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22 May 1859, Edinburgh M.D., Kt, D.L., LL.D., Sportsman, Writer, Poet, Politician, Justicer, Spiritualist Crowborough, 7 July 1930

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His Last Bow

 

1 It was nine o'clock at night upon the second of August - the most terrible August in the history of the world. 2 One might have thought already that God's curse hung heavy over a degenerate world, for there was an awesome hush and a feeling of vague expectancy in the sultry and stagnant air. 3 The sun had long set, but one blood-red gash like an open wound lay low in the distant west. 4 Above, the stars were shining brightly; and below, the lights of the shipping glimmered in the bay. 5 The two famous Germans stood beside the stone parapet of the garden walk, with the long, low, heavily gabled house behind them, and they looked down upon the broad sweep of the beach at the foot of the great chalk cliff on which Von Bork, like some wandering eagle, had perched himself four years before. 6 They stood with their heads close together, talking in low, confidential tones. 7 From below the two glowing ends of their cigars might have been the smouldering eyes of some malignant fiend looking down in the darkness.
8 A remarkable man this Von Bork - a man who could hardly be matched among all the devoted agents of the Kaiser. 9 It was his talents which had first recommended him for the English mission, the most important mission of all, but since he had taken it over, those talents had become more and more manifest to the half-dozen people in the world who were really in touch with the truth. 10 One of these was his present companion, Baron Von Herling, the chief secretary of the legation, whose huge 100-horse-power Benz car was blocking the country lane as it waited to waft its owner back to London.
11 'So far as I can judge the trend of events, you will probably be back in Berlin within the week,' the secretary was saying. 12 'When you get there, my dear Von Bork, I think you will be surprised at the welcome you will receive. 13 I happen to know what is thought in the highest quarters of your work in this country.' 14 He was a huge man, the secretary, deep, broad, and tall, with a slow, heavy fashion of speech which had been his main asset in his political career.
15 Von Bork laughed.
16 'They are not very hard to deceive,' he remarked. 17 'A more docile, simple folk could not be imagined.'
18 'I don't know about that,' said the other thoughtfully. 19 'They have strange limits and one must learn to observe them. 20 It is that surface simplicity of theirs which makes a trap for the stranger. 21 One's first impression is that they are entirely soft. 22 Then one comes suddenly upon something very hard and you know that you have reached the limit, and must adapt yourself to the fact. 23 They have, for example, their insular conventions which simply must be observed.'
24 'Meaning, 'good form' and that sort of thing?' 25 Von Bork sighed, as one who had suffered much.
26 'Meaning British prejudice in all its queer manifestations. 27 As an example I may quote one of my own worst blunders - I can afford to talk of my blunders, for you know my work well enough to be aware of my successes. 28 It was on my first arrival. 29 I was invited to a week-end gathering at the country house of a Cabinet Minister. 30 The conversation was amazingly indiscreet.'
31 Von Bork nodded. 32 'I've been there,' said he dryly.
33 'Exactly. 34 Well, I naturally sent a résumé of the information to Berlin. 35 Unfortunately our good Chancellor is a little heavy-handed in these matters, and he transmitted a remark which showed that he was aware of what had been said. 36 This, of course, took the trail straight up to me. 37 You've no idea the harm that it did me. 38 There was nothing soft about our British hosts on that occasion, I can assure you. 39 I was two years living it down. 40 Now you, with this sporting pose of yours.'
41 'No, no, don't call it a pose. 42 A pose is an artificial thing. 43 This is quite natural. 44 I am a born sportsman. 45 I enjoy it.'
46 'Well, that makes it the more effective. 47 You yacht against them, you hunt with them, you play polo, you match them in every game, your four-in-hand takes the prize at Olympia. 48 I have even heard that you go the length of boxing with the young officers. 49 What is the result? 50 Nobody takes you seriously. 51 You are a "good old sport," "quite a decent fellow for a German," a hard-drinking, night-club, knock-abouttown, devil-may-care young fellow. 52 And all the time this quiet country house of yours is the centre of half the mischief in England, and the sporting squire the most astute Secret Service man in Europe. 53 Genius, my dear Von Bork - genius!'
54 'You flatter me, Baron. 55 But certainly I may claim that my four years in this country have not been unproductive. 56 I've never shown you my little store. 57 Would you mind stepping in for a moment?'
