"It came about in this way.
The instant that the Professor had disappeared it struck me what a really extraordinarily lucky chance Fate had placed in my way.
I knew that Moriarty was not the only man who had sworn my death.
There were at least three others whose desire for vengeance upon me would only be increased by the death of their leader.
They were all most dangerous men.
One or other would certainly get me.
On the other hand, if all the world was convinced that I was dead they would take liberties, these men, they would lay themselves open, and sooner or later I could destroy them.
Then it would be time for me to announce that I was still in the land of the living.
So rapidly does the brain act that I believe I had thought this all out before Professor Moriarty had reached the bottom of the Reichenbach Fall.
"I stood up and examined the rocky wall behind me.