The Adventure of the Woman with the Cane

It was a startlingly bright morning on the 21st of May, the year being 1885, when a young woman, by the name of Rebecca Lewis, approached the apartments of Mr Sherlock Holmes of 221b Baker Street. She walked with her head held high and a smart black cane in her right hand. She paused on the opposite side of the road to allow a horse drawn cab to pass her by before crossing over, her eyes intent on her destination. She had just reached the door and was about to raise a hand in order to knock when the entrance burst open and a herd of small, dirty children charged out into street. One bumped into her leg as he ran past and she would have fallen had a hand not reached out to steady her.

"Beggin' your pardon miss," the young lad said, dipping his cap, before tearing off round the corner and out of sight.

The young lady smiled faintly and looked up to see who had been her rescuer. A middle aged woman was standing in the open doorway, scowling slightly as she watched the last of the street urchins disappear, swallowed up by the crowds of London. She then turned a kind face towards the young lady, still supporting her carefully under the elbow.

"My Goodness my dear are you alright?" She was rewarded with a reassuring smile.

"Yes quite alright thank you. I was startled somewhat," she admitted, "but I am perfectly well now."

"Well thank heavens for that," the woman exclaimed. "I am quite sure I do not know what I would have done had you been hurt. Although," she added after a thoughtful pause. "I certainly would have given Mr Holmes a piece of my mind. Letting in those filthy vagabonds! They come in; traipsing mud and dirt all over my floors, never once stopping to clean their shoes..." She sighed dramatically and looked haggard for a moment before coming back to herself. "But never mind any of that my dear, are you sure you are alright? Good, now how can I be of service, I've no doubt you are here to see Mr Holmes are you not?" She received a nod in response.

"Yes I am. Is he in? Do you know if he will be able to see me? I do not wish to intrude and could come back at a later time if it would be more suitable."

"No, no my dear, he is in and quite unoccupied at the moment. Might I go up and introduce you while you come in and remove your things?"

"That would be very kind of you. My name is Rebecca Lewis."

"A pleasure to meet you Miss Lewis, I am Mrs Hudson, the landlady. If you will just wait here I will be back shortly. I have no doubt that Mr Holmes will be able to see you." With that the woman bustled away up the stairs muttering quietly under her breath, something about dirt stains and what she would do if she ever managed to catch even one of those undersized ruffians.

Miss Lewis, now alone, removed her hat and placed it next to those belonging to two gentlemen that hung on a stand just inside the door. She then took off her coat, careful to balance her cane against the wall as she did so. She hung that up also and then reached again for the walking stick, holding onto it firmly while she waited for the landlady to return.

Upstairs the landlady in question knocked on the door of the rooms occupied by her two tenants and entered without waiting for a reply. Both gentlemen looked up as she walked in. Before either could speak Mrs Hudson turned to the taller of the two and placed her hands on her hips, frowning.

"Mr Holmes!" She sighed in an exasperated voice. "I do wish you would not just let those grubby street children come marching in and out of here as you do. I will now have to spend the rest of the day trying to repair the damage done to carpets and I've a right mind to try and enlist your help in the task." The gentleman looked as if he were about to say something when she interrupted him. "I will not however as it seems you have a client waiting for you, a Miss Rebecca Lewis." Finally, she was silent.

"Thank you Mrs Hudson," Holmes said, smiling somewhat ruefully in his companion's direction. "If you would be so kind as to send her up I will direct my attention towards her immediately. " She seemed to expect something more and so he continued. "And will you please accept my humblest apologies in regards to your carpet. The next time the Baker Street Irregulars are required as part of my investigations I will ask them to remove their shoes before entering." He smiled again, hoping to placate her.

"Humph!" Mrs Hudson sounded anything other than convinced but she had work to get back to and so could not be delayed any further. She turned to leave saying, "I will go and fetch Miss Lewis for you then Mr Holmes. Although," she said rounding on him again. "If you ask me you also owe her an apology. Nearly run down she was, those rascals have no respect for a lady..." and she continued to grumble to herself as she left, closing the door behind her.

"Well Holmes," said Watson, his companion, who was desperately trying to suppress a grin. "It seems you are not doing too well today. It is only just half past ten and already you have managed to upset Mrs Hudson and your new potential client."

"Hmm," Holmes murmured, noncommittally. "Indeed. Well Watson I will simply have to rectify that point when Miss Lewis sees fit to grace us with her presence."

"It is quite alright my dear," said Mrs Hudson as she descended the stairs towards the waiting lady. "I have spoken to Mr Holmes and he had said that he will see you now. Go up the stairs, turn right and it is the door straight in front of you. You are expected."

Miss Lewis smiled gently at the woman. "Thank you Mrs Hudson." She then started for the stairs, wondering what reception she would receive when she finally reached her goal.

The landlady stood to one side and allowed the young woman to pass, she was about to go back to her work when she noticed something. "Oh, my dear," she exclaimed. Miss Lewis turned, not yet having even reached the bottom step. "Do you not wish to leave your stick down here with your other things, it will be perfectly safe, I assure you."

The woman glanced down at the cane in her hand and unconsciously tightened her grip. "If it is of no trouble I would much prefer to take it with me." She saw the puzzled look on the landlady's face. "It is not a problem is it? Mr Holmes will not mind?"

"Oh, no I doubt he will mind although he is bound to notice. It's fine dear, keep it if you want. Now off you go, it's best not to keep Mr Holmes waiting."

"Of course, thank you." Rebecca Lewis bowed her head to the woman as she quickly moved away and disappeared through another door. The young lady took a deep breath, the landlady's comment had left her somewhat puzzled but she dismissed it and instead glanced upwards. She sighed heavily, she really despised stairs. Then, knowing she had no choice, she began the long and slow climb towards the rooms of Mr Sherlock Holmes, never lessening her firm grasp on the cane she held in her right hand.

Ok people this is my first Fanfiction EVER! It's all very exciting. Anyway from what I understand reviews are very much desirable so please feel free...