Title: Genius for Minutiae

Universe: ACD Canon

Words: 392

Rating: PG

Summary: Watson worries he has something of a supplanter in Le Villard.

The first I heard of Francois Le Villard was just prior to the Agra Treasure case in which I met my future wife, Miss Mary Morstan, so I trust I might be forgiven when I say the Frenchman did not remain in my memory for long. However, as time went on, I understood that further communications between Le Villard and my friend Sherlock Holmes developed.

I knew that Holmes had been of service to Le Villard, and that Le Villard was decidedly impressed. I knew, too, that Holmes felt Le Villard had the makings of great detective himself. I saw no reason not to agree; I trusted his judgment in the matter and hoped Le Villard would live up to Holmes's expectations. However, if I am to be completely honest, it was not their professional relationship that preyed on my mind but rather that Le Villard seemed to know more about my friend than I.

It was something of a surprise to learn that Holmes had been publishing monographs. The man could be as close and solitary as a scallop but I should have thought that was something he might tell me. It was not as if I could have recognized the article if I happened upon it independently, not if the author was anonymous. That Le Villard should not only know of Holmes's monographs before I, but have already translated said monographs into French, made me somewhat uneasy.

I told myself the translations fell into the category of professionalism. After all, Holmes had feared his "hobby," as he called it, bored me. And I had no designs on a career in detecting. Besides, I had done what I set out to do: written a true account of the Lauriston Garden mystery and the subsequent arrest of Jefferson Hope. The public was aware of Holmes's real involvement and his success. That my efforts had not pleased him ought to be of little consequence to me. That Le Villard's efforts did please him ought to be even less. Le Villard was little more than an acquaintance of Holmes, seeking to further his career by whatever tips he might obtain from my friend.

But when the envelopes with French stamps continued to pile up until the knife in the mantle fell to the floor from the weight of them, my heart gave a twinge.