Disclaimer: No-one was hurt in the writing of this story...
It wasn't often that he was able to sneak up on his intended target, the young man in question being far too sharp witted, and his hearing too keen by half.
Today though, he seemed preoccupied, as he made his way across the vast lawn of the manor house, towards the shrubbery surrounding the lake.
Watching from his vantage point, he noted route the boy had taken, and watched as he carefully set down his collection of jars. It seemed that today he would be hunting bugs and insects.
Gathering up the necessary equipment, the watcher made his way towards the back door, being careful not to alert the other occupants of the house to his intentions. Keeping out of the budding entomologist's peripheral vision, he walked casually but carefully towards fragrant lilac bushes that skirted the water's edge.
When he was sure he was close enough, he gently opened the sheet he had been carrying, and in one swift movement flung it over the young boy's head, grabbing him firmly around the waist and lifting him off the ground.
"Now young Sherlock," he chuckled. "You're coming with me. I should get a fair ransom for you!"
But the boy in his arms squirmed and wriggled like a ferret, and the two of them toppled over, both giggling fit to burst.