“Herosealsoandlookedatmeinsilence，shakinghisheadsadly。
　　“”Well，well”saidheatlast。”Itseemsapity，butIhavedone
　　whatIcould。Iknoweverymoveofyourgame。Youcandonothing
　　beforeMonday。Ithasbeenaduelbetweenyouandme，Mr。Holmes。
　　Youhopetoplacemeinthedock。ItellyouthatIwillneverstand
　　inthedock。Youhopetobeatme。Itellyouthatyouwillnever
　　beatme。Ifyouarecleverenoughtobringdestructionuponme，rest
　　assuredthatIshalldoasmuchtoyou。”
　　“”Youhavepaidmeseveralcompliments，Mr。Moriarty”saidI。”LetmepayyouoneinreturnwhenIsaythatifIwereassuredofthe
　　formereventualityIwould，intheinterestsofthepublic，cheerfully
　　acceptthelatter。”
　　“”Icanpromiseyoutheone，butnottheother”hesnarled，and
　　soturnedhisroundedbackuponmeandwentpeeringandblinkingout
　　oftheroom。
　　“ThatwasmysingularinterviewwithProfessorMoriarty。Iconfess
　　thatitleftanunpleasanteffectuponmymind。Hissoft，precise
　　fashionofspeechleavesaconvictionofsinceritywhichamere
　　bullycouldnotproduce。Ofcourse，youwillsay：”Whynottakepolice
　　precautionsagainsthim？”ThereasonisthatIamwellconvinced
　　thatitisfromhisagentstheblowwouldfall。Ihavethebestof
　　proofsthatitwouldbeso。”
　　“Youhavealreadybeenassaulted？“
　　“MydearWatson，ProfessorMoriartyisnotamanwholetsthe
　　grassgrowunderhisfeet。Iwentoutaboutmiddaytotransactsome
　　businessinOxfordStreet。AsIpassedthecornerwhichleadsfrom
　　BentinckStreetontotheWelbeckStreetcrossingatwo-horsevan
　　furiouslydrivenwhizzedroundandwasonmelikeaflash。Isprang
　　forthefoot-pathandsavedmyselfbythefractionofasecond。The
　　vandashedroundbyMaryleboneLaneandwasgoneinaninstant。Ikept
　　tothepavementafterthat，Watson，butasIwalkeddownVereStreeta
　　brickcamedownfromtheroofofoneofthehousesandwasshattered
　　tofragmentsatmyfeet。Icalledthepoliceandhadtheplace
　　examined。Therewereslatesandbrickspiledupontheroof
　　preparatorytosomerepairs，andtheywouldhavemebelievethatthe
　　windhadtoppledoveroneofthese。OfcourseIknewbetter，butI
　　couldprovenothing。Itookacabafterthatandreachedmy
　　brother”sroomsinPallMall，whereIspenttheday。NowIhavecome
　　roundtoyou，andonmywayIwasattackedbyaroughwithabludgeon。
　　Iknockedhimdown，andthepolicehavehimincustody；butIcantell
　　youwiththemostabsoluteconfidencethatnopossibleconnectionwill
　　everbetracedbetweenthegentlemanuponwhosefrontteethIhave
　　barkedmyknucklesandtheretiringmathematicalcoach，whois，I
　　daresay，workingoutproblemsuponablack-boardtenmilesaway。You
　　willnotwonder，Watson，thatmyfirstactonenteringyourrooms
　　wastocloseyourshutters，andthatIhavebeencompelledtoaskyour
　　permissiontoleavethehousebysomelessconspicuousexitthanthe
　　frontdoor。”
　　Ihadoftenadmiredmyfriend”scourage，butnevermorethannow，as
　　hesatquietlycheckingoffaseriesofincidentswhichmusthave
　　combinedtomakeupadayofhorror。
　　“Youwillspendthenighthere？“Isaid。
　　“No，myfriend，youmightfindmeadangerousguest。Ihavemyplans
　　laid，andallwillbewell。Mattershavegonesofarnowthattheycan
　　movewithoutmyhelpasfarasthearrestgoes，thoughmypresence
　　isnecessaryforaconviction。Itisobvious，therefore，thatIcannot
　　dobetterthangetawayforthefewdayswhichremainbeforethe
　　policeareatlibertytoact。Itwouldbeagreatpleasuretome，
　　therefore，ifyoucouldcomeontotheContinentwithme。”
　　“Thepracticeisquiet，“saidI，“andIhaveanaccommodating
　　neighbour。Ishouldbegladtocome。”
　　“Andtostartto-morrowmorning？“
　　“Ifnecessary。”
　　“Oh，yes，itismostnecessary。Thentheseareyourinstructions，
　　andIbeg，mydearWatson，thatyouwillobeythemtotheletter，
　　foryouarenowplayingadouble-handedgamewithmeagainstthe
　　cleverestrogueandthemostpowerfulsyndicateofcriminalsin
　　Europe。Nowlisten！Youwilldispatchwhateverluggageyouintendto
　　takebyatrustymessengerunaddressedtoVictoriato-night。Inthe
　　morningyouwillsendforahansom，desiringyourmantotake
　　neitherthefirstnorthesecondwhichmaypresentitself。Intothis
　　hansomyouwilljump，andyouwilldrivetotheStrandendofthe
　　LowtherArcade，handingtheaddresstothecabmanuponaslipof
　　paper，witharequestthathewillnotthrowitaway。Haveyourfare
　　ready，andtheinstantthatyourcabstops，dashthroughtheArcade，
　　timingyourselftoreachtheothersideataquarter-pastnine。You
　　willfindasmallbroughamwaitingclosetothecurb，drivenbya
　　fellowwithaheavyblackcloaktippedatthecollarwithred。Into
　　thisyouwillstep，andyouwillreachVictoriaintimeforthe
　　Continentalexpress。”
　　“WhereshallImeetyou？“
　　“Atthestation。Thesecondfirst-classcarriagefromthefrontwill
　　bereservedforus。”
　　“Thecarriageisourrendezvous，then？“
　　“Yes。”
　　ItwasinvainthatIaskedHolmestoremainfortheevening。Itwas
　　evidenttomethathethoughthemightbringtroubletotheroofhe
　　wasunder，andthatthatwasthemotivewhichimpelledhimtogo。With
　　afewhurriedwordsastoourplansforthemorrowheroseandcame
　　outwithmeintothegarden，clamberingoverthewallwhichleadsinto
　　MortimerStreet，andimmediatelywhistlingforahansom，inwhichI
　　heardhimdriveaway。
　　InthemorningIobeyedHolmes”sinjunctionstotheletter。Ahansom
　　wasprocuredwithsuchprecautionsaswouldpreventitsbeingone
　　whichwasplacedreadyforus，andIdroveimmediatelyafterbreakfast
　　totheLowtherArcade，throughwhichIhurriedatthetopofmyspeed。
　　Abroughamwaswaitingwithaverymassivedriverwrappedinadark
　　cloak，who，theinstantthatIhadsteppedin，whippedupthehorse
　　andrattledofftoVictoriaStation。Onmyalightingthereheturned
　　thecarriage，anddashedawayagainwithoutsomuchasalookinmy
