Fic: The Definition of Success
Title: The Definition of Success
Author: Alone Dreaming
Rating: PG (low, really)
Characters: Holmes, OCs: Miss Catherine, Miss Sarah
Warnings: Eh, still building for the actual revelation. But closer than ever.
Words: 500
“Mister Holmes, Doctor Shoburn requested I bring you sustenance, and I ask, on his behalf and my inn’s reputation, that you partake of it.”
“Miss Catherine, thank you for your hospitality and kindness. We have inconvenienced you greatly.”
“And you can make up for it by keeping yourself alive until you vacate the premises. Do you need anything?”
“Yes, actually, I do require one thing if I can trouble you to retrieve it.”
“What do you need?”
“Doctor Watson’s coat, if you please, m’am. By now, he ought to be asleep so he has no use for it.”
“May I ask what use you have for it? You don’t intend on going to the festival, do you?”
“I would not offend Doctor Shoburn’s sensibilities by going directly against his orders, again.”
“I will take that as a no, then. I believe that it was left downstairs. Stay, eat, and I will return with the coat in a moment.”
“Thank you.”
“Here, we were uncertain whether to dispose of it or not as it’s ruined by all of the blood. Saltwater may help some but I’m afraid he has rents in the fabric straight through to the lining as well as dirt, grass and Lord knows what else.”
“It will sadden him to part with it but, once he’s sensible again, I’m sure he will understand your reason.”
“May I ask what is wrong with him? He is not just a man out of his head with an injury or illness. I have seen that before, many times, and his symptoms do not fit.”
“All in good time, my dear woman. Has he listened to Doctor Shoburn?”
“Yes, he’s asleep, now, but Doctor Shoburn is still with him… Mister Holmes! Are those-”
“The Rainsford jewels? Yes, they are. I trust that I have your silence until this entire case has been handed to the police?”
“Of course, but… were they in his pocket this whole time?”
“Since I discovered them by the falls though he was unaware of it. A hiding place is not, in fact, a hiding place unless the location is only known by the hider.”
“Very logical, Mister Holmes, though I’d expect no less from what I’ve heard of you. Why did you not tell Constable Campbell about them earlier so he could return them to the Rainsfords?”
“Because, I’m afraid that this is more than a simple theft and murder and there are far more people involved than I initially expected. In fact, the sheer expanse is almost surprising.”
“And you believe that he is part of this?”
“Miss Catherine! Caleb Coleson’s downstairs, out of his head!”
“Sarah, why on earth did you let him in?”
“I mean, he’s ill, m’am.”
“When it rains, it pours. Put him in my room, Sarah, and call Doctor Shoburn down.”
“Did he manage to deliver my message, Miss Sarah?”
“I don’t know, Mister Holmes. But Mrs. Rainsford found him and wants to see you if you’re up to it.”
Author: Alone Dreaming
Rating: PG (low, really)
Characters: Holmes, OCs: Miss Catherine, Miss Sarah
Warnings: Eh, still building for the actual revelation. But closer than ever.
Words: 500
“Mister Holmes, Doctor Shoburn requested I bring you sustenance, and I ask, on his behalf and my inn’s reputation, that you partake of it.”
“Miss Catherine, thank you for your hospitality and kindness. We have inconvenienced you greatly.”
“And you can make up for it by keeping yourself alive until you vacate the premises. Do you need anything?”
“Yes, actually, I do require one thing if I can trouble you to retrieve it.”
“What do you need?”
“Doctor Watson’s coat, if you please, m’am. By now, he ought to be asleep so he has no use for it.”
“May I ask what use you have for it? You don’t intend on going to the festival, do you?”
“I would not offend Doctor Shoburn’s sensibilities by going directly against his orders, again.”
“I will take that as a no, then. I believe that it was left downstairs. Stay, eat, and I will return with the coat in a moment.”
“Thank you.”
“Here, we were uncertain whether to dispose of it or not as it’s ruined by all of the blood. Saltwater may help some but I’m afraid he has rents in the fabric straight through to the lining as well as dirt, grass and Lord knows what else.”
“It will sadden him to part with it but, once he’s sensible again, I’m sure he will understand your reason.”
“May I ask what is wrong with him? He is not just a man out of his head with an injury or illness. I have seen that before, many times, and his symptoms do not fit.”
“All in good time, my dear woman. Has he listened to Doctor Shoburn?”
“Yes, he’s asleep, now, but Doctor Shoburn is still with him… Mister Holmes! Are those-”
“The Rainsford jewels? Yes, they are. I trust that I have your silence until this entire case has been handed to the police?”
“Of course, but… were they in his pocket this whole time?”
“Since I discovered them by the falls though he was unaware of it. A hiding place is not, in fact, a hiding place unless the location is only known by the hider.”
“Very logical, Mister Holmes, though I’d expect no less from what I’ve heard of you. Why did you not tell Constable Campbell about them earlier so he could return them to the Rainsfords?”
“Because, I’m afraid that this is more than a simple theft and murder and there are far more people involved than I initially expected. In fact, the sheer expanse is almost surprising.”
“And you believe that he is part of this?”
“Miss Catherine! Caleb Coleson’s downstairs, out of his head!”
“Sarah, why on earth did you let him in?”
“I mean, he’s ill, m’am.”
“When it rains, it pours. Put him in my room, Sarah, and call Doctor Shoburn down.”
“Did he manage to deliver my message, Miss Sarah?”
“I don’t know, Mister Holmes. But Mrs. Rainsford found him and wants to see you if you’re up to it.”