Lestrade laughed. I am afraid that I am still a sceptic, he said.
Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hard-headed
British jury.
_Nous verrons_, answered Holmes calmly. You work your own method,
and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and shall
probably return to London by the evening train.
And leave your case unfinished?
No, finished.
But the mystery?
It is solved.
Who was the criminal, then?
The gentleman I describe.
But who is he?
Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a
populous neighbourhood.
Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. I am a practical man, he said, and
I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking for a
left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the
laughing-stock of Scotland Yard.
All right, said Holmes quietly. I have given you the chance. Here
are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I leave.
Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where we
found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in thought
with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds himself in a
perplexing position.
Look here, Watson, he said when the cloth was cleared just sit down
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