Today's Prompt (from trustingHim17): Describe a time when Watson noticed danger before Holmes because of his preference for novels.
"Holmes," Watson said, but then faltered as Holmes's keen attention turned to him.
They had retired to their room in the inn for the evening. Holmes now sat beside the fire in his old mouse dressing gown, the flickering light casting ever-shifting shadows across his features. The sparkling embers gave his eyes an unnatural light.
At last, Watson asked, "Do you truly mean to hike out to that castle on the mountainside?"
"I have been assured that it is a short, pleasant jaunt by the lower path, just the light exercise which the doctor ordered. And you cannot deny that you are likewise intrigued by the curious local custom of leaving little angels at the castle door."
It was probably just the chill night air, made perhaps a little more susceptible by the dim light, but a shiver ran down Watson's spine. "It is presumably nothing; a mere fancy," he argued.
"Aha, I see it plainly now; you have been sorely influenced by Doyle and his literary ilk. It was just a month ago, was it not, that you had been so inspired by tales of remote Transylvanian villages and myths of vampires lurking in ancient castles."
"I do not truly believe it," Watson protested.
"Surely not, you are a man of reason."
"I only fear-" again Watson faltered.
"Yes, my dear Watson?' Holmes said, a spark of humor still shining in his eyes, but his voice was gentle, encouraging even, drawing Watson back to him.
"You must have surely seen it, Holmes. The village is quiet, more peaceful than could have been hoped, but the people seem wary. Perhaps it is the ominous suggestion of the castle looming over us, which did not occur to me at first because I was otherwise preoccupied, but which, you are right, now I have not been able to shake from my mind. But you have seen the villagers watching us when we venture out into town, or the shopkeeper, M. Voland, so hastily hurrying his niece inside. You know how children are, but I cannot but wonder if there was something which he did not wish for her to say to us."
"As you have said, it is a quiet town. Visitors are a rarity, particularly in the depths of winter. It is no wonder that we are at once a curiosity and something to be wary of."
"But I could have sworn that it is even more so now than when we arrived."
That gave Holmes a moment's pause. "There is not enough evidence to be certain."
"Perhaps you are right," Watson admitted. "But I cannot shake the feeling that something is amiss; that there is something lurking in their midst and that we particularly are not so welcome."
"Constable Durand certainly was not so eager to welcome an unofficial detective, but that is not so unusual. Nor sadly is it so unusual for men such as M. Laval, who was so kind as to loan us his mule, to be wary of any manner of official. There have been other things, of course; the displeasure of M. Voland at my simple observations, and our fellow visitor, 's reluctance to disclose the purpose for his visit. But there is nothing that paints so dire a picture as you suggest."
Watson did not argue, but nor did he so easily assent.
"It should not be so difficult a matter to lay to rest, and will provide a pleasant diversion besides."
"Holmes, your health," Watson protested.
"Do not fear, Watson. It will be a simple investigation; any manner of spectres need not apply."
Watson sighed and allowed himself to nestle beside Holmes by the fire, but though they huddled close together, their thoughts could not have been more distant; Holmes already intent upon his mystery, and Watson afraid of where it might lead.