58 The door of the study opened straight on to the terrace. 59 Von Bork pushed it back, and, leading the way, he clicked the switch of the electric light. 60 He then closed the door behind the bulky form which followed him, and carefully adjusted the heavy curtain over the latticed window. 61 Only when all these precautions had been taken and tested did he turn his sunburned aquiline face to his guest.
62 'Some of my papers have gone,' said he; 'when my wife and the household left yesterday for Flushing they took the less important with them. 63 I must, of course, claim the protection of the Embassy for the others.'
64 'Your name has already been filed as one of the personal suite. 65 There will be no difficulties for you or your baggage. 66 Of course, it is just possible that we may not have to go. 67 England may leave France to her fate. 68 We are sure that there is no binding treaty between them.'
69 'And Belgium?'
70 'Yes, and Belgium, too.'
71 Von Bork shook his head. 72 'I don't see how that could be. 73 There is a definite treaty there. 74 She could never recover from such a humiliation.'
75 'She would at least have peace for the moment.'
76 'But her honour?'
77 'Tut, my dear sir, we live in a utilitarian age. 78 Honour is a mediæval conception. 79 Besides England is not ready. 80 It is an inconceivable thing, but even our special war tax of fifty millions, which one would think made our purpose as clear as if we had advertised it on the front page of The Times, has not roused these people from their slumbers. 81 Here and there one hears a question. 82 It is my business to find an answer. 83 Here and there also there is an irritation. 84 It is my business to soothe it. 85 But I can assure you that so far as the essentials go - the storage of munitions, the preparation for submarine attack, the arrangements for making high explosives - nothing is prepared. 86 How then can England come in, especially when we have stirred her up such a devil's brew of Irish civil war, window-breaking Furies, and God knows what to keep her thoughts at home?'
87 'She must think of her future.'
88 'Ah, that is another matter. 89 I fancy that in the future, we have our own very definite plans about England, and that your information will be very vital to us. 90 It is to-day or to-morrow with Mr. John Bull. 91 If he prefers to-day we are perfectly ready. 92 If it is tomorrow we shall be more ready still. 93 I should think they would be wiser to fight with allies than without them, but that is their own affair. 94 This week is their week of destiny. 95 But you were speaking of your papers.' 96 He sat in the arm-chair with the light shining upon his broad bald head, while he puffed sedately at his-cigar.
97 The large oak-panelled book-lined room had a curtain hung in the further corner. 98 When this was drawn it disclosed a large brass-bound safe. 99 Von Bork detached a small key from his watch-chain, and after some considerable manipulation of the lock he swung open the heavy door.
100 'Look!' said he, standing clear, with a wave of his hand.
101 The light shone vividly into the opened safe, and the secretary of the Embassy gazed with an absorbed interest at the rows of stuffed pigeon-holes with which it was furnished. 102 Each pigeon-hole had its label, and his eyes as he glanced along them read a long series of such titles as 'Fords,' 'Harbour-defences,' 'Aeroplanes,' 'Ireland,' 'Egypt,' 'Portsmouth forts,' 'The Channel,' 'Rosyth,' and a score of others. 103 Each compartment was bristling with papers and plans.
104 'Colossal!' said the secretary. 105 Putting down his cigar he softly clapped his fat hands.
106 'And all in four years, Baron. 107 Not such a bad show for the hard-drinking, hard-riding country squire. 108 But the gem of my collection is coming and there is the setting all ready for it.' 109 He pointed to a space over which 'Naval Signals' was printed.
110 'But you have a good dossier there already.'
111 'Out of date and waste paper. 112 The Admiralty in some way got the alarm and every code has been changed. 113 It was a blow, Baron - the worst set-back in my whole campaign. 114 But thanks to my cheque-book and the good Altamont all will be well to-night.'
115 The Baron looked at his watch, and gave a guttural exclamation of disappointment.
116 'Well, I really can wait no longer. 117 You can imagine that things are moving at present in Carlton Terrace and that we have all to be at our posts. 118 I had hoped to be able to bring news of your great coup. 119 Did Altamont name no hour?'
120 Von Bork pushed over a telegram.
121 'Will come without fail to-night and bring new sparking plugs. 122 - ALTAMONT.'
123 'Sparking plugs, eh?'
124 'You see he poses as a motor expert and I keep a full garage. 125 In our code everything likely to come up is named after some spare part. 126 If he talks of a radiator it is a battleship, of an oil-pump a cruiser, and so on. 127 Sparking plugs are naval signals.'
