''So that's what happened …'' Helen said after Basil had finished his story.

''Even though you were now the arrogant jerk I first met, you would be overcome with anger if the case was related to harming a child,'' Olivia said. ''It's understandable, after what happened to Beatrice.''

''Yes,'' Basil said. ''I foiled the Viper's scheme mainly for her, but at the same time it would be unprofessional of me not to stop an insidious crime being committed, even if it wasn't the fiend I was specifically hunting.''

''What I don't understand,'' Helen said, ''is why was that rope there in the first place? It made it way too easy for you to infiltrate.''

''It turned out Smithy had left it there and forgot.''

''How could he be that stupid?''

''He wasn't stupid at all, Helen, just rather forgetful. Fidget was the same to an extent.''

''And of course you would brush off a child thanking you,'' Olivia giggled. ''I should know that.''

Basil looked ashamed. ''I still feel bad about that, Livy.''

''I know, William, and I'm proud of you for saving those orphans, even if your motives were somewhat selfish.'' She kissed his nose. ''By the way, great idea of tricking Smithy like that, I wish had been there to see it. The confused look on his face must've been priceless.''

''Oh, it was, darling, it was. Of course, our feud didn't last long since the Viper retired the following year. You can imagine the frustration I felt when I heard that, but I still had Ratigan to apprehend so he resumed his role as the primary focus of my work.''

''And now the Viper is the sole focus since he has resurrected and Ratigan is dead.''

''Indeed,'' Basil and Olivia said, uncomfortably, looking at each other, figuring it was best not to yet tell Helen what they secretly feared regarding Ratigan.


Hours later, evening had occurred. In Ratigan's old lair, it continued to be unusually quiet, as if it had become a ghost town once again. Spike and Cliff were asleep on the ground from drinking too much wine. The elderly hooded figure was in one of the barrels doing some tidying up. And the Viper was having a nap after a hard day's work on their plan. Only Butch and Fidget were in the large barrel, having some sip of wine themselves, though not the extent as the twins.

''Well, Fidget,'' said Butch, ''this wine is just as good as ever. It really is the same one Ratigan used to drink, isn't it?''

''That's right.''

''And now the Viper is using it. The again, that elderly henchman said the Viper always liked wine.'' He sipped for a moment as he thought about something. ''Hey, once the boss's plan is complete, do you think we'll get some big reward for doing such a good job?''

''Who knows?'' Fidget shrugged, and his face fell. ''I'll be very surprised if we do, though. Ratigan never did anything of the sort. No matter what we did, no matter how hard me and the rest of his gang all worked, Ratigan never gave us treats for our efforts. If we succeeded in our tasks, all he did was smile and say his plan was going the way he had hoped. He only ever thought about himself and his schemes, never about us. If we messed up, he would yell and then ring his bell to –''

''Summon his cat,'' Butch finished, putting his now empty glass down. ''I know what the cat then did. She was called Felicia, wasn't she?''

Fidget cringed. ''Yes.''

Butch tilted his head. ''You don't like the name Felicia? I noticed you react like that before when that name was mentioned.''

''It's not that I hate the name, it's just that … my eldest sister was called Felicia and, uh, let's just say we didn't see eye to eye. That's partly why Ratigan's kitty always made me shiver.''

Butch was stunned. He had never heard Fidget talk about his past before. ''Your eldest sister?''

''You see, I was the fifth of seven children.''

''Seven children? And I thought Queen Mousetoria was the only one to brood a large number of offspring.''

''Bats often have large colonies, Butch. There was Fredrick, Felicia, Francine, Felix, me and the twins, Freckles and Fluffy.''

''Freckles and Fluffy?'' Butch repeated, chortling. ''Where did your parents get those names from?''

''Freckles had them all over his face and Fluffy because she was born with lots of fluff. She was so cute. If you're wondering, they called me Fidget because I wouldn't stop moving. They meant it in an affectionate way, I think.''

