(Watson) 'In 1891 at the Reichenbach Falls
'near Meiringen in Switzerland,
'Sherlock Holmes finally closed his account with Professor Moriarty -
'the most dangerous criminal of his generation.
'The two men were alone
'but the outcome of their struggle was obvious to a trained observer.
'Holmes had achieved the destruction of his enemy
'only at the cost of his own life.
'It is now three long years since my dear friend plunged to his death.
'There, deep down under the swirling water,
'the infamous Professor Moriarty
'and the foremost champion of law
'will lie together for all time.
'Even now, there is hardly a corner of London
'that does not remind me of my old friend.
'I never walk down Baker Street -
'where we shared rooms for so many years -
'without it reminding me only too keenly of the past
'and the loss of one I regard as the best and wisest man I've ever known.
'I retained a keen interest in criminal matters
'and supplemented my meagre practice by working as a police surgeon.
'It was in the early spring of 1894 that I was called out early in the morning
'to an appointment in the West End.'
- Morning. - Morning, Doctor.
Inspector Lestrade is waiting for you. First floor, sir.
- Inspector. - Early call, I'm afraid, Doctor.
I'm glad to see you. The Honourable Ronald Adair.
- Not there, sir, if you please. - Sorry.
Aged 23.
Second son of the Earl and Countess of Maynooth.
Father, governor of an Australian colony, mother in London for the winter,
son and daughter living in this house with her.
Suicide?
No, no. No weapon.
Oh, this was found on the floor beside the corpse.
A soft-nosed revolver bullet. Horrible things.
- Yes. - Must have gone through his head.
Unusual for a pistol to have such velocity.
- More like a rifle. - Yes.
Well, it's murder then, Inspector.
- Oh, yes. - Any idea who it was?
No. It's early days yet
but this one looks as if it could turn out to be a bit of a puzzle.
Mm. Well, presumably he was sitting in that chair.
I suppose counting that money.
The murderer wasn't a thief.
Adair had spent the evening playing cards at his club.
- Time for one last hand. - Yes, indeed.
Now we can get our revenge.
Well, Ronald, what's the damage?
(Gunshot)
Ronald.
Ronald?
Mr Ronald couldn't have gone out again?
No, m'lady. I heard him come home at 10:30.
He hasn't gone out again, of that I'm sure.
Mr Ronald?
Mr Ronald, sir?
Best break it down, m'lady.
(Screams)
Well, from the condition of the body, death was instantaneous.
I suppose the murderer came in through the window.
Well, the window was open.
The strange part is that there were no signs of any intruder.
Nothing inside or out.
I wouldn't like to climb up here at night. Must have been a monkey.
As you say, Doctor, an impossibility.
Looks like the murderer had wings.
This case would have interested our friend, Mr Sherlock Holmes.
- Yes, indeed. - What a loss he is, Doctor.
I didn't always approve of his methods
but he was the best amateur there's ever likely to be.
There were times when he even got the better of me.
If you bring our friend to the mortuary, I'll conduct an autopsy this afternoon.
Yes, indeed, Doctor.
- Well, see you at the inquest. - Till then.
(Newspaper seller) Standard! Latest!
Adair mystery, latest!
Doctor...
Watson.
- You are a police surgeon? - Yes, sir.
You examined the deceased, Ronald Francis Adair,
who is the subject of this inquest,
and later conducted a postmortem on the corpse?
- I did, sir. - Pray... what are your findings?
Death occurred as the result of a bullet wound from a.45 revolver...
Dr Watson, I beg you to keep to fact.
My business is to establish the facts of this case.
I'm sorry, sir. I don't understand.
You say that the bullet came from a.45 revolver.
That is pure speculation on your part.
It is not your business to start guessing at the type of weapon used.
That is a subject for the police.
(Laughter)
I'm sorry, sir.
Pray continue.
Death occurred as the result of a wound from a soft-nosed lead bullet.
The bullet penetrated the skull above the left eye,
traversing the left frontal lobe, through the cerebellum,
and then exited from the skull at the back of the head
by the left occipital parietal suture.
