The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 25 Four Signatures (9)
He covered his face with his hands very unhappy, and sat there helplessly.Jones and I continued our conversation while smoking our cigars.Suddenly we heard Holmes' voice speaking to us.

"I think you should offer me a cigar, too."

The two of us jumped up from our chairs in astonishment. Holmes sat beside us, looking at us with wide smiles.

I exclaimed in surprise, "Holmes! Is that you? Where is the old man?"

He took out a handful of white hair and said, "Here he is, wig, beard, eyebrows, all here. I thought I was pretty good at disguise, but I didn't think I could fool you."

Jones exclaimed joyfully: "Ah, you rascal! You're quite a comedian--a fine actor. You'll make ten pounds a week for your workman's cough, and your legs." wages. But I think I see the look in your eyes, and you haven't quite fooled us yet."

He lit his cigar and said, "I've been dressed like this all day today. You know, a lot of gangsters have gotten to know me—especially since our friend wrote a book about my detective exploits. So I'm just going to put on a simple outfit at work. Did you get my telegram?"

"I received it, so I came here."

"How is your investigation of the case going?"

"No clue at all. I had to release two people, and there is no evidence for the other two."

"It doesn't matter, I will give you two other people to fill their vacancies later. But you must completely obey my command, and all the credit can go to you, but all actions must obey my order. Do you agree with this?"

"As long as you help me catch the gangster, I have no problem."

"Very well. First, I need a police cutter--a steamer--to be at Westminster Docks at seven o'clock to-night."

"This is easy to handle. There is often a ship parked there. I can just go to the opposite side and make a call."

"I also need two strong policemen in case the gangsters resist arrest."

"Two or three people are always prepared in the boat, is there anything else?"

"If we catch the bandit, the treasure will be in our hands. I think my friend will be happy to deliver the treasure box to the young lady herself--half of this treasure should belong to her, so it should be her. Open it yourself. Why, Watson, is that all right?"

"It's my pleasure."

Jones shook his head and said: "This method is somewhat inconsistent with the regulations-but we can handle it flexibly. But after reading it, the treasure must be returned to the government for inspection."

"Of course, that's easy. And one more thing, I'd like to hear the details of the case from Jonozan Small himself first. You know, I always like to give all the details of a case. Fully aware. You are not going to give him an informal questioning first, here or elsewhere, under police guard, are you?"

"You are the one who is in control of the whole case. Although I haven't been able to prove that there is such a person named Jonnozan Small, if you can catch him, I have no reason to prevent you from interrogating him first. "

"So, that means you agree?"

"Totally agree. Any more requests?"

"I'll keep you with us for dinner, which will be ready in half an hour. That's all. I've got oysters and a couple of pheasants, and some white wine of my choice. Don't you know, Watson, I'm still a good housekeeper."

The End of the Ten Murderers

We had a great time eating this meal.Holmes was always talkative when he was happy.He seemed to be in particularly good spirits tonight, so he talked non-stop.I had never known him to be so talkative, from genie dramas to medieval pottery, from Italian Stradivarius violins to Ceylon Buddhism and futuristic warships--he seemed to have no problem with any of them. I have studied it in particular, so I can talk about it endlessly, and the depression of the past few days has been swept away.Ethelney Jones, also a chatty and easy-going man in his repose, enjoyed as much as he could of the elegant dinner.And I felt that the end of the whole case seemed to be tonight, so I drank as happily as Holmes.The three guests of honor were very harmonious, and no one mentioned the adventurous task we were about to face after dinner.

After dinner, Holmes looked at his watch, filled three glasses of red wine, and said, "One more glass, and I wish you success tonight. The time has come and we should start. Watson, do you have a pistol?"

"There's one in the drawer. It used to be in the army."

"You'd better take it with you, and be prepared. The car is waiting outside the door, and he and I made a reservation to pick us up here at 06:30 in the evening."

A little after seven o'clock in the evening we reached Westminster Dock, where the steamer was already waiting.Holmes looked at it carefully, and asked: "Is there any sign on this boat to indicate that it is for the exclusive use of the police?"

"Yes, that's the green light on the side of the boat."

"Then, go and take it off."

After the green light was taken off, we boarded the boat one after another.The cable was released, and Jones, Holmes, and I sat aft, with one other at the helm, one in charge of the machinery, and two burly sheriffs in front of us.

Jones asked, "Where is the ship going?"

"To the Tower of London. Tell them to park the boat opposite Jack Berson's dock."

Our boat was indeed very fast, passing countless laden barges, and a small steamer, Holmes smiled and expressed satisfaction.

He praised: "At this speed, we can overtake all the boats in the river."

Jones said: "That's not likely, but steamboats that can go as fast as ours are indeed rare."

"We must catch the Dawn, that famous clipper. I can tell you, Watson, while I have nothing else to do. Do you remember me saying that it was not a What obstacle is holding me back, and I'm not going to let it go?"

"still remember."

