The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 111 The Return (26)
She said: "I had to finish. After I finished my sentence, I started trying to find the letters and diaries, because if the Russian government got these things, my friend would be released. I knew that my husband came to the UK. .After months of visits, I finally found out his address. I know he still keeps these diaries, because when I was still in Siberia, he wrote to me once and used my diaries when he reprimanded me I knew very well that, because of his vindictiveness, he would not voluntarily hand over the diary to me. I had to find a way to get it myself. Therefore, I hired a private detective and asked him to come to my husband's house Be a secretary--that is, your second secretary, Sergius. He left shortly after he arrived, he found the papers all locked in the small cabinet, and took samples of the keys. He was unwilling to do more , and handed me the floor plan of the house, and told me that the secretary lived upstairs, and there was no one in the study room in the morning. That's why I mustered up the greatest courage and came to pick up these things myself, even though I got them , But, what kind of price did you pay!

"I had just got the diary and letters, and was about to lock the cabinet, when a young man caught me. I met him on the road early that morning, and I asked him to tell me where Professor Columbe lived, but I didn't know He's Colum's assistant."

Holmes said: "It's like this. When the secretary came back, he told Columb what kind of woman he had met. Before dying, Willoughby wanted to explain that it was the woman he told the professor who killed him. "

The woman's face twitched, as if in great pain, and said in a commanding tone: "You let me finish. I stumbled out of the study when the young man fell, and came to my husband's room by the wrong door. He said To report on me. I warned him that if he does this, I will not let him go. If he turns me over to the police, I will tell our group about him. I am not trying to save my own life, but to achieve My purpose. He knows I'm a man of one word and his own fate is intertwined with mine, and that's why he's covering me. He's shoving me into that dark corner - only he knows this Secret. He asked the servants to bring food to the house and give me some. We agreed that as soon as the police left the house, I would sneak away in the dark and never return. But you saw through our plan. These are my last words before my death."

She took out a small package from her breast and said to Holmes: "This small package can save Alexei. Sir, out of your honor and justice, I entrust this package to you, please forward it to the Russian embassy." .I have done my duty and..."

"Stop her!" cried Holmes suddenly, leaping across the room and snatching a phial from her hand.

She threw herself on the bed and said, "It's too late! It's too late! When I came out... I took medicine. I'm dizzy. I'm dying! Sir, I beg you... don't forget... that little ……pack."

As we drove back to the city, Holmes said: "The case is very simple, but it is also very thought-provoking. From the beginning, the problem revolved around the pince-nez. Although the young man was lucky to catch the glasses before his death, I was still in the dark." Not sure if we'll be able to solve the problem. It's clear from the depth of the glasses that the wearer is so nearsighted that he can't do anything without them. Mr. Hopkins, when you make me believe she did walk Do you remember when I said that it was unusual and worth noting when I saw a small patch of grass instead of a deliberate fake? But actually I thought in my mind that it was totally impossible, unless she had a pair of glasses. So, I just Can seriously consider another hypothesis - that she stays in the house. As soon as I saw that the two passages were exactly alike, it occurred to me that she might well go the wrong way, so that she would go to the professor's room. I watched closely for everything that could Confirming the details of this hypothesis, I carefully inspected the room for possible hiding places. The carpet is in one piece and firmly nailed so that there is no escape route on the floor. There may be hiding places behind the bookcases. You You know, it's a common structure in old study rooms. I noticed that the floor was full of books here and there, but the bookcase was empty, so the bookcase might be a door. I can't find anything else to confirm it , but the carpet was dark brown, so I smoked a lot of those good cigarettes and sprinkled the ashes in front of the suspicious bookcase. It was a simple solution, but it worked. Then we went downstairs, and, I It has been made clear--you were there, Watson, and you did not understand the purpose of my conversation--that Professor Colum's increased appetite might easily lead one to think that he was feeding another person. Then, We went upstairs again, and I purposely knocked over the cigarette case so that I could examine the carpet clearly. From the ashes on the carpet, we could tell that she had come out of her hiding place since we left there. Hopkins, we have arrived at Chuck I congratulate you, Crossroads Lynn, on your successful case. You must be going to Police Headquarters. Watson and I are going to the Russian Embassy. Good-bye, my friend."

missing central defender

In Baker Street we used to receive telegrams of such extraordinary content that they should not have been worth mentioning.I was, however, very impressed by the one I received one gloomy February morning seven or eight years ago, and Mr. Sherlock Holmes was puzzled for a quarter of an hour after reading it.The telegram was addressed to him and read as follows:
Please wait for me.Very unfortunate.The right center back is missing.Need it tomorrow.

Overton

Holmes read it over and over again, and said: "Riverside postmark, dispatched at 36:[-]. Mr. Overton was evidently in a state of excitement when he sent the telegram, which is why the message was incoherent. I dare say that by the time I finish reading The Times, he will We'll be here, and we'll know all about it then." We were not very busy at that time, so we took on even the most insignificant cases.

