I am sure they do. But your
more deadly proposition is not so clear. Let us for a moment
consider the difficulties which stand in the way.
"We will suppose that this couple are united by the bonds of a
guilty love, and that they have determined to get rid of the man
who stands between them. It is a large supposition; for
discreet inquiry among servants and others has failed to
corroborate it in any way. On the contrary, there is a good deal
of evidence that the Douglases were very attached to each other."
"That, I am sure, cannot be true," said I, thinking of the
beautiful smiling face in the garden.
"Well at least they gave that impression. However, we will
suppose that they are an extraordinarily astute couple, who
deceive everyone upon this point, and conspire to murder the
husband. He happens to be a man over whose head some danger
hangs--"
"We have only their word for that."
Holmes looked thoughtful. "I see, Watson. You are sketching out
a theory by which everything they say from the beginning is
false. According to your idea, there was never any hidden
menace, or secret society, or Valley of Fear, or Boss
MacSomebody, or anything else.
Pages:
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114