but I waited for landlord's explanations In tingle of fear already running down the village street, and making path which I had so lately descended It had taken me an hour down For all my efforts two more had passed before myself fall of Reichenbach once more Holmes's Alpine-stock still leaning against the rock I had left him But no sign of him, and in vain that I shouted My only answer was my own voice reverberating in rolling echo cliffs around me

It sight Alpine-stock which turned me cold and sick He gone to Rosenlaui, then He had remained three-foot path, with sheer wall on one side and sheer drop other, until his enemy had overtaken him The young Swiss had gone too He had probably been pay of Moriarty, and had left the two men together And then what had happened ? Who was us what had happened then ?

I stood for minute or two to collect myself, for dazed horror thing Then I began of Holmes's own methods and to practise them in reading this tragedy , alas, only too easy During our conversation we gone end path, Alpine-stock marked the place where we had stood The blackish soil is kept forever soft incessant drift of spray, and bird would leave its tread upon it Two lines of footmarks were clearly marked along the farther end path, both leading away from me There were none returning few yards end the soil was all ploughed up into patch of mud, branches and ferns which fringed the chasm were torn and bedraggled I lay upon my face and peered over spray spouting up all around me It had darkened since I left, and now only see here and there the glistening of moisture black walls, and far away down end shaft the gleam broken water I shouted; but only the same half-human cry fall was borne back to my ears

But destined that after all have last word of greeting from my friend and comrade said that his Alpine-stock left leaning against rock which jutted on path top bowlder the gleam of something bright caught my eye, and, raising my hand, came silver cigarette-case which he used to carry As it up small square of paper it had lain fluttered down on ground Unfolding it, consisted of three pages torn note-book and addressed characteristic man direction was precise, writing as firm and clear, it written study

My dear Watson [it said], I write these few lines courtesy of Mr Moriarty, who awaits my convenience final discussion questions which lie He giving me sketch methods he avoided the English police and kept himself informed movements They certainly confirm the very high opinion which I had formed abilities pleased that to free society from any further effects presence, though at cost which will give pain to my friends, and especially, my dear Watson, already explained , however, that my career had in any case reached its crisis, no possible conclusion more congenial than this Indeed, if make full confession , quite convinced letter from Meiringen was hoax, and I allowed you to depart errand under the persuasion that some development sort would follow Tell Inspector Patterson papers which to convict the gang are in pigeonhole M , done up in blue envelope and inscribed "Moriarty " every disposition property before leaving England, and handed it to my brother Mycroft Pray give my greetings to Mrs Watson, and believe me , my dear fellow,

,

Sherlock Holmes

few words may suffice the little that remains An examination by experts leaves little doubt that personal contest two men ended, as it could hardly fail to end situation, in their reeling over, locked in 's arms Any attempt at recovering the bodies was absolutely hopeless, and there, deep down dreadful caldron of swirling water and seething foam, will lie for all time the most dangerous criminal foremost champion law generation The Swiss youth was never found again, and there that numerous agents whom Moriarty kept employ gang, memory public how completely the evidence which Holmes had accumulated exposed their organisation, and how heavily the hand dead man weighted upon them terrible chief few details came out during the proceedings, and if now been compelled clear statement career due injudicious champions endeavoured to clear his memory by attacks upon him whom ever regard best wisest man whom ever known