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holmes_minorTitle: Then Imitate the Action of the Tadpole
Author: gardnerhill
Fandom: ACD
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes & John Watson
Word Count: 350
Rating: G
Warning: None
Summary: Watson can learn a thing or two from their clients.
Author's Notes: Written for the February 2022 Holmes Minor monthly prompt “carry on.”
***
“Mr. Foster must help me, he must!” The well-dressed man who’d pounded on the door – clothing awry, eyes mad, hair mussed from gripping it – pushed at the phalanx of servants holding him back. “I am ruined if I cannot make my debts good by Monday next! Utterly ruined!” The wails echoed in the grand house. “Mr. Foster!”
Richard Foster emerged from his office and strode to the scene in the foyer, face crumpled in distaste. “You come to my home without making an appointment, you walk in without so much as a calling card, and demand my services? You are no better than a Limehouse drunkard in a dice-house. Leave at once before I have Phillip throw you out on your ear.”
“Oh God my wife, my children!”
The other servants and even Mrs. Foster approached the door, curious about the source of the piercing shriek.
The madman heaved against the wall of footmen. “Anything, Mr. Foster! Anything you want! Only be my aid in my hour of need or I am lost! Nothing but dishonor and disgrace awaits me otherwise!”
“Well-deserved, obviously.” The lender looked him over, contempt on his face. “I’d lend you a pistol for that end but I don’t want to waste the bullet. Go make your quietus somewhere else. Phillip.” He turned his back to return to his work.
A different man stood in the office doorway. He held a glittering necklace for all to see.
Foster’s outraged retort died unspoken in his open mouth.
“It is you, Mr. Richard Foster, who will suffer dishonor and disgrace – not to mention a considerable stay in far less sumptuous quarters.” The man stowed the necklace in his inner coat pocket as several policemen came in through the still-open front door.
Laughter rolled from the cab on the way home.
“Well done, Watson! You did make an admirable diversion while I availed myself of the office window and searched his room. There is some hope for your prevarication skills yet.”
Watson shook his head, laughing. “I owe poor old Percy a drink for this. Won’t tell him why.”
Author: gardnerhill
Fandom: ACD
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes & John Watson
Word Count: 350
Rating: G
Warning: None
Summary: Watson can learn a thing or two from their clients.
Author's Notes: Written for the February 2022 Holmes Minor monthly prompt “carry on.”
***
“Mr. Foster must help me, he must!” The well-dressed man who’d pounded on the door – clothing awry, eyes mad, hair mussed from gripping it – pushed at the phalanx of servants holding him back. “I am ruined if I cannot make my debts good by Monday next! Utterly ruined!” The wails echoed in the grand house. “Mr. Foster!”
Richard Foster emerged from his office and strode to the scene in the foyer, face crumpled in distaste. “You come to my home without making an appointment, you walk in without so much as a calling card, and demand my services? You are no better than a Limehouse drunkard in a dice-house. Leave at once before I have Phillip throw you out on your ear.”
“Oh God my wife, my children!”
The other servants and even Mrs. Foster approached the door, curious about the source of the piercing shriek.
The madman heaved against the wall of footmen. “Anything, Mr. Foster! Anything you want! Only be my aid in my hour of need or I am lost! Nothing but dishonor and disgrace awaits me otherwise!”
“Well-deserved, obviously.” The lender looked him over, contempt on his face. “I’d lend you a pistol for that end but I don’t want to waste the bullet. Go make your quietus somewhere else. Phillip.” He turned his back to return to his work.
A different man stood in the office doorway. He held a glittering necklace for all to see.
Foster’s outraged retort died unspoken in his open mouth.
“It is you, Mr. Richard Foster, who will suffer dishonor and disgrace – not to mention a considerable stay in far less sumptuous quarters.” The man stowed the necklace in his inner coat pocket as several policemen came in through the still-open front door.
Laughter rolled from the cab on the way home.
“Well done, Watson! You did make an admirable diversion while I availed myself of the office window and searched his room. There is some hope for your prevarication skills yet.”
Watson shook his head, laughing. “I owe poor old Percy a drink for this. Won’t tell him why.”
no subject
Date: 2022-02-27 06:57 pm (UTC)