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My head ached abominably. That was all I could think as I trudged through the halls again, getting ready to see the next patient. I had barely slept a wink last night, and Holmes kept conjuring argument after argument with me during waking hours because of the terrible mood he was in. I didn't understand what he was upset about, usually his black moods were reserved for the breaks in between cases. But at present, he had two cases that I knew of, and he had not invited me to join either. It was all very unusual, but I guessed that it had something to do with all the extra shifts I had been picking up at the hospital. Which, brought my attention back to the hospital.
"Dr. Watson, you have a patient waiting for you right over there, and he has requested you specifically." The nurse whispered the last part. This did not surprise me, it wasn't all that unusual for this to happen.
When I found the man he looked quite disheveled and skittish, but what really caught my attention was the smell. The man reeked of old fish and some other odor I could not place. His gray hair and beard had bits of debris stuck in them and his skin was dusted with a layer of dirt.
He squinted his eyes at me and spoke in an unusual accent that I also could not place. "Are you the Doctor Watson?" He said skeptically, eyeing me up and down.
I smiled as cheerfully as I could manage at him
"Yes, sir." I answered. "How may I be of service to you today?"
His word started as a reluctant growl, but quickly shifted into an answer. "I have an ache in me foot so strong I cannot even lace me boots any longer!" The man complained loudly.
"I see. And when did this pain start?"
"Years!" He drawled seriously. "But it's gotten worse in the last week, ever since that rotten brother of mine tripped me at the ankle!"
What an odd man this was. I was trying to focus on his story and not be distracted by the strong scent of fish, but it was a challenge, especially with my head already aching.
"Now, can you fix me foot or no? I have to be back to me ship by sundown, or they'll leave on without me! I haven't got all day!"
I paused, taken aback for a moment by the man's rudeness. On a better day, I don't know that it would have even taken much of my notice, but I was already feeling unusually ill-tempered today.
"I'll have to examine your foot." I said slowly, through gritted teeth.
The man gave an exaggerated sigh and grumbled unintelligibly; but just as I was about to pull his boot off, bracing myself for the smell, I heard him clear his throat, and he coughed. I looked up and he said, "On second thought, Doctor, you had better look at me ears first, those hurt much worse; I think I will lose me hearing!"
I got up and grabbed the tool I needed to examine his ears, and as I leaned in, I heard him whisper in a strange voice, "And you must be losing your sight."
I gasped and opened my mouth to start lecturing this old man. I could not believe the nerve he had in speaking thus, and just as I started, I looked in his eyes and the words stopped on my tongue. I saw his steel grey eyes full of amusement, and his story finally registered. "Holmes?" I breathed quietly. I buried my irritation for a moment; I did not know yet if he was in disguise to trick me, or to hide from something more important.
It was strange to see his eyes winking out at me from the face of this old man. "I hope you can pass a message to me brother," he said quietly, still in that strange accent. "That I won't be home for supper. Me ship is leaving early and I have work to do. But I wouldn't want him to worry. And I'll be back soon."
I saw the message of warning for what it was and nodded solemnly. I knew one of his cases involved a ship and if he had to leave in disguise, I was thankful he did not leave me in the dark.
"I can pass that along, I'm sure." I replied.
He nodded solemnly as well, but winked again, and looked like he was getting up to leave. "Thank you, Doctor."
"Oh, one last thing," I leaned in close and pretended to examine his eyes, and then under my breath I mouthed the words, "I did not trip you. You tripped on your own feet."
He scowled at me under his disguise, and I helped him up, calling in a louder voice, "Well, I hope your work goes well. Stay off that foot when you can, and come back quickly if it starts to bother you again." He tipped his hat and made to leave again. "Safe travels."
When he was gone, I found the nurse shaking her head in his direction. "He was an interesting one, Doctor." She noted.
I smiled and fought back a chuckle. "Yes," I agreed. "He might just be my strangest patient yet."