#sorry i can't draw young Watson | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

resowrites · 2 years

Text

Sherlock Holmes And The Book Of Rhymes - Part 1

Summary: When Cora Beauchamp begins receiving extracts from a book of nursery rhymes by post, the police dismiss her which leaves her only one way to turn. But with no clue as to the sender or the meaning behind them, will the case prove too bizarre even for Mr. Sherlock Holmes?

Characters: Sherlock Holmes (I envisioned Henry’s version but the story could apply to Rathbone right through to Cumberbatch), OC!Cora Beauchamp, Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, OC characters.

Warnings: adult/dark themes such as adultery, occasional threat of violence/danger, some period misogyny/victorian attitudes, angsty, lightly beta’d.

WC: 2132

My work must not be copied, reposted, or translated elsewhere. Likes, follows, reblogs and comments are thoroughly welcome and appreciated! No copyright infringement intended, gifs/pics not my own. I hope you all enjoy and thanks for visiting!

Links to next parts: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Part 1:

Cora turned the calling card over in her hands. She'd been holding onto it so tightly that some of its ink had rubbed off on her gloves. But there was no turning back now, she'd made it all the way here and had to see her task through. She knocked quietly on the large black door, half hoping that no one would answer. After several moments, it seemed her wish would come true when she suddenly heard shuffling coming from somewhere in the hallway. Slowly the door peeled back to reveal an elderly woman wrapped in a shawl, her nightcap still pinned to her head. "Yes… how may I help you?" She eyed Cora with no small degree of annoyance. It was barely light outside, even the market sellers weren't up just yet.

"Oh… good morning, I'm sorry to have disturbed you at this hour, but I'm afraid I had no choice… I … I, oh you must help me!" Cora began sobbing desperately into her hands, causing the elderly woman to look around frantically before practically dragging her into the hallway.

"There, there Miss… come into the reception and we'll see if we can't sort this out…" the elderly woman led her more carefully this time into a room just to their right. She hurriedly sat Cora on the nearest chair and went to draw back the plush velvet curtains. Suddenly the room was bathed in a pale light though the elderly woman wrapped her shawl around her tighter. The chill of the morning could now be keenly felt through the thin windows. "Wait here Miss… sorry, what was your name?" Cora looked up and smiled briefly, her face now wet with tears.

"Cora… Cora Beauchamp." The elderly woman nodded and shuffled out of the room only to reappear moments later with a tray full of hot tea and biscuits.

"Here, now… why don't you tell me what has bought you here?" The elderly woman groaned as she sat in the chair opposite Cora, the current weather doing nothing for her aching joints.

"Well… I had hoped to see Mr. Sherlock Holmes…" she looked up hopefully from her tea to see the elderly woman give a knowing smile.

"I'm afraid Mr. Holmes isn't home at present and I don't know when he'll be back. If you leave a calling card I'm sure he'll be happy to see you at the earliest convenience…" Cora frowned, disappointed that she couldn't be squeezed in that morning.

"Very well Mrs… sorry, I didn't quite catch your name either?" The elderly woman smiled again and made a note of something in the notebook beside her.

"Mrs. Hudson… I'm Mr. Holmes's secretary… of sorts." She removed the glasses she'd perched on the end of her nose and took a large draught of tea. Cora rose swiftly to her feet, her tea only half drunk.

"Well… please give him my regards, and be sure to give him my card. My problem really is most urgent, may I check back with you tomorrow to see if he'll meet with me?" Mrs. Hudson couldn't help but note the young woman's nervous manner, she was practically trembling with anxiety.

"Of course, my dear, though don't bother to keep making the trip here. We'll send you a telegraph as soon as we can, though it might help to give me some details of your problem… you understand that Mr. Holmes doesn't simply take on any case. Why don't you sit, and finish your tea…" Cora reluctantly sat back down, not realising she'd been ungracious to her host.

