Call It a Night

As the clock swung past the half hour, Mycroft Holmes pulled himself to his feet. "Time to part, Doctor," said he, and I knew that it was not rudeness, but his sacred routine which drove him.

I took the hand he offered and nodded my acquiescence. Routine has its comforts in an uncertain world. "Should you require my services," I said, "please do not hesitate."

He did hesitate then, and I saw the calculations flickering behind his eyes. "Not I," he said slowly. "But you may wish to keep an eye on the agony columns. Odysseus is still at sea."

Call It a Night

As the clock swung past the half hour, Mycroft Holmes pulled himself to his feet. "Time to part, Doctor," said he, and I knew that it was not rudeness, but his sacred routine which drove him.

I took the hand he offered and nodded my acquiescence. Routine has its comforts in an uncertain world. "Should you require my services," I said, "please do not hesitate."

He did hesitate then, and I saw the calculations flickering behind his eyes. "Not I," he said slowly. "But you may wish to keep an eye on the agony columns. Odysseus is still at sea."