Dedicated to Book girl fan, who gave me the idea.
"Oh, doctor. Can we help you?" Inspector Lestrade asked.
I smiled mischievously. "As a matter of fact, you can, Inspector. Can you help me trick Holmes?"
"Mr. Holmes, you have to help us! There's been a robbery on Downing Street!"
"And you, in your usual bumbling inefficiency, have completely botched the case?"
"Move that cabinet over there, Gregson; Bradstreet, you can fill his phials with sand. I'll switch out his tobacco with headache powder," I ordered. The entire yard had jumped at the chance to help me prank Holmes, but I could only choose two, otherwise it would be too suspicious.
I rummaged around in my bag for the headache powder. It wouldn't hurt him necessarily, but it would leave a foul taste in his mouth for a while. Meanwhile, Bradstreet was making sure Holmes would have a hard time doing anything with his chemicals for a while. Gregson was moving his files.
"Remember, when Holmes comes back, Bradstreet will be pretending to be injured. If Gregson brought him here, that would give both of you a reason to be here."
"You should be fine now, Bradstreet. Just don't strain that arm for a couple days-"
The door opened. "How was the case, Holmes?" Both Lestrade and Holmes came in the door.
"It had already cleared up by the time I arrived," Holmes said, reaching for his pipe. "and – phsspht!" he promptly spit it out.
The inspectors and I tried to keep a straight face.
"Would you mind getting me my R file, Watson?" Holmes asked, still trying to get the taste out of his mouth. "Wait- where are you going- it's over the… WATSON!"
Inspector Gregson was dismally failing to suppress a grin.
"Why do I suspect a consparicy?" Holmes muttered. "And- who filled my phials with sand?" He demanded.
That was the last straw. The Inspectors and I doubled over in laughter.