"Yes… I'm sorry, this whole mess really has me quite shaken up. You see, I'm currently being sent these strange letters… well, they're not so much letters as… extracts, from a book of nursery rhymes…" she looked up shyly, feeling foolish at even discussing such a ludicrous notion. But Mrs. Hudson was simply eyeing her carefully. "Here… perhaps you ought to give Mr. Holmes the one I received yesterday morning…" she handed the note to Mrs. Hudson's outstretched hand. "Oh… I feel such a fool for having come here, I'm sure Mr. Holme's would laugh me out of the room!" When it looked as though she was about to burst into tears once again, Mrs. Hudson cleared her throat.

"Now, now Miss. Beauchamp, I'm sure Mr. Holmes will consider your case with the utmost seriousness. He has a fancy for the more unusual problems and I'm sure this one will at least pique his interest. Tell me, have you any idea what might be the cause of these strange letters, or who could be sending them?" Her questions seemed to focus the young woman.

"No… no I have no clue at all. It's why I've come… I'm so desperate for an end to this absurd situation, I'll do anything…" she then stopped herself, aware of what she was implying.

"Oh don't worry my dear, I understand your reasoning. I assume the police want nothing to do with the matter?" Cora shook her head sadly. "Well then, let's hope Mr. Holmes will be willing to help…" she then let out another sob, confounding Mrs. Hudson who, much like her famous tenant, wasn't too keen on outward displays of emotion.

"Oh, Mrs. Hudson… I can't quite explain it but I'm in fear of my life! You know I'm quite on my own… both my parents and brother have passed… oh what am I to do?" Mrs. Hudson said nothing as she handed her a freshly laundered handkerchief. It was then that she looked at her properly. She was exquisitely dressed in very fine silk. Her hat and gloves were also of the latest fashion. She clearly had money then, perhaps an inheritance given her lack of family? And there was something about the name Beauchamp…

"Mrs. Hudson? I really must be getting on… I'm sorry to have disturbed you so early in the morning. But please, do all that you can to see that Mr. Holmes takes my case. I'll be willing to pay whatever he desires… I just want an end to this terrible nightmare!" Cora then rose to her feet, bowed quickly, and practically fled the room. Mrs. Hudson sat blinking several times in disbelief, not knowing quite what to make of the whole situation. Eventually, she sighed and clambered to her feet. She didn't imagine Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson would be back in time for breakfast, but she'd better prepare some just in case.

Later that day.

As expected, Mrs. Hudson had to throw most of the food away. Though she saved the kedgeree for Dr. Watson, she could always reheat it for his tea. So far they'd been no sign of either of them. Usually, if they intended to be away for more than a day at a time they'd telegraph her. So she assumed they'd be back sometime later that afternoon. It was as she was dusting the banister at around four o'clock that she heard the front door burst open. She ran as fast as she could only to see Mr. Holmes practically drag Dr. Watson into the hallway. Blood poured from the top of the doctor's head and she had to stifle her shock. Clearly, they'd been in some terrible scuffle. "Some hot water and towels Mrs. Hudson…" Mr. Holmes spoke casually despite struggling to heave the doctor's bulky frame into the morning room. The doctor was conscious but clearly in pain, moaning the loudest when he was plonked onto the same chair Mrs. Hudson had received Miss. Beauchamp in that morning.

"What on earth happened gentleman? I was beginning to get worried and I see now that it was for good reason…" Mrs. Hudson had scurried back into the room holding a large pitcher in one and a pile of fluffy towels in the other. Seeing her struggle to hold that much, Mr. Holmes jumped up from his seat and relieved her of her burden.

"Some brandy wouldn't go amiss either Mrs. Hudson…" she tried not to roll her eyes as she fetched the key from her apron pocket and made her way to the corner of the room to unlock the drinks cabinet. The two men remained silent, even by the time she was pouring them both a snifter. But she wasn't about to go quietly and repeated her request for information. Mr. Holmes looked up tiredly from the pipe he was refilling.

