A man was sitting alone on a bench in Hyde Park. He was a tall man, portly, and had the beginnings of a beard. His dark glasses were out of place, considering the dull clouds that covered the sky, but his white cane suggested the glasses were there for a different purpose. The man was immaculately dressed in clothing that was very expensive and tailor-made. All in all, he made a very impressive figure, even for a blind man.

After a short while, another, much smaller man joined him on the bench. The first did not seem remotely surprised, and quickly spoke to the other.

'Dark nights are unpleasant.'

'Yes, for strangers to travel' the second man replied.

There was a short silence after this, and both men appeared to relax a little. The strange words they had spoken seemed to be a coded greeting, and allowed them to know the other was an ally.

'How can we help you?' asked the second man, 'I believe you had a business proposal for us.' The first man chuckled slightly.

'Straight to the point as ever, Mr Hill. It seems I should match you accordingly. I desire a man to be killed. He has been a nuisance to me for some time now, and I do not like nuisances. Can it be done tomorrow?' Mr Hill nodded. He was used to working on a short deadline, and this man was clearly particular. The first man continued speaking. Although he hadn't seen the nod, he obviously had expected the other man, Mr Hill to agree. 'The man I want killed, he lives at 221B Baker Street, and his name is Sherlock Holmes.'

'And the pay?' asked Mr Hill, 'I know of him. He will be a difficult target.'

'£12,000 on completion. Do not let me down, Mr Hill. I am a very hard man to cross.'

'Yes sir. Consider it done.' Mr Hill walked away, but paused as the first man called out to him.

'Oh, and Mr Hill! Make it personal.' Mr Hill grinned. That was his favourite way to kill someone, go up nice and close, and strangle them with his bare hands. Although he was small, and not the strongest, his cunning more than made up for that. This Sherlock Holmes, he thought, had better make his last day count.