The Return of Moriarty Read Free

hours of arduous trial and error, coupled with applied science, the cipher was broken. The result is that at the time of writing, some one and a half books have been decoded.
    Quite early in this operation we realized that the documents could not be published as they stood. Even in these permissive times there is little doubt that Moriarty’s inherent evil—which lurks on every page—could cause concern. Also, the memories of too many revered and famous personalities would be subjected to wanton rumor and scandal.
    We decided, therefore, that it would be best for me to publish Professor Moriarty’s story in the form of a novel, or novels. This is why some of the locations and events have been slightly altered—though in some cases, such as Moriarty’s involvement in the Ripper murders and the so-called de Goncourt scandal, there is no point in concealing the facts.
    A further reason for this form of treatment is that Spear disappeared shortly after handing the journals to me. As I have already stated, we cannot positively date the writings, so it is just possible, though I do not believe this, that Albert Spear, with a mischievous sense of humor, has taken some pains to perpetrate the second largest literary hoax of the century. Or maybe his grandfather, who is much mentioned in the journals, was a man of imagination? Perhaps the publication of this first volume may bring us some of the answers.
    I must, however, add one final acknowledgment, which is, I believe, of interest. I am deeply indebted to Miss Bernice Crow, of Cairndow, Argyllshire, great-granddaughter of the late Superintendent Angus McCready Crow, for the use of her great-grandfather’s journals, notebooks, correspondence and jottings—papers which have been invaluable in writing this first volume.
    J OHN G ARDNER
    Rowledge,
Surrey

For three long years … Watson and the world thought that Holmes also lay dead beneath the dark and swirling waters of the Reichenbach; but Holmes in 1894 was very much alive.… Why not Moriarty? … Anyone familiar with the history of evil in the world since 1894 has little difficulty in seeing that Professor James Moriarty was taking advantage of a long period of social unrest to consolidate and expand his undisputed position as the Napoleon of crime.…
    â€”W ILLIAM S. B ARING- G OULD

THE RETURN OF MORIARTY

LONDON: Thursday, April 5,1894
    (RETURN TO LIMEHOUSE)
    â€œS O THE TRUCE is to be tested at last.” The man behind the desk allowed himself a grim smile of satisfaction. “You’re in no doubt?” His questing eyes searched the face of the small, whippetlike figure standing before him.
    â€œNo doubt at all, Professor. I’d know, so would Parker.”
    â€œIt’s Parker you’ve had in Baker Street then?”
    â€œNo other.”
    â€œSuitably disguised, I trust?”
    â€œBeen his beat for the past month, acting as a lurker.”
    â€œPerforming on his Jew’s harp, I suppose.”
    â€œIt’s his best side.”
    â€œMmmm. That and the thread.” The man behind the desk was familiar with Parker’s skill as a garroter. There had been cause to use him many times in the past.
    The room was pleasant, a high ceiling, two windows looking out onto the river, and not overcluttered with furnishings.
    The furnishings, in fact, looked relatively new, as they indeed were, the redecoration of the room having been carried out in a safe, private manner by Godfrey Giles & Company of 19 Old Cavendish Street.
    The carpet was a knotted-pile Persian; one of the famous “Sir Walter Raleigh” smoking chairs stood angled to the fireplace where, because of the unseasonal early spring chill outside, a cheerful fire crackled in the grate. Behind the smoking chair was a bookcase lined with leather-bound tomes, among the spines of which, the discerning could have observed such works as Bosanquet’s Essentials of Logic or The