Prompt: Chaos in a toy shop
From: mrspencil
...
What a frightfully unusual case!
Holmes and I were investigating a robbery at Mr. Brook's toyshop, about at least forty minutes away from Baker Street.
The theft itself would not have been of interest to my friend- had it not been for the very queer fact that gears from clockwork toys were missing and shadowy fingers of the night had stripped some unsuspecting soldier dolls when the shop was closed.
Although I had merely laughed in amusement, Holmes had become particularly solemn and announced that he would like to take a closer look at the case. After all, not a great deal of interesting crimes were happening in London at the moment, and Holmes felt that this was one of the queerest things he had ever encountered, save for perhaps the Giant Rat of Sumatra, or the Red Headed League.
Holmes, of course, asked if I could assist him, and I conceded, having no patients to see that morning.
...
"Hum! Whoever conducted this robbery must be a very experienced criminal indeed, my dear Watson." Holmes confided to me, as he ran his magnifying lens along the shelves where those gearless toys perched, looking very forlorn now they could not move.
"Yes, but why does a criminal need toy uniforms and gears?" I asked Holmes, who merely shrugged.
"That is the question we must answer to solve this case. Alas, old man, I cannot comprehend why anyone would need such trifling items!" He said angrily, slamming his hand on the shelf in frustration.
I left him to investigate the shelves, and went to look out of the window. There was no way that the criminal had picked the lock- Holmes had quickly disproved that theory with his lens and some simple observations. The windows were also untouched.
I pondered the whole case as I stared out onto the foggy streets of London. It was nearing her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, and many people were milling about, sorting out what to wear for the celebrations.
I cast my eyes down briefly...and caught sight of a small hole, no bigger than a pinprick, on the window. Frowning in bemusement, I crouched as best as I could, and slotted my small finger through it... and nothing happened.
Feeling disappointed, I was about to withdraw it again when I realised it had become stuck. Much to my horror, it refused to budge, no matter how much I coaxed or strained it. After about what felt like 5-10 minutes of fighting a losing battle with the window pane, I called Holmes.
"I say, Holmes"-
"Not now, Watson! I'm investigating a mess that, according to Mr. Brooks, hadn't been here last night!" Holmes called back.
Well, so much for that, then. I was going to have to continue to fight my way out.
I continued to try and free my finger...and gasped as I stumbled and nearly fell to my feet. The circular glass pane I was stuck in had opened like a little door! How was this possible? I wondered. I knew Holmes might appreciate my discovery...if only I could get my finger out of it.