Good night! I am Dr. Watson and still in charge of this great story. I saw the date and wrote it down in my notebook, early in the morning: "May 23, 1894." Several years have passed since that fateful day when Irene Adler pulled off the heist of the century at the Phenix jewelry, and neither she nor her partner, the colonel James Moriarty, have been seen from that time. Although every three or four months, other members of the Swindhit and some collaborators of the Moriarty are arrested. What is clear is that in the face of this unprecedented rise in criminal cases, in recent years, security agencies had to double their budgets and resources, and almost all investigators, including myself, miss Sherlock Holmes. We can´t forget or live without him! Before criminals trembled just hearing his name and were more cautious with their misdeeds!
In short, the era of Sherlock Holmes ended three years ago, and officials from Scotland Yard and the secret service office have had to work very hard, even collaborating with European and American governments and foreign security agencies to which they turned their back, in other times. Although this has led to a strengthening of the French police institutions, which seek to direct a new international police force. New investigators have also appeared, seeking to imitate and perhaps surpass Sherlock Holmes. There is a famous Norwegian detective, who works in several countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, whose first and last names are unknown, and he calls himself: Sigerson. At that time, I thought: "It would have been interesting if Sherlock Holmes had met him! Until now Sigerson is his main competitor!" And as on other occasions, time would give me great and inconceivable surprises... I anticipate that Sherlock Holmes is Sherlock Holmes and Sigerson will be forgotten...
Before you ask, regarding my rare mental illness, I found a way to lessen the symptoms and slow the increasing neurological damages. What have I been doing? Elementary! Exercise my brain! Over and over again, I read the classics of English literature. I don´t know how many times… I have read the works of: Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Shelley, among others… And my favorite is: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by the Scottish writer Stevenson. Also, despite the prejudices of my friends and neighbors, I admire foreign literature. I like the novels of: Tosltoi, Dostoevsky, Dumas, Victor Hugo, Verne and Flaubert. Do you notice? It seems that my memory has improved… At least I can remember the last names of the authors and the titles of the novels. Similarly, in recent months, I have also dedicated to writing the memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. A few months ago, I published The Final Problem. In this story, I explain some of the events related to the sad death of the famous detective. Surprisingly, I even found another copy of Sherlock Holmes' last letter in Mrs. Watson's safe, which is now of my property, and inserted it into that text, which I wrote with pain, but doing my duty to inform the future generations about some facts of the great detective's passing. And of course, I left the details of my complicated relationship with Mrs. Watson and the influence of the Swindhit for this literary work.
In previous days, I was anxious, although fortunately the missing Mrs. Watson, whose whereabouts are unknown, has made no effort to evict me, and Sherlock Holmes' brother, Mycroft Holmes, without my prodding, agreed to give me a fair compensation for apartment 221B and some furniture, once the detective's legal period of disappearance ends, in seven years, and Sherlock Holmes is declared dead. Contrary to my expectations, the detective's brother was extremely courteous and kind: he even allows me to enter apartment 221B, remove my belongings and sleep there.
Also, in my experience, many times we are immersed in imaginary problems that flood us with unnecessary concerns, although this is a masterful mechanism of the mind to alert and help us take preventive measures.
As I told before, I was worried about the division of assets, between myself and Mrs. Watson, and the possible refusal of Sherlock Holmes' relatives to recognize my properties, protected by the reckless detective. At that time, I was the worst investor in the world! Thinking that he would protect part of my fortune against the danger of the bad relatives of my wife. Although… Everything went better than expected! Mycroft Holmes was grateful for the support I have given to his brother and understood the situation. Like Sherlock Holmes and unlike many human beings, he is a grateful person, who isn´t greedy and doesn´t put the dirty money before big problems. What a great man Mycroft Holmes is! If Sherlock Holmes hadn´t had so many emotional disorders and deficiencies, I am almost certain that he and his brother would have run a foundation to help those in need. But, that´s another story...
