Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 151 The Last Greeting (13)
I heard the sound of a match being struck again. "That's much better. Well, I think I hear footsteps."

With a sound, the door was opened, and Sergeant Morton stood at the door. "It's going very well here, and that's the man you want," said Holmes.

"I have you under arrest for the murder of Victor Savage," the sheriff announced.

"You may add that the attempted murder of a man named Sherlock Holmes," laughed my friend, "in order to save the patient, Sheriff, Mr. Coverton Smith had the audacity to turn on the lamp. , to give the pre-arranged signal. And there's that little box in the right pocket of his coat. The best thing to do is to take off his coat. If I were the sheriff, I would be more careful, and put it here. During the interrogation It can be used."

Suddenly, the scuffle and noise were mixed together, and at the same time there was the sound of iron clashing and crying.

"You're only asking for trouble if you resist," said the sheriff. "You hear me, just stand there."

Then handcuffed him.

"That's a good trap!" he roared. "Holmes should be in the dock, not me, and I'll treat him. I'm here for his sake, and he'll make up excuses and make them up. The lie was planted on me to confirm his suspicions. Holmes, you can cheat as much as you like. Anyway, my words will work just as well."

"Dear me!" cried Holmes, "I almost forgot him. I am sorry, my dear Watson, but I forgot you. He needs no introduction. You have known him a long time ago. Between you The time has already been familiar. By the way, is there a carriage outside? Let’s go together, maybe I’m still useful at the police station.”

"It is of no use at all," said Holmes.After washing up, he drank a glass of wine and ate some biscuits, and he felt much better. "You know, I've got nothing in the way of my life. It's all right with me, maybe not with somebody else, and the main thing is to convince Mrs. Hudson of it. And make sure she tells you." , and then you will pass it on to him. You won't blame me, Watson? You never pretend to be yourself. If you knew this secret, you would never rush to find him. This is The crux of the plan. I know he wants revenge on me, so I'm sure he'll come here to see his own masterpiece."

"From your appearance, why is your face so ugly?"

"How can you beautify yourself without eating or drinking for three days, Watson? For the rest, you only need a sponge to get rid of the problem. Put petroleum jelly on the forehead, drip tomato juice into the eyes, and put it on the cheekbones." Putting on some lipstick and putting wax on your lips will definitely do the trick. Sometimes I just feel like writing a sick article.”

"And this disease is not contagious at all, why don't you let me get close to you?"

"Why do you ask this? My dear Watson, do you think I despise your medical skills? No matter how weak I am, even if I am dying, my pulse is normal, and my temperature is even more normal. It is difficult to escape your eyes." , we were four yards apart to deceive you, or who would have called Mr. Smith? No one else, Watson, and I did not touch the box at all. When it was opened, from the side, there was A spring like a serpent's tooth came out. Savage was the one standing in the way of his inheritance, and I'm absolutely sure he killed Savage in such a vicious way.

"You should be very clear, I have received all kinds of emails, and I am strictly guarded against every gift. After I understand it, I will use the plan to force him to submit.

"I have done this very well with the spirit of an artist. Thank you very much, Watson, you must help me put on my clothes. When we finish our business and come back from the police station, we will have a good meal at the Simpson's." Shire Lord's disappearance
"Why Turkish?" asked Sherlock Holmes, looking intently at my boots.At that time, I stretched out my feet and caught his attention.

"British," I said in amazement, "from Latimer's in Oxford Street."

Holmes smiled helplessly.

"The bathhouse!" he said. "The bathhouse! Why pay more for a relaxing Turkish bath than a refreshing national bath?"

"In the past two days, I have suffered from rheumatism again. I feel a little old. The Turkish bath may be a very desirable therapy, a new start, and a good cleansing spirit."

"Oh, by the way, Holmes," said I, "your careful and detailed brain, which I have never suspected, has anything to do with boots and Turkish baths. Can you explain that? I shall be most obliged. "

"There is nothing profound in that, Watson," said Holmes, blinking. "I still use the same reasoning. Tell me, with whom did you drive home this morning?"

"Does it matter?"

"Okay, Watson. Solemn and reasonable protest, what is the problem? Let's talk backwards. Look at the mud on your left sleeve and shoulder. If you were sitting in the car, you must have There's no more mud, if there's any, it's on both sides. So, you've got to be on one side of the car, it's obvious that someone's in the car with you."

"Of course."

"Is there anything wrong?"

"But what about the bath and the boots?"

"It's not difficult. You've always worn your boots. I saw you put a double knot on your boots, very carefully. It's really different from your usual. You must have taken your boots off. Who Tie it for you? The shoemaker or the bathing man, it can’t be a shoemaker, because your shoes are very new. By the way, bathing is too ridiculous, but generally speaking, there is definitely a purpose in taking a Turkish bath."

"What is the purpose?"

"You once told me that you had already had a Turkish bath, and that you wanted to change it. Let me tell you once, Watson, how about a trip to Lausanne? First-class tickets, all very grand. .”

