18914 But it was destined that I should after all have a last word of greeting from my friend and comrade.
18915 I have said that his Alpine-stock had been left leaning against a rock which jutted on to the path.
18916 From the top of this boulder the gleam of something bright caught my eye, and, raising my hand, I found that it came from the silver cigarette-case which he used to carry.
18917 As I took it up a small square of paper, upon which it had lain, fluttered down on to the ground.
18918 Unfolding it I found that it consisted of three pages torn from his note-book and addressed to me.
18919 It was characteristic of the man that the direction was as precise, and the writing as firm and clear, as though it had been written in his study.
18920 My DEAR WATSON, he said, I write these few lines through the courtesy of Mr Moriarty, who awaits my convenience for the final discussion of those questions which lie between us.
18921 He has been giving me a sketch of the methods by which he avoided the English police and kept himself informed of our movements.
18922 They certainly confirm the very high opinion which I had formed of his abilities.
18923 I am pleased to think that I shall be able to free society from any further effects of his presence, though I fear that it is at a cost which will give pain to my friends, and especially, my dear Watson, to you.
18924 I have already explained to you, however, that my career had in any case reached its crisis, and that no possible conclusion to it could be more congenial to me than this.
18925 Indeed, if I may make a full confession to you, I was quite convinced that the letter from Meiringen was a hoax, and I allowed you to depart on that errand under the persuasion that some development of this sort would follow.
18926 Tell Inspector Paterson that the papers which he needs to convict the gang are in pigeon-hole M, done up in a blue envelope and inscribed "Moriarty".
18927 I made every disposition of my property before leaving England, and handed it to my brother Mycroft.
18928 Pray give my greetings to Mrs Watson, and believe me to be, my dear fellow,