A Table Tennis Trick
After the successful closure of a case, Holmes and I had been compelled to attend a celebratory dinner at the house of the wealthy client (much to Holmes’ annoyance, it might be added). After dinner, it was suggested that we try out their new table tennis set. Unfortunately, however, there was only one ball to be found, and a particularly vigorous shot from a certain detective’s assistant sent it flying out of the window, where it fell into a hole in a large stone garden feature. This hole was far too narrow for any of us to reach in and pick up the ball, and was too deep and dark for us to see exactly where it had come to rest. And yet, using only resources readily available to us, Holmes was able to retrieve the ball undamaged. How did he do it? I should also note that he did not damage the stone feature in any way.