The Illustrious Carrot

A Great Mouse Detective Pastiche

by Holmesian

Chapter IV: A Pair of Surprises

Basil had stepped off the cab long before Caesar and I arrived at the train station. We had both settled uneasily in our compartment, our minds both nervously set on the arrival of my friend, when we heard a whistle and the cry of "All aboard!".

I could not stand it. Climbing up to the window, I leaned my head out slowly, looking for him. The chugging noise famous for accompanying trains filled my ears. And as I heard Caesar begin to say something, the train began to move.

Still no Basil.

Often I thought I saw his gaunt figure hurrying toward the train. However, even if he was, the smoke was choking me and filling my eyes. It crossed my mind that he may have gotten on somehow, and was in disguise, but I quickly dismissed the idea. He simply could not have gotten past us.

Just as I was thinking of that, a long hand laid itself on my wrist. Startled, I shook my arm. When I suddenly realised that Basil himself was dangling outside of the train. I had been too immersed in my thoughts to notice anything.

Just as I began to grasp the situation, Basil cried, "What's wrong, mouse! Pull me up!"

Caesar’s attention had apparently been caught, and he stepped up, saying, "What is that, Dawson? Good land! Basil!"

"Help me, Caesar!" I ejaculated. When we put our shoulders into it, we had my companion safety inside, resting on the moving floor of the speeding train.

"I was attacked!" he gasped, at length. Both I and Caesar were shocked.

"Again?" I managed.

Basil responded with a nod. "And by a man with the same height, same strength, and," he continued, lowing his voice to a shrill whisper, "same gloves!"

I stared. "Did you get to the opium dens?"

"No," and Basil shook his head gravely. "I spent that entire time wrestling with him." He looked up at me, revealing his entire bruised face. "I believe he may still be eyeing the train as we speak."

"My word!- there's no one there, Basil, so relax."

Basil leapt to his feet, nearly knocking over Caesar. "Relax? Are you mad?! He could have jumped on the train without anyone seeing him. He could be stalking us as we speak!" He paused, breathing heavily. "I purposely packed no baggage. I will not be in Sussex long. I must find out the blackmailer- and assailant."

The trip continued grimly. I explored the vehicle as Basil smoked a cigarette in our compartment. Caesar tagged along with me, his facial expression showing his dark feelings on the matter.

Eventually, we had seen our entire section of the train, and finally decided we would view the section before us. As I looked at the complex connection connecting us to the conductor's section, I noticed something which I pointed out to Caesar. One of the screws was loosening. We decided to inform an attendant, but as I turned, Caesar put a hand on my shoulder. I turned around, to see his frightened expression and pointed finger. The entire chain was dangling off the works, and releasing the rest of the systems. We could feel our section slowing down and loosing control. If the problem was not set right quickly, we would loose connection to the rest of the train and be left sitting on the track with all the sections connected behind us. We had no time to fetch an attendant, or even Basil.

I decided I would have to go down and put it all together. Stepping slowly outside, I proceeded the same way towards the dangling chain. As I reached slowly for it, I felt myself leaning forward and nearly lost my balance. I chanced to look at Caesar, who had a horrified look. Finding no encouragement there, I turned and, crouching, snatched the chain from the track. My eyes were clenched with fear the entire time, and as I slowly opened them I found myself dumbfounded that I was holding it.

I stood for some time catching my breath, swaying somewhat to the movement of the train, before I hastily tied the chain within all the others works crudely, like a rope. Apparently, it worked, because I felt the compartment area gain control. Caesar also heaved a sigh of relief, and extended his hand to help me back onto solid ground, as it were.

After a moment of realising what had just happened, we understood this was the work of the blackmailer, and that we needed to report to Basil.

We found him gone.

He had vanished, right from his compartment. Even his cigarette was gone. The floor itself had been clean, the entire area combed, as if no one had been using it- or had collapsed on it.

Except for a used Indian cigar.

End Chapter IV

Chapter Five: Basil's Fate

It was like a supernatural, horrific work of fiction.

Caesar collapsed upon my shoulder, and I shook him madly, trying to revive him. But I
was too distracted on Basil's disappearance to be careful, and I had begun choking him
before he could ejaculate a complaint.

Finally, I managed to sit down.

"It's Ratigan!" whispered Caesar. "He tried getting us off by sabotaging the chain, then
stole Basil!"

After years of studying the criminal mind with my friend, I disagreed with Caesar’s theory and suggested:

"Perhaps the sabotage was just a lure to keep us busy while they took Basil."

After a fixed staring spell at me, Caesar nodded slowly. "Perhaps you are correct. Could
you capture Ratigan by yourself?"

I shook my head. "Proceeding is pointless. I have no recommendations for the situation,
and I am lost without my master. I was his Boswell, and without him I am worthless. Like he was when Holmes retired. All I can do is turn around and return to London. What you do is your choice."

Caesar shivered, and I used what little medical skill I could on him until we got to the
Sussex station. Then, sadly, I took the next train for London, and stared back at Caesar
for the rest of the trip. My life would never remain the same again.

