A/N: please refer to the first chapter.

A rather belated thank you to the excellent writer, kcs, who devised the 221B format in the first place

Many thanks to sagredo for suggestions,( which improved the flow of a couple of the verses considerably.) and continuing encouragement.

Sherlock and companions do not belong to me

A third 221B, this time from the POV of Mycroft.


Brother


Start at the centre;

The axis and hub,

His usual retreat;

The Diogenes Club.


Just pick any thread

Spinning out from this lair

And follow its path

Just as far as you dare.


Through every important

And national game

You will find that his thread's

Woven there just the same.


No vital decision

Nor government plan

Is made without ever

Consulting this man.


He controls every thread

With a well-practiced ease,

Aware he could bring

Many men to their knees.


He can pull on a thread

With no trouble at all

And any political figure

Could fall.


Or cutting a thread

Could produce an effect

Which leads to an outcome

No "experts" expect.


He instinctively weaves

All these threads on his own.

He's the power found lurking

Behind every throne.


And any significant movement

He'll track,

As down through those threads

Information flows back.


He thrives on predictable

Order and calm,

Avoiding all chaos

Or hint of alarm.


He's content to direct,

From serene isolation,

Events which impact

On the fate of the nation.


His pleasure is gained

From fine food and fine wine

And from watching how all of these threads

Intertwine.


Could anything rattle

His normal routine?

Disturb this precise

And well-ordered machine?


Yes, one man can tangle

These threads like no other.

That random, unstoppable factor;

His brother.


End