1917
The time was twelve p.m. on a Monday. Sherlock and Watson were standing, or rather pacing, in their sitting room of 221 B Baker St. The previous day, Sherlock had received a letter from the U.S. Government’s Secretary of Defense; stating the arrival of two official U.S. representatives at his London home the following day, precisely at noon. Information about the subject of the visit was not included, only the request for complete privacy. A knock at the door awakened Sherlock from his concentrated internal rumination as to the reason why the U.S.’s own Secretary of defense would be contacting him through this mysteriously vague letter. He opened the door to let in the two suited men standing on his stoop. As they entered, the men scanned the flat with their eyes, presumably taking in any and all curious details; a trait which Sherlock used more than even these men, for that was his profession.
“Mr. Holmes,” said one of the two representatives, addressing Sherlock. “I believe you were told that we require absolute privacy.” said the man while looking at Watson.
“No, Watson stays.” And at the look of further argument pending on the representative’s face, Sherlock continued, “Dr. Watson is my partner- my colleague. He has worked with me on all of my cases; I will not have this be an exception.”
The official, who had obviously heard of Sherlock’s insistent personality and saw no point in trying, took a seat, the other following his lead. “We have come on matters regarding top-secret U.S. warfare action plans.” But at this he stopped, for another person was making noise in the kitchen. The delegate looked incredulously at Sherlock, and taking this as a sufficient clue, he called,
“Mrs. Hudson, please leave.”
“Oh don’t mind I was just making tea for your friends”
“Mrs. Hudson.” Sherlock said in a curt tone which Mrs. Hudson understood, so left.
“Mr. Holmes, I don’t think you understand the severity of the issue we are dealing with!” The official scolded with a clenched jaw.
“Landlady. My apologies, please continue.”
The representative carried on, “We are hoping that you will be able to help us to recover the aforementioned warfare plans. They have been-”
“Stolen. Yes, obviously” Sherlock finished for him.
“from the U.S. Warfront Bureau.” Continued the official, ignoring the interruption. “We believe that the thief is a German spy, who is posing as a government official. If we are right, then he will be attending an upcoming conference between the warfront offices of Britain and the United States.”
“Ah! But how to tell…” Sherlock trailed off.
“I’m sorry?” Inquired the representative.
“You want me to pick him out of the crowd at his meeting. But how, when he has already been successful this far passing for a U.S. official? Yes, this is exactly why I’m here.”
The time was twelve p.m. on a Monday. Sherlock and Watson were standing, or rather pacing, in their sitting room of 221 B Baker St. The previous day, Sherlock had received a letter from the U.S. Government’s Secretary of Defense; stating the arrival of two official U.S. representatives at his London home the following day, precisely at noon. Information about the subject of the visit was not included, only the request for complete privacy. A knock at the door awakened Sherlock from his concentrated internal rumination as to the reason why the U.S.’s own Secretary of defense would be contacting him through this mysteriously vague letter. He opened the door to let in the two suited men standing on his stoop. As they entered, the men scanned the flat with their eyes, presumably taking in any and all curious details; a trait which Sherlock used more than even these men, for that was his profession.
“Mr. Holmes,” said one of the two representatives, addressing Sherlock. “I believe you were told that we require absolute privacy.” said the man while looking at Watson.
“No, Watson stays.” And at the look of further argument pending on the representative’s face, Sherlock continued, “Dr. Watson is my partner- my colleague. He has worked with me on all of my cases; I will not have this be an exception.”
The official, who had obviously heard of Sherlock’s insistent personality and saw no point in trying, took a seat, the other following his lead. “We have come on matters regarding top-secret U.S. warfare action plans.” But at this he stopped, for another person was making noise in the kitchen. The delegate looked incredulously at Sherlock, and taking this as a sufficient clue, he called,
“Mrs. Hudson, please leave.”
“Oh don’t mind I was just making tea for your friends”
“Mrs. Hudson.” Sherlock said in a curt tone which Mrs. Hudson understood, so left.
“Mr. Holmes, I don’t think you understand the severity of the issue we are dealing with!” The official scolded with a clenched jaw.
“Landlady. My apologies, please continue.”
The representative carried on, “We are hoping that you will be able to help us to recover the aforementioned warfare plans. They have been-”
“Stolen. Yes, obviously” Sherlock finished for him.
“from the U.S. Warfront Bureau.” Continued the official, ignoring the interruption. “We believe that the thief is a German spy, who is posing as a government official. If we are right, then he will be attending an upcoming conference between the warfront offices of Britain and the United States.”
“Ah! But how to tell…” Sherlock trailed off.
“I’m sorry?” Inquired the representative.
“You want me to pick him out of the crowd at his meeting. But how, when he has already been successful this far passing for a U.S. official? Yes, this is exactly why I’m here.”
No comments:
Post a Comment