Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 1

Chapter 45 Adventure History 3
"You must keep an eye on me, I will definitely let you see it at any time."

"Yes."

"As soon as I raise my hand - like this (he makes a motion), you throw what you're told to throw into the house, and then, yell 'Fire'. You know what I mean?"

"understood."

"Then it's nothing important," he said, taking out a long cigar-like roll from his pocket. "It's a plumber's pyrotechnic tube, with caps at both ends, that can be Burning. All you have to do is take care of this thing. When you shout fire, there will be a lot of people coming to fight the fire. Take this opportunity and you go to the other side of the street. I will find you in 10 minutes. I hope You already know what I mean."

"I kept my hands off, stuck to the window, stared at you, threw the pyrotechnic tube in at your gesture, and yelled it was on fire. I'll wait for you at the corner of the street after that."

"Very well, that's it."

"Then you just wait and see."

"Great. I think it's time for me to get ready for a new role."

He went into the bedroom and came out a few minutes later in all the image of an amiable middle-aged priest.In his baggy black hat, baggy trousers, and white tie, with his sympathetic smile and his kind, benevolent look, was it only John?Mr. Lear can compare with it.Not only did Holmes change his clothes, but his countenance, manner, and soul changed accordingly.When he became an expert in detection, the stage lost a famous actor, and the scientific world lost a reasoner.

We left Baker Street at a quarter past six.Arrive at Serpentine Avenue 10 minutes earlier than scheduled.It was getting dark, and we were pacing up and down outside the Brioni mansion.As soon as the owner of the house returns, the lights are turned on.The house was in my fancy just as Sherlock Holmes had said it would be.But it is not as quiet as I thought, on the contrary, this small street is not like the quiet area nearby, it is very lively here.On the corner of the street there was a group of ragged men smoking and joking, a man grinding his scissors with a pedal wheel, two guards flirting with a nurse, and several young men, well dressed, with Cigars, looking like they are not doing their job properly.

"You see," said Holmes, as we strolled in front of the house, "our affairs are much easier with their marriage. The photograph is a double-edged weapon: she certainly doesn't want Ferret Nardon. To see it, as our client does not want the princess to see it. Now the question is: Where can we find that picture?"

"Yes, where can I find it?" I was even more uncertain at the time.

"There is little chance of her carrying it with her. The picture is six inches, too big to be easily concealed under a woman's skirt; she also knows that the king will stop and search her, which has happened twice. No more. We can tell she didn't have it with her."

"Where would that be?"

"At the bank or at the lawyer, there are two possibilities, but I don't think it is very likely, because women are secretive by nature and always like to hide things by themselves. Why doesn't she give the photo to another What about people? She trusts her guardianship, but she doesn't understand the indirect or political impact of doing so on a professional. Besides, don't forget, she also decided to use this photo in a few days .So the photo must be somewhere within her reach, it must be in her own house."

"But the house has been searched twice."

"Hey, they just don't know how to find it."

"Then how will you find it?"

"I'm not looking for it."

"Then how?"

"I want her to show me herself."

"She would flatly refuse."

"You'll see then, she can't refuse. I heard the sound of a carriage. It's hers. Now do exactly as I say."

Just as he was talking, the lights on both sides of the carriage appeared at the corner of the street.It was a small boxcar, and it drove to the gate of the Brioni courtyard with the sound of hooves.Before the car stopped, a homeless man rushed over from the corner to open the door, hoping to earn a copper coin or two, but was elbowed back by another homeless man who had the same idea.There was a great quarrel between them, the two guards on the side of the bum, and the knife sharpener on the side of the other, and the quarrel grew louder and louder.Suddenly someone made a move, and the lady who just got out of the car was immediately drawn into this group of people with red faces, fists and sticks intertwined.Holmes rushed into the crowd to protect the lady, but the moment he was near her he fell to the ground with a cry, the blood running down his face.Seeing him on the ground, the two guards ran, and the tramps fled in the other direction.A few neatly dressed people who were watching the excitement but not participating crowded in to help the lady take care of the injured gentleman.Ellena Adler—I still prefer to call her that—hurried up the steps, but stopped at the top of the steps and looked back into the street, her figure perfectly framed by the lights in the hall.

