gardnerhill (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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holmes_minor2023-09-17 09:11 pm
gardnerhill) wrote in holmes_minor2023-09-17 09:11 pm
Entry tags:
"Reciprocity," September 2023 Holmes Minor Monthly Prompt
Title: Reciprocity
Author: gardnerhill
Fandom: ACD
Pairing: None
Word Count: 250
Rating: G
Warning: None
Summary: In which one of Moriarty's murder plots is foiled by a sugar cube.
Author's Notes: Written for the September 2023 Holmes Minor monthly prompt, "Connection."
***
Story on Dreamwidth
Story on AO3
Like any good detective, Sherlock Holmes has connections in odd places that support him in his work. The street-lads who see and hear everything in London; a rich man's gatekeeper who recognizes Holmes from a friendly boxing bout and lets him examine the crime scene; a fallen woman who has data about her seducer that no man could have gotten; a cab-horse that will step just that little bit faster in an emergency for a sugar-lump and an ear-rub; an eccentric taxidermist who happens to own the best tracking-dog in the country.
Most of these networks are made in the usual way; a shilling can work wonders. But Holmes' other advantage is his decency and compassion for those below his social state that no money can counterfeit. His contacts respond to that kindness as much as or more than to their remuneration.
Mr. Sherman never asks for a farthing when he lends Toby for a case. Some of the Irregulars come to Holmes with problems that better-tended boys would bring to their fathers. An unfortunate woman knows the difference when a gentleman treats her like a lady and not like a whore, and will assist over and above what was asked.
And when Professor Moriarty sent a two-horse van to trample Sherlock Holmes at the Welbeck Street crossing, one of the beasts recognized its benefactor and shied from the business, driving the other horse away from their target just enough to permit Holmes to spring to safety on the foot-path.
Author: gardnerhill
Fandom: ACD
Pairing: None
Word Count: 250
Rating: G
Warning: None
Summary: In which one of Moriarty's murder plots is foiled by a sugar cube.
Author's Notes: Written for the September 2023 Holmes Minor monthly prompt, "Connection."
***
Story on Dreamwidth
Story on AO3
Like any good detective, Sherlock Holmes has connections in odd places that support him in his work. The street-lads who see and hear everything in London; a rich man's gatekeeper who recognizes Holmes from a friendly boxing bout and lets him examine the crime scene; a fallen woman who has data about her seducer that no man could have gotten; a cab-horse that will step just that little bit faster in an emergency for a sugar-lump and an ear-rub; an eccentric taxidermist who happens to own the best tracking-dog in the country.
Most of these networks are made in the usual way; a shilling can work wonders. But Holmes' other advantage is his decency and compassion for those below his social state that no money can counterfeit. His contacts respond to that kindness as much as or more than to their remuneration.
Mr. Sherman never asks for a farthing when he lends Toby for a case. Some of the Irregulars come to Holmes with problems that better-tended boys would bring to their fathers. An unfortunate woman knows the difference when a gentleman treats her like a lady and not like a whore, and will assist over and above what was asked.
And when Professor Moriarty sent a two-horse van to trample Sherlock Holmes at the Welbeck Street crossing, one of the beasts recognized its benefactor and shied from the business, driving the other horse away from their target just enough to permit Holmes to spring to safety on the foot-path.
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