From Michael JG Meathook: Moriarty questions his ways.


I stepped out onto the path, watching Holmes' pet retreat back down to the village. How absurdly simple to draw the fool out of the way. Yet Holmes' willingness to allow his subordinate to depart was baffling. I suffered no illusions that Holmes had been aware of my deception, but if he were not to make use of the doctor and his revolver, why had he bothered to bring him along? What purpose would it serve to send the simpleton away from the one use he might be put to?

No matter. Holmes' recklessness would be his undoing. I would allow no mere upstart to prosper at the downfall of my organization. Then, about to stride up the path to where Holmes waited, I paused.

I was no such reckless fool. Even now, Moran waited on the cliffs above us, armed with his infamous air rifle. Why should I expose myself to danger in some pointless confrontation? Although Holmes had drawn the net quite neatly around most of the members of my organization, he had of course been unable to snare either myself or my second-in-command. In time, I could rebuild; he had done me no permanent injury

He could not, of course, be permitted to live. Although he had done me no irreparable harm, he had dared to stand against me, and I had already promised him destruction for the attempt. A signal to Moran, and Sherlock Holmes would drop lifeless to the path, a bullet through his brain. I smiled to myself and began to walk once more. Yes, I would signal to Moran, but I could not bear the thought of not being able to savor the split second of surprise on Holmes' face as he realized how he'd been outmaneuvered.

Holmes glanced up from where he was seated by the cliff as I approached. As I had deduced, he showed no surprise at my appearance. Nor, to my consternation, any sign of fear.

"Ah, Mr. Moriarty," he called over the roar of the waterfall, disdaining my proper title in a way that caused my blood to boil. "A pleasure."

I smiled back grimly. "You shall not find it such a pleasure soon, I can assure you." I lifted my hand, preparing to signal to Moran. I fancied I saw his shadow moving into position at the summit of the cliff.

"I hope you will not mind if I finish composing this note to Watson," Holmes said, lifting it in demonstration. "It shall also give you time to rest after your long trek up the mountain. A gentleman should always strive for fairness, don't you think, even in such extremities as these?"

Fury overcame me. In his pale, arrogant face, I saw again the ruin of my organization. How dare this young upstart speak so casually to me, failing to respect my position and even hinting that I was too old to overcome him! Well, he would not gloat so when my hands closed around his throat.

"Write your note, Holmes," I spat, dropping my hand to my side. "And then we shall see who is truly the victor in our little game."

To my satisfaction, I thought I caught in his eyes a flicker of fear. I had no more desire to signal to Moran; this corpse I would make myself.


A/N: If you haven't already, google "Evil Overlord List." It is hilarious.