Sowerby, whose bowler8 hat lay upon Dunbar's table, was clad in the familiar raincoat, and his ruddy cheerfulness had abated10 not one whit11.
“Have you ever read 'The Adventures of Martin Zeda'?” he asked suddenly, breaking a silence of some minutes' duration.
Dunbar looked up with a start, as...
“Never!” he replied; “I'm not wasting my time with magazine trash.”
“It's not trash,” said Sowerby, assuming that unnatural12 air of reflection which sat upon him so ill. “I've looked up the volumes of the Ludgate Magazine in our local library, and I've read all the series with much interest.”
Dunbar leaned forward, watching him frowningly.
“I should have thought,” he replied, “that you had enough to do without wasting your time in that way!”
“IS it a waste of time?” inquired Sowerby, raising his eyebrows13 in a manner which lent him a marked resemblance to a famous comedian14. “I tell you that the man who can work out plots like those might be a second Jack-the-Ripper and not a soul the wiser!”...
“Ah!”
“I've never met a more innocent LOOKING man, I'll allow; but if you'll read the 'Adventures of Martin Zeda,' you'll know that”...
“Tosh!” snapped Dunbar, irritably15; “your ideas of psychology16 would make a Manx cat laugh! I suppose, on the same analogy, you think the leader-writers of the dailies could run the Government better than the Cabinet does it?”
“I think it very likely”...
“Tosh! Is there anybody in London knows more about the inside workings of crime than the Commissioner17? You will admit there isn't; very good. Accordingly to your ideas, the Commissioner must be the biggest blackguard in the Metropolis18! I have said it twice before, and I'll be saying it again, Sowerby: TOSH!”
“Well,” said Sowerby with an offended air, “has anybody ever seen Mr. King?”
“What are you driving at?”
“I am driving at this: somebody known in certain circles as Mr. King is at the bottom of this mystery. It is highly probable that Mr. King himself murdered Mrs. Vernon. On the evidence of your own notes, nobody left Palace Mansions19 between the time of the crime and the arrival of witnesses. Therefore, ONE of your witnesses must be a liar9; and the liar is Mr. King!”
“You won't believe it's Leroux; therefore it must be either Mr. Exel, Dr. Cumberly, or Miss Cumberly.”...
Inspector Dunbar stood up very suddenly, thrusting his chair from him with much violence.
“Soames got away like that because no one was expecting him to do it. In the same way, neither Leroux, Exel, nor Dr. Cumberly knew that there was any one else IN the flat at the very time when the murderer was making his escape. The cases are identical. They were not looking for a fugitive23. He had gone before the search commenced. A clever man could have slipped out in a hundred different ways unobserved. Sowerby, you are...”
What Sowerby was, did not come to light at the moment; for, the door quietly opened and in walked M. Gaston Max arrayed in his inimitable traveling coat, and holding his hat of velour in his gloved hand. He bowed politely.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” he said.
“Good morning,” said Dunbar and Sowerby together.
Sowerby hastened to place a chair for the distinguished24 visitor. M. Max, thanking him with a bow, took his seat, and from an inside pocket extracted a notebook.
“There are some little points,” he said with a deprecating wave of the hand, “which I should like to confirm.” He opened the book, sought the wanted page, and continued: “Do either of you know a person answering to the following description: Height, about four feet eight-and-a-half inches, medium build and carries himself with a nervous stoop. Has a habit of rubbing his palms together when addressing anyone. Has plump hands with rather tapering25 fingers, and a growth of reddish down upon the backs thereof, indicating that he has red or reddish hair. His chin recedes26 slightly and is pointed27, with a slight cleft28 parallel with the mouth and situated29 equidistant from the base of the chin and the lower lip. A nervous mannerism30 of the latter periodically reveals the lower teeth, one of which, that immediately below the left canine31, is much discolored. He is clean-shaven, but may at some time have worn whiskers. His eyes are small and ferret-like, set very closely together and of a ruddy brown color. His nose is wide at the bridge, but narrows to an unusual point at the end. In profile it is irregular, or may have been broken at some time. He has scanty33 eyebrows set very high, and a low forehead with two faint, vertical34 wrinkles starting from the inner points of the eyebrows. His natural complexion35 is probably sallow, and his hair (as hitherto mentioned) either red or of sandy color. His ears are set far back, and the lobes36 are thin and pointed. His hair is perfectly37 straight and sparse38, and there is a depression of the cheeks where one would expect to find a prominence39: that is—at the cheekbone. The cranial development is unusual. The skull40 slopes back from the crown at a remarkable41 angle, there being no protuberance at the back, but instead a straight slope to the spine42, sometimes seen in the Teutonic races, and in this case much exaggerated. Viewed from the front the skull is narrow, the temples depressed43, and the crown bulging44 over the ears, and receding45 to a ridge32 on top. In profile the forehead is almost apelike in size and contour....”
“SOAMES!” exclaimed Inspector Dunbar, leaping to his feet, and bringing both his palms with a simultaneous bang upon the table before him—“Soames, by God!”
