Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 169: Investigating Strange Cases (11)
"At the moment it is, and it won't be after a while-I offered to resign. He is as cruel to everyone, and his so-called good deeds are used to buy some virtue and comfort his own conscience. His wife, a very poor Victim, abused by him. Even if he didn't kill him, he took her out of life and pushed her to death. I'm sure of that. She's Brazilian and grew up in the tropics, sure You understand too."

"I didn't know she was Brazilian."

"A person from the tropics with the enthusiasm of the sun. Her love is also a fire, and no one can refuse her fire-like love, but when she is old and beautiful - she was so charming once, and she no longer has his affection. She We all sympathize with her situation, but we can't help her, and we dare not speak out, because he is cunning and terrible. I remind you not to be fooled by his superficial benevolence and hypocrisy. I have to go, and I can't call him see me."

The visitor quickly slipped away like a mouse afraid of a cat.

Holmes thought for a while and said, "What's the matter? It seems that Mr. Gibson has a warm family, but it is still beneficial to listen. Now we are waiting for Mr. Gibson's arrival."

At eleven o'clock, there were footsteps downstairs, and the famous financial tycoon arrived on time. With just one glance, I understood Mr. Bates' dislike and resentment towards him, and also understood how many of his business competitors felt about him. The reason for his curse.I think Mr. Neil Gibson is a typical successful entrepreneur with a heart of ice and will of iron.His huge body gives people a menacing aura, as if he wants to overwhelm everything and want to get all the good things in the world.His face seemed to be roughly carved but unprocessed marble, with deep wrinkles and hidden scars, showing the master's legendary experience.His snake eyes glowed with a cold light, and they moved flexibly in the eye sockets, shooting us back and forth a few times.When Holmes introduced me, he reluctantly leaned slightly to show his respect, then grabbed a chair and sat opposite Holmes.

He said without hesitation: "Mr. Holmes, I will say it directly. I will fight this lawsuit at any cost to clear this woman's grievances. If it helps you, money is not a problem. To me, the truth is eternal." , and money is waste paper, we should not wrong a good person. You can ask for as much money as you need.”

Holmes said very coldly: "I work not only for money, but as much as I need."

"Since you don't care about money like this, you must want to be famous and become a well-known detective. If you can solve this case, American and British journalists will write you as a legend, making you the focus of the world."

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm not interested, Mr. Gibson, you don't know how I work as a concealer. I would like to study this type of problem, not interested in fame and fortune. Cut the nonsense and talk about something substantive content."

"I know you must have a lot of information - this case has been reported by major newspapers. I only know this, and I don't have more to help you. But if you have any doubts, I will try my best to answer them .”

"There's only one thing you need to explain."

"Then please tell me."

"I want to find out what is the relationship between Miss Dunbar and you?"

The overlord of the gold mine jumped up suddenly, and then returned to that extremely arrogant attitude.

"Mr. Holmes, I think you have the right to ask that question—and you must."

"You're right."

"I swear to God, we are pure. Our relationship is only about children's education, because she is my children's tutor, that's all."

Holmes knew he was lying.

He said, "Mr. Gibson, I value my time too much to hear an orator. Go ahead!"

Gibson was on his feet, and he seemed about to throw himself on Holmes.His slashed face was flushed with anger, and the anger that spouted from his eyes seemed to want to burn the "disrespectful" Holmes.

"What do you mean, are you an order to evict guests?"

"I didn't mean that. I can't stand the hypocrisy. I think I've made my point."

"You have something to say, so be clear. Is it because of the money or are you simply not capable of taking the case?"

Holmes said: "I can only explain to you that the case itself is very troublesome, and with a little perjury, the possibility of solving the case will be even smaller."

"So you don't believe me?"

"I think I have made my meaning clear. Whether you tell the truth or not, only you will know."

The angry lion raised his huge fist, as if he was going to fight someone.I hastened to my feet, lest he should do him any harm, but Mr. Holmes smoked his pipe very serenely.

