Final addendum to "Foiled."
Written:3-28-13
Omitted
Sherlock Holmes considered himself a noticer. He took pride in pointing out a bit of trampled grass where someone had passed through that morning, a coincidence in timing that made someone supposedly innocent a suspect, or a suspect clearly innocent.
What he didn't tell anyone, however, was perhaps the more important part.
For example, a thief that broke into Baker Street the night before his last terrible day in London. Nothing had been touched except for Watson's journal from his last case, accidentally left behind in their haste to capture their man. Though the prowler had apparently not wanted its perusal to be noticed, Holmes knew that the disturbance of dust on its cover indicated a worrying interest in its owner. This resulted in his fetching his friend before fleeing London, only to unwillingly abandon him at the last when Moriarty's henchman stood between him and safety.
Upon his return, Holmes saw the wary look in the spy's gaze as he automatically scanned the street, looking for Watson. This settled Holmes's mind once and for all, if it had needed settling, and he once more went for Watson before departing.
When Watson returned home the next day, Holmes didn't mention the tell-tale marks of a jimmy on the first floor window-latch, or signs of a gunman in an alley close by.