Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 162: Investigating Strange Cases (4)
"I base my method on an assumption: when all improbable conclusions have been ruled out, the facts must remain. There may be several explanations left, and if so, they must be carefully confirmed until only That leaves one explanation that has enough evidence to support it. In this case, I initially speculated that there were three possibilities: first, that he escaped punishment for the crime, second, that he was insane but did not want to live in a madhouse, and third , need to be quarantined due to illness. There are only a few possibilities. Then let’s compare.

"Crime is ruled out first. I know that there are no unsolved cases in this area. If it is a crime that has not been exposed, then the protagonist should be sent away and should not be hidden at home. Therefore, this possibility can be ruled out.

"Insanity is more likely. The second person in the hut may be the caretaker. This assumption can also be drawn from the fact that he locked the door after he came out. But this young man was peeping at his friend at night, so it can be seen that the caretaker Not very strict. Mr. Dodd, do you remember that I asked you what newspaper Kent read? If it was a medical magazine, it would be easier to analyze. But you know, there are regulations in the UK, as long as you are accompanied by a doctor and reported to the authorities, you can also Keeping a mentally ill person at home does not require desperate secrecy, so that possibility is also ruled out.

"Then there is only one last explanation, namely that the young man has a very serious infectious disease. I immediately thought of leprosy. Leprosy is abundant in South Africa, and Godfrey probably caught it while living in South Africa. He didn't want to live in a leprosy hospital, so his family used this method. As long as the salary is right, it is easy to find a doctor to take care of the patient. Of course, the patient's movement at night does not need to be so restricted. The most important thing is that there is no lepers. The whitening of the complexion is a very obvious feature of a mad person. There are sufficient arguments for this conclusion, so I invited the medical expert Sir Saunders in advance. When I first arrived here, I found that Ralph who brought meals to the cottage The smell of disinfectant on the gloves is more certain."

While I was talking, Sir Sanders opened the door and came in.There was an exceptional smile on his normally serious face, and he came over to hold the colonel's hand.

He said, "I'm glad I can bring you the good news that Godfrey is not leprosy."

Everyone was taken aback: "What?"

"The surface symptoms of his disease are like leprosy, and it is called ichthyosis in medicine. This disease affects the appearance and lasts for a long time, but it is very hopeful that it can be cured. More importantly, it is absolutely not contagious.

"It's really a coincidence. After staying in the leprosy hospital, this young man probably has a kind of fear in his heart. Because of his fear, he has a physiological reaction and simulates what he fears. All in all, he is definitely not a leper. patient."

Will there be more exciting news than this?Godfrey's mother fainted from excitement.She could be cared for by Kent, so he wouldn't be out of work anytime soon.Finding the "Heart of the Sea"

Newly married, "Dr. Watson returned to this somewhat messy room on the second floor of Baker Street, where the famous private detective Sherlock Holmes lived, and it was also the place where many adventures were first started. Everything remained the same, and Holmes' life was very Two important items, the violin and the pipe, are still in place.

It's just that there is a new sidekick, Billy, who looks very smart.

Billy said, "Sir is sleeping."

As soon as Watson heard this, it became clear.It was seven o'clock in the afternoon, and Holmes was asleep at that time, which showed that he must be working on a rather difficult case.At this time, he will work hard, so his work and rest are irregular.

Billy said that Holmes was looking for a target.

"Yesterday he disguised himself as a job seeker, and today he disguised himself as an old woman. I almost didn't recognize him." He pointed to the worn-out big umbrella near the sofa as he said.

"This is the old woman's prop. Mister is very talented in acting. If he becomes an actor, he will definitely be famous as well."

"Then England is missing a legendary detective!"

"In my opinion, whatever line of work he does not engage in is the loss of that line of work."

"What case is he working on now?"

Billy lowered his voice and said solemnly:
"Great secret. Have you heard of the royal diamond that has been around for several dynasties? It was stolen."

"This case? It's really unusual."

"Of course. The Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior came here a few days ago! Sir, I have assured them. People of high status are just like ordinary people. It is not difficult to talk. I even chatted with the Prime Minister! It's just that Kanter Lord Mill—"

"Oh, him!"

"Do you know him too?"

"Just what I heard. I heard he has a bad temper."

