The Secret Journal of Dr Watson by Phil Growick

Author:Phil Growick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sherlock Holmes, mystery, crime, british crime, sherlock holmes novels, sherlock holmes fiction, romanovs
ISBN: 9781780921334
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2012
Published: 2012-04-23T00:00:00+00:00

Revelation

This revelation was frightening and infuriating. Holmes began walking around Reilly as a hawk would circle its prey. It was as if he was kicking himself internally for not unravelling the one mystery that may have cost all of us our lives. He said nothing, stopped for a moment and then returned the pistol to Reilly as he looked him in the eye. It was clear to me that an unspoken truce had been reached. He then resumed his circling while listening to the rest of Reilly’s story.

“Why you were to be killed, I don’t know. Those few in my field who are like me, only follow orders; or, at least, the orders we want to follow.

“I was seconded from SIS to naval intelligence, and was given specific and direct orders by the deputy director of that branch.”

“Sir Randolph Newsome,” Holmes interrupted.

Reilly seemed surprised. “Do you know him?”

“Let us just say that we know of him. This is not the first time we have come upon the name of Sir Randolph Newsome.”

“We met quite clandestinely months ago at a safe house near Harwich, and I was told that Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson were going to try to rescue the Imperial Family. I was told there was the strongest resistance to this in the highest circles of government; and while there were those who wanted you to succeed, I was taking orders from those who did not.

“Further, these same people wished the Imperial Family dead, but under no circumstances did they wish the blame for their death attached to the Bolsheviks. This he emphasized quite strenuously.

“The methods I chose to carry out the assignment were left entirely to my discretion. I would be given as much money as needed for whatever I required.

“Sir George Buchanan, I am almost sure, was told another story. His superior is, of course, the British Foreign Secretary whose name every Englishman knows, Arthur Balfour. From what I could gather, Sir George believed what you believed; that you were sent to rescue the Romanovs, and that I was sent secretly by the British government to help. He told me also that special arrangements had been made with the White leader, Admiral Kolchak, to help me in my task.

“Usually, an ambassador would not know of my true identity or what my true assignment would be; unless he has a direct need to know, which Sir George did not. So I am still not sure if Sir George knows exactly who I am, or what my main function was before I was seconded. That, by the way, is something I promise to disclose to you at another time.

“Stravitski and Obolov I had known many years before in Russia, and they were of the greatest assistance to me thirteen years ago at Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War.”

“Do you mean you were already working with SIS back then?” I asked.

“Yes. That is where Stravitski saved my life. Obolov was with me only because Stravitski was with me; if you understand.

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