Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 19 Four Signatures Revealed (8)
At this moment, a steamboat dragging three cargo ships crossed in front of us. Fortunately, we made a sharp turn and did not hit it.But at this moment, the "Dawn" threw us more than 200 yards away, and we could only see its figure.At this time, the twilight of the setting sun has been replaced by the starry night scene, the boiler of the steamer has been burned to the limit, and due to the huge effect of the desperate progress of the hull, the ship keeps shaking and the thin ship boards creak.The steamer passed right under London Bridge, and soon left the West India Docklands, the long Deedford River, and the Isle of Dogs behind.Finally, that clear little black spot appeared in front again.Jones pointed a searchlight at them, and saw the figure on the boat.There was a person sitting in the stern of the boat, and there was a dark thing under the steps, and there was a black shadow beside it, which might be a Newfoundland dog.Through the light of the boiler, we see a boy at the helm, and Smith furiously stoking coal.At first, maybe they were not sure that we were chasing them, but later they realized that we had been following them, and then they realized that something was wrong.At Greenwich the distance between the two ships was only about three hundred paces, and at Blackwall not more than two hundred and fifty paces.I have spent half my life wandering in many countries, hunting and chasing prey countless times, but I have never been so excited as I am now.In the quiet night, the sound of the machinery on the ship ahead could be heard more clearly, and we were getting closer.The man on the stern was still waving and checking the distance between the two ships from time to time.The two ships were now only four boats apart, and both were approaching the mouth of the river, with Plumstead Marsh on the one hand, and Buckingham Flat on the other.At this point, Jones ordered the boat ahead to stop.Hearing the shout, the people in the stern rose to their feet.He was very tall and strong, and he was standing there with his legs crossed and his hands waving, and he was yelling at us.I saw a wooden leg below his right thigh.At this time, upon hearing his voice, the black figure below also stood up, an unimaginable little black dwarf.His head was huge and strange, with unkempt hair.Holmes took out his gun, and seeing this strange black man, I also took out my pistol.Except for his ugly face, his whole body was covered in a black blanket, only his appetizing face and fierce eyes were exposed. His thick lips were turned outward from the roots of his teeth, which made people I was horrified when I saw it.With a wild, bestial instinct, he yelled and yelled at us desperately.I have never seen such an ugly face.

Holmes said to me in a low voice: "The moment he raises his hand, we'll shoot." The two ships were now drawing nearer, and seeing each other better.The two men still kept yelling and cursing in our direction.

We saw very clearly that the little black dwarf put to his mouth a stick which had been drawn out of the blanket, short and round like a ruler.Together we pull the trigger.The man turned around, raised his hands and fell into the river, and the resentful eyes disappeared into the vortex of the river.At the same moment, the wooden-legged man rushed desperately to the rudder, turned it sharply, and the "Aurora" suddenly rushed to the south bank. Only a few feet, our ship managed to avoid her stern without a trace. Collide.Then, we immediately changed direction and continued to chase.The lonely and desolate swamp was illuminated by the moonlight, and there were pools of stagnant water and piles of rotting plants on the ground. The "Dawn" was approaching the south bank, and quickly rushed to the bank, the bow of the ship was raised in the air, and the stern was submerged in the water.As soon as the man jumped to the bank, his wooden leg sank into the mud. Although he struggled hard, he was still unable to move.The more he struggled with his left foot, the deeper his right wooden leg sank.When our boat landed, he was there like a nail.We put a rope around his shoulders and pulled him aboard like a fish.The Smiths sat downcastly on the boat.After hearing our order, they left the "Dawn".An exquisite iron box made in India was placed on the deck. This is the scourge of this case-the treasure box.We carried it carefully into the cabin, the case was keyless and very heavy.Dragging the "Dawn", we walked back slowly. Although we kept using searchlights to look around, we still couldn't see the black dwarf. He probably let the fish eat him long ago.

Pointing to the hatchway, Holmes said: "Look, I've almost lost my life." There was a poisonous thorn in the deck, which was stuck in the place where we had stood before, and it may have been shot when we fired.Facing the poisonous sting, Holmes laughed it off as usual, but I still have lingering fears when I think of the dangerous situation at that time.get "treasure"

In the cabin sat our prisoner, before him lay the treasures which he had so painstakingly acquired.There was a fearless look in his eyes, and the protruding chin with its many beards seemed to indicate his eccentric character.Years of hard work outside were evident in his wrinkled face and skin darkened by the sun.Judging from the curly gray hair, he should be in his early fifties.His features were not ugly, but his bushy eyebrows and chin looked menacing because of his anger.He sat there in silence, his eyes flicking to the treasure chest from time to time, his handcuffed hands on his knees, and it seemed that he hated more than annoyed.Once, he suddenly looked up at me, his eyes full of sarcasm and sneer.

