修道院公学（28）

“What brought all his wicked scheme to wreck was your discovery of this man Heidegger's dead body. James was seized with horror at the news. It came to us yesterday as we sat together in this study. Dr. Huxtable had sent a telegram. James was so overwhelmed with grief and agitation that my suspicions, which had never been entirely absent, rose instantly to a certainty, and I taxed him with the deed. He made a complete voluntary confession. Then he implored me to keep his secret for three days longer, so as to give his wretched accomplice a chance of saving his guilty life. I yielded—as I have always yielded—to his prayers, and instantly James hurried off to the Fighting Cock to warn Hayes and give him the means of flight. I could not go there by daylight without provoking comment, but as soon as night fell I hurried off to see my dear Arthur. I found him safe and well, but horrified beyond expression by the dreadful deed he had witnessed. In deference to my promise, and much against my will, I consented to leave him there for three days under the charge of Mrs. Hayes, since it was evident that it was impossible to inform the police where he was without telling them also who was the murderer, and I could not see how that murderer could be punished without ruin to my unfortunate James. You asked for frankness, Mr. Holmes, and I have taken you at your word, for I have now told you everything without an attempt at circumlocution or concealment. Do you in turn be as frank with me.”

“I will,” said Holmes. “In the first place, your Grace, I am bound to tell you that you have placed yourself in a most serious position in the eyes of the law. You have condoned a felony and you have aided the escape of a murderer; for I cannot doubt that any money which was taken by James Wilder to aid his accomplice in his flight came from your Grace's purse.”

The Duke bowed his assent.

“使他的邪恶计划毁灭的是你发现了黑底格的一尸一体。詹姆士听到这个消息，大为惊恐。昨天我们二人正坐在这间书房里，消息来了。贺克斯塔布尔博士打来一封电报。詹姆士极为忧伤和激动，以致我的怀疑立即变成了肯定，这种怀疑在此以前不是完全没有的，于是我责备了他的所为。他彻底坦率地承认了一切。然后他哀求我把这个秘密再保持三天，以便给他罪恶的同谋保住一性一命的机会。我对他的哀求让步了，我对他总是让步的，他立即赶到旅店警告黑斯，并且资助他逃跑。我白天去那儿是不会不引起议论的，所以夜晚一到，我即匆忙地去看我亲一爱一的阿瑟。我见他安然无恙，只是他所经历的暴力行为使他极为惊恐。为了遵守我的诺言，但也是违背我的意愿，我答应把孩子再留在那里三天，由黑斯太太照顾。很明显向警察报告孩子在那里而不说谁是杀人犯是不可能的，而且我也看得很清楚，杀人犯受到惩罚不会不牵连我不幸的詹姆士。福尔摩斯先生，你要求坦率，我相信你的话，所以我毫无隐瞒地、毫无保留地告诉了你一切。你是不是也会象我一样地坦率呢？”

福尔摩斯说：“会的。公爵，我首先必须告诉您，在法律面前您处于很不利的地位。您宽恕了重罪犯，并协助杀人犯逃脱，因为我不能不怀疑，王尔得资助他的同谋逃跑的钱是从您那儿得来的。”

公爵点头表示承认。