Chapter Six
Emma awoke the next morning feeling groggy and dizzy, as if she had a hangover. She recalled the unpleasant encounter with the obese men named Mother and Charles, and of how Mr. Steed had come to her rescue. She remembered how she had received multiple stitches for her wound and had been escorted to her room, where she was lying at the moment.
Mrs. Peel felt numb all over her body, and her mouth felt dry and itchy, like there was a cotton ball lodged in her throat. At first she thought she was numb because she had been sleeping in an awkward position, but when she tried to sit up, she found she couldn't! Frantically, she tried to hop out of bed, but she was quickly dragged down by some strange force. She glanced at herself and discovered she was covered by a heavy blanket. She squirmed out of the coverlet and gazed down at herself once again only to have her worst fears confirmed. She was bound with heavy hemp rope from head to foot! And the reason she felt cotton in her mouth was because there actually was!
Who are these lunatics? Why have they bound and gagged me? How can I get out? All these thoughts flitted through her alarmed brain. Slowly, she inhaled and exhaled until she had resumed her collected manner. I can get out of this predicament, and I can do it without panicking! Emma told herself. First things, how did my captors tie me up?
Emma noted that the rope completely wound around her legs, fastened securely at the ankles. Her arms were tied by a different rope and had been pulled to the back of her. This rope had been fastened at the wrists. Emma Peel tried to loosen the bindings, but the ropes had been tied into several knots that she knew not how to get out of.
I need something sharp to cut my bonds, Mrs. Emma mused. She surveyed the room and was not at all surprised when she could not find anything to sever the rope. This villains might be insane, but they are still smart enough to bind a girl and keep her bound. Emma's brown eyes swept over the bedroom again until they rested on the lamp on her bedside table.
Still groggy, she attempted to swing her tied legs over the side of her bed and kick the lamp. Her plan almost failed when halfway through the procedure she fell over on her side. But she managed to wriggle into sitting position again and continue with her task. Emma was quite satisfied when she kicked the lamp and it sailed onto the wood floor, shattering into little fragments.
Painstakingly, she inched off her bed and onto the floor. Still sitting, she half crawled, half writhed across the floor to one of the broken pieces. Gingerly, she edged the fragment into her hands and began sawing. Soon her arms were free from the bondage. She yanked the gag out and coughed several times until the phlegm returned to her mouth. Then she scrutinised her leg's bindings and decided the loops were strange versions of sailor knots. Emma was able pick these knots out without the aid of the broken piece of lamp.
Once this was completed, she slipped into a comfortable paint suit and marched rigidly downstairs. She had to confront these madmen before they endangered her life-and the lives of countless others-even more. Little did she realise she had passed the second test.
**********
Steed sat agitatedly at the end of a long breakfast table, unable to eat a morsel. He wondered if Emma would get out of her bondage. She had been injured, and hurt victims were more susceptible to hangovers from the sleeping gas that had poured into every agent's room the previous night. He worried for her well-being and prayed she would not hate him for putting her through all this trouble. It was the only way they could be together-she'd have to understand!
He was about to force himself to take a bite of his cold toast when the lady agents started pouring into the dining room. Some were still bleary-eyed from the gas, others were infuriated from being tied up, some were petrified at what they deemed "an insane procedure," and two ladies were relatively calm. One of those ladies was Emma, who outwardly appeared serene over the whole incident, but inwardly was angry.
The other was a tall, voluptuous girl of twenty-one with short, brunette hair that curled around her ears and the palest blue eyes Steed had ever seen. These eyes concealed the fear she really felt and her posture indicated that she was alert, even though she felt rather dopey from the gas. She batted her long eyelashes at Steed as if to say, "I love you, and where you goeth, I go . . . eth."
Steed didn't know whether to scream or roll his eyes at her pathetic emotions. All he knew was he did not want a woman who would cling to him like he was her life support. He wanted an independent lady who knew she needed him but did not want him every second of her life. Emma, please pass the next test! he silently entreated her.
Emma didn't know what to expect after the last dangerous business, but she sat at the dining room table when she was told. She frowned when Charles entered the room and began an ominous speech.
