The Warning, Chapter the Eighteenth
Several hours later, Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade finally arrived at Baker Street. Statements had been taken and both miscreants were in custody. All three gentlemen were glad to relax in comfortable chairs before the fire. Watson poured them each a brandy before he sat down.
There was a tap at the door. Holmes opened the door, and Mrs. Hudson entered with a tray. It was laden with a late supper for three.
"I thought you might like this," said Mrs. Hudson. " I 'm so glad to see you, I don't know whether to yell at you for taking such chances, or hug you!" She was back in her element now, and she loved it.
"Just keep your voice down, please. My head is simply killing me," muttered Holmes.
To his surprise, Mrs. Hudson hugged him, and went to answer the door, which shook in the frame under a volley of insistent knocks.
Mrs. Hudson opened the door and showed a rather soaked Mycroft up to the sitting-room.
"Brother mine, please sit down. Pray, what has moved you to visit me?"
To everyone's surprise, the elder Holmes caught the younger Holmes' hand in both of his own. "I am very glad that this dreadful business is at an end, and that you are safe. I would not ask you to look into this affair so soon after your exertions of tonight, but I have been given no choice."
"You have a case for me to look into, then? It must be important."
"Yes, I do, and it is. Do you remember the last time you visited the Diogenes club? I was called to my office because one of our agents was found dead under strange circumstances. I was also told to give you the particulars of this case as soon as possible. Furthermore, I am to advise you that looking into this case is not optional."
"You know that I dislike being ordered about, especially when it is about a case. Who am I working for?"
" The British government."
"I see. Well, what are the facts surrounding this case?"
"It took place in a castle with the unlikely name of Castle Cartwright. Two agents stayed there overnight. The one agent did not come down for breakfast the next day. Because the agent was known for his punctuality, the other agent went to his room to check on him. When there was no response to his knocking, he entered the room. He found the other agent still abed, and when he went to wake him, he saw a great deal of blood. The man had been stabbed. Since the room had carpet in it, some wet footprints were clearly visible. They started at the balcony, went through the French doors, and ended by the bed. No weapon was found."
" Are there any suspects so far?"
"Yes, there are, but you are going to think I am joking with you."
"Why is that?"
"Because, brother mine, the chief suspect is a ghost!"
A/N- A great big thank you to everyone who read and reviewed. I hope you enjoyed the story. Medcat, thank you for vetting it for me. The case that Mycroft is referring to is continued under the title The Case of the Vindictive Spirit.