Chapter 2 (revised): Old Enemy Returns
Gonff felt outraged to be tied up by this group of vermin. One in a suit came up and pulled off his gag.
"What's the meaning of this?" he cried. "Who are you?"
"Allow me to introduce myself," he sneered. "My name is Ratigan. And you are bait." He then turned to the other vermin and said, "You all know what this is all about. Now is my chance to finally get back at my archrival, Basil of Baker Street."
The vermin booed and hissed at the mention of the name.
"I was this close to taking rule of all of England when that no good mouse showed up and ruined everything. And I had two chances of being rid of him for good, but he deceived me then. I wouldn't have survived the fall from the clock tower if I hadn't caught a loose balloon on the way down. As soon as I touched ground, I swore that I would, once and for all, get rid of that mouse! And his little friend, too."
"To Ratigan," a drunken rat cried, "the great rat!"
All the vermin gasped.
"What did you call me?" Ratigan cried.
The rat just made a goofy grin.
"He didn't mean it!" a stoat cried in defense. "He meant to say 'mouse'."
Ratigan glared at the stoat, then picked up the rat, carrying him outside. As soon as he put him down, he rang a bell and a huge white cat came over. The poor defenseless rat was too drunk to realize what was going on! With one gulp, the cat swallowed him whole! The rest of the vermin, as well as Gonff, saw it all!
If Basil or I knew what was going on, we'd be frightened half to death to know Ratigan was still alive. Alas, we had no idea.
As Basil worked on what little clues we had, I spent my time helping the infirmary keeper. I am a doctor, you know. When I got back to the room, though, the room being filled with the smell of pipe tobacco overwhelmed me!
I coughed to speak. "It's hard to breathe in here! Can't we open a window?"
"As you know, I need a concentrated atmosphere to think," Basil said. "Of course, you can crack the window open a bit, if it fancies you."
I went over to crack open the window, then turned to Basil, asking, "How goes the work?"
"Not so good," he sighed. "I need more clues. Care to join me?"
"I'd join you on anything," said I. "Perhaps I could collect a sample of something with this." I picked up a small pocket knife and stuffed it in my... well, pocket.
We finished getting ourselves prepared to depart when an otter came in with a bucket of water, dumping it on us. We stared at her.
"Let me guess," she said. "No fire?"
We shook our heads.
As we headed for the Abbey gates, Martin's voice called out, "And where might you two be going on such short notice?"
My companion turned to him and said, "We're a bit lost on this case and need more clues. We don't expect to be long."
"Mind if I join you?" Martin asked. "I've been friends with Gonff since before the first brick of Redwall was laid."
"We'd be delighted to have you in our company!"
Martin smiled. "Good," he said. "It's been awhile since I last had a last quest. Plus Gonff is my closest and most trusted friend"--his smile broadened humorously--"Even if he's been known to be a viddle picker."
"OK, then it's settled," said Basil. He motioned to the gatekeeper to open the door for them. "Let us go, my companions."
Basil, Martin, and I walked out of the abbey to the spot that, unbeknownst to us, and old enemy was expecting us to go.