Reviews: Chibi Hermione- Thanks for the review! Here, have a tissue. (Hands CH a tissue.)

Frankie2- Yes, there's more. How did you think it was MaryAnne Springer?

ZOEgirl Chic[k] - I know, it was wrong of me, wasn't it? Oh, well, who cares?

Nako-chan (from Yahoo! Instant Messenger) - Thanks. My friends all thought I was mean for killing Holmes, but everyone here (including you) have been pretty nice about it, so far.

A/N: Here's the alternate ending I promised you!

Alternate Ending to The Case of the Mad Slasher

After Holmes read the note that Billy handed him, he said, "I'm going out, Watson. I don't know when I'll be back."

"All right, Holmes," I said, "I'll stay here until Mr. Radcliff and Miss Springer arrive."

"Thank you, Watson," said Holmes, and then he put on his coat and hat and left the flat.

Five minutes after Holmes's departure, my curiosity got the better of me, and I proceeded to read the note.

(A/N: I'm not including the note here, since it's exactly the same as in ch.7.)

Oh dear, I thought, this doesn't look too well for Holmes. Being alone with the Mad Slasher?

Just then, Mr. Radcliff and Miss Springer entered the flat.

"Where's Mr. Holmes," asked Miss Springer.

"He left after he read this note," I said, and handed it to Mr. Radcliff.

They both read the note, and Mr. Radcliff said, "This does not look like it will turn out good for Holmes."

"I know. I was about ready to leave when you two arrived," I agreed, getting my coat and hat.

"Let's go and get him," said Miss Springer.

So that's what we did. When we got to room 333, I opened the door, and saw Sherlock Holmes undressed, gagged with a silky looking scarf, and tied to the bed with four other scarves of the same sort. Miss Harmony Bulstrode was also undressed, and lying on top of him. She was quite clearly in the process of raping Holmes.

Miss Springer took one look at the two of them, and fainted. Upon our arrival, Miss Bulstrode ceased her movements, sat up, and straddled Holmes. At seeing Miss Bulstrode's naked form, I started to turn around.

Mr. Radcliff grabbed me, and said, "Dr. Watson, this is no time for chivalry, Miss Bulstrode is the Mad Slasher, and we must do our professional duties."

If Holmes had been able to talk, I'm sure he'd have said the same thing. Miss Bulstrode looked rather scared to see us, I think.

"How did you find us," she asked, in a mixture of fury and surprise.

"We read the note you wrote to Holmes after he left," I said.

All this time, Holmes was struggling to free himself from the scarves. Needless to say, he wasn't having the best luck in the world, and remained bound to the bed. I noticed that Miss Springer was still unconscious, so I pulled out a small bottle of smelling salts, and waved it under her nose. Miss Springer sat suddenly, and I helped her to her feet.

"Was I just dreaming, or is Harmony Bulstrode the Mad Slasher," she asked.

"Miss Bulstrode's the Mad Slasher, it's true," said Mr. Radcliff.

"Oh," said Miss Springer in a small voice, seeing Miss Bulstrode straddling the bound and struggling figure of Holmes.

"Hello, MaryAnne," said Miss Bulstrode, with the air of a person commenting on the weather, "finally decided to join us?"

Miss Springer didn't say anything to that. She merely frowned at Miss Bulstrode.

"Aww is wittle MaryAnne jeawous," asked Miss Bulstrode in a babyish voice.

"No, Harmony. I'm not jealous," Miss Springer calmly replied.

"This should do the trick," said Miss Bulstrode with a mischievous smile, and then she removed the scarf that was around Holmes's mouth.

Then, she pressed her lips against his, and kissed him. Holmes gave Miss Bulstrode a look of utter contempt. Miss Springer did the same. Although I felt somewhat relieved that Miss Bulstrode hadn't killed Holmes yet, she quite unnerved me with her erratic behavior.

"I'll go get more police," said Mr. Radcliff, and he left the room.

"Harmony, I never knew you were so sadistic," said Miss Springer in displeasure.

"Oh, be more reasonable, MaryAnne," replied Miss Bulstrode, as she replaced the scarf around Holmes's mouth, "it's not as if you don't have a sadistic streak as well. You know you've been lusting after Mr. Holmes."

Miss Springer looked horrified.

"I have not," she exclaimed.

"Don't listen to her," said Miss Bulstrode, "she likes to pretend she's all sweet and innocent. But, really, she's just like me."

"I'm nothing like you, Harmony," spat Miss Springer.

I could see Holmes under Miss Bulstrode, still trying to free himself. I hoped that Mr. Radcliff would return with the police soon, for I was at a loss as to what to do. Miss Springer was right, I decided, Miss Harmony Bulstrode was a bit sadistic. Raping a man she's about to murder? It makes no sense. I also wondered if any of Miss Bulstrode's accusations about Miss Springer were true.

"Harmony, Mr. Radcliff's coming with back up. Shouldn't you maybe get dressed now," asked Miss Springer, hesitantly.

"I suppose so," replied Miss Bulstrode, with a sigh. "Dr. Watson, Mr. Holmes, don't look," she added.

Holmes closed his eyes, so I did the same.

A few minutes later, I heard, "All right, you can look now."

I did so, as did Holmes.

"What about Holmes," I asked.

"He can wait until Mr. Radcliff gets here with back up," said Miss Bulstrode, carelessly.

Miss Springer and I looked at each other in mild confusion. I decided to free Holmes myself, so I marched over to the bed, Miss Springer, after a few seconds' hesitation, followed me.

"Untie his hands," I told her, while I set about untying his feet. After we finished, Holmes sat up, and removed the scarf from his mouth.

"Would Miss Springer and Miss Bulstrode kindly turn around," he asked.

They did so, and Holmes got dressed.

A few minutes later, Miss Springer asked, "Can we turn around now?"

"Yes," Holmes and I said together.

Then, Mr. Radcliff showed up with more police. Miss Bulstrode saw them, and jumped out of the open window, landed on a settee on the 2nd floor balcony, and ran through the room. The eight of us chased after her, but when we got to the ground floor, she was gone.

"Well, at least we know who the Mad Slasher is now," said Mr. Radcliff and Miss Springer.

And, so ends The Case of the Mad Slasher. Miss Harmony Bulstrode was never caught. She kind of disappeared after her botched murder.

A/N: So, do you like this better than the original ending? There's going to be a sequel called A Case of Paternity. Please review!