Prompt from PowerOfPens: Holmes signs an autograph for an unusual fan.
"Mr Sherlock Holmes! What a fortunate coincidence!"
I turned to observe the man hailing me, noting that he was not someone I recognised, though from the marks on his sleeve I was not surprised. Watson was more familiar with writers than I, and neither of us liked leaving London, so were unlikely to encounter the man in his home county of Surrey.
"I almost didn't recognise you without the hat!" The man panted, beaming as he extended his hand for me to shake. "George Henley, at your service. I've always wanted to meet you, and now couldn't be more perfect timing. A friend of mine has told me a most fantastic story, and I'm sure if anyone would be able to get at the truth of it, it's you!"
It was times like these that I deplored ever granting Watson permission to publish his stories. As many interesting new cases it had brought me, it had brought me ten times as many insipid tales from passerbys who insisted on telling me about a mystery any of them could have solved if they'd had the sense to just think for a moment.
As it happened, I did have a few minutes to spare, and I told Henley as much, emphasising that ti could only be a few minutes. He nodded, hastily telling me about his friend who claimed to have been on an extraordinary trip, one that was far beyond the limits of science or reason. "I hesitate to even describe it to you, Mr Holmes," he confided. "Such a trip is impossible, yet he seems to believe it utterly."
I was intrigued by what this trip could be to garner such a reaction, but as I glanced at my watch I realised I was running late, and could not spare further time for this matter. "If the trip truly is impossible, then there are only two solutions. Either your friend is mad, and his trip is a product of some vivid imagining, or he is lying, and has some purpose for fooling you. Question him further, and the truth will likely come to light."
"He has said that he will be leaving again tomorrow," Henley said hesitantly. "I suppose I could go to his house, see if I can catch him by surprise."
I nodded. "That seems a sound plan. I must go, but feel free to let me know what you find. I confess to being most curious about this trip."
Henley laughed. "It's truly the most ridiculous thing, Mr Holmes. Who has ever heard of a man travelling by time machine?"