Sherlock Holmes In Japan

by Vasudev Murthy

  ‘Evil, Mr Sugiyama, is everywhere. There is a web around us. I need time to recoup and think of a new plan. Professor Moriarty does not give up. Till he sees actual proof of my demise, he will assume I am alive and will work accordingly. I must not be seen. I must be believed dead and not traceable. I must not stay anywhere a second more than necessary.’

  I heard Mr Sugiyama take a sudden sharp intake of breath. Something had registered.

  ‘Professor Moriarty, did you say, Mr Holmes? You may be surprised to know that I know that name,’ he said, after a few moments. There was a clear note of urgency in his voice.

  ‘Interesting, very interesting. And perhaps, fortuitous – yes, few know of him and we know he prefers it that way. The Japanese government is also aware of him and his influence. It is automatically my duty to find a way to help you. Not another word, Sir. I order you to close your eyes and rest. I will find a solution overnight.’

  Mr Sugiyama returned to his table, thinking and reading and writing haikus. Outside, an owl flitted by in the moonless night.

  Thus assured, I fell asleep.

  The next morning, Mr Sugiyama showed me the English translation of a haiku he had written.

  The moon is silent

  A cold wind murmurs, afraid

  The brave gather strength

  Professor Moriarty’s Note (Acquired through the good offices of the French Sûreté many years after the event, at my request. Certain observations at the end of a few chapters are also reflective of my attempts at reconstructing the acts of Professor Moriarty and how he responded to them.)

  At every turn, Sherlock Holmes and I have stepped away from each other at the very last moment. My prior attempts to have him eliminated had not been successful, largely because of the incompetence and limited intelligence of those who were assigned the task. When the reports of these failed attempts reach me, I could see with absolute clarity that it was not the stratagem itself that was at fault, but the failure of the man of the moment to react in the right manner. And it is a fact that Sherlock Holmes was close to me in intelligence and did have an instinct and an ability to think that was superior to the police force, which I hold in absolute contempt.

  On the ledge at Reichenbach Falls, I was surprised by Holmes’s gall – I was his physical and intellectual superior and there was really no possible way he could have prevailed. He was simply wasting my time. A man of his logical temperament should have seen the futility of fighting against a greater power.

  Nevertheless, we struggled for several minutes. He thrust his right hand into my face, managing to scratch me and draw blood, and also attempted to throw me off balance. I held him close and landed a few punches in his midriff and shoulders. We staggered; it was a fight to the death. The slippery mud complicated matters but we fought on, neither a clear victor, landing blows on each other. I was still collected and asked Holmes to stop and not waste his energy and my time. But he seemed deaf to me and carried on. And then, as we tottered at the edge, he gripped my waistcoat to regain his balance. He tripped again, falling backwards, and my waistcoat suddenly tore off. Both of us lost our balance and tipped over the edge. While Holmes was thrown clean off into space, I managed to catch the ledge as I fell and, as I slid down for another ten feet or so, I was able to break the fall. Finally I came to rest against a large shrub that was protruding from the side of the cliff. There I caught my breath and collected my thoughts.

  I looked down. I had seen Holmes as he began his downward journey. As I looked at the raging torrents of the pool below, I could see no sign of him. He is probably dead. But I will need to verify that thoroughly and quickly.

  I first looked for a way back and found it quite easily. The natural protrusions of rock and small shrubs needed to get a grip were more than enough for me to quickly climb to the top. I was dirty and tired, but absolutely infuriated by Holmes’s behaviour. He was now most likely dead and he had known that was to be his fate. I am always appalled by stupidity and this was another ridiculous instance of that quality.

  I quickly walked up to Meiringen to my hotel, changed my attire and destroyed all evidence of my most recent experience, which included muddy shoes, a torn waistcoat and dirty clothes. There was also the little matter of masking the visible injuries on my face. That was easy as I am a master of disguise and hiding a facial injury is child’s play. I am sure I have won the battle for now, but till I receive irrefutable proof of his death, I am not prepared to believe I have won the war. I must set LeFevre on the task.

