The Warning, Chapter the Thirteenth.
That was all Holmes needed to hear. In a flash, he sprinted to the top of the stairs and launched himself at the slightly smaller man, who had just finished descending the stairs. Holmes tackled him, landing squarely on his back, and the two of them tumbled to the bottom of the stairs in a heap.
Attracted by the noise, Mrs. Hudson emerged from the hall, and Watson gently pulled her out of the way and sat her on the sofa in the parlour. Then he ran, or rather walked quickly, to the stairs to see what he could do.
Holmes was getting to his feet as Watson reached the stairs.
"It is all right. He's sleeping like a baby," observed Lestrade, getting out hes derbies and kneeling to put them on
the limp form.
" When he wakes up, I have a few questions to put to him," drawled the detective. "Watson, how is Mrs. Hudson?"
"Holmes, she is quite hurt and confused. I left her sitting on the sofa. I should get back to her--"
He turned and ran smack into Mrs. Hudson, who had come out when the noise stopped to see what was going on. She had a look of grim determination on her face.
Their captive was just starting to stir. Mrs. Hudson waited patiently until he was fully awake, and then she stepped forward.
The others tensed, and backed up a bit. They knew something was in the wind, and it did not bode well for Edward.
"You swine. You miserable swine. You set me up to get information. You played me for a fool. Worst of all, you attacked someone I care about. There is no excuse for your depravity, you......you swine!
With that, she turned on her heel. Then she heard him snigger. Suddenly she pivoted and let fly. With a sound like a baseball bat hitting its mark, Edward's head bounced off the banister and he went down like a sack of potatoes.
"Like the spineless craven that he is,"sniffed Mrs. Hudson, heading for the kitchen. She took a shortcut over Edward's face in passing. Awestruck, the men watched her leave.
After Lestrade had left with his still-unconscious prisoner, Watson had declared that he needed a nap. Suiting his actions to his words, he retired to his room. Holmes made himself comfortable with a book in the sitting-room. He was totally absorbed when he heard a soft tap on the door.
He opened the door to find Dr. Palmer standing outside.
"Mr. Holmes, she came by again, just a few minutes ago. I was just getting my bag ready to come here and attend to Dr. Watson when she came into my office by a side door."
Holmes motioned him to a chair. He sat, and continued speaking. "She swept in like she owned the place, sat down, put a cigarette in her holder and leaned forward so that I could light it. 'Some developments have occurred that make it necessary to hasten the good doctor's shuffling off of this mortal coil.' She rose and flung the cigarette into the fire for emphasis. 'And you DO remember what we talked about at our last meeting. Since you know what to do, it would be rather redundant for me to repeat it. Good day, doctor.' As soon as she left, I scooped up the cigarette and put it in a test tube. Here it is. I don't know what you can glean from it, but Wiggins swears that you can do the impossible." He handed Holmes a test tube. "Then I gathered up what I needed to treat Dr. Watson, and came directly to see you. I didn't see anyone, but I think that I'm being followed. What do I do now?"
"Just what we need to do to keep your family safe. You'll take care of Watson as usual. When you are done here, you will go about your business as you usually do. That is important. You must adhere to your routine. I will take care of the details, the less you know right now, the better. Just trust me."
Reassured, the doctor collected his bag and headed towards Watson's room.
A/N- I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did to put it together. Again, thank you Cat, and everyone who reviewed.