From Michael JG Meathook: Sherlock and bees.
Holmes bounded up the stairs of 221B with the energy of a hound on the scent of tree-less squirrel. He flung his overcoat onto the nearest chair and flopped like a limp noodle onto the sofa. His pipe was lit and sending up circles of meditative smoke rings faster than Watson could utter, "Open a window and let some fresh air into our room."
"One day, I shall retire, Watson. Before I am so old and fragile that I'm fit only for carriage rides and checker games, I aim to retire to the country and study the life of bees just like I study the criminal world of London today."
"But, why, Holmes? Won't the study of an insect bore your intellect? Surely a professorship on criminology or a series of monographs on the various aspects of your profession might be more suitable for a brain as active as your own."
"No, Watson. I've made up my mind. Bees, they are the underrated heroes of the past, present, and future. Why, without the pollination provided by the humble bumble, one-third of our food crops would be impossible. They are the only insects that produces a food consumed by humans."
"Impressive."
"But, Watson, the real reason I want to study them is for their habits and colony organisation. It is within the bee hierarchical structure that I find the logical behaviour that seems to be so remiss in the criminal networks I have studied thus far. Honey bee behaviour makes sense; human behaviour is degraded by greed and selfishness so often."
Watson nodded in understanding.
"I hope I will be around to see you at such study and read of your observations."
"I would like nothing more, Watson."
~ooo~
Excerpt from His Last Bow – An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes written by ACD
"'But you have retired, Holmes. We heard of you as living the life of a hermit among your bees and your books in a small farm upon the South Downs.'
'Exactly, Watson. Here is the fruit of my leisured ease, the magnum opus of latter years!" He picked up the volume from the table and read out the whole title, Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with Some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen.
'Alone I did it. Behold, the fruit of the pensive nights and laborious days when I watched the little working gangs as I once watched the criminal world of London.'"