  I left the hotel the next morning. It was imperative that I reached Paris, where I had some unfinished business involving my counterfeit operations.

  I took the eleven o’clock train to Berne and Lausanne. My first-class cabin had only a few co-passengers: an old lady with a Bernese dog, two young boys, a middle-aged French couple, an elderly Japanese tourist and a portly gentleman wearing a typical Swiss hat. I reached Lausanne and left instructions with Babineaux there to forward all reports on Sherlock Holmes to me without delay.

  Holmes had caused deep but not absolute damage to my ambitions, but he knew little about the real extent of my network and activities. His schoolboyish attempts at detection only found superficial examples of inefficiency and inferior intelligence within my organization, which are in themselves useful to know, for a vibrant organization must always be in a state of flux and regeneration. Of course, the recent arrest of so many of my aides is exasperating, but I have always known the value of redundancy and the need for constant obfuscation. This is merely a small setback. In a month, all will be well.

  I pity Holmes and his small set of mediocre associates. His right hand man, Dr Watson, is extremely limited in his intelligence; I believe Holmes managed to expose his own lack of judgement by having such an inferior associate. Men of intelligence need extremely thorough and discerning assistants in their professional quests. We must ruthlessly replace these assistants on a regular basis to prevent stagnation. That is why Holmes has always failed, while I have always succeeded and will continue to do so.

  Our new activities promise untold power. Money is merely a means; the ability to alter history as one wills is the true test of success. The world is becoming smaller and smaller and to be overly focused on Europe and dismissive of distant countries like Japan and China is a mistake. Absurd notions like democracy and public order are a distraction, but perhaps, on reflection, convenient devices to keep lesser men busy. It is amusing that peoples and nations believe they possess the ability to craft their own destinies. Let the fools continue to think so. They are pawns in a chess game. I am the Grandmaster and shall do with them what I please.

  Well, Holmes, here’s to your memory!

  The Diplomatic Artefacts of Hiroshi Sugiyama, Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland (Note from Dr Watson: Holmes was referred to as PNY32 and Professor Moriarty as TWJ22 in the official encrypted wires or secret paper correspondence.)

  TOP SECRET

  May 5 1891

  CH-AHS-876

  The Foreign Desk

  Tokyo

  Attn: KX-56

  This is with reference to your Memos 67, 68 and 69 that refer to the expansion plans of _____ which necessitates immediate and decisive action through Operation Kobe55.

  Acted on your suggestion regarding our guest PYN32.

  PYN32 was in a shaken physical condition and I was able to bring him back to his normal self quickly and easily. His fortuitous arrival can be of great assistance to us at this sensitive time.

  I told him that I wished to take him to our Embassy in Berne and then on to Japan where he would be safe. He agreed readily but emphasized the need for disguise. I went up to the farmer’s residence to close accounts and procured the clothes needed for PYN32 to pass off as a stout farmer, saying that I would like a sample of Swiss clothing as a souvenir.

  After a light breakfast, we both prepared for the journey. Our guest is very competent in the matter of disguise. He transformed into a Swiss farmer,
complete with a ruddy complexion, a hearty manner and a certain typical gait that Swiss men have. His powers of observation are acute.

  We walked to Meiringen railway station. I took a couple of first-class tickets to Berne and stepped into the waiting room. We sat in silence. Other travellers came and went but none took notice of PYN32, with most directing a brief glance at me for obvious reasons. We took the eleven o’clock train in the company of an old lady with a large Bernese dog, a French couple, perhaps in their forties, a couple of talkative teenage boys and a taciturn gentleman with penetrating dark eyes and a hostile air, who seemed absorbed in thought and stared outside unblinking. The journey passed.

  We walked to the Embassy, which is barely a mile away on Engestrasse. Along the way, PYN32 made the surprising claim that TWJ22 was on the train and was the single grim gentleman staring out of the window. He felt he was likely to be on his way to Lausanne or Paris. Please assign someone to watch the stations.

