The final problem

After his marriage, Watson had seldom opportunities to see Holmes and follow him in his investigations. Lately, he could just read about his work in papers. There have been months since the last contact. And suddenly, in April 1891, turns up a pale, thin and unusually worried Holmes.

He explains that he has to take exceptional security measures, because he is on the verge of reducing to nothing the wide web patiently weaved by the most extraordinary criminal mind: professor James Moriarty. For years now, Holmes has suspected that a shadow lay hidden behind some crimes and mischiefs. And judging by his mental capacities, this discreet spectre must be nothing less than Shlerock's criminal alter ego. 

Now, of course, Professor Moriarty knows that he is about loosing all. He is more dangerous than ever. On an unexpected visit at Baker Street, he posed a very clear ultimatum. Holmes refused, of course, but now he must run away to Switerland, along with his only friend Watson, while the police arrests the whole gang.

 

the genuine falls of reichenbach in Switzerland

There is a very short story for the narration of Sherlock Holmes' death... Doyle was notoriously annoyed because of the celebrity acquired by his character. He had decided to kill him. A few pages and that's over. As if the author was reluctant and chose to be quickly done with that task.

The story is narrated by Watson, two years after the events. With a heavy heart, he decides to give his own version of the facts, Colonel James Moriarty (same Christian name!) has written to defend the memory of his brother.

The first part of the story comes from Holmes himself, describing the formidable and fearsome system established by Moriarty. It culminates with the only brief confrontation between the two geniuses -before they finally kill each other. 

The second part is a chase through Northern Europe, a game of cat and mouse, where Holmes is just trying to buy time. The gang will be arrested, has he hoped, but Moriarty himself escapes. There can be only one solution: confront him a second and last time. If he must meet his own fate in this encounter, but manages to destroy the worst criminal ever, the game is worth the candle.