18859    The path has been cut half-way round the fall to afford a complete view, but it ends abruptly, and the traveller has to return as he came.

18860    We had turned to do so, when we saw a Swiss lad come running along it with a letter in his hand.

18861    It bore the mark of the hotel which we had just left, and was addressed to me by the landlord.

18862    It appeared that within a very few minutes of our leaving, an English lady had arrived who was in the last stage of consumption.

18863    She had wintered at Davos Platz, and was journeying now to join her friends at Lucerne, when a sudden haemorrhage had overtaken her.

18864    It was thought that she could hardly live a few hours, but it would be a great consolation to her to see an English doctor, and, if I would only return, etc., etc.

18865    The good Steiler assured me in a postscript that he would himself look upon my compliance as a very great favour, since the lady absolutely refused to see a Swiss physician, and he could not but feel that he was incurring a great responsibility.

18866    The appeal was one which could not be ignored.

18867    It was impossible to refuse the request of a fellow-countrywoman dying in a strange land.

18868    Yet I had my scruples about leaving Holmes.

18869    It was finally agreed, however, that he should retain the young Swiss messenger with him as guide and companion while I returned to Meiringen.

18870    My friend would stay some little time at the fall, he said, and would then walk slowly over the hill to Rosenlaui, where I was to rejoin him in the evening.

18871    As I turned away I saw Holmes with his back against a rock and his arms folded, gazing down at the rush of waters.

18872    It was the last that I was ever destined to see of him in this world.

18873    When I was near the bottom of the descent I looked back.