"Mr. Gibson, don't be so excited. This will hinder your health. For your health and to solve the case smoothly, I suggest you go outside for some fresh air. Your hot brain needs to be blown by the wind."

The self-control of "Lion" is very admirable, just like his irascibility.In just a moment, he controlled his emotions and turned into disdain and indifference.

"I don't want to tell you anymore. You have your way of handling cases, and I have my way of doing things. You don't have to accept this case, but you have to remember your behavior today. Please don't be self-righteous, Mr. Holmes, I will definitely Beat you, you are not an opponent, you will not have a good end - anyone who is against me will have the same result."

Holmes said calmly: "I have heard this kind of words thousands of times, and I can recite it long ago. Mr. Gibson, you can go. You are a sensible person, and you will understand this question."

The guest went out without looking back.My friend looked up and smoked leisurely, as if nothing had happened.

After a long time, he said, "Watson, what do you think of this financial giant?"

"All this shows that he is very cruel, and he will use whatever means to achieve his goals. He is crazy and wants to defeat those who oppose him. It is the same in business, and it is also the same in the field of love. His fiery wife has become a thorn in his side and a thorn in his flesh. That's pretty much what Mr. Bates said, so—"

"I think so too."

"But I don't know how you saw through the ambiguous relationship between him and the female teacher?"

"I don't really understand their real relationship either. Bingbuyao really works, and his gaffe speaks for itself. He comes across as ruthless, but the letter feigns a surprising amount of moral outrage and sympathy for the The pity and sympathy of the female prisoner is like a savior. There must be a reason for this. If you want to know the truth, you must understand the relationship between the three people, which is the key."

"Probably he won't just leave like this."

"No. He will not give up lightly. He will return—for the woman's innocence. Do you hear the bell? There are also footsteps." said Holmes cheerfully: "Oh, Mr. Gibson, you are welcome back. I I think you have figured out how to cooperate with me in this case."

The air outside really woke him up and hurt his pride, but Holmes tamed the lion at last.In order to achieve his goal, he must restrain his temperament. Now he is really like a caged animal that has just entered a cage.

"Mr. Holmes, please forgive my gaffe just now. I know your good intentions. I should not have kept my privacy, which made you suspicious of me. I should explain everything to you. But I gave my life and On my reputation, this case has nothing to do with me and Dunbar. I know you don't necessarily believe that."

"Mr. Gibson, that needs to be decided by me."

"That's right. You are a general. To command a battle, you must understand the overall situation in order to win."

"Mr. Gibson, you are quite right. A soldier is disloyal to the army if he does not report and lies about military information."

"Exactly. But Mr. Holmes, on the sensitive topic of the relationship between men and women, everyone will react very strongly, especially if you really love a woman. This love is so pure. I want to keep this love in my heart forever. Somebody trampled and defiled her. Mr. Holmes, you broke into this territory so suddenly, even though it was to save Dunbar, I still couldn't restrain my impulse. I think now, for her, I can say all of myself Secret, I just ask God to let you clear Dunbar's grievances for me. Just ask if you want to know."

"The truth of the matter."

The financial giant hesitated a little, as if caught in memory and thinking.His weather-beaten face was darkened by the pain of his inner feelings.

He finally spoke: "It's a long story, and to save time, I'll just say what's helpful to the case. Many things, especially relationship issues, I don't know myself. When I was young, I was panning for gold in Brazil, and then Maria Beet— —A very charming woman, my present wife came into my life. I was also a passionate young man, and I fell in love with her at once.—It is true, and I still do not deny that I was very fond of her at that time. So infatuated. She has a lively personality, full of youthful vigor, acts on impulse, and is loyal to her feelings. This typical Brazilian tropical girl's demeanor is completely different from American women. Perhaps because of this, I fell madly in love with She, and married her. But when the passion gradually receded—lived together for a few years—I felt that we were not suitable. Gradually, I couldn’t bear her nervous temper. My love began to cool down, But she is still hot and it hurts me even more. If she hated me and hated me then we would have been freed sooner. But no matter how I treat her, even if it is abuse, she still loves me. It hurts me even more, she and 20 The same as years ago, unwavering in my determination. This woman has caused me a lot of headaches.