''Oh. So, how did you end up working for Ratigan anyway, Fidget?'' Butch asked curiously, having always wanted to know.

The bat hesitated. ''It was four years before his death. Long story short, when I was sixteen my folks kicked me out after I accidentally put the twins in danger (which resulted in my crippled wing), I stumbled upon Ratigan's lair through the Rat Trap's secret door, and the professor offered me room and board in exchange for me becoming his right-hand bat. The rest is history.''

''Ah.''

''I had always admired Ratigan and the Viper because I believed they were just misunderstood. When Ratigan first made me part of his gang, I enjoyed it and it was fun, but as time went by and I endured Ratigan's temper, I was beginning to think: 'Was this such a good idea?' But Ratigan would then use his charm to coax me into doing another job for him and the excitement over the task would make me forget my reservations.''

''What about now?''

''Same as always,'' the bat shrugged, but then looked around in desperation for something onto which he could deflect the conversation. Finally, he spotted something on the bookshelves tucked in one corner. ''Hey, look at those books, Butch! I had seen them before but never had the chance to check them out. Let's have a look while the boss is napping!''

The two henchmen stumbled over to the bookshelves. On the shelfs were what appeared to be journals, all dated by year. ''Journals?'' Butch asked, picking one up. ''What do you suppose is written in them?''

''I assume it's about the schemes being committed.''

''Ah, so you do have a brain after all, Fidget.''

Butch and Fidget froze on the spot at the sound of the deep, hissy, snake-like voice. They turned around slowly and found themselves face-to-face with the Viper, who was holding a small white blanket big enough for a new-born baby in one hand.

''So,'' the villain said, inhaling sharply, ''having a good nosy, are we, boys?''

''N-n-n-no, b-b-boss,'' Butch stammered.

The Viper took painfully slow, graceful steps. With each step they took, it was a though an earthquake was happening. By the time their boss had reached them, Butch and Fidget were cowering.

''Boss, we didn't ready any of them, I swear!'' Butch pleaded.

The Viper inhaled once more. ''Very well,'' he said cheerfully. ''As long as you didn't look inside them, that's all that matters to me.''

''Really?'' Butch asked, dumbfounded.

The Viper giggled and walked over to the shelves. ''These journals belonged to the professor, he always wrote down in them while plotting his schemes, or just to rant about his nosy, interfering nephew and brother. In fact, I've written a few things myself,'' the Viper added, picking up the journal that was dated 1897. ''It sure does feel good. So, as you can see, these books are very important to me. No-one may read them but me, unless you have my permission, which you don't. If I catch you reading them, I will unfortunately have to … release you. Understand, boys?''

''Yes, boss,'' Fidget and Butch said simultaneously.

''I'm glad you comprehend,'' the Viper said calmly, pinching their cheeks and ignoring he left arm's pain. The criminal looked down at the blanket. ''The plan is almost complete, my dear,'' they said, as if someone invisible was wrapped in it.

''I'm glad to hear that,'' Fidget said, doing his best to sound upbeat.

The Viper giggled again and walked over to another shelf where two voodoo dolls of Basil and Oliva sat up covered in needles, along with the life-sized versions of the deerstalker cap, blue hat, magnifying glass and red bow at either side. On the far end of the shelf was small blackish-blue bottle.

''You know, sir,'' Butch said in a tone of admiration, ''after you told me to take those dolls of Basil, Olivia and Ratigan to the opera house, I thought you wouldn't have any more, but you managed to whip some up in about ten seconds flat.''

''I've had years of practice,'' the Viper said in boastful tone. He picked up the small bottle. ''There are only two more things left to do now. I have already planted the seed for a certain someone. I should be getting the call tomorrow. Once the deal is done, my Claudius plan will take shape. Oh, Padraic will be so proud. You do know what happened in Hamlet?''

''I have read it,'' Butch said, ''but here's what I've never understood: if Ratigan enjoyed playing Claudius so much, why didn't he just replicate what he did? Surely he could've pulled it off?''

