Elementary, dear Watson
Prerana Trehan

YOU never know what might be a blessing in disguise, thought Holmes as he stared out of the living room window of 221, Baker Street, while he reflected on some recent events. Watson’s illness right in the middle of an important case had dismayed Holmes and for a while he had had to make do with a temporary assistant, and a none too efficient one at that. At that time he had wondered if his decision to give her a shot had been a hasty one. She was certainly no help at all! But Watson had been expected to be back within a fortnight, and he had supposed she could tide him over till then.

Still, to be on the safe side, he had made it a point to go over everything she did, just to make sure nothing was amiss and it was precisely this that had helped shed light on a vexing problem that he had been trying to get to grips with for the past month. When he was cross-checking her work, some clues that he had missed the first time round had come to light. Everything had fallen into place and he had finally been able to get to the bottom of the mysterious case of the disappearance of old Mr Herbert, which had baffled the Scotland Yard for almost a year.

"I have got to tie up a few loose ends and then the case is mine," said Holmes when he called Watson later in the evening. "Your illness has been an answer to my prayers."

"How so?" asked Watson, puzzled.

"Elementary, my dear Watson."

Blessing in disguise: something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later

Make do: use something even if it is not enough or what you wanted

Give someone or something a shot: give someone or something a try

Tide someone over: to help someone during a short period of difficulty

To be on the safe side: to protect oneself even though it might not be necessary

Something that sheds light on: something that provides an explanation for a situation or information which makes it easier to understand

Get to grips with: to make an effort to understand or deal with a problem or a situation

Come to light:make or become evident

Fall into place: when something falls into place, it becomes easier to understand

Get to the bottom of: to find out the truth of a situation

Tie up loose ends: explain all the things that need to be explained

Answer to one’s prayers:something or someone that one has needed for a long time

(Reference: English Idioms in Use)