Power of the Pen--A new chapter of dubious quality!
I struggled more with this chapter than I did with all the others put together. I've never had such awful writer's block. (Actually, that's not true, but it sounds a lot better than "I've only ever had such awful writers block that time that I was trying to finish that Good Omens story that I still haven't finished, or that Greek Mythology story that crashed and burned, or that story that I haven't started yet...")
This is probably the chapter that I'm the least proud of. But it's going up anyway, because I've spent way too much time on it, and if I look at it any longer I'll never put it up.
This chapter was originally two chapters, but like I said, it wasn't working out, and I doubt the next chapter would have worked out either, so I just combined them, and it worked a lot better. That's how I got this!
The complete story (as well as the chapters in their proper order!) can be seen here.
An excerpt from the diary of Mrs. Mary Watson:
A certain Colonel James Moriarty has been making life quite difficult for John lately. The former has written a number of letters to various publications, defending the memory of his late brother, Professor James Moriarty. (Why they are both named James is quite beyond me). I have not read all the letters he has written, but what I have read is quite enough for me to know that it is unashamed slander.
The man insists that it was not his brother but Mr. Holmes who was at fault in the matter. He describes the Professor as mistreated in the published accounts, claiming that he was innocent of all charges laid against his memory. Furthermore, he makes Mr. Holmes out to be a ruthless, misguided man who knew that the Professor was innocent, but had a personal vendetta with him and sought out his destruction. Suffice to say, it is an entirely fictitious version of the matter, and that he should insult the name and memory of Mr. Holmes like that is truly a crime.
John is still unsure what to do-he does not want to publish an account of the case, but he fears his hand may be forced by the Colonel's actions. I wish there were something I could do.
--
A note on the still unfortunately messy desk of Inspector G. Lestrade:
Lestrade,
Colonel Moriarty has raised some complaints concerning the accusations made against his late brother's name. He claims that Mr. Holmes was at fault throughout the affair, falsely accusing the Professor of the crimes he committed, and demands that his brother's name be cleared. He has accused me of twisting the facts, and while I am certainly his primary focus for the moment, he may turn his attentions to yourself and Gregson, as you were of some assistance and it is known that you both worked often with Holmes in the past. I thought it prudent to warn you ahead of time.
Patterson
--
A series of missives between Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes:
Mycroft-
I fear I must rely on your generosity once again. My travels are taking longer than I anticipated. No doubt Moran and Rollins are being careful to keep their heads low.
I shall be leaving Tibet soon.
--Sherlock
--
Sherlock-
I have heard very little of Moran still. Most probably he has given up blatantly criminal acts for some time. How is it that he escaped your nets anyhow? Rollins is being less inconspicuous than is entirely prudent, to my mind.
Enclosed is a letter written to the London Times by Colonel James Moriarty. As you can see, he is not happy about the accusations made against his brother in the trial. Supposedly you are a conniving conspirator determined to drag the name of Professor James Moriarty unjustly through the mud. You fabricated all evidence against the Professor, and you were the one after him when you perished on the continent, and good riddance to you. I thought it might amuse you.
--Mycroft
P.S. Why the devil are they both named James?
--
Mycroft-
Moran escaped because he was cunning, and I was not present to ensure his capture. He had hidden his tracks quite well. If Rollins exposes himself do not hesitate to send me a wire; news is slightly delayed in getting to me here.
Moriarty's protests are quite fascinating. He must be just as pleasant a person as his late brother was. Of course, I am not there to defend my name, so the public shall have to endure his rants for the time being.
--Sherlock
P.S. I have wondered about the question of their first names myself. Perhaps their parents did not have an extensive repertoire of names at their disposal. That, or they did not wish to bother with remembering more than one name.
--
The beginning of a page in a notebook belonging to Doctor John Watson:
It is with a heavy heart that I take up my pen to write these the last words in which I shall ever record the singular gifts by which my friend Mr. Sherlock Holmes was distinguished…
--
A single missive from Mr. Mycroft Holmes to Mr. Sherlock Holmes:
Sherlock-
Enclosed is a copy of the Strand, in which Doctor Watson has published an account of your death. I daresay you will find it interesting. He refused to allow your name to be tarnished by the Colonel, who has ceased to voice his displeasure. Apparently the public is less inclined to believe him than the Doctor.
You should tell him.
--Mycroft
--
The crumpled contents of the wastebasket of Mr. Sigerson:
My dear Watson,
I have just finished reading your account of our little adventure with the late Professor Moriarty. It was most interesting, and quite accurate, apart from the description of my death.
--
My dear Watson,
I am not, in fact, dead.
--
My dear Watson,
Having finished reading your account of our adventure in Switzerland, which you have titled The Final Problem, I have decided to alert you to several inaccuracies present in the text, the most pressing being the detail of my death.
--
My dear Watson,
--
My dear Watson,
From reading your account of the business with the late Professor Moriarty,
--
A small note in the bottom right hand corner of a scrap of paper on the desk of Mr. Sigerson:
The best and wisest man he has ever known? My dear Watson, you really must meet more people, if the best and wisest you have ever known finds himself incapable of completing a single letter.
--
An even smaller note written unconsciously on the bottom left hand corner of the same paper:
The best and wisest man he has ever known?
Just a note: In FINA, Watson writes that Colonel James Moriarty is writing various letters. In EMPT, Holmes remarks to Watson that he had not heard of Professor James Moriarty before Holmes told him about him. Yet another example of ACD's fondness for the name James, despite the fact that it is illogical and occasionally impossible for a character to have that name. Unless Watson's middle name is James, and the H is just... a messy J.