"Oh… it was all a storm in a teacup really…" Dr. Watson shot him a look of disbelief, "Though I do believe the Langely affair is now at an end…" he sat back in his chair and struck a large match. Dr. Watson scoffed before chugging down most of the brandy in one go. He then winced as Mrs. Hudson began tending to his wounds. Other than some bruising and a nasty cut near his hairline, he was otherwise unharmed.

"Really Holmes… you have a gift for understatement. We spent all night at the docks Mrs. Hudson, only to be ambushed at sunrise. Still, Mr. Holmes believes he caught the man we were looking for…" he winced again as Mrs. Hudson applied alcohol to the cut.

"It's funny you should mention an ambush… the same sort of thing happened to me first thing this morning…" Dr. Watson quickly gripped the old woman by the wrist and examined her carefully.

"What? Are you quite alright my dear? What on earth happened?" Mrs. Hudson bit back a smile as she placed her first aid equipment back on the tray and fetched the calling card and book excerpt from her other pocket. She handed it directly to Mr. Holmes.

"A nice young lady came to visit me… she was most distressed. She's been receiving bizarre excerpts from a book of nursery rhymes. She suspects someone's threatening her though she can't imagine who… anyway, she'd like an appointment with you at your earliest convenience Mr. Holmes…" she trailed off as she watched the detective flick the calling card to the side to scan the nursery rhyme instead.

"Nursery rhymes eh? How bizarre… sounds right up your street Holmes…" Dr. Watson groaned as he sat back, his body was going to ache even more by the following morning. Mrs. Hudson gathered her things, expecting to leave them to it for the rest of the afternoon when Mr. Holmes raised his hand.

"A moment, Mrs. Hudson, did Miss… whoever, give you the envelope for this extract?" Mrs. Hudson sighed, now expecting the third degree.

"No, she did not." She knew what question was coming next.

"And did you not think to ask her for it?" Mrs. Hudson pursed her lips, suddenly missing the quiet that she'd experienced the rest of that day.

"No, I did not. You are the detective, Mr. Holmes, all the lady wanted from me was a simple appointment…" Mr. Holmes smiled and bid her on her way. The two men sat in silence for the next ten minutes until Dr. Watson couldn't stand it any longer.

"Well, Holmes… what do you think?" The Doctor was turning the calling card over in his hands, noting the slight floral scent that came from it… it must have been Mrs. Beauchamp's perfume.

"Well, thanks to Mrs. Hudson's lack of questioning… it seems I have little choice but to see the young lady regardless…" he threw the book excerpt to the side in annoyance.

"Beauchamp… you know I've heard that name. Let me consult the book…" Dr. Watson carefully got up and made his way to the bookshelf. When he found his book on landed gentry, it didn't take him long to find the name Beauchamp, it being near the beginning of the alphabet. "Ah yes… the Beauchamps, it says here they live at Marsham Hall, Oxford. Lord Beauchamp, his wife Lady Cecilia, and their children… Maximilian and Cora. Strange names. Though they're not nouveau riche, says here the hall's been in their family for hundreds of years…" Mr. Holmes didn't lift up his head from its position against the back of the chair. Instead, his eyes remained closed while trails of thick, grey smoke, rose up to the ceiling.

"Probably some harmless prank… you heard Mrs. Hudson, she seemed the hysterical sort. Probably a fuss over nothing, you know how rich young women can be…" Mr. Holmes sighed, disappointed at how it would most likely be some time before he was engaged in another interesting case again.

"That's strange…" but he still didn't look up at the doctor. "It says here that the lord and lady died nearly fifteen years ago… the boy too. Miss Beauchamp is alone in the world then… and with that entire estate to manage…" it was then that Mr. Holmes's eyes shot open.

A/N: Hi guys, as a huge Sherlock Holmes fan of both the original stories and the many series/films, it’s my pleasure to present this new short series. Any feedback is appreciated and Part 2 will be out Thursday at 6pm EST - so I hope you’ll continue to stick around and enjoy more to come!

To be updated on when I post please follow @resowrites and turn on post notifications.

