May 5, 1891
Two hours later, by the time Watson was awake, I had all my plans in readiness.
We breakfasted late in the morning at the Hof and then set off across the mountains. The plan was for the two of us to visit the Falls for a little time and then go on over the mountains to Rosenlaui. But I knew that probably neither of us would end up in that little hamlet.
As we walked I kept a close watch around us for Moriarty or Moran but saw nothing. That aroused my suspicions even more – things had been much too quiet since that boulder had come crashing down on us two days ago.
Watson of course put my agitation down to strained nerves, which is exactly what I wished him to do. Poor fellow, he never realized exactly what was going through my mind that last week, and he probably never will.
I am not a writer, and therefore I will skip all description of the place and concentrate on the events that transpired shortly after our arrival at the Reichenbach Falls. We stood there for some minutes, gazing at the scene, when suddenly I heard a sound that made my heart plummet to my boots.
The Swiss youth that I had employed was running for all he was worth towards us on the narrow path. My heart sank as I realized what it meant. This was the end.
I had entertained some fond hope that I was merely being too suspicious and everything would be fine – not so. I had employed the lad to follow us at a large distance with a pair of field glasses; and if he saw two men heading for us, he was to take off as fast as he could and get Watson out of here with my falsified note. And here was the boy, running at all speed down the path.
We met him halfway, Watson read the letter, and turned to me.
"I really must go, Holmes."
"Of course you must, my dear fellow."
"But I cannot leave you – come back with me?"
If he only knew how I wished to! But I had vowed to end the danger to him today, and I am a man of my word.
"No, Watson. I shall remain here – it is a lovely spot to remain quiet and think, and it shall do me good. I'll meet you later this evening in Rosenlaui, eh?"
He hesitated, torn between two duties. I was worried for a moment that he wasn't really going to go, but then he nodded.
"You're quite sure you will be all right?" he asked, brow furrowing with concern.
"Quite, Watson," I assured him. "Now you really must hurry."
He turned to leave, and then looked back to me.
"Here, Holmes," he said, pulling his revolver from his pocket, "keep this with you, at least."
I once again was touched by this man's absolute loyalty. But of course I could never accept the weapon; he might need it if my carefully-laid plans went awry somehow.
"No, Watson. You may need it more than I," I said. Hastily correcting my slip, I went on, "you are definitely the better shot. If it will make you feel better, I shall keep this boy with me until I get to Rosenlaui."
He relaxed somewhat, nodded, and turned to leave. I was suddenly seized with the awful impact of the knowledge that I would never see him again.
"Watson!" I called impulsively before I could pull my feelings back into control.
"Holmes?" he looked at me quizzically.
My mouth opened, wanting to say something, anything, that would show him how much I appreciated his loyalty, his friendship – but no words would come. Besides, we were running out of time – Moriarty was drawing nearer with the passing of every minute. I closed my mouth, unable to say anything. Then I managed one short sentence around the lump in my throat.
"Take care, Watson?" I asked softly.
"I shall," he assured, "do not worry about me, Holmes."
I could only nod as he turned and made his way down the mountain.
I remember well that short exchange – Holmes had been singularly distracted; I thought at the time that it was some kind of premonition. It was – but not the kind I had thought for these seven years. I was also shocked to learn that my friend had written that note purporting to be from Herr Steiler, not Moriarty as I was led to believe. How I wished I had recognized the handwriting! If I had stayed, perhaps two against two the odds would have been better and Holmes would not have had to live as a fugitive for three years. With a sigh, I continued reading.
As soon as Watson was out of sight, I produced my own pistol, which had been in my coat pocket, handed it to the youth, and nodded. The boy quirked an eyebrow at me.
"Take good care of him, lad," I said, wishing desperately that faint uncharacteristic tremor would leave my voice. I was growing soft. Or else just suffering from a severe lack of sleep.
"Of course, Herr Holmes," the boy replied, handling the gun with ease, putting it in his pocket. "Nothing shall happen to him. The two men you mentioned are coming from above; Herr Doctor is going on the path below. He has nothing to fear."
Relief coursed through me. "Then off with you, my lad," I directed, fearing for the boy's safety if Moriarty caught him here with me. Besides, he was to not let Watson out of his sight until he reached the Englischer Hof. The boy gave me a quick smile and scampered off down the path Watson had just trod.
With a sigh of relief, filled with the feeling of knowing I had done the right thing, I sat on a large boulder to await Moriarty's arrival. I briefly wondered if he would bring Moran with him and if not, where he would station him.
I also had to plan what to say to the Professor that would prevent harm coming to Watson from the remaining members of his gang. I have had to negotiate with many people over my years as a consulting detective, but never have the stakes been this high.
It was not long at all before I saw him standing on that narrow path that led to safety. I was put at a little unease realizing that Moran was nowhere to be seen. Praying he had not seen Wason leave, I stood and waited for the Professor with my arms folded and what I hoped was a stoic expression on my face.
His own features were moving in that snakish fashion that I loathe so, as he took in my surroundings and the fact that Watson was absent.
"I've been expecting you, Professor."
"So I see, Holmes. I have to confess to being a bit taken aback. Where is the Doctor? I know you were together less than an hour ago."
"I rather thought you would try something of this sort, Moriarty. I have a proposition for you."
