverse process; beginning with the shape of the building I have inserted Bradstreet’s sections into it. What do you notice?”

I pointed to a portion of the building which Holmes had left blank.

“Exactly. The sergeant asked for details of what was on each floor. From the descriptions of these three floors, we can see there is space which is not accounted for. It makes me very curious.”

“I suppose they could be storage areas the staff are unaware of,” I said. I doubt I sounded convinced.

“But storage for what? All the items you would expect are already accounted for.”

“I presume you wish to take a look for yourself?”

“That was my intention.”

“As yourself, or as another?”

“I have made an appointment to visit tomorrow, as a Mr Rochester concerned about his younger brother. And if that is unsuccessful, then I shall return again tomorrow night, without an appointment.”