Introduction

Porlock watson is a nome de plume, a mere identification mark. But behind it lies a shifty and evasive personality. In calling moriarty a criminal, you are uttering libel in the eyes of the law. Porlock is important not for himself, but for the great man with whom he is in touch. Picture to yourself the pilot fish with the shark, the jackal with the lion. Anything that is insignificant in companionship with what is formidable. The valley of fear, by arthur conan doyle, part one, the tragedy of burlstone. Chapter one, the warning i am inclined to think, said i i should do so