  PNY32 is safe in his guest quarters. However, speed is of the essence.

  HS

  TOP SECRET

  May 6 1891

  CH-AHS-877

  The Foreign Desk

  Tokyo

  Attn: KX-56

  Have worked on the suggested plan overnight. We shall avoid the sea route via Marseilles because we need to keep a distance between us and TWJ22. We shall take the route to Japan via Moscow.

  We must reach as early as possible so I need your assistance in getting tickets and papers arranged; please have them ready with our Ambassador there. We are departing this evening and should be in Moscow in two days.

  I have not yet told PNY32 that I have a mission for him. It is best that he be told about Operation Kobe55 when we reach Tokyo. His own intention is to disappear for as long as possible and I have no doubt that he will cooperate fully when we seek his assistance.

  Additionally, please ensure that reports regarding the movements of TWJ22 reach Moscow in anticipation of our arrival.

  HS

  TOP SECRET

  May 7 1891

  The Foreign Desk – KX 56

  Attn: CH-HS from Berne

  Arrangements have been made. Ambassador Toyoda will hand over the documents to you personally.

  We hope your journey from Berne to Moscow was uneventful.

  TWJ22 reached Lausanne and then travelled to Paris. He was seen at Gare du Nord and then lost. But thus far we have no reason to believe he is aware of your movements.

  News of events continues to be prominent in papers, as you would have noticed.

  Operation Kobe55 must move quickly. At Vladivostok, WRT77 will be at hand and will escort you to Tokyo.

  KX 56

  TOP SECRET

  May 9 1891

  CH-AHS-877 camp Moscow

  The Foreign Desk

  Tokyo

  Attn: KX-56

  Our journey from Berne to Moscow was not entirely without incident. We took the overland coach to Vienna and then upwards through Warsaw, Minsk and then into Moscow, changing coaches as often as possible. While we took every possible precaution, PNY32 and I felt we were being watched or followed.

  At a station near Warsaw, we rested and partook of refreshments. One of our fellow passengers, a loquacious Englishman, perhaps a travelling salesman, was unusually inquisitive and insisted on imposing his company on us and asked us many questions in a very loud voice.

  We managed to shrug him off, but it appeared that the unnecessarily loud conversation had attracted the attention of shrewder individuals.

  A rough-looking passenger accosted PNY32 when he stepped out for a cigarette and asked him for his papers. PNY32 refused and demanded identification and the man went away. We fear that word would get around about two unusual travellers.

  Ambassador Toyoda met us in Moscow and handed over the relevant documents. We are setting off on the experimental Trans-Siberian this evening. Many parts of this new Railroad are not completely ready yet so there will be some hardship. But this is the safest way.

  PNY32 is in a reflective mood and has sensed that we have something to request of him. His powers of observation are acute. He continues to be in disguise and is very comfortable.

  While generally being knowledgeable about smuggling, he does not, as far as I can tell, have much knowledge about the context of Operation Kobe55. I believe he will see the strategic urgency of Operation Kobe55 and his pivotal role.

  HS

  Ambassador Sugiyama’s Aide Memoir (Note from Dr Watson: In the following rather long, somewhat informal, Aide Memoir, I have replaced PNY32, the codename for Holmes, with his name to avoid any confusion and made the tone conversational. In addition, I have used Professor Moriarty’s name as well, instead of his codename, TWJ22.)

  TOP SECRET

  24 May 1891

  CH-AHS-877 – Aide Memoir

  The Foreign Desk

  Tokyo

  Attn: KX-56

  We thank you for the impeccable arrangements made in the safe transfer of Holmes to our Tokyo safe house.

  We stayed at our Embassy in Moscow for barely a day. The journey from Moscow to Vladivostok, while long and frequently disturbed due to the construction of the railway line, was eventful. We felt we were being followed right from the time we left the Embassy premises. I obviously stood out because of my features, but my sixth sense told me that I was being looked at with more than idle curiosity.

