"
"Well, that's reasonable enough," said Lestrade. "Nothing
further you have to say, Mr. Holmes, before we go?"
Holmes had picked up the powerful air-gun from the floor and
was examining its mechanism.
"An admirable and unique weapon," said he, "noiseless and of
tremendous power. I knew Von Herder, the blind German mechanic,
who constructed it to the order of the late Professor Moriarty.
For years I have been aware of its existence, though I have
never before had the opportunity of handling it. I commend it
very specially to your attention, Lestrade, and also the bullets
which fit it."
"You can trust us to look after that, Mr. Holmes," said Lestrade,
as the whole party moved towards the door. "Anything further to say?"
"Only to ask what charge you intend to prefer?"
"What charge, sir? Why, of course, the attempted murder of Mr.
Sherlock Holmes."
"Not so, Lestrade. I do not propose to appear in the matter at all.
To you, and to you only, belongs the credit of the remarkable arrest
which you have effected. Yes, Lestrade, I congratulate you! With
your usual happy mixture of cunning and audacity you have got him.
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