　　direction。
　　Sofarallhadgoneadmirably。Myluggagewaswaitingforme，and
　　IhadnodifficultyinfindingthecarriagewhichHolmeshad
　　indicated，thelesssoasitwastheonlyoneinthetrainwhichwas
　　marked“Engaged。”Myonlysourceofanxietynowwasthenon-appearance
　　ofHolmes。Thestationclockmarkedonlysevenminutesfromthetime
　　whenwewereduetostart。InvainIsearchedamongthegroupsof
　　travellersandleave-takersforthelithefigureofmyfriend。There
　　wasnosignofhim。Ispentafewminutesinassistingavenerable
　　Italianpriest，whowasendeavouringtomakeaporterunderstand，in
　　hisbrokenEnglish，thathisluggagewastobebookedthroughto
　　Paris。Then，havingtakenanotherlookround，Ireturnedtomy
　　carriage，whereIfoundthattheporter，inspiteoftheticket，had
　　givenmemydecrepitItalianfriendasatravellingcompanion。It
　　wasuselessformetoexplaintohimthathispresencewasan
　　intrusion，formyItalianwasevenmorelimitedthanhisEnglish，soI
　　shruggedmyshouldersresignedly，andcontinuedtolookout
　　anxiouslyformyfriend。Achilloffearhadcomeoverme，asI
　　thoughtthathisabsencemightmeanthatsomeblowhadfallenduring
　　thenight。Alreadythedoorshadallbeenshutandthewhistle
　　blown，when-
　　“MydearWatson，“saidavoice，“youhavenotevencondescendedto
　　saygood-morning。”
　　Iturnedinuncontrollableastonishment。Theagedecclesiastichad
　　turnedhisfacetowardsme。Foraninstantthewrinkleswere
　　smoothedaway，thenosedrewawayfromthechin，thelowerlip
　　ceasedtoprotrudeandthemouthtomumble，thedulleyesregained
　　theirfire，thedroopingfigureexpanded。Thenextthewholeframe
　　collapsedagain，andHolmeshadgoneasquicklyashehadcome。
　　“Goodheavens！“Icried，“howyoustartledme！“
　　“Everyprecautionisstillnecessary，“hewhispered。“Ihave
　　reasontothinkthattheyarehotuponourtrail。Ah，thereis
　　Moriartyhimself。”
　　ThetrainhadalreadybeguntomoveasHolmesspoke。Glancing
　　back，Isawatallmanpushinghiswayfuriouslythroughthecrowd，
　　andwavinghishandasifhedesiredtohavethetrainstopped。Itwas
　　toolate，however，forwewererapidlygatheringmomentum，andan
　　instantlaterhadshotclearofthestation。
　　“Withallourprecautions，youseethatwehavecutitratherfine，“
　　saidHolmes，laughing。Herose，andthrowingofftheblackcassockand
　　hatwhichhadformedhisdisguise，hepackedthemawayinahand-bag。
　　“Haveyouseenthemorningpaper，Watson？“
　　“No。”
　　“Youhaven”tseenaboutBakerStreet，then？“
　　“BakerStreet？“
　　“Theysetfiretoourroomslastnight。Nogreatharmwasdone。”
　　“Goodheavens，Holmes，thisisintolerable！“
　　“Theymusthavelostmytrackcompletelyaftertheirbludgeonmanwas
　　arrested。OtherwisetheycouldnothaveimaginedthatIhadreturned
　　tomyrooms。Theyhaveevidentlytakentheprecautionofwatchingyou，
　　however，andthatiswhathasbroughtMoriartytoVictoria。You
　　couldnothavemadeanyslipincoming？“
　　“Ididexactlywhatyouadvised。”
　　“Didyoufindyourbrougham？“
　　“Yes，itwaswaiting。”
　　“Didyourecognizeyourcoachman？“
　　“No。”
　　“ItwasmybrotherMycroft。Itisanadvantagetogetaboutin
　　suchacasewithouttakingamercenaryintoyourconfidence。Butwe
　　mustplanwhatwearetodoaboutMoriartynow。”
　　“Asthisisanexpress，andastheboatrunsinconnectionwith
　　it，Ishouldthinkwehaveshakenhimoffveryeffectively。”
　　“MydearWatson，youevidentlydidnotrealizemymeaningwhenI
　　saidthatthismanmaybetakenasbeingquiteonthesame
　　intellectualplaneasmyself。YoudonotimaginethatifIwerethe
　　pursuerIshouldallowmyselftobebaffledbysoslightan
　　obstacle。Why，then，shouldyouthinksomeanlyofhim？“
　　“Whatwillhedo？“
　　“WhatIshoulddo。”
　　“Whatwouldyoudo，then？“
　　“Engageaspecial。”
　　“Butitmustbelate。”
　　“Bynomeans。ThistrainstopsatCanterbury；andthereisalwaysat
　　leastaquarterofanhour”sdelayattheboat。Hewillcatchus
　　there。”
　　“Onewouldthinkthatwewerethecriminals。Letushavehim
　　arrestedonhisarrival。”
　　“Itwouldbetoruintheworkofthreemonths。Weshouldgetthebig
　　fish，butthesmallerwoulddartrightandleftoutofthenet。On
　　Mondayweshouldhavethemall。No，anarrestisinadmissible。”
　　“Whatthen？“
　　“WeshallgetoutatCanterbury。”
　　“Andthen？“
　　“Well，thenwemustmakeacross-countryjourneytoNewhaven，andso
　　overtoDieppe。MoriartywillagaindowhatIshoulddo。Hewillget
　　ontoParis，markdownourluggage，andwaitfortwodaysatthe
　　depot。Inthemeantimeweshalltreatourselvestoacoupleof
　　carpet-bags，encouragethemanufacturesofthecountriesthroughwhich
　　wetravel，andmakeourwayatourleisureintoSwitzerland，via
　　LuxembourgandBasle。”
　　AtCanterbury，therefore，wealighted，onlytofindthatweshould
　　havetowaitanhourbeforewecouldgetatraintoNewhaven。
　　Iwasstilllookingratherruefullyaftertherapidlydisappearing
　　luggage-vanwhichcontainedmywardrobe，whenHolmespulledmy
　　sleeveandpointeduptheline。
　　“Already，yousee，“saidhe。
　　Faraway，fromamongtheKentishwoodsthereroseathinsprayof
　　smoke。Aminutelateracarriageandenginecouldbeseenflyingalong
　　theopencurvewhichleadstothestation。Wehadhardlytimeto
　　takeourplacebehindapileofluggagewhenitpassedwitharattle
　　andaroar，beatingablastofhotairintoourfaces。
　　“Therehegoes，“saidHolmes，aswewatchedthecarriageswingand
　　rockoverthepoints。“Therearelimits，yousee，toourfriend”s
　　intelligence。Itwouldhavebeenacoup-mattrehadhededucedwhatI
　　woulddeduceandactedaccordingly。”
　　“Andwhatwouldhehavedonehadheovertakenus？“
　　“Therecannotbetheleastdoubtthathewouldhavemadeamurderous
　　attackuponme。Itis，however，agameatwhichtwomayplay。The
　　questionnowiswhetherweshouldtakeaprematurelunchhere，or
