Title: The Dolls' House
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Length: 1,150 words
Summary: Wanting to find out what is happening in a toy shop, Holmes sends in Mouselet and Aemelia Vole
Also written for ficlet_zone Roswell challenge

"Do you remember the trouble at the toy shop a few years ago?” Inspector Lestrade asked one morning.  Holmes nodded.  “Well, I have my suspicions about the new owner.  I don’t think the goods are the same, but there’s been a number of unsavoury characters hanging around and I don’t think they’re all looking for presents for favoured nephews and nieces.”

“I’ll go and have a discrete look,” Holmes replied.

“Thank you, Mr Holmes.  But do be sure to wear a bowler hat and not a lady’s bonnet this time, just in case.”

Holmes glared at Lestrade, who departed chuckling.

As soon as he had gone, Holmes said, “Watson, we may have to bring back the camel.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” the doctor replied.  “And anyway, I haven’t seen it for some while.”

That was true, although it failed to take into account that the camel, once Lestrade had returned it after its previous adventure, was in a rather sorry state and Aemelia Vole had repurposed the material which had been salvageable into hair which had been glued onto peg dolls the previous Christmas.  Somehow, no-one had thought to tell Holmes this at the time, and it was now much too late to inform him.

“Well, if the camel’s not available,” Holmes said, “I shall have to improvise.  I’ll take Mouselet and Aemelia Vole with me.”

“You’d better take the Ferret as well,” Watson replied.  “If the shop looks anything like it did before, there’ll be plenty of places he can hide.”

Holmes left shortly afterwards, and Watson noted with a smile that he had put on suitable headgear.

When Holmes entered the shop he saw a young girl behind the counter, who said, “Good morning, sir.  How can I help you?”

“I’m looking for a birthday present for my niece, um…”

“Do have a look round.  If you have any questions, then please ask.  I’ll try to help you, or my Dad will be back soon and he can give you more information.”

Holmes nodded and made his way towards a display of dolls, which he presumed would be suitable for a young female relation.  To one side he spotted a dolls’ house.  He bent down, and under the pretext of examining it he let the two little rodents out, whispering to them, “This will be the perfect place for you two to hide.  Either Watson or I will be back later this afternoon to collect you.”

He continued looking round at the toys, noting that amongst the stuffed animals one, resembling some sort of mustelid, waved a paw at him, and then stood up and returned to the counter.

“Thank you very much.  I shall speak to my sister and see if she approves of my choice.  If she does, then I will return and purchase it later today.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Holmes left and Mouselet and Aemelia set about exploring their residence for the day.

“It’s quite well provided for,” Mouselet said.  “I wouldn’t mind living here.”

“Yes, it is rather a nice house,” Aemelia agreed.  “Although I do think the other occupants look a bit sad.  If I’d known, I’d have brought some bits of camel and we could have made them look more presentable.”

“I think I’ll go upstairs and try out the beds.”

“I’m going into the kitchen.  What shall I prepare for our luncheon?”

Both little rodents giggled, and Mouselet scampered up the side of the house and into the bedroom.  She opened the wardrobe door, expecting to see a doll’s size dress hanging up and gave a gasp.

At the same time Aemelia called out, “It appears there is roast ruby for our meal.”

“In which case I shall dine in diamonds.  I’ve just found some in the bedroom,” Mouselet called back.  She ran down the side of the house to rejoin Aemelia.

“We’d better tell the Ferret,” Aemelia said.  She opened a window and called out to him.

At that moment two men entered the shop and spoke to the shopkeeper, who had returned. 

“Everything’s in the dolls’ house,” the man said.  “You can take it away.”

Hurriedly the Ferret climbed through the window and Mouselet and Aemelia hauled him in when he began to get stuck.

“Quick, under the table,” Mouselet squeaked.  The front half of the Ferret fitted under the table, so she threw the tablecloth over his back half and hoped no-one would notice.

She needed have worried, because neither man bothered to look inside, simply lifting up the dolls’ house and carrying it out to a horse and cart which was waiting outside.

“What are we going to do?” Aemelia asked, worriedly.

A large furry face peered in at them, and the Ocelot said, “I suggest you climb out and I’ll carry you to safety.”

“But what about the jewels?” Mouselet asked.

“What jewels?”

They explained what they had found and when the Ocelot asked if they bring them out too, Mouselet and Aemelia removed the tablecloth from on top of the Ferret and piled the jewels inside it, before making a pouch which they pushed out of the window.  They then both climbed out and the Ferret followed.

Or half followed.  Once again, he got stuck and waved his paws rather ineffectually.

“I’ve had an idea,” Mouselet said.

There was some straw in the cart and Mouselet picked up a small piece and tickled the Ferret’s nose.  He gave an enormous sneeze and shot himself out.

“As soon as the cart slows down, I’ll hop off,” the Ocelot said.  “You two hang on.  Can you manage to hold the jewels as well?”

“I think so,” Mouselet said.

“Good.  Ferret, you’ll have to jump by yourself.”

“No problem!”

The cart slowed and the Ocelot slipped off the side.  The Ferret launched himself after them and landed in a puddle.

“Where are we?” Aemelia asked.

“Not far from Baker Street,” the Ocelot replied.  “I suppose you want a lift, despite your muddy paws.”

The last sentence was addressed to the Ferret who grumbled, but nevertheless jumped up.

Back at Baker Street, they explained what had happened.

“It’s a shame we don’t know where they were heading,” Watson said.

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Holmes replied.  “As soon as they realise the jewels aren’t in the dolls’ house, they’ll be back at the toy shop.  I’ll alert Lestrade to stand by.”

It was a couple of hours later that Inspector Lestrade called in to tell Holmes and Watson that they had successfully apprehended nearly all the members of the gang.  “Once again, I don’t know how you did it,” Lestrade said, “but I’m very grateful for your help.”

“You know my methods,” Holmes replied.

“Maybe, but it’s still beyond me.”

Watson glanced up at the mantlepiece, to see Mouselet and Aemelia peeking out from the mousehole and winked at them.