''It's funny you should say that. Padraic actually did consider it, but he wanted to go all big and dramatic. That's the difference between us. I always use more subtle approaches before I act. After all, snakes are good at slithering up on people.''

''I guess that's true …'' Fidget murmured.

''And as you said before, Basil and friends won't have time to deduce your plan and foil it as you-know-who will be keeping them distracted.''

The Viper chuckled in agreement and cleared their throat. '' 'The memory be green. With an auspicious and a dropping eye, with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, in equal scale weighing delight and dole.' ''

Butch and Fidget clapped, even though the latter didn't want to. ''Excellent as always, boss.''

''Thank you, thank you,'' the Viper bowed, as if he was on stage. ''Padraic did say I would make a magnificent Claudius, but I refuse to accept it. I have perfected my acting skills to the extent I can conceal my true emotions, not even that idiot Basil cannot detect it, but the professor was the superior actor.'' The Viper coughed. ''Now, Fidget, I believe it's time for you to venture out on your usual job?''


At Wigmore Street, Clara stared out of other window, feeling very mixed emotions. Pauline had dropped by not long ago and broke to her the news about Gideon's untimely death.

''Clara, tesoro?'' Alonzo pulled his wife close to him.

''I don't know what to think, Alonzo. Gideon was a monster but I never wanted him dead. I admit I did wish it a few times, but I'm still shocked all the same. I mean, I hated him, but he was still –''

''Martha's birth father,'' Alonzo said stiffly. ''That means something.''

''Of course. But you always have been, and always will be, Martha's father, darling, now more than ever.'' Clara sighed shakily. ''How am I going to tell her?''

''We can tell her together, tesoro,'' Alonzo said, stroking her hair. ''Our little girl is very bright, she will understand, more than you estimate.''

Clara smiled. ''That's true.''


Helen had gone home for the day since her mother had called that Peter had dropped by for a visit (and Helen scarpered in a flash, her face as red as a tomato). Mrs Judson had also finished telling Dawson and Pauline about Gideon.

''Well, Pauline was shocked to say the least,'' said the housekeeper. ''She has informed Clara. The poor dear. And don't worry, Pauline assured me she and the baby are both fine.''

After everything was settled, Basil and Olivia went upstairs in their room and stood face-to-face, the curtains drawn closed, for they could not risk the spy eavesdropping the reporting back to their boss. Basil was frustrated that the Viper had outwitted him once again. The initial chance they had had to unmask that monster was now futile. Thus, the couple were finally ready to discuss Olivia's idea, which Basil suspected was the nagging notion that had recently entered his head.

''Now, Livy,'' Basil said, ''let's start with the basics. Tell me about your theory. But act as if this is first time your theory has reached me, that'll help me ponder it better.''

Oliva giggled at Basil's unorthodox method. ''Very well.'' She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. ''You're going to think it's mad, William, but to me it makes sense.''

Basil chuckled and kissed her cheek. ''No matter how mad you think it is,'' he said softly, pressing their foreheads together, ''I trust your gut instinct, and you should too, as I told you once before. So come on, who do you think he is?''

Olivia gave him a sly smile. ''That's exactly the whole point of my theory,'' she said.

Basil smiled in return and encouraged her to explain her theory in full detail and the reasons for it. Basil listend immensely the whole time. Olivia showed him her list evidence to support her theory, at which Basil could not be more proud. When she was done, the detective was silent for a moment, before he turned away from his future wife.

While it had occurred to him, actually hearing it out loud, it was as if he was fully realising it for the first time – and the implications.

''It would mean … all this time … William Michael Basil, you idiot!'' he shouted at himself, smacking his cheeks repeatedly. ''All those years, how could I never have thought of it?! You brainless, stupid –''

''That's enough, William,'' Olivia interrupted in a tone of authority, grabbing Basil's hands and pulling them away from his cheeks. ''You are not an idiot, or stupid, or brainless. You are the greatest detective ever. The Viper was simply extremely clever at keeping their true identity a secret – more than we give them credit for. After all, as you keep saying, the Viper is very crafty, and it was obvious what that villain wanted everyone, including you, to believe, and it worked.''