I have learned from experience that a life of idleness is terrible, because my friend's mind is too active, and if there is nothing for him to think about, it is quite dangerous.As a result of my efforts, he has been off the stimulants for several years, as they once prevented him from pursuing a meaningful career.Now, under normal circumstances, Holmes need not rely on such artificial stimulants.However, I know very well that his disease has not been eradicated, but has been dormant, and it is very deep, and it will recur when he has nothing to do.At the time of the relapse, Holmes had sunken eyes, a gloomy complexion, and an inscrutable look.So, whoever Overton may be, I thank him for the riddle he has brought, for calm days are far more painful to my friend than storms.

As we expected, shortly after the telegram was received, the sender visited the door himself.His business card read: Cambridge University, Trinity College, West Sharp Overton.Walking in was a tall young man, weighing more than 200 pounds. His broad shoulders were as wide as the door of the house.

"Which is Mr. Sherlock Holmes?"

My friend nodded.

"I have been to Scotland Yard, Mr. Holmes, and I saw Inspector Hopkins. He suggested that I come to you. He said that it seemed to him that my case would be better handled by you, without the official detective."

"Please sit down and start over with your question!"

"It's a dreadful thing, Mr. Holmes, it's a dreadful thing! My hair is turning gray. Godfrey Staunton—you've heard that name? He's the soul of our team. I'd rather be at half-back." Only keep Staunton, not the other two players. Whether it is passing, dribbling, or stealing the ball, no one can match him. He is the core and can drive our team. What should I do? What to do? Mr. Holmes, I'm here to ask you what to do. Of course there is Morehouse on the bench. He plays in the forward position, but he always prefers to squeeze in for the ball instead of defending the touchline. His set-pieces Plays well, but he doesn't judge the situation and is not good at fighting. Oxford's two giants Moulton and Johnson may hang him hard. Stevenson is fast, but he will not be in the game. 25 yards off the ground. And a centre-half who cannot kick the ground or volley is not eligible for the game. If you do not help us find Godfrey Staunton, Mr. Holmes, We definitely lost to Oxford."

My friend listened to this with relish.The guest spoke quickly and sincerely, patting his knees with his strong arms as he spoke, trying to make every sentence fully understandable to the listener.As soon as the guest finished speaking, Holmes took out the volume with the letter "S".But he did not find any useful information from this volume of rich materials.

He said: "There was Arthur H. Staunton, a young counterfeiter who made a fortune. There was Henry Staunton, whom I assisted the police in hanging. But, Godfrey Staunton I've never heard of that name."

Our visitor was taken aback, and said: "Mr. Holmes, I thought you knew everything. If you haven't heard of Godfrey Staunton, you don't know of Cirevery Overton either. "

Holmes shook his head with a smile.

The athlete said: "Mr. Detective, my team is England's first team in the England-Wales game. I'm captain of the university team, but it doesn't matter if you don't know. I think in England Everyone knows Godfrey Staunton. He's the best centre-half, played at Cambridge, Blackheath and has played five internationals for the national team. Mr. Holmes, did you live in the UK? ?”

Holmes smiled at the innocent giant, and said: "Mr. Overton, your life is different from mine. You live in a happier and healthier atmosphere. I share almost all the same with people from all walks of life in society. Contact, but not yet contact with the sporting world, and amateur sport is the most meaningful and healthy activity in Britain. Your sudden visit shows that even in the most disciplined outdoor sports, I can Do something. Now, please sit down and tell us slowly, quietly, and exactly what happened and how you want me to help you."

Overton had the look of impatience on his face, the expression of a man who is used to using his body instead of his brain.He began to tell us this strange story bit by bit, and I deleted many repetitions and ambiguities in his account.

"The thing is, Mr. Holmes. As I have told you, I am the captain of the Cambridge rugby team, and Godfrey Staunton is the best player. To-morrow we play Oxford. We came here yesterday. , staying at the Bantley Hotel. At ten o'clock in the evening, I went to check the various rooms, and all the players had a rest, because I believe that strict training and adequate sleep can keep the team in a good competitive state. I saw Staunton His face was pale and he seemed to be very preoccupied. I asked him what was the matter, and he said nothing, just a little headache. I said good night to him and left. Half an hour later, the hotel clerk told me that there was a man with a long hair A man with a beard and modest attire was calling for Gauffly with a letter. Gauffly had gone to bed, so the steward delivered the letter to his room. Who knew he had read the letter, and collapsed on a chair, It looked as if someone had hacked it with an ax. The waiter was surprised and wanted to go to me. Gauffly stopped him, and he took a drink of water to cheer himself up. Then he went downstairs and said something to the person waiting in the gate. In a word, the two walked out together. The last thing the waiter saw was the two of them running on the street towards the river beach. This morning, Godfrey's room was empty, no one had slept, and his things were a little Unmoved, still like what I saw last night. The stranger came to him, he immediately went with the person, never heard from again, I don't think he will come back. Godfrey is a real athlete, he loves Sport, unless he gets hit hard by something, he will never quit the game, never cheat on his team leader. I don't think he will ever come back, we will never see him again."

