The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 190 New Detective Case (12)
"I've been wondering what this guy is trying to tell us with such a load of lies. I almost blurted out asking him that - because sometimes it's best to go straight to the point - but I took another tactic and got him Thinks we've been fooled. A man comes along in a frayed English jacket and English trousers that aren't straight at all that's at least a year old, and says in letters and in his own mouth that he's An American who has just arrived in the UK. He has never been advertised on the missing person column. That place is a hideout for frightened birds, and it is also the column I pay most attention to. Have I even ignored such a pheasant? I have never Know there's some Dr. Starr in Topeka. Flaws all over the place. I think he's really an American, but he hasn't changed his accent in London for years. So what the hell is he up to, pretending to be looking for Garrideb? What is the motive? This is worth our attention because, if he is a villain, he is also a complex and scheming guy. Now we need to find out, is the other one also a fake? Give him a call, Watson."

I hung up, and a thin, trembling voice said: "Yes, I am Mr. Nathan Garrideb. Is Mr. Holmes in? I would like to have a word with him."

My friend picked up the phone and I listened to his staccato conversation as usual.

"Yes, he's been here. I know you don't know him... How long?... Only two days!... Of course, it's a very fascinating thing. Are you home tonight? Your namesake Won't be at your house to-night?... Then we'll come, I hope not in his presence.... Dr. Watson will come with me... I hear you're reclusive... Well, we'll be at six in the evening Be at your house around [-]:[-]. You don't have to tell the American lawyer about this... well, goodbye."

It was a lovely evening in late spring, and even the narrow Ryde Street was golden and charming in the slanting light of the evening glow.The street was only a small branch of the Edgeworth Road, a few steps from the ominous Tyburn that we remember.The house we visited was an old and spacious early Georgian building with a blue brick front and only two bay windows on the first floor.Our client lived on the first floor, and these two windows were in front of the large room where he spent his daytime activities.Holmes pointed to the small bronze plate on which the strange surname was engraved.

"It's been around for years," he said, pointing to the faded surface. "At least it's his real last name, and that's something worth noting."

The house has a common staircase, and the foyer is marked with the names of some of the occupants, some as offices and some as private quarters.This is not a complete residential building, but a residence for bachelors with irregular lives.

After ringing the doorbell, our client came out to answer the door himself. He apologized and said that the female part-time worker left work at [-]:[-] pm.Mr. Nathan Garrideb was a tall, flabby, slightly arched man, thin and balding, in his early sixties.His face was as pale as a corpse, his skin was dark and bloodless, and it could be seen that he was a person who lacked exercise.He wears big, round glasses and a goatee, giving the impression that he's naturally curious and prying.Although the appearance is a bit eccentric, but generally quite kind.

The house is as eccentric as its owner, like a small museum.The room was deep and wide, filled with all kinds of cabinets, which were filled with specimens of geology and anatomy.Boxes for butterflies and moths are lined up on either side of the door.A large table in the middle of the room is full of miscellaneous objects, and a large copper microscope stands high in the center.Looking around, I was struck by the breadth of this man's interests.Here is a box of ancient coins, and there is a cabinet of ancient stone tools.Behind the table in the middle of the room is a large shelf of ancient fossils, on which is displayed a row of plaster skulls, inscribed with "Neanderthal", "Heidelbergian", "Cromanian man" and so on.The man was clearly a lover of many disciplines.At this time, he was standing in front of us, holding a piece of lambskin in his hand and polishing an ancient coin.

"Syracuse coins -- of the prime period," he explained, holding up the coins, "and much degraded in the late period. I think they are the best coins of their prime, though some prefer the Alexandrian coins. Here is a chair, Mr. Holmes. Permit me to remove the bones. This gentleman—yes, Dr. Watson—will you remove that Japanese vase. You see, it is all my little hobby. My doctor always says I don't get out, but why should I when there's so much I'm attracted to? I dare say it would take me a full three weeks to put together a decent catalog of the contents of a cupboard. months."

Holmes looked about curiously.

"You told me you never went out?" he asked.

"Sometimes I ride to Sarsby's or Christie's. Otherwise I seldom go out. I'm not in good health, and my studies take up a lot of time. But you can imagine, Mr. Holmes, when What a surprise it was to me when I heard about this unbelievable good fortune. It was a thrill and a shock. Just another Garrideb and we'll find one. I had a brother , but deceased, and female relatives do not qualify. But there will always be others named Garrideb in the world. I heard you specialize in singular cases, so I brought you in. Of course, the American gentleman is right Yes, I should have asked for his opinion beforehand, and I actually meant well."

"I think you are extremely wise in doing so," said Holmes. "But do you really wish to inherit the American estate?"

