A million thank-yous to all my reviewers so far!
Drabble for The Haunted Gainsborough…

Vanish

It was not until, precisely one week after their return to Baker Street from MacGregan Castle, that Watson noticed something quite peculiar.

"Holmes, come and look at this."

His companion laid aside his cherished Stradivarius and shifted to lean over Watson's shoulder so that he might better see the map his friend was scrutinizing closely.

"What is it, old fellow?"

"I was just going over my notes for the story, and look what I found. Can you explain it, because I think I am miscalculating something or another."

"Explain what, Watson?" Holmes pressed patiently, amused by his open friend's look of utter bafflement.

"Here" – he ran his finger along an indicated path on the plans – "this secret passage leads from the drawing room to the roof."

"So I see," he replied.

"But it leads to this corner, d'you see?"

"Yes."

Watson turned abruptly to face him, holding the map up and pointing to the opposite corner with his index finger.

"Then how," he said empathically, wide eyes peering over the top of the map somewhat comically, "did Heather disappear in this corner?"

The dancing humor faded from Holmes' light eyes and was swiftly replaced with a expression of deep concentration at this new puzzle. Watson watched him attentively as the detective leaned forward to examine the map more closely, long fingers rubbing absentmindedly at his chin, as he was wont to do when thinking.

At long last, he straightened and looked at his expectant friend. The confusion still etched in his boyish features was answer enough for Watson.

"Holmes," he murmured, as if fearful of someone overhearing, "you don't think it's possible that…"

"No," Holmes interrupted hastily, and then, incredulously, "No."

"Are you positive?"

Holmes' hand wandered to the desk drawer and he removed an 18th-century silk glove from his case museum. The two friends gazed upon it in mystified amazement.

Down in the street, a lady with chestnut hair giggled and vanished.

Happy Halloween, my dear readers!