"Sixteen agents will not be joining you women for breakfast. They could not get out of their bonds and had to be rescued. They obviously were not fit enough for the rigours of being a spy and were asked to leave." There was nervous titter at Charles comment. No girl knew if she was laughing at the stupidity of the other spies, or if she was giggling to ease the tension.
Charles continued, "There are sixty-five of you remaining. Remember, dangers can come at any time during the day, or night, so be prepared!" He managed to half smile as he added, "Now eat your breakfast; you need to keep up your strength."
The lady agents eagerly complied this order, chattering to on another and occasionally glancing at the end of the table where Steed sat. At Charles' command John exited the room, causing quite a stir from the ladies. Some groaned at having the legendary John Steed leave their presence. The pale eyed twenty-one year-old moaned the loudest.
Emma was disappointed at Steed's departure, but she wasn't about to let it show. At least I know what's going on, even if most of these ladies don't, she consoled herself. These women are all spies unknowingly taking a test to see who's the best. I wonder what the winner gets?
It didn't taken long to learn from bits of gossip that the women had congregated at this mansion for the express purpose of becoming John Steed's new partner. Emma smiled at the prospect of becoming the certified partner of Mr. Steed. She was determined to beat all these professionals, especially the dewy-eyed one that kept glancing at the door in hopes of Steed's return.
Emma scowled and took a sip of her water. She realised how thirsty she was and gulped the rest down. She needed more to drink to cure her thirst.
As if on cue, ten waiters came out of a backroom, presumably the kitchen. They each had trays with silver covers over them. In perfect sync with one another, they removed the trays to reveal gleaming pistols. Emma, along with fifty-five women either subdued the men, or leapt out of the way of the guns. The other nine shrieked and ran right into the aim of the pistols.
It looked as if pandemonium would reign supreme when an irate voice bellowed, "Stop that infernal screaming!" Charles stepped into view, glaring angrily at the women who had been shrieking. "You nine are dispelled from the competition. How you passed spy school is an enigma to me and the rest at this mansion."
The nine spies shamefacedly left the room and the estate. Charles encouraged the remainder of agents to resume their meal. The women quietly did, not realising the third test was over.
Chapter Seven
Later that morning at eleven, Emma and the others were served tea and crumpets in the garden. The tea was scorching hot and tasted bitter, almost as if it had been recently washed and not all the soap had been rinsed out. Emma glanced around to see if anyone else found the tea disgusting.
Several agents were pushing the drink aside, while others were dumping in spoonfuls of sugar to cover the taste. As it was, every female was busily talking to her neighbour, all except Emma and the young agent. Mrs. Peel mulled over the predicament of the peculiar tea and came to a startling revelation. Her spy instincts told her that the tea must be drugged or poisoned!
She quickly asked for a glass of water to delude the affects of the tea. She had only had a sip of the ghastly drink, but she couldn't take any chances. After drinking the water, she felt assured that she would not suffer for her mistake. She leaned back in her chair and enjoyed the rest of the snack.
After most of the women were finished with their repast, the first spy slumped over in her chair, fast asleep. Four others quickly joined her. Emma began to regret the fact that she hadn't warned them, but she realised that if she was to win the contest, she had to be aggressive.
Three more crumpled over in a deep slumber, and then there was a discomfiting silence.
Mother wheeled into the enclosure, snapping his fingers. Ten guards obeyed his summons and dragged the sleeping ladies out to their cars. "Well, there are now only forty-eight of you spies left! Watch your step, or you will join your imprudent friends." With that harsh remark, Mother rolled out of the chamber.
"Mother always was a grim and candid fellow," came a dulcet voice. Emma whirled around to discover the girl who had been ogling Steed. "I'm Tara King, Agent 69." The young women extended her arm for a handshake.
Emma laughed quietly at the spy's number but shook her hand. "I'm Mrs. Emma-oops, perhaps I should use my real name. I'm Ethel Huffy."
Miss King gazed at her in reverence. "I've heard ever so much about you-and Steed." She blushed, something that flattered her countenance.
