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The Final Problem

24 illustrations · 3 chapters

Chapter 1Holmes warns Watson of Moriarty

  1. Watson's ground-floor window glows amber in a soot-dark London terrace at dusk
  2. Pale, gaunt Holmes stands in the doorway as Watson looks up from his book with concern
  3. Holmes bolts the closed shutters in the lamp-lit room while Watson watches from his desk
  4. Under the green-shaded lamp, Holmes shows Watson two torn, bleeding knuckles
  5. Holmes leans forward in his armchair, tracing an unseen web, a cigarette in his hand
  6. Tall, stooped Moriarty fills the doorway, swaying his head and peering at the detective
  7. Moriarty sorrowfully shakes his head, telling Holmes he will never stand in the dock

Chapter 2Flight across the Continent

  1. Cabs converge on smoky Victoria Station beneath its soot-dark iron-and-glass shed
  2. The old Italian priest's disguise breaks: half his face is smooth, his grey eyes blazing
  3. A tall figure in black shoves through the Victoria crowd, waving for the train to stop
  4. Holmes sits upright in the dark compartment of the Continental Express, gazing at Watson
  5. Behind luggage at Canterbury, Holmes and Watson hide as Moriarty's special thunders past
  6. In Strasburg, Holmes presses a hand to his brow: the telegram says Moriarty has escaped
  7. A boulder roars down the scree behind Watson, Holmes and their guide by the Daubensee
  8. By the Daubensee, Holmes speaks of a life not lived in vain as troubled Watson watches

Chapter 3The Hoax and the Vanished Holmes

  1. The peaceful Meiringen valley lies under the mountains; a dark gorge breathes spray
  2. Above the Reichenbach chasm, Holmes leans on a boulder, arms folded, beside the Swiss lad
  3. A doctor looks back up the hillside at a small black figure striding toward the falls
  4. Landlord Peter Steiler's grey brows lift in surprise at Watson's question
  5. Watson sprints down the empty Meiringen street, the hoax letter crumpled in his fist
  6. Holmes's alpine-stock stands alone against the wet black boulder, the only trace of him
  7. Horrified, Watson lies flat in the mud at the brink of the Reichenbach chasm, shouting
  8. Watson's trembling hands hold three torn note-book pages written in Holmes's calm pencil
  9. Watson reads Holmes's farewell letter, which admits the Meiringen message was a hoax