#henry cavill #henry cavill sherlock holmes #sherlock holmes #henry cavill fandom #henry cavill fics

24 notes · View notes

thefisherqueen · 1 year

Text

Reading Letters from Watson's The Norwood Builder now! Here we go :)

“From the point of view of the criminal expert,” said Mr. Sherlock Holmes, “London has become a singularly uninteresting city since the death of the late lamented Professor Moriarty.” You literally killed him, Holmes, then faked your own death and spent years in hiding because of him, and now you're complaining that he's dead and you're bored - to the very one who's still recovering from the shock that you're alive? I diagnose you with some major Readjustment Issues and should consider therapy instead of just trying to cope with inappropriate humor. Watson is very valid in calling you whimsical

"At the time of which I speak Holmes had been back for some months, and I, at his request, had sold my practice and returned to share the old quarters in Baker Street." Of course. No news here

“I'm sorry, Mr. Holmes,” he cried. “You mustn't blame me. I am nearly mad. Mr. Holmes, I am the unhappy John Hector McFarlane.” Quite the introduction! By the way, why are so many of Holmes' clients young men on the verge of a nervous breakdown?

"Familiar as I was with my friend's methods, it was not difficult for me to follow his deductions, and to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of legal papers, the watch-charm, and the breathing which had prompted them. Our client, however, stared in amazement." Character growth! Well done, Watson. I'm proud of you. Freemasonary, by the way, is so broad a movement it barely means anything. This quote prompted me to do some research into the symbols of freemasonry. The watch in itself isn't the symbol, a combination of a builder's square and compasses (used to draw perfect circles) with the letter G was the most common one. I guess Watson is referring to the fact that this gentlemen's watch has an added engraving or something similar with this symbol. Also, I wonder about the connection between freemasonary and the murdered man being a builder in this case.

“Arrest you!” said Holmes. “This is really most grati—most interesting. On what charge do you expect to be arrested?” Omg. Barely caught himself there

"My companion's expressive face" Oh, the contradictions in Holmes' character writing. Is Sherlock Holmes that expressive suddenly, or is Watson just able to read him really well?

"He was flaxen-haired and handsome in a washed-out negative fashion" Watson was that judgement really necessary

"For some years he has practically withdrawn from the business, in which he is said to have amassed considerable wealth." Not working, yet amassing wealth. I'd say that's suspicious but, really, under capitalism the only people who are able to gain wealth are those not working - either exploiting or investing (likely both)

"It is known that Mr. Jonas Oldacre had received a late visitor in his bedroom upon that night, and the stick found has been identified as the property of this person, who is a young London solicitor named John Hector McFarlane." Inviting young sollicitors into his bedroom at night. Creepy behaviour. (can't help but think about Dracula's Jonathan Harker). Also, I'm glad the openly naming of suspects is restricted nowadays. No opportunity of a fair trail otherwise

"The conduct of the criminal investigation has been left in the experienced hands of Inspector Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, who is following up the clues with his accustomed energy and sagacity.” Yay, we'll get to see Lestrade again!

"One moment, Lestrade,” said Holmes. “Half an hour more or less can make no difference to you, and the gentleman was about to give us an account of this very interesting affair, which might aid us in clearing it up.” “I think there will be no difficulty in clearing it up,” said Lestrade, grimly. Power struggle. Bless Holmes for working independent and not afraid to tell the police off

“‘Here is my will,’ said he. ‘I want you, Mr. McFarlane, to cast it into proper legal shape. I will sit here while you do so.’ “I set myself to copy it, and you can imagine my astonishment when I found that, with some reservations, he had left all his property to me." Strong Jekyll and Hyde paralell here. I wonder, is murder conviction a legal reason to exclude someone from a will? I guess that doesn't even matter anymore if McFarlane would be executed. And who will the inherentence go to then? The next in line family member? Strong motive for framing McFarlane for murder, then. Next line of inquiry, I guess: who else knew about the will?