He studied me for a moment in silence. "Go on, Holmes."
I took a deep breath to steady myself and then went on. "You may not believe me, Professor, but I really did try to get Patterson to drop the case. I begged him, pleaded with him, even threatened him, but to no avail. I give you my word, I tried my hardest."
His hooded eyes blinked once. "I believe you," he said simply.
"I most certainly am telling you the truth. Patterson refused to drop the case, and so I knew your ultimatum would still stand. But I have kept one trump card up my sleeve, Moriarty."
"I should like to hear it."
"Your lieutenant, Sebastian Moran, who I have no doubt is covering this exchange with that unique air-gun of his. I gave Patterson no evidence against him. Unless I make it back to England to testify at the trial, Moran will go free. That's my trump, Professor. Your lieutenant's freedom for Watson's safety."
The man's head had started that oscillation again, nearly unnerving me, but I went on.
"My verbal evidence is what it would take to convict Moran, Professor. However, since your occupation is now gone and you are unable to return to England, I'm offering you the opportunity for personal revenge on me and the guarantee of the liberty of your lieutenant."
He blinked in some surprise. "In other words, Holmes, you're offering me a duel to the death, in exchange for letting Moran go free and Watson return to England unharmed?"
"Precisely, Professor. I am offering you the opportunity to make sure I never return to England to testify, and I am requesting that you instruct Moran that Watson is to be left alone. He yet knows nothing of the matter – I merely told him that you were following me. He does not even know of Moran's existence, and as such can be of no danger to Moran's liberty."
Moriarty studied me for a moment. "I believe I have underestimated you, Holmes. You really mean what you say, do you not?"
"I do."
"You would really allow me to kill you if I would let the Doctor go free?"
"I would," I declared, hoping my voice remained unshaken.
His malevolent gaze momentarily changed to some bewilderment, and then it hardened once more into that vengeful look that had come close to terrifying me in my sitting room. For a few breathless moments I thought he was not going to accept my offer. Then he gave a low, sharp whistle.
Moments later, I saw the grizzled features and strong build of Colonel Sebastian Moran appear on the pathway. He walked with purpose up to his master.
"Moran, Mr. Holmes and I have some unfinished business to take care of. As of this moment, I have given Holmes my word that the Doctor will not be harmed. He knows nothing of the matter, and I have exchanged his life for your liberty, Moran. The Doctor is not to be touched. You are to return to England and carry on business as usual."
Words fail me to tell of the absolute relief that washed over me at hearing my greatest enemy pronounce those words. I could pass into the next life without fear, knowing that my last deed in this had been to procure safety for my best friend.
My faint sigh of relief must have been audible to Moriarty, for he turned to me with that malevolent gaze and his features twisted into a snake-like smile.
"You do understand, Holmes, that by doing this, you have signed your own death sentence," he said with thinly veiled glee, "you know I intended to kill you all along the way – I merely enjoyed seeing how much distress I would cause you by threatening your biographer. Although I think it would be more painful to you to see something happen to him, you are far too dangerous an opponent to be allowed to go free, Holmes. I wanted you all along, you know, and only you. I must thank you for walking into the opportunity I have been longing for!"
I was momentarily nonplussed at Moriarty's free admission that he had been merely toying with me, a deep frown crossing my face at the knowledge that my near-panicked reactions had been mere amusement for him. However, I would die before I allowed him the satisfaction of knowing he was right.
"I was aware of the fact, Professor," I returned serenely. "You had better get your lieutenant out of harm's way. We have only a short time before Watson realizes the note I wrote was a ruse and returns here."
"Very well. If you would wish to write him a farewell, I suppose I could allow you five minutes in which to do so, Holmes. I shall give Moran his final instructions about the trial in London. Five minutes, Holmes, and then I will return to settle with you."
I thanked him and took out my memorandum book. Oddly enough, I felt no trace of my previous nervousness. Instead, I was filled with a calm satisfaction of knowing what I had done.
I wrote a note to Watson, again wishing I had his gift of words to say something that would alleviate some of the misery I knew he would soon be feeling. How much it would grieve him and how much guilt he would feel at my death made me more than a little uneasy. But surely it was better for him to be alive and grieving, than to have him fall into the hands of this madman. Yes, that is definitely better.
I finished the note, giving Moriarty my word that there was naught in it that would betray Moran, and left it on the boulder, weighted by my silver cigarette case. Then I walked to the edge of the falls and stood at bay.
The fight was not long but quite difficult as I remember – it all happened so quickly that I am at a loss as to even recall or describe it. And I still am amazed that I even survived against Moriarty. I have only my knowledge of Baritsu and the grace of God to thank for preserving my life. When Moriarty had fallen into the abyss I stood, trying to get my breath back, my mind reeling with what I had done.
When I had pulled myself under control once more, I realized that the danger was not yet over. My bargain with Moriarty had necessitated my not returning to England to testify in the trial of the Moriarty gang. If I revealed to the world that I had survived the duel with the Professor, Watson would again be in as much danger as before. I could not allow that to happen.
I would not allow that to happen.
I had to flee. But I knew I had little time before Watson returned to find myself a hiding place. Much as I did not wish to see and hear his reactions, I knew I had to secrete myself somewhere in the next few minutes until darkness fell and I could escape over the mountains.
To Be Continued...