The nerve of the man!

I was not aware that I had leapt to my feet until I felt my brother's soothing hand on my elbow.

"Calm down, Sherlock. This is a surprising development, I admit, but we must think rationally."

"Rationally?! Mycroft, Watson's attacker is down there and there is no better a sensible thought unless I go and –"

"Mycroft's right, Holmes." Watson's quiet voice calmed my fury, but I noted with some distress that he had gone rather white above his collar and his breathing had increased unsteadily.

The still shaking voice of Joseph Lambert broke the silence.

"He s-says that h-he wants to m-meet you."

I spun around and walked up to face the boy. His already pale face went into a rather unhealthy tinge of greenish yellow.

"I'll see him." My voice was soft and chilling. "Downstairs. Now."

There was a soft creak as the door opened.

"There is no need for that, Mr. Holmes."