the darrow enigma(达罗之迷)-第31章
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rival lived。 The knowledge of this made my search for Darrow Sahib
more than ever difficult from the fact that it must be prosecuted secretly。
I could only learn that he had left Bombay for the interior； nothing more。
My inquiries in all the Indian cities proved fruitless； and in many instances；
I was informed that Ragobah had instituted a search for the same man。 I
think； in spite of my precautions； some of my agents ultimately told
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Ragobah of my efforts； for I found myself so closely watched by men in
his interests that I was at length compelled to give up the personal conduct
of the search； and to continue it through a deputy； unknown to him。 All
my endeavours to find the Sahib were； as you are already aware； fruitless；
and； until I met you； I had no doubt Ragobah's efforts were equally
unproductive。 You have now all the information I can offer upon the
subject。 If I can be of any further service to you； you need not hesitate to
command me。
As he said this he rose to depart and I promised to keep him informed
of what occurred。 I have nothing now to do but to await； with such
patience as I can command； the arrival of the Dalmatia。 It does not seem to
me altogether probable that Ragobah will return upon this boat； but if he
should I shall have him arrested the moment he sets foot on shore。 If he
escape the net that has been woven about him； I shall be a convert to
Eastern occultism and no mistake。 I trust Miss Darrow is well and
hopeful。 I know she will religiously keep the promise she made； for she
is one of those women who fully understand the nature of a covenant； and
I am easier； therefore； than I otherwise could be regarding her condition。
Give her my kind regards and tell her that she may expect news of
importance by my next communication。 It is very late； so good…bye； until
the arrival of the Dalmatia。 Your friend；GEORGE MAITLAND。
This letter was delivered one morning when Gwen； my sister Alice；
and I were at breakfast。 As I broke the seal I noticed that both ladies put
down their knives and forks and ceased to eat。 A glance at Gwen's eager
face convinced me that she had no appetite for anything but my letter； and
I accordingly read it aloud。 When I came to the last part of it； where
Maitland referred to her； a flush； of pride I thought at the time； overspread
her face； and when I had finished she said with some show of excitement；
〃If Mr。 Maitland succeed in bringing Ragobah to justice I … I shall owe him
a debt of gratitude I can never repay！ It all seems like a romance； only so
frightfully real。 We may expect another letter in a few days； may we not？
And Mr。 Maitland； when may we expect him？〃
I replied that I thought we might reasonably expect news of
importance within five or six days； and that； so far as Maitland's return
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was concerned； I did not look for it for as many weeks； as he would
doubtless have to cope with the law's delay there； as he would if here； and
to comply with many tedious formalities before the government would
allow Ragobah to be brought to this country for trial。 The only reply
Gwen vouchsafed to this statement was a long…drawn unconscious sigh；
which I interpreted as meaning； 〃Will it never end！〃
CHAPTER II
He who shakes the tree of Vengeance but harvests apples of
Sodom in whose fruit of ashes he becomes buried； for the wage of the
sinner is death。
There was no doubt of Ragobah's guilt in any of our minds； so that
action at our end of the line seemed entirely useless； and nothing was left
us but to quietly await whatever developments Maitland should disclose。
We were not kept long in suspense； for in less than a week his next letter
arrived。 I broke its seal in the presence of Gwen and my sister who； if
possible； were even more excited than I myself。 Is it to be wondered at？
Here was the letter which was to tell us whether or not the murderer of
John Darrow had been caught。 We felt that if Ragobah had returned to
India； according to his expressed intention； there could be no doubt upon
this point。 But had he so returned？ I read as follows：
MY DEAR DOCTOR：
The Dalmatia arrived as expected on Thursday； and on her came
Ragobah。 I had him arrested as he stepped from the boat。 When
examined he did not seem in the least disconcerted at the charges I
preferred against him。 This did not surprise me； however； as I had
expected that a man who could roll his naked body over the burning sands
from Mabaj an to the Ganges； and who could rise from the Vaisyan to the
Brahman caste； … albeit he fell again； … would not be likely to betray his
cause by exhibiting either fear or excitement。 He acknowledged his
acquaintance with Mr。 Darrow and the ill…feeling existing between them。
When charged with his murder at Dorchester on the night of the 22d of
April he coolly asked if I were aware when and how he had left India。 I
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had not neglected to look this matter up and told him he had left on the
same steamer which had brought him back … the Dalmatia …=20 which
should have arrived at New York on the 21st of April； thus leaving him
ample time to get to Boston before the night of the 22d。 To this he replied
with the utmost assurance。 （I give you the exact gist of what he said。
Since I was not able to immediately commit his language to writing； you
will； of course； hardiy expect me to remember those peculiar Oriental
idioms which an Indian； however great his command of English； never
drops。 What I say here is； of course； true of all conversations I put before
you except such as I practically reported。） … But to return to our muttons。
As I was saying； he replied with the utmost assurance：
〃The Sahib is right。 I did sail upon the Dalmatia； due at New York
on the 21st of April。 This steamer； as you are perhaps aware； is propelled
by twin screws。 On the trip in question she broke one of her propellers in
mid…Atlantic and in consequence； arrived in New York on the 24th of April；
three days late； without the transference of any of her passengers to other
boats。 If you will take the trouble to at once verify this statement at the
steamship office； you will be able to relieve me of the annoyance of
further detention。〃
All this was said with a rare command of language and a cold； cynical
politeness which cut like a knife。 I at first thought it was merely a ruse to
gain time； but the steamship officials substantiated every word uttered by
Ragobah relative to their vessel。 The Dalmatia had steamed into New
York