In your opinion, when did death take place?
It would have been instantaneous.
Have you any idea how far this bullet had travelled
before it entered the body?
I cannot be sure, but it would certainly be more than four or five feet.
Time of death?
Death occurred between 10.30 and 11.30 post meridiem
on the 20th of this month.
Thank you, Doctor...
Watson.
Ronald Adair and I were in the Harrow XI together.
He was a first-class bat, pretty effective leg spinner.
A good sportsman, in fact.
First-class sportsman, sir.
Straight as a die. One of the most popular fellows I know.
Thank you, Mr Murray.
Sir John Hardy.
I was Ronald Adair's godfather and a trustee of the estate.
The family's absolutely devastated by this appalling tragedy.
I put the boy up for the Bagatelle Club, as a matter of fact.
He always enjoyed cards.
Win or lose? Would that affect Mr Adair in any way, Sir John?
Good Lord, no, not in the least.
He never played such high stakes they could affect him at all.
The family fortune is a very considerable one.
Thank you, Sir John. You have been a great help.
And may I say that evidence from such a distinguished person as yourself
is greatly valued by the court.
Colonel Moran.
You were the last person known to have seen Mr Adair.
Did you know him well?
I wouldn't say that I knew Ronald Adair well.
Knew his father, Lord Maynooth, very well. We used to play polo in India.
But Ronald...
I've seen quite a bit of him at our clubs.
We've played cards together from time to time.
Oh, charming boy. Good manners, intelligent.
He's just the stamp of young fellow I'd like to see joining my old regiment.
Did you notice anything unusual about him?
Did he seem worried or upset on the last evening you saw him?
Not in the least. Quite the opposite.
Have you any idea why someone should choose to murder him?
No idea at all.
I doubt if he had an enemy in the world.
Thank you, Colonel Moran.
Inspector Lestrade, would you give me your opinion
as to the cause of the Honourable Ronald Adair's death?
Yes, sir. Wilful murder by person or persons unknown.
(Murmuring)
Cab!
(Coroner) 'Wilful murder by person or persons unknown.'
This way, cab... I'm so sorry. I do apologise.
I think they're not greatly damaged.
St Luke's Grove, Kensington, please.
Walk on.
Standard! Adair murder!
- (Knocking) - Yes?
- Gentleman to see you, Doctor. - Is it an urgent matter?
- I don't know, Doctor. - Did he give you his card?
No, Doctor.
Ivy, I've told you a hundred times,
my consulting hours are displayed outside.
- Now please... - Oh, sir.
- Dr Watson? - Yes, indeed, sir. You may go, Ivy.
I am exceedingly busy, sir.
Of course. You are a man of considerable responsibilities.
I heard you give your address to the cab driver and I thought I'd see you.
You see, I have a conscience.
If I was a little gruff in my manner I meant no harm by it
and I am much obliged to you for picking up my books.
- You make too much of a trifle, sir. - It's no great journey, sir.
I am a neighbour of yours.
You will find my bookshop on the corner of Church Street.
Oh. And very happy to see you, I am sure, Doctor.
Perhaps...
you collect?
I have British Birds...
Catullus and quite a rare volume of The Holy War.
Bargains, every one. Just the books you need to fill up your bookcase.
It does look a little untidy, does it not?
Watson, do you mind if I smoke a cigarette?
A thousand apologies, my dear Watson.
- I had no idea you'd be so affected. - Holmes, is it really you?
Can it really be that you are alive?
Are you fit enough to discuss things?
I have given you a shock by my unnecessarily dramatic reappearance.
I'm all right. I'm all right.
But, indeed, Holmes, I can hardly believe my eyes! Good heavens!
To think that you of all men should be here in my consulting room.
You're not a spirit, at least. My dear chap!
I'm overjoyed to see you. Sit down. Sit down.
Tell me how you came alive out of that awful chasm.
Oh, I'm glad to stretch myself!