"Is the poor gentleman hurt?" she asked.

"He's dead," several shouted.

"He's not dead, he's still alive." Someone yelled, "He'll die before we send him to the hospital."

"He's a brave man," said a woman, "if it hadn't been for him, the rascals would have taken the lady's purse and watch. They were gang--and very rough. Ah, he can breathe now gone."

"Can't let him lie in the street. Can you carry him into your house, ma'am?"

"Of course. Carry him into the living room. There's a sofa here. He'll be more comfortable. This way, please."

They carried him into the Brioni mansion and put him in the drawing-room, while I stood near the window and watched what was going on.

The lights were on long ago, but the curtains were left open so I could see him lying on the couch.I don't know if he felt guilty for the part he was playing, but I know very well that when I saw the beauty's face and saw her kindly and considerately serving the wounded Holmes, I felt that I was cooperating with the conspiracy. I'm so sorry.However, if I had backed away from the part that Holmes had entrusted to me, it would have been the basest betrayal of Holmes.I was cruel and took out the smoke injector from the windbreaker.After all, we are not going to hurt her, we just want to stop her from hurting another person.As Holmes leaned back on the sofa, his movement and expression indicated that he needed air, and a maid hurried to open the window.At this moment Holmes raised a hand.Seeing this signal, I immediately threw the pyrotechnic tube into it and shouted: "It's on fire!" Afterwards, all the people watching the excitement shouted in unison: "It's on fire!" Suddenly, thick smoke billowed and filled the room. , and burst out from the open windows, people were running in all directions.After a while I heard Holmes shouting to the people not to panic, for it was a false alarm.After I finished my task, I ran to the corner of the street. Within 10 minutes, I saw Holmes. He pulled me out of this chaotic place. He hurried and walked silently until a few minutes later, We turned onto a quiet lane leading to Egyptville before he spoke.

"Doctor, you are doing very well, we are going well."

"Where is that picture?" "Did you find it?"

"I know where it is, but she showed me the photo."

"I don't know."

He laughed. "It's very simple. Obviously those people on the street are all hired by me."

"When there was a quarrel, I rushed up with a small piece of wet red paint cloth. When I fell to the ground, I hurriedly covered my face, just like before."

"I guessed that."

"Then she had to carry me into the living room. She must have let me in, because she had no choice, and she let me into the living room, which is where I suspect. And the picture must be hidden there. Between a room and her bedroom, but don't know exactly where. When I made a motion that needed air, they opened the window. That's how it happened."

"Important. When a house is on fire, the natural instinct of a woman is to salvage her most precious possession at once. The urge is utterly irresistible, and it is not the first time I have taken advantage of it. In the case of the impostor scandal at Darlington I used it in the case of Arthnswyth Castle. The married woman hastened to bring out the baby; So she must have been the first to salvage the picture. It was hidden in the alcove behind the movable panel above the cable of the bell on the right. I saw it when she pulled out half the picture. Then, She put it back in hastily when I said it was a false alarm. She looked at the fireworks and ran out of the house. Never came in again. I could have gotten the picture, But just then the coachman came in, so instead of acting hastily, I found an excuse to escape from the house."

"Now the investigation is complete. Tomorrow I will visit her with the king. You can come with us if you like, and we will be led into the living room to wait for her. At that time we can take the opportunity to take down the photos. But when she comes out, I'm afraid she's both We couldn’t find us, and we couldn’t find that photo either. His Majesty might feel a kind of satisfaction in recovering that photo with his own hands.”

"when to go?"

"Eight o'clock in the morning, before she is up, so that we have nothing to worry about. Besides, we must act quickly. For this marriage of hers will completely change her life and habits. I will send a telegram to the king at once." .”

Just as we were talking, we came to Baker Street. At this moment, a passer-by greeted Holmes:

"Good night, Mr. Holmes."

At this moment there were several people walking on the sidewalk, and it seemed that the tall, thin man in the long coat was talking.