Emma chose to ignore the infatuated girl's behaviour. "Do you have any clew as to what is going on?"
Tara licked her lips and said, "I was told that Steed was going to choose his new partner, but I believe that was a lie. I think we agents are being taken for a ride."
"We have to pass a series of tests; tests that will determine who his new partner is," Emma concluded.
The two women smiled at each other, happy to have found someone of the same intellect to talk to. Emma had to admit Miss King was extremely amiable. Too bad Tara will be left in the cold when I become Steed's next associate, Emma thought.
Emma continued to converse with Agent 69 through the course of the day. At one o'clock the two ladies ate lunch together in the lounge. There they spent a pleasant ten minutes discussing various foods. They were interrupted when a handsome man Emma recognised as one of the guards approached them.
"Do you know what's going on?" he asked.
"You mean how were being tested?" Emma replied.
The man nodded before adding, "I could tell you what the remaining quizzes are. It wouldn't cost much."
Tara looked as if she was about to speak, but Emma cocked her head ever so slightly as an indication for her to remain quiet. "Thank you, but I'm sure we can pass the tests without your assistance," she retorted coolly.
The man shrugged before wandering over to another unsuspecting female.
Tara watched him for several minutes before addressing Mrs. Peel. "Do you think that was a test to see if we would cheat or not?"
"Indubitably! I wonder how many hapless females will actually agree to that guard's offer?" Emma crossed her arms, deep in meditation.
Tara did not seem to notice her friend's state, for she cried, "I would have been out of the competition if not for your fast thinking! How superior you are in knowledge and spy skills, Ms. Huffy!" Her eyes were filled with gratitude and approbation.
Emma was getting quite annoyed at Tara's admiring eyes. She looked at Steed and Mrs. Peel exactly the same way!
Thirty minutes later, Emma and Tara were informed that thirteen spies had fallen for the guards' tricks and had been eliminated from the contest. The fifth test was done, and thirty-five were left.
~*~ To Be Continued ~*~
Note: My sister and my website is up and running again after being down for more than two months! Have a look. Hopefully some new features will be added soon.
Emma awoke the next morning feeling groggy and dizzy, as if she had a hangover. She recalled the unpleasant encounter with the obese men named Mother and Charles, and of how Mr. Steed had come to her rescue. She remembered how she had received multiple stitches for her wound and had been escorted to her room, where she was lying at the moment.
Mrs. Peel felt numb all over her body, and her mouth felt dry and itchy, like there was a cotton ball lodged in her throat. At first she thought she was numb because she had been sleeping in an awkward position, but when she tried to sit up, she found she couldn't! Frantically, she tried to hop out of bed, but she was quickly dragged down by some strange force. She glanced at herself and discovered she was covered by a heavy blanket. She squirmed out of the coverlet and gazed down at herself once again only to have her worst fears confirmed. She was bound with heavy hemp rope from head to foot! And the reason she felt cotton in her mouth was because there actually was!
Who are these lunatics? Why have they bound and gagged me? How can I get out? All these thoughts flitted through her alarmed brain. Slowly, she inhaled and exhaled until she had resumed her collected manner. I can get out of this predicament, and I can do it without panicking! Emma told herself. First things, how did my captors tie me up?
Emma noted that the rope completely wound around her legs, fastened securely at the ankles. Her arms were tied by a different rope and had been pulled to the back of her. This rope had been fastened at the wrists. Emma Peel tried to loosen the bindings, but the ropes had been tied into several knots that she knew not how to get out of.
I need something sharp to cut my bonds, Mrs. Emma mused. She surveyed the room and was not at all surprised when she could not find anything to sever the rope. This villains might be insane, but they are still smart enough to bind a girl and keep her bound. Emma's brown eyes swept over the bedroom again until they rested on the lamp on her bedside table.
Still groggy, she attempted to swing her tied legs over the side of her bed and kick the lamp. Her plan almost failed when halfway through the procedure she fell over on her side. But she managed to wriggle into sitting position again and continue with her task. Emma was quite satisfied when she kicked the lamp and it sailed onto the wood floor, shattering into little fragments.
