That was the pith of the information with which Holmes left the
office of the Adelaide-Southampton company. Thence he drove to
Scotland Yard, but instead of entering he sat in his cab with
his brows drawn down, lost in profound thought. Finally he
drove round to the Charing Cross telegraph office, sent off a
message, and then, at last, we made for Baker Street once more.
"No, I couldn't do it, Watson," said he, as we re-entered our
room. "Once that warrant was made out nothing on earth would
save him. Once or twice in my career I feel that I have done
more real harm by my discovery of the criminal than ever he had
done by his crime. I have learned caution now, and I had rather
play tricks with the law of England than with my own conscience.
Let us know a little more before we act."
Before evening we had a visit from Inspector Stanley Hopkins.
Things were not going very well with him.
"I believe that you are a wizard, Mr. Holmes. I really do
sometimes think that you have powers that are not human.
Now, how on earth could you know that the stolen silver was
at the bottom of that pond?"
"I didn't know it.
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