Holmes lit a cigarette and said, "Jonathan Small, I did not expect this to happen."

He said frankly: "I don't want to be like this, sir. Anyway, I can't escape my life. It was Tong Ge who killed Mr. Sholto with his poisonous stab. I swear I didn't want to hurt He. I whipped that boy severely afterwards, but the dead cannot be brought back to life. What can I do? I am very sorry for Sholto's death." Holmes said, "You are soaked, come first A cigarette and a drink to warm you up. I ask you, you came in later, so how do you know that little man can handle Sholto?"

"Sir, you are amazing, as if you have seen it with your own eyes. I have a good sense of the living habits of his family. At that time, Mr. Sholto should have gone to eat, so I don't think there is anyone in the house. To tell you the truth, if The old major was sitting in the room then, and I would have strangled him without hesitation, as easily as smoking this cigarette now. It's a pity that I don't hate little Sholto at all, but I have to do it for He's in jail."

"You are now in the custody of Ethelney Jones of Scotland Yard. He intends to entrust me with taking a statement from you, and you must answer all my questions truthfully, so that I may be able to help you. I think I can prove that, Mr Sholto died before you entered the house."

"Indeed, sir, he was dead when I went in. As soon as I climbed through the window, I saw his smirking face on one side, which almost frightened me to death. If Tong Ge didn't run fast, I would have killed him at that time." He. It is also because of his haste that he lost the bag of stingers and sticks. I think this must have revealed our whereabouts. As for how you connected these clues, I don't know. I can only blame myself, and it has nothing to do with you." He smiled wryly and said, "Oh! This matter is really a farce. I could have enjoyed the 50 pounds, but I couldn't enjoy it for the first half of my life. Instead of building embankments in the Andaman Islands, it seems that the rest of my life will be sent to Dartmoor Prison to dig ditches. Since the first day I met the businessman named Achmet and connected with these treasures, It’s been bad luck all the time. In fact, anyone who has been connected with this treasure is very unlucky, like the dead Archimeter, the evil Major Sholto, and me who is about to suffer for the rest of my life.”

Ethelney Jones then stuck her head into the cabin and said: "You seem to be doing your homework. Holmes, we should celebrate with a drink. It is a pity that the dwarf was not captured alive. You know, you Almost died, but luckily you acted quickly."

"The harvest is quite satisfactory! I really didn't expect the 'Dawn' to be so fast."

Jones said: "Smith claimed that the Dawn was the fastest ship on the Thames and if he had another helper we would never have caught her. He said he had no idea about the Norwood case. .”

"He really doesn't know anything!" Small suddenly shouted, "It's because his boat is fast that we rented his boat. We only paid him a lot of money. He didn't know anything about the case. And we We promised him a huge extra fee if he would put us on board the Emerald, anchored in Grevezand, bound for Brazil."

Jones said: "We will find out about his crimes. Although he was very quick in arresting people, we will definitely be very careful in sentencing." Despite Jones' words, his usual dignified and arrogant nature towards prisoners is still palpable. .I knew from Holmes's smile that he felt it too.

Jones continued: "We're almost at Vauxhall Bridge, Dr. Watson, and you take the treasure and disembark there. You know how responsible I am for this, and it's against the rules. But I will do what I say. But these things are too expensive, and I must send a sheriff to go with you. Are you going by car?"

"It's by car."

"Where's the key to the box? Small? If you can open the box, we'd better check it in advance, otherwise, I'm afraid you will have to smash the box."

"Under the river," Small said.

"You are asking for trouble! We have spent a lot of manpower and material resources on your behalf. Doctor, I don't need to tell you any more. When you come back, just take the box directly to Baker Street. We will wait for you there, and then we will go to the police. Department."

At Vauxhall we disembarked with our heavy boxes. Fifteen minutes later, the sheriff and I arrived at the home of Mrs. Heather Forrest.The maid who opened the door was very surprised to see my midnight visit, and said that the madam might be late, and that Miss Morstan was waiting in the parlour.Only the sheriff was left in the car, and I carried the suitcase into the living room.

Miss Morstan was wearing a translucent white dress with a red belt around her neck and waist, and she was sitting quietly on the wicker chair in front of the window.She is covered in soft light, with her snow-white arms resting on the back of the chair, her face has an infinitely solemn expression, and the light reflects her fluffy hair into golden yellow, all gestures and expressions are easy to feel her My heart is full of sorrow.At the sound of my footsteps, she rose to her feet, a blush spreading across her face.