Painstakingly, she inched off her bed and onto the floor. Still sitting, she half crawled, half writhed across the floor to one of the broken pieces. Gingerly, she edged the fragment into her hands and began sawing. Soon her arms were free from the bondage. She yanked the gag out and coughed several times until the phlegm returned to her mouth. Then she scrutinised her leg's bindings and decided the loops were strange versions of sailor knots. Emma was able pick these knots out without the aid of the broken piece of lamp.
Once this was completed, she slipped into a comfortable paint suit and marched rigidly downstairs. She had to confront these madmen before they endangered her life-and the lives of countless others-even more. Little did she realise she had passed the second test.
**********
Steed sat agitatedly at the end of a long breakfast table, unable to eat a morsel. He wondered if Emma would get out of her bondage. She had been injured, and hurt victims were more susceptible to hangovers from the sleeping gas that had poured into every agent's room the previous night. He worried for her well-being and prayed she would not hate him for putting her through all this trouble. It was the only way they could be together-she'd have to understand!
He was about to force himself to take a bite of his cold toast when the lady agents started pouring into the dining room. Some were still bleary-eyed from the gas, others were infuriated from being tied up, some were petrified at what they deemed "an insane procedure," and two ladies were relatively calm. One of those ladies was Emma, who outwardly appeared serene over the whole incident, but inwardly was angry.
The other was a tall, voluptuous girl of twenty-one with short, brunette hair that curled around her ears and the palest blue eyes Steed had ever seen. These eyes concealed the fear she really felt and her posture indicated that she was alert, even though she felt rather dopey from the gas. She batted her long eyelashes at Steed as if to say, "I love you, and where you goeth, I go . . . eth."
Steed didn't know whether to scream or roll his eyes at her pathetic emotions. All he knew was he did not want a woman who would cling to him like he was her life support. He wanted an independent lady who knew she needed him but did not want him every second of her life. Emma, please pass the next test! he silently entreated her.
Emma didn't know what to expect after the last dangerous business, but she sat at the dining room table when she was told. She frowned when Charles entered the room and began an ominous speech.
"Sixteen agents will not be joining you women for breakfast. They could not get out of their bonds and had to be rescued. They obviously were not fit enough for the rigours of being a spy and were asked to leave." There was nervous titter at Charles comment. No girl knew if she was laughing at the stupidity of the other spies, or if she was giggling to ease the tension.
Charles continued, "There are sixty-five of you remaining. Remember, dangers can come at any time during the day, or night, so be prepared!" He managed to half smile as he added, "Now eat your breakfast; you need to keep up your strength."
The lady agents eagerly complied this order, chattering to on another and occasionally glancing at the end of the table where Steed sat. At Charles' command John exited the room, causing quite a stir from the ladies. Some groaned at having the legendary John Steed leave their presence. The pale eyed twenty-one year-old moaned the loudest.
Emma was disappointed at Steed's departure, but she wasn't about to let it show. At least I know what's going on, even if most of these ladies don't, she consoled herself. These women are all spies unknowingly taking a test to see who's the best. I wonder what the winner gets?
It didn't taken long to learn from bits of gossip that the women had congregated at this mansion for the express purpose of becoming John Steed's new partner. Emma smiled at the prospect of becoming the certified partner of Mr. Steed. She was determined to beat all these professionals, especially the dewy-eyed one that kept glancing at the door in hopes of Steed's return.
Emma scowled and took a sip of her water. She realised how thirsty she was and gulped the rest down. She needed more to drink to cure her thirst.
As if on cue, ten waiters came out of a backroom, presumably the kitchen. They each had trays with silver covers over them. In perfect sync with one another, they removed the trays to reveal gleaming pistols. Emma, along with fifty-five women either subdued the men, or leapt out of the way of the guns. The other nine shrieked and ran right into the aim of the pistols.
It looked as if pandemonium would reign supreme when an irate voice bellowed, "Stop that infernal screaming!" Charles stepped into view, glaring angrily at the women who had been shrieking. "You nine are dispelled from the competition. How you passed spy school is an enigma to me and the rest at this mansion."
