All that remains to finish this book is the epilogue, a word which here means a short chapter in which the author ties up whatever loose ends remain. Alas, there are so many lose ends that I would be tying forever until I tied myself in knots to tackle them all. I will only deal with a one of the many questions the readers may have.
The question is why I was so reticent (a word which here means "unwilling to talk") about my double identity in the all the books until now. I simply wished to finish the books before my enemies finished me, and revealing too much would have made that much more difficult. In a couple of places I included "secret messages" that were meant to confuse the reader into believing these books were started much earlier than they were. For this I apologize.
I wrote of "clearing my name." I do hope to show the V.F.D. that I have changed and clear my name of the taint of having been Count Olaf. I also mentioned a newspaper article that Captain Widdershins showed the Baudelaire parents (that is, Bertrand Baudelaire's parents) and the woman I loved. I said he was wrong to call it completely true. That is so; even though many of the accusations were substantially true, the Daily Punctilio got several addresses and dates wrong, and spelled "Snicket" with two t's.
Soon after these books began to come out, a woman calling herself Beatrice Baudelaire began writing to me and stalking me, sometimes disguised as a younger woman. She asked for information about all three Baudelaires, though of course I know she is only looking for two of them. She doesn't seem to know who I once was, or, at least, that I know what she is now. I don't believe her intentions for her siblings are good ones.
Therefore, my books about the Baudelaires must come to an end here. Although Klaus and Sunny may continue to have unfortunate adventures (and I hope they will eventually prosper) I will research them no longer, lest I betray their whereabouts to their villainous sister. I deliberately did not ask them their plans when I delivered them to shore. As I mentioned in another book, I do not know where they are now, or even if they are still alive.
I was able to confirm that Violet/Beatrice met the Female Finnish Pirates on her way back to Briny Beach for the third and last time. She joined them for a while and rose in their ranks, learning many criminal skills, but she eventually went freelance. I do not dare to research her further.
I was reticent about my identity in the earlier books, but I had to reveal it to finish the story. Now Violet/Beatrice, I know you know it too. If you are tempted to finish your revenge against me, I must point out that it would be kinder to kill me than to let me live with the grief and remorse I feel for what I did to my beloved Beatrice and her children.
My research has been beneficial for me; it has kept Olaf at bay all this time. I plan to continue to research and write about others. Perhaps I will write of the Quagmires, or Fiona (who survived my eagle attack by taking shelter inside the enormous birdcage). Perhaps it will be someone completely unconnected to the Baudelaires.
In the mean time, I will sign off with one word of hope for you, Violet. Like me, I hope that one day you will recover your mind . Unlike me, I hope you will do so without having done too many things you will bitterly regret, dear Violet/Beatrice.