Fic: An Unexpected Appearance

[smallhobbit]

Title: An Unexpected Appearance
Form/Word Count: 500
Characters/Pairing: Sherlock Holmes, John Watson
Rating: G
Warning/Content: In a restaurant, Watson sees someone who shouldn't be there

It is not often when one is seated in a restaurant that one sees a diner at another table who was thought to be dead.  It is, of course, possible that sibling resemblance calls to mind a memory of the deceased, or even a son that of a father who had died a number of years previously.  But in this case, there was no doubt in my mind that the man I was looking at, who was talking to his companions in a most amiable fashion, was supposed to be dead.

I leaned forward and said to Holmes, “You remember Lord Radisman, whose case you were involved in some four years ago, he’s seated at one of the tables behind you.”

Holmes, I was amazed to see, gave no sign of surprise.  But he dropped his napkin and in bending down to pick it up, looked over at the table in question.

When he had straightened up, he said, “You are quite correct, my dear Watson.  That is indeed his Lordship.  Although what his title should be now is questionable, his heir having assumed that title.” 

I thought, but did not express the words, ‘But I understood he was dead.’ 

Holmes clearly interpreted my expression correctly, because he said, “I was never entirely convinced of his death.”

“We saw the body,” I protested.

“We saw a body.  It was identified by a servant, who, a few months later, set himself up in a business which would have required some capital.  His wife and daughter were dissuaded from seeing the body due to its condition, a fact which I believed you concurred with.”

“No lady would wish to see their husband or father in such a state,” I agreed, then added pointedly, “And I might have responded differently had I been aware you had your doubts.”

Holmes inclined his head.  “Yes, that is a fair comment.”

“What do you intend to do about it?”

“Do?  Nothing at the moment.  My intention is to enjoy an excellent meal and I believe those dishes are heading towards our table.  But do not fear, I will not forget the matter.”

We did enjoy an excellent meal and towards the end Holmes beckoned a waiter over.  He asked the man to deliver a message to the table where Radisman (I shall continue using that name, as I do not know the one he was now using) was seated, asking if the gentlemen would care to join us for a brandy.

Radisman looked across at us, glared and stormed out of the restaurant.

Holmes looked contented.  “My conjecture is that Radisman has recently returned to this country and was seeing if he could settle back into society here.  Having seen me, I imagine he will soon depart again for the continent and with luck neither his wife, nor daughter, will be any the wiser.  I shall, of course, inform Lestrade, but I do not believe there is any need to further distress those two poor ladies.”

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Oh, I love it. A whole case in a nutshell.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much 🙂

[gardnerhill]

A 500-word mystery!

[smallhobbit]

Indeed. Thank you!

[scfrankles]

“No lady would wish to see their husband or father in such a state,” I agreed, then added pointedly, “And I might have responded differently had I been aware you had your doubts.” Holmes inclined his head. “Yes, that is a fair comment.” A VERY fair comment, Holmes. That is a definite misstep from Holmes, though I suppose it shows his innate kindness--wanting to shield the "widow" and daughter from distress. And I suppose Holmes is right, ironically, that emotions can get in the way sometimes of solving cases.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, Holmes, who always wants to keep things to himself, would have encouraged Watson in his desire to protect the ladies.