Basil nodded, ashamed he hadn't realised it sooner. Despite that, he felt his respect for the Viper's intelligence rise. He paced around the bedroom, resuming his deep thoughts. There's no doubt in my mind Oliva is right, he thought. I will dismiss what I thought of earlier. But a few facts just don't add up. At the party Olivia swore she saw the Viper hiding a tail inside the cloak after our fight, but the Viper has definitely always been tailless, and Dawson said that … Unless … of course! I knew it! But there is no way he can be … just who is he really?''

''William?''

Basil stopped pacing and grinned at Olivia. ''I'm starting to put it together now. We're nearly there, Livy.''

Olivia said she was glad to hear that. They would have to work on how they could expose the Viper without raising suspicions. Basil stopped Olivia talking when she said that.

''Livy, could you please repeat that last part? The last sentence.''

Olivia obliged. ''William?'' she asked, seeing Basil's mouth open wide, his face like ice cream, looking as if he had seen a ghost. ''William, what's wrong?''

Without warning, Basil resumed smacking his cheeks. ''I was right! How could I have been so blind?! The evidence was right in there in front of me all along!''

''What is it?'' Olivia exclaimed, removing Basil's face from his cheeks once more. ''Is my theory wrong after all?''

Basil placed his hands on Olivia's shoulders, shook his head and told her.

''Great Scott!'' Olivia said in a faint voice, clapping a hand over her forehead.

''I know, this is heavy.''

Basil took her hand led her downstairs to the parlour. Basil walked over to the fireplace and picked up the Viper doll from the mantle, removed the hood and stared at the headless doll. The detective thought long and hard about it. He was 100% certain they had the Viper. Yes, there a few gaping holes in the theory, but that's why Basil and his team had to start investigating tomorrow and obtain cold hard proof within the next few days, for if what he was thinking was correct, they didn't have much time. After all, it made perfect sense.


Two chapters at once! I'm on a roll! Not really. Chuckles. I original had this as part of the last chapter, but it was dragging out the chapter longer than necessary, hence why this chapter is much shorter, but very important.

As I said last chapter, the turning point has now commenced!

It appears our detective has finally cracked the Viper's true identity, but who is it? And how will Basil go about proving it? If you're wondering what exactly Basil and Olivia said to each other, don't worry, a future chapter will depict the whole conversation in a flashback.

And just what is the Viper up to? What do Hamlet and Claudius have to do with it?

Yay, a Back to the Future reference at long last! Specifically, the reference is a funny moment in Part III when Marty and Doc reverse their catchphrases. I had been longing to add a BTTF reference but found it tricky, due to the fact that GMD is set in the Victorian period while BTTF takes place in more modern times. I'll try add some more.

I felt it was relevant to insert Clara and Alonzo and their reactions to Gideon's death because of Martha.

More information about Fidget's past has come to light. Doing the maths on his age it puts him at 20 in the film. I don't know if that's accurate, but I always viewed Fidget as being in his early twenties with child-like tendencies. He was certainly a young adult, to say the least. It also seems that Fidget is starting to have reservations about his loyalties. What will come of this?

Time to answer some reviews:

MillenniumPrincess: I meant to say before, I'm glad you liked my idea of Basil and Ratigan being uncle and nephew. I thought it would be an interesting take on their enmity and I was partly inspired by Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull in Matilda. As you said, it adds more depth to the birth of their rivalry, and it's tragic that Ratigan turned his back on his own family, and that the uncle and father-figure Basil had looked up to became his arch-enemy.

Fidget fans, you will be pleased to know that our favourite peg-legged bat will take centre stage next chapter.

See you soon!