The final part of a four part tale, inspired by the following prompts…

From Domina Temporis: Why do Lestrade and Gregson hate each other?

From Michael JG Meathook: Gamble

From Wordwielder: A mystery in a country convent

From goodpenmanship: one-in-a-million coincidence

Unusual Habits four

Scene four

Is a dungeon beneath an old convent, nine prisoners are chained to the wall,

two Yarders, one landlady next to her tenants, four heiresses dressed for a ball.

The novice ( who isn't a novice) is gloating, one hench-lady flanking each side…

~0~

The 'novice' (to no one's surprise)—It's me ! Elsie! I'm not a young novice…I lied!

And these are the wives of my henchmen …Maude, Doris, I'm sure you're astonished to hear,

their daughters are gliding around in the convent, creating the right atmosphere.

Young Violet de Merville you'll notice, is missing, but I'm holding her captive as well.

Still smarting from losing the love of her life, she started to visit my cell,

I soon gained her trust, and her wealthy friends' details, and the date of the Mayor's Winter Ball,

then set up the convent, the riot, the kidnap, swapped places with Violet…that's all.

The girls will be ransomed, including young Violet, for wonderful mountains of cash,

then the convent will burn to the ground, and five thorns in my side will be nothing but ash!

~0~

She sweeps from the room, Maude and Doris behind her, all cackling and screeching with glee.

~0~

Holmes—it's a bit of a pickle, dear Watson, we've been fooled quite spectacularly…
~0~

Scene five

Is an attic in leafy west London, an heiress reviews her sad fate.

Tricked by mad Elsie, her ex prison pal, she saw through her lies far too late.

She muses upon the strange stories she's read in the book she now holds in her hand…

Mad Elsie deliberately left her a stack of particular tales from the Strand.

She thought it would fuel her deep sense of injustice, to read her own tale, a cruel cut,

and indeed she was shocked at her lovelorn depiction, her arrogant arguments, but…

those other three Violets…a gallant young cyclist, a governess, fearless and true,

a sweetheart bereft, seeking justice though grieving. She smiles…now she knows what to do…

She stacks all the papers, climbs up to the skylight, and wriggles her way to the tiles,

then leaps across rooftops and shins down a drain pipe, then straightens her corset…and smiles…

~0~

Scene six

is the dungeon some several hours later, and several more visits to gloat,

The captives are hungry, the chains are quite chafing, the chances of rescue, remote

There's scuffling and scratching, a squeak at the doorway, two forms wiggle in through a gap.

~0~

Basil ( who's dragging a key)—Dr Watson, I think you might need this, old chap.

~0~

With Dawson's assistance, they free Holmes and Watson, who then take the key, free the rest.

~0~

Basil—the convent's surrounded by Yarders, they're itching to make an arrest.

We came here by cab with young Arthur and Wiggins, and Violet de Merville, no less,

who appeared with her petticoats torn and dishevelled, outside our fine London address…

The trio are waiting above, they're on lookout, they've signalled there's no one in sight.

~0~

So hitching up ball gowns or dusting down jackets, or both…they head up to the light,

then down a long corridor, up three more steps, then into a large open hall

to lurk behind pillars, the room is quite crowded, with villains, both large and quite small.

A snarl at Holmes' side, then some fast running steps, then a whirl of white cotton and lace.

~0~

Mrs H—look it's Violet de Merville and Elsie…they're rolling all over the place!

No, Miss de Merville, there aren't any rules, you can pinch, you can bite, pull her hair!

Remember, whatever Mad Elsie may say, she isn't prepared to play fair!

You know ( whispered softly ) I think I could watch Miss de Merville's fine tactics all day,

and would happily give a considerable sum for the pleasure of joining the fray.

~0~

The heiresses, equally riled, dive straight in…tackle henchmen, their daughters and wives.

The doctor, detective and Yarders stand back, and just watch…as they value their lives.

A whistle, like fingernails scraping a board, is heard , making every ear ring…

Lestrade—Oh, that's Gregson, his whistle's off key, I hate him for using that thing!

~0~

Another duff note, and Gregson appears, blowing loudly…

~0~

Lestrade—that's so rude!

~0~

He grabs the tin whistle, and stamps on it hard, thus starting an infamous feud.

The rest of the Yarders pour in at this point, split good guys from bad, mice from men,

which at least means that Basil and Dawson are safe, not squished underfoot. Lestrade then

gathers his troops, puts the derbies on Elsie, ignoring her startling invective,

chock full of of precise anatomical terms regarding, of course, the detective

Mycroft appears, once the fuss has died down, the heiresses' parents in tow

Who exclaim at the state of their precious firstborns, how could they have let them act so?

The luxury carriage transports the young ladies, excitement enough for one day,

apart from young Violet de Merville, she'll honour her namesakes …and find her own way.

Epilogue

Set at a party in Mayfair, for all those involved in the case,

a table top table reserved for small guests, a discreet and unsquashable space.

The rest gathered round drinking excellent wine, and smoking cigars ( just the chaps)

while Mycroft endeavours to answer all questions and fill in the narrative gaps…

~0~

Mycroft—The convent is now a real convent, with genuine nuns…double checked,

and Gregson has never forgiven Lestrade for the family heirloom he wrecked.

Violet de Merville is learning a trade, she is hoping to make her own mark,

the other heiresses have not changed at all, regard the whole thing as a lark.

Mad Elsie is now in a jail which is known to be extra, yes, extra secure,

so won't be escaping, not any time soon, Lestrade and Young Hopkins are sure.

Sherlock and Watson have ended their argument, let the hostilities cease…

they've left Mrs Hudson in charge of the key, the Morocco case, cheque book, and peace.

So, an evil plot thwarted, four heiresses rescued, and friend reconciled with good friend

And a Violet determined to honour her name

for the sake of three others…

~0~

The End