M. Max, shrugging and smiling slightly, returned his notebook to his pocket, and, taking out a cigar-case, placed it, open, upon the table, inviting46 both his confreres, with a gesture, to avail themselves of its contents.
“I thought so,” he said simply. “I am glad.”
Sowerby selected a cigar in a dazed manner, but Dunbar, ignoring the presence of the cigar-case, leant forward across the table, his eyes blazing, and his small, even, lower teeth revealed in a sort of grim smile.
“M. Max,” he said tensely—“you are a clever man! Where have you got him?”
“I have not got him,” replied the Frenchman, selecting and lighting47 one of his own cigars. “He is much too useful to be locked up”...
“But”...
“But yes, my dear Inspector—he is safe; oh! he is quite safe. And on Tuesday night he is going to introduce us to Mr. King!”
“MR. KING!” roared Dunbar; and in three strides of the long legs he was around the table and standing48 before the Frenchman.
In passing he swept Sowerby's hat on to the floor, and Sowerby, picking it up, began mechanically to brush it with his left sleeve, smoking furiously the while.
“Soames,” continued M. Max, quietly—“he is now known as Lucas, by the way—is a man of very remarkable character; a fact indicated by his quite unusual skull. He has no more will than this cigar”—he held the cigar up between his fingers, illustratively—“but of stupid pig obstinacy49, that canaille—saligaud!—has enough for all the cattle in Europe! He is like a man who knows that he stands upon a sinking ship, yet, who whilst promising50 to take the plunge51 every moment, hesitates and will continue to hesitate until someone pushes him in. Pardieu! I push! Because of his pig obstinacy I am compelled to take risks most unnecessary. He will not consent, that Soames, to open the door for us...”
“What door?” snapped Dunbar.
“But where is it?”
“It is somewhere between Limehouse Causeway—is it not called so?—and the riverside. But although I have been there, myself, I can tell you no more....”
“What! you have been there yourself?”
“But yes—most decidedly. I was there some nights ago. But they are ingenious, ah! they are so ingenious!—so Chinese! I should not have known even the little I do know if it were not for the inquiries53 which I made last week. I knew that the letters to Mr. Leroux which were supposed to come from Paris were handed by Soames to some one who posted them to Paris from Bow, East. You remember how I found the impression of the postmark?”
Dunbar nodded, his eyes glistening54; for that discovery of the Frenchman's had filled him with a sort of envious55 admiration56.
“Well, then,” continued Max, “I knew that the inquiry57 would lead me to your east-end, and I suspected that I was dealing58 with Chinamen; therefore, suitably attired59, of course, I wandered about in those interesting slums on more than one occasion; and I concluded that the only district in which a Chinaman could live without exciting curiosity was that which lies off the West India Dock Road.”...
Dunbar nodded significantly at Sowerby, as who should say: “What did I tell you about this man?”
“On one of these visits,” continued the Frenchman, and a smile struggled for expression upon his mobile lips, “I met you two gentlemen with a Mr.—I think he is called Stringer—“...
“You met US!” exclaimed Sowerby.
“My sense of humor quite overcoming me,” replied M. Max, “I even tried to swindle you. I think I did the trick very badly!”
Dunbar and Sowerby were staring at one another amazedly.
“It was in the corner of a public house billiard-room,” added the Frenchman, with twinkling eyes; “I adopted the ill-used name of Levinsky on that occasion.”...
Dunbar began to punch his left palm and to stride up and down the floor; whilst Sowerby, his blue eyes opened quite roundly, watched M. Max as a schoolboy watches an illusionist.
“Therefore,” continued M. Max, “I shall ask you to have a party ready on Tuesday night in Limehouse Causeway—suitably concealed61, of course; and as I am almost sure that the haunt of Mr. King is actually upon the riverside (I heard one little river sound as I was coming away) a launch party might cooperate with you in affecting the raid.”
“The raid!” said Dunbar, turning from a point by the window, and looking back at the Frenchman. “Do you seriously tell me that we are going to raid Mr. King's on Tuesday night?”
“Most certainly,” was the confident reply. “I had hoped to form one of the raiding party; but nom d'un nom!”—he shrugged62, in his graceful63 fashion—“I must be one of the rescued!”
“Of the rescued!”
“You took that risk?”
“It was no greater risk than is run by quite a number of people socially well known in London, my dear Inspector Dunbar! I was introduced by an habitue and a member of the best society; and since nobody knows that Gaston Max is in London—that Gaston Max has any business in hand likely to bring him to London—pardieu, what danger did I incur66? But, excepting the lobby—the cave of the dragon (a stranger apartment even than that in the Rue67 St. Claude) and the Chinese cubiculum where I spent the night—mon dieu! what a night!—I saw nothing of the establishment”...
“But you must know where it is!” cried Dunbar.
“You got the number?”
“It was impossible. These are clever people! But it must be a simple matter, Inspector, to trace a fine car like that which regularly appears in those east-end streets?”
“Every constable69 in the division must be acquainted with it,” replied Dunbar, confidently. “I'll know all about that car inside the next hour!”
