I butted my way into the house past the bewildered secretary, dragging Watson with me.
"Mycroft!" I shouted up the stairs, no doubt wakening the entire household as I did. No matter, it looked as if they were already up anyway, though I hadn't the faintest clue why.
The secretary- what was his name, Wilkins- caught up to us in the hallway and scurried about, whispering remonstrances.
"I implore you, sir, please keep your voice down!"
He seemed to know who I was, at any rate, though I doubt we could have met more than a few times. Mycroft scared off most of the employees so quickly that I rarely took the time to memorize their names- the staff was continually changing.
Watson, who had been standing independently since we had entered the house, beside my hand laid protectively on his arm, wavered suddenly and nearly fell.
Both Wilkins and I started towards him, I catching him under one arm and Wilkins the other. Watson was still conscious, though hardly so, and gave a little groan. I noticed that the wound on his ankle had started bleeding again and swore under my breath.
Thunderous steps sounded on the staircase, and soon Mycroft came into view on the landing.
"Sherlock!" He began, eyes widening at the scene before him. "What in blazes?"