　　runourchanceofstarvingbeforewereachthebuffetatNewhaven。”
　　WemadeourwaytoBrusselsthatnightandspenttwodaysthere，
　　movingonuponthethirddayasfarasStrasbourg。OntheMonday
　　morningHolmeshadtelegraphedtotheLondonpolice，andinthe
　　eveningwefoundareplywaitingforusatourhotel。Holmestoreit
　　open，andthenwithabittercursehurleditintothegrate。
　　“Imighthaveknownit！“hegroaned。“Hehasescaped！“
　　“Moriarty？“
　　“Theyhavesecuredthewholegangwiththeexceptionofhim。He
　　hasgiventhemtheslip。Ofcourse，whenIhadleftthecountry
　　therewasnoonetocopewithhim。ButIdidthinkthatIhadput
　　thegameintheirhands。Ithinkthatyouhadbetterreturnto
　　England，Watson。”
　　“Why？“
　　“Becauseyouwillfindmeadangerouscompanionnow。Thisman”s
　　occupationisgone。HeislostifhereturnstoLondon。IfIread
　　hischaracterrighthewilldevotehiswholeenergiestorevenging
　　himselfuponme。Hesaidasmuchinourshortinterview，andIfancy
　　thathemeantit。Ishouldcertainlyrecommendyoutoreturntoyour
　　practice。”
　　Itwashardlyanappealtobesuccessfulwithonewhowasanold
　　campaigneraswellasanoldfriend。WesatintheStrasbourg
　　salle-a-mangerarguingthequestionforhalfanhour，butthesame
　　nightwehadresumedourjourneyandwerewellonourwaytoGeneva。
　　ForacharmingweekwewanderedupthevalleyoftheRhone，and
　　then，branchingoffatLeuk，wemadeourwayovertheGemmiPass，
　　stilldeepinsnow，andso，bywayofInterlaken，toMeiringen。Itwas
　　alovelytrip，thedaintygreenofthespringbelow，thevirgin
　　whiteofthewinterabove；butitwascleartomethatneverforone
　　instantdidHolmesforgettheshadowwhichlayacrosshim。Inthe
　　homelyAlpinevillagesorinthelonelymountainpasses，Icouldstill
　　tellbyhisquickglancingeyesandhissharpscrutinyofeveryface
　　thatpassedus，thathewaswellconvincedthat，walkwherewe
　　would，wecouldnotwalkourselvesclearofthedangerwhichwas
　　doggingourfootsteps。
　　Once，Iremember，aswepassedovertheGemmi，andwalkedalong
　　theborderofthemelancholyDaubensee，alargerockwhichhadbeen
　　dislodgedfromtheridgeuponourrightclattereddownandroaredinto
　　thelakebehindus。InaninstantHolmeshadracedupontotheridge，
　　and，standinguponaloftypinnacle，cranedhisneckinevery
　　direction。Itwasinvainthatourguideassuredhimthatafallof
　　stoneswasacommonchanceinthespringtimeatthatspot。Hesaid
　　nothing，buthesmiledatmewiththeairofamanwhoseesthe
　　fulfillmentofthatwhichhehadexpected。
　　Andyetforallhiswatchfulnesshewasneverdepressed。Onthe
　　contrary，Icanneverrecollecthavingseenhiminsuchexuberant
　　spirits。Againandagainherecurredtothefactthatifhecouldbe
　　assuredthatsocietywasfreedfromProfessorMoriartyhewould
　　cheerfullybringhisowncareertoaconclusion。
　　“IthinkthatImaygosofarastosay，Watson，thatIhavenot
　　livedwhollyinvain，“heremarked。“Ifmyrecordwereclosedto-night
　　Icouldstillsurveyitwithequanimity。TheairofLondonisthe
　　sweeterformypresence。InoverathousandcasesIamnotaware
　　thatIhaveeverusedmypowersuponthewrongside。OflateIhave
　　beentemptedtolookintotheproblemsfurnishedbynatureratherthan
　　thosemoresuperficialonesforwhichourartificialstateof
　　societyisresponsible。Yourmemoirswilldrawtoanend，Watson，upon
　　thedaythatIcrownmycareerbythecaptureorextinctionofthe
　　mostdangerousandcapablecriminalinEurope。”
　　Ishallbebrief，andyetexact，inthelittlewhichremainsfor
　　metotell。ItisnotasubjectonwhichIwouldwillinglydwell，
　　andyetIamconsciousthatadutydevolvesuponmetoomitnodetail。
　　ItwasonthethirdofMaythatwereachedthelittlevillageof
　　Meiringen，whereweputupattheEnglischerHof，thenkeptbyPeter
　　Steilertheelder。Ourlandlordwasanintelligentmanandspoke
　　excellentEnglish，havingservedforthreeyearsaswaiteratthe
　　GrosvenorHotelinLondon。Athisadvice，ontheafternoonofthe
　　fourthwesetofftogether，withtheintentionofcrossingthehills
　　andspendingthenightatthehamletofRosenlaui。Wehadstrict
　　injunctions，however，onnoaccounttopassthefallsof
　　Reichenbach，whichareabouthalfwayupthehills，withoutmakinga
　　smalldetourtoseethem。
　　Itis，indeed，afearfulplace。Thetorrent，swollenthemelting
　　snow，plungesintoatremendousabyss，fromwhichthesprayrollsup
　　likethesmokefromaburninghouse。Theshaftintowhichtheriver
　　hurlsitselfisanimmensechasm，linedbyglisteningcoal-blackrock，
　　andnarrowingintoacreaming，boilingpitofincalculabledepth，
　　whichbrimsoverandshootsthestreamonwardoveritsjaggedlip。The
　　longsweepofgreenwaterroaringforeverdown，andthethick
　　flickeringcurtainofsprayhissingforeverupward，turnamangiddy
　　withtheirconstantwhirlandclamour。Westoodneartheedge
　　peeringdownatthegleamofthebreakingwaterfarbelowusagainst
　　theblackrocks，andlisteningtothehalf-humanshoutwhichcame
　　boomingupwiththesprayoutoftheabyss。
　　Thepathhasbeencuthalfwayroundthefalltoaffordacomplete
　　view，butitendsabruptly，andthetravellerhastoreturnashe
　　came。Wehadturnedtodoso，whenwesawaSwissladcomerunning
　　alongitwithaletterinhishand。Itborethemarkofthehotel
　　whichwehadjustleftandwasaddressedtomebythelandlord。It
　　appearedthatwithinaveryfewminutesofourleaving，anEnglish
　　ladyhadarrivedwhowasinthelaststageofconsumption。Shehad
　　winteredatDavosPlatzandwasjourneyingnowtojoinherfriends
　　atLucerne，whenasuddenhemorrhagehadovertakenher。Itwasthought
　　thatshecouldhardlyliveafewhours，butitwouldbeagreat
　　consolationtohertoseeanEnglishdoctor，and，ifIwouldonly
　　return，etc。ThegoodSteilerassuredmeinapostscriptthathewould