128 'From Portsmouth at midday,' said the secretary, examining the superscription. 129 'By the way, what do you give him?'
130 'Five hundred pounds for this particular job. 131 Of course he has a salary as well.'
132 'The greedy rogue. 133 They are useful, these traitors, but I grudge them their blood-money.'
134 'I grudge Altamont nothing. 135 He is a wonderful worker. 136 If I pay him well, at least he delivers the goods, to use his own phrase. 137 Besides he is not a traitor. 138 I assure you that our most pan-Germanic Junker is a sucking dove in his feelings towards England as compared with a real bitter Irish-American.'
139 'Oh, an Irish-American?'
140 'If you heard him talk you would not doubt it. 141 Sometimes I assure you I can hardly understand him. 142 He seems to have declared war on the King's English as well as on the English King. 143 Must you really go? 144 He may be here any moment.'
145 'No. 146 I'm sorry, but I have already overstayed my time. 147 We shall expect you early to-morrow, and when you get that signal-book through the little door on the Duke of York's steps you can put a triumphant Finis to your record in England. 148 What! 149 Tokay!' 150 He indicated a heavily sealed dust-covered bottle which stood with two high glasses upon a salver.
151 'May I offer you a glass before your journey?'
152 'No, thanks. 153 But it looks like revelry.'
154 'Altamont has a nice taste in wines, and he took a fancy to my Tokay. 155 He is a touchy fellow, and needs humouring in small things. 156 I have to study him, I assure you.' 157 They had strolled out on to the terrace again, and along it to the further end where at a touch from the Baron's chauffeur the great car shivered and chuckled. 158 'Those are the lights of Harwich, I suppose,' said the secretary, pulling on his dust coat. 159 'How still and peaceful it all seems. 160 There may be other lights within the week, and the English coast a less tranquil place! 161 The heavens, too, may not be quite so peaceful if all that the good Zeppelin promises us comes true. 162 By the way, who is that?'
163 Only one window showed a light behind them; in it there stood a lamp, and beside it, seated at a table, was a dear old ruddy-faced woman in a country cap. 164 She was bending over her knitting and stopping occasionally to stroke a large black cat upon a stool beside her.
165 'That is Martha, the only servant I have left.'
166 The secretary chuckled.
167 'She might almost personify Britannia,' said he, 'with her complete self-absorption and general air of comfortable somnolence. 168 Well, au revoir, Von Bork!' - with a final wave of his hand he sprang into the car, and a moment later the two golden cones from the headlights shot forward through the darkness. 169 The secretary lay back in the cushions of the luxurious limousine, with his thoughts so full of the impending European tragedy that he hardly observed that as his car swung round the village street it nearly passed over a little Ford coming in the opposite direction.
170 Von Bork walked slowly back to the study when the last gleams of the motor lamps had faded into the distance. 171 As he passed he observed that his old housekeeper had put out her lamp and retired. 172 It was a new experience to him, the silence and darkness of his widespread house, for his family and household had been a large one. 173 It was a relief to him, however, to think that they were all in safety and that, but for that one old woman who had lingered in the kitchen, he had the whole place to himself. 174 There was a good deal of tidying up to do inside his study and he set himself to do it, until his keen, handsome face was flushed with the heat of the burning papers. 175 A leather valise stood beside his table, and into this he began to pack very neatly and systematically the precious contents of his safe. 176 He had hardly got started with the work, however, when his quick ears caught the sound of a distant car. 177 Instantly he gave an exclamation of satisfaction, strapped up the valise, shut the safe, locked it, and hurried out on to the terrace. 178 He was just in time to see the lights of a small car come to a halt at the gate. 179 A passenger sprang out and advanced swiftly towards him, while the chauffeur, a heavily built, elderly man, with a grey moustache, settled down, like one who resigns himself to a long vigil.
180 'Well?' asked Von Bork eagerly, running forward to meet his visitor.
181 For answer the man waved a small brown-paper parcel triumphantly above his head.
182 'You can give me the glad hand to-night, Mister,' he cried. 183 'I'm bringing home the bacon at last.'
184 'The signals?'
185 'Same as I said in my cable. 186 Every last one of them, semaphore, lamp code, Marconi - a copy, mind you, not the original. 187 That was too dangerous. 188 But it's the real goods, and you can lay to that.' 189 He slapped the German upon the shoulder with a rough familiarity from which the other winced.
