Holmes Departs

August 14, 1918

Captain Yardley’s orders were to sail that very next day, and that very next day he did sail. And while there was a replacement for Sir Michael, who I shall get to later, there was no physician to take my place. Yardley said the captain of the vessel bringing the new man never had instructions to carry a doctor or any other passenger; only the one. Not that I would have left little Alexei in any case, but that no other physician was aboard distressed me greatly. And I did not need more distress at this time.

To lessen everyone’s distress over the seeming solitude of our circumstances, Yardley had set up a wireless in a cottage at the far end of the compound. This would be manned, on and off, by three previously discharged Bahamian locals who had been in the Colonial forces; and were trained wireless operators. They had just been induced to re-enlist to bring them again under strict military rule. As their inducement, they were given a raise in rank to sergeants, and had their pay increased even above that rank.

The Grand Duchesses bid Holmes, Preston, and Yardley goodbye with heavy hearts for two reasons: their departure and Alexei’s illness. For Marie, it was worse. She was experiencing what her sister, Tatiana, had silently suffered almost a month before.

I was told by Tatiana later that love vows had been exchanged between William and Marie, and he swore that once the war was over, “which should be any day now,” he would be back to ask for her hand. He assured her that all would be well with her brother, and then he had to board his ship.

The Tsar took a few minutes away from Alexei to go to Holmes and Preston. He told me later that he had thanked Sir Michael profusely and begged him to return for visits; which Sir Michael promised, but which, the Tsar knew, would have very little likelihood of happening.

When it came to Holmes, the Tsar embraced him, and with tears running down his cheeks unashamedly, he held Holmes’ hands in his own as he thanked him for rescuing him and his family, and for everything he had done.

The Tsar gave Holmes his last item of value that he had: a wrist chain he wore, given to him by his mother at the time of his first communion. Holmes immediately put in on his own wrist and told the Tsar they would meet again. This, the Tsar believed with all his heart.

Then the Tsar came back in and told me to go out to my friend. I saw Alexei resting, and knowing the Tsar would be with him, I went out to Holmes.

“Well, my friend,” said Holmes, “do not worry for anything. I shall go to Mrs. Watson immediately upon my return and tell her of your health and good spirits, and when I am able, I shall tell her and John of how heroic you have been and how you have become one with history.”

I shook his hand and held it in mine. “No, Holmes, do not tell them that. Just tell them how much I love and miss them, and that as soon as I am able, I shall be with them again.”

“I shall do as you say, Doctor Watson.”

Holmes turned and left with Sir Michael. As they pulled away down to the slip, I felt like the young Ebeneezer Scrooge, seeing all of his friends going home for Christmas, and he being left behind in tormenting solitude, terribly alone.

September 16, 1918

Now that Alexei had actually walked by himself and I had been assured by William and Holmes and Sir Michael that I would be getting a doctor to replace me, how could I, or anyone, guess that the smallest remark made in passing would change my life for approximately another eight months.

One morning, while the Grand Duchesses, Alexei and I were having breakfast on their terrace, the Tsar being with the Tsarina, Tatiana mentioned something about an unsettling feeling in her stomach. She excused herself from table and did not return. I thought nothing much of it at the time, but a few days later there was a knock at my cottage door; and when I opened it, I was happily surprised to find Tatiana.

“Why, Your Imperial Highness, what a wonderful surprise. Please, do come in.” We went out to my little terrace where I sat her down and gave her some cool lemonade my newly assigned man, Lawrence, had just made for me. Tatiana waved it away.

“Dr. Watson, I have come to look upon you these past months almost as an uncle. Not only because of your help in helping Alexei regain his health, but mostly because of your silent understanding of my relationship with Sidney.”

“Your Imperial Highness, I believe your brother came around more from his own healing than mine. As for Reilly, that is your matter; there is nothing for me to say about it.”

“Well, doctor, it is just because of that attitude that I appreciate you so. And that is why I am here. For the past few days my stomach has been extremely unsettled, and I believe I must’ve contracted an island illness of some sort. I can’t keep food down at times, and I feel positively awful.”

“Do you find this nausea at particular times of the day, or all day?”

“Only in the morning, Dr. Watson, though, sometimes later on. But usually in the morning.”

“And do you void your stomach at these times?”

“Yes, I do, doctor. Quite often.”

“Your Imperial Highness, I think I may have to examine you.”

“Doctor, you have been tending to my family now for two months or more. You are a highly skilled physician. Don’t be put off because of my station.”

“Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.”

I then proceeded to give Tatiana the usual examination I would for any woman claiming these symptoms and was given an emphatic answer. After Tatiana dressed herself, she came back to me on the terrace. I sat her down again.

“Your Imperial Highness, I have the happy news to inform you that you are pregnant.”

Tatiana’s immediate reaction was one of sheer joy.

“Oh, Dr. Watson. How wonderful this is. I am carrying another Sidney,” and she kissed me on the cheek.

“Well, Your Imperial Highness, to be perfectly honest, the world is not ready for two Reillys. It is not even ready for one.” She laughed.

“Oh, don’t be so silly. Of course the world is ready for another spot of north moss.” Now it was my turn to laugh.

Then she grew serious. “Dr. Watson, I sincerely believe my father will understand, and I know my sisters will. As for my mother, well... But, my dear Dr. Watson, will you come with me when I tell my father this rapturous news?”

“Are you sure you want me there at such a private time?”

“Absolutely. I cannot want for a stronger ally, nor a finer friend. Will you? Please?”

She had me wrapped around her beautiful, little finger.

“Yes, of course.”

“Doctor, you couldn’t be mistaken, could you?”

