The Last Confession of Sherlock Holmes Read Online Free Page A

still astounded me: the previously wrinkled skin; the natural droop of features tired from the everlasting battle against time; the slightly protruding and quivering top lip, all disappeared to reveal the exhausted, yet jubilant, apparition of Sherlock Holmes.
    â€œI assure you, Holmes, I have not enjoyed a single moment of my journey,” said I, indignantly. “Being hounded and fired upon by Moriarty’s men is hardly a desirable start to the day. But may I enquire as to why we are no longer boarding the ferry at Dover?”
    â€œFor the simple reason that I wish to avoid a mortal attack at the hands of Professor Moriarty; it took some ingenuity and a large slice of luck, but I was just able to give our friend the slip before boarding the train. I was in such a state of triumph that I confess, I had entirely forgotten that our agreed upon rendezvous was in fact this very carriage.”
    â€œBut if you managed to escape Moriarty, why must we depart at Canterbury? Surely we shall be safe upon the ferry.”
    â€œNo Watson, Moriarty will not give up the hunt so hastily. If I were in his predicament, I would simply engage a special; the delay at both Canterbury and Dover will provide ample time for him to catch us. We must always assume that he also would take such action.”
    Unfortunately our connection at Canterbury was delayed, and we found ourselves waiting upon the platform. We had been stationary for only a matter of moments, when Holmes pulled at my sleeve, pointing up the line, and urging me to take refuge behind a pile of luggage. In the distance, a thin tower of smoke began to emerge from the faraway trees, and we saw an engine with a single carriage, hurtling toward the English coastline. It was only a matter of seconds after we had taken refuge that we felt the hot blaze of burning coal and murderous intent sear past our faces.
    â€œNow Watson, we must make haste for Newhaven, where, if we arrive in sufficient time, we may find ourselves with the luxury of enjoying a spot of lunch.”
    In comparison to our escape, the first few days of our brief excursion abroad were most enjoyable. Having spent two days in Brussels, we spent our third in Strasburg, where, to my utmost pleasure even Holmes began to enjoy himself. That is until he read the reply to his morning’s telegraph to London.
    â€œMoriarty has escaped,” said he with a heated air of frustration in his voice. “I made the mistake in believing anyone other than myself could bring him in, and now I am afraid it has not only ruined my plan, but also, dear Watson, our holiday. You must return to England.”
    â€œYou are perhaps a little angered by what has taken place, Holmes, but do not allow that to cloud your judgment over my loyalty,” I said devoutly.
    â€œI could not possibly ask such a task of you. The Professor’s game is up, my dear fellow, and you must realise the danger we are both now in.”
    Eventually Holmes realised that I could not be swayed, and I believe that he was, in his own way, grateful for my company. No man wishes to tread the path of eternity alone, even if they stray back onto the edge of mortality. We therefore continued with our travels, following our feet up the Valley of the Rhone, before detouring via Leuk and over the Gemmi Pass. An idealist would have failed to choose a more serene and idyllic route for our journey. The elegant grace of the spring valleys, complimented by the dazzling whites of the mountain peaks, was an image of such comforting beauty that any man would contentedly recall it as his last. Try as I would to encourage Holmes to absorb our surroundings, his focus would not be diverted. Vigilance of the highest order was meticulously preached. Each passing face, no matter how commonplace, was met with a piercing gaze of fierce scrutiny, and I often noticed how the victim sharply increased their pace.On more than one occasion, a large rock came crashing down