Prompt from Michael JG Meathook: Sherlock meets a child detective that may give him a run for his money.
"Did you see in the paper about the new child detective who found Lady Abgnale's diamond?" Watson asked Holmes as they sat in the sitting room after breakfast. Watson was perusing the newspaper while Holmes smoked his pipe, both of them enjoying the quiet morning. "Even you hadn't found an answer for that one."
Holmes continued smoking, unperturbed. "Lady Abgnale did not ask for my assistance, and without access to her house I did not have enough information to find the diamond."
"This boy didn't have access either," Watson said, reading on. "Apparently he was passing the house on the day of the robbery, and saw something curious, though the article is frustratingly unclear as to what."
"Newspapers are far too often focused on sensationalism rather than journalism these days," Holmes remarked.
Watson didn't respond, instead continuing to read, "When asked how he'd figured out where the diamond was, he said–" Watson put down the paper and smiled at Holmes. "He said he used deduction, like his hero, Mr Sherlock Holmes."
Holmes smiled slightly in return. "As I've said before, Watson, my methods are simple. Apparently, so simple that even a child can use them."