The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 14 Research on Scarlet Characters (13)
"She married Little Drebber yesterday. Stand still, now, stand still. Hey, why are you out of your wits?"

"Leave me alone," Hope said weakly, his lips turned white, and he slumped down on the rock he was leaning on just now. "You said you're married?"

"Married yesterday, and those banners over the house are for that. Little Drebber and little Stangerson had some quarrels about who should marry her. They both joined in after you." Stangerson also shot her father, so he had more reason to claim her. However, when they argued at the Council of the Four Saints, because Drebber's faction was powerful, the prophet sent Lu Qian handed it over to Drebber. But no matter who owns her, it won't last long. Because yesterday I saw her with a dead face, she still looks like a woman, she is like a ghost. Are you leaving? "

"Yes, I'm going," said Jefferson Hope, who had risen to his feet.His face was as hard as marble, stern and resolute, with a fierce gleam in his eyes.

"Where are you going?"

"Don't worry about it," he replied, picking up his weapon and striding down the valley, and from there to the place where the wild beasts haunted deep in the mountains.Among the beasts, none was more ferocious and dangerous than Hope.

This Mormon prophecy was fulfilled.Whether it was the tragic death of her father, or the resentment she had been forced into, poor Lucy was so sluggish and lifeless that she died within a month.Her rascal husband had married her chiefly for John Ferrier's fortune.Therefore, he did not feel much sorrow at her death, but some of his relatives expressed their condolences to her, and in accordance with the Mormon custom, kept a vigil for her all night before the burial.In the early morning of the next day, when they were sitting around the coffin, the door of the room suddenly opened, and a man in ragged clothes, rough face and weather-beaten came in.Everyone was terrified, too frightened to speak.The man did not glance at or pay any attention to the huddled women, but walked toward the pale, quiet corpse that once contained the pure soul of Lucy Ferrier.He bent down and kissed reverently on her cold forehead.Then he took her hand again, and took the wedding ring from her finger.He screamed, "She must not be buried wearing this!" Before the people could cry out, he flew down the stairs and disappeared in a blink of an eye.It happened so suddenly and so strangely that even the watchmen themselves would have found it hard to believe it if it hadn't been for the undeniable fact that the golden ring that was the symbol of the bride had disappeared from Lucy's finger. , let alone convince others.

Jefferson Hope wandered the mountains for months, leading a primitive, inhuman life, with vengeance always on his mind.At this time, there was a popular legend in the city, saying that there was a strange person who haunted the deep mountains and ravines, and he lingered outside the city without leaving.Once a bullet whizzed through Stangerson's window and hit the wall not a foot from him.Another time, when Drebber passed under the cliff, a huge boulder fell from his head, and he quickly fell down on the ground to escape the disaster.The two young Mormons soon understood the reason for the attempted murder.So they led a large group of people and went into the deep mountains again and again, intending to catch their enemy or kill him.However, they always failed to succeed.So they took a cautious approach, never going out alone, and staying at home as soon as it got dark every day.At the same time, they sent people to guard their residences.After a while they felt that their guard could be let down a little, as no news of their enemy had been heard, nor was he seen again, and they hoped that, in time, the desire for vengeance might fade away. Cool down.

But things are by no means like this, on the contrary, this desire for revenge has actually increased.Hope had always had a firm and indomitable spirit, and no other emotion occupied his heart except sleep and food and revenge.Besides, he is a very practical person.Before long, he realized that although his physique was very strong, he could not bear this kind of excessive work.Being exposed to the wind and the sun, and unable to eat decent food, his physical strength will be greatly depleted.If he died in the mountains like a wild dog, how would the plan of revenge be accomplished?In the long run, this is bound to be the result.If this is the case, isn't it just in line with the enemy's wishes?So he reluctantly returned to his former mines in Nevada, where he recuperated and accumulated enough money to continue his pursuit of his enemies without starving.

He originally planned to leave for a year at most and come back, but various unexpected circumstances prevented him from getting out, and it dragged on for five years.Although five years have passed, today, five years later, the heart-wrenching pain of the past is still fresh in my memory, and my firm determination to revenge is just like that unforgettable night when he stood at the grave of John Ferrier As urgent as ever.He disguised himself, changed his name, and returned to Salt Lake City.He only wants justice to be done, and he has already disregarded his own life and death.After he arrived in Salt Lake City, he realized that the situation was not optimistic.A few months before there had been a schism among the Mormons, in which the younger wing of the church had united against the rule of the elders, and a considerable number of disaffected ones had left the church.They left Utah and became pagans.Among them were Drebber and Stangerson, whose whereabouts are unknown.It is said that Drebber had already managed to sell most of his property, so that when he left he was a millionaire.And his companion Stangerson, compared with him, was quite poor.However, there is no clue as to where they are now.

