The very next evening, Basil, Olivia and Dawson donned their disguises and took the trolley (which was empty, to Dawson's huge relief) to the sewer water front where the Rat Trap was located. Once again, as they left Baker Street, they were ignorant to the large shadowy figure watching them from afar, grinning at them as though his birthdays had come all at once.

Basil stopped just in front of the door that preceded the seedy pub he so despised. The detective was now wearing a dark jacket over a shirt with trousers, all of which were ripped and tattered to give him a more thuggish appearance, and a dark cap, complete with his old fake moustache and holding a cigarette in his mouth.

He was hesitant about going inside, still unsure about exposing his darling Olivia to such a revolting place. If anything happened to her, if some disgusting ruffian touched her …

''William?''

Basil perked up at hearing that sweet voice and turned around to see Olivia placing her hand on his arm. ''It'll be alright,'' she said, ''this disguise is full proof.''

Olivia had a large dark cap of her own, hiding her hair and bow. She was wearing a long, dark brown jacket that was buttoned up with matching brown trousers, also torn and ripped, along with fake bruises and scars on her face, so she looked like a tough ruffian lad, which was the idea (Basil wasn't taking any chances and was adamant a boy was the best cover for her). If anyone asked, she was Basil's younger brother.

Basil stared at her, stunned. This wasn't the first time he had considered the possibility that he and Olivia could read each other's minds, and he was now becoming convinced it was true. He wanted to kiss her, but he couldn't take the risk of anyone seeing so instead he just pulled her into an embrace. ''I know, darling,'' he whispered. ''Where's Dawson?'' he asked after breaking the embrace, looking around for his friend.

Olivia jerked her thumb behind her. ''He's hiding back there.''

''Come on, Dawson,'' Basil said in a low voice to the corner Dawson was hiding behind. ''We've got no time to waste.''

''I'm not going in there like this!'' Dawson complained. ''I look utterly ridiculous! That sailor disguise was marginally better than this!''

''Don't be absurd, you look perfect.''

''Perfect? You call this perfect?'' Dawson asked incredulously, finally coming out from behind the corner. He was wearing a very old and battered hat, with a shirt and trousers that were very ripped in the arms, legs and chest, exposing all of the fake tattoos Basil had drawn on him. Just like Olivia, his face was covered in fake bruises and scars, only Dawson's were far more exaggerated, as though he had been in a fight every day of the year. ''And I hate tattoos!'' Dawson added.

''But, Doctor Dawson,'' said Olivia, ''it's appropriate for where we are, so what do you mean by 'ridiculous'?'

''Every disguise such as this is 'ridiculous' to Dawson,'' Basil explained.

''Particularly at places such as this! Oh, what would Pauline think if she saw me dressed like this?''

''How did she feel about you going to a pub, after what happened to her father?'' Olivia asked gently.

''She was brave and understanding, but I know she was scared for me,'' Dawson replied, and Olivia patted his shoulder comfortingly.

''Now let's go in,'' Basil whispered.

With that, he opened the door to the Rat Trap and the trio stepped inside. As usual, the place was filled with nothing but drunk, aggressive low-lives, which made Basil even more glad for Olivia's boy disguise. He whipped out a match and lit up his cigarette. ''Livy, stay close to me,'' he whispered to his love.

The trio walked into the pub; Dawson nervous for his ridiculous-looking appearance. Olivia saw Basil and Dawson put their hands in their pockets and look gruff, so she did the same. It was evident that Basil's disguise for her had worked, for a few men looked at her as though she had two heads. Basil saw this and smiled in relief.

As they were walking, two tables were shouting at each other. One of the thugs on one table threw a rotten apple at the rival table. Unfortunately, Dawson just happened to be walking between the two at that moment, and, before he could react, the apple caught him right in the face. Dawson looked annoyed and rubbed the apple mush off him while both tables laughed at him.

''Still impertinent!'' the doctor grumbled, and scurried over to the table Basil and Olivia had sat down at.

