Dear Watson,
It is with sincerest apologies that I tred upon your fragile time in the Amazon Rainforest. You may remember a while back when I told you how I desired to have you cease recording our exploits. Well, I am afraid that ban must be lifted immediately as I doubt I would even come close to persuading you not to mention this event in your grand collection of adventures.
Four days ago I received the strangest of cases. Now, bear with me as I explain how this case came to unfold, but it is crucial to remember that the front door of 221 Baker Street is seldom left unlocked with the exception of this very night. Continuing with the case, the man who demanded my attention was no other than my brother Mycroft. Having heard that I had given up detective work for the quiet life of retirement he urged me to write you this letter declaring that you are in very imminent danger...
“Is everything alright Watson?”
“Yes thank you James,” I turned, greeting the man offering me a glass of water with shreds of coconut within.
It was not until I had finished drinking the liquid that I suddenly realized how refreshing it was, and how I would desire to bring some to Holmes at Baker Street, should I be able to. I resumed my attention to reading his letter.
...Having stumbled across a bar conversation Mycroft heard of a trio of men planning to travel to the Amazon on a boat owned by a distant family member who had just passed away...
My mind instantly brought up an image of Charles Darwin and his voyage on the Beagle, although I doubted the endangerment of Darwin’s life.
...Just as one of the men were preparing to disclose when they would leave, another, short but hardy fellow dressed in a black suit with a red pinstripe tie, suggested to the group that someone was eavesdropping. You can imagine Mycroft’s immediate reaction, but years of experience in places like this, had thought him to not differentiate himself from the crowd. Luckily this band ceased further conversation of being eavesdropped on and continued to disclose several incriminating plans including one to travel to the Amazon in search of a wealthy doctor who had recently departed from London. While I assure you that Mycroft explained to me that this could be any doctor, he still suggested that I warned you for any strange followers or events which might unfold. It is with great intrigue that I take this case upon myself as to discover who this targeted Doctor might be and whether the life of my dearest friend is in any true danger. I look forward to seeing you in El Dorado.
Very Sincerely Yours,
SHERLOCK HOLMES
P.S. Look for me when the Macaw flies.
It was at that very moment that our small boat landed at a muddy river bank along the winding flow of brown water.
A voice then called out to me in a Hungarian accent, “Doctor Watson! Doctor Watson!”
You could imagine my surprise after reading your note to see before my very eyes, a man dressed in a black suit. However he had a blue pinstripe tie, unlike the red one your brother sighted at that pub. He was well groomed for someone who had been in the Amazon, and had a very large brown moustache that moved with the breeze whistling past the giant trees encompassing us. The sky was not visible past the canopy, and all hung in the shadow of indistinguishable leaves.
“Yes, how can I help you?” I replied.
“How can I help you?” He answered.
“I’m sorry, I do not follow.” I confessed rather awkwardly. It was then that James stepped out of the boat and exchanged smiles with the stout man I was talking to.
“This will be you new guide, Doctor Watson,” he told me, with an innocent smile.
“New guide?” I exclaimed, “it has only been two days since we were introduced James! Surely you plan on accompanying me to Angel Falls?”
“I’m sorry Doctor,” the man replied, wiping his brow with the left sleeve of his red dress shirt. “I must head back home know, but do not worry, this man is called Felix and his name means ‘lucky’. Do not worry about paying him though for I have given him part of the money you paid me.”
I must confess, that at this moment I felt like fainting. Not only was I going to complete my journey with a complete stranger, but your letter was constantly at the back of my mind.
“Shall we move on then?” Felix said flatly, pointing to a mountain north North of my departure.
“You mean towards that thing?” I asked him, taking a moment to catch my breath and evaluate the situation I found myself entangled in.
“No, I mean the village at the foot of that mountain. Follow me.” He answered.
“Right behind you sir, just explain to me why you are wearing dark suit in the Amazon?”
I bent down and halted for his reply. I was not surprised that he ignored this question and continued to carefully walk up the large bank we were on. I was forced to follow him, or swim the river after James’s boat pulled away. The only comfort I had was knowing that we should meet soon, the only question in my mind remained how.
THIS ENDS THE FIRST CHAPTER OF MY ADVENTURE IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST FOR THE PURPOSE MEETING ONE MR. RAUCLIFF.