"That is, his arrogant and indifferent appearance, and he seems to think that this case should not be handled by Mr. Holmes at all. He does not believe in Mr. Holmes' ability, which is too intolerable."

"And what did Holmes say?"

"Mr. said that it is enough to show him the facts in the end."

"Then let's wish him well! Never mind that Cantmir."

Watson looked up sharply and saw a window with long, wide curtains.

Watson asked: "What's the matter with this curtain?"

"Oh, this, I forgot to show you."

He pulled back the curtain by a corner.

"Look, how fun it is in the back!"

Behind the curtain was a wax statue of Sherlock Holmes.His friend propped his head on one hand, was wearing pajamas, lowered his head slightly, with half of his face leaning towards the window, as if he was reading a book.

"It's amazing. Holmes and I have used wax figures before in our cases, but why did he make himself into a wax figure this time?"

"Maybe it's for the people across the road to see."

Billy took off the wax man's head and said: "We also put the head in various positions to make it look more like a real person, sir. Don't let it be changed casually."

"is it?"

"Someone is watching us on the other side of the road. If you don't believe me, come to the window and have a look."

"Watson was on his way.

Suddenly the bedroom door opened.The protagonist Holmes quickly came out.Although his face was pale and he was very nervous, his movements were still agile. He leaped towards the window and drew the curtains.

He said, "Billy, I told you not to move around. Your life was in danger just now, you know?"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Watson. You have come just in time for me to need you."

"I'm honored that you say that."

"Billy, get on with your work first. Remember not to open the curtains casually in the future, it's very dangerous."

Billy agreed and went down.

Watson couldn't help asking: "What's the danger?"

"The danger of life may be tonight."

"You can't joke."

"You know I don't like joking."

"What's going on? Can you be more specific and specific? Does it have anything to do with the lost diamond?"

"That's it."

Holmes sat in the easy chair and took a deep draw from his pipe, and exhaled a long smoke ring.

He asked Watson: "Would you like a cigar?"

"I just want to know the situation quickly."

"Yes, you must remember this name and address. This is a clue to the murderer."

"Murderer? So you already know who the murderer is?"

"Just remember it first. If something happens to me, you will hand them over to the Minister of the Interior. The murderer lives at 136 Moersey Garden Street, and his name is Earl Sylvia, remember?"

Watson took a sharp breath: "An accident?" Only then did he know that this case had put Holmes in danger.Since he knew his friend never liked exaggeration, it seemed that he was indeed dangerous.

"Holmes, I will not let you risk yourself, and I seem to be all right. Tell me, what can I do for you?"

"Just keep in mind the murderer's name and address. It will be more troublesome if there are more people."

"Since you already know the murderer, why don't you have him arrested?"

"He also knew that I might arrest him, so I was afraid that he would jump over the wall and bite people everywhere."

"Catch him while he doesn't move!"

"The problem is that I still don't know where the diamond is hidden. So it's no use catching him."

"Is that the 'Heart of the Sea'?"

"Yes, that diamond is called 'Heart of the Sea', and it is a royal treasure."

Holmes drew on his cigarette and said:

"Catching that guy is indeed killing society, but my purpose is to get the diamond back and return it to the royal family."

"Who is Sylvia? She can steal the royal treasure."

"He's a very savage, disguised fellow, a biting shark, very difficult to deal with. And he has a helper called Moulton. Moulton is a boxer, and now he's doing some evil with the Earl. This fellow has strong limbs and a simple mind, and he completely obeys the count's orders."

"Have you met Count Sylvia?"

"Not only did I meet him, but I was beside him all morning."

"Oh?"

"Not very strange. You saw the broken parasol. In the morning, I pretended to be an old woman and followed him all the time. Once, he helped me pick up the parasol that I lost. He looked like a gentleman on the surface, but he was a devil in his heart. "

"That seems interesting."

"It got boring after that. I followed him, and I stopped and went, and finally came to an underground shop that sells weapons. I saw him buy some long guns. I think one or more of these guns are facing our window. .The head of this wax figure may be pierced by bullets at any time."

Little Billy came in now with a tray in his hand.

"What's up?"

"A gentleman would like to visit you."

A business card is placed on the tray.

Holmes glanced at the business card with a faint smile on his lips.

