Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 161: Investigating Strange Cases (3)
"Obviously, I was very unpopular. But I made up my mind to find out about my friend. So on the surface I pretended to be persuaded by him, but I had other plans in my heart. At dinner, the atmosphere was very dull , the old colonel was still unhappy, but Godfrey's mother was very interested in asking me about his son on the battlefield. I was not in a good mood, so I went back to my room early. When the process was analyzed carefully, the old butler Ralph came in with some large lumps of coal.

"'It is very cold, sir, and the house is not warm, so I will bring you some coal for the night.'

"I said: 'Thank you.'

"But after putting down the coal, he didn't leave immediately, but stood in the middle of the room rubbing his hands, as if he had something to say.

"I asked him: 'Is there anything else?'

"'Sir, I just heard you talk about Master Godfrey. You know my wife was his nurse, and I watched him grow up, and we all loved and cared for him. You are his good friend. Friend, you just said he was brave in the field, didn't you?"

"'Yes, he was also known throughout the regiment as a brave fighter, and once saved my life in a hail of bullets!'

"The look on the old butler's face was very excited, it seemed that he was very excited to hear it.

"'Master Godfrey has been so courageous since he was a child. He climbed almost every tree in the park. What a young man he was!'

"'Before?' I jumped up.

"'What do you mean before? From what you say he seems dead. What's the matter? What's the matter with my friend?'

"Ralph drew back, as if frightened of something.

"'I don't understand you, I don't know anything, you better ask your master, I can't meddle in my own business.'

"He was talking and walking towards the door and I grabbed his arm.

"'You are not allowed to go. You must answer me a question or I will not let you go. Listen, is Godfrey alive after all?'

"'I'd rather he were dead,' said old Ralph, and ran out of my room after a few words from his mouth.

"Holmes, what do you think I must have felt when I heard this? I sat in a chair, and all kinds of thoughts rushed into my head. Was my friend involved in a serious crime, or did he commit a crime?" What is it that affects the family name? So the harsh father sent his son away, or hid it to avoid the family scandal? Just as I was thinking, God! I saw Godfrey right outside my window!"

At this point, my client paused.

I said, "And then? Please continue."

"That's him, Godfrey! He was standing outside the window with his face pressed against the glass. It was a clear day, and the moonlight shone on his face, so I could see it very clearly. His face was as pale as I ever saw it, Like a ghost. He disappeared into the darkness as soon as I spotted him.

"I was stunned, not just because of his scary face, his eyes were no longer as straightforward as before, there seemed to be a subtle sense of guilt, or something elusive.

"But I'm not afraid. After two years of scrambling, fear seems to have been forgotten in my heart. As soon as Godfrey hid, I immediately jumped to the window, opened the window and jumped out, followed me. He chased after him in the direction he thought he was fleeing.

"That winding and endless garden path has no lights. I chased it all the way, and shouted his name, but there were several forks in front of me soon, and I didn't know which way to go. At this time, a door It was slammed shut. I knew it wasn't coming from the room behind me, but from the darkness ahead. I was more certain now that it was Godfrey I had just seen, not a phantom.

"Mr. Holmes, I stood at the fork in the road. I had no choice but to turn back the same way. I was up all night trying to find a reasonable explanation for the matter. The Colonel seemed to soften a bit the next day. , I took the opportunity to say that someone introduced several interesting places nearby, and I had to stay for one night. The colonel reluctantly agreed. Therefore, I have a whole day to observe.

"Now I know that Godfrey is somewhere in the garden. From the impression of last night, I went to the end of the garden, and saw there was a building of some size, not as big as the other small houses in the garden. Same. Where did the closing sound come from? I pretended to be walking and walked towards it. At this moment, a short man with a short beard, dressed in black and wearing a round cap came out of the room. Like a servant or a gardener. He didn't leave immediately after he came out, but locked the door and put the key in his pocket. Later, when he saw me, he had a surprised look on his face.

