Fic: The Case of the Stolen Suitcase: G
Sep. 5th, 2021 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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holmes_minorForm/Word Count: 485
Characters/Pairing: Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, Inspector Lestrade
Rating: G
Warning/Content: A client consults Holmes about a case he believes stolen.
“Mr Holmes,” our client protested, “you must get onto this right away. Someone has stolen my case and may even now be appropriating my possessions.”
“But Mr Eldridge,” Holmes said, “surely you have your case with you.” He indicated the small suitcase that the client had placed beside his chair.
“That is not my case. That was left in its stead.”
“If I may look at it,” Holmes said. “I may be able to obtain some clues from it.”
“If you must.” Eldridge passed the case over with bad grace.
Holmes placed the suitcase on the floor and manoeuvred the locks, which sprang open immediately. He glanced at the contents, rifled through the upper layer, closed the lid again and resumed his seat with a satisfied air.
“Well?” Eldridge demanded.
“I presume this case is similar to your own,” Holmes said. Eldridge nodded. “Then I believe yours was accidentally picked up by a lady who had believed it to be hers.”
“Impossible. Someone has deliberately stolen mine.”
“If that is your opinion, then I fear I cannot help you further.”
Eldridge stood to leave.
“May I keep this case?” Holmes asked.
“Of course. And much good may it do you.” With that he stormed out.
As soon as he had left, Holmes too stood up. “Come, Watson, let us return the suitcase to Victoria Station. I suspect the owner, possibly a short-sighed maiden aunt on the way to visit her sister and nephews, will be anxious for its return.”
When we arrived at Victoria Station, we were surprised to see an elderly lady, who fitted Holmes’ description, in conversation with Inspector Lestrade.
When she saw us, she said, “I do believe that’s my suitcase. Arthur and George will be so pleased to know I haven’t lost their presents.”
“I have a client who will be pleased to have his own suitcase back,” Holmes said.
“That will be slightly more difficult,” Lestrade said. “When this lady opened the suitcase and discovered from the contents she had the wrong one, she very sensibly contacted us.”
The old lady smiled. “Yes, I found to my consternation that my suitcase, as I believed, had a man’s suit, and a rather lovely diamond necklace. I felt I should go to the police at once, as it was clearly valuable.”
Lestrade expressed his further gratitude for her prompt action, and the rightful suitcase was handed over to her. Holmes gave Lestrade the address which Eldridge had provided and left him to acquaint that gentleman with the knowledge that his case had been found and ask for an explanation as to the contents.
We took a cab back to Baker Street. As we were travelling, Holmes said, “I could almost believe that that elderly lady deliberately swapped her suitcase for Eldridge’s.”
“Surely not, Holmes,” I exclaimed. “I am sure nothing like that could possibly have occurred to such a sweet old lady.”
no subject
Date: 2021-09-05 07:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-05 07:19 pm (UTC)The advantages of 500 word max means I don't need to know!
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Date: 2021-09-10 07:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-10 07:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 02:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 03:56 pm (UTC)It's based on something which really happened (without the necklace), although I wasn't involved. Following a coach trip to London with a group of Brownies one of the leaders discovered she had the wrong backpack, which contained a man's smart clothes. The poor bloke ended up with some spare Brownie uniform and a packet of Jaffa cakes! They did manage to safely swap the bags back.
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Date: 2021-09-11 09:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 09:27 pm (UTC)