Within ten minutes we were at the door to 221B, waiting for Mrs. Hudson to grant us entrance. She quickly responded to the bell, a sign she'd waited up for us.

"Mr. Holmes, Inspect- Inspector! Are you all right? Come in, come in!" Her welcome quickly turned to concern as she took in Lestrade's appearance.

"I'm-"

"Not fine." I finished. "Could you call for Dr. Anstruther, Mrs. Hudson?"

She nodded and hurried off. "I'll bring up some clean water and towels, as soon as I've sent for him."

I smiled at our remarkable landlady and began helping Lestrade as he started to mount the seventeen steps to the sitting room. We had scarce gotten to the fifth step when Watson appeared at the top of the stairwell.

"Inspector, I heard Mrs. Hudson fret- are you hurt?" He looked as if his fever was returning, with more vengeance than when I left.

"Just a scratch," Lestrade managed a half-smile.

Watson sent me a questioning look, as he took in the blood on the Inspector's shirt.

"One of the gang members had a hidden knife," I explained. "Lestrade had the luck to take him on."

Lestrade half-heartedly laughed.

"Here," Watson began climbing down the stairs to aid us.

"You oughtn't be up,"

"Doctor, you're in no condi-"

Watson smiled at our admonishments. "Come now, I've had worse."

We laid Lestrade on the setee just as Mrs. Hudson entered with a basin and linens. "Here you are, Mr. Holmes. Anything else I can get you? Tea?"

"Tea would be fine, if it's not too much trouble."

"Give me just a few moments."

Watson bent over to get a few towels and begin work on Lestrade, but nearly fell, having to catch himself on a chair.

"Watson!"

"I'm fine, Holmes."

"No, you're not. One patient is enough for me, right now, old man. Please, rest." I led him to his chair. "I called for Anstruther."

He grimaced, angered by his incapacitation.

"Besides," I added. "You wouldn't want to infect Lestrade, would you?" He grumbled his acquiescence.

"Inspector," I said, walking back to him. "I'm going to clean you up a bit, all right?"

He nodded and I moved his shirt away from the cut. Grimacing at the amount of blood, I dipped a towel into the water and began dabbing at his side.

I had finished ruining the third towel when Mrs. Hudson arrived with the doctor in tow. I rose to give Anstruther space and thanked our landlady for her ministrations.

"Is that all you'll be needing, Mr. Holmes?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Good evening, then, Mr. Holmes, Inspector, Doctors."

She left and Anstruther began his work. I poured a cup of tea for Watson and one for myself as I sat, waiting for the prognosis.

An hour later, we had our answer.

"Well, I've cleaned, sutured, and bandaged the wound, as well as administered morphine. The Inspector should be fine, so long as infection doesn't set in. If you need any more assistance, just call for me."

"Thank you, Doctor. How much do I owe you?" I reached for my pocketbook. There was no way Lestrade would pay for an injury that was my fault, though I was certain the man would try.

"I won't be charging for an Inspector injured while on duty, Mr. Holmes."

"Are you certain?"

"Quite." He donned his hat and coat. "Now, Mr. Holmes. I bid you a good evening. Feel better soon, Doctor."

"Thank you," we said in unison.