The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 202 New Detective Case (24)
"It is very simple, my dear Watson. Let us keep our eyes on the case. I must admit that the elopement case, which I thought to be ridiculously simple and unworthy of attention, is rapidly showing its unusual side. You The circumstances presented are worthy of careful study, but you, Watson, have also left out some important subjects of investigation."

"What did I overlook?"

"Don't feel bad, friend. You know I'm not referring to you alone. No one can do better than you, and some may not. But you've clearly overlooked some extremely important circumstances. Neighbors to Amber What do Leigh and his wife think? This is obviously important. What is Dr. Ernest? Will he be believed to be a dissolute womanizer? Watson, with your handsome appearance and extraordinary conversation, all Every woman in the world will be your helper and accomplice. What about the post office girl or the greengrocer's wife? If you could talk to the ladies in Blue Ankle, you'd be sure to get some solid information. But you haven't done any of this. .”

"It can still be done."

"It's been done. Thanks to the calls and help from the police station, I can often get basic information without leaving the room. In fact my intelligence confirms this man's account. Locals think he is a very mean, At the same time extremely rough and demanding husband. It is also the unmarried young Dr. Ernest, who comes to play chess with Amberley and maybe flirt with his wife. All these seem simple and easy. I thought it was easy to have an affair, so the elopement happened, and everyone thought it was nothing strange, it was a matter of course. However--however--"

"But you see it differently?"

"Perhaps it's just my imagination. Well, let it go, Watson. Let's go to the music and put this hard work aside for a while. Karina is singing at the Albert Hall tonight, and we still have time." Change clothes, eat, and then go listen to music."

The next morning, I got up on time, but some crumbs and two empty eggshells suggested that my partner was up earlier than I was.I saw a note from him on my desk.

Dear Watson:
I have one or two things to discuss with Amberley before we decide whether to proceed with the case.Please get ready before three o'clock in the afternoon, when I will need your help.

SH
I didn't see Holmes for most of the day, but he came back at the appointed time, his expression serious, silent and pensive.It's better not to disturb him at this time.

"Is Amberley here?"

"No."

"Ah, I'm waiting for him!"

He was not disappointed, and presently the old man arrived, with a very anxious, bewildered expression on his stern face.

"Mr. Holmes, I have received a telegram. I do not know what it means." He handed the letter, and Holmes read aloud with the telegram:
Please come now.Can provide information about the whereabouts of your recently stolen property.

Elman in the Vicarage
"This telegram is from little Parrington at ten past two o'clock in the afternoon," said Holmes. "Little Parrington is in Essex, not far from Frington, I believe. You should act at once. It is evidently a worthy one." Posted by a trusted person because he's the local priest. Where's my Who's Who? Ah, here it is: 'JC Elman, M.A., of Mosmore and Little Parrington Parish.' Check the train Time-table, Watson."

"There is a train from Liverpool Street at five-twenty in the afternoon."

"Very well, Watson, you had better go with him. He needs your help. We are thus approaching the most urgent moment in the case."

Our client, however, seems in no hurry to set off.

"This is absolutely absurd, Mr. Holmes," said he. "How does this man know what has happened? It will be a waste of time and money."

"He wouldn't have telegraphed you if he didn't know a little bit about the situation. Call back immediately and say you're going."

"I do not want to go."

Holmes grew stern.

"Mr. Amberley, if you refuse to pursue such an obvious lead, you will only be giving the worst impression on the police station and myself. We will not consider you to be serious about this investigation."

After saying this, our client immediately panicked.

"Well, since you see it that way, of course I'm going," he said. "On the face of it, it's impossible for this man to know anything, but if you think—"

"I think it is necessary," said Holmes, emphatically.

Before leaving, Holmes called me aside to give some instructions, which shows that he thinks this trip is of great importance. "Whatever happens, you must try to get him away," he said. "If he runs away or comes back, drop me a note at the nearest telephone exchange and simply say 'Run away.' Make arrangements, and no matter what, you must pass the message to me."