Already really liking this story! Protect this poor young sollicitor from injustice, Holmes

"He was a strange little, ferret-like man" Comparing people to animals again. Did McFarlane really say that, Watson, or was that one of your fancy additions?

“You can imagine, Mr. Holmes, that I was not in a humour to refuse him anything that he might ask. He was my benefactor, and all my desire was to carry out his wishes in every particular." Dosing so might cost you your life, McFarlane. *mutters about power imbalace*

“Not until I have been to Blackheath.” “You mean to Norwood,” said Lestrade. “Oh, yes; no doubt that is what I must have meant,” said Holmes, with his enigmatical smile." Oh, Holmes is delightful here! Wasn't Blackheath where McFarlane lives? My guess is that Holmes wants to know what the connection between Oldacre and McFarlane's parents was. Were they both in a same freemasonry community? That would tie it neatly together

I don't trust Oldacre's motivation in leaving his inherentance to McFarlane. Seems a bit like whitewashing of ill-gotten money to me. Then, again, he wouldn't have arranged his own murder. Or - wait - is he really dead? Since there's only some blood and charred remains found. Easy enough to fake. I have a Theory. I feel Clever (likely wrong but who cares)

"You are too many for me" Love that expression. Going to use that

"It is curious—is it not?—that a man should draw up so important a document in so haphazard a fashion. It suggests that he did not think it was going to be of much practical importance. If a man drew up a will which he did not intend ever to be effective he might do it so.” He did not ever intend the will to be effective. I think we have our villain! *Points to my theory* And - did he hide McFarlane's walking cane on purpose? Motive still not entirely clear to me. Fake your own death for life insurence, sure, but not to claim an inherentence that is currently already your own. Something most be up with that money to devise an elaborate, dangerous plot like that

“Well, it is quite possible; but the case is not clear to me yet.” “Not clear? Well, if that isn't clear, what could be clear?" Oh, Lestrade. You started so well by being picking up that Holmes had Thoughts and being willing to listen to him. But now...

Holmes thinks a bypassing third person did it. I'm not buying that. And, after Lestrade's remark that no papers were taken while a third person would have done that, I don't think Holmes is convinced anymore either

"But it is evident to me that the logical way to approach the case is to begin by trying to throw some light upon the first incident—the curious will, so suddenly made, and to so unexpected an heir." Yes! Investigate that!

"There is no prospect of danger, or I should not dream of stirring out without you." Awww! Also, famous last words, Holmes

I had to look up what black-guard means. According to the cambridge dictonary, apperently a word for someone who has no moral principles.

Holmes did you really just call a human being 'fluffly?"

Yet another murder victim who was a terrible person and is not mourned. This is really a repeating theme

“‘You knew him at that time?’ said I." “‘Yes, I knew him well; in fact, he was an old suitor of mine. Thank Heaven that I had the sense to turn away from him and to marry a better, if a poorer, man." Oh, it's personal! Good for her for getting away from him

"She rummaged in a bureau, and presently she produced a photograph of a woman, shamefully defaced and mutilated with a knife. ‘That is my own photograph,’ she said. ‘He sent it to me in that state, with his curse, upon my wedding morning.’ What the fuck. Please let Oldacre be the villian of this story

"I crawled about the lawn with an August sun on my back, but I got up at the end of an hour no wiser than before." Another very amusing image

"Unless some lucky chance comes our way I fear that the Norwood Disappearance Case will not figure in that chronicle of our successes which I foresee that a patient public will sooner or later have to endure.” Holmes! Be more kind to your chronicler!

"But I fear, my dear fellow, that our case will end ingloriously by Lestrade hanging our client, which will certainly be a triumph for Scotland Yard.” Don't give up Holmes! *points to my theory, somehow it all still fits*

"I do not know how far Sherlock Holmes took any sleep that night, but when I came down to breakfast I found him pale and harassed, his bright eyes the brighter for the dark shadows round them." Now I'm feeling sad :( Please, Watson, cheer him up

"Take your breakfast, Watson, and we will go out together and see what we can do. I feel as if I shall need your company and your moral support to-day.” Awww

“At present I cannot spare energy and nerve force for digestion,” he would say in answer to my medical remonstrances." Damn it Holmes, that not how that works. Please take care of yourself

"He led us through the passage and out into a dark hall beyond. “This is where young McFarlane must have come out to get his hat after the crime was done,” said he." Wait, didn't the housekeeper say that McFarlane left his hat behind?? *beep beep* tempered with evidence?