190 'Come in,' he said. 191 'I'm all alone in the house. 192 I was only waiting for this. 193 Of course a copy is better than the original. 194 If an original were missing they would change the whole thing. 195 You think it's all safe about the copy?'
196 The Irish-American had entered the study and stretched his long limbs from the arm-chair. 197 He was a tall, gaunt man of sixty, with clear-cut features and a small goatee beard which gave him a general resemblance to the caricatures of Uncle Sam. 198 A halfsmoked, sodden cigar hung from the corner of his mouth, and as he sat down he struck a match and relit it. 199 'Making ready for a move?' he remarked as he looked round him. 200 'Say, Mister,' he added, as his eyes fell upon the safe from which the curtain was now removed, 'you don't tell me you keep your papers in that?'
201 'Why not?'
202 'Gosh, in a wide-open contraption like that! 203 And they reckon you to be some spy. 204 Why a Yankee crook would be into that with a can-opener. 205 If I'd known that any letter of mine was goin' to lie loose in a thing like that I'd have been a mug to write to you at all.'
206 'It would puzzle any crook to force that safe,' Von Bork answered. 207 'You won't cut that metal with any tool.'
208 'But the lock?'
209 'No, it's a double combination lock. 210 You know what that is?'
211 'Search me,' said the American.
212 'Well, you need a word as well as a set of figures before you can get the lock to work.' 213 He rose and showed a double-radiating disc round the keyhole. 214 'This outer one is for the letters, the inner one for the figures.'
215 'Well, well, that's fine.'
216 'So it's not quite as simple as you thought. 217 It was four years ago that I had it made, and what do you think I chose for the word and figures?'
218 'It's beyond me.'
219 'Well, I chose August for the word, and 1914 for the figures, and here we are.'
220 The American's face showed his surprise and admiration.
221 'My, but that was smart! 222 You had it down to a fine thing.'
223 'Yes, a few of us even then-could have guessed the date. 224 Here it is, and I'm shutting down to-morrow morning.'
225 'Well, I guess you'll have to fix me up also. 226 I'm not staying in this goldarned country all on my lonesome. 227 In a week or less from what I see, John Bull will be on his hind legs and fair ramping. 228 I'd rather watch him from over the water.'
229 'But you're an American citizen?'
230 'Well, so was Jack James an American citizen, but he's doing time in Portland all the same. 231 It cuts no ice with a British copper to tell him you're an American citizen. 232 "It's British law and order over here," says he. 233 By the way, Mister, talking of Jack James, it seems to me you don't do much to cover your men.'
234 'What do you mean?' Von Bork asked sharply.
235 'Well, you are their employer, ain't you? 236 It's up to you to see that they don't fall down. 237 But they do fall down, and when did you ever pick them up? 238 There's James-'
239 'It was James's own fault. 240 You know that yourself. 241 He was too self-willed for the job.'
242 'James was a bonehead - I give you that. 243 Then there was Hollis.'
244 'The man was mad.'
245 'Well, he went a bit woozy towards the end. 246 It's enough to make a man bughouse when he has to play a part from morning to night with a hundred guys all ready to set the coppers wise to him. 247 But now there is Steiner-'
248 Von Bork started violently, and his ruddy face turned a shade paler.
249 'What about Steiner?'
250 'Well, they've got him, that's all. 251 They raided his store last night, and he and his papers are all in Portsmouth gaol. 252 You'll go off and he, poor devil, will have to stand the racket, and lucky if he gets off with his life. 253 That's why I want to get over the water as soon as you do.'
254 Von Bork was a strong, self-contained man, but it was easy to see that the news had shaken him.
255 'How could they have got on to Steiner?' he muttered. 256 'That's the worst blow yet.'
257 'Well, you nearly had a worse one, for I believe they are not far off me.'
258 'You don't mean that!'
259 'Sure thing. 260 My landlady down Fratton way had some inquiries, and when I heard of it I guessed it was time for me to hustle. 261 But what I want to know, Mister, is how the coppers know these things? 262 Steiner is the fifth man you've lost since I signed on with you, and I know the name of the sixth if I don't get a move on. 263 How do you explain it, and ain't you ashamed to see your men go down like this?'
264 Von Bork flushed crimson.
265 'How dare you speak in such a way!'
266 'If I didn't dare things, Mister, I wouldn't be in your service. 267 But I'll tell you straight what is in my mind. 268 I've heard that with you German politicians when an agent has done his work you are not sorry to see him put away.'
