"Hey!" A boyish shout, muffled in the fog, made me start.

My attacker turned to look. Something connected with his head and he stumbled back a few steps. A slim figure came darting through the fog. "Let's go," the boy said, as he curled his fingers around my wrist.

He barely slowed down, and I was jerked around. It took a second for me to realize this boy was rescuing me. My feet finally began to work and the boy stopped dragging me. My attacker roared behind us, his words indistinct.

"Don't look back," the boy said. "Trust me."

I didn't seem to have any choice in the matter. We ran through the fog, but not in a straight line. The boy pushed me down one alley and then across a street. First a left turn and then a right.

If I'd been lost before, I was even more so now. Any light provided by gas lights was ghostly in the fog.

I was gasping for air by the time the boy slowed to a stop. "I think we lost him," he said, glancing around. Though what he expected to see in the fog, I had no idea. "I think we can wait here for a moment."

Taking a deep breath, I tried to slow my heart. "Who are you?" I asked.

"Wiggins. Hugh Wiggins." Wiggins? That name was familiar. "My uncle was the original Wiggins from Dr. Watson's stories," he explained, his tone matter-of-fact, as though he'd been questioned on that fact before. "He was the first leader of the Baker Street Irregulars."

He could have been lying but he had just saved my life. "Well, Hugh Wiggins, I suppose I should thank you."

"You can if you want," he said, indifferently. He shrugged his shoulders. "I was just doing my job."

"Mr Holmes asked you to keep an eye on the hotel and watch for trouble?"

"There have been four of us, taking turns at doing that," he said. He straightened up. "If you're ready, we need to keep moving. I expect there's other men out there searching for you." He looked me over. "Though I don't know what makes you so important. You're just a girl."

I hadn't had many interactions with boys before so I couldn't be sure if his disdain was natural for someone of his gender or if he was being insulting on purpose. "Does it matter?" I asked, straightening my shoulders. I was tall, but he was taller. "I want to go to Baker Street. Do you know how to get there?"

"Baker Street?" He repeated. "Weren't you at Baker Street this morning and Mr. Holmes decided you couldn't stay?"

So much had happened, it was hard to believe that I had woken up in 221 Baker Street that morning. "That's where I need to go," I said firmly. "Did you have a different idea?"

My question seemed to surprise him. "Well..." he said slowly. "No."

"Then, we go to Baker Street. Mrs. Hudson will let me in."

"Mrs. Hudson?" he repeated in surprise. "I don't think so. She doesn't like anyone disrupting her life."

"Unless you have something more to offer, that's where we're going." To make my point, I started walking. A passing cab in the street made me jump, the sound eerie in the fog and otherwise empty clip-clop of the horse shoes echoed and the wheels clattered.

"Alright, alright." Wiggins caught up to me and then passed me to take the lead. "If you're so set, follow me. You have no idea where you're going."

I stuck my tongue out at his back, but said nothing. He was right. I didn't know where I was, let alone how I could get to Baker Street. We walked in silence, which gave me too much time to think.

It was alarming the shift that had happened. Before they had been content to kidnap me. Now they sought to kill me. Why? What had changed? Or had nothing changed at all? Perhaps my death was always their goal. What scandal could they cause if I were dead. Were they tired of waiting to get me away?

A pit of dread settled in my stomach again. Were my parents even alive? They hadn't used my parents in any way to draw me in. Well, Mr. Ware had when he asked if I wanted to see them. But I assumed that had been an attempt to make me come quietly.

"Hey! This way!" Wiggins' sharp tone pulled me back to where I was. He'd made a turn and in my distraction, I had not done the same. "Pay attention will you?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I inconveniencing you?" I asked as I made my way to him.

"Yes. I am supposed to be watching the hotel. What if something happens while I am away? Mr. Holmes will be disappointed and it's never a good thing if he's disappointed. The other lads will never let me live it down."

"Fine. Tell me how to get to Baker Street and I can go without you."

"No way. A girl like you would only get into more trouble. And, look, I don't want to have to chase after you in this weather," he said impatiently. "I can't keep track of where we are and what you are doing at the same time. I might not be able to find you again."

