No. 12 The Adventure of the Final Problem by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 12 The Adventure of the Final Problem by Arthur Conan Doyle
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I, rising, ' that

neglecting business

awaits

" rose also and looked silence , shaking his head sadly

"' well , well ,' said , last ' seems pity , but I_have_done what I_could I_know every move your game you_can nothing before Monday it_has_been duel between you and , Mr Holmes you hope to_place in_the dock I tell you that i_will never stand in_the dock you hope beat I tell you that you_will never beat if_you_are clever enough bring destruction upon , rest assured that I_shall as_much to_you '

"' you_have paid several compliments, Mr Moriarty,' said I ' let pay you one return when I_say that I were assured of_the former eventuality i_would , in_the interests of_the public , cheerfully accept the latter '

"' I_can promise you the one , but not the other ,' snarled , and turned his rounded back upon , and went peering and blinking out_of_the room

" that was singular interview with professor Moriarty I confess that_it left unpleasant effect upon mind his soft , precise fashion speech leaves conviction sincerity which mere bully could_not produce of_course , you_will say : ' why_not take police precautions against him ? ' the reason is_that I_am well convinced that_it_is from_his agents the blow will fall I_have the best proofs that_it would_be "

" you_have already been assaulted ? "

" dear Watson, professor Moriarty is_not man who lets the grass grow under his feet I went out about mid- day transact some business Oxford street I passed the corner which leads from Bentinck street to_the Welbeck street crossing two - horse van furiously driven whizzed round and was like flash I sprang for_the foot - path and saved myself by_the $fraction$ second the van dashed round Marylebone Lane and was gone instant I kept to_the pavement after_that , Watson, but I walked down Vere street brick came down from_the roof one_of_the houses, and was shattered fragments feet I called the police and had the place examined there were slates and bricks piled on_the roof preparatory some repairs, and they_would_have believe that_the wind had toppled over one_of_these of_course I_knew better , but I_could prove nothing i_took cab after_that and reached brother 's rooms pall mall , where I spent the day now I_have come round to_you , and way i_was attacked rough with bludgeon I knocked him down , and_the police have him custody ; but I_can tell you with_the most absolute confidence that possible connection will ever traced between_the gentleman upon whose front teeth I_have barked knuckles and_the retiring mathematical coach , who_is , I dare say , working out problems upon black - board ten miles away you_will_not wonder , Watson, that first act entering your rooms was your shutters, and_that I_have_been compelled ask your permission leave the house some less conspicuous exit than_the front door "

I had often admired friend 's courage , but never more than now , sat quietly checking off series incidents which_must have combined to_make day horror

" you_will spend the night here ? " I_said

" , friend , you_might find dangerous guest I_have plans laid, and all will_be well Matters have_gone so_far now that_they can move without help far as_the arrest goes, though presence necessary for conviction it_is obvious , therefore , that I_cannot better than get away for_the few_days which remain before_the police are liberty act would_be great pleasure to_me , , if_you_could come to_the continent with "

" the practice quiet ," said I, " and I_have accommodating neighbour i_should_be glad to_come "

" and start - morrow morning ? "

" necessary "

"Oh yes , it_is most necessary then these are your instructions, and I beg , dear Watson, that you_will obey them to_the letter , for you_are now playing double - handed game with against the cleverest rogue and_the most powerful syndicate criminals Europe now listen ! despatch whatever luggage you intend to_take trusty messenger unaddressed Victoria - night in_the morning you_will send for hansom , desiring your man to_take neither the first nor the second which_may present itself into_this hansom jump , and drive to_the strand end of_the Lowther arcade , handling the address to_the cabman upon slip paper , with request that he_will_not throw away have your fare ready , and_the instant that your cab stops, dash through_the arcade , timing yourself reach the other side quarter - past nine you_will_find small brougham waiting to_the curb , driven fellow with heavy black cloak tipped at_the collar with red into_this step , and reach Victoria in_time for_the continental express "

" where shall I meet you ? "

" at_the station the second first - class carriage from_the front will_be reserved for_us "

" the carriage our rendezvous , then ? "

" yes "

it_was vain that I asked Holmes remain for_the evening it_was evident to_me that though might bring trouble to_the roof he_was under , and_that that was_the motive which impelled him to_go with few hurried words as_to our plans for_the morrow rose and came out with into_the garden , clambering over the wall which leads into Mortimer street , and immediately whistling for hansom , in_which I heard him drive away

in_the morning I obeyed Holmes's injunctions to_the letter hansom was procured with_such precaution would prevent its being one which_was placed ready for_us , and I drove immediately after breakfast to_the Lowther arcade , through which I hurried at_the top of_my speed brougham was waiting with very massive driver wrapped dark cloak , who , the instant that I had stepped , whipped the horse and rattled off Victoria station alighting there turned the carriage , and dashed away again without so_much look direction

so_far all had gone admirably luggage was waiting for_me , and I had difficulty finding the carriage which Holmes had indicated , the less was_the only_one in_the train which_was marked " engaged " only source anxiety now was_the non- appearance Holmes the station clock marked only seven minutes from_the time when were due start vain I searched among_the groups travellers and leave -takers for_the little of_my friend there_was sign him I spent few_minutes assisting venerable Italian priest , who was endeavouring to_make porter understand , in_his broken English , that his luggage was to_be booked through Paris then , having taken another look round , I returned carriage , where I_found that_the porter , in_spite of_the ticket , had given decrepit Italian friend travelling companion it_was useless for_me explain him that his presence was intrusion , for_my Italian was even more limited than his English , I shrugged shoulders resignedly , and continued look out anxiously for_my friend chill fear had come over , i_thought that his absence might mean that some blow had fallen during the night already the doors had all been shut and_the whistle blown , when --

