“Quite a leap, John Watson. I trust you can back your declaration.”
With both your methods and my own.” At Sherlock’s show of interest, he continued. “Both men wear new suits – even though the quality of the overcoat indicate that their past wardrobe can not have been less desirable. Why would two men buy new suits at the same time from the same tailor – especially when those suits follow magazine fashions more than their true tastes? Because they needed clothing, and the outfits they brought with them were no longer useable.”
John Watson held up one finger, then raised a second to follow the first.
“When does a man replace his wardrobe? After disaster, perhaps, but they went to a tailor rather than visiting the quite-acceptable emporiums of the department stores. Alternatively, one changes costume when the weather changes – but they both have been here long enough for the climate to swing back to English temperatures – yet they did not change back to an English wardrobe.
My answer? They lost weight. Enough that they needed to have their English suits taken in. In the sanitarium they wore the hospital uniform, so needed no tailoring. When released? Upon the return of their old kit they discovered they had changed shape to the point that the old jackets and pants no longer fit.
“The solution?” Three fingers now marked the progress of Watson’s logic. “ They employed a bespoke tailor who prospers by paying calls on his clients rather than demanding they visit his atelier, and likewise one who has deep connections to the Hebrew community, which in turn is deeply connected to the chain of sanitariums taking advantage of the clean local air.” With the last two points, all five fingers stood outstretched between Watson and Holmes. John Watson waved briefly before folding the hand back onto his lap. “But most of all?” He grinned broadly. “I saw the release ticket in the darker man’s pockets. It is an advantage to be a Doctor, and so familiar with such forms.”
“Excellent Watson! You even cheat as I taught you.”
“Now that I have passed your examination, will you answer mine? What about those two men interests you? For I will not be fooled that you proposed this exercise without some deeper purpose.”
no subject
With both your methods and my own.” At Sherlock’s show of interest, he continued. “Both men wear new suits – even though the quality of the overcoat indicate that their past wardrobe can not have been less desirable. Why would two men buy new suits at the same time from the same tailor – especially when those suits follow magazine fashions more than their true tastes? Because they needed clothing, and the outfits they brought with them were no longer useable.”
John Watson held up one finger, then raised a second to follow the first.
“When does a man replace his wardrobe? After disaster, perhaps, but they went to a tailor rather than visiting the quite-acceptable emporiums of the department stores. Alternatively, one changes costume when the weather changes – but they both have been here long enough for the climate to swing back to English temperatures – yet they did not change back to an English wardrobe.
My answer? They lost weight. Enough that they needed to have their English suits taken in. In the sanitarium they wore the hospital uniform, so needed no tailoring. When released? Upon the return of their old kit they discovered they had changed shape to the point that the old jackets and pants no longer fit.
“The solution?” Three fingers now marked the progress of Watson’s logic. “ They employed a bespoke tailor who prospers by paying calls on his clients rather than demanding they visit his atelier, and likewise one who has deep connections to the Hebrew community, which in turn is deeply connected to the chain of sanitariums taking advantage of the clean local air.” With the last two points, all five fingers stood outstretched between Watson and Holmes. John Watson waved briefly before folding the hand back onto his lap. “But most of all?” He grinned broadly. “I saw the release ticket in the darker man’s pockets. It is an advantage to be a Doctor, and so familiar with such forms.”
“Excellent Watson! You even cheat as I taught you.”
“Now that I have passed your examination, will you answer mine? What about those two men interests you? For I will not be fooled that you proposed this exercise without some deeper purpose.”