"And so we waited in the darkened bedroom, listening to the wind howling, waiting for danger to strike."
I paused, looking down at the semi-circle of wide-eyed lads that surrounded my chair.
"Mr. Holmes had deduced from the fact that the bed was bolted to the floor and the bell-rope was anchored on the ventilator, that something was supposed to come through that opening and drop onto the bed," I went on in a hushed voice.
"An' snuff the bloke wot was sleepin'?"
"Alfie! Don' interrupt the Doctor!" Wiggins barked, cuffing the lad's ginger head lightly.
I laughed at the little one's wide-eyed enthusiasm.
"Yes, Alfie, it was responsible for the death of the bed's occupant."
"There, yew 'appy now? Go on, Doctor!"
"Well," I said, leaning forward, "we sat there, Holmes on the bed and I in the chair –"
"Why was Mr. 'Olmes sittin' on the bed, if'n 'ee knew somethin' was barmy 'bout it?" Alfie interjected, wrinkling his nose.
"'Cause 'ee didn' want th' Doctor sittin' in the way of danger, yew dolt," Wiggins snapped impatiently, turning his attention back to me.
I stopped, considering the lad's words with a sudden realization, and glanced over the boys' heads to where Holmes stood in the doorway, watching the scene amusedly. He smiled and addressed Wiggins.
"Sound deduction, my boy."