Work Text:
There are certain cases which above all remain in my mind for various reasons. Naturally the one I termed The Sign of the Four will always hold a special place, not just in my mind but in my heart. And every Christmas Holmes and I have cause to remember The Blue Carbuncle, with the result that we always present our housekeeper, Mrs Maiden, with a goose for Christmas with instructions to prepare it very carefully.
And then there is the case which involved Jabez Wilson. It happened that there was to be a cup match between our village football team and a team from a village we had not played for some years. In view of the importance of the game, it was deemed necessary to have someone with medical experience in attendance and inevitably I was the person who immediately came to the organiser’s mind.
At first I demurred, for while I am happy to sit and watch cricket matches in the summer, the thought of being outside on a cold day, when no doubt it would also be raining, had no appeal to me. However, I was assured that once the initial introductions had been made, I could sit in the Red Lion and one of the boys would be sent to fetch me if I was needed. Accordingly, I agreed.
The day came and I was introduced to the team captains, after which I departed for the Red Lion. A little later, Holmes, who had come into the village for his own purposes, joined me.
“No injuries yet, Watson?” he asked.
“No, and it is just as well,” I replied. “For I am not sure I shall be able to keep a straight face if I am called out to the pitch.”
“Whyever not?” I shook my head, and he added, “I shall go and make my own deductions.”
He departed, returning shortly afterwards. “Yes,” he said, “I see we are playing a team from the red-headed league.”
At this, I could contain myself no longer and started to laugh. The team included three brothers, all with fiery red hair, plus two of their cousins who were of similar colouring.
Fortunately, when I was called due to a collision, between two players, neither of those involved resembled our old client in any way, and I was able to treat the injuries without the risk of laughing.