Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 142 The Last Greeting (4)
The entire street reflected the dazzling sunlight, especially the light reflected from the opposite wall, which made people squint their eyes.The leaves didn't move at all, lazily basking in the sun.The cicadas also seemed to have stopped shouting because of the heat.

I block the sun with blinds.Holmes was lying on a corner of the sofa, reading the letter delivered by the postman, without saying a word, and ignoring me.

I was very bored by myself and wanted to read the newspaper, but the morning paper was not interesting at all, so I didn't read it.I am secretly glad that I have lived in the south, so I don't care about such hot weather.I really wanted to go out and play like everyone else, but my savings had already been used up, so I had to give up.

But my friend Holmes insists on living in this crowded and hot city and reading those boring newspapers.He imagined a snail extending its tentacles into the crowd, looking for suspicious places or signs of crime, so that he could get up from the sofa and energetically solve the case.

I admire his ability, but he doesn't appreciate nature, unless the criminal escapes to the country, he will go to the country to breathe.I looked back at him, he was still holding the letter, lying on the sofa with his eyes closed, thinking, he didn't want to talk to me.I had to read the newspaper, but the newspaper was really boring. I threw the newspaper away bored, and looked out the window annoyed.

Holmes broke the silence and said to me:
"I think you are right, Watson, that this may be the only solution."

I turned around in amazement and said, "What? You mean—"

"A most absurd solution to the problem," said Holmes calmly.

"Ah?!" I was surprised that he could say exactly what was in my mind, and my eyes widened in confusion.

He couldn't help laughing when he saw me like this.

"Do you remember that short essay I read to you the other day? There was a man in Edgar Allan Poe's short essay who could tell his mind from the look of his accomplice. You didn't pay any attention to it at first, I think this is just the author's artistic technique, and I often tell you later that I also have that kind of reasoning method, but you don't believe it."

"How can there be!"

"Although you didn't say it, your eyes, eyebrows, and your expression have already told me. You don't need to say it, but that's what you think, and you won't be without any expression. Therefore, you threw down the newspaper just now , When I stared out of the window, I speculated on your mental activities during this time, so let me tell you about it. You won’t be unhappy, will you?”

I said, "I don't mind. I remember the book about how his companion accidentally fell at night, got up and looked up at the stars, from which the man deduced his mental activities. Finally At least he has some movements, but I just sit on a chair, occasionally read a book, look at the wall, look out the window, what can you infer?"

"Watson, don't underestimate your expression. Your expression can tell everything. If you don't believe me, let me infer."

"Do you think you can infer my thoughts from the changes in my facial expressions?"

"Yes, especially your eyes. How did you contemplate when you threw down the newspaper? Do you remember, Watson?"

"I do not remember."

"Let me tell you! You threw the newspaper, and I started to notice you. At first, you sat quietly for half a minute, showing that the newspaper had let you down. Then, you started to look at your newly framed General Gordon. Your facial expression started to change at this time, indicating that your thinking started to move, but you didn’t think too far.”

"Yes, you are right."

"You looked back, looked at the picture of Henry Walter Butter in the book in your hand, and then looked at the wall. Your mental activities at this time are obvious, and you think: If the picture in the book is framed, it will It's just as beautiful. If it were hung on the wall, it would be exactly symmetrical with the picture of General Gordon to make up for the blank wall."

I asked in amazement: "You observe so carefully?"

He just smiled.

"Let me go on, you're definitely studying his facial features when you look at the picture of Beetle and stare at him. And then your eyes go blank again, which means you've switched from face to face. On other aspects, I started to meditate. You must think of Bit’s war achievements. I know, when you talk about Bit, you will complain for him. He shouldered the mission of the northern people in the war, but our people treat him very much. Unfriendly, even barbaric. You strongly disapprove of this reaction from the people. Am I right?"

I have to admit: "Exactly!"

"The above is what you thought of from the photo, and then your eyes left the photo, which shows that you have begun to act in your heart. At this time, your mouth is tightly closed, with a very special expression, a heroic look between your brows, bright eyes, and fists Hold tightly, which means that you have begun to recall that war. The bravery and fighting spirit of the soldiers would rather die than surrender, which you have always admired.

"However, your eyes immediately changed, your face became gloomy, and your mouth was half a smile, which shows that you thought about the unnecessary victims in the war, as well as the horrible atmosphere and miserable life that the civil war brought to the people.

"Later, you touched your arm again. It was the scar left by the war. At this time, your smile became stronger. You thought of the final solution to this war, which was so unexpected and ridiculous. So You have come to the conclusion that this war is folly. I am sure you will admit that I am right."

"It's right, but I don't know, how can you guess so accurately? I don't understand, can you tell me the reason?"

"Watson, this is not very profound, but easy to understand. If you hadn't doubted me that day, I wouldn't have interrupted your train of thought to say these things. Come on, let's put this question aside! Now, I have a We are all interested in this matter, which is more difficult than my mental activity. You read this strange thing in the newspaper: Miss Cushing, who lives in Martin Eden Cross Street, received a very strange box. The contents are more Scary, Watson, do you see that?"

"no!"

"Ah?! You must have been careless in reading the newspaper, and missed such valuable information," he handed me the newspaper and said, "Please read this aloud!"

I took the newspaper and read aloud:

terrible package
Miss Susan Cushing, of Martin Eden Cross, had received a strange package.At past two o'clock yesterday afternoon, Miss Cushing received a package tightly wrapped in kraft paper.This package comes in a cardboard box with incredible contents.

When she opened the box, she saw coarse salt. Why send her coarse salt?There must be something in it!So Miss Cushing pushed aside the coarse salt, and saw two human ears in the box, which had just been cut off not long ago.Miss Cushing immediately fainted.

The box came from the Belfast post office the morning before yesterday, but the sender was not listed.It was a practical joke, but lonely Miss Cushing was the victim.What's even more strange is that Miss Cushing is single, rarely interacts with others, and is a spinster in her fifties.It also seemed to be the first time I received someone else's mail package.

Miss Cushing thought it might be the work of three young men.When she lived in Pengqi a few years ago, she rented out several rooms to three young medical students.But the three of them were so noisy that they made the house smoky, never quiet for a moment, and their lives were irregular. Sometimes they left early and returned late, and sometimes they didn't get up or went to bed very early.Miss Cushing could bear it no longer, and had to let them go.Miss Cushing thought that these three people hated her because of this, and in order to vent their dissatisfaction, they cut off the ear from the corpse in the dissecting room and sent it to her.Now the police think so too.

It was also thought that the young man who sent the parcel was from the North of Ireland, but Miss Cushing said she remembered him as a Belfast.Now, the case is being actively investigated and detected.Constable Les Reed is in charge of the case, he is a good detective and will solve the case.

"That's what this paper says," said Holmes. "I have a letter from Lethridge this morning. Look!" and he handed it to me.

It says:

Dear Holmes, I hope you will help me in this case. I have seen the box, which is a very common half-pound box, and it will not help us.

Another: We asked the Belfast Post Office, and they said that there were too many packages in the past two days, and they could not be identified, let alone the person who sent the box.I think maybe those few students in the medical school did it.I am not at the house but at the police station, and I would be very grateful if you could come and join this case.

"Would you like to take part, Watson? In spite of the heat, would you like to go with me to Martin Eden Cross to enrich your life? My Watson?"

"I definitely want to go!"

"That's very good. Ring the bell, please, and have our boots brought, and a carriage will be waiting for us downstairs. Wait, I'll change my clothes, and put the tobacco in my box, Watson, and we'll be together again." Go downstairs, okay?"

"My friend, you go."

We arrived at the station in a carriage, and got on the train in haste.As soon as we got in the car, it started to rain, thus cooling off the heat.The rain just happened to stop when we got out of the car.

We telegraphed ahead of time.As soon as we entered the station, we saw the shrewd and capable Lesred waiting for us.He gave the impression that one could tell at a glance that he was a police officer.We walked together for five or six minutes until we arrived at Miss Cushing's.

Martin Eden This cross street is very long, with two-story houses on both sides. The street is clean and tidy, and most of the stone steps in front of the houses are white.From time to time, women in groups of three and groups of two can be seen talking at the door wearing aprons.

The street has a strong family feel.

After walking half a street, Lesred stopped and went to knock on the door. That was the home of Miss Cushing, who lived alone.After a while, a maid opened the door and ushered us into the living room.

Miss Cushing gave us a very good first impression. She is gentle and generous, and her big eyes are quiet and tranquil.Her hair is grayish-yellow, curled and draped over her shoulders, very peaceful and gentle.She is embroidering a chair back, and there are boxes of various threads beside her.

Seeing us coming, she got up and said to us: "There is that terrible thing in the room outside. I hope you take it away and don't put it here. I am very scared."

"Yes, madam, we will certainly take it. The reason I have not taken it is that Holmes wants to see it, and he wants to see the box in your house."

"Why do you have to watch it at my house?"

"If Mr. Holmes has some questions, it will be convenient for you to answer them."

"It is true, madam," said Holmes gently. "I may ask you some questions, and though it may be very disturbing to you, please help me, madam."

"You're welcome, sir, this incident really pissed me off. I like to be alone, I like to live a quiet life, and I don't want my name to be in the newspapers, and I don't want so many reporters to come to my house. Although these are very Fresh, but I'd rather it hadn't happened, and live my life. I especially don't want to have this dreadful thing with me, Mr. Lesred. If you're going to see it, go to the outhouse!"

We went out of the living room into a little shed in the little garden.There were several stone benches and a stone table in the small garden, and he asked us to sit on the stone benches. Mr. Lesred took out the package from the shed—a short piece of rope, a piece of brown paper, and a yellow cardboard cigarette box.

Mr. Lesred put these on the stone table for us to observe carefully.

Holmes studied the rope carefully, first holding it up to the light and then sniffing it.

"This rope is not for ordinary people. It is very special. Mr. Lesred, do you think something was painted on the rope?"

"It's asphalt."

"Yes, it was tarred. If you look at it again, it was cut with scissors. Miss Cushing cut it with scissors. This is very important for us to further understand the case."

"I don't think it's very important," Mr Lesred said.

"Sir, you are wrong. This is good for maintaining the original appearance of the knot, and it can provide us with clues as to who tied the knot."

"The average person wouldn't tie such a delicate knot."

Lesred said triumphantly, "I've noticed that already."

"Okay, let's not talk about the rope." Holmes put down the rope, picked up the brown paper, and said with a smile, "Let's take a look at the brown paper now, um! The smell of coffee is obvious. It must have not been checked, otherwise it would not be allowed to be mailed." People use this kind of paper.

"Let's look at the writing on the paper again. It's so messy, it must have been written in a hurry, 'Martin Eden Crossing S. Miss Cushing', probably with a dipped pen, bad ink, never It can be seen from the handwriting that the pen tip is very thick. I also rewritten the word 'Martin Eden'. You see, the letter 'i' is written under the letter 'y' at the beginning, and it can be seen that it was written by a man. From the words It can be seen that he has little education and is not familiar with the word 'Martin Eden'.

"The box is indeed an ordinary cardboard box of nectar tobacco, which can hold more than half a pound of tobacco, and there is no obvious trace. Oh, here, a finger is printed on the upper left corner. Coarse salt is placed in the box. Coarse salt is usually used to preserve crude hides or merchandise. Let's see these two ears."

As Holmes spoke, he took out two ears from the coarse salt, and placed them on the stone table in front of him, while Lethred and I stooped over the disgusting thing.Looking at Holmes's deep and shining face, and at those ears, I knew that Holmes was observing some tiny features, and I waited for him to speak.But he put his ears in the box, and ignored anyone, staring at one place and began to meditate.Then he finally spoke.

"Look, Watson, these two ears are not the same pair of ears."

Mr Lesred said: "Yes, we found it. I think it was done by the medical students, they can find two different ears in the dissecting room. It's a prank."

"If it was a hoax, why didn't they send one ear instead of two?"

"This--"

"Officer, this is a serious crime and not a prank. We all know that the ears of corpses in the autopsy room are embalmed, but there is no such mark in these two ears. This is one reason.

"Secondly, if this was in the dissecting room, it should have been cut with a knife, not with a blunt tool. We can tell from the wound that it was cut with a blunt thing. Students don't do that.

"Third, if it was done by medical students, their teachers would have them treated with distilled alcohol or carbonated water instead of kosher salt.

"Based on these three points, I think this is a criminal case rather than a hoax."

Holmes spoke these words with seriousness, evidently in earnest and not in jest.

Hearing this, I couldn't help shivering, and because the garden was so quiet, I began to feel a little scared.This is a very serious case.

I turned to look at Mr. Lesred, his expression was indescribable, he shook his head and said: "According to you, this is not a prank. But if it is a criminal case, why can it be connected with such a woman? She gave us The impression is that she is a gentle woman who rarely contacts the outside world. She has been living alone for so many years, who would contact her? These days, she is almost at home all the time, how could the criminal send this thing to her? And, she and We also don't know about this! Another possibility is that she is a highly skilled actress who acts for us, but can this be established?"

"That's our problem," said Holmes. "I think I'm right. It's a double homicide. We know it's two ears, a small, delicate woman's ear, pierced and pierced. The other is the ear of a man with dark skin. He must have been exposed to the sun for a long time and also wore earrings. These two people would have died long ago, otherwise, we would have heard about this case.

"Today is Friday. The package was sent yesterday, Thursday, so they were murdered on Wednesday or earlier. It may be that the murderer killed them first and then sent their ears to Miss Cushing. .This was obviously done by one person, so the person who sent the package is the murderer and the person we are looking for.

"However, there must be a reason for him to send the package to Miss Cushing. What is the reason? Is it the secret signal that he and Miss Cushing have contacted a long time ago, or is it telling her that the matter is over and everything is going well? Or is it to make her feel sad, or Just to scare her? Well, she'll know exactly who sent her the package.

"But it's a contradiction. If she knew the whole thing, why did she call the police? She buried the package when she got it so no one would know. So we'll have to ask her, and she'll solve the mystery. If she doesn't Willing to shelter criminals, she will tell us. If she shelters, she will not call the police, and this has been overturned. Come on, let's ask Miss Cushing!"

Holmes stopped his contemplation, resumed his usual demeanor, and walked swiftly and briskly towards the room.

"I must ask Miss Cushing some questions," said Holmes.

"There are still some things in the police station. I'll take a step first. I don't need to ask Miss Cushing any more questions. Excuse me, you two. You can find me at the police station. Goodbye!"

"We'll see you at the Bureau before we go home," said Holmes.

And so, Sheriff Lethrider went.Holmes and I returned to the drawing-room, where we saw the mild woman still embroidering.

When she saw us, she put down what she was doing, looked at us with big eyes, and said, "Gentlemen, this is a misunderstanding. I have no enemies, and no one has made such a big joke with me. I told the sheriff Well, here's the box that was sent to me, but it's so frightening that the sheriff thinks it's a hoax. I hope so, I don't want people to disturb my life."

"I think so too, Miss Cushing," said Holmes, sitting on the chair beside her. I think I have—" Suddenly he stopped talking, and I looked up hastily at him, who was staring at Cushing. Looking at Miss Xin's profile, a trace of surprise and satisfaction flashed across his face.When she looked up to see how he didn't speak, he was back to normal and talked freely.

From that momentary look, I knew he had made a major discovery.I also took a closer look at Miss Cushing's profile: her hair is sallow and slightly curly, her cap is clean, she wears small gold earrings, and her face is very gentle. These are all normal, and I don't see any difference.

"Oh, sorry, miss, I have a question or two for you—"

"I hate questions," said Miss Cushing impatiently.

"I know you have two sisters!" said Holmes. "Have you?"

"Who told you that?"

(End of this chapter)