smallhobbit

The Ferret’s singing caused Mouselet and Aemilia Vole to look upwards, and then hastily take cover in the nearest mouse hole.

I’ve found a small box that’s
Now turning to rust

“Holmes, are you sure it was wise to send the Ferret to look for the missing lock picks?” Dr Watson asked nervously.

There’s nothing to eat here
Not even a crust

“Why?  What could possible go wrong?” Holmes replied.

I think I have found them
I’ll give them a thrust

There was the sound of metal resisting being moved, then a grunt, a metallic squeak and two thuds as the Ferret and the object he had found landed on the table.  This was followed by the sound of coughing from both Watson and Holmes as the dust, which had been dislodged by the Ferret in his endeavours, joined everything else on the table.

“I haven’t seen these for years,” Holmes said.  “They’re the keys I recovered during the case of the Amateur Mendicant Society.”

“But not your lock picks,” Watson muttered.  He had taken out his pocket handkerchief and was trying to remove the worst of the dust from his hands.

At that moment Mrs Hudson knocked on the door and came in.  “Mr Holmes,” she said sharply.  “What have you done now?”  She gave Holmes no time to reply, but continued, “I presume these are yours.”  She held up the lock picks.

“Yes, thank you, Mrs Hudson,” Holmes replied.  “Where did you find them?”

“You had left them on top of the tea tray.”

Watson said nothing, but glared at Holmes.