A Ghost of a Chance, Chapter the Ninth and three-quarters.
I'd like to thank my awesome beta, Medcat. I would also like to thank everyone who read and reviewed.
Wolfiechanlovesanime—Glad that you like it.
For technical reasons, this chappie is called Chapter the Ninth and three-quarters instead of Chapter the Tenth.
I own nothing.
All eyes were on Mr. Thomas. Would he let them help him, or would Mr. Thomas stubbornly cling to a plan that would mean both his downfall and the ruin of his family and friends? Mr. Thomas looked down and appeared to study his shoes for a moment. Then he swung his head back up, and looked Holmes right in the eyes. Neither man moved for what seemed like forever. Then seemed to come to a decision.
"I will take my chances with you. I truly thought that all was lost. I cannot express my thanks, " he said.
"I cannot make you any guarantees, but if we work together, we stand more of a chance than if we at alone. Now, Mr. Thomas, I need you to tell me all about this Brotherhood," said the detective.
"I will tell you all that I know," began Mr. Thomas. " My family was first contacted them back when my father first took possession of the castle. He soon became a member of the Brotherhood of the Snake, as they called themselves. This was to change. As time went on, they asked him every once in a while for something small that he would do for them. They always asked for small things, and he always granted them. He felt quite at ease with them. This would change, all too soon."
"A few years ago, my grandmother disappeared. The case was never solved. I think that the Brotherhood had something to do with it, and so did my father, but we could not prove anything. And the Brotherhood began to grow more arrogant and demanding toward my father. They told him that if he should deny them anything that they asked him for, that they would expose him as a member, and tell his superiors all. They told my father that that would mean losing both his position and his reputation."
"Just what favors did your father do for this Brotherhood?" asked Holmes.
"I was never told and I regret to say that I never asked my father," replied the politician. "I supposed that they told him how to vote or something that was related to his job. Then the Brotherhood asked him to give them something that he could not bear to give them—his granddaughter. I am sure that that was the reason for the heart attack that killed him. I think that the Brotherhood killed him, as certain as if they had shot him, but again, I could prove nothing."
"I assume that things came to a head, then."
"Yes. This morning I found a letter. It told me that I have until tomorrow at midnight to deliver my daughter into the hands of these fiends."
"And what did they say your ultimatum was?"
"They did not say, they just said 'or else'."
"Sounds rather ambiguous. Where and when did you find this letter?"
"It was pinned to my chest when I awoke this morning."
"Does anyone else know about this letter?"
"No, I told no—one. My wife and sister have divined that I was upset, but have no idea as to the cause. Do you really think that there is a way out of this difficulty?"
"I stand by what I said earlier. I think that there is, but only if we act together. I need to return to the castle to think more about this. I will be in touch with you tomorrow."
With that we shook hands with him, and walked out to the carriage. Holmes was silent on the way home, as well. Watson was glad to have a chance to read some more of his novel. The ride home seemed to take no time at all.
Holmes walked up the stairs and entered the castle. It was very cold in the castle and it was pitch black in there, too. Every lamp and fireplace was dark. Holmes grabbed a lamp and lit it. Then they both heard it—a thumping sound. They followed it into the Patient's Room. They could scarcely believe their eyes when they adjusted to the gloom. Dr. Palmer and James were seated in chairs and tied to them. They were also gagged. Holmes and Watson had them free in a moment.
"In the kitchen—there is a maid. I heard her scream. I think that she is tied up," gasped Dr. Palmer.
Watson went into the kitchen, and found the maid. She was indeed tied up in a chair. She had fainted. Watson removed her bonds and took her in his arms. He took her to the Patient's Room and lay her down on one of the beds.
"What happened here?" Holmes asked.
James licked his lips and replied "We were all in the kitchen having tea and talking, and all of a sudden these guys in robes burst in. They made short work of tying us up, since they also had guns. They took Nurse Brownlee and Mycroft and left!"