From goodpenmanship: Sherlock Holmes investigates someone with psychic powers.

"You know, Holmes, I'm rather surprised you wanted to come with me," I said as we walked together up the winding dirt road leading to Undershaw. "I was unaware you had any sort of interest in "reaching out to the Great Beyond."

"I have reasons of my own," said my friend enigmatically.

Privately, I thought Holmes had demonstrated a rather uncharacteristic interest in the supernatural since his return six months before. I could not imagine him accepting an invitation to a séance in the early years of our acquaintance. Perhaps this was somehow related to a case?

"Besides, Watson," Holmes pointed out. "You are hardly a great believer in the spiritual yourself, despite your ridiculous characterization of yourself in The Strand magazine."

I made a face; Holmes was right. "Dr. Doyle has been instrumental in publishing my work," I admitted, "It seemed only right that I accept his invitation." Holmes raised an eyebrow at me, and I added somewhat lamely, "No doubt it was kindly meant."

"No doubt."

By this time, we had reached the door; a tug at the bell pull set off a resounding chime inside the house. A few moments later, Dr. Doyle himself flung open the door with a smile of welcome.

"Dr. Watson, welcome! And Mr. Holmes, this is a pleasant surprise. I applaud that you are at last opening yourself up to the existence of the supernatural. The paranormal, if you'll forgive a new-fangled term. But I suppose What Lies Beyond is the greatest mystery of all, eh? One that I hope we will be closer to solving tonight!"

Holmes had excellent manners when he cared to use them, and he merely took this in with a slight smile and a polite, "Thank you for the invitation, Dr. Doyle. I am sure I shall find tonight supremely interesting."

My stomach sank.

"Was it absolutely necessary, Holmes, to proclaim that Madame Bertha was a fraud?" I demanded, exasperated, as the door slammed behind us. No doubt I would need to spend weeks soothing Dr. Doyle's ruffled feathers. "You must have already suspected that would be the case!"

Holmes, for his part, did not look repentant. "When so-called 'medium' attaches a device beneath the table to tap upon it and claim it is knocking from the 'Great Beyond,' she can hardly be otherwise." Instead, he looked...was that disappointment? Surely not. "I am sorry to have created a divide between you and Dr. Doyle, however, Watson. I trust it is nothing that cannot be repaired?"

I sighed. "No need to apologize, Holmes. I can't say I truly regret it." I shot a glare back towards the house. "She kicked me in the shins while she was convulsing."