Chapter 9: A Surprise for Everyone

"Have you ever been hunting before Dr. Watson?" Roman asked as John loaded a gun.

"Hunting no, but I did fight in Afghanistan." John replied without looking up.

"My, you certain have a lot of history. I did want to serve in the military, but the family business came first. Philip I heard just got back from the military a few months ago; you two would probably get along quite nicely.

"Yeah, we seem to, Nickolas Deeds also has some military history, we talked a bit during breakfast about our days in the military."

A shot rang off not too far away signaling that Philip Dove shoots his fifth duck that afternoon.

"Ha, if Philip doesn't stop getting a perfect hit every time I'll have to buy more ducks! Which would honestly be quiet a shame, all the wildlife here was and raised here. It's been that way for generations, I'd hate to be the reason a tradition was broken!"

A tall, gruff, older man approached, John hadn't seen him before anywhere in the manor last night or this morning, he was dressed too nicely to be servant, so he must be a new guest.

"Ah! Mr. Dove! We've been expecting you! Gentlemen, allow me to introduce the Senior Mr. Dove."

All eyes turned upon the new comer, except the young Mr. Dove, he turned away from his father and back to his duck. Senior Mr. Dove had back hair with some silver-grays peeking through. He wore a military uniform that was covered in badges. He had green pricing eyes that seemed to be able to look into your soul. He was slightly tan and was strongly built. His grip was like iron and his hands were rough from long years of fighting in many battles which seem to flash before his face, yet he looked emotionless and blank.

When John first joined the army, this was type of man he feared he'd turn out to be one day. An emotionless, blank creature scarred from battles and could change a happy and friendly atmosphere into a gloomy and depressing on.

"Mr. Manchester, I am sorry I could not arrive sooner. After I finished my business in Hong Kong Deborah wanted me to spend more time as home, I told her I could spend a day with her than must leave. You know how women are; they don't understand what it's like to be needed everywhere at once. How the Mrs. anyhow?"

John, who found himself standing next to Philip, somehow grained the courage to ask about his father. "Who's Deborah? Is she your mother?"

"Deborah? No, she's engaged to my dad, if she lasts she's be my dad's third wife."

"You're not too fond of her I take it?"

"No, she's nice, but she's twenty years younger than my father! I mean honestly, my fianc- I mean my friend Angel was almost jealous of her! She thought me and Deborah were together. Image her surprised when I told her she was my father's girlfriend!"

John only nodded, he understood Philip. Although it was John's choice to join the military, he always did whatever he could to impress his father. He guessed it was just something nature for most boys. Even now, when he didn't really have much of a 'family' left, he did what he could to 'be the male in the house' and 'man up' to somehow impress his father. Even though he knew it was pointless.


The ladies, finally fished with their tea, decided they were going inside.

As the three ladies plus Sherlock stood up Felicity grabbed her stomach and stood up shakily.

"Miss. Violet, I suggest you help your cousin into the house."

"Oh and why would my cousin need helping?"

"Because she is with child, and it has not been an easy pregnancy so far."

There was a small gasp from the two other women. "Felicity, is it true?"

Felicity gave a sad little smile and nodded, "Three months now, I must admit, you greatly impress me Mr. Holmes, I've been so good about hiding it, not even my husband knows."

"Felicity Manchester!" Mrs. Lukewoods spoke up, "Why have you not told your husband? Surely he would want to know that you are carrying his only child!"

"I suspect you didn't tell your husband, Mrs. Manchester, because you know more than you want. And your child, I also suspect, is in danger."

Felicity Manchester, still somehow holding up her sad smile, nodded. "I didn't want Roman to know...he has so much he's already worried about...I'd only be a burden." As she said this she grabbed her stomach again. "Oh...Violet...I- I think I'm going to be sick..."

"Quickly, Violet help me get her into the house, Mrs. Lukewoods call a doctor." Sherlock directed.


Once Felicity was in bed, the doctor on his way and Violet and Mrs. Lukewoods were downstairs talking (over more tea).

"Mrs. Manchester, would you please to tell me why you believe your unborn child is in danger?" Sherlock asked as he sat in a chair next to Felicity's bed.

