Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 1

Chapter 15 Research on Scarlet Characters 15
Three weeks had passed since Jefferson Hope and his companions had left Salt Lake City.It pained John Ferrier to think of the loss of his beloved daughter when he returned.However, Lucy's bright, expectant and happy face convinced him to accept this reality more than any reason.Never marry your daughter to a Mormon under any circumstances.It was a decision he had made long ago.He believed that a Mormon marriage was not a marriage at all, but a disgrace to a woman.Whatever he thought of Mormon teachings, he was unwavering on this point.However, he had to keep his mouth shut on the issue, because it was very dangerous to speak against the teachings of Mormons in places where the church ruled.

This is indeed very dangerous, and so dangerous that even the most virtuous saints in the church dare to speak secretly of their opinion of the church, lest they say something that will be misunderstood, and immediate disaster will come. .Those who were victimized by it in the past, out of revenge, now began to endanger others, and the methods of persecution were extremely cruel.Even the Inquisition of Seville, the prison of apostasy in Germany, or the secret society in Italy paled in comparison to the omnipresent, powerful and dense organization of the Mormons in Utah.

This organization is very hidden and mysterious, so it is even more terrifying.It seems to be everywhere and omnipotent, yet it is invisible to the eyes and ears.Anyone who dared to oppose the church suddenly disappeared.No one will know his whereabouts or what happened to him.His wife and children waited at home, but their husband or father never returned to tell them what happened to them at the hands of those secret judges.A moment of inadvertent speech or impulsive actions may lead to death, but no one knows what this terrible force is floating above their heads.No wonder the people here are always terrified, and even in the wilderness, they never dare to whisper their doubts to others.

At first, the terror was only applied to the apostates, but soon it was extended.In order to maintain the Mormon law of polygamy, the thugs snatched women and killed male immigrants everywhere.From time to time, strange women appeared among the wives and concubines of the elders. Their faces were haggard, weeping bitterly, and they looked terrified.As more people go missing, the more grisly tales spread.These stories and rumors were only a half-knowledge at first, but then it became clearer and clearer. After some people proved it, everyone knew who did it.To this day, on the grasslands of the West, the evil names of "Dannat Gang" and "Avenging Angel" are still circulating.

The more people know about this bloody and criminal organization, the deeper the sense of terror in people's hearts.No one knows who is in this cruel and violent organization. The names of these people are kept absolutely confidential. They use the banner of religion to engage in bloody and inhuman activities.If you tell your friend your displeasure with the Church and the Prophets, he may be one of those who come at night with arms and torches to take revenge.Therefore, everyone is wary of those around him, and dare not speak his mind to others.

One fine morning, John Ferrier was going out into the cornfield when he heard the latch of the front door snap.He looked out the window and saw a middle-aged man with a strong body and light brown hair walking swaggeringly on the path.He took a closer look and was taken aback. It was none other than Prophet Brigham?Jan drove there himself.He was terrified, and he knew that Jan's presence was bad for him.He hurried to the door to meet the Mormon prophet.Yang didn't respond to his greeting, he followed him into the living room with an indifferent face.

"Brother Ferrier," he said, sitting down, his eyes fixed on the farmer, "we, as faithful believers in God, have always treated you as friends, when you were dying of starvation in the desert At that time, it was we who saved you, gave you our food, brought you to the valley of Utah, which was given by God, and gave you a piece of land as an exception, so that you can make a fortune on this land. You say, so ?"

"Yes." Ferrier replied.

"At that time, I only made one condition to you, that is, you must believe in our Mormon religion and strictly abide by the religious rules. I remember that you have already agreed to my condition, but if everyone's report to me is true, in the At this point, you didn't do what you said."

Ferrier stretched out his hands and argued: "Why didn't I do what I said? Didn't I pay the public fund regularly? Didn't I go to church? Didn't..."

"What about your wives and daughters?" Yang looked around and asked, "Call them out, I want to see them."