It's no joke when a tall man has to take a foot off his stature for hours on end.
Ah.
My dear fellow, we have a hard and dangerous night's work ahead of us.
It would be better if I gave you an account later.
No. I'm full of curiosity. I should much prefer to hear now.
- But you will come with me tonight? - When you like, where you like!
Hah! Watson.
This is just like the old days.
We might have dinner before we go.
Dinner, of course, but first tell me everything.
- Are you sure you're all right? - I'm fine.
All right.
About that chasm.
I had no difficulty in getting out of it for the simple reason...
that I was never in it.
- You were never in it? - No, Watson.
I never was in it.
The note that I left on the rock at the Reichenbach Falls
was absolutely genuine.
'I had little doubt that my career had come to an end
'when I perceived the sinister figure of Moriarty
'standing upon the narrow pathway that led to safety.
'I read an inexorable purpose in his grey eyes.'
I managed to obtain his courteous permission
to write the note which you afterwards received.
It has remained my most treasured possession.
A few months later I read with great interest your description of my death.
It was excellently done. A most picturesque and exciting piece of fiction.
I'm glad from the bottom of my heart that it was fiction.
But what did really happen?
'When I reached the ledge, I stood at bay.
'He drew no weapon but rushed at me and threw his long arms round me.
'He knew that his game was up and wanted to revenge himself upon me.
'I have, however, some knowledge of "baritsu" -
'the Japanese system of wrestling, which has been very useful to me.'
Aaagh!
My God.
But how did you get away from that place?
It was not a pleasant business.
Even as Professor Moriarty disappeared into oblivion,
it struck me what an extraordinary lucky chance
fate had placed in my way.
I knew that at least one of Moriarty's henchmen
would seek my demise now with even keener determination
to revenge their dead leader.
But if I could convince the world that I too was dead...
So I decided...
to disappear, then and there.
Heavens above.
But the tracks, Holmes. I saw them with my own eyes.
Two went down the path and none returned.
'I am not a fanciful person, Watson,
'but I give you my word there were times during that climb...
'when I seemed to hear Moriarty's voice
'screaming at me from out of the abyss.
'At last I reached a place where I was able to remain concealed.'
Holmes!
Wat...
'From my concealed place,
'I watched you and your followers
'investigating in the most sympathetic and inefficient manner
'the circumstances of my death.
'At last, when you had all formed your inevitable
'but totally erroneous conclusions,
'you departed.
'It was time for me to be on my way.'
(Gunshot)
'Of course, the meaning of this was obvious.
'Moriarty had not been alone.
'A confederate, from a distance,
'had been witness to his friend's demise and my escape.'
(Gunshot)
'I did not take long to think about it.
'I took to my heels and covered ten miles over the mountains
'in the pending darkness.'
Hah! A week later, I found myself in Florence,
with the certainty that no one in the world knew what had become of me.
I had one confidant - my brother Mycroft.
I had to confide to him in order to obtain the money I needed to live.
Of course.
I owe you many apologies, my dear Watson.
It was important that it should be thought I was dead,
and you would not have written so convincing an account of my end
had you yourself not thought that it was true.
I have taken up my pen to write to you but always I feared...
lest your affectionate regard might tempt you to some indiscretion.
I would have thought I was as trustworthy as your brother.
Of course you are, Watson!
But you have a kinder heart.
But what have you done all these long years?
(Holmes chuckles)
You may have read of the remarkable explorations
of a Norwegian named Sigerson.
You were receiving news of your friend.
You?
For two years I travelled.
To Tibet - and amused myself by visiting Lhasa
and spending some time with the head lama.
I then moved through Persia
and made a short but interesting visit to the Khalifa in Khartoum.
The results of which I passed on to Lord Kitchener - anonymously.
You actually saw the palace where Gordon was murdered?
It was a sorry sight. A ruin.
His blood still upon the staircase.
Lately I've been in France, researching into the coal tar derivatives.
Then came the news of this remarkable murder.
