Sorry it's been so long! This one was comprised entirely of questions submitted by readers, and Watson and I had fun answering them. Keep them coming!
I have a question for the good doctor. What does one get as a birthday gift for a most difficult tenant?
Well, I'm no expert, but I should think it depends on the tenant himself…or herself, as the case may be...I'm quite puzzled, frankly. In my experience, it's easiest just to ask the recipient, at the cost of surprise.
Dearest Doctor
I hope you and your dear friend Sherlock are well. I am writing about a weird pain in my left leg. I'm a gymnast and after I failed to do a triple back flip in to a quarter spin. I landed at an angle and I've been in pain since then.
Sincerely
Concerned Gymnast
Dear Concerned,
Why, thank you, Holmes and I are quite well. As for your leg pain, I would advise you to come to my office as soon as possible, and I would be happy to look into the matter for you. If this is inconvenient, I would recommend some mild stretches and long soaks in a bathtub of hot water.
What countries have you traveled to, since you say you have experience of women in three continents?
Do you assist Holmes in his chemical experiments? (since you're a medical man...)
Has Holmes irked you to a point that you have punched him?
If you and Holmes spar, who will win?
Fascinating, if rather odd and impertinent questions...I have traveled throughout Britain and toured the Continent on a few occasions, visiting France, Switzerland, and of course Afghanistan, but I don't recall experiencing many women, let alone boasting about it. Perhaps you might refresh my memory just a little? I have assisted Holmes in very few experiments and none whatsoever since the incident with the devil's foot root. He's a brilliant, if daring chemist, and between us, I don't even like the thought of his conducting any experiments at all anymore. He can be a very trying colleague (not to mention flatmate) at times, but I've never actually hit him before, though it has crossed my mind on several occasions. If we were to spar-well, the male ego is a tricky thing. My pride insists I would be the victor, but plain common sense warns me against the entire scheme.
I have a question for the doctor : Does the "H" in your name really stand for Hamish or does it stand for something else? Just Wondering.
Dear Wondering,
That would be telling, wouldn't it?
How do you stand Holmes?
Just wondering
Some days, it's quite simple; just let him smoke his pipe, play his violin, conduct his experiment, puzzle through a case, or read the agony column and sit quietly until he decides to speak. Others...there is a reason I prescribe brandy.
Dear Dr. Watson,
Is it true that you have a gambling problem?
Who told you that? Was it that blasted Mr. Ritchie?
Dear Doc:
Have you ever considered writing slash fiction?
Pardon me? "Slash?" It sounds to me like some kind of Gothic suspense trend. Is it anything like Stoker or Shelley?
Dear Doctor Watson,
Does Holmes really wear a deerstalker cap?
Um...no.
