Simon Dies

After supper, Mrs. Stafford bade us all a good evening, but just when I was getting ready for bed, I heard someone pounding on the door.

My uncle sighed. "Who could that be at this unearthly hour?!"

Dr. Dawson opened the door. "Lenora?! What brings you…?"

"It's Simon!" Mrs. Stafford explained. "He's been shot!"

Dr. Dawson quickly got things in order in his black bag.

"What's he going to do?" I asked.

"He shall do what he deems necessary to save his life," my uncle responded, "although I must express my disapproval. I most certainly would never entrust a physician with my health. Do retire for the evening. Children need the proper amount of rest."

"I can't go to sleep until you tuck me in," I answered. "Then you have to tell me a story."

"I simply have no time for such frivolities!"

"Mr. Basil!" exclaimed Mrs. Judson. "He is your nephew! Is it right that you should have time for every family in Mousedom except your own?!"

My uncle rolled his eyes, but he took me to the room where I'd be spending the night, sighing as he fluffed my pillows and tucked me in. Then he sat at the foot of my bed.

"Precisely what manner of anecdote is required?!" he demanded brusquely.

"Tell about the time when you were caught in Ratigan's trap!" I begged eagerly.

He rolled his eyes. "I most certainly was not entrapped by my former nemesis!"

"How about the story of how Ratigan used to be your best friend when you were children, but then you ended up hating each other, and you still haven't gotten over his death because you still mourn the loss of your childhood friend rather than rejoicing in the demise of your enemy, even though you have no time for your family, and they haven't betrayed you nearly as much as Ratigan did?"

"I do not care to discuss any of my former cases involving Ratigan!"

"Who's Simon?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Their brother," my uncle explained. "There were six Dawson children: Daniel, Lenora, Simon, David, Corine, and Meta. Daniel was murdered on what he had intended to be the day of his matrimony. Lenora chose to pursue a career in psychological science. Simon is the hapless victim of this evening's felony. David, as you're already aware, is my most trusted associate, with whom I do all my cases."

I was bored. I didn't want to hear the story of the Dawson children. I had wanted to hear something about Ratigan or my uncle. In fact, I was so bored that I fell asleep before I learned what happened to Corine and Meta.

I was awakened by the sound of the living room door opening, followed by footsteps across the floor. It sounded as if someone were carrying something.

"How is he, David?" Mrs. Stafford whispered.

Dr. Dawson sighed. "I'm afraid only time will tell."

"I'm so sorry. I should have gotten someone else to take care of his injury. It must be horrible for you after what happened to Daniel and all those brave mice who received similar wounds during the war. It's just that you were the only one…"

"The only one to whom you'd entrust your brother's life? The only one you thought could be trusted to help him?"

"Actually, I was going to say you were the only one who wouldn't leave me with an outrageous medical bill for this."

The doctor made no reply.

"Is there a guestroom where he could spend the night?" asked Mrs. Stafford.

"Daniel?" a voice muttered groggily. "Is that you and Margaret?"

I couldn't hear what Dr. Dawson was saying under his breath, but I'm sure he wasn't reciting the lyrics to the national anthem.

"Yes, Simon, it's Margaret," Mrs. Stafford replied. "I'm here with Daniel. What can we do for you?"

"Margaret, please tell Daniel I'm not ready to join you yet," Simon murmured. "I have a message for David. He has to tell Basil who shot me." He paused to breathe heavily several times. "They're trying to frame her. That girl from America has done nothing wrong."

"Who shot you?"

"Brandy and Sherry."

"Why did they do it?"

"I was at the bank."

"Was it a bank robbery?"

"Yes. The banks of the Thames."

Seeing that her questions weren't producing any helpful answers, Mrs. Stafford gave up.

"You can tell David all about it when you see him again," she stated. "We're not ready for you yet. You still have a lot of life ahead of you."

"Daniel, have you been at peace?" Simon asked.

Seeming unsure of himself, Dr. Dawson answered, "Why, yes. Absolutely. I've been resting rather comfortably, thank you."

"I also have to tell David about Lenora's arm."

"What about it?"

"She's hurt," Simon explained. "I noticed she had a cut on her arm when I came to her flat."

"Did you go to her flat so she could find someone to help you?" the doctor asked.

"Yes. I didn't have time to say anything before she told me to rest while she found help. I think David came and started doctoring me."

Simon became silent. After a while, Mrs. Stafford remarked that their brother had lost consciousness again.

"We'll take him to the guestroom," Dr. Dawson stated. "Then, as I can do nothing more for him, I want you to tell me what happened to your arm."

"It's nothing, David. I just had a little mishap in the kitchen."

"Lenora, what are you not telling me?"

Mrs. Stafford sighed. "I was pickpocketed, not because I have as much money as the late Ingham family, but because I am the sister of Basil's associate. My arm was cut when I used it to block my throat." She changed the subject. "Let's get Simon to the guestroom."