The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 178 The Last Greeting (21)
"Excellent wine, Watson. Our friend lying on the sofa has told me that it comes from Franz Joseph's special cellar at Schonbrunn Palace. Open the window, Chloroform, if you please." The smell of it will prevent us from tasting the fine wine." The safe was ajar, and Holmes stood before it, took out a volume, examined them one by one, and put them neatly in von Bork's bag.The German lay fast asleep on the sofa, snoring loudly, his arms bound with one strap and his feet with another.

"Don't worry, Watson. We will not be disturbed. Ring the bell, will you? There is no one in the room except Martha. Martha is admirable, and as soon as I took up the case I Tell her what's going on here. Ah, Martha, it's all right. You'll be glad to hear that." The happy old lady appeared in the passage, curtseying to Holmes, smiling, but looking worriedly. A glance at the man on the sofa.

"It's all right, Martha, it didn't hurt him."

"That's all right, Mr. Holmes. He's a very knowledgeable and kindly host. He sent me and his wife to Germany yesterday. That's going to spoil your plans, won't it, sir?"

"Yes, Martha. As long as you are here, I am relieved. We have been waiting for your signal for a long time this evening."

"The secretary is in England, sir."

"I know. His car drove past ours."

"I thought he wasn't going. I know, sir, I can't carry out your plan with him here."

"Indeed. We waited for half an hour, and when we saw the light from your room, we knew there was no hindrance. Martha, you can report to me at the Claridge Hotel to-morrow, Martha, when you go to London."

"Okay, sir."

"I think you're ready to go."

"Yes, sir. He sent seven letters today, and I have taken down the addresses."

"Well done, Martha. I'll look into it tomorrow. Good night." As the old lady walked away, Holmes continued, "These documents are not very important, because the information they provide has already been in the hands of the German Government. These Originals cannot be sent out of this country."

"So these documents are useless?"

"Neither, Watson. At least they tell us what is known and what is not. Many of these documents have come through my hand, which, of course, is unreliable." It is a great honor to see a German cruiser sailing the Sauron Sea according to the minefield plan I have provided. And you, Watson," he put down his work, patting his old friend on the shoulder, "I Haven't gotten to know your real face yet. How have you been these past few years? You still look the same as before, like a happy kid."

"I feel twenty years younger, Holmes. I was overjoyed when I received your telegram asking me to drive to Harwich to meet you. Holmes, you haven't changed much, save for your goat's mustache."

"It is a small sacrifice for our country, Watson," said Holmes, smoothing his moustache. "To-morrow these will be memories. I have had my hair cut and my appearance restored, and to-morrow I will be at Clary again." When I run a restaurant, I will no doubt look exactly like I used to. My English sounds seem to be impure during my role as an American, please excuse me, Watson."

"But you are retired, Holmes. I hear you live a hermit life among bees and books on a small farm in the southern steppes."

"That's right, Watson. This is the fruit of my secluded life, my masterpiece of the past few years!" He picked up a book on the table, and read the full title of the book, "A Practical Handbook of Beekeeping and On Isolating Queen Bees "Studies" are the product of my own labors of labor day and night. I have observed these industrious bees as I have observed the world of criminals in London."

"Then why did you start working again?"

"Ah, I find it a little strange myself. The Foreign Secretary alone is enough for me, but the Prime Minister is also planning to visit the humble house. Watson, this gentleman lying on the sofa has done many 'good things' to our people. , they have a gang. Many of our things have failed and we can't figure out why. Some intelligence agents have been suspected, and some have even been arrested. But it turns out that there is a strong secret core. It is absolutely necessary to expose them. A strong sense of duty compelled me to investigate the matter myself. It took me two years, Watson, but it was not without joy. You will see how it was when I tell you what happened next. It's complicated. I traveled from Chicago, joined an Irish secret society in Buffalo, got into a lot of trouble with the police at Skibaron, and finally got the attention of von Polk's intelligence agent. This guy thinks I'm useful , recommended me. Since then, I have gained their confidence. In this way, I have caused most of his plans to go awry, and five of his best agents are in prison. Watson, I bide my time in secret, and when the time came I sent them to prison one by one. Oh, sir, I hope you are at peace."

These last words were addressed to von Bork.After a gasp and a wink, he lay still and listened to Holmes.Now he growled loudly, cursing in German.His face twitched with anger.Holmes was on the sidelines to examine the papers swiftly while he cursed.

