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〃Well； that's likely enough。〃
〃It would strike him that in disappearing he might throw all pursuit
off his track； and at the same time have an ample and crushing revenge
upon his old sweetheart； if he could give the impression that he had
been murdered by her only child。 It was a masterpiece of villainy； and
he carried it out like a master。 The idea of the will； which would
give an obvious motive for the crime； the secret visit unknown to
his own parents； the retention of the stick； the blood； and the animal
remains and buttons in the wood…pile； all were admirable。 It was a net
from which it seemed to me； a few hours ago； that there was no
possible escape。 But he had not that supreme gift of the artist； the
knowledge of when to stop。 He wished to improve that which was already
perfect… to draw the rope tighter yet round the neck of his
unfortunate victim… and so he ruined all。 Let us descend； Lestrade。
There are just one or two questions that I would ask him。〃
The malignant creature was seated in his own parlour； with a
policeman upon each side of him。
〃It was a joke； my good sir… a practical joke； nothing more；〃 he
whined incessantly。 〃I assure you； sir； that I simply concealed myself
in order to see the effect of my disappearance； and I am sure that you
would not be so unjust as to imagine that I would have allowed any
harm to befall poor young Mr。 McFarlane。〃
〃That's for a jury to decide；〃 said Lestrade。 〃Anyhow； we shall have
you on a charge of conspiracy； if not for attempted murder。〃
〃And you'll probably find that your creditors will impound the
banking account of Mr。 Cornelius；〃 said Holmes。
The little man started； and turned his malignant eyes upon my
friend。
〃I have to thank you for a good deal；〃 said he。 〃Perhaps I'll pay my
debt some day。〃
Holmes smiled indulgently。
〃I fancy that； for some few years； you will find your time very
fully occupied；〃 said he。 〃By the way； what was it you put into the
wood…pile besides your old trousers？ A dead dog； or rabbits； or
what？ You won't tell？ Dear me； how very unkind of you！ Well； well； I
daresay that a couple of rabbits would account both for the blood
and for the charred ashes。 If ever you write an account； Watson； you
can make rabbits serve your turn。〃
…THE END…
。