Fixing the Nets

           We’reatclosegripsatlast," saidHolmesaswewalkedtogetheracrossthemoor. "Whatanervethefellowhas! Howhepulledhimselftogetherinthefaceofwhatmusthavebeenaparalyzingshockwhenhefoundthatthewrongmanhadfallenavictimtohisplot. ItoldyouinLondon,Watson,andItellyounowagain,thatwehaveneverhadafoemanmoreworthyofoursteel." 

           "Iamsorrythathehasseenyou." 

           "AndsowasIatfirst. Buttherewasnogettingoutofit." 

           "Whateffectdoyouthinkitwillhaveuponhisplansnowthatheknowsyouarehere?" 

           "Itmaycausehimtobemorecautious,oritmaydrivehimtodesperatemeasuresatonce. Likemostclevercriminals,hemaybetooconfidentinhisownclevernessandimaginethathehascompletelydeceivedus." 

           "Whyshouldwenotarresthimatonce?" 

           "MydearWatson,youwereborntobeamanofaction. Yourinstinctisalwaystodosomethingenergetic. Butsupposing,forargument’ssake,thatwehadhimarrestedto-night,whatonearththebetteroffshouldwebeforthat? Wecouldprovenothingagainsthim. There’sthedevilishcunningofit! Ifhewereactingthroughahumanagentwecouldgetsomeevidence,butifweweretodragthisgreatdogtothelightofday itwouldnothelpusinputtingaroperoundtheneckofitsmaster." 

           "Surelywehaveacase." 

           "Notashadowofone—onlysurmiseandconjecture. Weshouldbelaughedoutofcourtifwecamewithsuchastoryandsuchevidence."