"Of course not. Nothing is more important than my collection. But the American gentleman assured me that he would buy my estate as soon as it was done. Five million dollars was what he offered. There are currently There are more than ten kinds of specimens that are missing in my collection. If I have 500 million US dollars, I can buy them all. In this way, my place will become the museum with the most complete varieties in the whole of Britain, and I can become a contemporary museum. Hans Sloane (the famous British collector, left more than 500 personal collections after his death in 7, according to his will, all collections were donated to the country.--Translator’s Note).”

His eyes shone brightly behind large glasses, and it looked like he would be desperate to find someone with the same surname.

"Our visit is only to meet and see, and there is no need to disturb your research," said Holmes. "I am used to having direct contact with my business clients. I have few questions to ask you, because you have written the situation clearly in my pocket." The letter is up, and the American gentleman's visit has added information. As far as I understand, you had no idea of ​​such a person before this week."

"Yes. He came to see me last Tuesday."

"Did he tell you about his meeting with me?"

"Yes, he came back to me immediately, he was very angry."

"why are you mad?"

"He seemed to think it was demeaning. But he's pretty happy to be back from you."

"Has he proposed any plan of action?"

"No."

"Has he ever asked or received money from you?"

"No, never!"

"Do you see that he might have any other purpose?"

"I can't see it, except for what he said."

"Did you tell him about our phone date?"

"I told him."

Holmes pondered.I could see his confusion.

"Is there anything particularly valuable in your collection?"

"No. I'm not a rich man. Nice collectible, but worthless."

"Aren't you afraid of being stolen?"

"I'm not afraid at all."

"How long have you lived in this house?"

"Almost five years."

Holmes' questioning was interrupted by a loud knock at the door.As soon as the client pulled the latch, the American jumped in excitedly.

"Here!" he cried, shaking a newspaper. "I thought I'd come to you in time. Mr. Nathan Garrideb, congratulations! You're rich, sir. Our business is satisfactorily concluded, and all All right. As for Mr. Holmes, all we can say to you is that I am very sorry to have troubled you."

As he spoke, he handed the newspaper to the client.The client stood there staring wide-eyed at the large print advertisement in the newspaper.Holmes and I, too, craned our necks and watched from behind him. It was written:
Howard Garrideb Farm Machinery Manufacturer
Business items: strapping machines, harvesters, steam plows and hand plows, seeders, scarifiers, agricultural carts, four-wheeled spring carriages and various equipment, contracted artesian well project

Contact Address: Aston, Grosswinner Building Area

"Excellent!" said the client excitedly, "Now there are three people together."

"I had an inquiry in Birmingham," said the American, "and my agent sent me this ad in a local paper. We need to act quickly to get this done. I have written to this man Tell him you will come to his office at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon to discuss."

"You want me to see him?"

"What do you think, Mr. Holmes? Don't you think it would be wiser to arrange it this way? I am a traveling American, and why should people believe me when I tell such a somewhat fanciful story? And you An Englishman with solid social connections, he will be more likely to believe your words. I was going to go with you, but I have a very important business tomorrow, so I have to trouble you. If something happens there Difficulties, I will always obey your call."

"But I haven't traveled this far for years."

"It's all right, Mr. Garrideb. I've settled for you. You start at twelve noon, arrive at two o'clock in the afternoon, and come back that evening. All you need to do is see this man, Explain the situation and make a legal affidavit to prove that there is such a person. My God!" He said very excitedly, "I came here from the middle of the United States all the way, and you have to travel such a small distance to get things done What's the point?"

"Yes," said Holmes, "this gentleman is quite right."

Mr. Nathan Garrideb shrugged resignedly and said, "Well, if you want me to, I will. Since you have brought such great promise into my life, it is very difficult for me to refuse your request."

"That is settled," said Holmes. "I beg you to report the situation to me as soon as possible."

"I must report to you," said the American. "Why, I must go. I will come tomorrow morning, Mr. Nathan, to see you on the Birmingham train. Will you go with me, Mr. Holmes? Good-bye, then." Come, hear our good news tomorrow night."

As the American left, I noticed that Holmes' expression became lighter, and the perplexity that had previously clouded his face was gone.

"Mr. Garrideb, I should like to see your collection," said he. "This room of yours is a treasure trove of all sorts of out-of-the-ordinary knowledge which may someday be of use to my profession. Opened my eyes."

Our client was very happy, his eyes sparkling behind his large spectacles.

"I've always heard you were a man of wit," he said, "and if you have time, I'll take you through it now."

"Unfortunately, I don't have time right now. But these specimens are all labeled and classified, so you don't need to explain them yourself. If I can spare time tomorrow, I think it's okay to read them again, right?"

"No problem, very welcome. To-morrow, of course, the door is closed, but Mrs. Sandel is in the basement until four o'clock in the afternoon, and she can let you in."

"Well, I happen to be free tomorrow afternoon, and if you can leave a message for Mrs. Sandel, it will be no problem. By the way, who is your real estate agent?"