The nine spies shamefacedly left the room and the estate. Charles encouraged the remainder of agents to resume their meal. The women quietly did, not realising the third test was over.
Chapter Seven
Later that morning at eleven, Emma and the others were served tea and crumpets in the garden. The tea was scorching hot and tasted bitter, almost as if it had been recently washed and not all the soap had been rinsed out. Emma glanced around to see if anyone else found the tea disgusting.
Several agents were pushing the drink aside, while others were dumping in spoonfuls of sugar to cover the taste. As it was, every female was busily talking to her neighbour, all except Emma and the young agent. Mrs. Peel mulled over the predicament of the peculiar tea and came to a startling revelation. Her spy instincts told her that the tea must be drugged or poisoned!
She quickly asked for a glass of water to delude the affects of the tea. She had only had a sip of the ghastly drink, but she couldn't take any chances. After drinking the water, she felt assured that she would not suffer for her mistake. She leaned back in her chair and enjoyed the rest of the snack.
After most of the women were finished with their repast, the first spy slumped over in her chair, fast asleep. Four others quickly joined her. Emma began to regret the fact that she hadn't warned them, but she realised that if she was to win the contest, she had to be aggressive.
Three more crumpled over in a deep slumber, and then there was a discomfiting silence.
Mother wheeled into the enclosure, snapping his fingers. Ten guards obeyed his summons and dragged the sleeping ladies out to their cars. "Well, there are now only forty-eight of you spies left! Watch your step, or you will join your imprudent friends." With that harsh remark, Mother rolled out of the chamber.
"Mother always was a grim and candid fellow," came a dulcet voice. Emma whirled around to discover the girl who had been ogling Steed. "I'm Tara King, Agent 69." The young women extended her arm for a handshake.
Emma laughed quietly at the spy's number but shook her hand. "I'm Mrs. Emma-oops, perhaps I should use my real name. I'm Ethel Huffy."
Miss King gazed at her in reverence. "I've heard ever so much about you-and Steed." She blushed, something that flattered her countenance.
Emma chose to ignore the infatuated girl's behaviour. "Do you have any clew as to what is going on?"
Tara licked her lips and said, "I was told that Steed was going to choose his new partner, but I believe that was a lie. I think we agents are being taken for a ride."
"We have to pass a series of tests; tests that will determine who his new partner is," Emma concluded.
The two women smiled at each other, happy to have found someone of the same intellect to talk to. Emma had to admit Miss King was extremely amiable. Too bad Tara will be left in the cold when I become Steed's next associate, Emma thought.
Emma continued to converse with Agent 69 through the course of the day. At one o'clock the two ladies ate lunch together in the lounge. There they spent a pleasant ten minutes discussing various foods. They were interrupted when a handsome man Emma recognised as one of the guards approached them.
"Do you know what's going on?" he asked.
"You mean how were being tested?" Emma replied.
The man nodded before adding, "I could tell you what the remaining quizzes are. It wouldn't cost much."
Tara looked as if she was about to speak, but Emma cocked her head ever so slightly as an indication for her to remain quiet. "Thank you, but I'm sure we can pass the tests without your assistance," she retorted coolly.
The man shrugged before wandering over to another unsuspecting female.
Tara watched him for several minutes before addressing Mrs. Peel. "Do you think that was a test to see if we would cheat or not?"
"Indubitably! I wonder how many hapless females will actually agree to that guard's offer?" Emma crossed her arms, deep in meditation.
Tara did not seem to notice her friend's state, for she cried, "I would have been out of the competition if not for your fast thinking! How superior you are in knowledge and spy skills, Ms. Huffy!" Her eyes were filled with gratitude and approbation.
Emma was getting quite annoyed at Tara's admiring eyes. She looked at Steed and Mrs. Peel exactly the same way!
Thirty minutes later, Emma and Tara were informed that thirteen spies had fallen for the guards' tricks and had been eliminated from the contest. The fifth test was done, and thirty-five were left.
~*~ To Be Continued ~*~
Note: My sister and my website is up and running again after being down for more than two months! Have a look. Hopefully some new features will be added soon.