Ferrier replied: "I am not married, it is true. But we have few women here, and many need them more than I do. I am not alone, and I have a daughter."

"I'm here to talk to you about her," the Mormon prophet said. "She's grown up, and she's a flower in Utah. A lot of high-profile people here have their eye on her."

John Ferrier could not help moaning secretly.

"There are many rumors out there that she is betrothed to some heathen. I don't want to believe the rumors. It must be the gossip of the boring people. St. Joseph? What is No. 13 of the Smith Code ? 'Let every Mormon girl marry the elect of God; if she marries a heathen, she commits a heinous sin.' That's what the code says. Now that you're a Mormon If you are a religious sect, you should not condone your daughter to break the religious rules."

John Ferrier was silent, but kept fiddling with his whip.

Yang said loudly: "This is the time to test your sincerity. The Four Saints have decided that she can only marry a Mormon. Considering that she is very young, she will not be asked to marry an old man. We elders, There are quite a few 'heifers', but our children still have this need. Elder Ster Jackson and Elder Draper both have a son, and your daughter can choose one of these two young men. Little Stuart Jackson and little Draper are rich and Orthodox. What do you think?"

Ferrier frowned and said:

"I need more time to think about it. My daughter is still young and not yet married."

Young said: "Give you a month to think about it, and you must have a definite answer after one month."

He waved his fist threateningly, and then strode away.

When he got to the door, Yang suddenly turned his head around again, his face flushed red, his eyes glaring fiercely, and he said sharply: "John Ferrier, if you dare to resist the order of the fourth elder, you might as well just go back and forth." Let you father and daughter be buried on Monte Blanca!"

Ferrier sat there in silence, leaning his elbows on the arm of his chair, trying to figure out what he might say to his daughter.At this moment, a soft little hand held his hand.He looked up and saw his daughter standing beside him.She was pale and frightened.He immediately understood that his daughter must have heard their conversation just now.

The daughter also saw her father's face, and she said anxiously, "I heard everything. He spoke so loudly that the whole house could hear him. Oh, Daddy, what shall we do, what shall we do?"

"Don't be afraid," he said, stroking her beautiful hair with his thick hand, "we'll figure it out. Your love for that lad won't change, will it?"

Lucy was speechless, but held the old man's hand tightly and sobbed softly.

"I don't think so, and I don't like to hear you say yes. He's a good honest fellow, and a Christian. In that sense, all the people here, no matter how patiently preached, Not as good as him. Someone is going to Nevada tomorrow morning, and I'll entrust them to send a letter to Hope to let him know our predicament. If we read Hope correctly, he will be as fast as a telegram, as fast as a telegram. Hurry back."

When Lucy heard what her father said, a smile appeared on her teardrop face.

"If he comes back, he can think of a good way. But I'm worried about you, Dad. I've heard about those who oppose the Prophet, and I heard that all those who oppose the Prophet will end well."

"But does that count against him?" her father replied. "If it does, then be on your guard. I intend to escape from this place of Utah within a month."

"Get out of Utah!"

"It can only be this way."

"But what about our estate?"

"Sell it for money. If you can't sell it, forget it. Lucy, I've longed to get out of this place. I can't be subject to anyone like the Mormons are subject to their prophets. I'm a free American and don't like everything here. Maybe I'm too old to be here and learn to be like them. But if anyone comes to my estate to run amok, I'll give him a taste The smell of bullets."

Lucy said worriedly: "I'm afraid they won't let us go."

"Don't be afraid, there will be no danger, I will handle things well. This month, baby, don't worry, don't be sad, especially don't make your eyes turn red from crying. If you let them see, you will Suspicion arose, and we must pretend nothing had happened. When Jefferson comes back, we can get out of this place."

John Ferrier spoke firmly and confidently.However, this night, he bolted the door very carefully and cleaned and loaded the old rusty shotgun.

(End of this chapter)