The Ghost of a Chance, Chapter the First.

I need to give a huge 'thank you' to my awesome beta, Medcat.

For everyone who read and reviewed, take my thanks and a virtual cookie.

Mrs. Pencil- I am glad that you liked it, and there is plenty more to come. Your review certainly made my day brighter. Thank you. Just Fishes!

Westron Wynde {}- Glad you're still with us, it has been a wild ride. And there is still more to come.

At precisely seven o'clock the door to Sherlock's bedroom opened, slowly and silently. Stealthy feet skirted the bed, and stopped. "Wake up, Holmes," said Watson. "Mrs. Hudson has made a special breakfast for us." Holmes groaned and burrowed deeper under the covers. They were promptly pulled off of the bed. Holmes grabbed the end of the blanket and held on. He did not want to get up. Just five more minutes and then he would deal with this. The doctor stopped pulling on the bedclothes. Holmes pulled them around him, and tried to ignore the piercing glare that he knew he was getting.

Suddenly he and the bedclothes landed on the floor in a tangle of sheets. He looked up with venom in his eyes. Watson dropped the mattress and ran into the sitting-room. Holmes ran after him, grabbing his robe as he went. He was glad that he had, for Mrs. Hudson was laying out their breakfast. As her back was still to him, he quickly donned his robe, mouthing "Just you wait," to Watson, who was wearing a very large grin.

Mrs. Hudson had really outdone herself this time. There were bangers and mash, poached eggs, kippers, homemade bread, and cinnimon buns to 'fill up the corners'.

"I want you boys to have a good breakfast before you go off and have another adventure. I hope you have a good one. Good luck and Godspeed." With that, Mrs. Hudson left for the market.

Together, the two friends attacked the breakfast with enthusiasm. Holmes had time to eat without rushing, and then he went to his room to get ready for the day.

He even had time to wash up and leisurely get dressed. Then he and Watson stepped out and saw that James was as good as his word, and the hansom was waiting for them.

"Good mornin', gents. We're goin' out to God's own country. I hope that you two are ready for a long trip. Are those bags all that you are taking?" James climbed down from his seat and put their bags away.

Holmes and Watson climbed into the hansom and got ready for a long trip.

"Watson, what is that package on the seat by you?"

"I am not sure. Mrs. Hudson left it on the table by the door, with this note, that says not to open it before noon. Since there is a foodlike aroma rising from it, I deduce that it is a lunch for us. What do you think, Holmes?"

"Excellent deductions, Watson. You are coming along rather swimmingly."

Both men shared a laugh at this, but it was cut short when the vehicle lurched first to one side, and then to the next. After a few moments, it stopped altogether.

Holmes stuck his head out of the window.

"What's going on, James?"

"Sorry for the rough ride, sir. A growler tried to run us off the road. Then after two or three tries, it just speeded up and passed us. Are you two gents all right?"

"Just shaken up. What about you?"

"The same. Those guys were close to running us off the road, and then they just left. There is another road that I can take. Sit tight, and I'll have you at the castle a little later than if I used this road, but it will get you there all the same."

"That will do, James. I'm glad that you knew of another route."

They rode on for several hours, Holmes and Watson both reading books that they had brought. At precisely noon, Watson opened the package that Mrs. Hudson had sent with them. The aroma that wafted out made Holmes and the doctor acutely aware that it was time for lunch.

"Look, Holmes. There are a few sandwiches and a few tarts. And here is a package that is just marked 'Driver'. Hand it up the trap, will you Holmes?"

The detective complied, and then reached for a sandwich for himself. After the two men had eaten, they once again turned to their respective books. They had been reading for a few minutes when the hansom began to sway violently, and then rolled over several times. Everything became silent, and nothing moved, save for the growler that was rapidly retreating.