Family Secrets
A Hope Holmes Adventure Chapter X
Faith Robin
'Where the Devil is Hope?' Holmes thought sitting at the dining table, glancing at the clock. It was nearly ten. He rang for Mrs. Hudson; began to pace back and forth across the floor. 'It's not like her to be this late,' he thought to himself. The door opened.
"You rang?" Mrs. Hudson asked entering the room.
"Mrs. Hudson, have you seen Hope recently?" Holmes anxiously asked.
"Why No Mr. Holmes, not since she left for a friends' house," Mrs. Hudson said confused.
"What do you mean, for a friends' house?" Holmes asked.
"Didn't you read her note?" Mrs. Hudson asked, looking at him.
"No, I didn't know that she left one," Holmes said walking towards her room. He opened her door and went over to her bed. He picked up the note and opened it with the letter opener at his armchair in the living room. He read it quickly and looked at the clock again.
'Two hours late, this is not like Hope, if something had kept her she would have sent a message,' Holmes thought to himself. 'If she doesn't show up soon I'm going after her.' Mrs. Hudson came into the living room.
"Mr. Holmes this came for you," Mrs. Hudson said handing the envelope over.
"Thank you Mrs. Hudson," Holmes said taking the envelope. He sliced it open and pulled out the contents.
"MR. HOLMES, WE HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER." The note read. The lock of black hair fell out of the envelope.
He felt the blood drain from his face. 'No,' he thought. 'It can't be. No, Not Hope!!!' He sank back into the chair.
"Mrs. Hudson!" he called out hoarsely.
"Yes Mr. Holmes?" She asked poking her head in the doorway.
"Send for Watson," Holmes said staring at the ceiling.
"Right away," Mrs. Hudson said, seeing the urgency on his face and hurried away.
'Please, not Hope,' he begged silently, 'please not her.'
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