"Now, if done this without the knowledge of Professor Moriarty, all well But too wily every step which to draw my toils round him Again and again he strove to break away, but I as often headed him off I tell you, my friend, that if detailed account silent contest written, it would take its place most brilliant bit of thrust-and-parry work history of detection Never have I risen to such height, and never have I been so hard pressed by an opponent He cut deep, and yet I just undercut him the last steps were taken, and three days only were wanted to complete the business sitting in my room thinking the matter over, door opened and Professor Moriarty stood before me

"My nerves are fairly proof, Watson, but confess to start when the very man who in my thoughts standing there on my thresh-hold His appearance was quite familiar extremely tall and thin, his forehead domes out in white curve, two eyes are deeply sunken head clean-shaven, pale, and ascetic-looking, retaining something professor features His shoulders are rounded from much study, face protrudes forward, forever slowly oscillating from side to side in curiously reptilian fashion He peered at me with great curiosity puckered eyes

"' less frontal development that expected,' said he, at last ' dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms pocket of one's dressing-gown '

"The fact upon his entrance I had instantly recognised the extreme personal danger I lay The only conceivable escape for him lay in silencing my tongue In an instant I had slipped the revolved drawer into my pocket, and was covering him cloth At his remark I drew the weapon out and laid it cocked table He still smiled and blinked, but something about his eyes which made me feel that I had it there

"'You evidently don't now me,' said he

"' contrary,' I answered, ' fairly evident that Pray take chair spare you five minutes anything '

"'All that has already crossed your mind,' said he

"'Then possibly my answer has crossed yours,' I replied

"'You stand fast ? '

"'Absolutely '

"He clapped his hand into his pocket, and I raised the pistol table But he merely drew out memorandum-book he had scribbled some dates

"'You crossed my patch 4th of January,' said he ' 23d you incommoded me; middle of February seriously inconvenienced ; end of March absolutely hampered in my plans; and now, close of April, myself placed position through your continual persecution that in positive danger of losing my liberty The situation is becoming an impossible one '

"' any suggestion ? ' I asked

"' drop it, Mr Holmes,' said he, swaying his face about 'You really must, '

"'After Monday,' said I

"'Tut, tut,' said he ' that man of your intelligence will see that there but one outcome affair necessary that withdraw worked things fashion that resource an intellectual treat the way have grappled affair, and , unaffectedly, grief forced any extreme measure You smile, sir, abut I assure you really would '

"'Danger is part trade,' I remarked

"' danger,' said he ' inevitable destruction You stand way not merely of an individual, but of might organisation, the full extent you, with all your cleverness, unable to realise stand clear, Mr Holmes, or be trodden under foot '

"' afraid,' said I, rising, 'that pleasure conversation neglecting business of importance which awaits me elsewhere '

"He rose also and looked at me in silence, shaking his head sadly

"'Well, well,' said he, at last 'It seems pity, but what every move of your game do nothing before Monday duel between you and me, Mr Holmes You hope me dock I tell you that never stand dock You hope to beat me I tell you that never beat me clever enough to bring destruction upon me, rest assured that do '

"' paid me several compliments, Mr Moriarty,' said I 'Let me pay you one in return when that if I were assured former eventuality , interests public, cheerfully accept the latter '

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

"That was my singular interview with Professor Moriarty I confess left an unpleasant effect upon my mind His soft, precise fashion of speech leaves conviction of sincerity which mere bully produce , say: ' take police precautions against him ? ' the reason well convinced agents the blow will fall the best proofs so "

" already been assaulted ? "

"My dear Watson, Professor Moriarty man who lets the grass grow under his feet I went out about mid-day to transact some business in Oxford Street As I passed the corner which leads from Bentinck Street on Welbeck Street crossing two-horse van furiously driven whizzed round and was on me like flash I sprang foot-path and saved myself fraction of second The van dashed round by Marylebone Lane and was gone in an instant I kept pavement , Watson, but as I walked down Vere Street brick came down roof of houses, and was shattered to fragments at my feet I called the police and had the place examined There were slates and bricks piled up roof preparatory to some repairs, and me believe wind had toppled over better, but prove nothing cab and reached my brother's rooms in Pall Mall, where I spent the day Now come round , and on my way attacked by rough with bludgeon I knocked him down, police have him in custody; but tell you most absolute confidence that no possible connection will ever be traced gentleman upon whose front teeth barked my knuckles retiring mathematical coach, , I dare say, working out problems upon black-board ten miles away wonder, Watson, that my first act on entering your rooms was to close your shutters, compelled to ask your permission to leave the house by some less conspicuous exit front door "

I had often admired my friend's courage, but never more than now, as he sat quietly checking off series of incidents have combined up day of horror

" spend the night here ? "