The client was puzzled by this sudden question.

"Holloway Steele Brokers, Edgeworth Road. But why do you ask that?"

"I also have a bit of an archaeological taste for buildings," laughed Holmes. "I was just wondering whether this building belongs to the Anne Dynasty or the Georgian Dynasty."

"It must have been George."

"Yes. But I think the date is earlier. Never mind, it is easy to ask. Well, good-bye, Mr. Garrideb, and I wish you a successful trip to Birmingham."

The real estate agent worked nearby, but it was closed so we headed back to Baker Street.Holmes did not return to the subject until after dinner.

"Our little problem is over," he said, "and you have, of course, the solution in your head."

"I'm still scratching my head."

"The head is very clear, but the tail has to wait until tomorrow. Didn't you notice the special of the advertisement?"

"I noticed the spelling of the word 'plow' was wrong."

"Did you see that too? Watson, you have improved. That spelling is wrong in England, but it is correct in America. The typesetters did it according to the typesetting. And 'spring-seater carriage,' which is also America." Fuck. Artesian wells are much more common in the US than in the UK. Anyway, this is a typical American ad claiming to be a British company. Do you see anything wrong?"

"My conclusion can only be: the American advertised himself. As for his purpose, I cannot understand."

"That could be interpreted differently. At any rate, he was trying to get the old curio to Birmingham in the first place. There's no doubt about it. I was going to tell the old man not to make this trip, but on second thought." Let him go and make room. To-morrow, Watson, we shall see."

Holmes went out early next morning.When he came back at noon, I saw that his face was rather gloomy.

"This case is more serious than I had imagined. Watson," he said, "I should tell you the truth, although I know that you will take more risks after telling you. Of course I know you after all these years. I lost my temper. But I must tell you that this trip is quite dangerous."

"It is not the first time I have ventured with you, Holmes. I hope this will not be the last. Tell me, please, what are the specific dangers?"

"We have a difficult case. I have established that this American who claims to be attorney John Garrideb is in fact the notorious 'Murderer' Evans."

"'Murderer'? I don't quite get it."

"Of course, you may not have heard of the name, because you are a doctor by profession, but in the police world, the name is well known. I just visited an old friend at the police station, and I recorded it from his criminal file. The innocent, chubby face of the American gentleman was seen in the picture. 'James Winter, aka Moorcroft, nicknamed 'Evans the Killer', is the name on the picture." Holmes read from his pocket He took out an envelope and said, "I copied some points from his file. Age 44, originally from Chicago. It is said that he shot and killed three people in the United States and escaped from prison through people with political influence. [-] Arrived in London. Shot dead in January [-] over poker in a nightclub on Waterloo Road. Evans proved to have started the altercation. Dead was Roger Prescott, formerly known as Chicago Evans was released in [-], and has been under police surveillance since then, but without escapades. Evans is a dangerous man, always armed and prone to violence. You see, Watson, This is our opponent, it cannot be denied, it is a crazy opponent."

"But what is his purpose this time?"

"Going to figure it out. I just went to the real estate agent. They say our client has lived there for five years. The room hadn't been rented for a year before that. Before that, the tenant was a Mr. Unoccupied, Waldron, whose face the estate agent remembers well. He disappeared suddenly and was never heard from again. He was a tall, bearded, swarthy man. And Price Court, who was shot by Evans, was also, according to the police, a tall, bearded, swarthy man. Presumably the American criminal, Prescott, lived in our innocent friend In this room now serving as a museum. You see, there is a clue at last."

"What's next?"

"We're going to figure it out."

He took a pistol from a drawer and handed it to me.

"I've got my old old gun with me. We'll have to be on our guard at all times if our friend from the West goes by his nickname. You'll rest for an hour, and then we'll go to Ryder Street on business."

It was just four o'clock in the afternoon when we arrived at Nathan Garrideb's eccentric place.Mrs. Sandel, the caretaker, was just coming home, and as soon as we identified her, she let us in. The door was fitted with a latch, which Holmes had promised to leave behind.Then the door closed and she walked through the window with her hat on, and we knew we were the only ones upstairs.Holmes quickly inspected the scene.There is a cupboard in the corner, with a little gap from the wall.We hid behind our backs, and Holmes whispered to me: "The whole set of lies he has concocted is designed to lure this Mr. Garrideb out of the house. He schemingly made up this story. However, he is really smart, how could he make up such a big lie, it is really cunning."

"What is his purpose?"

"That's what we're looking for. As far as I can see, it's not really about our client. It's about the man he shot, who might have been his accomplice. Anyway, what's in this room A criminal secret. That's my opinion, and at first I thought our client might have in his collection something of value that he didn't know about. But the criminal Prescott lived in this room, so it's not so simple. Good. Come on, Watson, we just have to hold back our temper and wait for the changes."

(End of this chapter)