Unfortunately, these three years, which have flown by, have been stormy and difficult for me. I don´t want to go into too much details and I am just narrating the main issues. I already explained that Mrs. Watson, for her safety and mine, was out of my life. I suspect that she is on the European continent, under another identity, working on secret missions or is a protected witness testifying against the Swindhit, in various locations around the world. I also indicated that I am exercising my mind, reading many books and writing the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and as I previously suggested, my financial situation is better than before, being fully confident that I will not lose the properties registered to my former front man and great friend: Sherlock Holmes.
However, not everything was rosy. I missed my unforgettable friend and my dear wife, with their successes and failures, vices and virtues. In part, the deep loneliness forced me to find meaning in my life and dedicate to other activities such as: writer, investigator, without asking permission to the authorities. Sometimes, I solved cases on my own… And investor. Yes! Before, I used to go to money lenders to buy gifts for the Swindhit, and in this new era, I went to banks and exchange houses to buy gold and silver, since I had realized that my assets appreciate more in this way.
A few weeks ago, I received a wonderful and extraordinary news that ended my pessimism and radically transformed the direction of my life. Due to my state of disappointment, frustration, sadness and depression, it was very difficult for me to read the novels and write the stories of Sherlock Holmes. Many times, I did these activities during nights when I couldn´t fall asleep. Although, now the situation changed! I really liked reading, writing and even researching! I was working with complete satisfaction! So… What was that amazing event that lifted my spirits and even gave me greater expectations in life? I even aspired again to be a British knighthood! I confess… In principle, I was scared! And I couldn´t believe it... But... Incredibly! Although this isn´t a resurrection…
Sherlock Holmes is back!
Yes! I insist again…
Sherlock Holmes came back!
Fortunately… He didn´t die fighting James Moriarty! Yes! I reiterate this… Sherlock Holmes isn´t dead! What wonderful news! A big part of my sadness ended!
When the famous detective appeared in my office, I passed out with emotion and then wanted to hug him. Within moments, he became the doctor and I was the patient. As I mentioned previously, I don´t like this type of inverted relationship, but at that time, I was glad that this happened, for a few moments, in the benefit of a new life.
The only relevant thing missing was for Mrs. Watson to come back!
Sherlock Holmes told me that James Moriarty tried to push him, he was able to dodge his enemy due to his knowledge of Japanese martial arts, and just as I suspected, years ago, the professor slipped and Sherlock Holmes was able to climb over the top. I asked him about his other shoe and Irene Adler's diamond, and the detective didn´t answer, then he said that in the right time we will catch that scammer.
My friend also apologized for having sent the diamond to James Moriarty, and with the serenity that characterized him, he stated: "There was a 50% chance of stopping Irene Adler with the first diamond. But, the bad work of the secret service office and the bribes to some of the agents favored Irene Adler. That is why I keep the second diamond, when the opportunity arises, I will try to capture her... With 80% or a better chance of success... It was not my fault that Adler and the colonel Moriarty escaped..."
I replied that this plan was too risky and was doomed to failure. Sherlock Holmes, somewhat tired, didn´t refute my arguments. Although he assured me that, in the next few years, his main objectives would be: destroy the organization, lock up the last Swindhit, capture Irene Adler, the colonel James Moriarty and Godfrey Norton, and bring back Mrs. Watson, expecting that my life will be happier and better than before.
Of course, despite his flaws, follies and irrational attitudes, my great friend Sherlock Holmes cares about the well-being of those close to him, seeks justice for a better world, and believes that he can mark a new sense of universal justice that will last for the following generations. Therefore, despite the tantrums, disappointments and bad times that I have suffered, because of my inseparable partner, the detective isn´t a bad person and has a magnificent heart, being similar to his brother Mycroft.
One point that really caught my attention was one of his revelations. In that meeting, Sherlock Holmes talked too much, confessing that he was the famous detective Sigerson, who was in: Scandinavia, France, Italy, India, Tibet, Persia, Mecca, Khartoum and other places my friend didn´t want to mention; persecuting and apprehending dangerous members of the Swindhit gang and the organization. In the same way, the detective discovered a French laboratory of the Swindhit, which prepared products with excess of tar. Furthermore, the famous detective changed his identity with the help of his wonderful brother, Mycroft Holmes, and returned to the public eye, because almost all the crime bosses who could assassinate him were already dead or behind bars. Of course, I suspect that the detective made his long-awaited journey, including visits to: Egypt, Australia and Brazil; collecting evidence and bringing the Swindhit to justice.
