Salt Water
Dawson slid from Toby's back and hurried after the retreating figure of Basil. He ran into the house just in time to see Basil already in his dressing gown and hurrying over to a small table by the fire. Removing his own coat and hat, Dawson joined Basil as Basil turned up the gas on the lamp.
"Offhand I can deduce very little," Basil admitted carefully examining the paper through his glass. "Only that the words are written with a broad pointed quill pen which has spattered twice," he gently tossed the paper into the air a few times before continuing, "that the paper is of native Mongolian manufacture…no, Watermark, and has," he paused and carefully tasted the edge, "been gummed if I'm not very much in error," he sniffed at the paper now, "by a bat who has been drinking Rodent's Delight!" he concluded in disgust. "A cheap brandy sold only in the seediest pubs," he explained.
"Amazing!" Dawson said as Basil hurried over to the chemical table.
"Oh not really Doctor we still don't know where it came from!" Basil said as he pulled over a microscope. "Perhaps a closer inspection will tell us something." He slowly and expertly focused the microscope until he found what he was looking for. "Mhmm…coal dust: clearly of the type used in sewer lamps."
Basil whipped the paper out from under the microscope and lit it on fire.
"But Basil I-" Dawson cried.
"Shh don't speak!" Basil warned as he allowed the ash of the paper to fall into a bowl. He pounded it into powder before dumping it into a chemical nearby.
Dawson watched in amazement as Basil quickly made his way around the table using various chemicals on what had been the list not a moment ago. Finally, Basil coaxed the final chemical into the beaker and cried out in triumph as the liquid turned red then slowly settled to milky white.
"Ha ha! We've done it old fellow! This reaction could only have been caused by the paper's extreme saturation with distillation of sodium chloride," he explained before leaving the chemical table.
"Salt water?" Dawson said aloud looking at the beaker. "Great Scot!"
Basil, meanwhile, was busy rifling through a selection of maps near to his dart board. "It proves beyond a doubt," he grunted. "That this list came from the River Front area!"
"Now, now, steady on there Basil!" Dawson chided.
"No, no!" Basil replied looking carefully at the map. "Elementary my dear Dawson! We merely look for a seedy pub at the only spot where the sewer connects to the water front," he stuck a dart into the map at a precise point, and Dawson leaned closer to see.
"But Basil!" Dawson cried. "This is one of the worst areas of the city of London!"
"I am well aware," Basil said with a smile.
"But," Dawson puffed, "if this Professor Ratigan is so famous and well-to-do as you described, why on Earth would he hide in a sewer?"
Basil laughed heartily. "Why for that reason alone, of course! What police mouse in his right mind would go looking for the Napoleon of Crime in a common sewer? You see the brilliance?"
Dawson sighed as he stared at the dart on the map. "I do indeed, but that does not make me feel any better about the place. I feel just awful imagining poor Olivia and dear Vivian down there in that filth!"
"As do I Dawson," Basil said his voice suddenly devoid of energy. "I cannot forgive myself for the mistake I made at the toy shop."
Dawson turned to the detective in surprise. "Come now Basil, you weren't the only one who made a mistake. Don't forget it was me that allowed Olivia out of my sight."
"Yes but it was I that made the fatal error that allowed Fidget to escape with them," Basil said tersely. "If anything happens to them down there…it will be my fault alone."
"I know that Vivian is a strong young lady, but I don't know if even she is strong enough to fight that monster," Dawson mused.
"Which is why we must go after her!" Basil cried, the life suddenly back in his voice.
"We're going to what?!" Dawson cried as Basil hurried into his room. "Basil, be reasonable! We don't even know where Ratigan's lair is in relation to this pub! We can't just go down there without a destination! Proper English gentlemice like us would be torn apart down there!"
"My dear Dawson," Basil chuckled as Dawson came around the corner of the door. "Who said anything about going down there as proper English gentlemice?"
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Vivian sighed as she rested her head against the bars of her prison. Ratigan would be coming soon to send her to "work" again. She cursed under her breath for not being faster when she had the chance to escape, and she cursed Ratigan for his scheme. Upon hearing the familiar footsteps approaching, Vivian hurried away from the door and prepared herself to face her enemy.
"Good evening, Princess," Ratigan bowed as he flung open the door. "Are you ready for another evening out?"
Vivian folded her arms and refused to answer his question or even acknowledge she had heard him.
