I have done a good deal
of business in Germany in the past and my name is probably familiar to
you."
"I would wish to know it," said the Prussian grimly.
"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.
It was I also who saved from murder, by the Nihilist Klopman, Count Von
und 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 that
information came through you," he cried. "What is it worth? What have
I done? It is my ruin forever!"
"It is certainly a little untrustworthy," said Holmes. "It will
require some checking and you have little time to check it. Your
admiral may find the new guns rather larger than he expects, and the
cruisers 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 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. After all, you
have 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, as
he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the prostrate man, "it is better
than 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 get
started for London at once."
It was no easy task to move Von Bork, for he was a strong and a
desperate man. 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. After a short, final struggle he
was hoisted, still bound hand and foot, into the spare seat 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 be guilty 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 re
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