Mystery of the Wavering Hemoglobin - Part II

When Watson walked in he found Holmes sunk in his armchair. There was infinite bliss, like that of sage, on his face. The smoke from his pipe was dancing in front of his face. His eyes were shut as if he was in a trance.

"Watson!," said he. "Pray sit down, my dear friend. How was your visit to the countryside this morning? And I know you are anxious to know the outcome of my Indian mystery."

"Holmes!" said Watson incredulously, "how is heavens did you know that I had been to country side and that I was dying to know about your Indian client?"

A smirk appeared on Holmes meditative face. "The smell of the grass and moist mud from the soles of your shoes suggest you were out of London and in the greener pastures, Watson. And today you opened the door with more urgency than you usually do which suggests your anxiety about something, dear friend."

"Ha, haa!," said Holmes and drummed his long fingers on the side table. "You have cracked the affair of mysterious hemoglobin, haven't you Holmes?" Watson said with twinkle in his eyes. "Yes!" said Holmes and paced towards fireplace. "Mr. Kartik's hemoglobin was at a healthier 8.3 and not a paltry 6.7. The WBCs also were much livelier 1600 than the bleak 1000 which the suspicious report suggested. This time the blood was drawn through a prick in the hand and not through the central line."

"So it was the diluted sample which was the cause?" queried Watson.

"Unquestionably!" said Holmes stoking the fire, "the bad sample had traces of the anticoagulant which might have crept inside the blood sample because only 5 ml of blood was disposed before taking the sample instead of the conventional 10 ml. My only regret, Watson, is that my telegram arrived a bit late I couldn't prevent Mr. Kartik from undergoing an unwanted blood transfusion." Holmes settled back in his armchair.

"Well what's important Holmes is that you brought relief and smile on the faces of family members of Mr. Kartik, who probably had a harrowing time seeing a report which was out of place."

Holmes had suddenly became more reflective and said, "yes undoubtedly. Rindanis are breathing a sigh of relief. However, Watson, there are so many things which my logical reasoning fails to see sitting here, seven seas away from my client. For instance, why weren't eyebrows raised by doctors on seeing this dip? Why was patient not asked questions that would ascertain if he was bleeding or not? Why a new sample was not asked for? Sitting here logical deductions will not help me find out if this lapse was due to sheer workload pressure on doctors or due to apathy? Regardless wasn't it imperative to have these checks done for a patient in such delicate state as Mr. Kartik?"

Mrs. Hudson walked in it with supper before Watson could answer Holmes. "Come join me for supper Watson. Mrs. Hudson has made some fine baked oysters, cream soup with broiled fish with Mrs. Hudson's piece de resistance - plum pudding." "Mr. Holmes, please ring the bell if you find anything malodorous in the courses!" said Mrs. Hudson with a mischievous smile. Holmes chortled knowingly.

"Watson, I have two tickets for immersing ourselves in the divine music of this new violinist from Vienna. Let's forget everything and anything related to blood for the next two hours. I am not taking a no for an answer, Watson."