Title: Mouselet to the Rescue
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Length: 476
Summary: Mouselet spots something wrong and knows she needs to do something about it

When Mouselet heard the footsteps on the stairs she made a dash for her mousehole, not wishing to be seen by the owner of the feet. Had it been Dr Watson or Mr Holmes, she wouldn’t have worried, simply carrying on with her inspection of the crumbs which had been dropped during their hasty meal – she was under the table, so not likely to be trodden on. Sadly, the footsteps weren’t those of her favourite inspector, although she did recognise them, and was back in her hole before Inspector Lestrade entered.

A few minutes later Mrs Hudson showed in a client, who was greeted by Lestrade and informed that Mr Holmes would not be very long. However, the client seemed unnaturally nervous. Mouselet was used to clients being nervous, meeting Mr Holmes was apt to produce that effect, but this man seemed particularly on edge.

Cautiously she crept out of her mousehole and along the mantlepiece until she could observe him. To her consternation, she observed the man had a gun in his jacket pocket and every so often he would touch the pocket as if to reassure himself of its presence.

Mouselet was convinced this was not a good thing and thought it advisable to warn Inspector Lestrade. But how to do so? Both she and the Ferret had learnt Morse code, so she decided to try it out. After all, nothing would be lost. So carefully she tapped out G – U – N three times.

The inspector seemed to hear her and understand because he gave a sudden start. Then he politely asked the client, ‘Where do you come from?’ with undo emphasis on the ‘Where’.

Mouselet tapped out L – E – F – T – J – A – C – K – E – T – P – O – C – K – E – T.

The inspector nodded his head and just then they heard further footsteps coming upstairs. This time Mouselet identified them as belonging to Mr Holmes.

Inspector Lestrade and the client both stood up to greet the new arrival, but the inspector stood just behind the client, and when the man started to reach into his jacket pocket, pre-empted him and removed the revolver, saying, “I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.”

The man took fright and rushed out, his footsteps thundering down the stairs, before the front door opened and crashed shut.

“Thank you, Lestrade,” Mr Holmes said. “That wouldn’t have been a pleasant welcome.”

“No problem, Mr Holmes,” the inspector replied. “It was most peculiar. It started when I was sure I heard the Morse code for GUN. And then I heard the dots and dashes which spelled out LEFT JACKET POCKET. Quite how that happened I have no idea.”

“There have been some strange noises here recently. I wouldn’t let it worry you.” With that Mr Holmes turned towards the mantlepiece and, spotting Mouselet, winked at her.