Holmes listened with interest to his account of the curious incident.

"Have you taken any measures?" he asked.

"I telegraphed Cambridge University asking if they had heard from him. The answer was that no one had seen him."

"Can he go back to Cambridge?"

"Yes, there is a night train at a quarter past eleven."

"But, according to your judgment, he did not take this train?"

"Yes, no one saw him."

"and after?"

"I telegraphed again to Sir Mount James."

"Why did you send it to him?"

"Goffley was an orphan, and Monte James was his next of kin—his uncle, presumably."

"It might help. Sir Mount James is one of the richest men in England."

"I heard Godfrey say that."

"Goffley is his next of kin?"

"Yes, Godfrey is his heir. The old lord is nearly eighty years old, and he's very rheumatoid, and people say he might be dying. He never gave Godfrey a shilling, he's a real miser, but Sooner or later the property will go to Gauffly."

"Any news from Sir Mount James?"

"No."

"If Godfrey went to Sir Mount James's, what was it for?"

"There was an incident last night that disturbed Godfrey. If it had anything to do with money, it might have been that Jazz was going to give him an inheritance. Jazz has a lot of money. Of course, as far as I know, the possibility of Godfrey getting this money is very small. Godfrey doesn't like the old man. He says he can't go to Sir's, and he'll try not to."

"We may now assume, then, that if your friend Gauffly was going to his kinsman, Sir Mount James, you could explain why the modestly dressed man came so late, and why his presence made Goff Leigh is anxious. Is this hypothesis valid?"

"I can't explain it," said Cirley Overton, puzzled.

"Very well," said Holmes. "The weather is fine today, and I would like to investigate the matter. I suggest that whatever the young man's condition may be, you should prepare yourself for the race, and that his sudden departure, as you say, must be a matter of course." There is something very important, and it is this which has kept him from coming back. Let us walk together to the hotel and see if the waiter can provide us with any further information."

Sherlock Holmes is so persuasive that the client's mood quickly calmed down.After a while, we arrived at the hotel and went into the single room where Staunton had lived.Here Holmes inquired everything the waiter knew.The guest on the first night was neither a gentleman nor a servant, but a "badly dressed fellow," as the waiter called it, about fifty, with a thin beard, pale face, and modest attire.He seemed very excited, and the hand holding the letter was shaking constantly.The waiter saw Godfrey Staunton pocket the letter.Staunton didn't shake the man's hand in the hall.They exchanged a few words, and the waiter only heard the word "time".Then they hurried out.The wall clock in the lobby was exactly 50:10 at that time.

Holmes sat down on Staunton's bed and said: "I suppose you are on the day shift, are you not?"

"Yes, sir, I get off work at eleven."

"Didn't the night attendant see anything?"

"No, sir. Only the theatergoers came back later. There was no one else."

"Were you on duty all day yesterday?"

"Yes, sir."

"Any mail or something for Mr. Staunton?"

"Yes, sir, there is a telegram."

"Ah, that's important. When?"

"About six o'clock."

"Where did Staunton get the telegram?"

"It's in this room."

"Were you there when he opened the telegram?"

"Yes, I'm with him. I'll wait to see if he calls back."

"So, did he call back?"

"Yes, sir, he called back."

"Did you call back?"

"He went by himself."

"But, did he call back in your presence?"

"Yes, sir. I was standing by the door, and he turned away and wrote on the table. When he was done, he said to me: 'All right, waiter. I'll send it myself.'"

"What pen did he write with?"

"Pencil, sir."

"Did you use the telegram on this table?"

"Yes, it was written on the original top sheet."

Holmes stood up, took the telegram which now lay on it, and went to the window to examine it carefully for traces.

"Unfortunately," he said, "he didn't write with a pencil." Then he put down the telegram, shrugged his shoulders in disappointment, and said, "You must have thought, Watson, that the writing would seep through to the second sheet of paper." On—how many good marriages have been ruined by this little trick. But I see no trace on this paper. There it is! I see he wrote it with a thick-pointed quill, so that we may Will find some marks on the blotter. Ha, you see, all right!"

He tore off a piece of blotting paper and showed us the writing on it.The handwriting is as follows:

Xi Ruili shouted excitedly: "Look with a magnifying glass!"

"No need," said Holmes, "the paper is very thin, and you can see what is written on the reverse." He turned the blotter over, and we read:


(Translated as: For God's sake support us!)

(End of this chapter)