Fic: Of Benefit to Humanity; G
Sep. 15th, 2017 11:49 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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holmes_minorTitle: Of Benefit to Humanity
Form/Word count: 424
Characters/Pairing: Dr John Watson, Mr Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Stanley Hopkins
Rating: G
Warning/Content: A man's broken leg gives Watson the opportunity to learn about a new technique
I returned to Baker Street tired, but happy. As I entered our rooms Inspector Hopkins stood to greet me.
“How is Constable Fleming?” he asked immediately.
“As suspected, he has a broken leg,” I replied, “But it is a simple break and will heal well.”
I had accompanied Holmes and Hopkins when they had visited a pawnbroker who was suspected of involvement with a gang believed to be stealing antiques. Constable Fleming had been told to stand outside to stop anyone entering the pawnbroker’s shop whilst we conducted our investigation. Unfortunately, our presence had disturbed two of the gang who had rushed down the stairs next to the shop and run outside. Fleming had tried to stop them and been pushed to the ground and trampled over. Whilst Holmes and Hopkins pursued the two men I had stayed with the injured policeman, and then accompanied him to hospital in the ambulance.
“How can you be so sure of that, Doctor?” Hopkins began sharply, then recollected himself. “I’m sorry, I should not have doubted your word.”
“No problem, dear fellow, I understand your concern for one of your men. However, I have been privileged to see evidence which confirms this.” I sat down in my chair, and Holmes passed me a cup of tea he had poured. “They were able to take something which is called an x-ray. This shows the bones inside the body, in this case Fleming’s leg. The doctor was able to show me the break in the bone, and exactly where it is. Which means they know, so long as Fleming’s leg is kept immobile, the two parts of the bone will join together again. Moreover, they plan to take further x-rays to confirm this is happening, and I have been invited to see the results for myself.”
Holmes chuckled. “I believe, Watson, you are more enamoured by the opportunity to learn something of this process than you are delighted at Fleming’s prognosis.”
“I have to admit there is a certain fascination with learning about x-rays. And given there will always be broken bones, I am delighted to learn about a means which will assist with their healing.”
“And Mr Holmes,” Hopkins said, “you are so keen to learn from every circumstance, I am sure you would not object to Doctor Watson doing so too.”
Holmes smiled. “Indeed I would not. So it has certainly been a good day. Hopkins and I have caught our thieves, and you have learnt about a process which will surely have many long term uses.”
Form/Word count: 424
Characters/Pairing: Dr John Watson, Mr Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Stanley Hopkins
Rating: G
Warning/Content: A man's broken leg gives Watson the opportunity to learn about a new technique
I returned to Baker Street tired, but happy. As I entered our rooms Inspector Hopkins stood to greet me.
“How is Constable Fleming?” he asked immediately.
“As suspected, he has a broken leg,” I replied, “But it is a simple break and will heal well.”
I had accompanied Holmes and Hopkins when they had visited a pawnbroker who was suspected of involvement with a gang believed to be stealing antiques. Constable Fleming had been told to stand outside to stop anyone entering the pawnbroker’s shop whilst we conducted our investigation. Unfortunately, our presence had disturbed two of the gang who had rushed down the stairs next to the shop and run outside. Fleming had tried to stop them and been pushed to the ground and trampled over. Whilst Holmes and Hopkins pursued the two men I had stayed with the injured policeman, and then accompanied him to hospital in the ambulance.
“How can you be so sure of that, Doctor?” Hopkins began sharply, then recollected himself. “I’m sorry, I should not have doubted your word.”
“No problem, dear fellow, I understand your concern for one of your men. However, I have been privileged to see evidence which confirms this.” I sat down in my chair, and Holmes passed me a cup of tea he had poured. “They were able to take something which is called an x-ray. This shows the bones inside the body, in this case Fleming’s leg. The doctor was able to show me the break in the bone, and exactly where it is. Which means they know, so long as Fleming’s leg is kept immobile, the two parts of the bone will join together again. Moreover, they plan to take further x-rays to confirm this is happening, and I have been invited to see the results for myself.”
Holmes chuckled. “I believe, Watson, you are more enamoured by the opportunity to learn something of this process than you are delighted at Fleming’s prognosis.”
“I have to admit there is a certain fascination with learning about x-rays. And given there will always be broken bones, I am delighted to learn about a means which will assist with their healing.”
“And Mr Holmes,” Hopkins said, “you are so keen to learn from every circumstance, I am sure you would not object to Doctor Watson doing so too.”
Holmes smiled. “Indeed I would not. So it has certainly been a good day. Hopkins and I have caught our thieves, and you have learnt about a process which will surely have many long term uses.”
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