"About a month ago, when I first found out about the baby, I noticed my husband was receiving mysterious notes. I admit, in my jealousy I thought they might be love letters to another woman. I feared that my husband was growing tired of me and noticed my slight gain in weight and was seeking another out. So i looked into one of the letters, I don't know who it is from, but I know where."

"Where?" Sherlock was at the edge of his seat.

Oh please get on with it! Don't be dramatic! Just say who it's from! I can't take the wait! I need to know now!

"The letter was from the Lukas Manor, whether it's from the master of one of the servants, that I don't know."

"Felicity dearest!" both Sherlock and Felicity turned their heads to see Roman run into the room. "What has happened? Are you alright?"

"Yes, oh please don't fuss over me, not when we have guests, I'm fine really."

"Violet told me, is it turn? Are you with child?"

Felicity gave a small grin and nodded. Roman nearly jumped upon the woman and hugged her.

Sherlock stood up, he needed to speak with Roman, but clearly now wasn't the time. No, now he needed to speak with someone else, he needed to speak with his friend Dr. John Watson!


"I'm sorry Mr. Holmes, but Dr. Watson left a little while after the group came back in fro hunting."

"What do you mean he's left? Where did he go?"

"Back home I suspect. I just helped him with his luggage and gave him a ride to the train station. I didn't stick 'round long enough to see which train he went on and where it went. Just did what he asked and came back." Julian said in the main hall where Sherlock had stopped him to ask where John was.

"Was there anything else? Did he say anything?"

"Well, it's not my place sir, but he did say something about a 'git friend' of his, and before he left he told me to tell you there was something he left in his room for you. That's all sir, really."

"Alright thank you, is umm...is his room unlocked?"

"Believe so, Hannah hasn't had time to clean them yet. We're still missing Maggie so we need an extra hand in the kitchen, to help with the preparations for tonight's party and all."

"Thank you Julian, you have been most helpful."

"My pleasure Mr. Holmes."

"Oh yes and Julian,"

"Yeah Mr. Holmes?"

"What happened to the children? Anabiel and Myron?"

"Either their still up in their room, or Mr. Manchester sent them back where they came from. didn't see no coppers or officers come 'round, so I figures they must still be here or Mr. Manchester sent them back."


Sherlock ran up the staircase taking each step two-by-two. He didn't stop running until he came to the room where Anabiel and Myron had been staying in. The room was empty, the only things left in the room that wasn't there previously was two trays of scraps from the food Anabiel and Myron were given for lunch.

Sherlock looked at the clock on the bedside table. He had about 10 minutes before Roman called the maid to clean the rooms, most likely starting with this one.

From the footprints on the ground, someone (With size 10 men, same size as Roman) came in here to gather the children. There was a bit of a struggle, but the man got the children out eventually. The footprints of the man are formed by mud, blood, and small bits of gunpowder, so he most likely just came back from hunting.

Sherlock followed the footprints and the way it showed where the struggle continued.

First, the person...no, persons who were struggling were different sizes, both small but different sizes. The taller one grabbed onto the bedpost with one hand and...Two footprints by the bed...the taller one grabbed onto someone one, someone smaller than them. They were forced away and dragged towards the door. But then the struggle stops,

1) They realized who the person was. (16.5% Chance)

2) They gave up. (16.5% Chance)

3) They were threatened (67% Chance)

Most likely they were threaten and left without any more of a struggle. But instead of going left down the hallway towards the staircase to the main hall they went right, which leads to...End of Data

Sherlock was down the hallway and followed the trail of little bits of dirt and crumbs (Most likely the children were at lunch when they were disturbed) until he came to the end of the hall, a stone wall with a tapestry hanging on it.

Sherlock rolled his eyes, "How cliché."

He pushed but the tapestry and behind it was a metal door. He reached out and turned the hand, it was locked.

He remembered he had packed his lock picking case and packed it away in his closet behind his tux. He nearly skipped down the hall and stopped and was about to enter his room when he remembered what Julian had said about John leaving him something.

As slowly entered John's room, as if he might scare away whatever it was he left.

Sitting on John's bed was a note lying on top of John's Gun.