and once again Mr. Sherlock Holmes is free to devote his life to examining those interesting little problems which the complex life of London so plentifully presents.”
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He locked the door lest the ladies should surprise him and insist upon knowing what he was doing with these names and coins. Will it pass?”
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and had threatened to expose him unless he voluntarily resigned his membership of the club and promised not to play cards again.
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“You have formed one, then?”
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never dreaming that he would choose the same spot for his attack. Now, my dear Watson, does anything remain for me to explain?”
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The bullets alone are enough to put his head in a noose. I came over at once. I was seen by the sentinel, who would, I knew, direct the Colonel's attention to my presence.
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Night and day the shadow would have been over me, and sooner or later his chance must have come. What could I do? I could not shoot him at sight, or I should myself be in the dock. There was no use appealing to a magistrate.
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and I knew also that one of the best shots in the world would be behind it. When we were in Switzerland he followed us with Moriarty, and it was undoubtedly he who gave me that evil five minutes on the Reichenbach ledge.
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Moriarty supplied him liberally with money and used him only in one or two very high-class jobs which no ordinary criminal could have undertaken.
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The person becomes, as it were, the epitome of the history of his own family.”
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On the margin was written, in Holmes's precise hand: “The second most dangerous man in London.”
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Sherpur, and Cabul. Author of 'Heavy Game of the Western Himalayas,' 1881; 'Three Months in the Jungle,' 1884. Address: Conduit Street. Clubs: The Anglo-Indian, the Tankerville, the Bagatelle Card Club.”
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and Mathews, who knocked out my left canine in the waiting-room at Charing Cross, and, finally, here is our friend of to-night.”
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“Well, well, such is fame! But, then, if I remember aright, you had not heard the name of Professor James Moriarty, who had one of the great brains of the century. Just give me down my index of biographies from the shelf.”
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“The old shikari's nerves have not lost their steadiness nor his eyes their keenness,” said he, with a laugh, as he inspected the shattered forehead of his bust.
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And now, Watson, let me see you in your old seat once more, for there are several points which I should like to discuss with you.”
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“Yes, sir. I'm afraid it has spoilt your beautiful bust, for it passed right through the head and flattened itself on the wall. I picked it up from the carpet. Here it is!”
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It stood on a small pedestal table with an old dressing-gown of Holmes's so draped round it that the illusion from the street was absolutely perfect.
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The diagrams, the violin-case, and the pipe-rack—even the Persian slipper which contained the tobacco—all met my eyes as I glanced round me.
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There were the chemical corner and the acid-stained, deal-topped table.
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That's the charge, Lestrade. And now, Watson, if you can endure the draught from a broken window, I think that half an hour in my study over a cigar may afford you some profitable amusement.”
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With your usual happy mixture of cunning and audacity you have got him.”
“Got him! Got whom, Mr. Holmes?”
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For years I have been aware of its existence, though I have never before had the opportunity of handling it. I commend it very specially to your attention, Lestrade, and also the bullets which fit it.”
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“Well, that's reasonable enough,” said Lestrade. “Nothing further you have to say, Mr. Holmes, before we go?”
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I had imagined you as operating from the street, where my friend Lestrade and his merry men were awaiting you. With that exception all has gone as I expected.”
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Colonel Moran sprang forward, with a snarl of rage, but the constables dragged him back. The fury upon his face was terrible to look at.
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You have possibly had other guns in reserve in case there should be several tigers, or in the unlikely supposition of your own aim failing you. These,” he pointed around, “are my other guns. The parallel is exact.”
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The fierce old man said nothing, but still glared at my companion; with his savage eyes and bristling moustache he was wonderfully like a tiger himself.
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I believe I am correct, Colonel, in saying that your bag of tigers still remains unrivalled?”
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The Colonel still stared at my friend like a man in a trance. “You cunning, cunning fiend!” was all that he could say.
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