"I have given my mind a complete rest by doing chemical analysis experiments. One of our great statesmen once said: 'A change of job is the best rest.' It was true at all. When After I had succeeded in dissolving hydrocarbons, I returned to Sholto's problem, and reconsidered it. The boys I sent out searched up and down, but to no avail. The steamboat wasn't moored at any docks, didn't turn around, and didn't seem like it was sinking itself in order to disappear-if it couldn't be found, of course, it was a possible hypothesis. I knew Small was somewhat cunning, but I I feel that he has not received much education, and it is impossible for him to have such thorough means. Since he has lived in London for a long time-this can be proved by the fact that he has been on the Yingzhang Villa for a long time, it is impossible for him not to need a It takes a short time—even a day—to make some preparations before leaving his lair for a long journey. In any case, this is a possibility."

I said, "I don't think this is very likely. I'm afraid he had already made preparations for the long journey before he acted."

"No, I don't think so. He won't give up until he's sure the lair is of no use to him. I thought of something else, as Jonozan Small must have expected, that his The grotesque appearance of the accomplice would have attracted attention no matter how he had been disguised, and would have made one think of the Upper Norwood tragedy. I am sure Small's sagacity would not have overlooked this aspect. To conceal, They left the nest after dark and had to come back before dawn. According to Mrs. Smith, it was three o'clock when they boarded the boat at Smith's pier, and it would be dawn in more than an hour, and pedestrians would So much, so I don't think they'll go very far. They paid Smith enough to keep quiet, and booked his ship for the final voyage, and returned to the lair with the treasure .In a day or two, they will read the papers, listen to the news, and choose a night to board the big ship they have booked berths from Gravesand or Kent Great Dock, and flee to America or other colonies."

"But he can't take that ship to the lair too."

"Of course not. I think that although the ship has not been discovered by us, it will not be too far away. From Small's position, based on his ability to imagine, he will think that if there are indeed police If you want to track it, then it will be much easier if you send the boat back or park it next to the dock. How can you hide the boat and at the same time not miss it when you want to use it? If I stand What would be done in his position? There is only one way, I think, and that would be to take the boat into a dock for minor repairs, which would allow for both concealment and use with a few hours' notice .”

"It seems so simple."

"Because it's so simple, it's easy to be overlooked. So I decided to carry out investigations based on this idea. I wore a sailor's costume and went to every dock in the downstream to inquire. All fifteen docks failed, but when I asked No. 16 - Jack Berson Shipyard - I learned that two days ago, a man with wooden legs sent the 'Dawn' into the dock to repair the rudder. The foreman there said to me:' It's the rudder with the red line on it, and there's nothing wrong with it." As he was speaking, a man came from there. It was none other than the missing owner, Merdecai Smith, who had drunk a lot. Of course I don't know him, but he called out his name and the name of the ship, and said: 'Our ship will leave the dock at eight o'clock tonight. Remember, it's exactly eight o'clock in the evening. The two guests are going to take the boat, so don't delay.' The bandits must have given him a lot of money. He patted his pocket full of silver coins at the workers, and the silver coins jingled. I followed him a few steps, and he ran into the I went to a tavern. So I went back to the dock again, and on the way I happened to meet a little helper of mine, and I put him there to keep an eye on the steamboat. I made him stand at the exit of the dock, and made an appointment with him to be the steamboat Waving a handkerchief at us as a signal when we came out of the dock. We rested on the river and watched its way. It would be strange if it wasn't stolen by someone."

Jones said: "Regardless of whether these people are the real murderers or not, your preparations are very thorough. But if it were me, I would definitely send a few capable policemen, and when the gangsters came to the Jack Berson Dockyard, they would be on the spot. Arrest them."

"I don't agree with this. Because Small is a very cunning person, he will definitely send someone to check the movement before he leaves. If there is any suspicious situation, he will naturally go into hiding for a period of time."

I said, "But if you keep an eye on Merdecai Smith, you can find the bandit too!"

"Then my time will be wasted. I think 90.00% of the whereabouts of the gangsters will not be known to Nine Smith. Smith has wine, money to spend, and what else to do? When something happens, the gangsters Let us send to him. I have thought of everything, and I think it is the best course."

In between conversations we have crossed several bridges over the Thames.When we left the city, the afterglow of the setting sun had made the cross on the roof of St. Paul's Church sparkle.It was dusk before we reached the Tower of London.

Holmes pointed at the place where the masts stood close to the river bank in the Surrey area from a distance and said, "That's the Jacobson's Dockyard. Let our ship cruise slowly under the cover of this row of barges." Looking ashore through the telescope, he said, "I've found the man I sent, but he hasn't waved a handkerchief yet."

Jones said impatiently: "We'd better anchor downstream and wait for them." At this time, we were all very anxious, even the few sheriffs and firemen who didn't know our mission clearly showed eagerness to try. look.