I asked him several questions: "Did you also go to Australia and South America? Who accompanied you? Was Mrs. Watson helping Sigerson? How many days were you traveling?"
From his profound silence and customary refusal to answer these types of questions, and glances to the side, avoiding to look at me, I deducted that he knew where and what Mrs. Watson is doing, but perhaps for reasons of national security, he still could not reveal it. Likewise, I detected that Sherlock Holmes was more prudent and cautious than before. In part, he had changed for better… Although after a while, he began to laugh and said: "Elementary, my dear Watson! I can´t travel alone! But… Sigerson was able to go around the world in more than eighty days…"
Obviously, the illustrious Sherlock Holmes was someone else. These traumatic experiences: separating from me, pretending his own death, adopting a false identity without support from Scotland Yard, undertaking dangerous trips to unknown nations and cities, persecuting some of his staunch enemies, in different countries, not always having collaboration of foreign officials, prone to being bribed, and incessantly looking for those who could assassinate him, among others, provided my friend with qualities of resilience, helping him to feel and understand life from other points of view, and to be less rude, more careful and attentive to the needs of others.
At that time, I asked for help in an investigation that was in progress: the murder of Ronald Adair, whose last name is similar to Adler's, and sensationally, my detective friend discovered that the colonel Sebastian Moran, James Moriarty's right-hand man, who precisely accompanied that criminal to Switzerland, in order to end with the life of Sherlock Holmes, was the murderer. Unexpectedly, the officials from Scotland Yard congratulated the famous detective, also giving him a warm welcome, as if it were a birthday party, and they were ready to collaborate with him and the future investigations. Deep down, the agents were relieved because they received an unusual and surprising help, which would definitely tip the balance towards the victory of the long-awaited justice, in the war against organized crime.
Also, it was a good thing that Sherlock Holmes arrived on time! If I had faced alone the successor of James Moriarty, who wasn´t his brother, the police would have had another case: the murder of John Watson... Do you get it? I remember my name! Excellent! My memory isn´t so bad and my great friend always protects me... He even gave orders to his brother, who knew about his fake death, to protect my properties! The mistake of using Sherlock Holmes as a front man wasn´t so serious!
And by the way! After my first encounter with the new Sherlock Holmes, more conscientious and down to earth, I noted some words of that conversation, during that night. In the same way, I compiled the details of Ronald Adair's case, and included them in a short story: The Adventure of the Empty House. And of course, in that account, I didn´t reveal any information about the Swindhit or Mrs. Watson's disappearance.
The trial of Ronald Adair's murder concluded two or three days ago. On that night of May 23, after reflecting on all that I have told, and writing down some of these important aspects, when I was in bed about to fall asleep, someone knocked the door. Immediately, I looked out of my bedroom window, and saw an inspector from Scotland Yard and Sherlock Holmes. I asked them to wait for a few minutes, while I quickly dressed, and wrote the time in my notebook: "10:35 at night." I got out as fast as I could, and Sherlock Holmes started the conversation: "Dear Watson... Let´s go to the Shadows hotel... The parliamentarian Raschy Cooper has died under mysterious circumstances!" Seeing the officer's face, I stated:
-It can´t be!
-Was the head of the Liberal party assassinated?
Sherlock Holmes replied:
-This is very likely!
-In advance, I believe more in murder than suicide...
-But…
-That hotel has too much security!
-A murder in that place is an embarrassment for our government!
-If we can´t protect our own rulers, what can diplomats from other countries imagine?
-Will they stop coming to London?
-But…
-I must see the crime scene!
