From Emma Lynch - An old acquaintance; a missing tooth


"Moriarty himself is enough to make any letter illustrious, and here is Morgan the poisoner, and Merridew of abominable memory, and Mathews who knocked out my left canine in the waiting-room at Charing Cross and, finally, here is our-"

"Your left canine? When did that happen?"

Holmes scowled at the interruption. "Really Watson, I thought you were eager for an explanation of tonight's events!"

"Well yes, but then you listed your intriguing selection of Ms!" Watson shot back. "Now Merridew I know of course and you have lectured me in far too great detail upon Morgan's poisons-"

"Lectured?"

"-but this Matthews," Watson continued blithely over Holmes's scandalised exclamation. "Not once has his name popped up."

Holmes sighed, coughing as the action unintentionally drew in some of the smoke from his cigar.

"When did you start smoking cigars?" Watson asked curiously over his friend's coughs. "Your time on the Continent?"

"No," Holmes wheezed, setting the half-smoked cigar aside as he cleared his throat. "All my tobacco has gone stale and I haven't had time to restock. Now, if you would like to read the entry for Moran-"

"I would rather know about Mathews. I did not even know you had lost your left canine!" Watson shook his head. "To think, if you really had died I would never have known at all! Perhaps it is a sign that you smile too little. Now, please do proceed with the story of Matthews dear fellow."

Holmes glared. "I believe you are punishing me."

Watson smirked. "Well, the tale must be an embarrassing one, if you refuse to give it up easily."

"Oh very well! Mr Mathews was an old acquaintance of mine, a year above at university. He came to visit me at my old lodgings in Montague Street with a case a year or two after I graduated. His wife had gone missing a month before and he wanted my help to track her down."

"A dull case."

"Most of them were back then." Holmes seemed almost to shudder at the memory. "I tracked her down and saw she was pregnant."

"Pregnant! But if she had only been missing a month..?"

"To say Mathews was, and presumably still is, 'unobservant' is an understatement. He was a boxer at university and I believe too many knocks to the head has left a lasting impact."

"Ah, a boxer. I believe I see where this is going..."

Holmes inclined his head. "I am sure that you do. The man his wife had run away with was an esteemed Doctor at Charing Cross Hospital-"

"A doctor? Which one?"

"You ask for a story then refuse to listen to its ending!"

"Sorry, sorry. Do continue."

"This Doctor had access to a ward and the hospital midwives and thus this was where Mrs Mathews came when she went into labour. I sent a telegram summoning Mr Mathews who arrived and went immediately to her side, for the child had been born. He thanked me for locating her and I, believing he must surely have seen that the child bore him no resemblance, congratulated him on his calm attitude in the face of such betrayal."

"But he didn't know about the betrayal?"

"No, indeed. And he, being a boxer..."

"Punched you in the face."

"Mm."

"And that warrants his place in your annals?" Watson at last took the book from Holmes, scanning the other names on the page. "Among Merridew your favourite poisoner and Moran who you have labelled the second most dangerous man in London? Really?"

"On occasion, idiocy can be almost as impressive as intellect," Holmes sniffed haughtily. "And Merridew is far from my favourite poisoner. After all, Lebine-"

Watson raised his hand with a wince. "Not another lecture on Lebine and his poisonous toads, I beg you..."

"I have been away for three years, I believe that gives me some conversational privilege!"

Watson smiled. "It is wonderful to have you back Holmes. I cannot express just how wonderful."

Holmes swallowed, glancing away from his friend in embarrassment. "Watson, I-"

"But while absence may make the heart grow fonder, it does not make me any more inclined to listen to a three hour lecture on poisonous amphibians!"

Holmes threw back his head and chuckled heartily. "Yes indeed. It is very good to be back, old friend."