　　himselflookuponmycomplianceasaverygreatfavour，sincethelady
　　absolutelyrefusedtoseeaSwissphysician，andhecouldnotbutfeel
　　thathewasincurringagreatresponsibility。
　　Theappealwasonewhichcouldnotbeignored。Itwasimpossible
　　torefusetherequestofafellow-countrywomandyinginastrange
　　land。YetIhadmyscruplesaboutleavingHolmes。Itwasfinally
　　agreed，however，thatheshouldretaintheyoungSwissmessenger
　　withhimasguideandcompanionwhileIreturnedtoMeiringen。My
　　friendwouldstaysomelittletimeatthefall，hesaid，andwould
　　thenwalkslowlyoverthehilltoRosenlaui，whereIwastorejoinhim
　　intheevening。AsIturnedawayIsawHolmes，withhisbackagainsta
　　rockandhisarmsfolded，gazingdownattherushofthewaters。It
　　wasthelastthatIwaseverdestinedtoseeofhiminthisworld。
　　WhenIwasnearthebottomofthedescentIlookedback。Itwas
　　impossible，fromthatposition，toseethefall，butIcouldseethe
　　curvingpathwhichwindsovertheshoulderofthehillsandleadsto
　　it。Alongthisamanwas，Iremember，walkingveryrapidly。
　　Icouldseehisblackfigureclearlyoutlinedagainstthegreen
　　behindhim。Inotedhim，andtheenergywithwhichhewalked，buthe
　　passedfrommymindagainasIhurriedonuponmyerrand。
　　ItmayhavebeenalittleoveranhourbeforeIreachedMeiringen。
　　OldSteilerwasstandingattheporchofhishotel。
　　“Well，“saidI，asIcamehurryingup，“Itrustthatsheisno
　　worse？“
　　Alookofsurprisepassedoverhisface，andatthefirstquiver
　　ofhiseyebrowsmyheartturnedtoleadinmybreast。
　　“Youdidnotwritethis？“Isaid，pullingtheletterfrommypocket。
　　“ThereisnosickEnglishwomaninthehotel？“
　　“Certainlynot！“hecried。“Butithasthehotelmarkuponit！Ha，
　　itmusthavebeenwrittenbythattallEnglishmanwhocameinafter
　　youhadgone。Hesaid-“
　　ButIwaitedfornoneofthelandlord”sexplanation。Inatingle
　　offearIwasalreadyrunningdownthevillagestreet，andmaking
　　forthepathwhichIhadsolatelydescended。Ithadtakenmean
　　hourtocomedown。ForallmyeffortstwomorehadpassedbeforeI
　　foundmyselfatthefallofReichenbachoncemore。Therewas
　　Holmes”sAlpine-stockstillleaningagainsttherockbywhichIhad
　　lefthim。Buttherewasnosignofhim，anditwasinvainthatI
　　shouted。Myonlyanswerwasmyownvoicereverberatinginarolling
　　echofromthecliffsaroundme。
　　ItwasthesightofthatAlpine-stockwhichturnedmecoldandsick。
　　HehadnotgonetoRosenlaui，then。Hehadremainedonthatthree-foot
　　path，withsheerwallononesideandsheerdropontheother，until
　　hisenemyhadovertakenhim。TheyoungSwisshadgonetoo。Hehad
　　probablybeeninthepayofMoriartyandhadleftthetwomen
　　together。Andthenwhathadhappened？Whowastotelluswhathad
　　happenedthen？
　　Istoodforaminuteortwotocollectmyself，forIwasdazed
　　withthehorrorofthething。ThenIbegantothinkofHolmes”sown
　　methodsandtotrytopractisetheminreadingthistragedy。Itwas，
　　alas，onlytooeasytodo。Duringourconversationwehadnotgone
　　totheendofthepath，andtheAlpine-stockmarkedtheplacewherewe
　　hadstood。Theblackishsoiliskeptforeversoftbytheincessant
　　driftofspray，andabirdwouldleaveitstreaduponit。Twolinesof
　　footmarkswereclearlymarkedalongthefartherendofthepath，
　　bothleadingawayfromme。Therewerenonereturning。Afewyardsfrom
　　theendthesoilwasallploughedupintoapatchofmud，andthe
　　bramblesandfernswhichfringedthechasmweretornandbedraggled。I
　　layuponmyfaceandpeeredoverwiththesprayspoutingupallaround
　　me。IthaddarkenedsinceIleft，andnowIcouldonlyseehereand
　　theretheglisteningofmoistureupontheblackwalls，andfaraway
　　downattheendoftheshaftthegleamofthebrokenwater。Ishouted；
　　butonlythatsamehalf-humancryofthefallwasbornebacktomy
　　cars。
　　ButitwasdestinedthatIshould，afterall，havealastwordof
　　greetingfrommyfriendandcomrade。IhavesaidthathisAlpine-stock
　　hadbeenleftleaningagainstarockwhichjuttedontothepath。From
　　thetopofthisboulderthegleamofsomethingbrightcaughtmyeye，
　　andraisingmyhandIfoundthatitcamefromthesilver
　　cigarette-casewhichheusedtocarry。AsItookitupasmall
　　squareofpaperuponwhichithadlainfluttereddownontothe
　　ground。Unfoldingit，Ifoundthatitconsistedofthreepagestorn
　　fromhisnotebookandaddressedtome。Itwascharacteristicofthe
　　manthatthedirectionwasasprecise，andthewritingasfirmand
　　clear，asthoughithadbeenwritteninhisstudy。
　　MYDEARWATSON[itsaid]：
　　IwritethesefewlinesthroughthecourtesyofMr。Moriarty，
　　whoawaitsmyconvenienceforthefinaldiscussionofthose
　　questionswhichliebetweenus。Hehasbeengivingmeasketchof
　　themethodsbywhichheavoidedtheEnglishpoliceandkepthimself
　　informedofourmovements。Theycertainlyconfirmtheveryhigh
　　opinionwhichIhadformedofhisabilities。Iampleasedtothink
　　thatIshallbeabletofreesocietyfromanyfurthereffectsofhis
　　presence，thoughIfearthatitisatacostwhichwillgivepainto
　　myfriends，andespecially，mydearWatson，toyou。Ihavealready
　　explainedtoyou，however，thatmycareerhadinanycasereached
　　itscrisis，andthatnopossibleconclusiontoitcouldbemore
　　congenialtomethanthis。Indeed，ifImaymakeafullconfession
　　toyou，IwasquiteconvincedthattheletterfromMeiringenwasa
　　hoax，andIallowedyoutodepartonthaterrandunderthe
　　persuasionthatsomedevelopmentofthissortwouldfollow。Tell
　　InspectorPattersonthatthepaperswhichheneedstoconvictthegang
　　areinpigeonholeM。，doneupinablueenvelopeandinscribed
　　“Moriarty。”Imadeeverydispositionofmypropertybeforeleaving
　　EnglandandhandedittomybrotherMycroft。Praygivemygreetingsto
　　Mrs。Watson，andbelievemetobe，mydearfellow，
　　Verysincerelyyours，