269 Von Bork sprang to his feet.
270 'Do you dare to suggest that I have given away my own agents!'
271 'I don't stand for that, Mister, but there's a stool pigeon or a cross somewhere, and it's up to you to find out where it is. 272 Anyhow I am taking no more chances. 273 It's me for little Holland, and the sooner the better.'
274 Von Bork had mastered his anger.
275 'We have been allies too long to quarrel now at the very hour of victory,' he said. 276 'You've done splendid work and taken risks and I can't forget it. 277 By all means go to Holland, and you can get a boat from Rotterdam to New York. 278 No other line will be safe a week from now. 279 I'll take that book and pack it with the rest.'
280 The American held the small parcel in his hand, but made no motion to give it up.
281 'What about the dough?' he asked.
282 'The what?'
283 'The boodle. 284 The reward. 285 The £500. 286 The gunner turned damned nasty at the last, and I had to square him with an extra hundred dollars or it would have been nitsky for you and me. 287 "Nothin' doin'!" says he, and he meant it too, but the last hundred did it. 288 It's cost me two hundred pound from first to last, so it isn't likely I'd give it up without gettin' my wad.'
289 Von Bork smiled with some bitterness. 290 'You don't seem to have a very high opinion of my honour,' said he, 'you want the money before you give up the book.'
291 'Well, Mister, it is a business proposition.'
292 'All right. 293 Have your way.' 294 He sat down at the table and scribbled a cheque, which he tore from the book, but he refrained from handing it to his companion. 295 'After all, since we are to be on such terms, Mr. Altamont,' said he, 'I don't see why I should trust you any more than you trust me. 296 Do you understand?' he added, looking back over his shoulder at the American. 297 'There's the cheque upon the table. 298 I claim the right to examine that parcel before you pick the money up.'
299 The American passed it over without a word. 300 Von Bork undid a winding of string and two wrappers of paper. 301 Then he sat gazing for a moment in silent amazement at a small blue book which lay before him. 302 Across the cover was printed in golden letters Practical Handbook of Bee Culture. 303 Only for one instant did the master spy glare at this strangely irrelevant inscription. 304 The next he was gripped at the back of his neck by a grasp of iron, and a chloroformed sponge was held in front of his writhing face.
305 'Another glass, Watson!' said Mr. Sherlock Holmes, as he extended the bottle of Imperial Tokay.
306 The thick-set chauffeur, who had seated himself by the table, pushed forward his glass with some eagerness.
307 'It is a good wine, Holmes.'
308 'A remarkable wine, Watson. 309 Our friend upon the sofa has assured me that it is from Franz Joseph's special cellar at the Schoenbrunn Palace. 310 Might I trouble you to open the window, for chloroform vapour does not help the palate.'
311 The safe was ajar, and Holmes standing in front of it was removing dossier after dossier, swiftly examining each, and then packing it neatly in Von Bork's valise. 312 The German lay upon the sofa sleeping stertorously with a strap round his upper arms and another round his legs.
313 'We need not hurry ourselves, Watson. 314 We are safe from interruption. 315 Would you mind touching the bell. 316 There is no one in the house except old Martha, who has played her part to admiration. 317 I got her the situation here when first I took the matter up. 318 Ah, Martha, you will be glad to hear that all is well.'
319 The pleasant old lady had appeared in the doorway. 320 She curtseyed with a smile to Mr. Holmes, but glanced with some apprehension at the figure upon the sofa.
321 'It is all right, Martha. 322 He has not been hurt at all. 323 'I am glad of that, Mr. Holmes. 324 According to his lights he has been a kind master. 325 He wanted me to go with his wife to Germany yesterday, but that would hardly have suited your plans, would it, sir?'
326 'No, indeed, Martha. 327 So long as you were here I was easy in my mind. 328 We waited some time for your signal to-night.'
329 'It was the secretary, sir.'
330 'I know. 331 His car passed ours.'
332 'I thought he would never go. 333 I knew that it would not suit your plans, sir, to find him here.'
334 'No, indeed. 335 Well, it only meant that we waited half an hour or so until I saw your lamp go out and knew that the coast was clear. 336 You can report to me to-morrow in London, Martha, at Claridge's Hotel.'
337 'Very good, sir.'
338 'I suppose you have everything ready to leave.'
339 'Yes, sir. 340 He posted seven letters to-day. 341 I have the addresses as usual.'
