It is death.

Now we might suppose that this murdered man--this Douglas whose approaching fate was known by one of the arch-criminal's subordinates--had in some way betrayed the chief.

His punishment followed, and would be known to all--if only to put the fear of death into them." "Well, that is one suggestion, Mr.Holmes." "The other is that it has been engineered by Moriarty in the ordinary course of business.

Was there any robbery ?" "I have not heard." "If so, it would, of course, be against the first hypothesis and in favour of the second.

Moriarty may have been engaged to engineer it on a promise of part spoils, or he may have been paid so much down to manage it.