第 4 节
作者:
月寒 更新:2023-08-28 11:46 字数:4967
There was an inrush of police; the handcuffs clicked and the
criminals were led to the waiting cab。 Watson lingered with Holmes;
congratulating him upon this fresh leaf added to his laurels。 Once
more their conversation was interrupted by the imperturbable Billy
with his card…tray。
〃Lord Cantlemere; sir。〃
〃Show him up; Billy。 This is the eminent peer who represents the
very highest interests;〃 said Holmes。 〃He is an excellent and loyal
person; but rather of the old regime。 Shall we make him unbend? Dare
we venture upon a slight liberty? He knows; we may conjecture; nothing
of what has occurred。〃
The door opened to admit a thin; austere figure with a hatchet
face and drooping mid…Victorian whiskers of a glossy blackness which
hardly corresponded with the rounded shoulders and feeble gait。 Holmes
advanced affably; and shook an unresponsive hand。
〃How do you do; Lord Cantlemere? It is chilly for the time of
year; but rather warm indoors。 May I take your overcoat?〃
〃No; I thank you; I will not take it off。〃
Holmes laid his hand insistently upon the sleeve。
〃Pray allow me! My friend Dr。 Watson would assure you that these
changes of temperature are most insidious。〃
His Lordship shook himself free with some impatience。
〃I am quite comfortable; sir。 I have no need to stay。 I have
simply looked in to know how your self…appointed task was
progressing。〃
〃It is difficult… very difficult。〃
〃I feared that you would find it so。〃
There was a distinct sneer in the old courtier's words and manner。
〃Every man finds his limitations; Mr。 Holmes; but at least it
cures us of the weakness of self…satisfaction。〃
〃Yes; sir; I have been much perplexed。〃
〃No doubt。〃
〃Especially upon one point。 Possibly you could help me upon it?〃
〃You apply for my advice rather late in the day。 I thought that
you had your own all…sufficient methods。 Still; I am ready to help
you。〃
〃You see; Lord Cantlemere; we can no doubt frame a case against
the actual thieves。〃
〃When you have caught them。〃
〃Exactly。 But the question is… how shall we proceed against the
receiver?〃
〃Is this not rather premature?〃
〃It is as well to have our plans ready。 Now; what would you regard
as final evidence against the receiver?〃
〃The actual possession of the stone。〃
〃You would arrest him upon that?〃
〃Most undoubtedly。〃
Holmes seldom laughed; but he got as near it as his old friend
Watson could remember。
〃In that case; my dear sir; I shall be under the painful necessity
of advising your arrest。〃
Lord Cantlemere was very angry。 Some of the ancient fires
flickered up into his sallow checks。
〃You take a great liberty; Mr。 Holmes。 In fifty years of official
life I cannot recall such a case。 I am a busy man; sir; engaged upon
important affairs; and I have no time or taste for foolish jokes。 I
may tell you frankly; sir; that I have never been a believer in your
powers; and that I have always been of the opinion that the matter was
far safer in the hands of the regular police force。 Your conduct
confirms all my conclusions。 I have the honour; sir; to wish you
good…evening。〃
Holmes had swiftly changed his position and was between the peer and
the door。
〃One moment; sir;〃 said he。 〃To actually go off with the Mazarin
stone would be a more serious offence than to be found in temporary
possession of it。〃
〃Sir; this is intolerable! Let me pass。〃
〃Put your hand in the right…hand pocket of your overcoat。〃
〃What do you mean; sir?〃
〃Come… come; do what I ask。〃
An instant later the amazed peer was standing; blinking and
stammering; with the great yellow stone on his shaking palm。
〃What! What! How is this; Mr。 Holmes?〃
〃Too bad; Lord Cantlemere; too bad!〃 cried Holmes。 〃My old friend
here will tell you that I have an impish habit of practical joking。
Also that I can never resist a dramatic situation。 I took the liberty…
the very great liberty; I admit… of putting the stone into your pocket
at the beginning of our interview。〃
The old peer stared from the stone to the smiling face before him。
〃Sir; I am bewildered。 But… yes… it is indeed the Mazarin stone。
We are greatly your debtors; Mr。 Holmes。 Your sense of humour may;
as you admit; be somewhat perverted; and its exhibition remarkably
untimely; but at least I withdraw any reflection I have made upon your
amazing professional powers。 But how…〃
〃The case is but half finished; the details can wait。 No doubt; Lord
Cantlemere; your pleasure in telling of this successful result in
the exalted role to which you return will be some small atonement
for my practical joke。 Billy; you will show his Lordship out; and tell
Mrs。 Hudson that I should be glad if she would send up dinner for
two as soon as possible。〃
…THE END…
。