The Case of the Vindictive Spirit,Chapter the Tenth
Plink...plink...plink. The noise of water dripping roused Watson gently. He lay still and listened, gradually becoming more aware. Watson quickly discovered that he was stiff and sore from lying on this cold hard ….what?
After a bit more time had passed, he deduced that he was in a cave. He struggled to sit up, felt rather dizzy, and decided to lie still for a bit. After what seemed like forever, Watson heard the sound of footsteps. Slow, deliberate footsteps.
Meanwhile, back at the library, Holmes was having problems of his own. He drew his pocket-watch out of his pocket for the nth time in the last five minutes.
"Why,dearie, whatever is the matter? You are on tenterhooks." He turned around to find that Mrs. Peabody was standing behind him.
" The mister just got back with the authorities, and the constable wants to talk to you first, Miss Brownlee. He is right across the hall..."
"I'll be back just as soon as I can." said Cassandra as she went over to the room across the hall.
When she was out of earshot, Mrs. Peabody spoke up. "That's not too likely. You should see the constable. We need
to talk, you and I. Let's go out on the terrace." She led the way to the terrace, and turned to speak to Holmes.
"Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson left to tuck the children in, and he was supposed to come to pick up Mrs. Porter when he got back. That was a while ago, and he has not shown up yet. I'm worried about him, all alone down there in those nasty, dark tunnels. Seeing the quizzical look on his face, she realized that she had not filled him in on everything, and explained it all to him. "I cannot stay for too long, since I need to get back. Would you look and see if the doctor is all right? I have a bad feeling that he needs help." As she spoke, she handed Holmes a flashlight.
"Thank you, Mrs. Peabody. Can you take a moment and show me how to get into these tunnels? I will definitely take a look around".
" But what about Miss Brownlee?"
"As you said, the constable will keep her busy for a while, the poor thing."
"This picture is the entrance that the doctor used. I wish you good luck."
"Thank you, Mrs. Peabody." With that, he disappeared into the darkness. Mrs. Peabody waited a minute and then swung the picture back where it belonged and left.
It was slow going at first, but soon Holmes came across the drag marks made by Watson's heels. It was then that he felt the presence of someone standing behind him.
He whirled around and found himself facing Cassandra Brownlee.
Holmes felt weak in the knees from relief, as he choked out
"Miss Brownlee, what a surprise! Isn't there a constable you need to talk to?"
"Oh, him. No, I have already given my statement." She moved to stand right by the detective. "Every time I think of that poor man that was killed, it just sends a shiver up my spine. It's just so awful!" She caught Holmes in an awkward embrace and buried her face in his shoulder.
Holmes froze. What was the proper thing to do? On one hand, he did not want to deprive her of solace in a truly frightening situation, but then on the other hand, this was deucedly uncomfortable, and should not be encouraged. He was a professional, damn it! And, as such, he did not like to be manhandled. Especially by a woman. They were so unpredictable.
Constance pulled back abruptly. Her eyes were downcast.
"Here I am hugging you, and we just met. I'm so sorry. Please forgive my forwardness. She raised her eyes to his face, looking at him uncertainly.
"While this is a highly emotional situation we ah...find ourselves embroiled in, I must ask you to calm down and be as quiet as possible. There is someone in these tunnels who does not have our best interests in mind."
At the same time, much further down the tunnel, Watson was peering through the gloom, to see if he could ascertain what was out there.