Holmes replied: "Nine out of ten times they will go downstream, but we can't just ignore the upstream. From our present position, we can see the entrance and exit of the dock, but they can't easily see us. There are no clouds tonight. , the moonlight is very bright, let’s stay here. Look under the gas lamp over there, how many people are coming and going.”

"Those are the workers coming off the shipyard."

"Although the appearance of these people is dirty and vulgar, everyone has some immortal anger in their hearts. You can't imagine it just by looking at their appearance. This is not innate. Life is a mystery."

I said, "Some people say that humans have souls among animals."

Holmes replied: "Winwood Rhett has a very good explanation of this problem. He said that although each person is a difficult mystery, there are laws when human beings are aggregated. For example, you cannot predict a person. The individuality of human beings, but the commonality of human beings can be ascertained. The individuality is different, but the commonality is eternal. The statisticians say the same thing... Do you see that handkerchief? There is indeed a white thing waving there. "

I shouted: "That's right, that's the little helper you sent, I can see it clearly."

"That's the Aurora," cried Holmes. "You see how fast she is going. Let us speed up, pilot, and hold on to the steamer with the yellow light. If we fail to catch her, I shall never." Forgive yourself."

The Dawn was already out of the dock, hidden from sight by two or three boats.By the time we saw it again, it was already driving very fast.It was traveling downstream along the river bank at a high speed. Jones glanced at it, shook his head and said, "This boat is going too fast, we may not be able to catch it."

"We must overtake her," cried Holmes. "Fire up the coals, stoker! Do your best to overtake her! Burn our ship and overtake her!"

We followed, the boiler fire blazing fiercely.The powerful engine panted and clanked like a heart of steel.The pointed bow cut through the calm water, and a wave of high waves rushed to the left and right sides.With every movement of the engine the hull throbbed and leaped like a living thing.A large yellow light on the ship's side sent a long, flickering beam forward.A black spot far ahead is the "Dawn", and there are two rows of white waves behind it, indicating that it is sailing at an extremely fast speed.At that time, there were many large and small ships on the river, and we dodged and flew past.But the "Dawn" was still driving so fast, and we followed it closely.

Holmes shouted to the engine room: "Boys, add more coal, more coal! Burn as much steam as you can and drive forward!" The raging fire in the engine room below reflected his anxious, eagle-like face.

Jones looked at the Dawn and said, "I think we've caught up a bit."

I said: "We have indeed caught up a lot, and we can catch up in a few minutes."

At this moment, something unfortunate happened.A steamer towed three cargo ships across the road in front of us.Fortunately, we turned the rudder in time to avoid collision with it.But when we went around them and continued to chase forward, the "Dawn" had gone farther by more than 200 yards, but it was still within our line of sight.At that time, the dark and hazy twilight had disappeared, and in exchange for the starry night.Our boilers were burning to the brim, and the force propelling the ship was so great that the flimsy hull creaked and quivered.We have passed under the middle of London Bridge, passed the West India Dockyard and the long Deptford River, and rounded the Isle of Dogs.The "Dawn", which was just a black spot just now, can already be seen clearly by us.Jones directed our searchlight at it and caught sight of the figures on board.A person was sitting in the stern of the boat, with something black across his legs, and squatting beside him was a black shadow, which seemed to be a Newfoundland dog.A boy steered the helm, and in the red light of the boiler, Smith could be seen topless, desperately conspiring.At first they might not be sure whether we were chasing them, but now that we were following closely at every turn, there was no doubt that we were chasing them.At Greenwich the distance between the two ships was about three hundred paces.When we reached Blackwall again, the distance between the two ships was no more than 250 paces.I have been traveling all my life, I have hunted in many countries, and I have chased many wild animals, but I have never had such a thrill as chasing a man on the Thames tonight.We were getting closer to the boat in front of us step by step. In the silent night, we could clearly hear the sound of the machinery from the boat in front of us.The man sitting in the stern was still squatting there, his hands seemed to be waving busy, and he kept raising his head to estimate the distance between the two boats.We came even closer, the length of four ships, both still galloping on.It was now near the mouth of the river, with Bucking Flat on one bank and Plumstead Marsh on the other.Jones yelled and ordered the boat in front to stop immediately. Hearing our yell, the man at the stern stood up from the boat and punched us twice, cursing loudly at us.He is strong and tall, standing with his legs apart.I saw that his right thigh was only supported by a wooden stick.The black shadow curled up next to him stood up slowly when he heard his voice. It turned out to be a black man with a short physique that I had never seen before.His big misshapen head was covered with unkempt hair.Holmes was already holding a pistol in his hand at that time, and I, seeing this strange creature, drew it out too.He was surrounded by something that looked like a black blanket, with only his face exposed.But this face, that ugly and strange shape is enough to make people lose their minds.I have never seen such a hideous grimace.His small eyes were full of menacing light, his lips were extremely thick and turned up from the root of his teeth, and he screamed at us in a half-beastly rage.

(End of this chapter)