"I hear them," Sherlock said instantly, his brow furrowed and his mind racing. "Damn. Thought they'd finally left me alone--"

He picked up his speed, half dragging Howard with him, as his infinitely quick mind ran over every possible method of escape. There had been something that kept them away. He had thought that it was the fact that there were two of them, but--

"Ah!" He said suddenly, his eyes snapping open. "Of course, how utterly ridiculous, fits right in with the theme--"