A/N, A big apology for the massive delay in posting this chapter. If anyone's still interested in reading it, I hope to be able to post the chapters more regularly from now on!

The edge of the gondola scraped against the wooden jetty, which appeared to have come off worse in an ongoing battle with various wood boring invertebrates. Holmes scrambled to his feet, and the boat rocked from side to side,

'ooh!' squealed Edwina, 'don't let me fall out, Morris!'

'It's quite safe, madam,' the gondolier assured her in only slightly accented English. Grasping the wooden railing, Holmes placed a foot firmly on the steps that ran down to the water's surface and ascended to the jetty's platform.

'Allow me, Miss Trelawney,' he extended a hand down towards her,

'Go on, Edwina,' encouraged Morris

5 minutes later they found themselves, and their luggage, still in front of the imposing wooden front door of the house. Several minutes of knocking had yielded no reply.

'Aunt Lucinda!' called Edwina for the sixth time, arching her neck to stare expectantly at the upper storeys.

'I don't understand it!' she said, turning to Morris, 'I have her letter here…'

Holmes shut out Morris's murmured agreements and expressions of mutual puzzlement, and idly reached into the inner pocket of his coat. Ignoring the smooth leather rectangle of his wallet he found instead a smaller, softer roll of tarred fabric. Unwrapping it on his palm revealed a book of matches, a small razor blade, a needle and a carefully bent piece of wire. This he picked up gingerly and held between his teeth whilst returning the rest to his pocket. Then he sauntered over to examine the door.

'I shall expect you on Wednesday evening…' Edwina read aloud, 'it says so right here, look Morris!'

'Where, dearest?'

'Here! Look!'

'Why, so it does, and today is, of course, Wednesday…'

'…and it's the evening…'

'…as you so perceptively observe, dear heart, it is the evening…'

'Perhaps,' said Holmes, 'we might try the door…'

Edwina and Morris stared at him

'It might have been left open,'

'Oh, no, it couldn't be…' Edwina began, but Morris, who had caught Holmes' eye, strode over and pushed at the handle.

The door swung open soundlessly.

'Oh well done Morris!'

The marble floored hallway was dark and smelled damp. Which, Holmes supposed, was only to be expected in a city quite literally built on the sea.

'Let's open the shutters or something,' said Morris, clearly trying to keep some trepidation out of his voice.

'Aunt Lucinda!' called Edwina, 'Aunt Lucinda?'

Holmes peered around in the gloom. He could just about make out the bottom of a staircase…

…a creak and a bang heralded a rush of daylight as Morris managed to open the shutters. Holmes blinked, and saw that there was indeed a staircase, decorated in a rococo style. Its intricate and - to his taste -over the top, carvings had clearly once been gilded but the gold was now peeling to reveal the dark wood beneath. The stairs boasted a thinning red carpet…

…and a young man was descending them

'Cousin Edwina!' he exclaimed, in obvious shock.

'Daniel?' she half gasped, half squealed, 'is that you!'

The young man, whose grey eyes, pale blonde hair and pasty complexion did not seem given to passionate expression suddenly flashed a delighted smile and he practically leapt down the last few steps to stand before the 3 new arrivals.

'Daniel, Aunt Lucinda never said you were staying here too!' said Edwina breathlessly, clasping his arms with her still gloved hands. The young man drew back suddenly.

'Daniel?'

'Edwina…I…'

Genuine anxiety now furrowed Edwina's forehead,

'What's happened Daniel?'

Morris stepped forward to put an arm protectively around Edwina's shoulders

'Where's Miss Lucinda Trelawney?' he asked, a little forcefully.

'Aunt Lucinda…' began the young man slowly, 'Aunt Lucinda…' His voice trembled, and Holmes felt a sick cold fear in the base of his stomach,

'I'm so sorry Edwina,' Daniel managed, finally,

'She's dead.'