William Seil - The Furt The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Titanic Tragedy

I calmed down and even managed a smile.

‘Wherever did you get that outfit?’ I asked. ‘Surely they are not wearing such old-fashioned garb in America these days?’

‘Oh, the ulster and deerstalker, they were Miss Storm-Fleming’s idea. She used her influence to have them purchased at a shop in Baltimore and delivered here to the academy. She thought it would be...nostalgic for our reunion.’

‘Indeed, it is... But Holmes, tell me...we thought you were dead. How did you manage to escape from the Titanic ? And what about Moriarty? Lightoller said he saw you struggling with him.’

‘Yes, good old Lightoller. I owe him much, including my life.’

‘Lightoller saved you?’

‘Yes, but let me start at the beginning. As you know, while Miss Norton and I were on the boat deck, a page delivered a note from Moriarty.’

‘Miss Norton knew that he asked you to meet him, but she did not know where.’

‘The note directed me to go to the roof of the wheelhouse, the uppermost deck area of the ship. At that moment, there was very little activity there. The crew was busily loading passengers into lifeboats on the boat deck, one level below. On my way to meet Moriarty, I was apprehended by a member of the crew, who handed me a life jacket and insisted that I put it on. I must say, if I had not bowed to that sailor’s orders, I would not be here today.

‘At first, I could not find the man. The deck area above the wheelhouse actually extends back past the second funnel. Yet, while searching this large area, I had a sense that I was being watched. Frustrated by my failed attempt to locate Moriarty, I leaned over a rail and watched the activity below. It was a dreadful sight...men trying to comfort their families before loading them into lifeboats. I never in my life felt greater sadness.

‘I was standing next to a lifeboat, similar to the one that you all departed in. I would later be saved by that boat, although I must say it seemed far more precarious than yours.

‘As I looked at the deck below, I heard a deep voice from behind. It was Moriarty, standing there in a life jacket, staring at me with grim determination in his eyes. His words showed the utter contempt for human life that he shared with his brother: “Exciting, is it not?” he said. “It is unfortunate that survival is allowed for women and children only, rather than those of us who can make best use of it.”

‘I exchanged some remarks with him. I learned that the “Hot Russian Honey Bear” was a reference to the submarine plans — part of a prearranged code he had made with his buyer in New York. The “pipe organ in the smoking room” was, of course, the model of the Titanic in the reception room. This was their back-up position for exchanging the plans for money. I must say, he was quite upset that I had found his hiding place.

‘Soon, overcome by anger, he lunged at me. We struggled about the deck for some time. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lightoller and some crew cutting through the lashings of the Englehardt and attempting to launch it into the water, which was rising well above the bow. They must have thought we were quite mad to be struggling on the sloping deck as the ship was about to sink. But they made no effort to stop us. They had far more important matters on their minds. Soon, they were able to push the boat off the wheelhouse roof and into the water.

‘As I continued to struggle with Moriarty, I felt the bow plunge downwards, then stop. A bulkhead had apparently given way. This caused water to flow over the boat deck, leaving our battleground as one of the last remaining oases. Some passengers began to struggle up to our deck, while others climbed towards the ship’s stern.

‘As you know, my knowledge of baritsu, the Japanese system of wrestling, has saved me from similar situations in the past. I slipped loose from his grip, and sent him tumbling back towards the sinking bow. Just then the ship began to tilt upwards at an ever-quickening pace. Moriarty fell back over the rail and into the water, amongst a frightened and freezing group of passengers. As the stern continued to rise, I decided that my only chance was to leave the ship. I jumped off the starboard side just as the ship’s huge forward funnel broke free and went crashing down into the sea. It slammed into the water just where Moriarty had landed. I heard many screams of terror just before it hit the surface.

‘The shock I felt as I hit the water was tremendous. I cannot describe how cold it was. Lightoller later told me that it felt as though a thousand knives had been driven into his body. I believe that is as good a description as any.

‘I swam as far from the Titanic as possible as the ship slowly descended into the water. When it finally went under, the water was momentarily boiling with air bursting from the hull and debris floating to the surface. It was all I could do to keep my head above water long enough to get my next breath of air. I should note at this point that the struggle with Moriarty and my time in the water had removed the beard and make-up from my face. Commodore Giles Winter had disappeared with the Titanic.

‘After the sea had settled a little I found myself clinging to the sides of the collapsible lifeboat that had been on top of the wheelhouse. It was floating upside down with a, group of passengers just barely managing to stay on top and was being rocked by some of my fellow swimmers who were trying to get out of the water. Soon Lightoller, who had been hanging on to the side, climbed onto the boat and took charge. He managed to get many of us into standing positions on the boat, all facing in the same direction. As the boat tilted, he ordered us to shift left or right to compensate for the boat’s movement. We stayed there, with the cold water lapping over our feet and ankles. As time passed, some succumbed to the elements and fell into the water. But many of us survived and were picked up by the Carpathia.

‘No one on board the lifeboat had paid any attention to me. They were all too busy trying to stay alive. With the help of Mr Lightoller, I was moved secretly to a private cabin on the Carpathia and allowed to stay there until the ship arrived in New York. For the sake of my mission, the secrecy of my arrival had been maintained.

‘After a day’s recuperation, I asked Lightoller to bring Miss Storm-Fleming to me. Of course, she was quite surprised to see that I was alive. She went on to arrange my meeting with American intelligence authorities in New York, asking me to stay in hiding until then. That, of course, prevented me from contacting you and letting you know that I was safe and sound. But believe me, old chap, I had no intention of beginning my mission without seeing you first.’

‘Well, at least it was not three years, as it was after the Reichenbach Falls. That was a far more dramatic resurrection from the dead.’

‘Now, now, Watson, you know that I have apologized for that many times.’

‘I know, Holmes.’ I smiled and patted him on the shoulder. ‘But after this mission, I expect to see you again immediately. And no more dramatic reappearances.’

‘Indeed, but I also have a request to make.’

I nodded.

‘If, after I return from this mission, you decide to publish an account of it, I would like to choose the title.’

‘And what would you like to call it?’

He stroked his chin with his thumb and forefinger, and looked towards the sky.

‘I would like you to call it His Last Bow, for after this I plan to retire — permanently.’

‘You have my word.’ We shook hands.

‘Well, Watson, to breakfast, but please do not eat too much.’

‘And why not, pray?’

‘The cook is preparing a special meal for us.’