''Keep an eye out for Mitchell,'' Basil whispered, peering around.

Olivia looked around. Now that she had actually entered the tavern herself, she fully understood why Basil had always talked about the Rat Trap with such disdain, and was reluctant to let her come. She was repulsed herself, seeing seedy thugs slurping down beer like sloppy dogs, smoking aggressively and cheating at poker. No wonder Ratigan had used this place to hide his lair, she thought. Everyone did everything he did, only less sophisticatedly.

The waitress who walked over to them was very different than the one they had seen nine years ago. She had dirty blonde hair tied in a bun, and she looked very stern. Basil had the feeling she was sharp. ''What will it be?'' she asked briskly.

''Three pints,'' said Basil in his deep, gravelly disguised voice. ''For me, my younger brother and our dear old father.''

''Your brother looks somewhat like a girl,'' the barmaid said, peering at Olivia carefully.

Basil froze, his suspicions that this waitress was inconveniently sharp confirmed.

Thinking quickly, Olivia rose to the occasion and disguised her voice. ''Yeah, I get that all the time,'' she said, sounding convincingly boyish, ''but that does not comprehend all my battle scars from fighting fellow ruffians!'' She looked fierce and growled while gesturing to her face, showing that she was not one to mess with.

The waitress jumped back in alarm and laughed. ''My, you certainly have been through the mill, young one,'' she said approvingly, ''just like your father, and still going strong. Keep it up.''

When she disappeared, Basil and Dawson looked at Olivia, beaming. ''That was genius, my dear,'' Dawson praised in a whisper. ''And so convincing. If I didn't know you were in disguise, I would think you were a boy.''

''Thank you, Doctor Dawson,'' Olivia said modestly. ''I did learn from the best, after all,'' she teased, looking at Basil, who blushed and smiled.

''Our Olivia has really thrown herself into being a master of disguise, wouldn't you say, Basil?'' Dawson asked with an amused smile.

''Indeed, she has,'' Basil agreed, not taking his eyes off his love.

The trio turned their attention to the stage, where the entertainment was being held. Unfortunately, all the acts were being booed and had stuff thrown at them. Poor things, Olivia thought. Looking at them, though, she thought of something. ''William, I'm curious: what happened to those three singers you saw that night – Miss Kitty and her sisters, I believe they were called?''

''From what I heard,'' Basil answered, ''they were so disgusted that they had been working at a place connected to the Napoleon of Crime, they moved from London and now use their singing and dancing skills for charities.''

''Those poor girls,'' said Dawson. ''Being deceived like that.''

''I think I will take quick trip to the bathroom,'' Olivia said suddenly, getting up. ''I will have to go the men's room given the circumstances.''

''I told you say close to me, Olivia!'' Basil whispered with horrified look.

Olivia shook her head in amusement. ''I will be just fine, William. Besides, Mitchell might be there, perhaps he came through another entrance, hence why we haven't seen him yet.''

''Well ... alright,'' Basil said reluctantly. ''But be quick.''

''Yes sir,'' Olivia giggled, throwing military salute before disappearing.

At that moment, the waitress returned with their drinks. ''Here you are, boys. Where's your brother?'' she asked Basil.

''Nipped to the bathroom,'' Basil said in his disguised voice.

''Too bad. I was hoping to hear some stories about his fights. He looked as though he had some good ones to tell. Say,'' she added, peering at Basil to get a closer look, ''you look familiar …''

This waitress really was shrewd, but Basil was not fazed and shrugged. ''Been here before,'' he said, which wasn't a lie.

The waitress looked thoughtful. ''Hmmm. Yes, I have had many customers they all look the same to me. Carry on.''

Basil gave the waitress a nod and she flounced off.

''It's not drugged this time, right?'' Dawson asked nervously, peering in his drink reluctantly. He remembered nine years ago, he had drunk it before Basil could warn him, and had ended up making a fool of himself.

Basil cautiously dipped his finger into his drink and tasted it. ''It's safe,'' he declared.