“If on Tuesday night you could arrange to have it followed,” continued M. Max, “it would simplify matters. What I have done is this: I have bought the man, Soames—up to a point. But so deadly is his fear of the mysterious Mr. King that although he has agreed to assist me in my plans, he will not consent to divulge70 an atom of information until the raid is successfully performed.”
“Then for heaven's sake what IS he going to do?”
“Visitors to the establishment (it is managed by a certain Mr. Ho-Pin; make a note of him, that Ho-Pin) having received the necessary dose of opium are locked in for the night. On Tuesday, Soames, who acts as valet to poor fools using the place, has agreed—for a price—to unlock the door of the room in which I shall be”...
“What!” cried Dunbar, “you are going to risk yourself alone in that place AGAIN?”
“I have paid a very heavy fee,” replied the Frenchman with his odd smile, “and it entitles me to a second visit; I shall pay that second visit on Tuesday night, and my danger will be no greater than on the first occasion.”
“But Soames may betray you!”
“Fear nothing; I have measured my Soames, not only anthropologically, but otherwise. I fear only his folly71, not his knavery72. He will not betray me. Morbleu! he is too much a frightened man. I do not know what has taken place; but I could see that, assured of escaping the police for complicity in the murder, he would turn King's evidence immediately”...
“And you gave him that assurance?”
“At first I did not reveal myself. I weighed up my man very carefully; I measured that Soames-pig. I had several stories in readiness, but his character indicated which I should use. Therefore, suddenly I arrested him!”
“Arrested him?”
“Pardieu! I arrested him very quietly in a corner of the bar of 'Three Nuns73' public house. My course was justified74. He saw that the reign75 of his mysterious Mr. King was nearing its close, and that I was his only hope”...
“But still he refused”...
“His refusal to reveal anything whatever under those circumstances impressed me more than all. It showed me that in Mr. King I had to deal with a really wonderful and powerful man; a man who ruled by means of FEAR; a man of gigantic force. I had taken the pattern of the key fitting the Yale lock of the door of my room, and I secured a duplicate immediately. Soames has not access to the keys, you understand. I must rely upon my diplomacy76 to secure the same room again—all turns upon that; and at an hour after midnight, or later if advisable, Soames has agreed to let me out. Beyond this, I could induce him to do nothing—nothing whatever. Cochon! Therefore, having got out of the locked room, I must rely upon my own wits—and the Browning pistol which I have presented to Soames together with the duplicate key”...
“Why not go armed?” asked Dunbar.
“One's clothes are searched, my dear Inspector, by an expert! I have given the key, the pistol, and the implements77 of the house-breaker (a very neat set which fits easily into the breast-pocket) to Soames, to conceal60 in his private room at the establishment until Tuesday night. All turns upon my securing the same apartment. If I am unable to do so, the arrangements for the raid will have to be postponed78. Opium smokers79 are faddists essentially80, however, and I think I can manage to pretend that I have formed a strange penchant81 for this particular cubiculum”...
“By whom were you introduced to the place?” asked Dunbar, leaning back against the table and facing the Frenchman.
“That I cannot in honor divulge,” was the reply; “but the representative of Mr. King who actually admitted me to the establishment is one Gianapolis; address unknown, but telephone number 18642 East. Make a note of him, that Gianapolis.”
“I'll arrest him in the morning,” said Sowerby, writing furiously in his notebook.
“Nom d'un p'tit bonhomme! M. Sowerby, you will do nothing of that foolish description, my dear friend,” said Max; and Dunbar glared at the unfortunate sergeant. “Nothing whatever must be done to arouse suspicion between now and the moment of the raid. You must be circumspect82—ah, morbleu! so circumspect. By all means trace this Mr. Gianapolis; yes. But do not let him SUSPECT that he is being traced”...
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1
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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toils
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| 网 | |
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tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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droop
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| v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡 | |
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bowler
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| n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手 | |
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liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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comedian
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| n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员 | |
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15
irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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psychology
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| n.心理，心理学，心理状态 | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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recedes
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的第三人称单数 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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mannerism
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| n.特殊习惯，怪癖 | |
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canine
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| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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lobes
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| n.耳垂( lobe的名词复数 )；（器官的）叶；肺叶；脑叶 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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sparse
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| adj.稀疏的，稀稀落落的，薄的 | |
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prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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51
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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53
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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54
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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55
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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59
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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62
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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smoker
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| n.吸烟者，吸烟车厢，吸烟室 | |
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opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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68
limousine
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| n.豪华轿车 | |
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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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divulge
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| v.泄漏(秘密等)；宣布，公布 | |
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71
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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72
knavery
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| n.恶行，欺诈的行为 | |
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73
nuns
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| n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 ) | |
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74
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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75
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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76
diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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77
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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78
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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79
smokers
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| 吸烟者( smoker的名词复数 ) | |
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80
essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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81
penchant
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| n.爱好，嗜好；（强烈的）倾向 | |
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82
circumspect
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| adj.慎重的，谨慎的 | |
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