"I didn't expect this guy to come to the door."

Watson was startled and said, "What? Is it Sylvia?"

"Yes. The fish caught in the net seems to feel that the line of my net is getting tighter. He is said to be quite a famous archer. Is he trying to use me as a target?"

"Call the police."

"Not yet. There must be someone else. Look at the window, Watson. Is there a burly fellow in the street watching the house?"

Watson carefully looked out from the edge of the curtain.

"What a burly man."

"It should be like this. How can the faithful Moulton not come?"

He turned to Billy.

"Where are the guests?"

"Now in the reception room."

"Let him come up when I ring the bell, let him in whether I'm there or not, remember?"

"Sir, remember."

"You should greet him first."

"Yes, sir."

Watson was very nervous. After Billy left, he said to Holmes:

"It's very dangerous! Just now you said that he is very insidious, this time, he may also have hidden murderous intentions."

"I am clear."

"Then how do you deal with him?"

"Watson, I have made up my mind that you go through this side door," he said, tearing a piece of paper from his diary and writing a few lines, "you give this to Yuk, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Headquarters. Well, come with the police again. At that time, this guy will not be able to escape."

"As ordered."

"I've also been away from here for a while. I want to know what this guy is thinking. You can go away at ease. I have a way to deal with him. Before you come back, I will find the gem."

Watson left in a hurry.

Holmes rang the bell, and little Billy asked Count Sylvia to come to the room a minute later, but the room was empty.

Sylvia was tall, dark-skinned, and a very strong man.His aquiline nose and thin lips added a sinister and menacing look to his face.After entering the door, he searched around cautiously. Suddenly, he saw the wax figure half covered by the curtain, only the head of the wax figure and the collar of the pajamas appeared and disappeared.Sylvia was taken aback, he must have regarded the statue as a real person, and there was a terrifying and fierce light in his eyes.After making sure that there was no one around, he held up the huge cane he was holding when he entered the door, and approached the wax figure step by step, ready to hit it.

At this time, a calm and sarcastic voice came from the door of the bedroom:
"Slow down, Mr. Earl, please be merciful and don't destroy it!"

The man who was about to commit the murder was startled.When he knew the truth, that Holmes was standing at the door of the bedroom, a venomous expression took over his face, but he soon returned to normal.

"Your dummy is a real person," he said.

"It's really hard to hide from the earl's eyes. I specially asked a French sculptor to do it. His wax figure making skills are completely comparable to your men's air gun making skills."

"I don't understand what you're saying. I don't know what 'subordinates' and 'air guns' are."

"Okay then. Just pretend you really don't know. Put down your cane, please. Come sit down here, I think we need to have a serious talk. Don't you think so?"

The Count frowned.

"I just came here because I wanted to talk to you. But I really hope that the wax figure just now was you. I'm going down like this, huh!"

"Oh, Mr. Earl, don't be so excited. I know you hate me a long time ago, can you tell me why?"

"Do you need to say more? You often target me, fight against me, and often have people follow me!"

"Get someone to follow? I didn't let anyone!"

The earl gritted his teeth and said, "What are you pretending to be! I still have people following them. If you can do it, I can do it."

Holmes remained calm.

"Let me tell you, I did not send anyone, so what you said just now was not accurate."

"Don't be afraid to admit it. An old man yesterday and another old lady this morning stared at me all the time. Aren't they your minions?"

"Oh, Mr. Earl, you probably really misunderstood. But I'm honored that you are satisfied with my makeup skills. It seems that Billy said that I will be famous when I enter the theater world. There is indeed some truth."

"What? Is that you yourself?"

"Did you see the broken parasol in the corner? Before you doubt that 'old lady', you kindly helped 'her' pick it up!"

The count was very surprised: "It's really you?"

Holmes shrugged his shoulders.

"Why did I lie to you? It's really me."

"At that time, if I knew it was you who pretended, I would definitely—"

"What are you going to do? Will you raise the cane like you did just now, and 'bang' it? Yes, you can use a gun that is easier and more convenient. Do you think so?"

The count snorted.

"Nosy guy, why do you like to follow me?"

Holmes said, "Don't you ask the question knowingly?"

"What do you mean?"

"Monsieur Count, have you ever hunted lions in Algeria?"