Meanwhile, Olivia had just re-emerged from the bathroom. Before she could make a move, she heard a nearby voice say: ''So apparently, that famous criminal the Viper must be giving Butch a lot of money if he's not showing up.''

Olivia slid back behind men's door and two thuggish-looking men passed by. ''Yeah, it's a shame, that Butch Mitchell was a laugh, especially when playing poker,'' grunted the other one. ''He was here yesterday, said this would be his last time coming here.''

''Did he say why the Viper recruited him?''

''He only said it was something to do with the Flavershams and that Basil detective. The Viper ordered not to mention details to anyone.''

''Oh, aye?''

When they disappeared, Olivia exited the again and followed them back to the bar. Wanting to know more, she approached the two men and said in her disguised boyish voice, ''Excuse me, fellows, I'm looking for a friend of mine. He has a missing finger on his left hand.''

''Ah, you're talking about Butch Mitchell, aren't you?'' said one of the thugs.

''That's the guy. Have you seen him?''

''Unfortunately, no. He has a new rich boss who's paying him loads so he doesn't come here anymore.''

''Aw, that's too bad,'' Olivia said, adopting a sad tone. ''I was hoping to see him. Carry on, boys.''

With that, she gave them a salute and walked off. As she did, a hooded figure emerged from behind a corner and stared after her.

Basil and Dawson were just twirling a finger in their beer, not drinking it, when Olivia sat down. ''Hello, boys.''

''I'm glad you're safe, my dear,'' Dawson sighed in relief.

Olivia looked Basil. ''If what I just heard is true, we might have come here for nothing.''

''What do you mean?'' Basil asked.

''I just overheard two thugs talking about Mitchell. Apparently, he was indeed a local here, but not anymore, since the Viper recruited him. Yesterday was his last ever time coming here, so the drink we smelt on his tooth was one for the road. I approached them just to make absolutely sure, and Mitchell's distinct missing finger confirmed it.''

Basil's eyes widened. ''What? You approached them?'' he asked in a horrified whisper.

''Relax, William, I'm fine,'' Olivia protested calmly.

''You approached them?''

Dawson and Olivia chuckled.

Basil coughed and looked at the young woman seriously. ''You nearly gave me a heart attack, darling. Don't ever do that to me again.''

''I won't,'' said Olivia, grinning, and Basil couldn't help but join in.

''If he's not going to turn up, do we still need to stay here?'' Dawson asked, a strong hint of hopefulness in his voice.

Basil frowned, not knowing what to do. ''Let's give it a few minutes, old chap. I was so sure the Viper would send him here …'' he muttered to himself.

At that moment, as though the detective had been heard, the hooded figure appeared from where Olivia had moments before and slowly walked toward the bar for a drink. Basil, Dawson and Olivia stared at the figure.

''He's wearing a hood!'' Dawson whispered. ''Could it be …?''

Basil looked carefully at the figure and saw his left arm lacked a finger, and a grin lit up the detective's face. ''It is indeed our friend Butch Mitchell. Those two men were sadly misinformed. When he leaves, we will follow him and –''

''Hey, you!''

The trio looked up and saw a mean-looking, muscular mouse approaching Dawson. ''You look like you've been roughened up, old man. Want to fight?'' He cracked his knuckles.

''No, thank you,'' said Dawson.

The muscular-mouse scowled. ''I said fight me,'' he demanded. By now, everyone in the pub was looking in their direction, even the waitress and bartender.

''I said no,'' Dawson insisted, sounding braver than he felt.

The mouse advanced toward Dawson dangerously. ''This is your last warning, old man.''

Very abruptly, Olivia got up and confronted the mouse. ''Leave my father alone, he said he doesn't want to fight,'' she said in her disguised boyish voice.

The mouse looked at her. ''Alright,'' he said, walking to Olivia. ''I'll take you on instead, pipsqueak!''

