[The Saucepan Man]

Saruman was too powerful to be interrogated by the Nazgûl, but they caught Gríma and learned the location of the Shire and Saruman's interest therein from him.

Yes, that seems to be the favoured version given by Christopher Tolkien in UT, although he does give another version, which did involve Saruman telling the Witch-King where the Shire was. This version has it that, when confronted by the Nazgul at Isengard, Saruman decided to give in to Gandalf (it being the time at which Gandalf was held captive at Orthanc) and beg for his forgiveness and help. But, on reaching the top of the Tower, he found that Gandalf had just escaped. He then decided to tell the Nazgul where the Shire was in order to convince them that he remained a faithful ally of Sauron. But he still hoped to get the Ring himself, believing that the Nazgul's search would be hindered by his directing them to the Shire, as he knew that it was guarded by the Dunedain and he also apparently (and mistakenly) believed that the Ring was already on its way to Rivendell.

I must admit that I find Saruman's actions unconvincing in this version and much prefer that which has Wormtongue directing the Nazgul to the Shire.

It also proves that Sauron didn't believe that the small could have greater influence then the wise and powerful,wich was untrue.

True, although Sauron did still have this vague apprehension that Gollum spelled trouble, foreshadowing the role that Gollum was to play in his demise.

He did not trust Gollum, for he divined something indomitable in him, which could not be overcome, even by the Shadow of Fear, except by destroying him.

The impression I get is that Sauron somehow felt that he should destroy Gollum, but he did not do so since he hoped that Gollum would lead him to the Ring (as has been said earlier). Perhaps Sauron should have gone with his first instinct. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]