The Clue of the Tin Soldier

[capt_facepalm]

Title:  The Clue of the Tin Soldier
Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom:  Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters:  Inspector Lestrade, Sherlock Holmes
Summary:  Inspector Lestrade consults Watson's knowledge of military regalia.
Warnings:  (none)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes:   Drabble for the July 21st 2012 item prompt "What item is to your immediate right."

.oOOo.

‘Watson left this for you, Lestrade,’ said Sherlock Holmes as he handed over a heavy envelope.

The fastidious policeman opened it to find a small tin soldier and he smiled at the accompanying note.

‘What does it say?’ Holmes asked.

‘That the soldier has been meticulously hand-painted to match the colours of the Thirteenth Light Infantry during the Crimean campaign. Apparently, he went to Regent Street and consulted some experts, and no longer thinks it belonged to a child... I never told him where we found it.’

“Anything else?’

‘Just that he thanks me for the opportunity to visit Hamleys.’

.oOOo.

Author's Notes: 
1.  Hamleys is the famous London toy shop established in 1760.
2.  This is what I found to my immediate right. Absolutely true. I had been working on more Bricks Without Clay.

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Comments

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

For some reason I am completely taken with the idea of Watson in a toy shop. :)

[wirral-bagpuss.livejournal.com]

HAMLEYS!! Oh I have so very fond memories of visiting there myself, when my Mother used to take me! I got my very first handheld computer game, a Snoopy Game & Watch which i believe is quite collectable now.

Anyway back to the story and what a lovely drabble this is. I can imagine Watson playing with tin soldiers! and for once it is Holmes who is left to ask Lestrade what Watson has been up to!

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I do like the idea of Watson pottering around Hamleys - I have the feeling he was there longer than was strictly necessary.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

I can totally see Watson happily examining all the lead and tin soldiers (and possibly starting a hobby of collecting them).

On a similar topic, my single favorite moment in the Albert Finney musical "Scrooge" is the old man happily going nuts in the toy store, buying all the stuff he never got as a kid for other children.

[methylviolet10b]

What a wonderful interpretation of your object. Now I want the full story!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Me too! I think he wouldn't be too proud to admit that he enjoyed his time there either!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

While I can picture Watson admiring the toy soldiers, I cannot see him actually playing with them, unless it was when he was a young child.

For the current investigation, Lestrade asked Watson about the toy soldier because the doctor might recognise the regimental uniform. (Which he did.) Watson took it a step further and went to Regent Street to see if anyone could tell him who would have such a thing.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

I think Watson could put aside his 'serious-Victorian-gentleman' demeanor on hold without embarrassment and stay in Hamleys for longer than strictly necessary!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... hand-painting lead miniatures would be excellent therapy and exercise for fine motor skills... not that I think Watson couldn't enjoy being in Hamleys without making excuses.

Also, I tend to think that Watson's up-bringing was on the austere side and he might not have had many frivolous toys as a child. In which case, he could do the Albert Finney thing too!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was fun to see what sort of prompts people had lying around!