Enola Holmes- The Fox In The Henhouse

Chapter 21

Sherlock frantically scribbled down a message, detailing Lord Nigh's address and his supposed involvement with Enola, before signing and addressing it. He had written it so fast the writing barely resembled English, but it would be enough for Lestrade to understand. He folded it in half and dashed out of the room, going down the stairs two steps at a time; closely trailed by Watson.

As he stepped outside he scanned the streets, before calling over a young, working-class boy.

'Do you know where the nearest Police Station is?' The boy nodded, and Sherlock thrust the note into his hands' 'Lestrade will reward you upon delivery.' The boy nodded again, before sprinting off.

Sherlock hailed a cab, and gave the driver the Nigh's address along with a large tip to persuade him to ignore certain road laws. 'You know, one of these days Lestrade will stop paying these rewards you promise people.' Watson muttered as he hopped into the cab behind Sherlock.

The cab sped off, and Sherlock took this opportunity to explain what was happening to the confused Watson, who was currently grabbing onto the door of the cab for dear life as it sped around a corner at a dangerous speed.

'The article was written on the same paper that Mycroft uses to write to Enola from the Battersea club. She recognised this, used the petitions to get a list of names, addresses and signatures and compared the handwriting to deduce Lord Michael Nigh wrote the articles.'

'You suspect he kidnapped Enola?'

'I'm not sure, but I do suspect Enola was investigating him when she disappeared. He must be linked. If Nigh isn't holding her, he'll know who is.'

The cab slowed to a halt, and the detective jumped out. It just now dawned on him that perhaps he should have planned a disguise of some sort before coming to the house, for if Nigh is linked to the case then seeing Sherlock storm down the driveway would immediately alert him.

But, since a stealthy approach has been ruled out...

Sherlock lifted his cane, and smashed it down unto the stained glass in the grand front door. He reached his hand through and unlocked it, pushing it open and immediately punching the first guard he saw.

'YE GODS, SHERLOCK' Watson exclaimed behind him.

'WHERE IS ENOLA?' Sherlock shouted, grabbing the guard by his shirt. He didn't say anything, but glanced upwards. Sherlock dropped him, and ran through the corridor and up the stairs. As he winded round, he saw a man sitting on a chair, guarding a door. It didn't take much other than the threat of a punch from the man to stumble away, handing him the keys.

He sprinted up the small winding wooden staircase, until he reached a door that must be to the attic.

'ENOLA?' Sherlock fumbled with the keys, struggling to get the right one in, before swinging the door open.

His heart sank, as he didn't see Enola. Instead another prisoner, a tall pale boy.

'You're- You're Sherlock H-Holmes!' He utters. Sherlock looks around the attic, but there is no trace of Enola anywhere.

'Do you know where Enola is?' Sherlock's voice was growing desperate. Watson finally reached the top of the stairs, out of breath.

'She's been taken- under the Battersea Club.' The boy responded. 'My father- Enola said he was going to use a time bomb to destroy the club.'

This answer raised so many questions, but none that Sherlock had time to ask. Sherlock stared at the boy, noticing the bandage on his head had the same sloppy knot Enola always used.

Sherlock frantically paced. If a time-bomb was being used, that made the situation both more and less complicated. While it may mean he has more time to get to Enola before it detonates, there is no telling when it will. Also, Sherlock's only experience with this type of explosive was in reading of the failed assassination attempt on the Tsar's family.

Sherlock's thoughts were halted, as he jumped at the sound of the grandfather clock ringing throughout the house, letting the residents know it's 9am.

'Watson, stay here until the police come; tell them to go to the tunnels under Battersea.' Watson nodded, and Sherlock ran back down the stairs, outside and into the cab again. After paying the driver another hefty fee, they sped off towards Battersea.