Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 1

Chapter 64 Adventure History 24
"'I suppose you can't whistle in your sleep?'

"'Of course not, why do you ask that question?'

"'Because in the late nights of the past few days, around three o'clock in the morning, I can always hear a soft but very clear whistle. I am a restless sleeper, so I am often woken up. But I couldn't tell where the sound was coming from. It might have come from the next room, or it might have come from the lawn. That's what I thought, so I wanted to ask you if you heard it too."

"'No, I never heard it, it must be the whistle of the gypsies on the plantation.'

"'Very likely. But if it came from the lawn, why didn't you hear it?'

"'Ah, well, I'm usually a heavier sleeper than you.'

"'Well, it doesn't matter much.' She turned her head and smiled at me, and then closed the door for me. After a while, there was the sound of her key turning in the lock. "

"What?" said Holmes. "Is it your habit to lock yourself up at night?"

"Yes."

"why?"

"I told you that my stepfather had a cheetah and a baboon. They were running freely on his property and we didn't feel safe if the gates weren't locked by these beasts."

"I see, please continue."

"I couldn't sleep that night. A vague sense of impending doom haunted me. My sister and my son were twin sisters, and how delicate the bond was that united these two flesh and blood. On that stormy night, suddenly ,Among the noise of the wind and rain, a woman screamed in terror, and I recognized that it was my sister. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the aisle. Just as I opened the door, I seemed to hear a cry There was a soft whistle, and after a short pause, I heard another clang, as if a piece of metal fell to the ground. Just as I ran to the aisle, I found that the door lock of my sister's room had been unlocked. At that time, the door was moving slowly. I was petrified, I didn't know that something would come out of the door, and by the light in the corridor, I saw my sister appearing at the door, groping for help with both hands, The whole body wobbled.

She was pale and her limbs were twitching, and I ran up to her and put my arms around her.She fell to the ground.At first I thought she didn't recognize me, but just as I leaned over to hug her, she suddenly let out a miserable cry that I will never forget in my life.She cried: 'Oh, Helen!God!It's that strap!That speckled tape! ' She seemed to want to say something, but she didn't finish her words, pointing to the doctor's room.When the convulsions reappeared, he was speechless.I hurried to my stepfather's room, calling out for my stepfather, who was hurrying over from the room in his pajamas.When he rushed to my sister, my sister was already unconscious.She was given brandy, and a doctor was called, but all efforts were in vain.She was dying, and she never woke up before she died.This is the tragic end of my sister. "

"Wait a moment," said Holmes. "Are you sure you heard the whistle and the clanging of the metal objects? Can you guarantee that?"

"I was asked that during the county coroner's inquest. I did hear it, and it made a huge impression on me. But in the sound of the storm and the creaking of the old house, it might be wrong."

"Excuse me, was your sister wearing daytime clothes?"

"No, she was wearing pajamas. A charred matchstick was found in her right hand and a matchbox in her left."

"So it is important that she struck a match and looked around at the time of the sound. What did the coroner conclude?"

"They investigated the case with the utmost seriousness. Dr. Roylott's character was notorious, but no convincing cause of death could be found. I can attest that the door was always locked by the interior lock. and the windows, too, were shut by old-fashioned shutters with wide iron bars, and were closed tightly every night. The walls were carefully knocked and found to be solid on all sides, and the floors were thoroughly inspected, and the result was the same. The chimney, though broad, was fastened with four large shackles. So it is certain that my sister was the only one in the room when the misfortune happened to her. Besides, no signs of violence were found on her. trace."

"Is it poison?"

"Doctors also checked, but found nothing."

"Then what, in your opinion, caused your sister's death?"

"While at the moment I cannot imagine what frightened her, I believe that what killed her was pure fear and shock."

"Was there any gypsies on the plantation then?"

"Have."

"Ah, what do you infer from her mention of the speckled tape?"

"Sometimes I think it's insane nonsense, and other times I think it might refer to a certain group of people. Maybe the gypsies on the plantation. Many of them wear turbans with ideas on their heads, and I Don't know if that refers to the adjective she used."

Holmes shook his head.

"There must be much more to this," he said. "Go on."

"Two years have passed, and my life is lonelier than ever. But, just a month ago, I was proposed to by a close friend, Armitage, of Cranlot Armitage The second son. My stepfather has not expressed any objection to my marriage, and we decided to marry in the spring. Two days ago, the west wing of the old mansion was going to be repaired, so some holes were drilled in the wall of my bedroom, so I had to move. to live in the same room as my sister's, and to sleep in her bed. Lying in bed with my eyes open last night, I recalled her dreadful experience. Suddenly, I heard the voice that had foretold The whistle of her death, you can imagine how frightened I was! I jumped up and lit the lamp, but found nothing in the room. But I was really scared and never went to bed again So I put on my clothes, came out at daybreak, and drove to Leatherhead, and thence came to you. The sole purpose of my trip was to visit you and ask you for advice."