"I asked you a question, my dear," Ratigan said his voice dropping to danger level. "And when I ask a question, I expect an answer!"
Vivian still refused to answer him and stood her ground with confidence.
"I said answer me!" Ratigan snarled.
"What are you going to do to me if I don't?" Vivian smirked. "Hit me? The men at the pub will begin to suspect, and you can't risk one of them helping me escape, now can you?"
"Oh my dear Highness," Ratigan sneered. "I know many ways to cause pain with no marks left behind." He seized Vivian's upper arm in a vice-like grip and twisted violently.
Vivian cried out in pain and crumpled to the floor as Ratigan let go of her. For a moment, she simply lay on the floor, cradling her arm and forcing back tears.
"Now," Ratigan said coldly from above her. "Be ready in five minutes. Fidget will be here to collect you and take you to the pub, and no mistakes, Vivian, or else…" He slammed the door to the prison behind him.
Vivian waited until the sound of his footsteps had receded to nothingness before she allowed the tears to flow from her eyes. Forcing herself to stand, she slowly pulled on the excuse for a dress she was meant to wear and winced as she attempted to move the arm Ratigan had twisted. More tears leaked out of her eyes as she began to think of Basil. She prayed that he would find her, but she prayed he would stay away. If Ratigan caught him…she shuddered to think what would happen to him, but how she wanted to be rescued!
"Let's go Princess!" Fidget croaked through the bars of her prison as he opened the door for her. "And don't try anything!"
Vivian wiped her eyes and followed the bat out of her prison and down into the sewer pipes.
They walked along for what seemed forever until the pipe finally leveled out. Vivian sighed as Fidget led her up the stairs and through the trap door that opened behind the bar of the pub. As she emerged from behind the bar, the barmaid hurried over to her.
"Thank goodness you're 'ere!" she gasped. "The entertainment's no good, and the boys is getting' rowdy!"
Vivian forced herself to smile as she slipped backstage and joined the other acts waiting to go on.
As part of Ratigan's plan, Vivian had been forced to perform every night at the pub as bait for Basil. Ratigan knew that Basil would eventually trace the note back to the sewer, and it was only a matter of time before he arrived at the pub. Putting Vivian on display, he hoped, would force the detective into a rash decision that would result in his capture. Even if Vivian failed as bait, Ratigan also got the pleasure of humiliating the Princess by forcing her to act like a common sewer mouse.
Sighing as she straightened her bow, Vivian watched as an octopus went on the stage to juggle. She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall behind her as she waited for her turn. Finally she heard the piano stop, and she waited for the booing to begin. Suddenly, she heard a single person clapping, and she jumped in surprise. Peering around the edge of the stage, she saw two sailors sitting near to the front of the stage, and one was the source of the clapping. She stared at the two for a moment before it clicked.
With a gasp, she pulled her head behind the stage again. Biting her lip, she began to pace up and down trying desperately to think of a way to protect Basil and Dawson. Risking a second glance around the stage, she saw the barmaid talking to them, and then she heard Basil in a harsh accent.
"Oh by the way, we just got into port. We're lookin' for an old friend of mine. Maybe you know him: goes by the name…of Ratigan?"
The barmaid and everyone else in the bar gasped and whipped their heads around to stare at Basil. Vivian waited with baited breath to see what would happen.
"I, er, never heard of him," the barmaid said in an attempt to diffuse the tension.
Suddenly, Vivian got an idea. "Psst, Lizzie!" Vivian hissed at the barmaid.
"What is it, Kitty?" Lizzie asked, coming behind the stage.
Vivian resisted the urge to shudder at her performing name. "You know those two sailors you were talking to just a minute ago?"
"Yes shady aren't they?" Lizzie replied with a slightly frightened expression.
"I know them," Vivian said. "They…well…they ain't good."
Lizzie's eyes widened. "That bad?"
Vivian nodded. "I'm scared to perform cause I'm scared of what they'll do to me when they see me."
Lizzie stood up straight, and her eyes flashed with determination. "I'll get them thrown out for you, Kitty-"
"No you can't do that!" Vivian whispered harshly, seizing Lizzie's arm. "They'll know and come back for me!"
"Well then what should I do?" Lizzie asked. "You gotta perform tonight Kitty!"
"Well…could you maybe spike their drinks with something so they don't recognize me?" Vivian suggested.
"I'll take care of everything Kitty!" Lizzie nodded before dashing off to the bar.
