福尔摩斯探案主要内容 福尔摩斯探案经典:《恐怖谷》第13章Part7

福尔摩斯探案经典:《恐怖谷》第13章Part7  

"So I think also. These infernal Scowrers
this cursed vindictive nest of criminals--"
"No
no
my good sir
" said Holmes. "There is a master hand here. It is no case of sawed-off shotguns and clumsy six-shooters. You can tell an old master by the sweep of his brush. I can tell a Moriarty when I see one. This crime is from London
not from America."
"But for what motive?"
"Because it is done by a man who cannot afford to fail
one whose whole unique position depends upon the fact that all he does must succeed. A great brain and a huge anization have been turned to the extinction of one man. It is crushing the nut with the triphammer--an absurd extravagance of energy--but the nut is very effectually crushed all the same."
"How came this man to have anything to do with it?"
"I can only say that the first word that ever came to us of the business was from one of his lieutenants. These Americans were well advised. Having an English job to do
they took into partnership
as any foreign criminal could do
this great consultant in crime. From that moment their man was doomed. At first he would content himself by using his machinery in order to find their victim. Then he would indicate how the matter might be treated. Finally
when he read in the reports of the failure of this agent
he would step in himself with a master touch. You heard me warn this man at Birlstone Manor House that the ing danger was greater than the past. Was I right?"
Barker beat his head with his clenched fist in his impotent anger. "Do not tell me that we have to sit down under this? Do you say that no one can ever get level with this king devil?"
"No
I don't say that
" said Holmes
and his eyes seemed to be looking far into the future. "I don't say that he can't be beat. But you must give me time--you must give me time!"
We all sat in silence for some minutes while those fateful eyes still strained to pierce the veil.