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES。
　　Afewwordsmaysufficetotellthelittlethatremains。An
　　examinationbyexpertsleaveslittledoubtthatapersonalcontest
　　betweenthetwomenended，asitcouldhardlyfailtoendinsucha
　　situation，intheirreelingover，lockedineachother”sarms。Any
　　attemptatrecoveringthebodieswasabsolutelyhopeless，andthere，
　　deepdowninthatdreadfulcauldronofswirlingwaterandseething
　　foam，willlieforalltimethemostdangerouscriminalandthe
　　foremostchampionofthelawoftheirgeneration。TheSwissyouth
　　wasneverfoundagain，andtherecanbenodoubtthathewasoneof
　　thenumerousagentswhomMoriartykeptinhisemploy。Astothe
　　gang，itwillbewithinthememoryofthepublichowcompletelythe
　　evidencewhichHolmeshadaccumulatedexposedtheirorganization，
　　andhowheavilythehandofthedeadmanweigheduponthem。Oftheir
　　terriblechieffewdetailscameoutduringtheproceedings，andifI
　　havenowbeencompelledtomakeaclearstatementofhiscareer，itis
　　duetothoseinjudiciouschampionswhohaveendeavouredtoclearhis
　　memorybyattacksuponhimwhomIshalleverregardasthebestand
　　thewisestmanwhomIhaveeverknown。
　　THEEND。
　　THEADVENTURESOFSHERLOCKHOLMES
　　TheFiveOrangePips
　　WhenIglanceovermynotesandrecordsoftheSherlockHolmes
　　casesbetweentheyears”82and”90，Iamfacedbysomanywhich
　　presentstrangeandinterestingfeaturesthatitisnoeasymatter
　　toknowwhichtochooseandwhichtoleave。Some，however，have
　　alreadygainedpublicitythroughthepapers，andothershavenot
　　offeredafieldforthosepeculiarqualitieswhichmyfriend
　　possessedinsohighadegree，andwhichitistheobjectofthese
　　paperstoillustrate。Some，too，havebaffledhisanalytical
　　skill，andwouldbe，asnarratives，beginningswithoutanending，
　　whileothershavebeenbutpartiallyclearedup，andhavetheir
　　explanationsfoundedratheruponconjectureandsurmisethanon
　　thatabsolutelogicalproofwhichwassodeartohim。Thereis，
　　however，oneoftheselastwhichwassoremarkableinitsdetails
　　andsostartlinginitsresultsthatIamtemptedtogivesome
　　accountofitinspiteofthefactthattherearepointsin
　　connectionwithitwhichneverhavebeen，andprobablyneverwill
　　be，entirelyclearedup。
　　Theyear”87furnisheduswithalongseriesofcasesof
　　greaterorlessinterest，ofwhichIretaintherecords。Amongmy
　　headingsunderthisonetwelvemonthsIfindanaccountofthe
　　adventureoftheParadolChamber，oftheAmateurMendicant
　　Society，whoheldaluxuriousclubinthelowervaultofa
　　furniturewarehouse，ofthefactsconnectedwiththelossofthe
　　BritishbarkSophyAnderson，ofthesingularadventuresofthe
　　GricePatersonsintheislandofUffa，andfinallyofthe
　　Camberwellpoisoningcase。Inthelatter，asmayberemembered，
　　SherlockHolmeswasable，bywindingupthedeadman”swatch，to
　　provethatithadbeenwounduptwohoursbefore，andthat
　　thereforethedeceasedhadgonetobedwithinthattime——a
　　deductionwhichwasofthegreatestimportanceinclearingupthe
　　case。AlltheseImaysketchoutatsomefuturedate，butnoneof
　　thempresentsuchsingularfeaturesasthestrangetrainof
　　circumstanceswhichIhavenowtakenupmypentodescribe。
　　ItwasinthelatterdaysofSeptember，andtheequinoctial
　　galeshadsetinwithexceptionalviolence。Alldaythewindhad
　　screamedandtherainhadbeatenagainstthewindows，sothateven
　　hereintheheartofgreat，hand-madeLondonwewereforcedto
　　raiseourmindsfortheinstantfromtheroutineoflife，andto
　　recognizethepresenceofthosegreatelementalforceswhich
　　shriekatmankindthroughthebarsofhiscivilization，like
　　untamedbeastsinacage。Aseveningdrewin，thestormgrew
　　higherandlouder，andthewindcriedandsobbedlikeachildin
　　thechimney。SherlockHolmessatmoodilyatonesideofthe
　　fireplacecross-indexinghisrecordsofcrime，whileIatthe
　　otherwasdeepinoneofClarkRussell”sfinesea-storiesuntil
　　thehowlofthegalefromwithoutseemedtoblendwiththetext，
　　andthesplashoftheraintolengthenoutintothelongswashof
　　theseawaves。Mywifewasonavisittohermother”s，andfora
　　fewdaysIwasadwelleroncemoreinmyoldquartersatBaker
　　Street。
　　“Why，“saidI，glancingupatmycompanion，“thatwassurely
　　thebell。Whocouldcometo-night？Somefriendofyours，
　　perhaps？“
　　“ExceptyourselfIhavenone，“heanswered。“Idonot
　　encouragevisitors。”“Aclient，then？“
　　“Ifso，itisaseriouscase。Nothinglesswouldbringaman
　　outonsuchadayandatsuchanhour。ButItakeitthatitis
　　morelikelytobesomecronyofthelandlady”s。”
　　SherlockHolmeswaswronginhisconjecture，however，for
　　therecameastepinthepassageandatappingatthedoor。He
　　stretchedouthislongarmtoturnthelampawayfromhimselfand
　　towardsthevacantchairuponwhichanewcomermustsit。“Come
　　in！“saidhe。
　　Themanwhoenteredwasyoung，sometwo-and-twentyatthe
　　outside，well-groomedandtrimlyclad，withsomethingof
　　refinementanddelicacyinhisbearing。Thestreamingumbrella
　　whichheheldinhishand，andhislongshiningwaterprooftoldof
　　thefierceweatherthroughwhichhehadcome。Helookedabouthim
　　anxiouslyintheglareofthelamp，andIcouldseethathisface
　　waspaleandhiseyesheavy，likethoseofamanwhoisweighed
　　downwithsomegreatanxiety。
　　“Ioweyouanapology，“hesaid，raisinghisgoldenpince-nez
　　tohiseyes。“ItrustthatIamnotintruding。IfearthatI
　　havebroughtsometracesofthestormandrainintoyoursnug
　　chamber。”
　　“Givemeyourcoatandumbrella，“saidHolmes。“Theymayrest
　　hereonthehookandwillbedrypresently。Youhavecomeupfrom
　　thesouth-west，Isee。”“Yes，fromHorsham。”
　　“ThatclayandchalkmixturewhichIseeuponyourtoecapsis
　　quitedistinctive。”“Ihavecomeforadvice。”“Thatiseasilygot。”“Andhelp。”“Thatisnotalwayssoeasy。”
　　“Ihaveheardofyou，Mr。Holmes。IheardfromMajor
　　PrendergasthowyousavedhimintheTankervilleClubscandal。”
　　“Ah，ofcourse。Hewaswrongfullyaccusedofcheatingat
　　cards。”“Hesaidthatyoucouldsolveanything。”“Hesaidtoomuch。”“Thatyouareneverbeaten。”
　　“Ihavebeenbeatenfourtimes——threetimesbymen，andonce
　　byawoman。”“Butwhatisthatcomparedwiththenumberofyoursuccesses？““ItistruethatIhavebeengenerallysuccessful。”“Thenyoumaybesowithme。”
　　“Ibegthatyouwilldrawyourchairuptothefireandfavour
　　mewithsomedetailsastoyourcase。”“Itisnoordinaryone。”
　　“Noneofthosewhichcometomeare。Iamthelastcourtof
　　appeal。”
　　“AndyetIquestion，sir，whether，inallyourexperience，you
　　haveeverlistenedtoamoremysteriousandinexplicablechainof
　　eventsthanthosewhichhavehappenedinmyownfamily。”
　　“Youfillmewithinterest，“saidHolmes。“Praygiveusthe
　　essentialfactsfromthecommencement，andIcanafterwards
　　questionyouastothosedetailswhichseemtometobemost
　　important。”
　　Theyoungmanpulledhischairupandpushedhiswetfeetout
　　towardstheblaze。
　　“Myname，“saidhe，“isJohnOpenshaw，butmyownaffairs
　　have，asfarasIcanunderstand，littletodowiththisawful
　　business。Itisahereditarymatter；soinordertogiveyouan
　　ideaofthefacts，Imustgobacktothecommencementofthe
　　affair。
　　“Youmustknowthatmygrandfatherhadtwosons——myuncle
　　EliasandmyfatherJoseph。Myfatherhadasmallfactoryat
　　Coventry，whichheenlargedatthetimeoftheinventionof
　　bicycling。HewasapatenteeoftheOpenshawunbreakabletire，
　　andhisbusinessmetwithsuchsuccessthathewasabletosellit
　　andtoretireuponahandsomecompetence。
　　“MyuncleEliasemigratedtoAmericawhenhewasayoungman
　　andbecameaplanterinFlorida，wherehewasreportedtohave
　　doneverywell。AtthetimeofthewarhefoughtinJackson”s
　　army，andafterwardsunderHood，whereherosetobeacolonel。
　　WhenLeelaiddownhisarmsmyunclereturnedtohisplantation，
　　whereheremainedforthreeorfouryears。About1869or1870he
　　camebacktoEuropeandtookasmallestateinSussex，near
　　Horsham。HehadmadeaveryconsiderablefortuneintheStates，
　　andhisreasonforleavingthemwashisaversiontothenegroes，
　　andhisdislikeoftheRepublicanpolicyinextendingthe
　　franchisetothem。Hewasasingularman，fierceand
　　quick-tempered，veryfoul-mouthedwhenhewasangry，andofamost
　　retiringdisposition。Duringalltheyearsthathelivedat
　　Horsham，Idoubtifeverhesetfootinthetown。Hehadagarden
　　andtwoorthreefieldsroundhishouse，andtherehewouldtake
　　hisexercise，thoughveryoftenforweeksonendhewouldnever
　　leavehisroom。Hedrankagreatdealofbrandyandsmokedvery
　　heavily，buthewouldseenosocietyanddidnotwantanyfriends，
　　notevenhisownbrother。
　　“Hedidn”tmindme；infact，hetookafancytome，foratthe
　　timewhenhesawmefirstIwasayoungsteroftwelveorso。This
　　wouldbeintheyear1878，afterhehadbeeneightornineyears
　　inEngland。Hebeggedmyfathertoletmelivewithhim，andhe
　　wasverykindtomeinhisway。Whenhewassoberheusedtobe
　　fondofplayingbackgammonanddraughtswithme，andhewouldmake
　　mehisrepresentativebothwiththeservantsandwiththe
　　tradespeople，sothatbythetimethatIwassixteenIwasquite
　　masterofthehouse。IkeptallthekeysandcouldgowhereI
　　likedanddowhatIliked，solongasIdidnotdisturbhiminhis
　　privacy。Therewasonesingularexception，however，forhehada
　　singleroom，alumber-roomupamongtheattics，whichwas
　　invariablylocked，andwhichhewouldneverpermiteithermeor
　　anyoneelsetoenter。Withaboy”scuriosityIhavepeeped
　　throughthekeyhole，butIwasneverabletoseemorethansucha
　　collectionofoldtrunksandbundlesaswouldbeexpectedinsuch
　　aroom。
　　“Oneday——itwasinMarch，1883——aletterwithaforeignstamp
　　layuponthetableinfrontofthecolonel”splate。Itwasnota
　　commonthingforhimtoreceiveletters，forhisbillswereall
　　paidinreadymoney，andhehadnofriendsofanysort。`From
　　India！”saidheashetookitup，`Pondicherrypostmark！Whatcan
　　thisbe？”Openingithurriedly，outtherejumpedfivelittledried
　　orangepips，whichpattereddownuponhisplate。Ibegantolaugh
　　atthis，butthelaughwasstruckfrommylipsatthesightofhis
　　face。Hisliphadfallen，hiseyeswereprotruding，hisskinthe
　　colourofputty，andheglaredattheenvelopewhichhestillheld
　　inhistremblinghand，`K。K。K。！”heshrieked，andthen，`MyGod，
　　myGod，mysinshaveovertakenme！”“`Whatisit，uncle？”Icried。
　　“`Death”saidhe，andrisingfromthetableheretiredtohis
　　room，leavingmepalpitatingwithhorror。Itookuptheenvelope
　　andsawscrawledinredinkupontheinnerflap，justabovethe
　　gum，theletterKthreetimesrepeated。Therewasnothingelse
　　savethefivedriedpips。Whatcouldbethereasonofhis
　　overpoweringterror？Ileftthebreakfast-table，andasI
　　ascendedthestairImethimcomingdownwithanoldrustykey，
　　whichmusthavebelongedtotheattic，inonehand，andasmall
　　brassbox，likeacashbox，intheother。
　　“`Theymaydowhattheylike，butI”llcheckmatethemstill”
　　saidhewithanoath。`TellMarythatIshallwantafireinmy
　　roomto-day，andsenddowntoFordham，theHorshamlawyer。”
　　“Ididasheordered，andwhenthelawyerarrivedIwasasked
　　tostepuptotheroom。Thefirewasburningbrightly，andinthe
　　gratetherewasamassofblack，fluffyashes，asofburnedpaper，
　　whilethebrassboxstoodopenandemptybesideit。AsIglanced
　　attheboxInoticed，withastart，thatuponthelidwasprinted
　　thetrebleKwhichIhadreadinthemorningupontheenvelope。
　　“`Iwishyou，John”saidmyuncle，`towitnessmywill。I
　　leavemyestate，withallitsadvantagesandallits
　　disadvantages，tomybrother，yourfather，whenceitwill，no