In such a difficult situation, no matter how urgent the desire for revenge is, ordinary people will inevitably become discouraged and give up their plans for revenge.Jefferson Hope, however, was unwavering.He set off with what little money he had, and searched city after city for his nemesis across the United States.When he has no money, he just finds a job to make ends meet.Years passed, and his black hair became grizzled, but he chose to continue wandering, like a sharp hound who refuses to stop in the crowd.His whole being was devoted to this great cause of vengeance, to which he had devoted his life.Sure enough, the sky pays off.However, he only saw the face of the enemy from the window.But all this told him.The two enemies he was tracking were in Cleveland, Ohio.He returned to his dilapidated lodgings, and got everything ready in accordance with his plan of vengeance.But, as it happened, Drebber also recognized the homeless man on the street from the window that day, and also saw the murderous intent in his eyes.He therefore hastened to a justice of the peace, accompanied by Stangerson (who was already Drebber's private secretary), and reported to him that their lives were now in danger through the envy of an old rival. among.That night Jefferson Hope was arrested.Because he could not find a surety, he was imprisoned for several weeks.When he was released, he found that the enemy's residence was already empty, and Drebber and his secretary had already left for Europe.

This time, Hope's revenge plan failed again.However, the hatred in his heart inspired him again, asking him to continue to track down.However, due to lack of travel expenses, he had to work for a period of time, saving every dollar for future operations.Finally, when he had saved enough money to meet his daily expenses, he set out for Europe.City after city he searched for his enemy all over Europe.After the money ran out, he did any lowly job, but he never caught up with the two desperadoes.By the time he arrived in St. Petersburg, they had left for Paris.And when he arrived in Paris again, he heard that they had just left for Copenhagen.When he arrived in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, he was a few days late. They had traveled to London a few days ago.And he finally killed them all in London.As to what happened afterwards in London, we may do well to quote the old hunter's own account, as well recorded in Dr. Watson's diary.We have read this story before.

Thirteen Watson's Memoirs
Our criminal's frenzied malicious resistance was evidently not aimed at each of us, for he smiled mildly when he realized that he was helpless, and expressed the hope that in his struggle he had not hurt any of us.He said to Holmes: "I think you are going to take me to the police station. My carriage is just outside the door. If you let go of my legs, I can go down and get into the carriage. I am not like I used to be." It's so easy to lift up that way."

Grayson and Lestrade exchanged glances, as if they thought this request was too bold.Holmes, however, at once accepted the criminal's request, and untied the towels which we bound his ankles.He stood up and stretched his legs, as if to prove that they were indeed free again.I can remember now, looking at him, thinking to myself, I have seldom seen a taller and stronger man.The resolute and energetic look on his weather-beaten, dark face was as surprising and undeniable as his physical strength.

He looked at my companion and said with genuine admiration: "If there were a vacancy for the post of Chief of Police, I think you are the most suitable person. You have indeed been very careful in the way I have investigated my case. "

"You had better come with me," said Holmes to the two detectives.

"I'll drive you," said Lestrade.

"Okay, then Gregson can get in the car with us. And you, doctor. You've taken an interest in this case. You'd better come with us."

I readily agreed, and we went downstairs together.Our criminal, making no attempt to escape, quietly got into his carriage, and we followed.Lestrade took the driver's seat, whipped the horse, and soon brought us to our destination.We were ushered into a cabin where an officer took down the names of our convict and the two people he was accused of killing.The police officer was a pale, phlegmatic man who performed his duties mechanically and mechanically.He said: "The prisoner will be brought before the court within this week. Mr. Jefferson Hope, do you have anything to say before the trial? But I must tell you beforehand that everything you say will be recorded, and may be used as a basis for conviction."

Our criminal said slowly: "Gentlemen, I have much to say, and I would like to tell you the whole thing."

"Wouldn't it be better for you to wait until the interrogation?" the officer asked.

He replied, "I may never be interrogated. Don't be surprised. I'm not trying to kill myself. Are you a doctor?" Come and look at me.