342 'Very good, Martha. 343 I will look into them tomorrow. 344 Good night. 345 These papers,' he continued, as the old lady vanished, 'are not of very great importance, for, of course, the information which they represent has been sent off long ago to the German Government. 346 These are the originals which could not safely be got out of the country.'
347 'Then they are of no use.'
348 'I should not go so far as to say that, Watson. 349 They will at least show our people what is known and what is not. 350 I may say that a good many of these papers have come through me, and I need not add are thoroughly untrustworthy. 351 It would brighten my declining years to see a German cruiser navigating the Solent according to the minefield plans which I have furnished. 352 But you, Watson,' he stopped his work and took his old friend by the shoulders; 'I've hardly seen you in the light yet. 353 How have the years used you? 354 You look the same blithe boy as ever.'
355 'I feel twenty years younger, Holmes. 356 I have seldom felt so happy as when I got your wire asking me to meet you at Harwich with the car. 357 But you, Holmes - you have changed very little - save for that horrible goatee.'
358 'These are the sacrifices one makes for one's country, Watson,' said Holmes, pulling at his little tuft. 359 'To-morrow it will be but a dreadful memory. 360 With my hair cut and a few other superficial changes I shall no doubt reappear at Claridge's to-morrow as I was before this American stunt - I beg your pardon, Watson, my well of English seems to be permanently defiled - before this American job came my way.'
361 'But you had retired, Holmes. 362 We heard of you as living the life of a hermit among your bees and your books in a small farm upon the South Downs.'
363 'Exactly, Watson. 364 Here is the fruit of my leisured ease, the magnum opus of my latter years!' 365 He picked up the volume from the table and read out the whole title, Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen. 366 Alone I did it. 367 Behold the fruit of pensive nights and laborious days, when I watched the little working gangs as once I watched the criminal world of London.'
368 'But how did you get to work again?'
369 'Ah, I have often marvelled at it myself. 370 The Foreign Minister alone I could have withstood, but when the Premier also deigned to visit my humble roof-! 371 The fact is, Watson, that this gentleman upon the sofa was a bit too good for our people. 372 He was in a class by himself. 373 Things were going wrong, and no one could understand why they were going wrong. 374 Agents were suspected or even caught, but there was evidence of some strong and secret central force. 375 It was absolutely necessary to expose it. 376 Strong pressure was brought upon me to look into the matter. 377 It has cost me two years, Watson, but they have not been devoid of excitement. 378 When I say that I started my pilgrimage at Chicago, graduated in an Irish secret society at Buffalo, gave serious trouble to the constabulary at Skibbareen and so eventually caught the eye of a subordinate agent of Von Bork, who recommended me as a likely man, you will realize that the matter was complex. 379 Since then I have been honoured by his confidence, which has not prevented most of his plans going subtly wrong and five of his best agents being in prison. 380 I watched them, Watson, and I picked them as they ripened. 381 Well, sir, I hope that you are none the worse!'
382 The last remark was addressed to Von Bork himself, who after much gasping and blinking had lain quietly listening to Holmes's statement. 383 He broke out now into a furious stream of German invective, his face convulsed with passion. 384 Holmes continued his swift investigation of documents while his prisoner cursed and swore.
385 'Though unmusical, German is the most expressive of all languages,' he observed, when Von Bork had stopped from pure exhaustion. 386 'Hullo! 387 Hullo!' he added, as he looked hard at the corner of a tracing before putting it in the box. 388 'This should put another bird in the cage. 389 I had no idea that the paymaster was such a rascal, though I have long had an eye upon him. 390 Mister Von Bork, you have a great deal to answer for.'
391 The prisoner had raised himself with some difficulty upon the sofa and was staring with a strange mixture of amazement and hatred at his captor.
392 'I shall get level with you, Altamont,' he said, speaking with slow deliberation, 'if it takes me all my life I shall get level with you!'
393 'The old sweet song,' said Holmes. 394 'How often have I heard it in days gone by. 395 It was a favourite ditty of the late lamented Professor Moriarty. 396 Colonel Sebastian Moran has also been known to warble it. 397 And yet I live and keep bees upon the South Downs.'
398 'Curse you, you double traitor!' cried the German, straining against his bonds and glaring murder from his furious eyes.
399 'No, no, it is not so bad as that,' said Holmes, smiling. 400 'As my speech surely shows you, Mr. Altamont of Chicago had no existence in fact. 401 I used him and he is gone.'