　　doubt，descendtoyou。Ifyoucanenjoyitinpeace，welland
　　good！Ifyoufindyoucannot，takemyadvice，myboy，andleave
　　ittoyourdeadliestenemy。Iamsorrytogiveyousucha
　　two-edgedthing，butIcan”tsaywhatturnthingsaregoingto
　　take。KindlysignthepaperwhereMr。Fordhamshowsyou。”
　　“Isignedthepaperasdirected，andthelawyertookitaway
　　withhim。Thesingularincidentmade，asyoumaythink，the
　　deepestimpressionuponme，andIponderedoveritandturnedit
　　everywayinmymindwithoutbeingabletomakeanythingofit。
　　YetIcouldnotshakeoffthevaguefeelingofdreadwhichitleft
　　behind，thoughthesensationgrewlesskeenastheweekspassed，
　　andnothinghappenedtodisturbtheusualroutineofourlives。I
　　couldseeachangeinmyuncle，however。Hedrankmorethanever，
　　andhewaslessinclinedforanysortofsociety。Mostofhis
　　timehewouldspendinhisroom，withthedoorlockeduponthe
　　inside，butsometimeshewouldemergeinasortofdrunkenfrenzy
　　andwouldburstoutofthehouseandtearaboutthegardenwitha
　　revolverinhishand，screamingoutthathewasafraidofnoman，
　　andthathewasnottobecoopedup，likeasheepinapen，byman
　　ordevil。Whenthesehotfitswereover，however，hewouldrush
　　tumultuouslyinatthedoorandlockandbaritbehindhim，likea
　　manwhocanbrazenitoutnolongeragainsttheterrorwhichlies
　　attherootsofhissoul。AtsuchtimesIhaveseenhisface，
　　evenonacoldday，glistenwithmoisture，asthoughitwerenew
　　raisedfromabasin。
　　“Well，tocometoanendofthematter，Mr。Holmes，andnotto
　　abuseyourpatience，therecameanightwhenhemadeoneofthose
　　drunkensalliesfromwhichhenevercameback。Wefoundhim，when
　　wewenttosearchforhim，facedownwardinalittlegreen-scummed
　　pool，whichlayatthefootofthegarden。Therewasnosignof
　　anyviolence，andthewaterwasbuttwofeetdeep，sothatthe
　　jury，havingregardtohisknowneccentricity，broughtina
　　verdictof`suicide。”ButI，whoknewhowhewincedfromthevery
　　thoughtofdeath，hadmuchadotopersuademyselfthathehadgone
　　outofhiswaytomeetit。Thematterpassed，however，andmy
　　fatherenteredintopossessionoftheestate，andofsome14，000pounds，
　　whichlaytohiscreditatthebank。”
　　“Onemoment，“Holmesinterposed，“yourstatementis，I
　　foresee，oneofthemostremarkabletowhichIhaveeverlistened。
　　Letmehavethedateofthereceptionbyyouruncleoftheletter，
　　andthedateofhissupposedsuicide。”
　　“TheletterarrivedonMarch10，1883。Hisdeathwasseven
　　weekslater，uponthenightofMay2d。”“Thankyou。Prayproceed。”
　　“WhenmyfathertookovertheHorshamproperty，he，atmy
　　request，madeacarefulexaminationoftheattic，whichhadbeen
　　alwayslockedup。Wefoundthebrassboxthere，althoughits
　　contentshadbeendestroyed。Ontheinsideofthecoverwasa
　　paperlabel，withtheinitialsofK。K。K。repeateduponit，and
　　`Letters，memoranda，receipts，andaregister”writtenbeneath。
　　These，wepresume，indicatedthenatureofthepaperswhichhad
　　beendestroyedbyColonelOpenshaw。Fortherest，therewas
　　nothingofmuchimportanceintheatticsaveagreatmany
　　scatteredpapersandnote-booksbearinguponmyuncle”slifein
　　America。Someofthemwereofthewartimeandshowedthathehad
　　donehisdutywellandhadbornethereputeofabravesoldier。
　　OtherswereofadateduringthereconstructionoftheSouthern
　　states，andweremostlyconcernedwithpolitics，forhehad
　　evidentlytakenastrongpartinopposingthecarpet-bag
　　politicianswhohadbeensentdownfromtheNorth。
　　“Well，itwasthebeginningof”84whenmyfathercametolive
　　atHorsham，andallwentaswellaspossiblewithusuntilthe
　　Januaryof”85。OnthefourthdayafterthenewyearIheardmy
　　fathergiveasharpcryofsurpriseaswesattogetheratthe
　　breakfast-table。Therehewas，sittingwithanewlyopened
　　envelopeinonehandandfivedriedorangepipsinthe
　　outstretchedpalmoftheotherone。Hehadalwayslaughedatwhat
　　hecalledmycock-and-bullstoryaboutthecolonel，buthelooked
　　veryscaredandpuzzlednowthatthesamethinghadcomeupon
　　himself。“`Why，whatonearthdoesthismean，John？”hestammered。“Myhearthadturnedtolead。`ItisK。K。K。”saidI。
　　“Helookedinsidetheenvelope。`Soitis”hecried。`Here
　　aretheveryletters。Butwhatisthiswrittenabovethem？”
　　“`Putthepapersonthesundial”Iread，peepingoverhis
　　shoulder。“`Whatpapers？Whatsundial？”heasked。
　　“`Thesundialinthegarden。Thereisnoother”saidI；`but
　　thepapersmustbethosethataredestroyed。”
　　“`Pooh！”saidhe，grippinghardathiscourage。`Weareina
　　civilizedlandhere，andwecan”thavetomfooleryofthiskind。
　　Wheredoesthethingcomefrom？”“`FromDundee”Ianswered，glancingatthepostmark。
　　“`Somepreposterouspracticaljoke”saidhe。`WhathaveIto
　　dowithsundialsandpapers？Ishalltakenonoticeofsuch
　　nonsense。”“`Ishouldcertainlyspeaktothepolice”Isaid。“`Andbelaughedatformypains。Nothingofthesort。”“`Thenletmedoso？”
　　“`No，Iforbidyou。Iwon”thaveafussmadeaboutsuch
　　nonsense。”
　　“Itwasinvaintoarguewithhim，forhewasaveryobstinate
　　man。Iwentabout，however，withaheartwhichwasfullof
　　forebodings。
　　“Onthethirddayafterthecomingofthelettermyfather
　　wentfromhometovisitanoldfriendofhis，MajorFreebody，who
　　isincommandofoneofthefortsuponPortsdownHill。Iwasglad
　　thatheshouldgo，foritseemedtomethathewasfartherfrom
　　dangerwhenhewasawayfromhome。Inthat，however，Iwasin
　　error。UpontheseconddayofhisabsenceIreceivedatelegram
　　fromthemajor，imploringmetocomeatonce。Myfatherhad
　　fallenoveroneofthedeepchalk-pitswhichaboundinthe
　　neighbourhood，andwaslyingsenseless，withashatteredskull。I
　　hurriedtohim，buthepassedawaywithouthavingeverrecovered
　　hisconsciousness。Hehad，asitappears，beenreturningfrom
