Discoveries and Limits: Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27
Author's Note: I hope all are having a beautiful holiday season with time for festivities and celebrations. A big shout out to all who are in this December Challenge and making it thus far. Well done! Almost there!
"What have you there, Holmes?" Watson sat down next to his flatmate who was intently examining a rectangular tin-colored box on the table.
"My brother, Mycroft, has sent us a gift, of sorts, Watson. It is most curious. What do you make of it? And, yes," Holmes read Watson's worried glance, "It's ok to handle. Mycroft assures me it's not explosive."
Watson breathed a relief sigh and picked it up.
"It's the size of a book, but a thin book, and of substantial weight. I am unfamiliar with the design etched into it." He squinted and read, "I.B.M.? There appears to be a hinge of sorts. Shall I open it?"
Holmes nodded.
Watson slid a lever and lifted the top panel upward. "I cannot tell what this device is constructed of, Holmes! It looks grey like metal but is entirely different. The inner panel is reflective, like a mirror and the base is a grid like that on a typewriter. And yet, it appears to do nothing."
"Do you see the two intertwining pistols engraved into the base?"
Watson squinted. "Yes."
"Mycroft is running an analysis. We hope it may prove a clue as to the owner of this device."
"Perhaps it's a symbol a secret military machine."
"Yes, that thought has crossed my mind. It's too early though to know. We must examine it further. Unfortunately, Mycroft has only given me permission to examine the exterior for now."
"Maybe it's a stand for a precision gun; or, maybe it's an expensive lady's mirror; or a training machine for typist."
Watson's eyes brightened with further ideas. "Maybe it's a new instrument with musical capabilities we can barely imagine. Perhaps it can calculate complicated sums and store the result. Or, perhaps it is an automation of sorts and is a book that reads itself."
Watson sighed and set down the device, folding it closed once more. "Even I have my limits. I really cannot guess what this device might be. I agree, Holmes, we need more information on what the internal wiring does inside this thing. The possibilities seem endless."
Holmes smiled over at his partner. "You never cease to amaze me, Watson, with your illuminating ideas. I agree with you that, for now, we must await further revelations when we examine this machine with new eyes in the lab tomorrow. Who knows, we may discover a device to revolutionize a new era."
Prompts:
Hades Lord of the Dead - Decorations
JackofCats - Holmes and Watson find access to a 21rst century laptop
goodpenmanship - two pistols
JackofCats - Even John Watson has his limits