"The fact is that upon his entrance I had instantly recognized theextreme personal danger in which I lay. The only conceivable escape forhim lay in silencing my tongue. In an instant I had slipped the revolverfrom the drawer into my pocket, and was covering him through the cloth.At his remark I drew the weapon out and laid it cocked upon the table.He still smiled and blinked, but there was something about his eyeswhich made me feel very glad that I had it there.
"'You evidently don't know me,' said he.
"'On the contrary,' I answered, 'I think it is fairly evident that I do.Pray take a chair. I can spare you five minutes if you have anything tosay.'
"'All that I have to say 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 fromthe table. But he merely drew out a memorandum-book in which he hadscribbled some dates.
"'You crossed my path on the 4th of January,' said he. 'On the 23d youincommoded me; by the middle of February I was seriously inconveniencedby you; at the end of March I was absolutely hampered in my plans; andnow, at the close of April, I find myself placed in such a positionthrough your continual persecution that I am in positive danger oflosing my liberty. The situation is becoming an impossible one.'
"'Have you any suggestion to make?' I asked.
"'You must drop it, Mr. Holmes,' said he, swaying his face about. 'Youreally must, you know.'
"'After Monday,' said I.
"'Tut, tut,' said he. 'I am quite sure that a man of your intelligencewill see that there can be but one outcome to this affair. It isnecessary that you should withdraw. You have worked things in such afashion that we have only one resource left. It has been an intellectualtreat to me to see the way in which you have grappled with this affair,and I say, unaffectedly, that it would be a grief to me to be forcedto take any extreme measure. You smile, sir, but I assure you that itreally would.'
"'Danger is part of my trade,' I remarked.
"'That is not danger,' said he. 'It is inevitable destruction. You standin the way not merely of an individual, but of a mighty organization,the full extent of which you, with all your cleverness, have been unableto realize. You must stand clear, Mr. Holmes, or be trodden under foot.'
"'I am afraid,' said I, rising, 'that in the pleasure of thisconversation I am neglecting business of importance which awaits meelsewhere.'
"He rose also and looked at me in silence, shaking his head sadly.
"'Well, well,' said he, at last. 'It seems a pity, but I have donewhat I could. I know every move of your game. You can do nothing beforeMonday. It has been a duel between you and me, Mr. Holmes. You hope toplace me in the dock. I tell you that I will never stand in the dock.You hope to beat me. I tell you that you will never beat me. If you areclever enough to bring destruction upon me, rest assured that I shall doas much to you.'
"'You have paid me several compliments, Mr. Moriarty,' said I. 'Let mepay you one in return when I say that if I were assured of the formereventuality I would, in the interests of the public, cheerfully acceptthe latter.'
"'I can promise you the one, but not the other,' he snarled, and soturned his rounded back upon me, and went peering and blinking out ofthe room.
"That was my singular interview with Professor Moriarty. I confess thatit left an unpleasant effect upon my mind. His soft, precise fashionof speech leaves a conviction of sincerity which a mere bully couldnot produce. Of course, you will say: 'Why not take police precautionsagainst him?' the reason is that I am well convinced that it is from hisagents the blow will fall. I have the best proofs that it would be so."
"You have already been assaulted?"
"My dear Watson, Professor Moriarty is not a man who lets the grass growunder his feet. I went out about mid-day to transact some business inOxford Street. As I passed the corner which leads from Bentinck Streeton to the Welbeck Street crossing a two-horse van furiously drivenwhizzed round and was on me like a flash. I sprang for the foot-pathand saved myself by the fraction of a second. The van dashed round byMa
rylebone Lane and was gone in an instant. I kept to the pavement afterthat, Watson, but as I walked down Vere Street a brick came down fromthe roof of one of the houses, and was shattered to fragments at myfeet. I called the police and had the place examined. There were slatesand bricks piled up on the roof preparatory to some repairs, and theywould have me believe that the wind had toppled over one of these. Ofcourse I knew better, but I could prove nothing. I took a cab after thatand reached my brother's rooms in Pall Mall, where I spent the day. NowI have come round to you, and on my way I was attacked by a rough with abludgeon. I knocked him down, and the police have him in custody; butI can tell you with the most absolute confidence that no possibleconnection will ever be traced between the gentleman upon whose frontteeth I have barked my knuckles and the retiring mathematical coach, whois, I dare say, working out problems upon a black-board ten miles away.You will not wonder, Watson, that my first act on entering your roomswas to close your shutters, and that I have been compelled to ask yourpermission to leave the house by some less conspicuous exit than thefront door."
I had often admired my friend's courage, but never more than now, as hesat quietly checking off a series of incidents which must have combinedto make up a day of horror.
"You will spend the night here?" I said.
"No, my friend, you might find me a dangerous guest. I have my planslaid, and all will be well. Matters have gone so far now that they canmove without my help as far as the arrest goes, though my presence isnecessary for a conviction. It is obvious, therefore, that I cannot dobetter than get away for the few days which remain before the police areat liberty to act. It would be a great pleasure to me, therefore, if youcould come on to the Continent with me."
"The practice is quiet," said I, "and I have an accommodating neighbor.I should be glad to come."
"And to start to-morrow morning?"
"If necessary."