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The Railway Station Debacle by Chat over Chai

Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson and Molly Hooper were travelling from London by train to Southampton.  The night was very dark and they accidently got off at Portchester station.  Before they noticed their error, the train had gone and there would not be another until 6AM the following morning.

“Well there’s nothing for it. We’ll have to go and get a hotel for the night.” Remarked Sherlock. They walked off down the road and found a Manor House.  They knocked on the door and asked if they could stay the night.  They saw that the Manor House was holding a medical conference and it had many Doctors staying the night.  

As they settled down for an evening meal, one of the attendees suddenly collapsed to the floor.  Dr Watson was immediately on the scene and loosened the man’s collar.  The man was named Dr Flaunders and there was a smell of almonds on his breath.  Dr Watson was concerned he had been poisoned as he quickly unpacked his antidote bottles.  Dr Flaunders was taken to his room so that Dr Watson could keep a close eye on him.

Sherlock inspected the cutlery, plates and glasses that Dr Flaunders used.  He also investigated the area leading to the dining room.  He found some muddy footprints leading to and from the dining room, then out of the front door.  Sherlock followed the footprints as they lead him along to Portchester Castle.  He saw a faint glow in the window and silently let himself into the Castle.  He saw a mysterious looking Doctor beavering away in a chemistry lab.  Sherlock confronted the Doctor, who then revealed himself to be Mr Flood, the custodian and caretaker of Porchester Castle.  

Flood broke down in tears and told Sherlock that his child had died through medical negligence as Dr Flaunders had been drinking before his shift.  Dr Flaunders lied to the medical board and was allowed to continue his profession, however Flood just couldn’t live with the liar continuing to work, so he had to stop him. Flood confessed to Sherlock that he used his position as caretaker to turn some of the unused areas of the castle into a chemistry lab.  He used the lab to make a poison and then dressed as a doctor to sneak into the medical conference at the manor house.  He blended in with the busy dining room of Doctors, then drifted unnoticed into the kitchen to add a few drops of poison into a glass of wine which was destined for Dr Flaunders.

Sherlock took Mr Flood back to the Manor House and the police were called.  Mr Flood confessed to the police and handed over all the evidence that he had gathered on Dr Flaunders.

Later the antidote from Dr Watson proved successful. However, just as Flaunders recovered he was taken to court and found guilty of medical negligence, then sent to jail for 20 years.  Mr Flood also was sent to jail, but they gave him a lesser sentence as the jury felt that he had suffered enough from his son’s death.