黑彼得（17）

The detective's face had grown longer and longer during Holmes's speech. His hopes and his ambitions were all crumbling about him. But he would not abandon his position without a struggle.

“You can't deny that Neligan was present that night, Mr. Holmes. The book will prove that. I fancy that I have evidence enough to satisfy a jury, even if you are able to pick a hole in it. Besides, Mr. Holmes, I have laid my hand upon my man. As to this terrible person of yours, where is he?”

“I rather fancy that he is on the stair,” said Holmes, serenely. “I think, Watson, that you would do well to put that revolver where you can reach it.” He rose, and laid a written paper upon a side-table. “Now we are ready,” said he.

There had been some talking in gruff voices outside, and now Mrs. Hudson opened the door to say that there were three men inquiring for Captain Basil.

“Show them in one by one,” said Holmes.

The first who entered was a little ribston-pippin of a man, with ruddy cheeks and fluffy white side-whiskers. Holmes had drawn a letter from his pocket.

“What name?” he asked.

“James Lancaster.”

“I am sorry, Lancaster, but the berth is full. Here is half a sovereign for your trouble. Just step into this room and wait there for a few minutes.”

The second man was a long, dried-up creature, with lank hair and sallow cheeks. His name was Hugh Pattins. He also received his dismissal, his half-sovereign, and the order to wait.

The third applicant was a man of remarkable appearance. A fierce bull-dog face was framed in a tangle of hair and beard, and two bold dark eyes gleamed behind the cover of thick, tufted, overhung eyebrows. He saluted and stood sailor-fashion, turning his cap round in his hands.

这位警长的面孔在福尔摩斯讲话的时候拉得愈来愈长。他的希望和雄心全粉碎了。但是不经过斗争他不会放其他的阵地。

“福尔摩斯先生，您不能否认那天晚上乃尔根在场。笔记本是证据。即使您挑一毛一病，我的证明仍然能使陪审一团一满意。此外您的那位可怕的罪犯，他在哪儿呢？”

福尔摩斯安详地说：“我想他就在楼梯那儿。华生，我看你最好把那把槍放到容易拿到的地方。"他站起来把一张有字的纸放到一张靠墙的桌子上。他说：“我们准备好了。”

刚一听到外面有粗野的谈话声，赫德森太太便开了门，说是有三个人要见巴斯尔船长。

福尔摩斯说：“让他们一个一个地进来。”

第一个进来的是一个个子矮小、样子引人发笑的人，面颊红红的，长着斑白、蓬松的连鬓一胡一子。

福尔摩斯从口袋中拿出一封信，问：“名字是什么？”

“詹姆士·兰开斯特。”

“对不起，兰开斯特，铺位已经满了。给你半个金镑，麻烦你了。到那间屋子去等几分钟。”

第二个人是个细长、干瘦的人，头发平直，两颊内陷。他的名字是休·帕廷斯。他也没有被雇用，同样得到半个金镑，并让他等候。

第三个申请人的外表是很奇怪的。一副哈叭狗似的凶恶面孔镶在一一团一蓬乱的头发和一胡一须中，浓重的、成簇的眉一毛一向下垂悬着，遮住两只黑黑的蛮横的眼睛。他敬了一个礼，象水手似地站在一边，两手转动着他的帽子。