So was my belief.

I decided to inform Mrs. Judson of the news. So, I trudged towards Baker Street and
knocked upon that door, which I had first knocked upon so long ago, a kind-hearted
Scottish girl beside me. The door from which I was constantly knocking to see my old
friend. To embark on yet another adventure. I wondered if I would ever see him again.
So immersed in my memories, I was. In fact, I was aroused from the spell by Mrs. Judson, shaking me at the door.

"Dr. Dawson! Mr. Basil just stepped in," she was saying, the ring of her accent making the statement sound more beautiful.

"What!" I cried, and, without thinking, rushed up the stairs to our sitting room. I heard Mrs. Judson waddling up behind me. When I managed to stick my head in the room excitedly, I was suddenly disappointed- and outraged- that he wasn't there. I spun around on our mousekeeper.

"Mrs. Judson, I don't know how anyone could find that amusing," I snarled. She looked confused.

"But, Dr. Dawson, he is here!" she insisted.

"Well, where?" I demanded.

"Right here," she replied in a protesting manner.

I was in a frenzy of anger with her. "Mrs. Judson," I began loudly, and now I could hear other lodgers complaining, but Mrs. Judson interrupted me by saying,

"'Es right in front of you, Doctor." Then she smiled.

I suddenly realised what was going on. "Basil, is that...you?"

She began to laugh, and the laugh merged into the voice of my friend. He tore off his dress, cap, stuffing and spectacles.

"My dear Dawson, how good to see you!" he burst, between laughter. I was too shocked to laugh.

"Basil, what...where were you? And," I added, suddenly remembering something, "where is Vole?"

"Mrs. Judson is on an errand from one of our fellow lodgers, and Vole is on a false scent of revenge," chuckled Basil, now in his Inverness. "But as for everything else, well, it will be explained."

"But Basil," I complained, but he waved his hand. "Now, where is Caesar?"

"I don't see how..."

"Dawson! Where is Caesar?"

"Well, back in Sussex, if it matters."

"Sussex?!" he cried. "His life is in danger, Dawson! Quickly! We haven't much time to save his life!"

End Chapter V

Chapter Six: The Next Vicious Clue

Without explanation, Basil seized my shoulder and yanked me roughly through the door. I remember bruising myself against the frame, but before I could protest to Basil, I was being pulled down the stairs, socking my forehead on the floor as we finished the stairway. I felt Basil kick me in the face, but he had already hurried outside, so I pulled myself up reluctantly and hurried outside. Basil was preparing to hop on a passing cab, and turned to me angrily with:

"Why didn't you come sooner, Dawson?"

"I've been abused," I began angrily, but the noise of wheels on the cobblestones betrayed the presence of carriage headed towards us.

"Ah, not now, Dawson," cried Basil, and he grasped his knees, ready to jump. I sighed, and walked up next to him. After we had leapt on, I demanded explanation for his treatment.

"Sorry about that, old mouse," replied Basil, brushing the topic aside, "but, why did you leave Caesar there?"

"I had nothing else to do," said I, rather hotly.

"What?!" Basil shouted, thrusting his head towards mine. "Dawson, you..." and he went into that manner he had when I had lost Olivia during our first case together. Fortunately, he cooled sooner than he had then, and reluctantly threw himself into a corner.

Eventually, we got to the station, and Basil wasted no time in racing towards the scheduled departures. He then cursed in anger.

"We must take the train that will go as far south as possible, and then walk to Sussex!" he yelled, outraged. Stomping aboard, I could tell I shouldn't ask him of anything, and didn't. He did not speak except to himself, cursing, until we got to the countryside. In a long, silent hike, in which Basil was set with anger. I could not tell what was wrong.

Finally, we got to the nameless village where Caesar had headed towards on our arrival. It was small, and slightly off the brink of one of the human villages. It had been built merely as a home for those who had money, but no-where to live, and for visitors to stay. The folks were kindly, but Basil was in a strict mood.

Strangely, no-one knew anything about him. Basil could not find any information, which greatly irritated him. He marched through the town and stepped out the other town, and headed towards a river.

I still didn't dare to ask questions, but when I noticed a small carrot on the ground, I thought I had found a sufficient reason. It was covered with glitter and was in a patch where it was easy to spot.

"Basil," I began, then winced, believing he would shout. But instead, he answered softly:

"I know you would not disturb me for an insignificant matter. What is it?"

When I pointed it out slowly, he tensed and dropped to his knee, beside the carrot. Sniffing it, he raised his eyebrows and ejaculated: "This is a death-sign, Dawson! We must find Caesar, now!"

He bounded to his feet and ran towards the river. I could barely catch up, but I hurried up closely when he stopped on the banks and pointed.

"There, Dawson. We are too late."

There was the sinking body of Reginald Caesar. The river was huge, and we could but look down at it sink until it was barely visible under the thickness.

Basil then gave a grim comment, apparently declaring his theory on the matter. He said, "Drowned like a rat."

And then, we saw it: something dark floating slowly on the surface. I had to strain to see, but Basil could instantly. It was an Indian cigar.