We walked quickly almost half a mile. The Shadows hotel had been opened a few years ago. It is the most modern and luxurious in London, and as Sherlock Holmes knew, this is the favorite of diplomats and businessmen who come to visit Her Majesty and British government officials. The same is seen from the windows of the second floor of my house. This majestic hotel has a large reception area, with several lounges, on the ground floor, and ten floors of rooms. I thought: "Sherlock Holmes is right! That´s why they called us! Scotland Yard can´t go wrong! What a big scandal! What will tomorrow's headlines say? There must be a crowd there! Surely… The hotel is already closed, no one can enter or leave until the culprit is apprehended… Once again, we depend on the infallible Sherlock Holmes!"
As we walked, I asked my detective friend:
-Is this a crime for ideological reasons?
Sherlock Holmes first saw the face of the officer, who preferred not to speak, and then he stared at me, with his typical hard look, which competes with mine, affected by the rare mental illness. The detective said:
-Elementary, dear Watson!
-Possibly…
Inside me, I thought: "It is very likely that this crime is due to ideological implications… Raschy Cooper and the Liberals were winning the parliamentary debate to facilitate divorce… Conservative politicians will never accept this legal provision because it will allow divorced people, or those separated for any reason, remarry! This is a huge ethical and religious problem! Despite the objections of the Churches, permission is being granted for people to divorce, without giving excuses or alleging insignificant reasons! This is a permission to marry and divorce, over and over again! This law is going to disintegrate families! And… What will be the next steps for the Liberals? A law to allow abortion? Or… Legalize same-sex unions?"
As expected, there were too many people outside the hotel, with journalists from major British and European dailies in attendance, and a heavy police cordon surrounding the perimeter. We entered quickly, escorted by two agents, and I was amazed by the beauty of the hotel. I had heard a lot about this place, but it was the first time we visited this hotel. The ground floor is covered with a thick red carpet. From the entrance, we walked in a straight line, and the site is divided into two areas: in the left, there are the furniture and small tables, where people sit, while they call the guests, and after a wall there is an impressive restaurant. And in the right, there is a small jewelry store and five rooms for meetings. At the end is the reception, with lifts and stairs in one side, and to the far right there are two restrooms, one for ladies and the other for gentlemen.
Without reaching the reception, right in the middle of the main way, seeing the restaurant on the left, and the third conference room on the right, we stopped. Right there was Scotland Yard's chief inspector, Rudolf Shrubth. A tall, skinny, white man with a mustache, glasses, and a Machiavellian smile, who used to wear expensive suits, blue or gray, and had reached this position due to political influences and not because of his own merits. Even Sherlock Holmes' absence for three years had greatly favored him because his main competitors, facing with the growing crime boom and the large number of unsolved serious cases, had been fired or retired prematurely.
Sherlock Holmes had known him since he was a sub-inspector and never trusted in this official. On other occasions, the detective told me that Rudolf Shrubth was a wicked politician, imposed by the Conservative party, and that he wasn´t capable of solving even the simplest investigations. Of course, Rudolf Shrubth envied Sherlock Holmes, he saw him with a bad face, difficult to hide, and didn´t want him near his institution. And on the other hand, Sherlock Holmes didn´t like to work with him.
Rudolf Shrubth explained us what happened: "People of the Liberal party were in a meeting, in the third room… Almost all the leftist legislators are there… During a half-hour recess, the Liberal party chairman, Raschy Cooper, went to the restaurant to deliver a check for the lease of the premises that night… He sat at the bar, decided to have a drink before paying, took out his pistol and shot at his head…"
Within the Holmesian logic, it was obvious to assume that the head of Scotland Yard wanted that the respected and admired Sherlock Holmes certified that this was a suicide. But... I know Sherlock Holmes well! Due to his distrustful face, I deduced that he was envisioning a bad situation. Or… The worst of the worst! A premeditated murder!
With a sharp look, Sherlock Holmes stared at Rudolf Shrubth, who was trembling a little, and exclaimed:
-Inspector Rudolf Shrubth!
-You are the de facto boss of Scotland Yard.
-That position and your blue suit are too big for you!
Although Sherlock Holmes had improved his character and was more cautious than in the past, it gave me the impression that when disliking someone, the detective spared no efforts to tell the truth, in good or bad ways. This is a syndrome of revenge: Sherlock Holmes believes he has the right to impose true justice! And unfortunately, I haven´t been able to convince him to abandon these inconvenient attitudes.
