Collins

[rabidsamfan]

Bunter appeared with a basin of soapy water and a soft cloth – no doubt Holmes had warned him of his intentions – and offered them and a bedside chair to the juryman, who accepted both but then sat with the cloth dangling from his hand. "I don't know where to start," he stammered.

"Near the edges, please," I interjected hastily. "Additional pressure on the original injury would aggravate the damage. Go carefully."

"Yes, caution would be a good thing," Holmes murmured, his expression unnaturally closed. "You don't want to make things worse for me – nor for yourself, do you, Mr. Collins?"