Vivian breathed a sigh of relief and turned to see that it was now her turn on stage. Taking a deep breath she climbed up behind the curtain and sat down on the chair and waited for the curtain to open.
The piano began its lovely trills as the curtain peeled down the middle. Looking up at her audience she purposely avoided looking at the table with Basil and Dawson.
Dearest friends, dear gentlemen,
Listen to my song.
She noticed the normal signs of men putting their chairs back down and putting their knives away as her voice floated over the pub.
Life down here's been hard for you.
Life has made you strong.
Let me life the mood,
With my attitude!
Standing up, she began to dance up and down the stage, smiling at various mice around the room but still avoiding Basil's eyes.
Hey fellas the time is right!
Get ready, tonight's the night!
Boy's what you're hoping for will come true,
Let me be good to you!
You rough guys,
You're feelin' all alone.
You tough guys,
The best of you sailors and bums all are my chums!
Glancing at the bar, she saw Lizzie whispering in the barkeeper's ear. The barkeeper smirked and pulled a bottle out of his pocket before dropping a few drops into the beers in front of him.
So dream on, and drink your beer.
Get cozy: your baby's here.
You won't be misunderstood!
Let me be good to you!
She slipped behind the curtain and gently pulled it shut as the music sped up. While the curtain was closed, Vivian ripped off her shawl and beckoned her back-up dancers to come on stage beside her. The curtain flew open, and Vivian readied herself for the worst part of the night.
Hey fellas, I'll take off all my blues!
She ripped her skirt off to reveal the dancer costume underneath and faked a smile as all the male mice began to whistle and cheer.
Hey fellas, there's nothin' I won't do just for you!
At this point, Vivian was forced to shoot a wink at Dawson to avert suspicion, but she had never run off stage faster for the interlude. She watched as Lizzie put the beer down in front of Basil and Dawson.
Dawson downed his quickly before Basil had a chance to warn him of the drug. Vivian cursed under her breath; her plan had failed. Her only hope now was that Basil did not recognize her. She saw Fidget reenter the bar as she came back on stage to finish the song, but her back-up dancers had pulled Dawson onto the stage. Sighing to herself, Vivian knew she had to go along with it or risk being found out. Spinning to the center of the stage, Vivian prepared her finish.
Your baby's gonna come through!
Let me be good to you!
Her back-up dancers kissed Dawson on each cheek before he fell right off the stage and onto the piano. "Yeah!" Vivian said before hurrying off the stage and pulling on her skirt. She heard the sounds of a fight breaking out in the main bar just before someone seized her arm.
"We're leaving now!" Fidget hissed in her ear before dragging her out from behind the stage and through the trap door.
Vivian cast a frightened look in the direction of Basil and Dawson and was relieved to see neither one paying attention before slipping down the trapdoor.
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Basil anxiously tried to rouse Dawson from his state. He knew who that singer had been however much she tried to hide it. Ratigan, in all his depraved imagination, had sent a woman of class and modesty to perform like a common mouse in a place like this. As furious as he was, Basil had managed to control his emotions long enough to spot Fidget at the bar as well. Now, he needed to get Dawson awake so they could follow the bat and hopefully free the ladies.
"What the Devil is going on?" Dawson gasped as he came to.
"I've spotted our peg legged-" Basil stopped as he saw Fidget had disappeared. "Come on old fellow; there's not a moment to lose!" Basil exclaimed as he hauled Dawson to his feet. Glancing around the room, Basil grinned as he spotted the trapdoor behind the bar. He beckoned to Dawson, and the two of them slipped unnoticed behind the bar and down through the trapdoor.
Upon reaching the bottom, Basil held up his hand for silence.
Fidget was skipping along the pipe ahead humming the song Vivian had performed not a few moments ago and dragging her down the pipe with him.
"Basil!" Dawson whispered in surprise.
"Shh! Follow me!" Basil motioned to Dawson as he climbed into the pipe.
"Great Scot…I can't see a thing!" Dawson exclaimed.
"Shh!" Basil warned. "Hold onto my coat and follow along," he whispered. "No, no, no not that way!" Basil groaned. "Dawson look out for your-"
"OW!" Dawson exclaimed as he hit his head off the cap of the pipe. "Confound it! Do you have any idea where we're going?" he hissed.
"But of course," Basil replied with ease. "Left turn…er right turn here, Doctor."
