He decided to consult (of course mentioning no names) one of his acquaintances, an attorney, retired from practice, or perhaps struck off the rolls, an old and experienced hand at all sorts of clandestine business.

他决定咨询（当然没有提到名字）他的一位熟人，一位律师，从实践中退休，或者可能取消了卷，一个在各种秘密业务中经验丰富的老手。