That was the pith of the information with which Holmes left the office of the Adelaide-Southampton company.Thence he drove to Scotland Yard, but instead of entering he sat in his cab with his brows drawn down, lost in profound thought.Finally he drove round to the Charing Cross telegraph office, sent off a message, and then, at last, we made for Baker Street once more.
"No, I couldn't do it, Watson," said he, as we re-entered our room."Once that warrant was made out nothing on earth would save him.Once or twice in my career I feel that I have done more real harm by my discovery of the criminal than ever he had done by his crime.I have learned caution now, and I had rather play tricks with the law of England than with my own conscience.
Let us know a little more before we act."Before evening we had a visit from Inspector Stanley Hopkins.
Things were not going very well with him.
"I believe that you are a wizard, Mr.Holmes.I really do sometimes think that you have powers that are not human.
Now, how on earth could you know that the stolen silver was at the bottom of that pond?""I didn't know it."
"But you told me to examine it."
"You got it, then?"
"Yes, I got it."
"I am very glad if I have helped you."
"But you haven't helped me.You have made the affair far more difficult.What sort of burglars are they who steal silver and then throw it into the nearest pond?""It was certainly rather eccentric behaviour.I was merely going on the idea that if the silver had been taken by persons who did not want it, who merely took it for a blind as it were, then they would naturally be anxious to get rid of it.""But why should such an idea cross your mind?""Well, I thought it was possible.When they came out through the French window there was the pond, with one tempting little hole in the ice, right in front of their noses.Could there be a better hiding-place?""Ah, a hiding-place -- that is better!" cried Stanley Hopkins.
"Yes, yes, I see it all now! It was early, there were folk upon the roads, they were afraid of being seen with the silver, so they sank it in the pond, intending to return for it when the coast was clear.Excellent, Mr.Holmes -- that is better than your idea of a blind.""Quite so; you have got an admirable theory.I have no doubt that my own ideas were quite wild, but you must admit that they have ended in discovering the silver.""Yes, sir, yes.It was all your doing.But I have had a bad set-back.""A set-back?"
"Yes, Mr.Holmes.The Randall gang were arrested in New York this morning.""Dear me, Hopkins! That is certainly rather against your theory that they committed a murder in Kent last night.""It is fatal, Mr.Holmes, absolutely fatal.Still, there are other gangs of three besides the Randalls, or it may be some new gang of which the police have never heard.""Quite so; it is perfectly possible.What, are you off?"Yes, Mr.Holmes; there is no rest for me until I have got to the bottom of the business.I suppose you have no hint to give me?""I have given you one."
"Which?"
"Well, I suggested a blind."
"But why, Mr.Holmes, why?"
"Ah, that's the question, of course.But I commend the idea to your mind.You might possibly find that there was something in it.You won't stop for dinner? Well, good-bye, and let us know how you get on."Dinner was over and the table cleared before Holmes alluded to the matter again.He had lit his pipe and held his slippered feet to the cheerful blaze of the fire.Suddenly he looked at his watch.
"I expect developments, Watson."
"When?"
"Now -- within a few minutes.I dare say you thought I acted rather badly to Stanley Hopkins just now?""I trust your judgment."
"A very sensible reply, Watson.You must look at it this way:
what I know is unofficial; what he knows is official.I have the right to private judgment, but he has none.He must disclose all, or he is a traitor to his service.In a doubtful case Iwould not put him in so painful a position, and so I reserve my information until my own mind is clear upon the matter.""But when will that be?"
"The time has come.You will now be present at the last scene of a remarkable little drama."There was a sound upon the stairs, and our door was opened to admit as fine a specimen of manhood as ever passed through it.
He was a very tall young man, golden-moustached, blue-eyed, with a skin which had been burned by tropical suns, and a springy step which showed that the huge frame was as active as it was strong.He closed the door behind him, and then he stood with clenched hands and heaving breast, choking down some overmastering emotion.
"Sit down, Captain Croker.You got my telegram?"Our visitor sank into an arm-chair and looked from one to the other of us with questioning eyes.
"I got your telegram, and I came at the hour you said.I heard that you had been down to the office.There was no getting away from you.Let's hear the worst.What are you going to do with me?
Arrest me? Speak out, man! You can't sit there and play with me like a cat with a mouse.""Give him a cigar," said Holmes."Bite on that, Captain Croker, and don't let your nerves run away with you.I should not sit here smoking with you if I thought that you were a common criminal, you may be sure of that.Be frank with me, and we may do some good.
Play tricks with me, and I'll crush you.""What do you wish me to do?"
"To give me a true account of all that happened at the Abbey Grange last night -- a TRUE account, mind you, with nothing added and nothing taken off.I know so much already that if you go one inch off the straight I'll blow this police whistle from my window and the affair goes out of my hands for ever."The sailor thought for a little.Then he struck his leg with his great, sun-burned hand.
"I'll chance it," he cried."I believe you are a man of your word, and a white man, and I'll tell you the whole story.
