secret society at Buffalo, gave serioustrouble to the constabulary at Skibbareen, and so eventually caught theeye of a subordinate agent of Von Bork, who recommended me as a likelyman, you will realize that the matter was complex. Since then I havebeen honoured by his confidence, which has not prevented most of hisplans going subtly wrong and five of his best agents being in prison.I watched them, Watson, and I picked them as they ripened. Well, sir,I hope that you are none the worse!"
The last remark was addressed to Von Bork himself, who after muchgasping and blinking had lain quietly listening to Holmes's statement.He broke out now into a furious stream of German invective, his faceconvulsed with passion. Holmes continued his swift investigation ofdocuments while his prisoner cursed and swore.
"Though unmusical, German is the most expressive of all languages," heobserved when Von Bork had stopped from pure exhaustion. "Hullo!Hullo!" he added as he looked hard at the corner of a tracing beforeputting it in the box. "This should put another bird in the cage. Ihad no idea that the paymaster was such a rascal, though I have longhad an eye upon him. Mister Von Bork, you have a great deal to answerfor."
The prisoner had raised himself with some difficulty upon the sofa andwas staring with a strange mixture of amazement and hatred at hiscaptor.
"I shall get level with you, Altamont," he said, speaking with slowdeliberation. "If it takes me all my life I shall get level with you!"
"The old sweet song," said Holmes. "How often have I heard it in daysgone by. It was a favorite ditty of the late lamented ProfessorMoriarty. Colonel Sebastian Moran has also been known to warble it.And yet I live and keep bees upon the South Downs."
"Curse you, you double traitor!" cried the German, straining againsthis bonds and glaring murder from his furious eyes.
"No, no, it is not so bad as that," said Holmes, smiling. "As myspeech surely shows you, Mr. Altamont of Chicago had no existence infact. I used him and he is gone."
"Then who are you?"
"It is really immaterial who I am, but since the matter seems tointerest you, Mr. Von Bork, I may say that this is not my firstacquaintance with the members of your family. I have done a good dealof business in Germany in the past and my name is probably familiar toyou."
"I would wish to know it," said the Prussian grimly.
"It was I who brought about the separation between Irene Adler and thelate King of Bohemia when your cousin Heinrich was the Imperial Envoy.It was I also who saved from murder, by the Nihilist Klopman, Count Vonund Zu Grafenstein, who was your mother's elder brother. It was I--"
Von Bork sat up in amazement.
"There is only one man," he cried.
"Exactly," said Holmes.
Von Bork groaned and sank back on the sofa. "And most of thatinformation came through you," he cried. "What is it worth? What haveI done? It is my ruin forever!"
"It is certainly a little untrustworthy," said Holmes. "It willrequire some checking and you have little time to check it. Youradmiral may find the new guns rather larger than he expects, and thecruisers perhaps a trifle faster."
Von Bork clutched at his own throat in despair.
"There are a good many other points of detail which will, no doubt,come to light in good time. But you have one quality which is veryrare in a German, Mr. Von Bork: you are a sportsman and you will bearme no ill-will when you realize that you, who have outwitted so manyother people, have at last been outwitted yourself. After all, youhave done your best for your country, and I have done my best for mine,and what could be more natural? Besides," he added, not unkindly, ashe laid his hand upon the shoulder of the prostrate man, "it is betterthan to fall before some ignoble foe. These papers are now ready,Watson. If you will help me with our prisoner, I think that we may getstarted for London at once."
It was no easy task to move Von Bork, for he was a strong and adesperate man. Finally, holding either arm, the two friends walked himvery slowly down the garden walk which he had trod with such proudconfidence when he received the congratulations of the famousdiplomatist only a few hours before. After a short, final struggle hewas hoisted, still bound hand and foot, into the spare seat of thelittle car. His precious valise was wedged in beside him.
"I trust that you are as comfortable as circumstances permit," saidHolmes when the final arrangements were made. "Should I be guilty of aliberty if I lit a cigar and placed it between your lips?"
But all amenities were wasted upon the angry German.
"I suppose you realize, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said he, "that if yourgovernment bears you out in this treatment it becomes an act of war."
"What about your government and all this treatment?" said Holmes,tapping the valise.
"You are a private individual. You have no warrant for my arrest. Thewhole proceeding is absolutely illegal and outrageous."
"Absolutely," said Holmes.
"Kidnapping a German subject."
"And stealing his private papers."
"Well, you realize your position, you and your accomplice here. If Iwere to shout for help as we pass through the village--"
"My dear sir, if you did anything so foolish you would probably enlargethe two limited titles of our village inns by giving us 'The DanglingPrussian' as a signpost. The Englishman is a patient creature, but atpresent his temper is a little inflamed, and it would be as well not totry him too far. 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 placewhich he has reserved for you in the ambassadorial suite. As to you,Watson, you are joining us with your old service, as I understand, soLondon won't be out of your way. Stand with me here upon the terrace,for it may be the last quiet talk that we shall ever have."
The two friends chatted in intimate converse for a few minutes,recalling once again the days of the past, while their prisoner vainlywriggled to undo the bonds that held him. As they turned to the carHolmes pointed back to the moonlit sea and shook a thoughtful head.
"There's an east wind coming, Watson."
"I think not, Holmes. It is very warm."
"Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point in a changing age.There's an east wind coming all the same, such a wind as never blew onEngland yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson, and a good many of usmay wither before its blast. But it's God's own wind none the less,and a cleaner, better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when thestorm has cleared. Start her up, Watson, for it's time that we were onour way. I have a check for five hundred pounds which should be cashedearly, for the drawer is quite capable of stopping it if he can."
His Last Bow: An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes Page 4