In a flash, he grabbed Olivia by her the collar of her jacket. ''LET GO OFF HIM!'' Basil shouted, half rising from his chair, but before he could attack the mouse who dared harm his Livy, the young woman herself bit the mouse's hand, kicked him in stomach and flung him across the room. Everyone cheered, even the waitress and bartender.

That cheering was halted when the muscular-mouse got up very slowly, his nostril's flaring like a snarling bull as he breathed heavily, his eyes like daggers as he glared at Olivia. ''Nobody makes fool out of me! You're in for it now!''

He charged toward Olivia, yelling out a warrior cry, holding back his fist. When he reached his victim, Olivia ducked down in time to avoid getting hit, but his fist connected against her cap instead, knocking it off, exposing her hair and red bow, causing loud gasps.

There was a long, utter silence, as though time had halted inside the pub. Every single man were now leering at Olivia, some licking their lips, while Basil and Dawson and looked horrified.

''Well,'' said the muscular man with a smug smile, clearly no longer enraged, ''now that's a twist I didn't see coming. What a woman!'' He approached Olivia, getting right in her personal space. ''Why is a beautiful young lady like you fighting? Not that I'm complaining.'' He chuckled, in a way that made the trio and waitress cringe.

''None of your business,'' Olivia snapped.

The mouse ignored her. ''Why were you pretending to be a boy, darling? Trying to hide your beauty and brawn from us, were you?''

''As a matter fact, I was,'' Olivia said firmly, backing away from the mouse.

The man laughed. ''I love the feisty ones, they're more fun!'' He grabbed hold of her wrist. ''Come with me and I will get you into something more ... appropriate.''

Most of the men chuckled excitedly.

Olivia looked at him in disgust. ''I'm not going anywhere with you, you pervert!''

Basil felt anger and disgust boiling over him. This was exactly what he had been afraid of happening. He knew Olivia could handle herself, but he also knew this mouse wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. And Basil was not about to let that happen. He stood up, bit the mouse's hand, much harder than Olivia did, and stood in front of her. ''She's with me, so back off!'' he ordered in his disguised voice.

''How did you get such a delicious-looking doll?'' the man said enviously, glaring at Basil. ''Trying to hide her from us under that get-up to keep her all to yourself, were you? Well, it's my turn to have her.''

If it was possible, Basil felt the anger and disgust rise even more. ''I said leave her alone!''

''Ah, shut up, punk!''

He attempted to punch Basil. With accurate timing, Basil ducked and then jumped in the air, spun around and kicked the huge mouse right in the face, so hard he was slammed against the wall, making a mouse-shape hole. The thug lifted himself up off the floor and tried to attack the detective again, but Basil and Olivia, as though they could sense each other's moves, simultaneously sent the mouse flying again.

''You go, you two!'' the waitress cheered, and gave Basil a wink to indicate she was on their side.

But the muscular mouse wasn't giving up just yet. He charged toward the couple for a third time, but they swiftly stepped to the side and the mouse ran forward into someone else, who started fighting him in retaliation. Within minutes, the whole pub was brawling.

The trio took cover under their table. ''Talk about déjà vu,'' Dawson whispered.

''Indeed, this is repetitive. Why is it every time we come here, we initiate a scrap?'' Basil sighed, holding Olivia, though not looking at her. Olivia suspected he was miffed for endangering herself.

''How are we going to get out of here?'' she asked.

Basil looked around and saw Mitchell leave out the backway. ''Let's follow our friend,'' he told his comrades. Carefully evading the scuffling, the trio made their way to the back exit. They saw Mitchell turn a corner and they continued to follow him. Every now and then, Mitchell would stop whenever he was too far ahead, in an attempt to let the trio catch up.

''He's doing it deliberately,'' Oliva said. ''He's leading us to the Viper.''

''Elementary, my dear Olivia,'' Basil said with a grin, ''and I have no complaints about it. Even if his boss isn't at his destination, we will no doubt find something useful.''

It wasn't a long journey after that. When they finally reached where Mitchell was leading them to, they stopped and stared.

