"If you use the code which I have explained," said Holmes,

"you will find that it simply means `Come here at once.' I was

convinced that it was an invitation which he would not refuse,

since he could never imagine that it could come from anyone but

the lady. And so, my dear Watson, we have ended by turning the

dancing men to good when they have so often been the agents of

evil, and I think that I have fulfilled my promise of giving you

something unusual for your note-book. Three-forty is our train,

and I fancy we should be back in Baker Street for dinner.

Only one word of epilogue. The American, Abe Slaney, was

condemned to death at the winter assizes at Norwich; but his

penalty was changed to penal servitude in consideration of

mitigating circumstances, and the certainty that Hilton Cubitt

had fired the first shot. Of Mrs. Hilton Cubitt I only know

that I have heard she recovered entirely, and that she still

remains a widow, devoting her whole life to the care of the

poor and to the administration of her husband's estate.

17.08.2007