December 23: "A case relies on Watson's language skills" (from Book girl fan)
Stretched this prompt a little...or a lot... Enjoy regardless.
Part 4
Not a minute later, the boys heard a police whistle and saw Bailey zig-zagging out of the market crowd and across the adjacent street. Then two constables came into view, one blowing a whistle, both elbowing their way out of the crowd.
"Stop that boy!" a portly man with a walrus mustache cried, gesturing wildly as he followed, gasping for air.
Wiggins hesitated for a moment, then gestured for the others to follow, and they darted behind the gentleman and the constables.
Bailey was not far ahead, darting into an alley. Tom glanced to Wiggins, then back ahead, where to his surprise he saw none other than Dr. Watson!
Tom darted up to him. "Please, Doctor, you must help. It's Pete Bailey, the bobbies are chasing him, an'—"
"Which way?"
Tom pointed, and he rejoined the chase, Watson not far behind.
When Tom and Watson caught up to the others, the constables had Bailey cornered and were fishing a pocketbook out of his coat.
"We ought to have you locked up," said one of the constables, grabbing his handcuffs.
"Wait a moment!" said Watson. "This is one of Sherlock Holmes' boys. They're a little rough around the edges, but we're trying to help them find an honest living."
The other constable gasped. "You're Dr. Watson! Why, you've written my favorite books!"
To be continued...