Continued from the last:
Holmes hovered nervously around as I carefully used an eyedropper to splash Basil's face with water after we had put him on a pillow.
"Honestly, Holmes."
"I didn't mean to startle him!"
The mouse suddenly spluttered, shaking his wet fur and sitting up groggily.
"What the – " Basil stopped with a gasp, his beady eyes suddenly fastening upon Holmes.
"Easy there, old chap," I said, trying desperately not to smile, "he's not a ghost."
"I must apologise for my weakness, gentlemen – but I wasn't expecting to see a dead man standing in front of me when I turned round!"
"You weren't the only one who fainted upon seeing him," I said dryly, "he's made a most annoying habit of seeing how close he can get a fellow to a heart attack."
"So I see," the mouse gasped, rubbing his furry head.
"Are you all right, Basil?"
I was surprised to hear Holmes address the little chap directly – usually he left the rodent-speaking to me.
"No thanks to you, Mr. Holmes!" he snapped, "where the devil have you been for three years? Letting everyone think you were dead – how dare you!"
I shouted with laughter as Basil lit into Holmes with an ire that even I would never have shown.
It was always amusing to see Sherlock Holmes simultaneously squirm and blush.