Again, I couldn't resist this combination...
"Can oi keep i', Doctor?"
"Keep what?"
"Wha' oi've got in me 'and, Doctor – please say oi can!"
I glanced at the lad's cupped hands and became instantly suspicious.
"What is it?"
"Nothin', oi jist wan' 'im for a pet, tha's all."
"A what?"
I looked askance as a peculiar noise seemed to be emerging. No, surely not.
"Please, Doctor?"
"Alfie, what have you got in there?" I demanded as the muffled noise intensified.
"Ummm…"
"Give me that!"
The lad squawked as I opened his fingers.
"Of all the nerve!" Oh, dear… "Doctor, since when have you been keeping monsters like this around your flat?" an indignant voice demanded.
I sighed, and the very rumpled-looking mouse hopped angrily onto my desk, giving the rodent equivalent of a fierce scowl to Alfie, who was now staring, aghast.
"Basil, he's one of Holmes's messenger boys. He meant no harm –"
"No harm? He wanted me for a pet! A PET, DOCTOR!"
For a mouse, Basil has a rather loud voice. Holmes poked his head out of his bedroom just as Alfie's nerve finally broke. He launched himself at the detective, wailing hysterically and clutching Holmes's trouser leg.
"Mr. 'Olmes, it talks!"
Holmes glanced at the fuming mouse, who was fastidiously re-tying his tiny cravat, and sniggered.
"I'll leave the explanations to you, Basil."