  Holmes refused to travel without a disguise and so took on the persona of a French businessman and was given a fake passport by our Embassy. He had picked up a smattering of Russian and, having the powers of gentle persuasion, managed to get us a very private first-class coupé for the first leg, instead of a cabin that would have had two additional passengers. The coupé was warm and comfortable and had been designed with many conveniences, except that the common toilet was at the other end of the carriage. The staff would visit often, serving tea or taking any orders for refreshments. In the evening they would bring in fresh, warm blankets and take them away the next morning. We avoided unnecessary contact and Holmes spent time smoking and thinking. Occasionally, we would test each other’s observation skills or play chess.

  ‘You are a widower, Mr Sugiyama. Also a painter. You have spent some time in Germany and are an accountant by training.’

  ‘Correct on all counts, Mr Holmes! Please explain how you deduced this.’

  ‘We have spent several days with each other, Mr Sugiyama. I have observed your habits and seen that you are quite self-reliant though not entirely so. Not once have you mentioned a wife but I noticed that you have difficulty in arranging your personal effects, showing that you were quite used to someone else doing it for you until recently.’

  ‘Quite so. My wife passed away after an illness, about a year ago. And about being a painter?’

  ‘Whoever has a passion finds ways to keep the embers glowing and alive. Along the way, you were observing the landscape. A painter uses his thumb to gauge depth and perspective. You did that several times and were satisfied and perhaps made a mental note for a future project. And later, you spent several minutes observing the paintings in the waiting room at Moscow; you nodded in appreciation at a couple and I saw you attempt to trace the hand of the painter over some complex lines.’

  ‘True enough!’

  ‘Your suitcase is marked with baggage tags from Berlin and Munich and your German is unusually fluent. This suggests you spent time in Germany, obviously as part of your diplomatic duties.’

  ‘That is indeed the case!’

  ‘Only an accountant would hold on to a copy of Harper’s Accountants’ Directory with such care and, judging from the condition of its pages, I see that you refer to it often. You are in all probability a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales – did they not turn down the application of Mary Smith some years ago? And in addition, though in a minor way, the meticulous and confident way you wrote down the accounts for our journey from Vienna.’
>
  ‘Absurdly simple! I thought you had done something clever, but I now see it was child’s play.’

  ‘Indeed, Mr Sugiyama,’ responded Holmes with some asperity.

  ‘Would you care to make any calculated observation about me, Mr Sugiyama? You are a diplomat and perhaps have acuity in your perception in these matters significantly greater than most individuals.’

  ‘I am flattered, Mr Holmes. I am not a detective. But let me try.

  ‘Hmm. I believe you have an older sibling who you admire greatly and your energy springs from a desire to keep pace with him. You have an interest in chess or games of a similar nature. You are not enamoured of women. You have an unfortunate belief in the curative and stimulating powers of cocaine and possibly make use of it frequently.’

  Holmes stared at me for an extended period, his face expressionless.

  ‘Please explain your method of deduction, Mr Sugiyama. I am intrigued.’

  ‘In my experience as a diplomat, most action-oriented individuals – exceptions abound, of course – are younger siblings who try to catch up with the accomplishments of an older one. A professional will always ensure his skills are kept finely honed; a renowned detective such as you is likely to exercise his brain constantly through some means and not take his skills for granted. I see only chess and baduk as games that you may like. The fact that you are indifferent to women I infer indirectly from the fact that you have not referred to any family all these days and yet are extremely organized, suggesting that you have managed very well without a wife. As to cocaine, I guessed that when I was attending to you when we met; I did not comment on the puncture marks I saw on the veins of your arms.

  ‘Of course Mr Holmes, my observations are unlikely to have a scientific basis, but at best can be ascribed to experience. I defer to you in this matter.’

  Holmes did not say a word for several moments. Then he grasped my hand firmly and with feeling.

  ‘My dear fellow, I am delighted! Simply delighted! You are quite right, quite right indeed!’