A/N Hello! - decided to pick on CHAS following a suggestion from sagredo re breaking and entering (thank you!) and also because the villain has a name made for narrative verse. Have also included a late entry to an old SH challenge, and my personal decision on the pronunciation of Lestrade.(mainly based on the version which rhymes with the most useful words.)

Feedback very welcome.

Mrs P

Many thanks, as always, to medcat for beta reading.

Holmes and companions do not belong to me

Contains spoilers to CHAS (quite a lot of spoilers)

Watson POV

A Matter of Conscience

As a qualified physician,

I am bound in word and deed

To the Hippocratic teachings,

And that ancient healer's creed.

Working with the Great Detective,

Different judgements must be made,

When we act as friends and partners

In a bleaker, darker trade.

One impressive illustration

Of the harm which can be done,

By one ruthless,heartless person,

Feared and loathed by everyone.

Quite the vilest man in London,

Charles Augustus Milverton.

Look beyond the polished manner,

Smooth expression, charming smile,

Past the signs of wealth and breeding,

Words to flatter and beguile.

Note the pitiless hard glitter

Of his penetrating eyes.

Recognise the scheming monster,

Evil serpent in disguise.

It was clear from first encounter,

He was rotten to the core.

Would not show our client mercy,

Always wanting more and more.

His extensive web of blackmail

Kept him well above the law.

Holmes suggests a bold solution,

Plans a daring night time raid.

Only chance to snatch the letters,

Plans acquired from love struck maid.

Got engaged, disguised as plumber;

Told him this would cause distress.

Maid is busy planning wedding.

Hope she hasn't bought the dress.

Realise with indignation,

Holmes intends to work alone

Use a quite ironic weapon;

Touch of blackmail of my own

I'm a doctor, not a burglar,

But am equal to the task.

Armed with nickel plated jemmy,

Tennis shoes and silken mask.

Breaking in-we reach the study,

And the safe with notes inside.

Hurry to retrieve the letters;

Milverton returns-we hide.

Unexpected complications,

Hooded stranger joins the game.

Wants revenge on ruined marriage;

Steady purpose, steady aim.

Having bled so many victims,

Charles Augustus bleeds the same.

Having dealt with Charles Augustus,

Hooded stranger disappears.

We are left with corpse and letters,

Act before more help appears.

Burn the hateful, damning letters,

Hurry back across the grounds.

Hope that no-one sees our faces,

Hope that they don't loose the hounds.

Reach the wall and climb to safety,

Ankle grabbed, I struggle free.

Tumble to the ground, exhausted,

Holmes, as always, waits for me.

Back in Baker Street, much later,

Visitor from Scotland Yard.

We know nothing of the murder,

Disinclined to help Lestrade.

Hoping that he does not notice

Silken masks in fireplace; charred.

Listen to Lestrade`s description

Of the man who struggled free.

Not amused at Holmes suggestion

That he sounds a lot like me.

Next day, wake with troubled conscience,

Wonder at the choices made.

Much prefer clear cut decisions,

Not degrees of light and shade.

Balancing two codes of conduct;

One –the Hippocratic Oath,

One –the law of natural justice.

Trying hard to honour both.

Holmes appears, quite free from worry,

Says he's found another clue.

Takes me to a distant shop front,

Lots of photographs on view.

Eyes are drawn to one small picture,

See the face within the frame.

Recognise the hooded stranger.

Famous beauty, famous name.

Feel as though a weight has lifted,

Certain that she feels the same.

End