CHAPTER 11:
THE CHAPTER SHERLOCKIANGIRL IS FORCING ME TO
WRITE"
Alright, ya happy now?!?!?!?
Sheesh. :) Ok, Sorry this chapter is so short & somewhat anti-climatical. (whoa, is that a word??) The next chapter will be pretty much the end, well, actually almost but not quite. Anyway, I don't know why I've made this sequel so darn long & slow, but we're finally winding down! rlol Thanks so much for all your wonderful feedback & keep it coming!
P.S. Oh yeah, HOLMES IS BACK! Everybody satisfied now? Gosh, you'd think ya'll like the guy or something...:)
-VHunter
"A Matter Of Caste"
Chapter Eleven: Dire Decisions
The slamming of the front door and the pounding of feet upon the stair awoke me with a start. It was not yet light. Considering the delicacy of our present investigation, I felt it was not foolish to entertain the idea of it being an unwelcome guest. Grabbing the steel poker from aside the mantle, I turned the lamp down and placed myself strategically behind the door.
It was a man who entered, from what I could discern in the low fire light. He strode in confidently and poured himself a glass of brandy from the decanter on the side board. As silently as I could manage, I crept up behind him and raised my weapon. He would not be reported back to his master tonight.
Before I could fulfill my intentions, the man spun round and halted my blow with one hand while still holding his glass in the other.
"Watson!" he shouted.
"Holmes! What on earth are you doing here!?"
"I beg your pardon, but have I neglected to pay the rent?"
"Well no, but I thought you had been...well that you were...well, where the devil have you been?!"
He laughed at my immense confusion and poured me a glass of brandy which I gratefully accepted.
"To be truthful my friend, I've been out searching for you. And quite fervidly I might add."
"Looking for me?"
"Certainly. I returned to your designated position to find you vanished. You and an unknown companion were by no means difficult to follow to that abandoned warehouse. Where there was naught to be found save signs of a struggle, a spent candle, and a rather sinister looking blood stain upon the floor. What was I to think in view of the scruples of our known opposition? I've scoured every back alley in London." He said, collapsing into his chair.
"Holmes, I'm so sorry. Though I thought as much of you. You'll not be able to guess just who that 'companion' of mine was! He-"
"Simon Smithers."
"How did you know?"
"For the very simple reason that while he was misleading you, I was being enjoying the delightful company of his infamous employer.
I dropped onto the sofa in a state of shock. "Lord Hollingsworth is in this business!?"
Holmes nodded but said nothing.
"But what could his interest possibly be? What could he gain from this affair?"
"Ashamedly, Watson, I cannot even begin to surmise. I can conjecture no possible reason for his obvious involvement. And he has been involved from the commencement! He knew precisely where we would be, Watson! It is clear that we have been under constant surveillance."
Holmes rose to fill his pipe. "And another point of distinction: Why should he deliberately reveal his presence to me? Why would he purposely-"
He ceased abruptly and turned to face me. "Unless! Unless Watson, this has been his game from the start!"
"But Holmes it was a girl from the princesses' service who brought it to your attention."
"Was it?"
"You think she was lying? But you said yourself that you recognized the family crest and-"
"No, I believe every word she spoke was the complete and total truth. But was it she who decided to bring the matter before me? Or was she directed to act as she did?"
"But what purpose would that serve? To meet what end?"
"To be rid of me perhaps?" He replied solemnly.
"Oh Holmes, surely not! I don't think Lord Hollingsworth would attempt to kill you outright, it's not his way."
"He should not be the one to pull the trigger, he need not even be present. There are those that, I am ashamed to say, are considered above the law. For the pathetic reason that they are the law."
I leaned back against the sofa, finally grasping his full meaning. If Holmes was correct, then his lordship could easily arrive at his desired conclusion without ever lifting a finger. Even if he was forced to act personally, whatever crimes he committed would be commended as services to the crown.
"Why, this is monstrous!"
"Indeed, my friend. But in an indirect way, his latest actions have been most helpful."
"How so?"
"We now know precisely where they are holding the child."
"Where?"
"Why did Lord Hollingsworth takes such great pains to be certain that I would not search the building? He wants me to locate her, but not when there were well over one hundred witnesses so nearby. He had to be sure that I would be distracted for some time. Hence, Smithers' attack upon you."
"If they know you've discerned the girls' place of confinement, and they expect us to come, and their only intention is murder, then what can we possibly do?"
"We must act without further delay."
"But Holmes, they're expecting just that!"
"What would you have me do, Watson? Yes, they await our arrival. But will they not continuously do so? Will waiting an hour, a day or even a week alter their plans in the slightest?"
I sighed deeply, knowing full well that he was right. Yet I still feared the outcome. These were no mere street thugs which we opposed. Our actions could not only drastically change the course of our own lives, but that of our country. What if Prince Edward or his son were shot and killed in the struggle that was doubtless to ensue? I could not bear to even consider the consequences of such an accident. Still I could not deny the validity of Holmes' argument. We must do something.
"But Holmes, what if we should-"
"Watson, that little girl has been imprisoned for over two weeks now. I, for one, adamantly refuse to leave her there an instant longer."
I sighed deeply, trying not to concentrate on the effects of the situation.
"When do we leave?"
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"Yes McKee, what is it?"
"Smithers just sent a message, sir. Sherlock Holmes is on his way back to the Lyceum."
Lord Hollingsworth lifted his gaze slowly from his work. "And the doctor?"
"He's with the detective, your lordship. It seems Smithers found him more of a difficulty than we'd expected."
"Blast!" Lord Hollingsworth rose from his desk and paced furiously about the room. "It would have been far simple without the doctor involved. I suppose it can't be helped now. Send word to the Duke and His Highness. Discreetly, mind you. We shall require their aid in order to complete this regrettable task. Tell them to meet us at the public house just a block down from the theatre."
"What do you intend to do, my lord?"
Lord Hollingsworth smiled thoughtfully. "Positively nothing, my dear fellow. I perceive that our two distinguished accomplices shall be quite capable of concluding the necessary removals."
"It seems a shame. They have only been trying to help the girl, after all."
"McKee, is this treason I hear falling from your lips? These men have conspired against the crown of England! If Prince Edward, or his son and heir demand their deaths, it is our duty, as loyal subjects, to provide them with any assistance possible. Do you dare to disagree?"
"Well sir, it just seems that the detective could be right. Why that little girls' only-"
"McKee, this task has been thrust upon you by the monarch of your country; it's either your life or theirs. I leave the decision up to you. Now leave me."
"Yes sir." McKee nodded quickly and departed.
Lord Hollingsworth slammed his fist down upon the desk. This simply would not do. He sincerely hoped nothing would come of McKee's sudden breach of loyalty.
No, he thought. It surely was a mere whim.