"so what?"

"What are you hunting for?"

"Is it related to you? What are you doing? Playing, having fun, taking risks, how interesting, have you never played?"

"I mean you, do you mean to eliminate harm for the society? Lions can eat people."

"Yes, that's what it means."

"So, I'm just like you. That's why I'm following you."

"You?" The count became impatient, jumped up from his chair, and reached into his pocket to draw a gun involuntarily.

"Sir, please wait a moment. Take it easy, I'm not done yet."

The count sat down angrily again.

"There is another more practical and clear reason, I want that 'heart of the sea'!"

A sinister grin appeared on the earl's face.

He said, "I see."

Holmes said: "I know all about you. Don't you come today just to find out how much I know about you? Let me tell you, I already know all about you. One thing, I think you will let me know in a moment." I know."

"Oh? What is it? What is it that the famous Sherlock Holmes doesn't know?"

"Where is the diamond now?"

The count cast a wary look at Holmes and said, "You want to know this, but how can I tell you? How can I know where it is?"

"You know, you'll tell me!"

"Why?"

"Don't try to fool me, you can't fool me. My eyes can see into your heart." Holmes' eyes were fixed on Sylvia like an awl.

"So you should know where the diamond is?"

"Ah! It seems that you admit that you know!" Holmes laughed.

"I admit nothing."

"Mr. Earl, it's better not to act in front of me. It's not good for you. You'd better understand."

Sylvia looked disdainful to speak.

"So you've really lost your mind." Holmes then opened the drawer and took out a thick notebook.

"Look at this."

"What the hell?"

"It's all about you."

"I?"

"Yes. Here is written all your bad deeds, all your sins."

The count said angrily, "Hu Zhi! You meddling fellow, don't push me into a hurry!"

"Don't you believe it? Let me tell you a few things, and you can see if it's true."

Holmes flipped through the book and looked at it a few times, then said:
"After Mrs. Harold died, you were the biggest beneficiary, and you lost all your property in the blink of an eye."

"No one believed it."

"And this matter, Miss Valentine, you should know, she was hurt by you."

"That has nothing to do with me."

"There are many more. This is a record of the robbery in the first-class compartment of the Riviera train on February 1892, 2. Here is a counterfeit check from the Bank of Lyon in the same year. How dare you say that you didn't do it?"

"I didn't do this!"

"Then you admit that you have done something else? Mr. Earl, you have also heard of 'the man who knows the current affairs is the hero', don't waste any more time, I know your situation very well."

"It has nothing to do with diamonds at all!"

"Don't worry, let me give you a brief explanation. Let me tell you, not only do I know about your previous criminal activities, I also know about this diamond theft case very well. You and your subordinates, what happened in this case role, I think I know as much as you do."

"Don't lie!"

"Well, listen, then. I know the coachman who took you to Buckingham Palace and the coachman who drove you off at the end. I know the porter who saw you at the crime scene. I know Archie Saunders If you don’t sell diamonds for you, he has already reported to the police. Your deeds have been discovered long ago.”

The veins on Sylvia's head were bulging, and cold sweat was about to ooze out. Even though he gritted his teeth, he couldn't speak a word.

"Look, I'll show you all the cards in my hand now. I only need a king of hearts. Where is the diamond?"

The count finally regained his strength and uttered a sentence: "I will never let you know."

"Don't say that. Mr. Sylvia, you'd better think carefully!" Holmes was not in a hurry, and continued in a slow tone: "If you are imprisoned in prison for 20 years, think about it, 20 years, how many years?" Long years! Even if you have the diamond, what is the use of it? And your man Moulton, he will have the same fate. If you think about it from another angle, now you hand over the diamond, you only need to hand over the diamond , I will be able to apply to the authorities for you, so that you will not be prosecuted, and we will not pursue all your previous activities. If you can promise not to commit another crime, we will not deprive you of your liberty and spare you from jail. How? It is my task to return the diamonds, I only want diamonds, not you, understand?"

"What if I disagree?"

"Then there is no other way. Without diamonds, I can only catch you."

So saying, Holmes stretched out his hand and rang the bell.

Little Billy walked in at once.

"What is it, sir?"

Holmes first said to Sylvia:
(End of this chapter)