" dear Watson," said voice , " you_have_not even condescended to_say good - morning "

I turned uncontrollable astonishment the aged ecclesiastic had turned his face towards for instant the wrinkles were smoothed away , the nose drew away from_the chin , the lower lip ceased protrude and_the mouth mumble , the dull eyes regained their fire , the drooping expanded the next the whole frame collapsed again , and Holmes had gone quickly had come

" good heavens ! " I cried ; " how you startled ! "

" every precaution still necessary ," whispered " I_have reason to_think that_they_are hot upon our trail Ah, there_is Moriarty himself "

the train had already begun move Holmes spoke Glancing back , I_saw tall man pushing his way furiously through_the crowd , and waving his hand as_if desired to_have the train stopped it_was too late , however , for were rapidly gathering momentum , and instant later had shot clear of_the station

" with all our precautions, you_see that we_have cut rather fine ," said Holmes, laughing rose , and throwing off the black cassock and hat which had formed his disguise , packed them away hand - bag

" have_you seen the morning paper , Watson ? "

" "

" you haven 't' seen about baker street , then ? "

" baker street ? "

" they set fire our rooms last night great harm was_done "

" good heavens, Holmes ! this_is intolerable "

" they_must_have lost track completely after their bludgeon - man was arrested otherwise they_could_not have imagined that I had returned rooms they_have evidently taken the precaution watching you , however , and_that what has brought Moriarty Victoria you_could_not_have made any slip coming ? "

" I_did exactly what you advised "

" did you find your brougham ? "

" yes , it_was waiting "

" did you recognise your coachman ? "

" "

" it_was brother Mycroft it_is advantage to_get about in_such case without taking mercenary into your confidence but we_must plant what we_are to_do about Moriarty now "

" as_this_is express , and as_the boat runs connection with , i_should think we_have shaken him off very effectively "

" dear Watson, you evidently did_not realise meaning when I_said that_this man may_be taken being quite on_the same intellectual plane myself you_do_not imagine that I were the pursuer i_should allow myself to_be baffled slight obstacle why , then , should you_think meanly him ? "

" what_will ? "

" what i_should ? "

" what would you_do , then ? "

" engage special "

" but must_be late "

" means this train stops Canterbury; and there_is always at_least quarter hour 's delay at_the boat he_will catch there "

" one would think that were the criminals let_us_have him arrested on_his arrival "

" would_be ruin the work three months we_should get the big fish , but the smaller would dart right and left out_of_the net Monday we_should_have them all , arrest inadmissible "

" what then ? "

" we_shall get out Canterbury "

" and then ? "

" well , then we_must make cross - country journey Newhaven, and over Dieppe Moriarty will again what i_should he_will get Paris, mark down our luggage , and wait for two days at_the depot in_the meantime we_shall treat ourselves couple carpet -bags, encourage the manufactures of_the countries through which travel , and make our way our leisure into Switzerland , via Luxembourg and Basle "

Canterbury, therefore , alighted, only to_find that we_should_have wait hour before we_could get train Newhaven

i_was still looking rather ruefully after_the rapidly disappearing luggage -van which contained wardrobe , when Holmes pulled sleeve and pointed the line

" already , you_see ," said

far away , from among_the Kentish woods there rose thin spray smoke minute later carriage and engine could_be seen flying along the open curve which leads to_the station had hardly time to_take our place behind pile luggage when passed with rattle and roar , beating blast hot air into our faces

" there goes," said Holmes, as_we watched the carriage swing and rock over the point " there_are limits, you_see , our friend 's intelligence would_have_been coup -de-matre had deduced what i_would deduce and acted accordingly "

" and what would have_done had overtaken ? "

" there cannot_be the least doubt that he_would_have made murderous attack upon it_is , however , game which two may play the question , now whether we_should take premature lunch here , run our chance starving before reach the buffet Newhaven "

we_made our way Brussels that night and spent two days there , moving upon_the third day far Strasbourg on_the Monday morning Holmes had telegraphed to_the London police , and in_the evening we_found reply waiting for_us our hotel Holmes tore open , and then with bitter curse hurled into_the grate

" I_might_have known ! " groaned " has escaped ! "

"Moriarty ? "

" they_have secured the whole gang with_the exception him has_given them the slip of_course , when I had left the country there_was one cope with_him but I_did think that I had put the game their hands i_think that you had better return England , Watson "

" why ? "

" because you_will_find dangerous companion now this man 's occupation gone he_is lost returns

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