Dr. Dawson stayed up all night with Basil, watching over him as he slept fitfully, occasionally mumbling nonsense.
Just before dawn, Cap awakened and looked over at the doctor and his friend. "Why would you risk taking him back to London? Do you have any idea what could happen to him if he were to be found?"
"Prison, most likely, which is exactly why he won't be able to return to Baker Street until after the case is over. Oh, it's time to recheck his temperature."
AS the doctor reached for the thermometer, Basil begun mumbling again. Dr. Dawson started to soothe him as he'd been doing all night, then he realized that Basil's eyes were looking directly at him and that he was actually saying words. He was speaking so quietly, however, that Dr. Dawson had to lean down to hear him.
"Dawson, what are you doing here? Why did you come after me?"
"To bring you home, but we'll talk about that later. Now open up." He shoved the thermometer into Basil's mouth before the detective was able to utter another word. Basil struggled to sit up, but his companion placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Lay down. You're sick, and you need your rest. Cap, will you go to the kitchen and see if they have anything warm to eat?"
Basil jerked his head in the sailor's direction and watched Cap leave the room. Looking back at Dr. Dawson, he asked, "He brought you here?"
The doctor removed the thermometer. "Your temperature has come down some, but it's nowhere near normal. And yes, he did. You might have gotten seriously ill if we hadn't found you when we did. Now breathe deep." He listened to the congestion in Basil's chest with his stethoscope.
"So I suppose I should be thanking him for meddling. How on earth did he know who I am?"
"Just be glad he did. And perhaps you should be thanking him—he believes you're innocent and what's more, he wants to help prove it."
Cap reentered the room with a bowl of soup left over from the previous evening. "Look who came to visit." Tommy came in behind the sailor.
Basil shot a double take at the lad. "I know you. You're the boy that offered me food."
"Yes, he is," Dr. Dawson stated, "and thanks to Tommy, we found you." He was sure to emphasize the word thanks.
The detective raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Indeed."
Tommy crossed the room and stood next to the bed. "Mr. Basil, are you feeling any better?"
Basil swallowed the spoon-fed soup Cap was offering him. "I'm tired, but I'll be fine in a few days."
Dr. Dawson made no comment as he caught Cap's questioning look. The doctor subtly shook his head negatively.
Cap glanced at Tommy as he offered Basil another spoonful of soup. "Lad, you're up bright and early this morning. How come?"
The boy shrugged. "I had trouble sleeping last night. When I woke up a little while ago, I came over. Is it alright?"
Dr. Dawson nodded. "Quite alright, but won't you're mother be wondering where you are?"
"No sir. She was up when I left, getting ready to come to work, and I told her I would meet her here."
Basil swallowed some more soup. "Do you mean to say your mother works here?"
"She's the maid. She may be here now. Would you like to meet her?"
Tommy started to exit the room, but Dr. Dawson's voice stopped him. "We'd love to, Tommy, but not at the moment. Basil is quite ill, and we don't need to wear him out. Perhaps in a few days you can make the formal introductions, but for the time being, he needs as few visitors as possible."
"Should I leave?"
The doctor pulled out his pocket watch. "For now, but come back mid-afternoon."
Tommy nodded his agreement and exited the room, shutting the door behind him. Basil immediately looked at Dr. Dawson. "What on earth do you mean by telling him that? I don't intend to be anywhere long enough to meet anyone's mother."
"Basil, you're not going back out on those streets, and that's final. You're in no condition to be taking care of yourself, let alone to be going back to London."
The detective's eyes widened, and he motioned to Cap that he'd had enough to eat. "London? Dawson, if I'm found in London, the queen will have me put in prison."
"There is to be no doubt of that, but there must be a way around it. Perhaps a disguise—"
Basil shook his head. "You know all too well that I could never fool Her Majesty in such a manner."
His friend unconsciously smoothed his mustache. "Quite true. Well, you worry about getting better, and Cap and I will take care of the rest."
The detective shook his head again. "Dawson, you don't understand. Even if there was a way for me to return, I wouldn't go back. Innocent or guilty, I've been accused of murdering that family, and people don't trust me anymore. There is no longer a place for me in the empire."
Cap and Dr. Dawson exchanged worried glances, and little did the trio realize that Tommy, still in the hallway, had heard the entire conversation.