A few moments later, Basil pushed the grate off the opening to the pipe, and the two of them stuck their heads through the opening to survey their surroundings. "Ah ha we've found it!" Basil cried in triumph. "Ratigan's secret lair and it's filthier than I imagined," he continued as he held the grate up so Dawson could climb up behind him. They snuck around to a pillar, and Basil gasped.
"Look the bottle!" he whispered.
Olivia was curled up in the middle of the bottle with her back to them.
The two ran silently over to the bottle. Basil leapt upon the neck and tried desperately to pull the cork out. "It's stuck!"
Dawson knocked against the glass of the bottle. "Olivia!" he whispered….but it wasn't Olivia.
"SURPRISE!" came a loud cheer, and Basil fell off the bottle in shock as balloons and streamers began to fall.
The square was suddenly filled with Ratigan's cronies who were all cheering and laughing at the two of them.
"Bravo, bravo: a marvelous performance!" came a voice from the area of the barrel.
Basil turned sharply to see none other than Ratigan grinning triumphantly.
"Though frankly I expected you fifteen minutes earlier," he continued glancing at his watch. "Trouble with the chemistry set, old boy?" he sneered at Basil.
"Ratigan, no one can have a higher opinion of you than I have," Basil said with forced pleasantness. "And I think you're a slimy, contemptible, sewer rat!"
Ratigan snapped his watch shut with a chuckle. "By the way Basil, I just love your disguise. Why, it's almost as good as hers," he smirked.
Basil's lip tightened even further, and he glared at Ratigan. "What have you done with Vivian?" he demanded.
"Oh would you like to see her?" Ratigan taunted. "Come on out here, my dear."
Vivian trudged into view and looked despairingly at Basil. "I'm sorry," she cried.
"No, Vivian, this is my fault alone," Basil said firmly. "Your fight is with me, Ratigan. Let Vivian, Olivia, and Dawson go!"
"Oh now that I cannot do, Basil," Ratigan chuckled. "You see, the brat is leverage for her father, your friend over there knows too much, and this one is just too important to let go of."
"She's a maid for the palace," Basil replied. "They will notice her disappearance, and woe betide you if they find her here."
Ratigan burst out laughing, and Vivian hung her head knowing what was about to happen. "What a perfect story!" he cackled. "I can't believe you fell for the lies of a woman! This is no maid," he said seizing Vivian's arm. "Didn't you ever notice how in command she is? Did it never cross your mind who she really is?"
Dawson froze, and Basil stared blankly at him. "Oh this is perfect!" Ratigan exclaimed delightedly. "The greatest detective in all Mousedom couldn't even see through the disguise of a girl!" He crossed over to Vivian and seized her upper arm in a vice-like grip. "Tell them who you are!"
Vivian winced at the pain in her arm, but she shook her head firmly.
Ratigan sighed and gestured to a minion that stood nearby. The minion hurried over and threw a bucket of water over Vivian.
Gasping from the cold, Vivian watched in horror as the coloring on her fur disappeared into the dress and onto the stone before her.
"You see now?" Ratigan cried. "She is no servant at all! Now tell your friends the truth!"
Vivian shook with pain, fear, and cold, but she still raised her eyes to meet Basil's. "I'm so sorry, Basil, but I had no choice. I'm not the princess's maid…I am the princess herself. Vivian is my middle name."
"Elizabeth Vivian," Basil whispered to himself.
"I was trying to help!" Vivian cried desperately. "I thought I would buy more time as a maid because everyone was looking for the princess. That's what I figured out in the toy shop; Ratigan was the strange suitor I told you about. He was trying to marry me to get the throne, and I came to you to stop him."
Ratigan laughed coldly. "Nice try your Highness, but the superior mind has triumphed! I've won!"
Ratigan's accomplices all began to laugh as well, and Vivian watched Basil's face slowly fall into one of despair. "NO!" she screamed and attempted to fight Ratigan off her, but to no avail.
He ordered his minions to seize Basil and Dawson as he himself pulled Vivian behind him into the dungeon of his hideout.
Whew! So now Basil knows the truth about Vivian. I'd like to send a quick thanks to Amy for the idea about Vivian (I had one, but I liked yours better, so thank you!) What do you think will happen now? How will he deal with her being the princess, and what will Ratigan do with her now that he has Basil? Let me know what you think in a review, and I hope to have the next chapter out soon, but I'm really busy these days, so please don't get too upset if it's not right away. Hope to see you all soon!