"Later, an angel appeared in my life—Miss Dunbar. She was hired as a tutor in my family. She is very beautiful. I am a man who cannot get rid of emotional pain. I need a woman who loves me more. In the stage of getting along with Miss Dunbar, I knew that I could not leave her, so I boldly confessed everything to her. I always have confidence in myself, just like defeating my opponent in the mall to get what I want, I want her .”

"Oh, you did, and it served your purpose."

Holmes was angry, and although not as terrifying as Gibson's appearance, it was still frightening.

"I told her I wanted her. I wanted her to be the happiest woman in the world. But I couldn't have her, even though I loved her."

"It's touching," said Holmes sarcastically.

"Mr. Holmes, don't laugh at me. I am confessing to you. I hope to help the case. I don't want to ask for your opinion. I am not standing on the moral bench."

Holmes sternly said: "I did not take this case because of your conscience, that woman suffering in prison is the one who deserves sympathy, your behavior is more inhumane than murder, you have ruined a poor woman's life. You people have some money, and you want to use money to buy others or even buy your own soul. You are doing it on your own, and you don’t blame others.”

At this time, the irritable "lion" was like a lamb pleading guilty. It seemed that he was definitely not playing with Dunbar.

"I think I'm guilty and I owe God repentance. My plan didn't work out. She's a wise, admirable woman who strongly disagrees and is resigning."

"Actually she didn't leave."

"The reasons are complicated. She was not born rich, and she didn't work just for herself. She had to consider the livelihood of the people she supported. She was kind and would never abandon them. I swore I would never violate her dignity again. Finally she She promised to stay. Another reason is that she wants to do something good for me with a kind heart. It is true that no one but her will tame a wild and fierce horse like me."

"What is she going to ask you to do?"

"This, I can't explain at once. Mr. Holmes, I have huge assets that I don't even know about myself. This is a very powerful weapon. During these years in the business field, I have long adapted to the competition of the jungle. I want to defeat my opponent People, therefore, I have a great destructive force in me. She is very compassionate, and she said that the great wealth enjoyed by one person is based on the bankruptcy and poverty of many people. It is not true. I know that she sees more I am deeper and farther, she has a heart that cares for everyone. She really influenced me, I did some good deeds, but in fact, she is the goddess of happiness. So she did not leave, and then this unfortunate thing happened. "

"The truth of the tragedy, do you understand?"

The financial giant couldn't answer, thinking deeply.

"All the evidence is against her. I admit that women are really fickle, and sometimes men can't figure it out. At first, after it happened, I was so shocked. I almost thought Dunbar lost his kindness on impulse. Heart, but it's impossible. I believe I can do this, but I can't believe that she can do it, it's terrible. I only have one explanation, whether it is true or not, it may meet your deeper prejudice against me , but I still think so. Please treat my explanation with an objective attitude: my wife with a tropical temperament is a very impulsive person, and women's jealousy is especially strong in her, which is her nature .Although I have never had a physical relationship with Miss Dunbar, the spiritual relationship has become too much for her to bear, which caused her to lose her mind. ) time—this she could never do in her life—hate Dunbar even more to the point of going crazy, and even wanted to kill her. She can do anything, and there is a savage-like savage in her bones. Because of impulse, She may have attempted to murder Miss Dunbar, which is of course mere speculation. It is also possible that she threatened Dunbar with a gun to leave the place. After a violent quarrel, a fight broke out, but by accident she was killed. Mr. Holmes, this is only a matter of fact. My guess."

"I have thought of that long ago," said Holmes, "and you have conceived it very well. It is the only explanation for the offense against Miss Dunbar."

"But Dunbar himself made up that assumption."

