The Last Confession of Sherlock Holmes by Kieran Lyne Read Free Book Online Page A

is something which I wish you to bear in mind; it is of the utmost importance that this belief continues. So much as a whisper of my present earthly status would put you and I in considerable danger.”
    â€œOf course, Mr Holmes. But may I ask, how is it that you are still alive? I read Dr Watson’s touching account, and I, along with the rest of the world, believed you to be dead. It was so heartfelt that I could not believe it to be a falsehood.”
    â€œYou are too kind, Miss Adler; but I am afraid to say dear Watson does truly believe that I have gone; that is the simple truth behind his, as you put it, rather touching account. I wish I could communicate with him, but it would place us both in a most unnecessary jeopardy” he remarked, taking the long poker from the fireplace and shifting the cold ash, as if it had some form of meditative affect upon his mind.
    â€œAs for my survival, I recall that Watson described how the contest between Professor Moriarty and myself could end in only one way; clearly, as you have surely deduced, that is not true. The Professor was kind enough to allow me to write to Watson; but as soon as I had finished, he sprang a most murderous attack upon me. It was through my knowledge of baritsu, a Japanese form of wrestling, that I was able to gain an advantage over the Professor. It was a great struggle, Miss Adler, and there were several instances where Watson’s account could have become reality. But, in the end, it was I who remained on that perilous ledge, standing exhaustedly, listening to the sound of Moriarty’s terrible last cry, as it crashed and reverberated down that merciless shaft. I often wonder whether even those purest of waters would be sufficient to cleanse itself of the evil which now poisons its current.”
    â€œBut Dr Watson commented that there were no returning footprints. In that terrain, it would have been impossible to have left undetected,” said I, consumed by his narrative.
    â€œWatson’s account was inaccurate in regard to only one description. He claimed that the cliff face was insurmountable; that was not so. I realised the advantageous position I was in; if I could simply climb to safety and allow events to unfold, then I would be free to pursue my career with all my foes believing that I had perished along with Professor Moriarty. Alas, this was not to be the case. I saw Watson return to the scene of my supposed demise. I restrained myself from calling out to him, but once he was out of sight, I was attacked by Colonel Sebastian Moran. It was fortunate that it was almost completely dark, for against the cliff-face I was a difficult target. A barrage of bullets rained down around me, and I felt the deathly caress of metal shaving my flesh. Once the Colonel had exhausted his ammunition, he adapted his strategy to the rather cruder method of hurling large rocks. I had no choice but to descend back down onto the path from which I came. It was a perilous climb, Miss Adler; you can scarcely imagine the danger of the descent. On more than one occasion I believed I would be joining the late Professor; but when I did finally have the misfortune to fall, battered and bloody though I was, it was onto the path. I took flight into the night; not even Moran could be certain of my fate.”
    â€œBut why remain hidden for so long if this Moran suspects you to be alive?” I asked.
    â€œColonel Moran is now the leader of Moriarty’s former, and distinctly reduced criminal empire, but he is still capable of inflicting damage upon a rather large scale. I remain hidden to avoid the unwanted attention of the man, but also in the hope that one day he will allow himself to be lulled into a false sense of security. Then, and only then, will I make my return.”
    â€œThat is a truly remarkable account, Mr Holmes, but why are you in Montpellier of all places? It is far too mundane for the foremost champion of the