Which not only appealed to me by its own merits,
but seemed to offer some most peculiar personal opportunities.
So here I am.
- Have you been to Baker Street? - Yes.
'I called there this morning in my own person.'
Oh...
(Hysterical gabbling)
Oh, Mr Holmes.
'Mycroft had preserved my rooms and papers exactly as they'd always been.
'And so it was that I found myself in my old rooms,
'sitting in my old chair
'and only wishing that I could have seen my dear friend Watson
'sitting in the other chair.'
And so, I hope, I will be.
What a remarkable story.
Do you still have your army revolver?
- I think I have it somewhere. - See that you bring it with you tonight.
I have a piece of work for us
which, if we bring to a successful conclusion, will in itself...
justify a man's life on this planet.
I beg you to tell me about it.
You will see and hear enough before morning.
Watson, may I occupy your couch for a few hours?
The sea was rough during the Channel crossing
and the prospect of seeing London again,
an encounter with one of Moriarty's men,
plus the pleasure of seeing you again,
quite prohibited sleep on the train.
Holmes, my bedroom is at your disposal.
No, no. This will suit me very well.
I've had harder beds than this in the past few years.
Ah.
(Distant clock chimes)
(Door opening)
(Creaking)
- Do you know where we are? - That is Baker Street.
Exactly. We're in the empty house opposite our old quarters.
Why are we here?
It commands an excellent view of that picturesque pile.
Might I ask you to draw a little nearer to the window,
taking every precaution not to reveal yourself, and to look into our old rooms?
Let us see whether my absence has taken away my power to surprise you.
Good heavens!
It's marvellous.
I trust that age doth not wither nor custom stale my infinite variety.
- It is rather like me. - I would swear it was you.
The construction is due to a Monsieur Oscar Meunier of Grenoble.
The bust is wax. The rest I arranged during my visit to Baker Street earlier.
But why?
I had a strong reason for wishing people to believe that I was there
when I was elsewhere.
You thought the rooms watched?
- I knew they were being watched. - By whom?
By the one remaining member of that charming society
whose leader lies in the Reichenbach Falls.
He believed that I would come back to my rooms, so he had them watched.
'I was observed when I arrived this morning.
'I recognised the sentinel.
'Parker, by name.
'A garrotter by trade
'and a remarkable exponent upon the Jew's harp.'
Now I understand the reason for the old bookseller.
I cared not a jot about Parker,
but I cared a great deal about the much more formidable person behind him.
The bosom friend of Moriarty.
That is the man who is after me tonight.
Let us hope he is also the man who is totally unaware that we are after him.
Holmes!
Look.
Just beyond the house.
- A couple of shady characters. - Yes, I see.
- Shouldn't we? - No.
Holmes...
the shadow's moved.
Certainly it has moved.
I involved Mrs Hudson.
We've been in this room two hours
and she has made some change eight times.
(Creaking)
(Footsteps)
(Ratchet noise)
(Gunshot)
Aagh!
(Whistle)
Mr Holmes!
Lestrade, how nice to see you.
So it really is you. I had your message. I could scarce believe it.
You need some help. Three undetected murders in one year won't do.
- Holmes, I know this man. - So does the inspector.
Colonel Sebastian Moran.
Once of Her Majesty's Indian Army
and the best heavy game shot our eastern empire has ever produced.
I believe I'm correct in saying that your bag of tigers still remains unrivalled?
I wonder that my simple stratagem could deceive so old a shikari.
How many times have you not tethered a young kid under a tree,
lain above it with your rifle
and waited for your bait to bring up your tiger?
This empty house is my tree and you are my tiger!
The parallel is exact.
You may or may not have just cause for arresting me
but there can be no reason why I should be subjected
to the jibes of this person.
If I am in the hands of the law, let it be done in a legal way.
That sounds reasonable.
Anything further to say before we go?
Only to ask what charge you intend to proffer?
What charge, sir?
Why, the attempted murder of Mr Sherlock Holmes.
Not so, Lestrade. To you only belongs the credit of this remarkable arrest.