“What a providential thing that this young man should press his right thumb against the wall in taking his hat from the peg! Such a very natural action, too, if you come to think of it.” Holmes was outwardly calm, but his whole body gave a wriggle of suppressed excitement as he spoke. “By the way, Lestrade, who made this remarkable discovery?” “It was the housekeeper, Mrs. Lexington, who drew the night constable's attention to it.” This is hilarious. Holmes is so ready to tear this 'evidence' to treads

"The fact is that there is one really serious flaw in this evidence to which our friend attaches so much importance.” “Indeed, Holmes! What is it?” “Only this: that I know that that mark was not there when I examined the hall yesterday" Yes :) Now just find the evidence to convince the police. I also wonder how Oldacre attained McForlane's thumb imprint? Perhaps he just asked for it, since McForlane was not in a position anyway to refuse even an odd request?

"And now, Watson, let us have a little stroll round in the sunshine.” I'm making a lot of awww-sounds while reading this story. This is just so cute. I love them going out for walks!

"Lestrade knew my friend too well to disregard his words. He laid down his pen and looked curiously at him. “What do you mean, Mr. Holmes?” “Only that there is an important witness whom you have not seen.” “Can you produce him?” “I think I can.” I'm excited! Is this where Oldacre is shown to be not dead at all? Hiding in one of those attic bedrooms, is my guess?

"Holmes stood before us with the air of a conjurer who is performing a trick." Of course Holmes can not help but be Dramatic (TM) about this. What is he going to do? Smoke the man out?

"A door suddenly flew open out of what appeared to be solid wall at the end of the corridor, and a little, wizened man darted out of it, like a rabbit out of its burrow. “Capital!” said Holmes, calmly. “Watson, a bucket of water over the straw. That will do! Lestrade, allow me to present you with your principal missing witness, Mr. Jonas Oldacre.” Can't believe I got it right! A fake door, no less. Such a fun, dramatic reveal

"It was an odious face—crafty, vicious, malignant, with shifty, light-grey eyes and white eyelashes." *Sigh* There we go with the criminal faces again

Lestrade really owes Holmes a lot this time

“And you don't want your name to appear?” “Not at all. The work is its own reward. Perhaps I shall get the credit also at some distant day when I permit my zealous historian to lay out his foolscap once more—eh, Watson?" Now this is just flirting. I approve

“There's the advantage of being a builder,” said Holmes, as we came out. “He was able to fix up his own little hiding-place without any confederate" Nice tie-up. I wonder about the other loose ends? Will the freemasonry still come up?

"I thought he had not the nerve to lie quiet before an alarm of fire. We could, of course, have gone in and taken him, but it amused me to make him reveal himself; besides, I owed you a little mystification, Lestrade, for your chaff in the morning.” And this is 100% Holmes. I love that man

"It was amusing to me to see how the detective's overbearing manner had changed suddenly to that of a child asking questions of its teacher." I adore Watson's narration here. He is just shamelessly laughing at Lestrade

"He determines to swindle his creditors, and for this purpose he pays large cheques to a certain Mr. Cornelius, who is, I imagine, himself under another name. I have not traced these cheques yet, but I have no doubt that they were banked under that name at some provincial town where Oldacre from time to time led a double existence. He intended to change his name altogether, draw this money, and vanish, starting life again elsewhere.” So that was how he intended to do it. Clever scheme.

It takes a special kind of evil to be angry at a woman for rejecting you and then, as revenge, frame her child for murder. Wow.

#letters from watson #the norwood builder #sherlock holmes #catching up after holiday

23 notes · View notes