"Okay, but what are these for?"

Holmes reclined in his chair, and drew his notebook from his pocket.

"There is one terrible kind of person in the world," he said, "that is the lonely wandering woman, but she is not harmful, usually very useful, but always the temptation to commit crimes, she has no Depends, lives everywhere. She has a lot of money and travels everywhere. She lives in a remote apartment or inn. She falls into the world of foxes like a lost chick. If she is really drowned, she will not Someone misses her. I think Miss Frances Carfax has suffered such a disaster."

To my relief, he finally moved from that abstract generalization to specific issues.My friend is flipping through his notes. "Miss Frances," he said, "she was the only surviving member of the late Lord Lufton's closest family. You may remember her. Her inheritance was given to the next generation, and she left some for herself. Rare treasures of old Spanish silver and finely cut diamonds, which she loved so much that she never wanted to deposit them in any bank, but always carried them with her. She was celestially beautiful, yet sentimental, now extremely The charming middle age, because of that disaster, made her the only surviving lonely boat in the big fleet 20 years ago."

"And how is she?"

"By the way, what happened to Miss Frances? Dead or alive? That's the question we're trying to find out. She's been writing to her governess, Miss Dobney, every other week for four years now, This has become an unchangeable habit. She has long since retired. It is Miss Dobney who came to see me here. Five weeks have passed, and there is still no news. The last letter comes from the International Hotel in Lausanne. If She didn't leave an address, which means she's already left the place. It's making the family very anxious, they are very rich, and they will definitely appreciate us if this is done."

"Miss Dobney is the only one who can give us information. She must have written to the others, too?"

"Watson, the only sure correspondent is the bank. Single women also need to live. Their passbooks are the epitome of their own diaries. Her deposits are at Hillworthy Bank. I have seen her account , her last outlay was to pay off Lausanne's expenses, though the money is likely still with her. After that, she has only written a check once."

"Who did you give it to?"

"To a lady called Mary DeVine. The check has been cashed at Rena's, Montpellier, for fifty pounds."

"But who is Mary Devoon?"

"I've looked into this person, she was Miss Frances's maid, and we don't understand why the check was given to Mary Devoon, but we'll find out soon, but as your research work."

"Why should it be my research work?"

"To figure it out requires you to go to Lausanne and have an earth-shattering adventure. You should know that I can't leave London. Because old Abrahams is afraid of death, and there are other reasons for not wanting to go abroad. Without me Scotland Yard will be lonely, and the convicts will be rampant. Go, my dear Watson. If my proposal is worth twopence a word, let it be at the other end of the telegraph office. Give your orders at all times."

Two days later, I arrived at the International Hotel in Lausanne, where I was warmly received by the famous manager, Mr. Mawson.From his introduction, I knew that Miss Frances had lived here for a few weeks, and he told me that everyone who met her liked her and was willing to be near her.From his description of Miss Frances, I can well imagine that she must have been beautiful in her youth.She is not yet 40 years old, and her charm is still there.Manager Mawson told me that he had no idea about the treasure.I am very grateful for the situation he provided me.

I continued to look for clues to the case. The hotel waiter said that there was a heavy suitcase in the lady's bedroom, but she kept it locked.Frances's maid, Mary DeVine, was on good terms with everyone in the restaurant, and she was engaged to a head waiter.It was not difficult to find her address, she lived at 111 Rue Terracine in Montpellier.I recorded these situations one by one in my notebook.I'm very pleased with what I've got, and I think whoever comes here is getting as much information as they can get.

But now there is a doubt, why did Miss Frances leave suddenly after spending so much money?Only Fleur Vera, the maid's lover, gave me a little information.A tall, dark, bearded man had called on her about a day or two ago.He is British and lives in the city, but has not given his name.They had talked on the lakeside veranda before visiting her, but she refused, and she left the place.Both the maid and her lover felt that this visit was the reason for her leaving.But why Mary left her master, Fleur Vera would not speak.If I want to find out all these things, I'll go to Mary DeVine.

This is the end of the first step of the investigation.

The second step of investigation began again, first of all, where Miss Frances Carfax went after leaving Lausanne.From this point of view, it seems that what has been explained above is convincing, and Francis' departure was entirely to avoid the visitor.Otherwise, her luggage would have been publicly labeled for Baden.However, she and her luggage made a detour to the Rhine tourist area.I got these from my local Cook office.I telegraphed the situation to Holmes, and promptly received a return telegram from him, in which he complimented me humorously.Then I took the road to Baden, where it was not difficult to find clues.

Miss Francis lived in the British Hotel for half a month, and she met Dr. Slessinger, a missionary from South America, and his wife.She, like most single ladies, finds comfort in religion.Dr. Slessinger had been ill during his missionary mission, and now he has recovered. His extraordinary personality and dedication to serving the majority of believers deeply moved her.She helped the missionary as best she could.The manager also said that during the day the doctor spent time reclining in a chair with an attendant standing beside him.He was then preoccupied with drawing a map devoted to explaining the holy places of Judian heaven, and at the same time he was writing a treatise on the subject.After he fully recovered, they went to London together.The manager was less clear about what happened after that, about three weeks ago, about the maid, Mary Devoon, who, after a few days of crying, told the other maids that she would never Quit this job and leave.

"Oh, I remember," said the manager suddenly. "You are not the only one who has been looking for Francis since then. Someone came here to inquire about it a few weeks ago."

"Did you leave your name?" I asked.

"No, but I can tell he's English too, and he looks odd."

I connected the account of my eminent friend with what I knew. "Is there something savage about it?" I said immediately.

"Exactly, 'savage' is the best word to describe him. He is huge, bearded, and sunburned. Judging from his appearance, he seems to be used to living in low-level hotels, rather than luxury hotels. A high-end hotel. He looks terrible, and I really dare not mess with him."

The truth is about to come to an end, the mysterious cloud will also dissipate, and the characters in the case will gradually become clear.

A sinister, cunning guy with a sense of terror is chasing this kind, beautiful, gentle and pious lady. If she takes a step forward, he will follow closely. She is afraid of him, otherwise, she would never have escaped from the luxurious hotel. to Baden.He is still chasing after her, sooner or later he will catch up with her.Is it caught up now?What the hell did she mean by keeping that mystery?Had her companions seen what she had suffered and ignored it?What ulterior secret is hidden behind this hot pursuit?These questions flashed through my mind one by one, and this is what I want to figure out.

I wrote to Holmes, giving what I knew and what I thought of the case.My friend called back to tell me what Dr. Slessinger's left ear looked like, and I thought his idea was really ridiculous.Now was not the time for joking, so I ignored what he had to say.In fact, I had come to Montpellier to catch up with the maid.

It was not too difficult for me to learn from this maid what she knew.She is very loyal, and believes that the mistress has been taken care of by a very reliable person, and she should also get married, and she will leave the mistress sooner or later.She confessed with great sorrow that her mistress had once lost her temper with her in Baden, and what was worse, had pressed her on one occasion, as if the mistress had lost her confidence in her.Taking advantage of this quarrel to break up is also a good way, otherwise, it will be very difficult to do in the future.So Francis gave her fifty pounds as a wedding present, and also as a permanent souvenir.She shared my opinion that the savage Englishman was also very suspicious.She told me that she had witnessed the guy grabbing her hand viciously on the lakeside veranda. Even though her mistress had never mentioned it to her, she believed that she had something to do with him.

Suddenly Marie jumped up and yelled, "Look, that's the bastard."

Through the window I saw a man with a black beard walking towards the center of the street, looking hastily at the numbers.Obviously, he was also on the lookout for the maid.

"Are you British?" I asked anxiously.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" He asked me fiercely.

"What is your first and last name?"

"I can't tell you." He replied immediately.

It's an awkward situation, but I'm sure the best thing to do at a time like this is to ask him straight up.

"Do you know where Ms. Frances lives?" I asked again.

He looked at me in shock.

"What are you going to do? Why are you following her?" I said.

This guy was in a hurry and rushed towards me like an angry tiger.I can't stand him at all.His two hands clamped around my neck like iron clamps, almost knocking me unconscious.At this moment, a worker with a beard and wearing blue overalls rushed out from the opposite restaurant, holding a short stick in his hand, and stopped his behavior.He finally roared, left us, and walked into the small courtyard I had just entered.After he left, I turned to thank my "savior".

"Watson, you have completely screwed up the whole incident! Come back with me tonight." The savior (Holmes) said.

An hour later, Holmes resumed his original form and sat in the room where I was staying.

He then carefully explained to me that he had received my telegram and thought he could leave London, since he wanted to intercept me at my next stop, which was Montpellier, and he thought very simply.Then he disguised himself as a worker and waited for me in the hotel.

"It's too dangerous. If you hadn't shown up early, I might..." I whispered, but I still felt a little doubtful about his sudden arrival.

"You have done very conscientiously and carefully, my dear Watson," said he, "I can't find your negligence at this time. The whole effect of your work has been to call the police everywhere. Others' attention to this matter is of no use."

"Just let you do it, you may not be better than me." I replied aggrieved.

"Not what you say, but I've done a better job than you. The venerable Phillips Green is at the place, sharing the same hotel as you. I am absolutely sure that if the investigation is to be conducted effectively, He is the best breakthrough."

At this moment, a business card was sent in.Then a guy came in and he was the guy who just hit me in the street.When he saw me, his face suddenly changed, and he looked very surprised.

"What is the matter, Mr. Holmes?" he asked. "I have been informed by you, and I am coming at once. But what has this man to do with it?"

"Ah, this is my old friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, who helped us solve the case together."

(End of this chapter)