I wasn't sure which bothered me more, the fact that Sherlock Holmes had showed up from the dead and promptly identified and captured for us the murderer of one Ronald Adair, or-
Or the fact that when he had finished he had so casually summoned the Doctor as if he had every right do so, even after three years of deception, and that Doctor Watson had followed him out without the slightest hesitation or even a backwards glance.
I wondered if I were overreacting. I also wondered if I were just imagining that Adam's and Smith's silence had gone from strictly professional to somewhat uncertain as the Doctor left.
They seemed to relax as I wasted no time in sending them back to the Yard with the Colonel, so I guessed it had not merely been my imagination.
I found Hopkins, and confirmed that yes, Sherlock Holmes was back. The lad nearly let out an excited shout before he got a hold of himself. He started stammering and turning red. I just shrugged and commented that yes, it was good to have him back, and pretended not to notice.
Then it was back to the Yard to spread the news. They were waiting for us; everyone had been aware that something was up. They just hadn't been expecting what they got.
Bradstreet was the only one not overly affected. He simply nodded at the news while Jones swore and Gregson asked if I were kidding. At the glares he received as a result of his reaction, he explained.
"Hopkins' book collector was at the Doctor's this afternoon. When he went in, and didn't come back out, it was obvious who it had to have been."
Gregson snorted rudely, and Jones rolled his eyes. Bradstreet just smiled. "When you have eliminated all the other possibilities whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." He quoted.
He grinned and quickly retreated before either Inspector could hit him.
Disclaimer: Sherlock and the boys do not belong to me.