How Could Sherlock Know Moriarty Would Come Back?

In the Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Sherlock Holmes often displays remarkable intuition and deductive reasoning. While the specifics of your question seem to refer to a particular adaptation or interpretation of the Holmes-Moriarty dynamic, possibly from a film or modern retelling, I can provide a general explanation of how Holmes might anticipate Moriarty's return based on his character traits and methods.

Understanding Moriarty's Character

Holmes knows Moriarty well. He understands that Moriarty is a brilliant strategist and would not easily give up his pursuit of Holmes. Given their history, Holmes could infer that Moriarty would likely retaliate or attempt to re-establish dominance after their previous encounters.

Pattern Recognition

Holmes is skilled at recognizing patterns in behavior. If Moriarty had previously sought revenge after setbacks, Holmes might predict that he would do so again. This skill in recognizing patterns allows Holmes to anticipate Moriarty's potential actions, providing a solid foundation for his predictions.

Preparation for Conflict

Holmes often prepares for potential confrontations. If he anticipated Moriarty's return, he might take drugs to strengthen his resolve or to cope with the stress of the impending conflict. This could be a crucial step in ensuring that he is mentally and physically prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.

Psychological Insight

Holmes often uses psychological insight to predict others' actions. He might have deduced that Moriarty's ego and ambition would compel him to return, especially if he saw Holmes as a significant threat. This deep understanding of human behavior and the motivations behind Moriarty's actions would make it easier for Holmes to predict his next move.

The Plane Scenario

The scenario you mentioned about the plane suddenly changing course and adjusting its altitude could be another clue that Holmes uses to make his prediction. Holmes, being a genius in deduction, would immediately start formulating hypotheses about the situation. The plane not going to its destination but leveling at a lower altitude and changing course could be interpreted as a sign of an emergency or a different destination altogether.

Considering that Mycroft is connected to both the plane and the destination, Holmes might deduce that it is related to his well-being. The change in course could be a clue that Moriarty is engaged in a more active pursuit, leading Holmes to the realization that Moriarty could be involved.

Given this, Holmes would quickly take drugs to enhance his mental focus and clarity, particularly tuning into his 'mind palace' to access the information and insights necessary to solve the impending riddle. This preparation is crucial for Holmes as he attempts to understand what Moriarty's next move might be and how to counter it effectively.

Conclusion

In sum, Holmes' ability to anticipate Moriarty's actions would stem from a combination of deep psychological insight, understanding of human behavior, and knowledge of their adversarial relationship. This anticipation would allow him to prepare himself mentally and physically for their next encounter. The combination of these skills and the ability to recognize subtle clues, such as the plane's unexpected course, make Holmes the genius detective that he is.

Remember, the reason Holmes does this is precisely because he is Sherlock. What can you expect from a genius in deduction when faced with such complex scenarios? Only exceptional reasoning and preparation will do.