Sherlock Holmes and the Discarded Cigarette by Fred Thursfield Page A

him Holmes address then settled into a long ride that would take me across London and temporarily back to my bachelor days. As I listened to the sounds of the horses hoofs, the hansom cab’s wheels on the wet cobble stone street and watched as the rainy late afternoon city scenery passed in front of and beside me I hoped my visit with Holmes wasn’t going to be only about reminiscing and keeping my friends spirits up, I was genuinely looking forward to some type of adventure.
    Sometime later we made a final right hand turn and I was again heading up a familiar street. When we stopped in front of the house I had known as a bachelor for some time, I let myself with my bag in hand out of the cab, paid the fare then walked to the entrance.
    When Holmes and I had roomed together from 1881 until 1890, I would always let myself in with my key thus saving Mrs. Hudson (the house keeper) the bother of opening the door and announcing to Holmes that I had arrived. But I was only a guest now; so I knocked politely on the front door to announce my presence.
    â€œComing, coming” I heard an older familiar female voice on the other side of the door acknowledging that she had heard my announcement. The door opened inward and there in the door way stood a face and a form I had never quite forgotten, “Dr. Watson what a pleasure to see you again” Mrs. Hudson said with a smile that looked both happy and relieved at the same time.
    â€œIt’s good to see you again too Mrs. Hudson” I replied while trying to read her expression as I entered. Drawing me into the narrow front hall Mrs. Hudson closed the front door behind me and started to ask a question when we both heard the familiar booming voice of Holmes asking from the front door of his upstairs rooms as to who had just arrived.
    â€œIt’s Doctor Watson” she answered in Holmes general direction Again from the front door of his rooms I heard “Watson it’s been too long, and it looks like I will have the pleasure of your company for some time” “How did he know?” I started to ask myself then remembering I was holding my bag I answered “Mary has gone south to Brighton for a time to visit with her sister---Holmes and no doubt to take in the brisk sea air, this means until her timely return I have the pleasure of your company.”
    â€œYou made an excellent choice of temporary residence then” Holmes replied, at this point he descended the carpeted stairs to where I could see him. For the reader who has not yet met my friend I will give you a brief description of him as he was facing me while standing on the bottom stair.
    Starting from the feet he was wearing dark brown bed room slippers, he was dressed in black pressed trousers, a white dress shirt but no collar or tie, all of this was carried by a tall and somewhat angular frame.
    His head was topped by jet black hair which was combed straight back, his deep dark hazel eyes, set in chiseled facial features had an almost unnerving ability to pierce through you to root out the truth and his somewhat thin lips passed only the occasional hint of a of what I always thought of as a bemused smile.
    I would not describe Holmes at all a stuffy straight-laced Victorian gentleman; in fact, I would describe him and his habits as “Bohemian.” He may alternate between days or weeks of listless lassitude and similar periods of intense engagement with a challenging case or with his hobby, experimental chemistry to keep his spirits up.
    With a gracious sweep of his right hand in the general direction of his rooms he said invitingly “Well come up Watson and you can tell me of your latest adventures while I straighten up my parlor.” “Brace yourself Doctor Watson” Mrs. Hudson said in a low voice as she made her way past me towards the pantry to prepare the afternoon tea.
    Not quite sure what to make of her comment I climbed the carpeted stairs as I followed