Страница 372 из 657

"After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his

clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their

deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing;

but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must

collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just

possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong

again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and

you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of

forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and

whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you

will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin

another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief

feature."

VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND