The Complete Works of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter 52 Four Signatures (36)
"Oh, what a childish tantrum. We were going to the vestry at the church and she dropped the bouquet in her hand. She was walking across the front pews and it fell in front of those pews. On the pews A gentleman picked up the flowers and handed them back to her. The bouquet didn't look damaged. But when I mentioned it, she spoke to me curtly. On the way back, in the carriage, she seemed to be thinking about It's funny to dwell on something so insignificant."

"Is that so? You mean that there was a gentleman sitting in the front seat. Does that mean there were also the general public?"

"Oh, that's right. It's impossible to keep them out when the church doors are open."

"Is that gentleman a friend of your wife's?"

"Impossible. The reason I called him 'Sir' was purely out of politeness. He looked very ordinary, and I didn't pay much attention to his appearance. But I thought, really, are we digressing?"

"Your wife was far less happy after the wedding than she had been before. So, what did she do when she came again to her father's lodgings?"

"I saw her talking to her maid."

"Who is that maid?"

"She's an American named Alice, and she's from California with my wife."

"A confidant?"

"That's not too much to say. It seems to me that she was very free and informal with her mistress. But, of course, Americans have a different view of such things than we do."

"How long did she talk to Alice?"

"For a few minutes, I was thinking of something else at the time."

"Did you hear what they said?"

"My wife talked about 'grabbing other people's land' and she's always used to saying that slang. I don't understand what she's talking about."

"American slang is very graphic sometimes. What did your wife do after talking to the maid?"

"She went into the breakfast room."

"Did you take her in with you?"

"No, she went in by herself. She didn't pay much attention to these details. Then after sitting for about 10 minutes, she got up in a hurry, said a few words of apology, and left. Then she never came back."

"However, as far as I know, Alice the maid said that her mistress went into her room, put on a long coat and a hat over her bridal gown, and went out."

"That's how it was. Flora Miller was seen with her in Hyde Park afterwards. Flora Miller is the woman who caused trouble at Dolan's flat, and she's locked up now."

"Oh, yes. I should like to know a little more about the young lady, and your relation to her."

Lord San Simeon shrugged his shoulders and said: "We have known each other for many years, and I can say that we are very good friends. She used to stay in Allegro. I was very generous to her, and she had nothing to disdain for me. But Holmes Sir, you know women, Flora is a lovely little thing, but she has a quick temper and is very attached to me. When she heard that I was going to marry, she wrote me some terrible letters. To tell you the truth, I chose to have the wedding in secret because I was afraid she would upset everyone in the church. She was at the door of Mr. Dolan's apartment just as we were returning, and she was trying desperately to break in, and spoke to me in hard words in front of everyone. My wife was insulted and even threatened. I expected this to happen, so I arranged for two plain clothes to be there. They kicked her out quickly, when she also understood that such arguing was useless , and it quieted down."

"Has your wife heard this?"

"Thank goodness she didn't hear."

"It was your wife who was seen afterwards walking with her?"

"Yes, and that is why Mr. Lestrade takes the matter so seriously. It is said that Flora has seduced my wife, and set her a dreadful trap."

"Oh, this speculation is possible."

"Do you think so too?"

"I didn't say it was very likely, and you don't believe it yourself, do you?"

"Flora is invulnerable to a fly."

"But jealousy can change a person's character. Can you tell me what you think about this?"

"Oh, really, I'm here to find an answer, not an opinion, and I've told you all the facts. Since you asked me, I think it might be because of her increased social status and this Both of these things stimulated her, which caused my wife to be a little deranged."

"In short, was she suddenly deranged?"

"Well, actually, that's the only explanation I can make when I think of her abandoning what so many women crave and don't have."

"Oh, of course, that is also a possible hypothesis." Holmes smiled. "Now, Lord St. Simeon, I think I have in general all the material. I would like to ask again whether you are sitting around the table. Can you see what's going on out the window?"

“Can see the other side of the road and the park.”

"Okay, I think I have no reason to delay your time any longer, I will contact you again."

"Hope you have enough luck to settle this matter." Our client stood up.

"I've settled this matter."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"I mean, I've settled the case."

"Then where is my wife now?"

"It won't be long before I can tell you that."

Lord St. Simeon shook his head and said, "I'm afraid a brain as clever as yours and mine is needed." After he had finished speaking, he bowed solemnly to my friend, and went away.

"It is a great honor that Lord St. Simeon has put my mind on a par with his," laughed Sherlock Holmes. "I must have a glass of soda and a cigar after such a long inquiry. As early as our Before the client enters the door, I have already made a conclusion on this case."

"Brother, you are really good!"

"As I have said before, I have several similar cases on my hands, but none quite as clean as this one. All my investigations have been helpful to my speculations. The evidence is sometimes very strong. persuasive. In Thoreau's words, it's like finding trout in milk."

"But I heard what you heard."

"However, what you lack is the knowledge of a case that has happened in the past, which is very helpful to me. There was a similar case many years ago in Aladdin. A similar case happened in Munich a year after the end of the Franco-Prussian War. And today's This, too, is one of those cases. But alas, here comes Lestrade! Hello, Lestrade! There are extra-large wine glasses on the cabinet and cigars in the box." The official detective was dressed in sailor's A duffel jacket, with an old-fashioned tie, looks like a sailor.He was carrying a black canvas bag in his hand. After a few pleasantries, he sat down and took the cigar handed to him.

"What's the matter? What's the matter?" Holmes blinked. "You don't seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Indeed it is. That ill-fated case of the marriage of Lord St. Simon. I have no clue about it."

"Really? That's really surprising."

"Who ever heard of such a mess? Every thread has been cut from my hand. I've been busy with this all day."

"It seems to have got you soaked," said Holmes, laying his hand on his arm.

"Yes, I'm busy at Lake Serpentine."

"My God, what is that doing?"

"Recover the body of Lady St. Simon."

Holmes leaned back in his chair and burst out laughing.

"Did you salvage the fountain in Tradelgar Square?" he said.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Because no matter where you look for this lady, the chances of success are the same."

Lestrade was angry, and he gave my friend a look. "You seem to know everything," he said sternly.

"Oh, I just heard about the matter, but I have already made a judgment."

"Ah, really? You mean, then, that Lake Serpentine has nothing to do with it?"

"I think so, it doesn't matter at all."

"So, please tell me, what is it that we found there?" He opened the canvas bag as he spoke, and put a moire silk wedding dress, a pair of white satin shoes and a The bride's wreath and veil fell to the ground.These things have all faded from the water. "And," said he, putting a new wedding ring on top of those things, "this is a matter for you, Mr. Holmes."

"Oh, is that so?" said Holmes, blowing a blue ring of smoke into the air. "Did you really fish it out of Lake Serpentine?"

"No, it was found by a gardener. He found these things floating on the surface of the lake. He has identified the clothes as hers. In this case, I think the body should not be too far away."

"In the same way, everyone's corpse should be found near their closet. What kind of conclusion do you want to draw from this?"

"I have found evidence linking Flora Miller to this disappearance."

"I'm afraid that's hard for you to do."

"Now, do you really think so?" cried Lestrade angrily. "I am afraid, Mr. Holmes, that your deduction and reasoning are not very useful. In two minutes you have committed two crimes." Big mistake, these clothes are indeed related to Miss Flora Miller."

"How to say?"

"There's a card case in the coat pocket of the suit, and there's a note in the box, and this is it." He threw a note on the table in front of him, "Listen to what I read, 'When everything is ready , and you'll see me. Then, please come right away.--FHM.'."

"It has always been my belief that Lady San Simeon was conned out by Flora Miller. It is clear that she and her accomplices were responsible for the disappearance. Here is the note signed with her initials , it was undoubtedly smuggled to this lady at the door, tricking her into falling into their palms."

"That's wonderful, Lestrade." Holmes laughed. "You are amazing. Let me see." He casually picked up the note, but his attention was immediately attracted to it, and he Still talking with satisfaction. "It's really important!" he said.

"Haha, you also think that's the case?"

"Very important, and my heartfelt congratulations to you."

Lestrade looked down again smugly. "What's the matter with you?" He yelled involuntarily, "You took it down!"

"On the contrary, this is the positive!"

"Front? Are you crazy? The pencil writing is here!"

"Oh, this one looks like a hotel bill, I'm more interested."

"I've looked at that, and there's nothing on it," said Lestrade.

"There's nothing on that, I've seen it too," said Lestrade, "'October 10th, room 4 shillings, breakfast 8 shillings 2p, cocktail 6 shilling, lunch 1 shillings 2p, wine 6p'. I don't see what's wrong here."

"Maybe you can't see it, but it's important. And that note, too. In other words, at least these initials are important, so I want to show you again congratulate."

"I've wasted a great deal of time." Lestrade rose. "I believe in hard practice, not in amusing theories sitting by the fireside. Good-bye, Mr. Holmes! Let us see who it is." We can get to the bottom of this first." He picked up the clothes on the ground, stuffed them into a canvas bag, and then he walked to the door.

"Just a little hint to you, Lestrade," said Holmes lazily, before his adversary left. "I can tell you the truth. Lady St. Simon is absolutely a fabulous figure. Not now, It's never happened before."

Lestrade looked gloomily at my friend, then glanced back at me, tapped his forehead a few times, shook his head solemnly and formally, and hurried away.

No sooner had the man left than Holmes stood up and threw on his coat.He said: "There is some truth in what he says about outdoor work, so, Watson, I think I must keep you at home for a while, and you will read the papers first."

It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes and I parted, but I was not at all lonely.Because before an hour had passed, a confectioner's clerk came, and he brought a large flat-bottomed food box.The young man who came with him helped him open the box, and I was presented with a very rich cold dinner, which was placed on the poor table.There were two pairs of woodcocks, a pheasant, a foie gras pie, and several bottles of old wine.After these things were arranged, the two food deliverers suddenly disappeared like elves.They didn't say anything other than to tell me that the items had been paid for and that they were just following orders to deliver the food to the place.

Just before nine o'clock Holmes entered with a brisk step.His expression was serious, but his eyes were shining brightly.From this it may be concluded that the conclusions he reached did not disappoint him.

He rubbed his hands together and said, "They've brought dinner."

"You seem to have guests coming. Look, they have five servings."

"Yes, I am sure, too, that some visitor must drop by," said he. "I wonder why Lord St. Simeon has not come. Haha, I dare say, it must have been his footsteps going up the stairs. "

It was indeed the guest who came that afternoon.He came in hastily, shaking his glasses more vigorously, with a very anxious look on his aristocratic face.

"So my messenger has been to you?" asked Holmes.

"Yes, I admit, I was quite shocked by the contents of the letter. Do you have any good reasons for what you say?"

"Fullest."

Lord Saint-Simon sat down on a chair and pressed his hand to his forehead.

"What would the duke do if he heard that any member of his family was so humiliated?" he murmured.

"It was definitely a misunderstanding and I don't think it's an insult."

"Oh? You look at these issues from another angle."

"I see no one to blame, and I cannot conceive of any other alternatives for the young lady, though her handling was somewhat abrupt. It is certainly regrettable. In such a peculiar situation All the time, without my mother by my side, and with no one to advise her."

"It is contempt, sir, open contempt," said Lord San Simeon, rapping his fingers on the table.

"I hope you will forgive this poor lady for what she has gone through beyond anyone's imagination."

"I will never forgive her, it's very shameful, I was played on, I was really angry."

"It seems the doorbell has rung," said Holmes. "Yes, there are footsteps on the stairs. If I cannot persuade you to tolerate it, Lord St. Simeon, I have also called for my help, who may be more capable." Competent." He opened the door, and in came a lady and a gentleman. "Lord St. Simeon," said he, "let me introduce you to Mr. Frank Hay Moulton and his wife. I think you have met her, lady."

As soon as our client saw the newcomer, he immediately sprang up from his chair and stood upright, with his head bowed and one hand thrust into the front of his coat, as if his dignity had been violated. .The lady hurried forward a few steps and held out her hand to him, but he still didn't raise his head. This may be to show his determination, because the way she begged was hard to refuse. of.

"Robert, are you angry?" she said. "Yes, you have every reason to be angry."

"You don't have to apologize to me." There was jealousy in Lord San Simeon's words.

"Oh, yes, I know it's my fault. I should have told you before I went, but I was in such a mess. Since I saw Frank again here, I've almost forgotten that I said What has been and what has been done. It is strange that I did not fall or pass out at the altar."

"Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you wish me and my friend to leave while you explain?"

"I don't know if I can share my opinion," said the strange gentleman. "We have kept this matter a little too secret. My wish is that people all over Europe and America will come to hear about it. The truth." He was wiry, tanned, clean-shaven, and well-defined.His demeanor showed that he was very alert.

"Now, then, I'll tell you about it!" said the lady. "Frank and I met at McGuire's Camp in [-]. Papa opened a mine, and Frank and I I got engaged. Then, one day suddenly, my father dug a rich mine and made his fortune from then on. But the output of Frank’s mine became less and less, and even disappeared completely. My father became richer and richer, while Frank became richer and richer. I was poor and poor. So, my father refused to agree to our engagement anyway, and he took me to San Francisco. Even so, Frank did not give up. He followed there and had a tryst with me behind Dad's back. Dad knew It would only piss him off, so we made our own arrangements. Frank said he was going to start a business too, and he wouldn't come back and marry me until he was as rich as my dad. I promised to wait until he arrived and swore that I would marry no one as long as he lived. He said, 'Then why don't we marry right away? That way I can rest easy and don't have to ask people to recognize me as your husband when I get back. .' That's it, after discussion, he arranged everything properly, he invited a priest, and we had a wedding right away. After that, Frank went out to work hard, and I returned to my father's side .

(End of this chapter)