“There are a good many other points of detail which will, nodoubt, come to light in good time. But you have one quality whichis very rare in a German, Mr. Von Bork: you are a sportsman andyou will bear me no ill-will when you realize that you, who haveoutwitted so many other people, have at last been outwitted yourself.
After all, you have done your best for your country, and I have donemy best for mine, and what could be more natural? Besides,” headded, not unkindly, as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of theprostrate man, “it is better than to fall before some ignoble foe. Thesepapers are now ready, Watson. If you will help me with our prisoner, Ithink that we may get started 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 walkedhim very slowly down the garden walk which he had trod withsuch proud confidence when he received the congratulations ofthe famous diplomatist only a few hours before. After a short, finalstruggle he was hoisted, still bound hand and foot, into the spareseat of the little car. His precious valise was wedged in beside him.
“I trust that you are as comfortable as circumstances permit,”
said Holmes when the final arrangements were made. “Should I beguilty of a liberty 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 ifyour government bears you out in this treatment it becomes anact of war.”
“What about your government and all this treatment?” saidHolmes, tapping the valise.
“You are a private individual. You have no warrant for my arrest.
The whole 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 I were to shout for help as we pass through the village—”
“My dear sir, if you did anything so foolish you would probablyenlarge the two limited titles of our village inns by giving us ‘TheDangling Prussian’ as a signpost. The Englishman is a patientcreature, but at present his temper is a little inflamed, and itwould be as well not to try him too far. No, Mr. Von Bork, you willgo with us in a quiet, sensible fashion to Scotland Yard, whenceyou can send for your friend, Baron Von Herling, and see if evennow you may not fill that place which he has reserved for you inthe ambassadorial suite. As to you, Watson, you are joining us withyour old service, as I understand, so London won’t be out of yourway. Stand with me here upon the terrace, for it may be the lastquiet 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 prisonervainly wriggled to undo the bonds that held him. As they turnedto the car Holmes pointed back to the moonlit sea and shook athoughtful 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 changingage. There’s an east wind coming all the same, such a wind asnever blew on England yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson, anda good many of us may wither before its blast. But it’s God’s ownwind none the less, and a cleaner, better, stronger land will lie inthe sunshine when the storm has cleared. Start her up, Watson, forit’s time that we were on our way. I have a check for five hundredpounds which should be cashed early, for the drawer is quitecapable of stopping it if he can.”
The Case Book
of Sherlock Holmes
Preface