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.

77. Breakdown

"Hold it right there unless you'd like a bullet!" I shouted, "get those oars and bring that boat ashore. Now!"

When the cowed villain reached shore, I slapped the derbies on him and the other, cuffing them to the boat, then turned my attention to the river.

I felt a lump come into my throat and stay until there was a sudden splashing a bit downstream. I hurried toward it.

I saw Holmes drag them both up onto the grassy bank, clutching tightly to the Doctor who was shaking like a leaf, and no wonder. Holmes gently pulled him upright, leaning the Doctor's head on his shoulder as he reached round him to untie his hands.

I was about to go forward but stopped, seeing the Doctor grab hold of Holmes's coat with both trembling hands, coughing and looking more frightened than I had ever seen him. Holmes put an arm round his shoulders with a gentleness I never would have thought possible, lowering his head to say something softly that I could not hear.

And as I saw the Doctor start to quiet under his friend's soothing voice, I hastily backed away from the scene, embarrassed to be privy to something so personal.

Honestly, one of these days one of them was going to scare the other into a complete nervous breakdown.