It was a foggy nighttime at the East End. A suspicious looking tramp crept towards the entrance when a voice called out from the shadows. He wore a green top hat, a brown trench coat with a blue shirt underneath, gray pants, and had a moustache.
Dawson: Basil, I still don't think we should do this.
The tramp with the moustache was Basil in disguise. He glanced back at the shadows.
Basil: We must, Dawson! Now come!
Dawson was dressed in a blue trench coat with a green shirt underneath, wore purple pants, and wore a blue-purple bowler hat. Rosa wore a brown-red trench coat, a brown-red cap, and brown pants. She has her hair in a bun and hid it in her cap.
Basil: Now remember you two, try to behave like everyone else and stay close. Do not give us away.
The East End was indeed a creepy and dangerous place. Thieves and cutthroats lurk in shadows, or lounge against the walls. Some men were sleeping or resting by the wall, merchants were selling foods like oysters with vinegar sauce, just like Basil said. There were shops and bars, run by shady business owners. Dawson and Rosa were terrified and glanced nervously at their surroundings, but Basil kept a cool and calm mind as he walked on, not even afraid.
Basil: Don't you think it's nice to be a tramp, Dawson?
Dawson: It is debatable.
Rosa: How is it that you can be so calm in such a dangerous place? I admit you surprise me but-
Basil: Watch it!
Several human men walk through this area, but they barely notice the mice hanging around. The large footsteps nearly came down on the three mice. Basil, Dawson, and Rosa leapt out of the way and hid themselves in between two barrels until the giant human feet were gone. But they were in a real tight space and had a hard time trying to move.
Basil: Dawson, could you move to the left? I can barely move.
Dawson: I'm trying, but it's hard to move in this space.
Rosa: No offense, Doctor, but I think you need to lose some weight so the next time we hide in tight spaces like this, we won't get stuck.
Basil: I have to agree with her, old man. I wish you never eat too much.
Dawson: I can't help it if I love Mrs. Judson's cooking! Now, if you could let me through!
But when he moved to the side, he pushed Basil onto Rosa. Their faces were very close and their noses barely touched. Basil and Rosa gasped, and then chuckled nervously. Then, Basil noticed someone was coming. He shushed Dawson and Rosa, and pointed. There was Fidget, limping down the street to one of the bars, The Penny-Bar, which was close to the human bar, The Gold Coin. He was carrying a large wrapped parcel, which Basil recognized the shape.
Basil: Well, well, well. If it isn't our old peg-legged friend, Fidget.
Dawson: So he is alive!
Basil: Let's follow him!
The three mice squeezed right of the tight space and fell to the ground. They got up again and followed Fidget to the Penny-Bar. It was just like the Rat-Trap all over again, except there were no sailors or mermaid statues, but there was a pretty lady mouse doing the can-can on stage. Tables were full of tough-looking men playing cards, drinking, and talking.
Basil, Dawson, and Rosa got a table close to the bar. Basil it up a cigarette and started smoking. A bartender served them three mugs of beer. Rosa sniffed the beer, but she didn't drink it, as she pushed it aside.
Rosa: I don't drink beer. Mama says the stuff will make you drunk.
Dawson: A wise choice in a young lady.
Rosa: Well, just don't drink too much, boys.
Basil: You sound like Mrs. Judson when she tells me not to eat too much cheese soufflé.
The three mice chuckled, but then they heard a voice coming from another table near the corner.
Barney: Oye! You're cheating!
Doran: I'm not cheating!
Barney: Yeah, you are! You always cheat at card games. Percy, will you tell the Captain that he has to play by the rules?
Percy: You know the Captain doesn't play by the rules. He plays by his own rules.
Basil: (to Dawson and Rosa) It's Captain Doran! He's here! Let's listen to their conversation.
Freddie: Don't you think we should get back to the hideout?
Doran: We must wait for Fidget to bring the-ah! There you are, batty.
Fidget: Don't call me that. I got what you wanted.
He gave Doran the large parcel and set he set it on the table.
Doran: Excellent! Our employer will be most pleased.
Freddie: Well, we got the panting and the mace, but what about the necklace? We lost the Duchess' necklace.
Doran: The necklace was taken by that meddling fool, Basil. Our precious Relda has given in to her feelings to him, so our employer had her gotten rid of.
The Terrible Three, Doran, and Fidget chuckled wickedly. Basil flinched and his face scowled. Dawson placed a comforting hand on Basil's shoulder and Rosa gave a sorrowful face.
