A/N: I do not own any rights pertaining to Sherlock Holmes or Dr. Watson. However, other characters, such as Donahue and Schindler, are my own creation.
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"It is extraordinary to me, Watson," remarked Sherlock Holmes to me one day. "That a man can be so easily influenced by women."
I forced a smile at my friend. "What do you mean?" I asked. This was not the first time that he had made some slighting remark about the domestic lifestyle, but he had never been so vague with his preamble.
"I mean that of all the squabbles, petty crimes, and whimsical adventures that men undergo in this great city, an astonishing number are done in the name of a woman. We have already seen such examples in our cases together. Observe, if you will, the story of Mr. Henry Baker, who unknowingly bought a Christmas goose with a priceless jewel in its crop, intended as a simple apology to his wife. Or the unfortunate predicament of the King of Bohemia, where a simple leisurely encounter with a beautiful women nearly led to the downfall of a royal house of Europe, and led him to our very doorstep to prevent it. Compare these, if you will, to the events of the Five Orange Pips, or A Study in Scarlet; mind-boggling feats done to exact revenge."
"So the motive orchestrates the grandeur of the crime." I reasoned.
"Precisely. Vengeance drivers stronger than romance. If you were still a bachelor, Watson, I would warn you to be on your guard when dealing with the opposite sex. But that ring on Mrs. Watson's finger bars me from speaking as such."
I was about to reply when Mrs. Hudson appeared in the doorway, saying that there was a gentleman outside asking to see Sherlock Holmes.
"A consultant? In this weather?" Ejaculated Holmes. "Show him in, immediately! And see that the fire is roaring for our guest! We must indulge one with such an urgent business."
As she hurried away to perform her task, I asked Holmes, "Why can you tell it is urgent?"
"My dear Watson, look outside that window there and you will see my logic. Eight o' clock in the evening on a Thursday, with the weather shifting abominably from cold and foggy to wet and rain-soaked." He began, with his usual air of superiority. "Anyone sensible is in-doors. For a fellow to arrive here now, I'd wager that it is for a very good reason, which will make the case all the more interesting. And now, Watson, if you don't mind accompanying me to meet our visitor?"