Subject: 23rd Dec Prompt From Winter Winks 221: Ventriloquism
Ventriloquism
Doctor Watson, deep in thought,
Turns to Holmes from fireside chair.
Starts to speak, is interrupted.
Holmes, ignoring irate glare;
"Watson, you are contemplating
Cases dealt with yesterday;
Your glances flit from Gladstone bag
To copies of the BMJ.
It's clear to see, that you are fretting
That a treatment might be wrong.
Signs and symptoms may not match;
And evidence is not too strong.
You're wondering if you should check
That patient over once again.
Your level of uncertainty is,
To an expert, written plain"
~0~
Before the doctor can reply,
Mrs Hudson joins the pair;
Quivering with indignation,
Clearly has a tale to share.
She starts to speak, but Holmes prevents her;
Holding up a calming hand;
"Mrs Hudson, do not worry,
I completely understand.
You were just about to tell me
That the butcher's late once more.
Deduced from your part-fastened apron,
And damp flour prints on the floor."
~0~
Mrs Hudson tries to answer,
Stops, at noises on the stair;
Lestrade appears, a trifle breathless,
Has some tidings to declare.
Barely gets a single word out;
Holmes' oration hits its stride;
"I can tell your case is solved;
The forger's gang are all inside.
I noted your dishevelled state,
The smears obtained from printers' ink.
The key to your complete success
Was down to my advice, I think."
~0~
Lestrade's mouth opens, words come out
Then cease; an unexpected sound;
In comes small and wide-eyed urchin.
Arthur clears his throat, looks round...
No childish vocals fill the room,
Holmes is blithely joining in.
"You've obtained a job, young Arthur;
News stand vendor, to begin
Tomorrow. I discovered this
From trace of paper caught on sleeve.
The current seller's moving on
To other prospects, I believe."
~0~
Arthur hides his disappointment,
Hoped to tell the tale to all.
Hushes at more measured footsteps,
Coming closer down the hall.
In strides Mycroft Holmes, in person,
Theatre poster, neatly rolled.
"Thought this might intrigue you, brother."
Leaves at once, his message told.
~0~
All those present read the poster...
-See the great ventriloquist!
Words appear from where they shouldn't.
A spectacle which can't be missed!-
~0~
Words appear from where they shouldn't ...
Watson catches Arthur's gaze,
Arthur looks at Mrs Hudson,
She eyes Lestrade, who calmly says,
"I think we'll skip that entertainment.
Holmes appears to have the skill
Of throwing voices where he wishes,
All of us have had our fill.
Holmes, you may of course go solo;
Learn, perhaps, a new technique.
And in your absence, my dear fellow.
We might get a chance to speak..."
~0~