"Although German lacks the beauty of music, it is also the most expressive language," said Holmes when von Bork was exhausted from cursing and stopped to catch his breath. A corner of the picture said, "There should be another one caught. I don't know that the chief accountant is a double-faced person, although I have been monitoring him for a long time. Mr. Von Bork, there are many questions waiting for you to answer."

The German struggled to sit up on the sofa, and he looked at his captor with a mixture of surprise and hatred.

"Altamon, I will compete with you," he said slowly and solemnly. "Even if it takes my life, I will compete with you."

"It's your old tune," said Holmes. "I used to hear it a lot. It was the late Professor Moriarty's favorite tune. Colonel Sebastian Moran sang it too." Old tune. But, I'm still alive, and I'm still keeping bees at ease on the southern grasslands."

"I curse you, you traitor!" bellowed the German, tugging at his belt, eyes blazing.

"No, no, you are mistaken," said Holmes, laughing. "I tell you, there is no such thing as Altamon in Chicago. I only made use of him, and he has disappeared."

"then who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. Since you want to know, Mr. von Bork, let me tell you, this is not the first time I have dealt with you Germans. I have done big business in Germany in the past. My name, you Maybe not unfamiliar."

"I'd like to hear it," said the Prussian coldly.

"It was I who separated Irene Adler from the ex-King of Bohemia when your cousin Henrich was minister to the Reich; rescued your mother's brother Count Glalaustein from the nihilist Klopp I am also in Man's clutches. I also..."

Von Bork sat up in surprise.

"It was you who did it," he cried.

"That's right," said Holmes.

Von Bork sighed and collapsed on the sofa. "You sent most of that information," he yelled. "What's the value? Look at what I've done. Destroy me, forever!"

"Certainly unreliable," said Holmes. "It will take time to test, and you have not had time to test it. Your admiral may find that the new guns are larger than he expected, and the cruiser a little faster." .”

Von Bork grabbed his throat in despair.

"Many details will of course come to light in due course. But, Herr von Bock, you have something that few Germans have, and that is - you are an athlete. When you realize that you, a conspirator, are being plotted against You had no ill will towards me when you were here. After all, you and I did our best for our respective countries, and what could be more natural than that? Besides," he put his hand on the over the shoulder of the defeated man, and continued bluntly, "It is better than falling before some despicable enemy. The papers are ready, Watson. If you will do me a favor with this prisoner, I would like We can set off for London in a moment."

Moving a von Polk is a lot of work.He was strong and strong and fought desperately.Finally, each of us took him by the arms and dragged him to the garden path.A few hours earlier, he had walked the path with great pride to receive the congratulations of the famous diplomat.Although he struggled for a while, he was still tied hands and feet.He was lifted and stuffed into the empty seat of the car.His valuable purse is also beside him.

"As far as conditions permit, I will try to make you as comfortable as possible," said Holmes, when everything was settled. "Is it not insolent if I light a cigar for you and put it in your mouth?"

But for this angry German, all care was in vain.

"I think you understand, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said he, "that your treatment of me, if ordered by your government, is an act of war."

"Then what is your government and all this?" said Holmes, tapping his bag.

"You have no right to arrest me, the whole procedure is absolutely illegal and brutal."

"Indeed," said Holmes.

"Kidnapping German citizens.

"And steal his private papers.

"Hmph, do you know what you are doing? When I pass the village, if I call for help..."

"My dear sir, if you really do that, you may provide us with a sign 'Prussian hanging'. The British are patient, but they are not calm now, and it is best not to provoke They. Mr. von Bork, you'd better understand, and follow us quietly to Scotland Yard. From there you can send for your friend Baron von Herring, but you will find, nonetheless, that he will take your place. You cannot fill the remaining vacancy among the Attachés. As for you, Watson, go back to your old ways. London cannot do without you. Come, stand with me for a moment on these steps. It may be It was our last uninterrupted conversation."

We chatted cordially for a while, reminiscing about the old days again.

At this moment, our captive tried to break free, but in vain.As we walked towards the car, Holmes shook his head emotionally, pointing to the moonlit sea behind him.

"It's going to be windy, Watson."

"I do not think so, Holmes. It is very warm."

"Mr. Watson, you are a constant hour in changing times! There will be an east wind. Such a wind is rare in England. It will be cold, Watson. When it comes, many of us may die." Will wither. But it is still God's wind. After the storm, a brighter, better, stronger land will stand in the sun. Drive, Watson, we are on our way. I have a check for five hundred pounds Hurry to cash it, because if the drawer can stop paying, he will stop paying."

(End of this chapter)