Holmes, Heroic, Hiatus: A Man to Match the Swiss Mountains by Gordon R. Speck

The following is an article written by Gordon Speck for the Camden House Journal in 1985, but it still rings true today.  For anyone who knew Gordon, you'll know what a great Sherlockian scholar he was.  And if you weren't lucky enough to ever read one of Gordon's writings, you are in for a real treat!

Holmes, Heroic, Hiatus: 

A Man to Match the Swiss Mountains 

by Gordon R. Speck

Holmes visits places during the Great Hiatus that read like the itinerary of the travels of Marco Polo, and the reader tends to concentrate on the where of it at the expense of the why and the how. Most of the why and the how is a matter of unverifiable conjecture, but the facts of that earliest and most difficult phase lie incontrovertibly before us. The reason and method of Holmes's madness in doing "ten miles across the mountains in the dark"--his statement to Watson in "The Adventure of the Empty House"--are found in "The Final Problem."

Holmes and Watson, supposedly fleeing the wrath of Moriarty and the remnants of his gang as Scotland Yard draws together its wide-cast net, journey toward Meiringen in the heart of Switzerland, a deliberately chosen destination. Note the pace of their flight: two days in Brussels; one day in Strasbourg, leaving for Geneva the same day they arrived. The "flight" could hardly be called "headlong."

In Strasbourg Holmes receives a telegram from "the London police"--in reply to his query--informing him of Moriarty's escape. Holmes urges Watson to return to London "[b]ecause you will find me a dangerous companion now." The inference is that Holmes did not consider himself in danger until that moment. The telegram, in fact, told Holmes that his preconceived, carefully thought out scheme was proceeding as planned.

Watson refuses to part from Holmes; the two of them leave Strasbourg, and

For a charming week we wandered up the valley of the Rhone, and then, branching off at Leuk, we made our way over the Gemmi Pass, still deep in snow, and so, by way of Interlaken, to Meiringen. It was a lovely trip . . .

     Why such a leisurely "flight"? Several reasons come to mind. First, Holmes must allow Moriarty time to discover his general location and direction of travel so that all three would arrive in the Meiringen area at approximately the same time. Second, he had to acclimate his muscles and lungs to Alpine conditions, partly to prepare for the fight with Moriarty and partly to accommodate his post-fight plan. Third, he needed to learn the tricks of travel in Swiss mountains and to question the natives about shortcuts and byways to various points throughout the country. Watson notes Holmes's special alertness "by his quick glancing eyes and his sharp scrutiny of every face that passed us," and the faithful doctor believes "that he [Holmes] was well convinced . . . . of the danger which was dogging our footsteps." Under the circumstances, Holmes had only to exaggerate his mannerisms and wait for Watson to draw the wrong conclusions, an essential part of his plan.

Not only must Watson convince himself that danger threatens Holmes and that Holmes dies in the Reichenbach cauldron, but he must also convince other people who know both him and Holmes.

Actually Holmes observes the traveling Swiss in minute detail in order to learn ways of getting around in the mountains. In this way Holmes masters the Swiss mountains. For example, a commonplace rock slide occurs as Holmes, Watson, and guide walk along the edge of a lake, but Holmes "raced up on to the ridge, and, standing upon a lofty pinnacle, craned his neck in every direction." Watson assumes that Holmes seeks the dislodger of the rock; Holmes, however, is merely testing his new-found skills and scouting the area.

Watson tells us that Holmes "was never depressed," that he could "never recollect having seen him in such exuberant spirits." Why should he not be? Holmes knows that he is about to rid the world of Moriarty and to take a long, well-deserved holiday. He does not, of course, know that Moran will escape, but his precautions and preparations for the unexpected event--always wise when dealing with Moriarty--serve him well. Although Moran knows that Holmes is not dead, the rest of world does not, and Holmes is free to pursue the secret missions entrusted to him by the Queen (as I have discussed elsewhere).

Despite Holmes's reputation, many have questioned his ability to survive a ten-mile trek through the Swiss mountains in the dark. Once again Watson, although he does not realize it, provides explicit details, allowing us to conclude how and why Holmes managed it--if only we observe those details. Beginning in "The Final Problem" and continuing until his return in "The Adventure of the Empty House," Holmes takes the road "less traveled by, / And that has made all difference."