The Secretive Secretary
From my earliest recollections, I thought that my friend Holmes would forever be indifferent to women and always scoff at affection of
any form around him. It seems to me now that once again, I was dumbfounded and proven wrong in the one thing I believed to be a
fact. It began in the early spring of 1895; Holmes believed that there were no longer any more extravagant cases to wriggle his fancy.
"I swear Watson, since the affair of the Blue Carbuncle there has been no trace of criminal activity. Am I doomed to live out my
prime giving advice to the police and any young upstarts?" he asked rhetorically.
I sigh as I read the paper "Well, my old friend I can't say anything but you're pertinence for catching criminals must have frightened a
good portion of them off." I replied trying to lift his spirits. Holmes stared at me for a moment then gave a short burst of laughter
"Watson, you never fail to amuse me at such times of boredom." He said as he sat back down in his favorite chair. Seeing Holmes in
a state of agitation was normal, and I hoped he wouldn't turn to his cocaine use again, as he did such when his mind seemed to get
away from him. The empty silence that filled the room was soon stopped at that precise moment. Holmes shot out of that chair like a
tiger pouncing on its prey, and opened the door to reveal Mrs. Hudson standing like a statue with a card in her hand. "Dr. Watson
there's a lady to see you about an advertisement you posted." She said blandly, handing the card to me.
I remembered the advertisement and turned to Mrs. Hudson "Send her up please." I said trying to contain my excitement. Holmes
knew something was up right away, and proceeded to deduct what he could. "Watson, is it possible you are thinking of interviewing
an employee for your practice in my sitting room?" He asked looking at me for any sign I might give. "My dear fellow, if it was for my
practice I would have done it in my own home." I said quite smoothly. Sherlock was about to ask me another question when she
came in through the wooden doorway. The woman was tall, dressed in a simple but elegant light blue dress. Her dark hair, and
darker blue eyes seemed to give her a bit of mystery, and her beauty seemed to overflow onto me until Holmes brought me back with
"Please sit Ms..?" He said trying to be a gentleman. The woman took her seat and then replied "My name is Claire Watson; I'm your
good doctor's cousin."