''What is it, William?'' Olivia asked. ''What is this place?''

Basil and Dawson were staring at the faded-out name of the building. '' 'Rodent Opera House,' '' Dawson read out oud. ''I believe I do remember this place.''

''An opera house?'' Olivia repeated.

''It used to be really famous,'' Basil said, ''but in the early 1890s, its performances were starting to lost their touch, gradually declining in customers, until going bust and closed its doors. I never would've imagined the Viper using this place as a hideout, though,'' he added curiously.

Olivia stared at the name. So the Viper likes opera, huh? she thought, having never imagined such a thing from an infamous criminal mastermind. Then again, Ratigan was theatrical himself …

The trio entered the opera house and looked out carefully for any sign of Mitchell. ''Be very careful, you two,'' Basil whispered, as he displayed his usual cautious flips and whatnot, similar to what he did at the toy store. Dawson and Olivia couldn't help but chuckle at his eccentric approach.

As they were investigating the opera house, Butch Mitchell was hiding inside a dressing room, pulling his hood down, panting. They were now here, just as his boss had planned. The lackey put his hands in his pocket, feeling at the contents. All he had to do was get to the Viper's dressing room and do what he told Butch to do. How was he going to it, though, without Basil and his friends catching him? He then saw a record player and an old prop in the corner and that gave him an idea.

Basil, Dawson and Olivia were looking at old, worn-out posters on the wall of famous opera performers when all of a sudden, a loud piece of music made them all jump. ''Great Scott!'' Dawson gasped.

''It's Mitchell!'' Olivia exclaimed. ''He's trying to scare us, like Fidget did at the toy store.''

''Well, it's not going to work,'' Basil said indignantly. ''Let's go.''

The trio followed the sound of the music and found themselves entering the stage where the performances used to take place.

''Upon my word …'' Dawson murmured, staring out at the empty, dusty audience seats.

''I know, Doctor Dawson,'' Olivia said. ''Perhaps once this case is solved, we can find a way to reopen it. I'm sure there are people who would to see opera again.''

''Pauline loves music, so if that were to happen, I would bring her here.''

''Speaking of which,'' Basil said, looking around with narrowed eyes, ''the music has stopped.''

Basil looked over his shoulder and saw something that made him stare. ''Hello,'' he said with a grin. ''What do we have here?''

Olivia and Dawson also stared and trio walked over to inspect. It was a gold throne with a large black circle with the letter ''V'' in bright blue. ''Well, well,'' Basil said with a grin, running his hand over one of the armchairs. ''Fine gold. Real, not a prop. There's no doubt, our Viper friend has definitely been here.''

''The Viper did steal the Mortimer family's fortune,'' Dawson added, ''so that must be how he could afford to buy such gold.''

''Elementary, my dear Dawson.''

Olivia stared long and hard at the bright blue V and the light-blue background. Combining everything she knew about the Viper, from Basil and just now, a thought occurred to Olivia regarding the Viper's identity. It was very different from what Basil was thinking, and she felt somewhat guilty about disagreeing with him, but the more she thought about her sudden theory, the more sense it made to her. Now she understood why the Viper hadn't felt right to her after their encounter at the party ...

''Olivia? Livy?''

The young woman snapped out of her focused daze and saw Basil and Dawson looking at her in concern. ''Are you alright, my dear?'' Dawson asked, in the same grandfatherly tone he had used when she first met him nine years ago.

''I'm fine, doctor.''

Basil put an arm around her. ''It's … nothing,'' she began, even though she knew it was futile.

''It's not nothing, Livy. You were thinking about something, I can tell,'' Basil said in a stern tone. ''Whatever it is, we'll talk about it later,'' he added in a whisper. ''Mitchell is here somewhere, eavesdropping, and we can't take any chances of him reporting back to his master if we were on to him.''

Olivia nodded in understanding.