It seemed like a valid reason, and it wasn't his fault that I had a lot on my mind. He was, no doubt, as cold and wet as I was.

I wasn't going to apologize though.

By the time we reached the familiar door of 221, my fingers were numb and I was shivering. I'd managed to keep my bag with me, which was good since it had everything I owned. There was a light in the upstairs window, so someone was still awake inside.

Wiggins tugged on the bell. He bounced from foot to foot as he waited. "Come on, Come on," he muttered with the impatience I had come to expect from him. He reached again for the bell.

"Calm down," I said with a sigh. "Mrs. Hudson has a bad foot and she may have gone to bed already. She cannot move fast so it will take some time for her to get to the door."

"Yeah, but the longer we stand here, the more obvious we become. We don't know if Mr. Holmes' rooms are being watched." Wiggins glanced over his shoulder. "I don't feel like drawing attention, do you?"

"Why would anyone be watching?" Herr Meyer's men had only seen Mr. Holmes briefly and I doubted they knew who he was. Mr. Ware hadn't recognized him either, so I didn't see much chance of danger.

"Well, I don't want to take any chances." Wiggins shook his head. "What do you know? You're just a girl. It's better to be careful than stupid."

If I hadn't been tired, I would have slapped him. Me? Stupid?

Before I could take him to task for such an insulting and erroneous view, the door opened. Mrs. Hudson peered out. "Yes?" she asked, her tone tinged with suspicion. "What do you want?"

"Beg your pardon, ma'am," Wiggins started to say.

"Oh, Mrs. Hudson," I said, interrupting him. I stepped forward so that the light fell more on my face. I must have looked a mess with my brown hair down around my face. "May we come in? Please? I didn't know where else I could go."

"Miss Aida!" Mrs. Hudson exclaimed, opening the door wider. "What are you doing here? Of course. Come in. You must be chilled to the bone. What were you thinking, being out on a night like this?"

Her concern washed over me and soothed away my fear. Wiggins grumbled as he followed. "Do you know if Mr. Holmes is here?" I asked as Mrs. Hudson closed the door.

"No. He went out earlier and I have not heard him return," Mrs Hudson answered. "I was just about to turn in for the night. I didn't expect you back, Miss Aida. Mr. Holmes said that you had to go."

"There was some trouble," I said vaguely. I didn't want to worry her with too many details. "I couldn't think of anywhere I could be safe."

"Well, come to the kitchen and I'll get you something warm to drink." Mrs. Hudson turned a frown toward Wiggins. "I suppose you can come as well."

"Thank you, ma'am," Wiggins said with only the slightest bit of humility. "I want to report to Mr. Holmes as soon as he returns."

So much for him wanting to get back to his post. Mrs. Hudson shifted her glare to his boots. "Mind the floor."

"Might I go up and let Dr. Watson know I am here?" I asked. I didn't want to make her climb the stairs with such a simple message. "Then, if Mr. Holmes comes in, he will know where we are."

Wiggins stared at me in astonishment. Was he surprised that I spoke so freely with Mrs. Hudson or taken aback that I would speak to Dr. Watson? "That is a good idea," Mrs. Hudson said with a nod. "Be quick about it. The doctor may have already begun to retire for the night. It is very late."

"Of course." While Wiggins followed her, I climbed the stairs. I reached the top step and was confronted with an irate Colonel Forest.

"What is the meaning of all this noise and commotion?" he demanded, shaking a finger at me. "A man needs sleep! I should have known you would be at fault, Leigh! What are you doing stomping around at this hour? And looking like some doxie off the street?"

"I'm—" I started to apologize.

"This is outside of enough! I have tolerated your mistakes and ineptitude for long enough," he snapped cutting me off. He curled his finger into a fist. "I will have a word with Mrs. Hudson have you turned off. You are a disgrace and it is long past time for you to be out of this house!"

His prior bursts of temper had not prepared me for such an unexpected verbal attack. I understood his annoyance, of course, but there was no call for such sharp words.