With your usual mixture of cunning and audacity,
you have got him.
I don't understand you, Mr Holmes. Do you mean this man?
The man whom the entire force has been seeking in vain.
Colonel Sebastian Moran who shot the young Adair
through the window of his house upon the 20th of last month.
That is your charge, Lestrade.
You were the heroine of the occasion.
- I don't know, I'm sure, sir. - I hope you observed all precautions.
Oh, yes, sir. I went on my knees just exactly as you told me.
I've a crick in my back to prove it.
I wasn't half frightened, Doctor. And when that window shattered...
I thought I should have died!
You did it very well, Mrs Hudson.
There's no sign of the bullet.
Oh, excuse me, sir.
- A moment, if you please. - What is it?
I have it here. I picked it up off the carpet.
Mrs Hudson, you are becoming indispensable.
A soft revolver bullet.
As you perceive, there's genius in that.
Who would expect such a thing to be fired from an air gun?
- It's no ordinary air gun. - A remarkable and unique weapon.
Noiseless and of tremendous power.
I knew Von Herder - the blind German mechanic
who constructed it to the order of the late Professor James Moriarty.
Hah! Watson, look at this.
The old shikari's nerves have not lost their steadiness.
- The results are appalling. - Yes, indeed.
Had you heard of Moran before Adair's murder?
- No, I had not. - Well, well. Such is the price of fame.
Would you hand me down my L to M index of biographies, Watson?
My list of Ms is fine.
Moriarty's name is enough to make any letter illustrious.
I seem to remember Morgan, the poisoner,
Merridew, of abominable memory,
and Matthews who knocked out my left canine in Charing Cross station.
Ah...
Ah! There is our friend of last night.
"Moran, Sebastian Colonel.
"Son of Sir Augustus Moran. Educated Eton, Oxford...
'Served in Jowaki Campaign, Afghan Campaign,
"Sherpa, Kabul, mentioned in dispatches.
"The second most dangerous man in London."
Astonishing. This is the career of an honourable soldier.
It's true. Up to a certain point he did well.
There are some trees, Watson,
which grow to a certain height and then develop some eccentricity.
You will often find it in humans.
Whatever the cause, Moran began to go wrong.
Without an open scandal, he made India too hot to hold him.
He came back to London where he acquired an evil name.
It was about this time that he was sought out by Professor Moriarty.
When we were in Switzerland, Watson, Moran followed us.
It was undoubtedly he who gave me those evil five minutes above the falls.
Now I can understand why you disappeared.
With a fellow like this free in London,
your life would not have been worth living.
All I could do was wait and watch the criminal news,
knowing that sooner or later he would make a mistake.
When I heard of the murder of Ronald Adair, I knew my chance had come.
Knowing what I did, was it not certain that Colonel Moran had done it?
He played cards with the lad,
followed him home from his club and shot him...
through the open window from the roof-top opposite.
Does anything else remain for me to explain?
Yes.
You have not made clear what was Moran's motive
in murdering Ronald Adair.
There we move into the realms of conjecture.
Each may form his own hypothesis
and yours is as likely to be correct as mine.
- Watson, have you formed one? - Mm.
- I think so. - Let me hear.
It's not difficult to explain the facts.
There was a large amount of money involved and Moran had played foul.
I think Adair had discovered he was cheating.
Splendid.
He threatened to expose him - Moran -
unless he resigned membership of his club
and promised not to play again.
This is excellent.
Exclusion from his club would mean ruin to Moran,
who lived by his ill-gotten card gains.
Therefore, he murdered Adair.
Will it pass?
I think, without doubt, that you have hit upon the truth.
It will be verified at the trial.
Meanwhile, come what may, Colonel Moran will trouble us no more.
And the air gun of Von Herder will embellish the Scotland Yard museum.
- (Knocking) - Come in.
Once again, Mr Sherlock Holmes is free to devote his life
to examining those interesting little problems
which the complex life of London so plentifully presents.
Mr Sherlock Holmes.