Before Basil could inspect the throne any further, the noise of a door creaking open could be heard. Immediately, the trio charged towards where they heard it and came across a hallway with a few dressing rooms. ''Search each one,'' he told Olivia and Dawson. ''Michell! Come on out, you fiend!'' Basil called, entering a room. He looked around carefully, but found nothing. The trio searched every corner in the building but found no trace of Butch.

Dawson walked past one dressing room door when he doubled back and stared at what the door said. He knew this would be the room where they would most likely find clues, but before he could call Basil over, another loud noise was heard and trio rushed back to the stage, where a large fish head prop dropped over Dawson. ''Confound it! Why do these things always happen to me?'' the doctor complained, wobbling about.

Basil and Olivia looked and saw Butch on the other side of the stage. He looked fearfully at Olivia for a moment, as if she was going to eat him, before looking at Basil with a grin. ''You fiend!'' Basil shouted, but before he or Olivia could move, Butch flicked the switch engulfing the total area in darkness. ''Mitchell, you scoundrel! Olivia, where are you? Dawson?''

''I'm here, Basil,'' said Dawson's voice, before grunting; he had obviously fallen over.

''Me too, William,'' said Olivia, as Basil also grunted. ''I'll switch the light back on!''

Olivia stretched her arms out in front of her as if she blind, carefully making her way to where Butch was standing just moments before. Reaching the wall, the young woman felt all over until she found the switch and flicked it back on, filling the place with light once more. Dawson was indeed lying face front on the floor, the fish head still on him, and Basil had tripped over him in the dark. ''Are you two alright?'' she asked, giggling sightly at the sight.

''We're fine, darling,'' Basil replied, getting to his feet. ''Come on, old fellow,'' he added, helping Dawson to his feet and removing the fish head.

''Oh my,'' Dawson said, pinching his nose. ''For a prop, it really does smell of fish!''

Basil sniffed and cringed.

''Where's Mitchell?'' Dawson then asked, looking around the room.

''He must've escaped,'' Olivia said.

''Dawson, stay here with Olivia!'' Basil ordered, and sprinted off the nearest stage exit. The detective saw the door they had entered was wide open and ran outside, but there was not a soul in sight, and the only noise that could be heard was the wind howling, and a dog bark. Growling, Basil closed the door and stomped back to the stage, looking grumpily at his two comrades.

''Basil?'' Dawson asked hesitantly.

Abruptly, Basil took off his cap and let out a muffled scream into it. ''He's gone again! I was so sure we would apprehend Mitchell this time! My detective skills are failing me! Nothing is going right for us! And, Olivia!'' he shouted suddenly, turning to focus on his love. ''Back at the tavern, you put yourself in danger! What did you think you were doing?! How do you think I would've felt if you had been inflicted with real bruises?!''

He drew in a breath.

Although Olivia had been expecting him to confront her about the muscular mouse at some point, she was stunned he was doing this now – but then, his emotions were running high in the heat of the moment. Nevertheless, she stood her ground. ''If I had been hurt, you would've been beside yourself and worried for my safety. And I love you for that. But, William, you should know by now that I'm not some delicate little flower that will wilt.''

Basil hesitated for a moment, but his stubborn side persisted, wanting to win the argument. ''I knew it was a bad idea to bring you there. That ruffian could've really hurt you! If anything had happened to you, I would not have been held responsible for my actions!''

''Did you really expect me to sit back and do nothing while our good friend Doctor Dawson here got hurt by that creep? He's not as young as he used to be, like my father!'' Olivia shouted, her voice cracking.

With these words, it was though Basil had been pieced through the heart with an ice shard. He knew Olivia cared deeply about her family and friends and would always stand up for them, no matter what. He had first glimpsed this nine years ago, when she had come to him for help. He could not fault her bravery.

The detective let out a weak sigh and allowed Olivia to hold him. ''You're right, Livy, I'm sorry. I just can't stand the thought you being put in danger like that.''

''I know,'' Olivia said softly, rubbing his back. ''And your detective skills are not failing you. We're all disappointed we couldn't catch Butch again, but there will be other opportunities. We just need to patient. Don't forget, we are dealing with a villain who is very sneaky and just as dangerous as Ratigan, so of course Butch would not dare let himself be captured so easily.''