"He asked: 'As if I haven't seen you, are you a guest here?'

"I said yes, and that Godfrey and I were good friends.

"I then said: 'It's a pity I didn't see him, I hear he's gone on a trip, yes?'

"He hurriedly said: 'Yes, yes, then you can come later.' Then he left. When I looked back, I found him peeking at me from behind a big tree.

"I walked around the house and saw that the windows were tightly screened, as if no one was inhabited. I knew someone was watching me, so I didn't dare to peep too boldly. I went to my room and waited for the night to come. Coming. After it was completely dark, I quietly slipped out of the house and walked towards the mysterious building.

"Fortunately, there was a light through the half-drawn curtain of one of the windows. I looked in carefully from here. The room was clean and tidy, with a fire burning and a bright light. I saw it in the morning The man in black is smoking a cigarette and reading a newspaper facing the window."

I asked, "What newspaper?"

My customer didn't seem too happy about my interruption.

"Does it matter?"

"The relationship is very big."

"But I didn't pay attention then."

"So do you see that big newspaper or a little weekly?"

"Yes, I have some impressions, not like Da Zhang, maybe it's "The Observer" magazine. I didn't pay attention to these at the time. I was paying attention to another person in the room. He had his back from the window, although I couldn't see his face, but from behind I was sure it was Godfrey! He was leaning towards the fireplace, his head on one hand, as if he was very sad. Before I could move, I was suddenly tapped hard on the shoulder. It turned out to be Em Colonel Swarth is here.

"'Sir, come this way!' he murmured, took my arm, and walked toward his lodgings with an angry look on his face.

"'There is a train for London at 08:30, please get on it and get out of here!'

"At that time, I felt very embarrassed, said a few words of apology, and tried to use the reason of caring for my friends to excuse myself.

"The colonel said firmly: 'Needless to say, you have shamelessly violated the rights of our family, you are no longer our guest, and I don't want to see you stay here and do spies again!'

"I got angry too and said something unkind.

"'I saw Godfrey was clearly in that house, but you didn't let him see anyone, and you pretended to be traveling, what is your purpose! My friend has lost his personal freedom, and I have to find out. I won't just leave it alone!'

"The colonel was very angry. I thought he was going to hit me. But he just stared at me for a while, and then left without saying a word. I finally decided to follow his instructions and take the train at 08:30 in the morning. Back in London. I want to hear your opinion, and I want you to help me solve this mystery, which is why I have come to you."

The patron directed his question to me.Evidently the astute reader has seen that the case is not very difficult and there are only a few possible explanations for the whole situation.But even so, it still has a special freshness, so I sorted it out and recorded it.

I asked him, "How many servants does the colonel have?"

"Looks like it's just old Ralph and his wife."

"Are there no other servants in the garden?"

"No, I've seen that short man in black, but he doesn't look like a servant."

"Oh. And have you ever seen meals being delivered from house to house?"

"Through your reminder, I remembered that one time Ralph walked towards that house with a basket, but at that time I didn't think there might be anything in it, maybe it was a food delivery!"

"Have you asked the locals about Godfrey?"

"I have. I have inquired with the neighbors and the station master. They all say that Godfrey has sailed around the world. They all know that he has returned home, but left again soon. As for his travels, Everyone seems to accept it."

"Did you tell them about your suspicions?"

"No."

"That's right. It seems that this matter needs to be investigated again. Let's go to Tewkesbury Manor together."

"When?"

"Next Monday. I have another case these days."

A week later Dodd and I went to Tewkesberg.When the train passed through the East District, I picked up a serious, reticent, calm and strong gentleman on the train, and I made an appointment with him in advance.

I didn't explain much to Dodd, except that he was a friend of mine who might help us.

Perhaps you readers have learned my way of doing things from Watson's records.It's just that I don't want to speak my mind too early when investigating a case.Dodd seemed weird, but he didn't ask much. I asked Dodd some questions on the train, mainly to let the accomplice listen.

"Seeing your friend's face through the window, are you sure it's not his face, but really his face?"

"I'm pretty sure it's him."

"It seems that you said he looked a little strange."

"Yes. I found his face to be unnaturally pale. I had never seen such a pale-faced man before."

"Is the whole face very white?"

"It doesn't seem to be. What I remember most is that the forehead is the whitest."

My investigation has progressed, and one more trifle may reveal the truth.

When we arrived at Tewkesbury after a long journey, the door was opened by the old butler, Ralph.I left my old friend in the carriage to wait for our news, while Dodd and I went straight to the living room.Ralph was a tall, wrinkled old man in his traditional gray jacket and brown trousers, except for the fact that he wore yellow leather gloves, which he took off as soon as he saw us and put them on the hall table. superior.I smelled a subtle pungent odor in the room, which seemed to emanate from the table on which the gloves were placed.I put the hat on the table and deliberately touched it on the ground. When I picked up the hat, I took the opportunity to smell the gloves. The strange smell was indeed coming from the gloves.Ah, the scouting is done.It seems that I am not as good as Watson in writing stories. He will definitely write such details in the end to attract readers, but I can only write in this way.

After the colonel heard the announcement, he came in a rage.As soon as we entered the door, we tore up the business cards in our hands and threw them on the ground.

"Mind your own business! I have warned you that you are not welcome here! If you still dare to come here without permission, I have the right to use force, and I will not be polite to you!" He turned to me again, " Sir, I also warn you, go play your tricks elsewhere, I don’t need it here, get out of here!”

Dodd said firmly, "We're not leaving unless Godfrey himself tells me he's not under house arrest."

The colonel became even angrier. He yelled, "Call the police and say there are robbers here."

I hastened to say: "Wait a minute, Colonel, of course you can do this in your private residence, but I also want you to know that we are here out of concern for your son. I hope you will agree with me." Talk in private for a few minutes and you'll change your mind."

"I don't want to talk nonsense with you, Ralph, call quickly!"

I said: "Please wait a moment, if the police come, the result must be something you don't want to see." I took out my notebook, tore off a page, and wrote something hastily.I handed him the paper: "Look at this first."

The colonel glanced at the paper reluctantly, but immediately froze with startled stares.

He asked weakly: "How do you know?"

"It's my job to do that."

The colonel sat in a chair, his arms hanging limply.After a long time, he said helplessly:
"Well, if you insist on seeing my son, then go ahead. If you insist on doing this, then I don't care. Ralph, tell the young master and Mr. Kent that we will go there in a while."

A few minutes later, we walked around the winding path and came to the mysterious house. A man in black with a short beard stood at the door and said to the colonel:

"What's the matter? Colonel, all our plans have been disrupted."

"I don't know. I can't stop it. Holmes forced me to do it. How is it, Godfrey?"

"Very well, he's in there," he said, and led us into a room that was simply furnished but spacious and clean.A man was standing with his back to the fireplace.My client, Dodd, saw him and ran to him.

Mr. Dodd said, "Ah! See you at last, my friend!"

The man waved back a few steps and said, "Don't come and touch me."

"Dear James, you must be surprised at my appearance. Indeed, I am no longer that good rider and heroic warrior."

I took a good look at Godfrey as he spoke.It can be seen that he must be a very handsome young man, with good features, but his face is indeed abnormal now.He was supposed to be healthy and tanned by the African sun, but now his dark skin is mixed with many patches of white spots, which looks strange.

He went on: "That's why I don't see visitors, and I don't dislike you. But your companion—"

"Godfrey, I'm just worried for your safety. You were standing outside my window that night and I saw you. What the hell is going on?"

"Ralph told me you were coming. I couldn't help but want to see you, but I didn't want you to see me. I had to run back to the house when I heard the window."