　　Farehaminthetwilight，andasthecountrywasunknowntohim，
　　andthechalk-pitunfenced，thejuryhadnohesitationinbringing
　　inaverdictof`deathfromaccidentalcauses。”CarefullyasI
　　examinedeveryfactconnectedwithhisdeath，Iwasunabletofind
　　anythingwhichcouldsuggesttheideaofmurder。Therewereno
　　signsofviolence，nofootmarks，norobbery，norecordof
　　strangershavingbeenseenupontheroads。AndyetIneednot
　　tellyouthatmymindwasfarfromatease，andthatIwas
　　well-nighcertainthatsomefoulplothadbeenwovenroundhim。
　　“InthissinisterwayIcameintomyinheritance。Youwill
　　askmewhyIdidnotdisposeofit？Ianswer，becauseIwaswell
　　convincedthatourtroubleswereinsomewaydependentuponan
　　incidentinmyuncle”slife，andthatthedangerwouldbeas
　　pressinginonehouseasinanother。
　　“ItwasinJanuary，”85，thatmypoorfathermethisend，and
　　twoyearsandeightmonthshaveelapsedsincethen。Duringthat
　　timeIhavelivedhappilyatHorsham，andIhadbeguntohopethat
　　thiscursehadpassedawayfromthefamily，andthatithadended
　　withthelastgeneration。Ihadbeguntotakecomforttoosoon，
　　however；yesterdaymorningtheblowfellintheveryshapein
　　whichithadcomeuponmyfather。”
　　Theyoungmantookfromhiswaistcoatacrumpledenvelope，and
　　turningtothetableheshookoutuponitfivelittledriedorange
　　pips。
　　“Thisistheenvelope，“hecontinued。“Thepostmarkis
　　London——easterndivision。Withinaretheverywordswhichwere
　　uponmyfather”slastmessage：`K。K。K。”；andthen`Putthe
　　papersonthesundial。”““Whathaveyoudone？“askedHolmes。“Nothing。”“Nothing？“
　　“Totellthetruth“——hesankhisfaceintohisthin，white
　　hands”Ihavefelthelpless。Ihavefeltlikeoneofthosepoor
　　rabbitswhenthesnakeiswrithingtowardsit。Iseemtobein
　　thegraspofsomeresistless，inexorableevil，whichnoforesight
　　andnoprecautionscanguardagainst。”
　　“Tut！tut！“criedSherlockHolmes。“Youmustact，man，oryou
　　arelost。Nothingbutenergycansaveyou。Thisisnotimefor
　　despair。”“Ihaveseenthepolice。”“Ah！“
　　“Buttheylistenedtomystorywithasmile。Iamconvinced
　　thattheinspectorhasformedtheopinionthatthelettersareall
　　practicaljokes，andthatthedeathsofmyrelationswerereally
　　accidents，asthejurystated，andwerenottobeconnectedwith
　　thewarnings。”
　　Holmesshookhisclenchedhandsintheair。“Incredible
　　imbecility！“hecried。
　　“Theyhave，however，allowedmeapoliceman，whomayremainin
　　thehousewithme。”“Hashecomewithyouto-night？““No。Hisordersweretostayinthehouse。”AgainHolmesravedintheair。
　　“Whydidyoucometome，“hecried，“and，aboveall，whydid
　　younotcomeatonce？“
　　“Ididnotknow。Itwasonlyto-daythatIspoketoMajor
　　Prendergastaboutmytroublesandwasadvisedbyhimtocometo
　　you。”
　　“Itisreallytwodayssinceyouhadtheletter。Weshould
　　haveactedbeforethis。Youhavenofurtherevidence，Isuppose，
　　thanthatwhichyouhaveplacedbeforeus——nosuggestivedetail
　　whichmighthelpus？“
　　“Thereisonething，“saidJohnOpenshaw。Herummagedinhis
　　coatpocket，and，drawingoutapieceofdiscoloured，blue-tinted
　　paper，helaiditoutuponthetable。“Ihavesomeremembrance，“
　　saidhe，“thatonthedaywhenmyuncleburnedthepapersI
　　observedthatthesmall，unburnedmarginswhichlayamidtheashes
　　wereofthisparticularcolour。Ifoundthissinglesheetupon
　　thefloorofhisroom，andIaminclinedtothinkthatitmaybe
　　oneofthepaperswhichhas，perhaps，flutteredoutfromamongthe
　　others，andinthatwayhasescapeddestruction。Beyondthe
　　mentionofpips，Idonotseethatithelpsusmuch。Ithink
　　myselfthatitisapagefromsomeprivatediary。Thewritingis
　　undoubtedlymyuncle”s。”
　　Holmesmovedthelamp，andwebothbentoverthesheetof
　　paper，whichshowedbyitsraggededgethatithadindeedbeen
　　tornfromabook。Itwasheaded，“March，1869，“andbeneathwere
　　thefollowingenigmaticalnotices：4th。Hudsoncame。Sameoldplatform。
　　7th。SetthepipsonMcCauley，Paramore，andJohn
　　Swain，ofSt。Augustine。9th。McCauleycleared。10th。JohnSwaincleared。12th。VisitedParamore。Allwell。
　　“Thankyou！“saidHolmes，foldingupthepaperandreturning
　　ittoourvisitor。“Andnowyoumustonnoaccountloseanother
　　instant。Wecannotsparetimeeventodiscusswhatyouhavetold
　　me。Youmustgethomeinstantlyandact。”“WhatshallIdo？“
　　“Thereisbutonethingtodo。Itmustbedoneatonce。You
　　mustputthispieceofpaperwhichyouhaveshownusintothe
　　brassboxwhichyouhavedescribed。Youmustalsoputinanote
　　tosaythatalltheotherpaperswereburnedbyyouruncle，and
　　thatthisistheonlyonewhichremains。Youmustassertthatin
　　suchwordsaswillcarryconvictionwiththem。Havingdonethis，
　　youmustatonceputtheboxoutuponthesundial，asdirected。
　　Doyouunderstand？““Entirely。”
　　“Donotthinkofrevenge，oranythingofthesort，atpresent。
　　Ithinkthatwemaygainthatbymeansofthelaw；butwehaveour
　　webtoweave，whiletheirsisalreadywoven。Thefirst
　　considerationistoremovethepressingdangerwhichthreatens
　　you。Thesecondistoclearupthemysteryandtopunishthe
　　guiltyparties。”
　　“Ithankyou，“saidtheyoungman，risingandpullingonhis
　　overcoat。“Youhavegivenmefreshlifeandhope。Ishall
　　certainlydoasyouadvise。”
　　“Donotloseaninstant。And，aboveall，takecareof
　　yourselfinthemeanwhile，forIdonotthinkthattherecanbea
　　doubtthatyouarethreatenedbyaveryrealandimminentdanger。
　　Howdoyougoback？““BytrainfromWaterloo。”
　　“Itisnotyetnine。Thestreetswillbecrowded，soItrust
　　thatyoumaybeinsafety。Andyetyoucannotguardyourselftoo
　　closely。”“Iamarmed。”“Thatiswell。To-morrowIshallsettoworkuponyourcase。”“IshallseeyouatHorsham，then？“
　　“No，yoursecretliesinLondon。ItistherethatIshall
　　seekit。”