Rosa: Did you ever love her?
Basil: (sighs) Yes. But I swear that villain Doran will be put behind bars for what he has done to her.
Rosa: I'm sorry.
Basil: It's alright, Miss Spellcove.
Dawson: Shh! Listen to what he's saying?
Doran: Oh, and by the way, did you hear word about the unexpected passing of our beloved Queen?
When Basil and Dawson heard this, they nearly fell out of their chairs. Only Dawson fainted. When he came to, he saw a pretty lady wearing a pink and black dress, winking at him and smiled flirtingly.
Doran: She left a will saying that Lady Caroline shall be the new ruler of Mousedom.
Barney: (laughs) Well, that's good news.
Basil: (whispers to Rosa) She left her will to Lady Caroline? Your employer?
Rosa: I'm as much as surprised as you two are.
Basil: But why would she have Lady Caroline rule the country when she has only met her? This news is rather strange.
Percy: Speaking of Basil, what are we going to do if that pipsqueak finds out about us?
Doran: He won't know until our spy lures him…
He was cut off when Fidget got his foot caught in a hole in the wooden floor. Fidget pulled until he freed himself and crashed into some chairs. Doran and the Terrible Three laughed at Fidget's clumsiness.
Doran: Oh, Fidget! You clumsy little bat! You sure know how to make us laugh!
Rosa: (to Basil) Basil, I think we should leave. Perhaps we have heard enough.
Basil: No, I wish to hear more. Doran said something about a spy that will lure me into something. A trap, perhaps. And maybe they'll say more about their plot.
Rosa wanted to get Basil out of there before he could learn from Doran that she was the spy. She looked behind her and saw Dawson sitting at a table behind her and Basil, with the pretty lady in pink and black, sitting on his lap, both of them giggling.
Rosa: Huh?! Really Dawson?! Did you have to pick the right time to be with lady?!
Big mistake. When Rosa shouted the name, everyone turned to look at her and Basil and Dawson. The bar went quiet. Doran, Fidget, and the Terrible Three stared. Basil glared at Rosa. She had given them away. Dawson, now recovering from his moment with the pretty lady, sat up and the lady fell to the floor with a plop.
Doran: BASIL!
He picked up his air gun and pointed it at Basil, but Basil was quick enough to dodge the bullet.
Doran: Don't just stand there you fools! Get him!
The Terrible Three went after Basil, but Basil quickly and quietly crawled under the tables towards Doran's table, stepping on men's feet along the way. The Terrible Three went for Dawson and Rosa, but Dawson whacked all three on the heads with a chair, knocking them into a stupor. Basil got to Doran's table and took the parcel, with the mace inside. But Fidget grabbed the other end and soon, the two of them were pulling at the mace like in a game of tug of war.
Fidget: Let go!
Basil: (smirks) As you wish.
When he let go, Fidget fell back onto a table, breaking it in half. Now that he had the mace back, Basil turned and got Dawson and Rose, and the three of them left the bar, with the bar inhabitants throwing objects at them. They hid in a corner and waited for the bar inhabitants to pass by. The three mice peeked out to see if no one was around.
Basil: I think the coast is clear. Let's get out of here.
But they stopped when the Terrible Three cornered them.
Freddie: You and the lady and the fatty ain't going anywhere!
Dawson: Louts! Take that!
He grabbed Freddie and Percy by the necks and knocked their heads together. Percy and Freddie fell to the ground. Basil and Rosa were impressed.
Rosa: Wow! You're a decent fighter, Dawson.
Basil: Did you learn that in Afghanistan?
Dawson: Actually, in my school days, I did not like anyone calling me that name.
But suddenly, Barney wrapped an arm around Dawson's neck and held a knife to his neck.
Barney: Alright, Basil. Hand over the mace or your tubby friend here loses his head.
Basil: If you so much as harm Dawson-
Barney: Or you'll what? Knock me into the Thames! Ha! Now hand over the mace!
His arm tightened around Dawson's neck and Dawson groaned in pain. Basil didn't know what to do. If he gave the mace to Barney and get Dawson back, the head of the House of Commons would be disappointed for losing the mace. Btu if he refused to hand over the mace, he would lose Dawson. Rosa had been standing by the corner, where Doran stood in the shadows.
Rosa: What is he doing? You can't let him do this!
Doran: Of course I can. He's nothing but an old fool.
