The Crimson Code (Inspired by a Study in Scarlet)

Chapter 3

Quick as a flash, Dr. Watson dropped the cane that had supported him and knelt down beside the body. "Are you all right? Talk to me!" he shouted, frustrated. He then went about checking the figure's pulse, body temperature, if anything was blocked in the windpipe. Both of us noticed a sheer amount of blood, yet with no visible source. Then it hit me. "That man- he's still breathing." Suddenly, his eyes shot open.

"What- time is it?" he muttered groggily. Dr. Watson could only stare.

"What did you say?"

"Aw darn, it's already this late?" the unknown person complained, grabbing Dr. Watson's watch to check the time. "Can't believe I fell asleep!" He had black hair, blue eyes and spoke with a cockney accent.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Dr. Watson asked, still uneasy.

"Oh, this?" the mysterious person asked, unconcernedly. "It's just cow's blood, merely a sample for an experiment of mine." Dr. Watson stared, still shell-shocked. Our companion let out a triumphant cry. "My experiment's a success! I did it! Just look at that reaction!"

"It's certainly interesting, but why cow's blood?" Dr. Watson finally found the strength to speak.

"It's a new agent that only subsides when in contact with blood. With this, you can find out if a spot that's even a few months old is blood or not. This is sure to turn some murder mysteries upside-down!"

"Really?" Dr. Watson gasped.

"Incredible! If it truly works as you say, then this could be amazing!" I interrupted enthusiastically. "Ah, sorry." Dr. Watson took that as an opportunity for introduction.

"I'm John H. Watson, this is Shirley Hunt. You must be Sherlock Holmes, I reckon. Stamford told me about you-"

"Hmm... So, you're the doctor back from Afghanistan?" Sherlock Holmes asked calmly. He fixed me with a piercing gaze. "As for your companion over there... she's a detective apprentice."

"How on Earth did you... I just barely introduced myself and Stamford told me he didn't tell you anything about me," stuttered Dr. Watson. I just sat there, not saying a word, but merely grinning. As expected of London's best detective.