I am just about biting my nails right now. Smith is such a slippery little eel... I hope poor Watson gets a nice, dry armchair somewhere stationary when this is done.

My heart is racing right now! This is really getting intense. Be careful, Holmes and Watson!

I am beyong relieved that it's my lunch hour so I had time to dedicate to this chapter.

Lucky for the boys the hired thugs cave easily. Just above H&W's staterooms - would that be irony or ridiculous coincidence? Either way, I hope for the sake of the patients that Holmes or someone retained the antidote notebooks.

Maybe Watson can be seasick all over Smith? There'd be some poetic justice in that. ;) Bt I hope they'll be careful. crnered men are dangerous, and Smith was dangerous enough without that.

Oh, terribly not nice to leave we poor readers like that, terribly horribly frightfully not nice! But, I'm not being impatient...no, no.I shall remain calm throughout, oh yes.

I simlpy love Lachlans phrase, "copper-bottomed", I fear I giggle every time he says it. It's so very much them! lol

"Ready?"

"Always."

Oh, and that line just gave me chills! It practically sums up Holmes and Watson's entire partnership. Always ready...love it dearly.

But why the heck did they leave Lachlan up there? That was extrememy silly, & I only hope they don't come to seriously regret it! This whole thing looks like a set up to me...

Ok...

Patience-is-wearing-frightful-thin-how-about-next- chapter-today-please-please?

Ah, and now we come to the climax of the story! I just hope Holmes hasn't chucked the cures over with the diseases.

Well-written, well-plotted...nicely done, just as always. :D

From the moment I read the STAR TREK quote, I knew I was going to like this chapter. It did not disappoint!

I've never almost-drowned in frigid seawater but I imagine it is just as, if not more so, unpleasant as you describe. Kudos to Watson to holding it together as well as he did. And to Lachlan, for being so darn efficient and caring simultaneously.

I don't know that I like the captain per se but I do feel a sort of sneaking pity for him. There's been plenty of shenanigans on his ship that he's not been privy to, and he doesn't seem the man to allow shenanigans of any kind on any ship of his.

Great chapter! Poor Watson...nearly drowned! I can't wait for 28! ;)

Poor Watson - and it doesn't seem like they'll be able to rest anytime soon, either.

I'm not sure what to make of the captain. He seems decent enough (at least he isn't influenced by the Lansing line) but somehow I don't think he'll be terribly helpful.

Well I'm glad Holmes and Watson don't seem to have hypothermia after being in that cold water. I don't think they're going to have an easy time getting information out of those thugs.

How come you don't allow anonymous reviews?

Well, what the heck is he all in a huff about? They'll all get off his ship...the cheek of the man! I never have liked captains..now I know why!

And I tell ya, y'all had ME shivering with all that talk of cold air & frigid water! It's nice and warm here in my office and I was practically trembling! lol

And I just LOVED the whole introduction part with the captain...every time anyone like that has a foreknowledge of Holmes and his work they get this flash of awe and I just love it to pieces. I was grinning widely with pride! (I'm pathetic, I know:)

Oh, and I've decided that Lachlan must give him all his seaman jazz and join forces with the boys of Baker Street. Those three make the greatest team ever!

Do hurry with more please!

P.S. Love the Star Trek quote, btw! LOL

LoL! Now that's a Captain all right!

Give me a heart attack, why don't you? Poor Watson - first the razor and now this? And Holmes too! I don't think either of them could deal with another attack by Smith.

I understand how Watson feels. I can swim, but I flip out if I can't feel the bottom. It's such a scary thing.

Absolutely thrilling! You had me going there with that drowning scene. I seriously thought, is he, isn't he?

And that last line - sheer poetry...

Already read it... Loved this chapter!