But as Basil set the parcel down, Rosa hit Barney over the head with a glass bottle. Barney fell to the floor and Dawson was free from his grip. He was on his knees, trying to catch his breath and Basil was at his side, checking to see if his friend wasn't harmed.
Basil: Dawson, are you alright?
Dawson: (panting) I'm fine…just fine.
Rosa was relieved Dawson wasn't hurt, but Doran was furious. He pointed the tip of his air gun at Rosa.
Doran: (coldly) Don't you ever do that again.
With that, he fled into the darkness.
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At the House of Commons, Sir Evens was arguing with Inspector Lawless.
Sir Evens: Haven't you found anything yet?
Lawless: No we haven't, Sir Evens, but I can assure that Scotland Yard will find the mace and return it to its rightful place.
Sir Evens: Ugh! That's what you said to me when I contacted you about the theft! But you haven't found it or arrested the thief! You're as clueless as a dodo!
Lawless: Clueless?! I'll have you know, Sir Evens, that you do not insult a police inspector of the Yard!
Basil: And dodos are extinct, my dear Sir Evens.
The two men gasped and turned around when they heard the voice. There stood Basil, Dawson, and Rosa at the entrance, holding the mace.
Lawless: Basil? What are you wearing?
Basil: It's a disguise, Inspector. Dawson and Miss Spellcove and I took a trip to the East End where the stolen mace was about to be delivered to Captain Doran. Here you are, Sir Evens.
He handed the mace back to Sir Evens, who took it back happily.
Sir Evens: Mr. Basil! You're a genius! Thank you!
Basil smiled and puffed his chest with pride, but Lawless folded his arms and scowled.
Lawless: Very cute, Basil. It's no wonder that you're always one step ahead of us. One of these days, you'll go too far and you'll find yourself in a lot of trouble.
Basil: I very much doubt that, Inspector. Sometimes, one has to take the risk to venture into the Underworld to find who or what that has disappeared.
Sir Evens: And the Duchess has sent her warmest thanks for recovering her necklace. By the way, did you find the portrait Miss Spellcove made?
Lawless: Spellcove? What kind of name is that?
Rosa: (dryly) He was referring to me, Inspector.
Lawless: Oh! (tips his hat and grins) Uh, pardon me, Ma'am.
Dawson: Inspector, this is Miss Rosa Spellcove. Her portrait of Lady Caroline was stolen and she called upon us to find it.
Lawless: Hmm. Basil did mention the letter he got was written by an artist. That must've been you who wrote to him.
Sir Evens: Speaking of Lady Caroline, have you heard the news? She's going to become our new Queen, right after our beloved Queen Moustoria died. It said so in her will.
Basil: Yes, we heard. But I'm a bit surprised as to why the Queen would choose the lady to be our next ruler when she just met her.
Sir Evens: Lady Caroline is very trustworthy and a good friend of the Prime Minister, and she has great command just like Moustoria.
Basil: (doubtful) Yes. Well, we better get back to Baker Street. Tell Lady Caroline that we'll find the portrait soon.
Sir Evens: Of course.
Lawless: You got lucky on this one, Basil, but next time, I won't be outsmarted by you!
Basil: (grins) That's something I look forward to, Lawless.
Lawless: And when I nab the crook who stole the portrait, you'll be the one who stands by empty handed!
As soon as Basil, Dawson, and Rosa left, Lawless sulked to himself.
Lawless: That meddling detective thinks he's the smartest! But I, an inspector of the police, will show him!
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Meanwhile, down in the sewers where the headquarters of the late Professor Ratigan was hidden, Fidget, Bill, Sam, and Ralph were waiting for Doran to come back outside while the Captain told his employer the events that occurred. Doran came back out of the barrel with the large yellow R on front, with an irritated expression.
Ralph: So, what happened?
Doran: Our employer is very disappointed to learn of Miss Rosa's actions and that the mace was taken. She wants Rosa to lead Basil to where the portrait is. When he finds it, she must kill him.
Sam: But what if she fails?
Bill: Yeah, uh, what if she starts to go soft on him?
Doran: Do not question the loyalty of Ratigan's daughter! She will destroy Basil, once and for all! But don't worry, I told her I have another plan. Fidget, take Big Tuppy and Russmer for an outing.
Fidget: OK! Are we going to a bar?
Doran: We were already at a bar, you dim-bulb! I've got a job for you three.