From V Tsuion: An unexpected package arrives at Baker Street
"Doctor, another gift has arrived for you," Mrs. Hudson said. She sounded utterly exasperated. "I have already contacted Mr. Thompson, but he says that seventeen is quite enough and he's unwilling to take any more."
My heart sank. "Thank you, Mrs. Hudson, I will take care of it."
She left, and I put my head down in my hands. I could already feel the beginnings of a headache.
"What is it, old fellow?" Holmes asked glancing up from his commonplace books.
"Another fan misinterpreted A Study in Scarlet and sent me a puppy. No doubt 'To replace the bullpup I lost.'" I groaned. "This is getting out of hand." I cast a beseeching look at my friend. "You understood that I wasn't warning you about a dog when we first met."
"Yes," Holmes said, unruffled. "However, I was able to clearly perceive the lack of hairs clinging to your trouser legs." He paused, then added with a sly smile. "Though to this day, I am still not sure whether you were merely warning me about the revolver or also about your fiery temper!"
"There is nothing wrong with my temper," I groused, sinking lower in my chair. "And I thought 'My nerves are shot from my time at war and I might accidentally shoot you if you startle me' was a valid concern to raise for a potential flatmate!"
"Alas, Watson," Holmes said, returning to his book with an infuriating lack of sympathy. "The romanticism of your writing has undone you yet again."
"Holmes…" I growled. Then an idea occurred to me. "I suppose there is no help for it," I said as innocently as I could. "As Mr. Thompson is unavailable, I shall have to take it in. After all, I can hardly turn the poor animal out on the street."
"You must do as you see fit, dear fellow" was his serene reply.
I stared at him for a long time. At last, bluff called, I sighed. "Perhaps Mr. Sherman will have room for one more," I said, rising to my feet and collecting my hat.
"Give Toby my best," Holmes answered, not looking up.
A/N: The term 'bullpup' can mean several things, but I never really bought the idea that Watson was talking about a dog. After all, he was out of money, just back from the war, and living in hotels. But we know he certainly has a revolver!