402 'Then who are you?'
403 'It is really immaterial who I am, but since the matter seems to interest you, Mr. Von Bork, I may say that this is not my first acquaintance with the members of your family. 404 I have done a good deal of business in Germany in the past, and my name is probably familiar to you.'
405 'I would wish to know it,' said the Prussian grimly.
406 'It was I who brought about the separation between Irene Adler and the late King of Bohemia when your cousin Heinrich was the Imperial Envoy. 407 It was I also who saved from murder, by the Nihilist Klopman, Count Von und Zu Grafenstein, who was your mother's elder brother. 408 It was I-'
409 Von Bork sat up in amazement.
410 'There is only one man,' he cried.
411 'Exactly,' said Holmes.
412 Von Bork groaned and sank back on the sofa. 413 'And most of that information came through you,' he cried. 414 'What is it worth? 415 What have I done? 416 It is my ruin for ever!'
417 'It is certainly a little untrustworthy,' said Holmes. 418 'It will require some checking, and you have little time to check it. 419 Your admiral may find the new guns rather larger than he expects, and the cruisers perhaps a trifle faster.'
420 Von Bork clutched at his own throat in despair.
421 'There are a good many other points of detail which will, no doubt, come to light in good time. 422 But you have one quality which is very rare in a German, Mr. Von Bork, you are a sportsman and you will bear me no ill-will when you realize that you, who have outwitted so many other people, have at last been outwitted yourself. 423 After all, you have done your best for your country, and I have done my best for mine, and what could be more natural? 424 Besides,' he added, not unkindly, as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the prostrate man, 'it is better than to fall before some more ignoble foe. 425 These papers are now ready, Watson. 426 If you will help me with our prisoner, I think that we may get started for London at once.'
427 It was no easy task to move Von Bork, for he was a strong and a desperate man. 428 Finally, holding either arm, the two friends walked him very slowly down the garden walk which he had trod with such proud confidence when he received the congratulations of the famous diplomatist only a few hours before. 429 After a short, final struggle he was hoisted, still bound hand and foot, into the spare seat of the little car. 430 His precious valise was wedged in beside him.
431 'I trust that you are as comfortable as circumstances permit,' said Holmes, when the final arrangements were made. 432 'Should I be guilty of a liberty if I lit a cigar and placed it between your lips?'
433 But all amenities were wasted upon the angry German.
434 'I suppose you realize, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,' said he, 'that if your Government bears you out in this treatment it becomes an act of war.'
435 'What about your Government and all this treatment?' said Holmes, tapping the valise.
436 'You are a private individual. 437 You have no warrant for my arrest. 438 The whole proceeding is absolutely illegal and outrageous.'
439 'Absolutely,' said Holmes.
440 'Kidnapping a German subject.'
441 'And stealing his private papers.'
442 'Well, you realize your position, you and your accomplice here. 443 If I were to shout for help as we pass through the village-'
444 'My dear sir, if you did anything so foolish you would probably enlarge the too limited titles of our village inns by giving us "The Dangling Prussian" as a sign-post. 445 The Englishman is a patient creature, but at present his temper is a little inflamed and it would be as well not to try him too far. 446 No, Mr. Von Bork, you will go with us in a quiet, sensible fashion to Scotland Yard, whence you can send for your friend Baron Von Herling and see if even now you may not fill that place which he has reserved for you in the ambassadorial suite. 447 As to you, Watson, you are joining up with your old service, as I understand, so London won't be out of your way. 448 Stand with me here upon the terrace, for it may be the last quiet talk that we shall ever have.'
449 The two friends chatted in intimate converse for a few minutes, recalling once again the days of the past whilst their prisoner vainly wriggled to undo the bonds that held him. 450 As they turned to the car, Holmes pointed back to the moonlit sea, and shook a thoughtful head.
451 'There's an east wind coming, Watson.'
452 'I think not, Holmes. 453 It is very warm.'
454 'Good old Watson! 455 You are the one fixed point in a changing age. 456 There's an east wind coming all the same, such a wind as never blew on England yet. 457 It will be cold and bitter, Watson, and a good many of us may wither before its blast. 458 But it's God's own wind none the less, and a cleaner, better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared. 459 Start her up, Watson, for it's time that we were on our way. 460 I have a cheque for five hundred pounds which should be cashed early, for the drawer is quite capable of stopping it, if he can.'


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