I said, "Yes, I'm a doctor."

"Put your hand here, then, please," he said with a smile, touching his chest with his handcuffed fingers.

I pressed his chest with my hand, and immediately felt an unusual throbbing inside.There was a slight vibration in his chest, as if a powerful machine had been activated in a weak building.In the quiet room, I could hear a slight rumble in his chest.

I shouted: "Why, you have aneurysm!"

He said calmly: "That's what they say. Last week, I saw a doctor, and he told me that the blood tumor will burst in a few days. This disease has been going on for many years, and it is getting worse every year. It's been a bad year. This disease is caused by my overwork and lack of food in the mountains of Salt Lake City. Now that I have completed my mission, I don't care when I die However, I would like to explain this matter clearly before I die, so that there will be a record after my death. I don’t want others to regard me as an ordinary murderer after my death.”

There was a hasty discussion between the inspector and the two detectives as to whether it would be proper to allow him to tell his story.

"Do you think, Doctor, that there is any real danger of a sudden change in his condition?" asked the officer.

I replied, "Indeed."

The police officer then said: "If this is the case, in order to maintain the law, then our duty is first to obtain his confession. Sir, you are now free to confess. However, I tell you again, what you confess is all to be recorded."

"Please allow me to sit down and talk." The prisoner sat down very rudely as he spoke, "This blood tumor of mine makes me feel tired easily, and besides, we only had a fight half an hour ago. Fan, this will never make me better. I am already half in the dirt, so I will not lie to you. Everything I say is absolutely true .As for how you plan to deal with me, this is irrelevant to me."

When Jefferson Hope had finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair and began the following astonishing confession.He narrated with a deliberate and methodical manner, as if the things he said were quite ordinary.I can vouch for the correctness of these supplementary statements, which I have surreptitiously transcribed from Lestrade's notebook.In his notebook, he recorded the criminal's confession word for word according to his original statement.

He said: "It doesn't matter to you why I hate these two people. They committed crimes, they committed crimes, and killed two people-a father and a daughter, so they paid their The cost of their lives is well deserved. It is too long since they committed crimes, and it is impossible for me to present any evidence of guilt and bring them to any court. However, I know they are guilty, so I made up my mind to I alone do the work of judge, jury, and executioner. If you were men, if you stood in my place, you would do the same.

"The girl I mentioned just now was going to marry me 20 years ago, but she was forced to marry this Drebber, so that she died of hatred. I took the wedding ring from the finger of her body The ring was taken off, and I swore at that time that I would let Drebber die looking at the ring. I would make him die knowing that he was punished for his own crimes I have traveled thousands of miles across two continents, tracking Drebber and his accomplices, and the ring followed me till I overtook them. They tried to wear me down by running here and there, but It was in vain for them. Even if I were to die tomorrow--which is very likely, and before I die, I know very well that my work in this world has been done, and it has been done admirably. Both of them Everyone is dead, and I have killed them all with my own hands. Besides, I have no other hopes and demands.

"They were rich, and I was a poor man. So it was not easy for me to chase them around. When I came to the City of London, I was almost broke. At that time I found that I had to get a job to support me. Driving a cart and riding a horse was as common to me as walking. So I went to a carriage factory to get a job and was immediately successful. Every week I have to pay a certain amount of rent to the owner of the car, and the rest is my own. However, the remaining money is not much, but I can always manage to make ends meet. The most difficult thing for me is not knowing the road I think that of all cities with complicated roads, there is no more complicated and difficult to read than the streets of the City of London. So I kept a map with me, and until I got acquainted with the big hotels and the main stations, my Only then can the work go smoothly.

"It was a long time before I found out where the two gentlemen lived. I asked around until at last I stumbled upon them. They lived in a flat in Camberwell, just across the Thames. As long as I I found them, and I knew they were within my reach. I had grown a beard, and they couldn't recognize me. I followed them closely, waiting for my chance. I made up my mind that this time it would never Let them escape again.

"Nevertheless, they nearly slipped away again. I followed them wherever they went in London. Sometimes I followed them in a carriage, sometimes on foot. But it was best to follow them in a carriage. Because then they can't get rid of me. Only in the early morning or late at night can I do some business and make some money, but then I can't pay the rent to the owner in time. But as long as I can kill Enemy, I don't care about anything else.

(End of this chapter)