"Denials don't tell the story, and many circumstances can't be explained. After such a thrilling scene, a woman would be terrified and probably go home with a gun in her hand - because she didn't know she was What to do—maybe put the gun and clothes together. When the gun was found, I said nothing, because the situation at the time was difficult to explain, and the more I said it, the more I suspected it. What can you use to overthrow this reasoning?"

"Dunbar himself will do."

"Perhaps so."

Holmes glanced at his watch: "I guess we can get the permit tomorrow morning, and take the night train to Winchester. After meeting the woman, I will be able to get more information and have a more reasonable inference. Although I can't be sure." Your conclusion is correct, but I will do my best to help you. Please rest assured, I can figure out these problems."

The next day, I was delayed in obtaining the official permit, so I had to temporarily change my plan and go to Thor Lake, the farm of Mr. Neil Gibson in Hampshire, to learn about the situation directly, instead of going to Winchester.Mr. Gibson, who did not accompany us, directed us to Inspector Salute Kwinterly, a local policeman who had originally inspected the scene, and gave us his address.The man was thin and tall, with pale, unhealthy-looking skin.His behavior is mysterious, giving people a feeling that he knows a lot but dare not say it.His voice fluctuated from high to low, as if he deliberately lowered his voice to hide something, but in fact he was playing tricks.Various apparent shortcomings still cannot conceal his honesty and integrity, unlike Gibson's arrogance, he is very humble and peaceful, which left a good impression on us.

"Welcome, Mr. Holmes. I would not welcome a man from Scotland Yard," said he. "The senior policemen are the most honorable."

Holmes's words reassured the uneasy police officer. He said: "I am simply a behind-the-scenes worker. Even if I solve all the problems in the case, I will not accept any awards and appreciation."

"I have long understood that you are a man of no respect. Your friend Watson and you are the same. Mr. Holmes, let us talk as we go." He led us to Thor Lake, looking around, as if very confidential. "Mr. Holmes, I just want to ask you a question. This case may have a bad influence on Mr. Gibson. I wonder if it has occurred to you?"

"Of course, I've thought about it."

"You haven't seen Miss Dunbar. In everyone's mind, she is a beautiful and kind woman, and everyone will be tempted by her. But Mr. Gibson is a very cruel and domineering person, who can do anything, using the usual American The pistol, that pistol must be his."

"Is that gun his?"

"There is no doubt that he had a pair of these pistols, of which the murder weapon was only one."

"Oh, so there is a pair. Where is the other one?"

"We still haven't found the same one. He has collected many weapons in the past few decades. It is difficult to investigate where it is stored in a short time. But two are certain, and the magazine can be loaded. A pair of guns."

"That shouldn't be the case. If there were two identical guns, the other would surely be found."

"Mr. Holmes, forgive us for our stupidity. But we have all the guns at Mr. Gibson's house. You can go and have a look. You will definitely find clues."

"Don't worry. Let's check the scene first."

In the police cabin, we spoke these words.This is actually the local police station. Walking about half a mile along the prairie covered with decayed grass in the chilling autumn wind, I arrived at a gate leading to Thunder God Lake. There is a Georgian-style and Dodd-style civil house. It is located on a mound, and there is a winding but reed-covered small lake next to it, that is, Thor Lake.The Thunder God Bridge is on the lake. On both sides of the bridge are two deep and small ponds. The police officer stopped at the bridge, pointed to the ground and said:
"Here is the scene of the accident, and here lies the body of Mrs. Gibson."

"Has the body been lying here before you came?"

"Yes, they all understood, and called me right away."

"Who reported it?"

"Mr. Gibson, when he heard that Mrs. Gibson had died on the bridge, he ran from home immediately. He insisted that nothing should be moved before the police checked, and he protected the scene."

"He was sane. I knew the gun was fired not far from the dead man."

"Correct."

"Shot in the right temple, right?"

"Yes, one shot."

"How the body lay."

(End of this chapter)