Chapter 2 – Startling Revelations

Disclaimer - I don't own anything really, except a number Sherlock Holmes dvds (just got the complete Basil Rathbone collection on dvd the other day!!!) and the complete works - which I still have to read!

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The next morning, Holmes emerged from his room, smiling pleasantly. He immediately sat down at the table and took a sip of the tea I had poured for him. I steadfastly refused to acknowledge his presence, and continued to read The Times. Holmes edged down the center of the newspaper with an extended finger.

"You're not angry with me, are you Watson?" Holmes inquired.

I said nothing, and readjusted my paper. He must have spotted the opened letter on the table, as he nonchalantly spun it around to face him. "Hmmm" he murmured. Sighing, I put down my paper.

"Look Holmes, I'm concerned about you. You know I speak not only as a friend, but as a medical man, to whose constitution he is, to some extent answerable".

Holmes reclined back on his chair, "I know, Watson" he replied quietly.

A moment later, he straightened up, remarking "I almost forgot you were meeting with Doctor John Greenwood today".

Deciding a day out may do him some good, I replied "Holmes, you really must come! He was just going to show me some of the progress he has made at his laboratory, and then off to Marcini's for a light lunch." Holmes grinned back, "I'd be delighted."

An hour later, we caught a hansom cab from Baker street and headed uptown. We were greeted out front of Doctor Greenwood's laboratory by a pretty young woman with fair hair, wearing a crisp, white lab coat.

"Doctor Watson! And Sherlock Holmes I presume. Please, do come in" she ushered us inside.

Doctor Greenwood was hunched over an array of brightly coloured chemicals and powders. After completing his experiment, he whipped off his goggles and turned to the doorway where we had been standing. "My good friend!" he exclaimed, shaking my hand wildly "and this must be the famous Mr. Sherlock Holmes! Pleased to make you're acquaintance."

Holmes and I eagerly listened as Greenwood described and displayed his breakthroughs of disease treatment he had made with the help of his sister-in-law Emily.

At approximately one o'clock, we caught a cabbie to Marcini's. We sat by the window, and after ordering our meals, began to chat of many personal things.

"I cannot help it, she has become the love of my life" Greenwood sighed. I shook my head "But your beautiful wife Claudette, what of her?" I inquired with great interest. Greenwood gazed silently out the widow, with a melancholy expression on his face "we have become…distant - different. We no longer share any common interests. Furthermore, she is so selfish - complaining because I didn't make it to another one of her dinner parties – I was delivering a baby for goodness sake! Besides, her friends are not mine. But all that is in the past now, she has finally agreed to a divorce! Of course, the settlement is in her favor and a fair proportion of my assets and income will now lie with her. But no matter, I will finally be able to marry my darling, beloved Emily." His face visibly brightened at the thought.

For the first time since we arrived, Holmes opened his mouth "it's no good" he advised Greenwood rather cryptically. John frowned, "what ever do you mean?"
Holmes folded his arms on the table and leaned forward. "It is against the law for a husband to marry their divorced wife's sister. It is a little known law, and has yet to be appealed."
Greenwood simply stared back in astonishment, then looked down on the table in a stupor.

"Unless-" Holmes began, "she were to die, then, and only then, would you be able to marry Emily."

Greenwood's head bolted upright. "Is that so?" he asked, stroking his clean-cut chin.

"Why, don't get any funny ideas there Greenwood, my good fellow!" I said with a chuckle. He snapped out of his reverie and smiled innocently back at me "of course not, good doctor. Wouldn't even dream of it! Well, dream maybe . . ." he laughed.

We finished our delightful meals and decided we would head to Greenwood's home for a quick drink.

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