The Illustrious Client: Sir Leslie Oakshott

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Illustrious Client
Author: thesmallhobbit
Rating: G



Sir Leslie Oakshott
Was, of course, in on the plot
To make Holmes’ injuries seem worse
Though Mrs Hudson knew she wasn’t needed as nurse

Comments

[winryweiss.livejournal.com]

Lovely.
I must admit that Sir Oakshott fell out of my mind the moment he left Baker Street. He is sort of plain, compared to other characters introduced in this story.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

One of the characters who had an important role - patching up Holmes - yet an undramatice one.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

I'm glad Mrs Hudson was in on this one. Well rhymed, that Oakshott.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I suspect that Watson helped convince Holmes that life would be a lot easier if Mrs Hudson was in the know.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think you're right - Holmes would have had to have taken Sir Leslie into his confidence. It's one thing keeping poor Watson at arm's length for a few hours in DYIN but fooling a doctor over several days..? And it would be nice to think Holmes didn't make Mrs. Hudson go through that again - be under the impression he was seriously ill.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Holmes says he'll take care of the doctor, but I think he had to have taken him into his confidence. It would also be more convincing if the doctor 'confirmed' the seriousness of his illness.

"If Mr Holmes thinks I am to be told he is seriously ill again, when it is not the case, then I can guarantee that very shortly he will indeed by ill, Doctor Watson."

"Mrs Hudson, hitting Holmes with the poker might make his bruises more lifelike but won't help him to solve the case."

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Oh, the thought of Mrs. Hudson inflicting GBH on Holmes with a poker - I shouldn't laugh but... ^____^

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Mrs Hudson was persuaded, with some reluctance, to return the poker to its usual position beside the fire. I thought no more of the incident until a few days later, when returning to our rooms (NB of course Watson is back there) I heard yelling and what sounded ominously like a poker striking wood.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Dashing into our sitting room, I found Mrs. Hudson attempting to break down the door of Holmes' bedroom. I still do not know what was the straw that broke the camel's back but I eventually managed to make her desist by pointing out what a palaver it would be to find a new tenant and how difficult it would be to explain the corpse to Scotland Yard.

I then escorted the distressed lady downstairs and liberally dosed her with gin, thus allowing Holmes to make his escape. I believe he laid low at Hopkins' lodgings for a day or two, disguising himself as a bolster.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

All would have been well, if Hopkins hadn't come over to fetch Holmes some clean shirts. He was spotted on arrival and waylaid by Mrs Hudson, who seeemed to be telling him all her grievances. I attempted to tiptoe past her door.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, Hopkins spotted me and I had no choice but to join them. Mrs. Hudson was halfway through a retelling of The Strange Case of the Acid Stains on My Late Mother's Escritoire before I realised Hopkins had disappeared, blast the man.

Once again I dosed Mrs. Hudson liberally with gin and made my own escape. I've suddenly remembered - I have a distant cousin in Aberdeen I really should go and visit...

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I had just quietly closed the front door of 221 Baker Street, when that lovely Inspector Lestrade approached. He explained that he had a case that he wished to consult Holmes about. I said that Holmes was currently not at home, owing to a slight misunderstanding with Mrs Hudson. Lestrade nodded wisely and when he learnt that Holmes was staying with Hopkins as a temporary measure, suggested that we call on him there, but that since his own lodgings were on the way, perhaps we should stop there on route. I thought this an excellent idea as it would give me own nerves a chance to revive a little.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

And so, over tea with a dash of whisky, I explained about being abandoned by Hopkins to Mrs. Hudson and her tale of woe concerning her furniture. Lestrade was greatly sympathetic to my plight and it all somehow led to him being keen to show me something of his own in the bedroom. He was convinced I would find his drawers particularly intriguing and was eager to find out my opinion. However, I must say once we got to the bedroom and he unveiled his chest, I rather lost my train of thought.

Sir Leslie Oakshott

[vaysh]

I was hoping for a clerihew for Dr. Leslie Oakshott. His presence in the story was so odd and decidedly under-valued. Does he appear in other SH story? Inspired rhyming!

Re: Sir Leslie Oakshott

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I think this is the only story he appears in - although Charing Cross Hospital (of which I have reason to be fond), is mentioned on occasion.