黑彼得（18）

“Your name?” asked Holmes.

“Patrick Cairns.”

“Harpooner?”

“Yes, sir. Twenty-six voyages.”

“Dundee, I suppose?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And ready to start with an exploring ship?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What wages?”

“Eight pounds a month.”

“Could you start at once?”

“As soon as I get my kit.”

“Have you your papers?”

“Yes, sir.” He took a sheaf of worn and greasy forms from his pocket. Holmes glanced over them and returned them.

“You are just the man I want,” said he. “Here's the agreement on the side-table. If you sign it the whole matter will be settled.”

The seaman lurched across the room and took up the pen.

“Shall I sign here?” he asked, stooping over the table.

Holmes leaned over his shoulder and passed both hands over his neck.

“This will do,” said he.

I heard a click of steel and a bellow like an enraged bull. The next instant Holmes and the seaman were rolling on the ground together. He was a man of such gigantic strength that, even with the handcuffs which Holmes had so deftly fastened upon his wrists, he would have very quickly overpowered my friend had Hopkins and I not rushed to his rescue. Only when I pressed the cold muzzle of the revolver to his temple did he at last understand that resistance was vain. We lashed his ankles with cord and rose breathless from the struggle.

“I must really apologize, Hopkins,” said Sherlock Holmes; “I fear that the scrambled eggs are cold. However, you will enjoy the rest of your breakfast all the better, will you not, for the thought that you have brought your case to a triumphant conclusion.”

Stanley Hopkins was speechless with amazement.

福尔摩斯说：“你的名字？”

“帕特里克·凯恩兹。”

“叉鱼手？”

“是的，先生。出过二十六次海。”

“我想是在丹迪港？”

“是的，先生。”

“挣多少钱？”

“每月八镑。”

“你能马上同探险队出海吗？”

“只要我把用的东西准备好。”

“你有证明吗？”

“有，先生。"他从口袋中拿出一卷已经一揉一搓一了的带着油迹的单子。福尔摩斯看了一下又还给了他。

他说：“你正是我要找的人。合同在靠墙的桌子上。你签个字，事情就算定了。”

福尔摩斯靠住他的肩膀，并把两只手伸过他的脖子。

他说：“这就行了。”

我听到金属相撞声和一声吼叫，象被激怒的公牛的吼叫一声。紧接着这个海员和福尔摩斯在地上滚打起来。虽然福尔摩斯已经敏捷地给他戴上了手铐，可是他的力气很大，要不是霍普金和我赶忙帮助，福尔摩斯会很快被这个海员制一服。当我把手槍的无情槍口对准他太一陽一穴一的时候，他才明白抵抗是无用的。我们用绳子绑住他的踝骨，然后气喘吁吁地站起来。

歇洛克·福尔摩斯说：“霍普金，我很抱歉，炒鸡蛋怕是已经凉了。不过当你想到案子已经胜利地结束了的时候，你继续吃早餐就会吃得更香。”

斯坦莱·霍普金惊讶得说不出话来。