Edited by Richard Walker, Sunday, 18 Jun 2017, 00:13
Holmes and Watson once took a short summer holiday in Ruritania. They were in self-catering and most surprised to find on the first night that there was no kettle, so they were denied a hot bedtime beverage.
Upon enquiring of the villagers the next morning they discovered that in Ruritania kettles can only be used by licensed persons, because of the dangers associated with boiling water. To obtain a licence one must visit one of the special offices the Ruritanian government have set up for the purpose.
Holmes was a bit reluctant at first, but Watson persuaded him they needed to visit the nearest of these offices. It turned out to be an exquisite little building in traditional Ruritanian style, with red roses and fragrant honeysuckle twining round the porch.
As they climbed the steps, the great detective exclaimed, "This is a pretty kettle office you've got us into, Watson."
The Adventure of the Ruritanian Kettle
Holmes and Watson once took a short summer holiday in Ruritania. They were in self-catering and most surprised to find on the first night that there was no kettle, so they were denied a hot bedtime beverage.
Upon enquiring of the villagers the next morning they discovered that in Ruritania kettles can only be used by licensed persons, because of the dangers associated with boiling water. To obtain a licence one must visit one of the special offices the Ruritanian government have set up for the purpose.
Holmes was a bit reluctant at first, but Watson persuaded him they needed to visit the nearest of these offices. It turned out to be an exquisite little building in traditional Ruritanian style, with red roses and fragrant honeysuckle twining round the porch.
As they climbed the steps, the great detective exclaimed, "This is a pretty kettle office you've got us into, Watson."