First Holmes story; hope it sounds authentic enough!
Sherlock Holmes and associated characters property of the Doyle estate.
Mrs. Hudson opened the door; I had endeavored to keep to candle-light, but the sunlight was warm and welcome. "Yes, Mrs. Hudson? Is there a visitor?"
"Yes, Doctor," said Mrs. Hudson with a slight curtsey.
Interesting. She seldom did that.
"His Lordship Devin Neville-Lenshire has come to call on Mr. Holmes." She opened the door further, and admitted a finely-dressed gentleman in frock-coat, breeches and splendid leather riding-boots, all cut in the very latest style.
I had already risen from my chair. "Your-" I began, trying vainly to clear some of the tenacious tobacco-smoke from the air.
"It is a pleasure to meet you," said my associate, already approaching. It was quite surprising, how he managed to navigate the scattered furniture of the sitting-room and appear to look into the lordship's eyes. He took a delicate sniff of the air, cocked his head to one side. I mentally hoped against hope that this subterfuge would hold.
"You have but recently returned from riding."
I winced inwardly. His lordship's apparel was ready proof. I knew that Holmes was working soley from his other senses, and that this, in context, was actually quite a deduction.
I held my tongue.
"Doctor Watson." Holmes turned toward me. I clicked my teeth together in sympathy; the phosphor-burn was still there, for any with the training to see. Fortunately, his lordship had no such training.
"Yes?"
"Could you excuse us for a moment? I am sure his Lordship would require refreshment, after his journey." I started in my astonishment, but even injured, Holmes managed to give me a glare. I decided the better part of valour, after all, was to retreat. At least momentarily.
"I shall have the maid fetch it straightaway." I nodded at them both. "Mister Holmes, Lordship." I then turned and, sadly, left the room.
I later returned with Mrs. Hudson and tea, and some rather extravagant snacks, in tow. Sadly, dear reader, I cannot relate the conversation that had ensued between Sherlock Holmes and Lord Devin Neville-Lenshire. No matter my equiries and usual gambits, Holmes has been most reluctant to give details.
From what I can surmise, his powers of observation overcame his deficiencies of eyesight in this case; a most astonishing feat. The case itself was most mundane, though he solved it with out the aid of vison, only requiring rudimentary descriptions from myself.
Still, while greatly fascinating from a medical and facilities view, it would never sell a single penny-dreadful. And so, it remains a single journal-entry.
Just as well, also, it stands as a reminder never to underestimate the man.
