Title: A Postcard of Paris
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: PG, for implication only
Length: 346 words
Summary: Watson is missing from 221B, but a postcard gives Holmes a clue as to where he's gone.

Sherlock Holmes entered the rooms at 221B, accompanied by Inspectors Lestrade and Hopkins.

“That’s strange,” Holmes said.  “I was expecting Watson to be here.  He knew we would be coming.”  Then he spotted a postcard showing a picture of the Eiffel Tower on the table beside Watson’s armchair and understood.  “He must have gone out, but I don’t think he’ll be too long.”

Holmes was right, and it was not long before Watson returned, carrying a small cardboard box.  He hurried into the room, but before he had the chance to say anything, Holmes called out, “Watson, do you think you could ask Mrs Hudson if we could have tea a little early.  Hopkins will need to be on his way shortly.”

Watson stopped abruptly, turned, and went back downstairs.  Lestrade gave Holmes a slightly curious look, but Holmes merely shook his head slightly.

Watson returned and placed the box on one of the higher shelves of the bookcase.

“You have collected a parcel, Doctor,” Hopkins said politely.

“Yes,” Watson replied, slightly flurried.  “Shoes.”

“Oh!” Hopkins looked puzzled.  The box was practically square, and definitely not long enough for a pair of Watson’s shoes to fit.

“Shoe trees,” Holmes said hurriedly.  “They’re particularly springy ones which fold up.”

Hopkins still looked rather puzzled, but fortunately for everyone concerned, Mrs Hudson arrived with the tea, plus a plate of jam tarts, since Inspector Hopkins was one of her favourites.

Hopkins, having drunk his tea and eaten two jam tarts, stood up to leave.  “Are you coming, Lestrade?” he asked.

“Err, no, no, I’ll, um, stay a bit longer,” Lestrade muttered.  “I need to discuss the, err, trees, with Holmes.”

The expression of puzzlement returned to Hopkins’ face, but he smiled and departed, calling his thanks to Mrs Hudson as he passed her door.

Once they had heard the front door close, Watson reached up and took down the box.  “Someone really ought to explain to him,” Watson said. 

“We’ll leave that to you, Doctor,” Lestrade said.  “In the meantime, let’s have a look at those Parisian postcards.”