The MacGuffin Affair

London

It was a beautiful summer day in late June 2014 made more inviting following a protracted wet and blustery spring. My long-time friend, Sherlock Holmes, had been retired some four years to the downs near Eastbourne where, despite suffering from bouts of Rheumatism, had focused his considerable incisive reasoning toward the keeping of bees. I had sold my medical practice and retired quietly in Kensington filling my days writing medical case journals for publication. But on such a day, the sun beckoned me to rest my pen and enjoy an afternoon walk in the park.

I reluctantly curtailed my walk sooner than I had wished – my fatigue coming sooner than when I was a younger man. As I approached my doorstep, to my great surprise, Mycroft Holmes, the elder brother of my old colleague was waiting on my stoop. Nearly a generation had passed since I last spied the senior Holmes. It was the encounter chronicled in the Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans resulting in the capture of the foreign agent Hugo Oberstein. For his efforts, Sherlock Holmes was personally thanked by the Queen. Leaning on his walking cane, Mycroft Holmes appeared larger of girth, grayer of hair, and slower of movement, a description it could be said applied equally to myself.

"Dr. Watson, it is good to see you still with a spring in your step." Holmes greeted me with a smile. "It has been too long since we last were together."

"Mycroft Holmes, the years have treated you well I see," I replied shaking his hand. "I must apologize, I hope you have not waited long. I let my housekeeper off for the afternoon. Please come in and I will make some tea."

I ushered the elder Holmes into the front room and put the kettle on. Mrs. Crawford, my housekeeper since moving from Baker Street, had left a tea set up anticipating my habit after my walk. We spent some time getting re-acquainted. Though it had been many years since we had last been together, my dear friend had kept me abreast of his brother's activity in government during our time at Baker Street and in our regular correspondence since his retirement. We quaintly cataloged our progressing infirmities, the realization of all sexagenarians that also included our mutual acquaintance. "I'm afraid Sherlock and I are also battling the adversary of our linage and what proclivity our common blood makes us biased to fall victim to," he said. "The chief malady we share at the moment is stiffness of the joints." I made light of my pains of age while I waited patiently for my guest to arrive at his reason for appearing at my door.

"Dr. Watson, you know of my long career in government and possibly of my retirement 5 years past. From time to time, I have been approached by His Majesty's government to lend assistance with matters that are of a discrete nature. It is perfectly fair to ask after hearing this whether one ever really retires from government service." He chuckled briefly at his own humor allowing time to gather his thoughts. "As you are aware, relations between our government and the German Empire have been deteriorating rapidly of late. It goes without saying that the Secretary for War is pursuing all avenues to ensure both the army and navy are prepared for any possible conflict. Recently, the Admiralty has grown concerned with the progress of construction of two of its most advanced Dreadnought class warships. It has been requested of me to look into the matter and take any steps necessary to ensure the warships are delivered as soon as possible."

"Am I to understand that you are here to ask for my assistance?" asked I, though I knew the answer. I immediately deduced he had first approached his brother and for some reason Sherlock Holmes was either reticent or unable to ask for my assistance.

"You know both Sherlock and I have viewed you as an indispensable aid in investigations," he confirmed. "Sherlock would have asked you himself, but he is presently involved with a delicate matter and was not at liberty to communicate freely."

"Is he to join us?" I asked wondering if the 'delicate matter' he had made no mention of in resent correspondence would prevent him from participating in his brother's case.