"Then why bother?"

He lit a cigarette while talking: "It's a long story. It starts with my injury on the battlefield. In that battle, do you remember that I was shot?"

"I just heard about it, but I don't know the specifics."

"After being shot, I didn't get in touch with the troops. I got on the horse's back in a daze, and the horse carried me for a few miles. I fell off the horse and passed out later."

"When I woke up, it was very dark and there was a biting cold wind blowing. I was very weak and struggled to stand up. I looked around, but found a rather large house not far away. I was There was only one thought of trying to get to the house for some warmth, and I was so cold, sore, and tired that I couldn't hold on. It took me a lot of effort to get closer to the house. I climbed the steps, and from I walked in through a wide open door and entered a big room with several beds. I immediately fell down on a bed desperately. caught.

"I woke up at dawn. The sun shone in through the huge windows, and the big dormitory was even brighter. In front of me stood a strange man. His head was huge, but he was as short as a dwarf. He seemed to be mumbling Speaking Dutch, and waving his huge hand. Behind him stood many ugly monsters like him, either bulky or grotesque. I thought I was in hell.

"They don't seem to speak English at all, but the situation has to be explained clearly. The little man in the lead seemed very angry. He screamed and pulled me down, ignoring my bleeding wound. At this moment, I heard a noise. , an older man in charge came in, scolded him a few words in Dutch, and the little man let go. Then he turned to me and looked at me with wide-eyed surprise.

"He asked: 'How did you get here? Don't move yet, the wound on your shoulder needs to be attended to. I'm a doctor and I'll get you bandaged right away. But young man! It's not much better here than on the battlefield, here It was a leprosy house, and you slept the night in a leper's bed.'

"My God, James, what else is there to say? I was evacuated elsewhere that night because of the war patients, but the next day, because the British army came, they returned to the hospital. I was later put by the doctor in a separate room. In the ward, someone took good care of me, and after about a week, I was sent to the Southern General Hospital.

"After my shoulder injury healed, I went home. I thought I was lucky enough to escape the tragedy. But within a few days after returning home, white spots appeared on my face, and more and more white spots appeared on my face. , I was finally infected. What can I do? My relatives and I don’t want to live in a leprosy hospital with people we don’t know, without seeing the light of day. So we figured out a way to pretend that we are I have gone on a trip, but I am resting at home. We live in this remote place, there is no one else at home, and the two old servants are completely trustworthy, and Dr. Kent, he is willing to take care of me and live with me. This is It's very simple. But this matter must be kept absolutely secret, once it gets out, even in the backcountry, it will cause a big disturbance. So I didn't tell you. But why did father suddenly give in today?"

The colonel pointed at me and said, "It's because of this gentleman." He opened the paper with "leprosy" written on it. "He already knows so much, what else can he do besides tell him everything?"

I said, "Just tell me. Dr. Kent, it seems that you are the only one who sees the patient. I think, if several experts come to see the patient together, will the condition improve faster?"

He was a little unhappy: "You don't trust me?"

"It's not that I doubt your ability. It's just that this disease is different from ordinary diseases. It would be helpful to listen to the opinions of experts. From my understanding, the reason why you don't make a diagnosis is because you are afraid of external pressure forcing you to treat the patient. Sent to a leprosy hospital."

"Indeed," said the colonel.

"I understand how you feel. I have brought a friend today who you can fully trust. I have done things for him, so he is here today to provide some advice as a friend and not an expert. He is Sir Saunders."

Hearing the name of this expert, Kent immediately showed surprise on his face, as if a newly promoted junior officer was meeting the president.

"It's a great honor to meet with an authority in the medical community," he said.

"Then I'll get Sir Saunders here. He's waiting outside in the car. Colonel, I reckon we'll go to your study. I think you'd like me to explain all this to you, too."

In the study, I analyzed my views to several audiences, including Godfrey's mother.

(End of this chapter)