Somewhat annoyed and worried, Rudolf Shrubth interrupted the conversation:
-Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
-You were summoned to solve this case!
-Not to insult me!
-More respect for Scotland Yard!
-We always have respected you!
-Tell me…
-What happened?
-Was it a suicide?
Showing a bad face, Sherlock Holmes replied:
-You are my first suspect!
-I am interrogating you!
-How do you know that the deceased drank before trying to pay?
Rudolf Shrubth, reflecting an alarmed face, replied:
-He was sitting at the bar.
-He put the checkbook aside.
-He had a few drinks.
-And very quickly took out the gun, pressed it and became lifeless... In front of the panicked look of the bartender, who couldn´t stop him...
Sherlock Holmes said:
-Where did he put the checkbook?
Rudolf Shrubth answered:
-That´s not important!
-I think…
-I remember that…
-On the right!
Sherlock Holmes continued with the questioning:
-Inspector Rudolf Shrubth…
-This is relevant!
-And the glass?
Rudolf Shrubth replied:
-It was on his left hand...
-It fell to the ground and is in pieces!
Sherlock Holmes spoke again:
-Elementary!
-These details are very important...
-I don´t believe in suicide!
Rudolf Shrubth exclaimed:
-Sherlock Holmes!
-How can you deduce that without seeing the corpse?
Sherlock Holmes answered:
-After observing the crime scene, I will confirm my suspicions...
Then, on the instructions of the chief inspector of Scotland Yard, we entered the restaurant. Sherlock Holmes and I watched with pain as the body, the gun and parts of the glass were on the floor, near the bar. Likewise, on the ground there were traces of blood and liquids from melted ice and the liquor that was in the aforementioned glass.
For a few minutes, Sherlock Holmes saw and reviewed the body, the weapon, the checkbook and the surroundings of this place, also observing the shelf of drinks, the bar counter, and the remains of the glass and its liquids scattered in various parts. Finally, the great detective exposed:
-Elementary, my dear Watson!
-Why do they call me in such an easy case?
-With clear political motivations!
-With that act of terrorism, the Liberals will be scared and will lose the support of their allies...
-It will take more than fifty years for any immoral law to be approved!
-Be it of divorce, abortion or unusual rights!
-Of course…
-Elementary!
-Raschy Cooper was murdered...
-Scotland Yard!
-Detain the bartender!
Rudolf Shrubth took the floor:
-Mr. Sherlock Holmes…
-I don´t quite get it!
-How did you deduce this?
-Please explain...
-We need arguments and evidence to capture him!
-In the same way…
-We must explain the truth, without making mistakes, to the Queen!
-And we must also give a statement to the newspapers!
-Are you sure of your position?
-Tell us…
With a smile and a victorious face, Sherlock Holmes expressed:
-Yes!
-Absolutely…
-Raschy Cooper was murdered!
-In many occasions, I have seen the parliamentarian Raschy Cooper.
-He was left-handed!
-Didn´t Scotland Yard know that?
-That´s why the glass was in his left hand. He drank a little, put the glass back on the bar, spoke to the bartender, and picked up the glass again to continue drinking.
-There are five circle marks, on the left side of the bar counter.
-For five times, he drank a small portion, put the glass on that table, and then picked it up to continue drinking.
-At some point, the parliamentarian was going to finish the check, and with the glass in his left hand, before drinking for the sixth time, looking at the checkbook, he used his right hand to move it. For this reason, the checkbook that follows in the right region is not straight, it is almost diagonally. He moved it slightly with two or three fingers of his right hand...
-At that moment, taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching them and that Raschy Cooper was dragging the checkbook, the bartender shot him and immediately threw the gun to the floor.
-And simulating the way in which the body of the assassinated parliamentarian fell, you will be able to verify that the weapon is too far from his right hand. He couldn´t have shot himself!
-Summarizing…
-Agents of Scotland Yard!
-Please write down...
-First, Raschy Cooper was left-handed, he was fatally shot in the right temple, and he could only kill himself with his left hand.
-Second, as I said, the gun on the floor is very far from his hands, either the left or the right.