Little Parrington is on a branch line, and the traffic is inconvenient.This trip did not leave a good impression on me.The weather was hot, the train was slow, and my companion was sullenly silent, hardly saying a word except the occasional sarcasm about our unhelpful travel.At last we arrived at the little station, and drove another two miles in a carriage to the parsonage.We were received in his study by a tall, solemn, self-important clergyman.Before him was our telegram to him.

"Hello, sir," he greeted, "what can I tell you?"

"We have come in response to your telegram," I explained.

"My telegrams? I never sent any telegrams."

"I mean that telegram you sent to Mr. Josiah Amberley about his wife and money."

"Sir, it's suspicious if it's a joke," said the vicar angrily. "I don't know the gentleman you're referring to at all, and I haven't telegraphed anyone."

My client and I looked at each other in amazement.

"Perhaps there is a mistake," I said. "Perhaps there are two parsonages here? Here's the telegram we've received saying it's from the parsonage from Elman."

"There is only one vicarage here, and there is only one priest. This telegram is a disgraceful forgery. The origin of this telegram must be investigated by the police. At the same time, I don't think it is necessary to discuss it any further."

So Mr. Amberley and I came to the roadside of the village, which seemed to be the most primitive village in England.We went to the telegraph office, which was closed.Thanks to a telephone at the Lane Police Station, I was able to get in touch with Holmes.He was equally amazed at the results of our trip.

"Very strange!" said a distant voice. "What a mystery! My dear Watson, my greatest fear is that there will be no return vehicle to-night. I did not expect you to spend the night at a country inn. But nature always With you, Watson--Nature and Josiah Amberley--they can keep you company." I heard his laugh as I hung up the phone.

It didn't take me long to discover that my traveling companion was a miser worthy of his reputation.He complained about the cost of the trip, insisted on third-class carriages, and complained about the high bill at the hotel.When we finally reached London the next morning it was hard to say which of us was in the worse mood.

"You'd better stop by Baker Street," I said, "and Mr. Holmes may have some new suggestions."

"I wouldn't take his advice if it wasn't more valuable than the last one," said Amberley grimly.But he still went with me.I had telegraphed Holmes the time of our arrival, and there I found a note saying that he had gone to Lewisham and wished us to go.

It was a surprise that Holmes was there waiting for us when we got there, but what was even more surprising was that he was not alone in our client's drawing-room.Beside him sat a man with a stern, cold face.Dark-skinned, gray glasses, and a large Masonic pin conspicuously pinned to his tie.

"This is my friend Mr. Barker," said Holmes, "who is himself very interested in your business, Mr. Josiah Amberley. Although we are all making our own inquiries, we have a common question to ask. ask you."

Mr. Amberley sat down heavily.I could tell by his tense eyes and twitching features that he was aware of the imminent danger.

"What is the question, Mr. Holmes?"

"Just one question: what did you do with the body?"

He jumped up with a hoarse cry, clutching the air with his bony hands.He opened his mouth, and for a moment he looked like a hawk caught in a net.In this split second we glimpse the true face of Josiah Amberley, whose soul is as ugly as his limbs.He put his hands over his lips as he leaned back in the chair, as if trying to suppress a cough.Holmes sprang forward like a tiger, grabbed him by the throat, and pressed his face to the ground.Then he spit out a white pill from between his panting lips.

"It's not that simple, Josiah Amberley. Things have to be done by the rules. What do you think, Buck?"

"My carriage is at the door," said our taciturn companion.

"It's only a few hundred yards from the station. Let's go together. Wait here, Watson. I'll be back in half an hour."

The strong body of the old paint dealer had the strength of a lion, but it was helpless if it fell into the hands of two experienced grappling experts.He was dragged and dragged into the waiting carriage, and I was left alone to guard the dreadful dwelling.Holmes returned before the appointed time, accompanied by a shrewd young constable.

(End of this chapter)