Basil gave her small smile. ''I think I would need treatment if you weren't here.''

''There's no need for that. From the study I did at college, you're not bad enough for that, William. The emotional support of your loved ones is all you need. That includes Roger and Beatrice.''

Basil looked at her lovingly.

Dawson smiled at the exchange. He had never thought he would see a pair of grown-ups more in love than himself and Pauline, but he was wrong. Unfortunately, the moment of bliss couldn't last, as the doctor then remembered what he had seen earlier. ''Uh … Basil?''

''What is it, old chap?''

''I found something earlier … something that may give us some clues …''

''Lead the way, doctor.''

Dawson obeyed and began the trek back to the dressing room he had stumbled upon. Basil and Olivia stared at the dressing room door as though it was something unpleasant. There was a large sheet nailed to the door saying ''VIPER'S ROOM. ENTER BEFORE KNOCKING OR ELSE''. Nodding, the trio stepped into the Viper's dressing room.

It was dark and cold, as though they were in a cave, causing the trio to shiver and everything as beginning to gather dust. There was trunk in one corner, but when they inspected it, it was empty. Olivia pointed to Basil the large blue blanket with a flowery number covering what they suspected was the mirror. Basil, Dawson and Olivia pulled off the blanket in one fluid motion, but what they saw made them gawp: covering every inch of the mirror were tacked newspaper clippings of nothing but Basil, each one with a big cross drawn through the detective's face.

''William,'' Olivia said in a slow, trembly voice after a long silence, ''I think the Viper is even more obsessed with you than I thought.''

Basil swallowed and nodded. ''I always suspected so, but seeing this confirms it,'' he said, unable to think of anything else to say.

''Basil …'' Dawson said, pointing at the desk in front of the mirror, and what they saw made them gawp even more. There were three dolls propped against the bottom of the mirror, two covered in needles. One was wearing Basil's detective clothes and the other wearing the clothes Olivia wore nine years ago. The third doll, placed between the Basil and Olivia dolls, was a rat with black hair and wearing a white collar, grey vest, a pink and purple cravat, a black tuxedo suit, a black cape with a red underside, white gloves with gold cufflinks and a long, pink worm-like tail. It was Ratigan.

Olivia picked up the Ratigan doll. ''William, I think this confirms what we both suspected.''

''No doubt,'' Basil agreed darkly, glaring at the doll of the rat he so despised.

''So the Viper is looking to avenge Ratigan's death,'' Dawson said slowly. ''That's why he's after you as well, Olivia. But … why?'' the doctor added, looking puzzled. ''I thought there was no affiliation between them.''

''That's what I thought,'' Basil muttered, ''but evidently there was …''

''We don't need to go back to Ratigan's lair, do we?'' Olivia asked hesitantly.

''No,'' Basil replied immediately. ''It holds too many bad memories for all of us. I will only take us there as a last resort if we can't find any more clues.'' He picked up the dolls of himself and Oliva and pocketed them. ''Let's get back to Baker Street …''


I apologise about the long delay, it's been pretty mammoth these last few weeks, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter now that things are starting to get exciting.

After a few dramatic chapters, thought it was time for a bit of comedy. I feel bad about being mean to poor Dawson, but then again, he was always the butt of comical mishaps in the original film.

Basil and Olivia really are a powerhouse couple, aren't they?

Our trio have finally found a clue, though not one they were expecting. Now they know the Viper is avenging Ratigan, they will start investigating what their connection was.

As hinted in the last chapter, Olivia is thinking differently of the Viper than Basil, but what is her theory?

Time to answer your reviews:

duchessofbooks: Yes, the last chapter did have reminisces of the original film, such as some of Basil's dialogue and the Viper and Butch, as does our trio's return to the Rat Trap. Also, I can assure you the new staff do not work for the Viper.

Merry Christmas and see you soon!