"Colonel!" Dr. Watson exclaimed, flinging open the door to his and Mr. Holmes' rooms. He stepped between me and the older man. "There is no need to shout. Do you realize the time, man?"

Scowling, the colonel spun on his heel and stalked to his rooms. He slammed his door shut, with enough force to make the doorframe shake. Breathing out, I relaxed the fists I hadn't realized I had made.

Dr. Watson turned towards me. "Miss Norton," he said, his tone becoming gentle. "Holmes said you would be staying elsewhere for your safety."

"It was not so safe." In as few words as possible, I explained what had happened, leaving nothing out. "Wiggins escorted me here and now we are going to wait for Mr. Holmes. I thought it best."

Alarmed concern in his eyes, Dr. Watson stepped closer. "Are you all right? You could have been killed!"

A fact, I knew all too well. "I'm shaken and a bit cold, but I am well," I said honestly. "If Mr. Holmes should come in, will you tell him I am with Mrs. Hudson?"

He nodded in understanding. Wearily, I made my way back down. I picked up my bag and walked to the kitchen. What I wanted most was a warm bed, but a cup of tea would be just as welcome.

Wiggins and I waited an hour in the warmth of Mrs. Hudson's kitchen. It became more and more difficult to keep my eyes open. She finally shooed the boy out, saying any report he had to make could be made just as easily the next morning.

I was installed back in the little maid's room off the kitchen. As soon as my head hit my pillow, I fell asleep. My sleep remained undisturbed until I heard Mrs. Hudson stirring up the fire the next morning.

Though I was still tired, I felt better able to face my problems head on. Had Mr. Holmes returned? Did he have news? Eagerly, I washed my face and tried to smooth the wrinkles of my dress. I hadn't even bothered to change out of my school uniform when I had collapsed into the bed.

After several minutes, I decided there was nothing more to be done about the wrinkles. With only a little difficulty, I bent down and put my boots on. Then, I stepped out of the little room. "Good morning, Mrs. Hudson," I said with a smile.

"Feeling better, Miss Aida?" Mrs. Hudson asked, turning towards me.

"I almost feel like myself. Is there anything I can do to help?"

After a moment's hesitation, the woman nodded. "If you would heat up water for the colonel and Mr. Holmes, I would be grateful. My sister's granddaughter will be coming later today. She's in need of a place and was willing to come right away."

"I'm glad to hear it." Now I wouldn't have to feel guilty about leaving Mrs. Hudson with no help.

Mrs. Hudson informed me of all the block's gossip as I moved around the kitchen. As I prepared to carry up the cans of hot water, she said, "And whatever the colonel says, ignore him. This is my house and I am in charge of who I employ."

So she had heard the colonel's shouts before. "With any luck, he will approve of your great-niece more than he does of me."
"If he does not, he will be welcome to find new lodgings. He's been here for years but I don't take kindly to someone thinking they can tell me how to run my house." Mrs. Hudson raised her chin as though she were speaking to the colonel right then. "I am mistress in this house and will not be dictated to by a man who is not related to me."

"Do I have your permission to be impertinent and remind him of that fact?" I asked, unable to contain a cheeky grin.

"Please do." Then, she paused and shook her head. "Perhaps it would be better for me to have a word with him myself later on. There's no need for you to earn his wrath again."

I conceded the wisdom of that scheme. Treading lightly, I carried the water upstairs. As a maid, I would have cleaned the fireplaces and prepared for a new fire before taking up water, but as Mrs. Hudson didn't ask that of me, I assumed she didn't expect me to do the full range of a maid.

The colonel's rooms were blessedly quiet when I left the water and no confrontation was to be had. I'd barely stepped foot into Mr. Holmes' rooms when he appeared in the doorway to his bedroom. "I hear you had trouble last night, Miss Norton."

Whatever hour he had returned, he didn't look as though he'd lost any sleep. "I did," I said with a nod. "I had Wiggins bring me here. I couldn't think of anywhere else that would be safe."

"You did quite right," he said. "I apologize for not knowing we may have been followed and you would be in danger alone. I will not make such a mistake again. We will be having visitors this morning. About ten o'clock. You will be ready?"

What could I say? "Of course."