"Where have I heard that voice before, but who does he mean?" Holmes looked out into the darkened street in amazement.

three

That night, instead of going home, I slept with Holmes.The next morning, while eating, the King of Bohemia rushed in.

"Did you really get the photo?"

"Not yet, but I'll get it in a while."

"Then act quickly."

So we went downstairs and drove to the Brioni mansion in a carriage.

"Airina? Adler married a man named Naton yesterday," Holmes said.

"But she couldn't possibly love him."

"I wish she loved him."

"why?"

"Because then there will be no trouble for His Majesty. If she loves her husband, then she doesn't love His Majesty, and she doesn't need to bother His Majesty."

So saying, we came to the Brioni mansion.The door was open, and a young woman stood on the steps.

She said to us: "You are Sherlock Holmes?"

"Yes, I am," replied Holmes, surprised.

"My mistress said you might come in the morning. She and her husband set off for the Continent early this morning."

"You mean that she is no longer in England?" asked Holmes, mixed with chagrin and surprise.

"Never come back."

"We want to have a look!" Holmes pushed aside the servant and ran into the drawing room, followed by the king and me.The house seemed to be searched hastily by the hostess before fleeing. Holmes rushed to the place where the bell was pulled, opened a small door, reached in and took out a photograph and a letter.Is this a picture of Ai Renna in an evening gown?Adler's single photo.It was written on the envelope: "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I receive it." Holmes opened the letter, and the three of us read it together. The letter was written last night.The letter reads:

Dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes:

You really did a great job.I had no doubts before the fire alarm, and I was completely fooled by you.But later, when I found out that my secret was completely exposed, I started to think about it.Some months ago I was warned against you, that if the king wanted to hire spies it would be you.They also gave me your address, and even so, you're letting me out of a secret you want to know.Even when my doubts arose, I still felt skeptical that such an elderly, affable clergyman could have any malice.I'm familiar with men's attire, and I've often dressed as a man for the sake of mobility.I sent John, the coachman, to watch you, and ran upstairs, changed into my walking clothes (that's what I call it), and came downstairs just as you were leaving.

I followed you to your door, and thus confirmed the fact that I had indeed been the object of interest of the famous Mr. Sherlock Holmes.I take the liberty of wishing you good night, and then I set out to meet my husband at the Inner Temple.

We both thought that the best way to get out of being targeted by such a fearsome opponent was to run away.So when you come tomorrow, the nest will be empty.As for that picture, your client can rest easy knowing that I am in love with someone much better than he, who is also deeply in love with me.The king can do as he pleases without scruple, and will not be hindered by those he has seriously injured.I'm still going to keep that photo, just for self-preservation, as a permanent protective weapon against whatever he might do to hurt me in the future.I left him a photo, maybe he would like to keep it.With regards to you, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Sincerely, Erenna Adler

"What a woman!—a respectable woman!" cried the King of Bohemia when the three of us had read the letter. "Didn't I tell you how clever and decisive she was? Didn't I tell you Could she be a remarkable queen? Wouldn't it be a pity that she wasn't of my class!"

"The mental outlook of this lady is indeed quite different from that of Your Majesty." Holmes said coldly. "I regret that I could not handle the matter entrusted by Your Majesty more beautifully."

"On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King, "there could be no better end. She kept her word. I know that well. Now the picture is as good as a burnt one. "

"I am glad to hear His Majesty say that."

"I can't thank you enough. Please tell me how I can repay you. This ring..." He took an emerald serpent ring from his finger, and handed it to Holmes in the palm of his hand.

"Your Majesty has something which I consider even more precious than this," said Holmes.

"You just say it."

"this picture."

King Joan looked at him in astonishment.

"Ai Renna's picture!" he yelled, "Of course you can, as long as you want it."

"Thank you Your Majesty. Then this matter is over. We bid you farewell now." He bowed and turned away with me, ignoring the king's extended hand.

This is how a scandal threatens the King of Bohemia, and Holmes' well-thought-out plans are thwarted by a lady's ingenuity.He had always been sneering at women's intelligence, but he hadn't heard such sarcasm since.Whenever he mentioned Elena Adler or the photograph, he always referred to her as "the lady."

(End of this chapter)