-Third, Raschy Cooper hadn´t finished drinking.
-And…
-You didn´t review the checkbook!
-The first check was signed, with today's date and the beneficiary. The only missing point was the amount, which he was going to ask the bartender, who must be a trusted administrator or manager of business of this hotel. He was not sure of the amount of rent for the premises! Because the rental price is per hour, and they extended until late at night...
-Then…
-He was going to pay!
-If the parliamentarian had come with preconceived intentions of taking his own life, he would have stopped drinking, and would not even have taken out his checkbook, neither had brought a check signed with almost all the necessary data.
-What is the point of committing suicide before finishing drinking or trying to pay before suicide?
-What else do you want?
-Get the bartender's confession!
Sherlock Holmes wasn´t wrong. Later, the agents discovered that the bartender, who was assigned to attend the bar that night, had been fired the day before, and that the hotel owner's son was at that bar counter. And through the following interrogations to hotel employees and some attendees of this meeting, it was determined that the murderer summoned Raschy Cooper to offer him some free drinks, talk and confirm the amount to pay.
Undoubtedly, Sherlock Holmes is Sherlock Holmes, and he, turned into a legend, aroused the admiration of the police chiefs of Scotland Yard, but also the envy of his top boss. He even received a beautiful letter of thanks from Her Majesty! Who congratulated him for solving the case, during that night. In the same way, the Queen had the courtesy to mention my name in that communication and ask me to continue working with the renowned Sherlock Holmes. What an honor! Her Majesty trusts in me again! I hoped not to disappoint her! I felt extremely happy and excited! And thanks to the cunning and loyalty of Sherlock Holmes, who prefers to be accompanied by me, in these investigations… Great! Excellent! This is the masterful return of Sherlock Holmes! Through the big door!
Nonetheless, I was also extremely worried. This case of the brutal murder of the parliamentary Cooper, which widely promoted Sherlock Holmes, in British and European newspapers, as the invincible hero who imposes justice, had not been assigned by Scotland Yard, rather, it was entrusted to the famous detective by direct orders of the Queen.
Considering the rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and Rudolf Shrubth, and also that the secret service office didn´t want the famous detective involved in their affairs, it is most likely that from now on, in difficult cases, although there may be exceptions such as the investigation referred previously, these would be assigned to other officials, since Scotland Yard and the secret service office would try to minimize the influence of Sherlock Holmes. Although it was convenient for both institutions to present the image of the famous detective to frighten the worst criminals, and at the same time, dispense with his valuable services or use him in such a way that he would not take the credit.
This was my big concern!
Sherlock Holmes, like most human beings, needed great challenges...
Even though he had big plans including: demolishing the powerful organization, ending with the Swindhit rule, apprehending Adler, Moriarty and Norton, and helping me get Mrs. Watson back; these were overly ambitious projects, which require a great deal of time and efforts. Therefore, if at that time, Sherlock Holmes, taking into account his delicate emotional state and psychiatric disorders, didn´t get interesting cases or relevant activities that gave him immense satisfactions, he could feel that his life is empty, incomplete and meaningless, and would end up being a victim of these emotional states: anxiety, frustration, resentment, depression, extreme exhaustion, boredom and chronic dissatisfaction.
Although, the grieving Sherlock Holmes always had my wholehearted support! Yes! That of Dr. Watson… One of the best doctors and psychiatrists in Great Britain! I was aware of my immense responsibilities and could not fail like the other time, in which I believed that the detective was dead. Considering that in this wicked world there are power struggles, conflicts of interests and corruption in police institutions and espionage agencies, in all places of the world, and my friend needed to continue rebuilding his life, having us the opportunity to go down in history as British gentlemen, I was highly motivated and even optimistic, despite the immense difficulties of continuing to work with my friend in the second Sherlock Holmes era. On the one hand, the detective was a different person, who has matured, overcoming some emotional shortcomings and improving its character and some of his attitudes. And on the other hand, I had been able to mitigate some of the effects of my strange mental illness, and was still capable of caring my great friend. Ahead! We had many new cases to solve… Sensationally, the great Sherlock Holmes is back to stay with us!