"And what would he had he overtaken us ? "

"There the least doubt that made murderous attack upon me , however, game at which two may play The question, now is whether take premature lunch here, or run our chance of starving before we reach the buffet at Newhaven "

our way to Brussels that night and spent two days there, moving on third day as far as Strasbourg Monday morning Holmes had telegraphed London police, and evening reply waiting at our hotel Holmes tore it open, and then with bitter curse hurled it grate

" known it ! " he groaned "He has escaped ! "

"Moriarty ? "

" secured the whole gang exception of him He them the slip , when I had left the country no one to cope But think that I had put the game in their hands that you had better return to England, Watson "

"Why ? "

"Because me dangerous companion now This man's occupation is gone lost if he returns to London If his character right devote his whole energies to revenging himself upon me short interview, and I fancy that he meant it certainly recommend you to return to your practice "

hardly an appeal successful with one who was an old campaigner as an old friend We sat Strasbourg salle--manger arguing the question for half an hour, but the same night we had resumed our journey and were well way to Geneva

For charming week we wandered up the Valley Rhone, and then, branching off at Leuk, our way over the Gemmi Pass, still deep in snow, and so, by way of Interlaken, to Meiringen lovely trip, the dainty green spring below, the virgin white winter above; but clear that never instant did Holmes forget the shadow which lay across him homely Alpine villages or lonely mountain passes, tell by his quick glancing eyes sharp scrutiny of every face that passed us, that well convinced that, walk where , walk ourselves clear danger dogging our footsteps

Once, I remember, passed over the Gemmi, and walked along the border melancholy Daubensee, large rock which dislodged ridge upon our right clattered down and roared lake behind us In an instant Holmes had raced up on ridge, and, standing upon lofty pinnacle, craned his neck in every direction in vain guide assured him that fall of stones was common chance spring-time spot nothing, but he smiled at me air of man who sees the fulfilment which he had expected

And yet for all his watchfulness never depressed contrary, never recollect having seen him exuberant spirits Again and again he recurred fact that if be assured that society was freed from Professor Moriarty cheerfully bring his own career to conclusion

" that go as , Watson, that lived wholly in vain," he remarked " record were closed to-night still survey it with equanimity The air of London sweeter presence In over thousand cases not aware that ever used my powers wrong side Of late tempted to look problems furnished by nature rather than those more superficial ones our artificial state of society is responsible Your memoirs will draw to an end, Watson, day that I crown my career capture or extinction most dangerous and capable criminal in Europe "

brief, and yet exact, little which remains subject willingly dwell, and yet conscious that duty devolves upon me to omit no detail

3d of May that we reached the little village of Meiringen, where we put up Englischer Hof, then kept by Peter Steiler the elder Our landlord was an intelligent man, and spoke excellent English, having served for three years as waiter Grosvenor Hotel in London At his advice, afternoon 4th we set off together, intention of crossing the hills and spending the night hamlet of Rosenlaui We had strict injunctions, however, on no account the falls of Reichenbach, which are about half-way up the hill, without making small detour them

indeed, fearful place The torrent, swollen melting snow, plunges into tremendous abyss, the spray rolls up like the smoke from burning house The shaft into which the river hurls itself is immense chasm, lined by glistening coal-black rock, and narrowing into creaming, boiling pit of incalculable depth, which brims over and shoots the stream onward over its jagged lip The long sweep of green water roaring forever down, thick flickering curtain of spray hissing forever upward, turn man giddy with their constant whirl and clamour We stood near the edge peering down gleam breaking water far below us against the black rocks, and listening half-human shout which cam booming up spray abyss

The path cut half-way round the fall to afford complete view, but it ends abruptly, traveller return as We had turned , when we saw Swiss lad come running along it with letter hand It bore the mark hotel which we had just left, and was addressed landlord It appeared that within very leaving, and English lady had arrived who was last stage of consumption She had wintered at Davos Platz, and was journeying now to join her friends at Lucerne, when sudden haemorrhage had overtaken her thought that hardly live few hours, but it great consolation to her an English doctor, and, if only return, etc The good Steiler assured me in postscript that himself look upon my compliance as very great favour, lady absolutely refused Swiss physician, and but feel that incurring great responsibility

The appeal was one which ignored impossible to refuse the request of fellow-countrywoman dying in strange land Yet I had my scruples about leaving Holmes finally agreed, however, that retain the young Swiss messenger as guide and companion while I returned to Meiringen My friend would stay some little time fall, , and would then walk slowly over the hill to Rosenlaui, where to rejoin him evening As I turned away Holmes, back against rock arms folded, gazing down rush waters It last that ever destined of him world

When near the bottom descent I looked back impossible, position, the fall, but I the curving path which winds over the shoulder hill and leads man was, I remember, walking very rapidly

I his black figure clearly outlined against the green behind him I noted him, energy wit which he walked but he passed from my mind again as I hurried on upon my errand

It may little over an hour before I reached Meiringen Old Steiler was standing porch hotel

"Well," said I, as hurrying up, "I trust that no worse ? "

look of surprise passed over his face, and first quiver eyebrows my heart turned to lead in my breast

" write this ? " , pulling the letter from my pocket " no sick Englishwoman hotel ? "