Soon after this, Holmes left for France. He sent me a
strange letter from there which worried me very
much. I could not understand a word of it and
began to wonder if he was taking cocaine again.
This was his letter:
If you remember the Berlin case of 'one in three',
Watson, everything will be clear to you because . . .
the famous German professor in Paris is no longer
alive. I heard he was recently killed while studying
flora in the White Mountains of my favourite island.
Letters and books are appearing soon. Read them
quickly but carefully, as I cannot always follow or
understand him myself. Last night I dreamt and the
next day suddenly understood this problem. The time
comes when he and others will be free - not an easy
escape.