Was I wrong? Well, then, what would either of you gentlemen have done if you had been in my position?""She had screamed when he struck her, and that brought old Theresa down from the room above.There was a bottle of wine on the sideboard, and I opened it and poured a little between Mary's lips, for she was half dead with the shock.Then I took a drop myself.Theresa was as cool as ice, and it was her plot as much as mine.We must make it appear that burglars had done the thing.Theresa kept on repeating our story to her mistress, while I swarmed up and cut the rope of the bell.Then I lashed her in her chair, and frayed out the end of the rope to make it look natural, else they would wonder how in the world a burglar could have got up there to cut it.Then I gathered up a few plates and pots of silver, to carry out the idea of a robbery, and there I left them with orders to give the alarm when I had a quarter of an hour's start.I dropped the silver into the pond and made off for Sydenham, feeling that for once in my life I had done a real good night's work.And that's the truth and the whole truth, Mr.Holmes, if it costs me my neck."Holmes smoked for some time in silence.Then he crossed the room and shook our visitor by the hand.
"That's what I think," said he."I know that every word is true, for you have hardly said a word which I did not know.
No one but an acrobat or a sailor could have got up to that bell-rope from the bracket, and no one but a sailor could have made the knots with which the cord was fastened to the chair.
Only once had this lady been brought into contact with sailors, and that was on her voyage, and it was someone of her own class of life, since she was trying hard to shield him and so showing that she loved him.You see how easy it was for me to lay my hands upon you when once I had started upon the right trail.""I thought the police never could have seen through our dodge.""And the police haven't; nor will they, to the best of my belief.
Now, look here, Captain Croker, this is a very serious matter, though I am willing to admit that you acted under the most extreme provocation to which any man could be subjected.I am not sure that in defence of your own life your action will not be pronounced legitimate.However, that is for a British jury to decide.
Meanwhile I have so much sympathy for you that if you choose to disappear in the next twenty-four hours I will promise you that no one will hinder you.""And then it will all come out?"
"Certainly it will come out."
The sailor flushed with anger.
"What sort of proposal is that to make a man? I know enough of law to understand that Mary would be had as accomplice.
Do you think I would leave her alone to face the music while I slunk away? No, sir; let them do their worst upon me, but for Heaven's sake, Mr.Holmes, find some way of keeping my poor Mary out of the courts."Holmes for a second time held out his hand to the sailor.
"I was only testing you, and you ring true every time.
Well, it is a great responsibility that I take upon myself, but I have given Hopkins an excellent hint, and if he can't avail himself of it I can do no more.See here, Captain Croker, we'll do this in due form of law.You are the prisoner.
Watson, you are a British jury, and I never met a man who was more eminently fitted to represent one.I am the judge.
Now, gentleman of the jury, you have heard the evidence.
Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?""Not guilty, my lord," said I.
"Vox populi, vox Dei.You are acquitted, Captain Croker.
So long as the law does not find some other victim you are safe from me.Come back to this lady in a year, and may her future and yours justify us in the judgment which we have pronounced this night."