“Your Imperial Highness, the only illness you have picked up is known in scientific circles as ‘Bacillus Reillyus.’” We both laughed.

Now all Tatiana had to do was plan when to tell her father for maximum, beneficial reaction. She decided to do it as soon as possible for her own mind’s well being. She felt that night, after dinner, would be a good time. Her father would have relaxed with a brandy, and he would be receptive to what Tatiana would tell him. And if I should be needed, he might listen to my council because of my recent restoration to him of his son; whole and vigorous once more.

I consented, and that night just Tatiana, the Tsar and I repaired to the gardens for a stroll after dinner; Tatiana having told her sisters not to intrude.

The Tsar was a happy man as we walked, his arm around his daughter’s waist. If it were not for his wife’s illness, there was nothing he would want for. Sir Michael had once told us that while, of course, he could not divulge the allowance nor specific arrangements made for the Imperial Family, the Prime Minister was seeing to it that they were treated in reminiscent manner of the style they had become accustomed.

“Papa, there is something I must speak with you about, and Dr. Watson has been good enough to be with us.”

“Ah, a conspiracy. But since it is from two of my more favourite people in the world, I see this is one conspiracy from which I have nothing to fear.” He laughed.

“Oh, no, Papa. This is something that shall make me the most happy woman on earth, and I hope you will be happy for me, as well.”

The Tsar stopped and looked at his daughter. He sensed the serious nature of what was now to come.

“What is it, child?”

“Father, I know you were aware of the very tender affections I held for Colonel Relinsky,” until now, I had no idea she had not told her father who Reilly was, “and I believe that because of our circumstances, you understood and approved.”

“You are wise, Tatiana and sensitive as a flower.” He kissed her on the forehead.

“Father, the colonel and I had fallen in love. Truly in love. Not knowing, literally, what tomorrow held for our family, my time with the colonel became even more precious. And intimate. And though there was no clergy to bind us, we believed that we were wed in the eyes of God.”

I thought I saw the Tsar’s eyes show recognition of what his daughter had not yet told him.

“Papa, today, this morning, Dr. Watson was good enough to confirm what I have suspected for a few days now. Papa, I am going to have a baby.” She looked deep into his eyes for his true answer, but she needn’t have worried.

“Tatiana, Tatiana. Yes, I knew. I have tried to understand. And since your mother has left us and would not know, this becomes easier. Your baby will be my first grandchild. That is important. And you have a man who loves you. That is also important. It is interesting how one can change when he does not know if he or his family is to live or die. And what becomes truly important. I have learned.”

He then began talking tenderly to Tatiana in Russian, and I left the two there in the yellow moonlight.

The joy I felt for Tatiana and the Tsar, indeed the entire family now, was tempered the next morning when Tatiana again came to call. She asked me to accompany her to the main house once more. This time it was her father who wanted to speak with me.

When we arrived on the terrace, the Tsar wished me good day and bade me sit opposite him. Tatiana sat between us.

“This is some news, is it not, Dr. Watson?”

“Wonderful news, Your Imperial Majesty.”

The Tsar took Tatiana’s hand in his own.

“The other Grand Duchesses and Alexei are as excited as we, and I cannot thank you enough for your help in this matter.”

“I assure you, Your Imperial Majesty, I had nothing at all to do with it.” It came out not the way I had wanted, and the Tsar and Tatiana looked at each other and began laughing full steam. I did then, myself.

“Dr. Watson,” continued the Tsar, the laugh abating, “there is something, though, I must ask of you.”

“If I am able to provide what you need, it shall be done.”

“Dr. Watson,” he hesitated, then said, “Tatiana, as do my entire family, wish you would stay here and tend to Tatiana during this most important time of her life.”

I was hit as hard as if I were struck in the face with a cannon ball. I quickly saw my homeward journey delayed at least another eight months, and my family began slipping away into the distance without me being able to hold onto them.

“But, Your Imperial Majesty, Your Imperial Highness, surely you know of my wife and son in England. It has been months since I have seen them. And until Holmes speaks with them, they know not if I am alive or dead.

“There are other doctors, specialists, who could tend to Her Imperial Highness much better than I. You do not need me here, but my family does need me there. Please, Your Imperial Majesty, Your Imperial Highness, do not ask me to do this. Anything else I would gladly grant, but I want desperately to be home.”

“Dr. Watson,” said the Tsar, “we fully understand and you know how we sympathize with your desires. You have meant much to us all, especially Alexei and Tatiana. But this is something we feel should be left to the privacy of our family, for reasons you yourself know only too well. And, quite truly, we have come to regard you as such; a lost, loving cousin we were fortunate enough to discover.

“But it is not rational. There are those better...” he cut me off.

“Dr. Watson, you yourself went through the miracle of your wife giving birth. Tell me, doctor, was there anything rational in her actions for months previous? Or has anything rational come from our shared circumstances?

“No, doctor, you are right; there is nothing rational in our request. And while it may be selfish, you are truly wanted, needed, and loved. I shall implore our new friend, when he arrives, to have you be in contact with your family.”

“Please, Dr. Watson,” said Tatiana, “I cannot even comprehend another doctor with me now at this time.”

I was beaten. And since the Tsar did promise to put me in direct contact with Elizabeth, I consented.

The Tsar and Tatiana thanked me so enthusiastically I cannot even begin to convey the overwhelming feelings of warmth I received from them. The Tsar then asked Lawrence to go immediately and fetch their new liaison to him so he could forcefully put in his request about my familial communications.

The Imperial Family’s new liaison arrived presently and I went out to speak with him before the Tsar did so. After all, it was not as if we were strangers.

For the man sent to replace Sir Michael was none other than our ally in Ekaterinburg, Arthur Thomas.