"You're really smart to do that," said my friend, "but have you told the truth?"

"Yes, all."

"Miss Roylott, you did not report the truth to me. You are favoring your stepfather."

"what do you mean?"

In answer, Holmes pulled up the hem of the cuff which covered the lady's hand on her knee.On her wrist, there were five small black and blue scars, which were the marks of a thumb and four fingers.

"You have been ill-treated," said Holmes.

The lady blushed and hurriedly covered the injured wrist and said, "He is a very strong man."

There was a moment's silence, and then Holmes said: "This is a very complicated case, and there are therefore many details which I would like to know before I can decide what steps to take, but we are too late. Suppose we go to Storr today. Lan, can you check these rooms without your stepfather knowing?"

"Fortunately, he said he was going into town today on some important business. It's likely that he'll be out all day so he won't be in your way. Now we have a housekeeper, but she Already old, I can easily send her away."

"Very well, Watson, why don't we take a walk together?"

"Okay, do you have anything to do yourself?"

"Now that we're in town, there's a little thing or two I'd like to attend to, but I'll be there in time for you."

"You can wait for us shortly after noon, I have some little things to sort out."

"I have to go. I really look forward to seeing you again in the afternoon." She pulled the thick veil over her face and exited the room.

"How do you feel about all this, Watson?" asked Holmes.

"In my opinion, this is a very insidious conspiracy."

"Indeed."

"But if, as the lady claims, no damage has been done to the floors and walls, and as the doors, windows and chimney cannot be penetrated, there is no doubt that her sister died alone in the house."

"But what happened to the whistle in the middle of the night? And what about the strange words that the woman said when she was dying?"

"I can't figure it out."

"The whistle in the middle of the night; the appearance of a gang of gypsies who were very close to the old doctor; we have reason to believe that the doctor was trying to prevent his step-daughter from marrying; that dying remark about the belt; and finally Stoner The clang of metal Missy heard (although that might have been caused by a metal rod that fastened the shutter falling back into place). When you consider all these clues together, I have good reason to think: If we follow these clues, we will be able to solve this mystery."

"But what did those gypsies do?"

"I can't imagine just yet."

"But I think there are many holes in any reasoning of this sort."

"I think so too. That's why we're going to Storland today. I mainly want to see whether these defects are irreparable or explainable. But how is this all?" What's going on?"

This sudden cry from Holmes was due to the sudden entry of our door.There was a big man standing at the door.He was dressed strangely: a top hat on his head, a long coat on his body, a pair of high boots with gaiters on his feet, and he was waving a hunting whip in his hand.He was so huge that he nearly blocked both sides of the door.Look at me for a while, and Holmes for a while.His deep-set eyes and tall, slender, aquiline nose made him look even more like a bird of prey.

"Which of you is Sherlock Holmes?" asked the monster.

"I am, sir. Who are you?" asked Holmes calmly.

"I am Dr Grimsby Roylott of Storland."

"Oh, doctor," said Holmes, "sit down, please."

"There's no need to come here. I know my stepdaughter has been here. I've already followed her. What did she say to you?"

"It is so cold at this time of year," said Holmes.

"What did she say to you?" growled the old man.

"But I've heard people say that the crocuses are blooming well this year," my partner said with a smile.

"Ha! You are prevaricating me," said the man, taking a long step forward, and waving his hunting whip. "I know you, you rascal! You are Sherlock Holmes, a meddlesome man."

Holmes smiled.

"Holmes, a meddlesome fellow!"

Holmes looked even more amused.

"Holmes, you pompous and pretentious officer of Scotland Yard!"

Holmes laughed. "That's a very funny thing to say," he said. "Please shut the door when you go out, because there's a draft."

"I'll leave after I finish speaking. How dare you interfere in our family's affairs. I know Miss Stoner has been here, and I'm not easy to mess with! Look at this." He took a few steps forward, grabbed Tongs, bend it with your big hand.

"Be careful, don't let me catch you," he growled, throwing the twisted poker by the fireplace, and went out of the room.

"He is such an amiable fellow," said Holmes, laughing. "I am not as big as he is, but I am by no means weaker than his." So saying, he picked up the pair of pokers and slammed them With a little effort, it straightened again.

(End of this chapter)