221B

by KCS

CHALLENGE: Write a ficlet of exactly 221 words, the last word of which must start with the letter 'B'. 168 - Sherlock Holmes is a man of many talents, not the least of which is an indirect way of showing respect and gratitude.

76. Boat

"You're sure about this, Mr. Holmes?" I whispered as we crept along the bank toward the rowboat.

I could see three figures as we neared. Holmes's face was pinched with tension.

"Yes, Lestrade. Now don't make a sound!"

I tried to be as noiseless as possible. That informant had been right, they did have the Doctor out there. He was sitting in the rowboat, hands tied behind him, and the two blackguards were just pushing it into the water.

Holmes cursed and flew from the trees recklessly. I hauled my pistol from my hip-pocket and tried to cover him best I could.

But the men had already seen him and had shoved out into the water, which was fairly deep in this part of the river; Holmes waded to them just in time and one of them swung at him with an oar. I nearly cheered when the Doctor kicked the man hard, spoiling his aim.

But then the other man retaliated angrily, giving the Doctor a firm shove, sending him splashing overboard with a frightened cry!

I got close just in time to see Holmes's face darken with rage. He snarled and grabbed the oar from the man's hands and brought it across his skull with a crack that could have been heard downstream; then he disappeared under the boat.