She said, "I thought it was Mrs. Forrester who came back, but it turned out to be you. Is there any good news?"

I suppressed the complicated emotions in my heart, put the box on the table, and pretended to be happy to say: "Did you see the box? It is a thousand times better than any news, and your property has been recovered."

"Is this the treasure?" She glanced at it without concern.

"Yes. Half of these treasures belong to Mr. Thaddeus Sholto, and the other half belong to you. Each share may be worth 20 pounds. Calculate, the interest alone is [-] pounds a year, and the richest woman in England will be It's you, isn't that something to be happy about?"

I may have overplayed it, she seemed to see that I wasn't sincere.He looked at me lightly and said: "Although I got these treasures, the credit is also yours."

I said, "No, it's entirely due to Holmes. However, even his extremely clever mind almost failed to solve the case. If it were up to me, I wouldn't be able to find any clues if I were killed."

She said: "Doctor Watson, please sit down and tell me the details."

I told her all that had happened: Holmes' methods of detection, the discovery of the Aurora, the midnight expedition and the river chase, and the visit of Ethelney Jones.She listened quietly, and when she told us that we were nearly killed by the stinger, her face was pale and all blood was lost, and she seemed to be about to fall.I quickly poured some water for her, and she said, "It's okay, I'm just a little nervous. I heard that you were almost in danger, so I'm afraid for you."

I said: "It's okay, it's all over. Don't talk about these disappointing things, let's change the atmosphere and be happy. This is a treasure I brought on a special trip. I think you will definitely be willing to open it yourself."

"It's really nice," she said.But there was no excitement in his tone.Maybe it was because everyone had put a lot of effort into this, so she had to be perfunctory, so as not to appear too ungrateful.

She looked at the box and said, "It's so beautiful. Is this supposed to be from India?"

"Binaz metalwork, very famous in India."

She tried to hold the box and said, "It's really heavy. The box alone is worth a lot of money, but what about the key?"

"Small has been thrown into the Thames, and we need Mrs. Forrester's iron tongs to pry it open." There is a thick and heavy iron ring on the front of the box, and there is a Buddha statue on the iron ring.I forcefully opened the iron ring with iron tongs, lifted the lid tremblingly, and stared at the opening of the box with both eyes at the same time.However, the inside of the box was empty, but the sides of the box were two-thirds of an inch iron, and the shape was very delicate and strong, and it was very suitable for hiding treasures.It is precisely because the box is surrounded by such thick iron plates that it is so heavy, but there is really nothing inside.

"The treasure appears to have been lost," said Miss Morstan quietly.

After listening to this sentence, I seem to understand the meaning.The shadow that has tortured me for so many days is disappearing, and the treasure that weighs heavier than a stone in my heart has finally been removed.Although I knew that it was selfish and inappropriate for me to think this way, the barrier of money in my mind disappeared without a trace.

I couldn't help shouting excitedly: "Thank God!"

When she heard this, she smiled inexplicably. "What are you talking about?" she asked.

I held her hand, but she didn't take it away.I said again, "We were separated by such a large fortune before, it blocked what I wanted to say, but now without them, I can say it. I love you, Merry, like all men in the world love women Same, I love you with all my heart. That's why I just said, 'Thank God.'"

I took her gently into my arms and she murmured, "I too should 'Thank God'."

I know whoever lost a fortune that night, but I really got the treasure.Accra Treasures
It was late before I got back to the car.The patient sheriff was still waiting for me.He looked disappointed after looking at the empty box.

He said decadently: "The bonus is gone. There is no treasure in the box, so we have no bonus. For tonight's action, Pu Lang and I could each get a bonus of ten pounds."

I said: "Whether there is treasure in the chest or not, Thaddeus Sholto will give you money, because he is rich and generous."

Still scowling, the Sheriff said, "But Ethelney Jones would think it wasn't pretty enough." As the Sheriff had guessed, the look on his face when we put the empty boxes in front of him in Baker Street It was really ugly.Jones changed his plan midway while escorting the arrested murderer, and came here after filing a report at the police station, so they also arrived not long ago.Holmes sat lazily in his chair as usual, opposite Jonathan Small, with his wooden leg crossed over his good one.When I showed the empty box to everyone, he suddenly started laughing.

Ethelney Jones said angrily: "Small, it must be your trick!"

Small laughed and said: "Of course, these are my masterpieces. I have hidden them in a place where you will never touch them. It is my treasure. If I can't get it, you can't even think about it. Tell you Well, only the three fellows in the Andaman prison and I have the right to have it, and the rest will never think about it. Since none of us can have it, I have to dispose of it, which is also in line with the oath of the four of us when we signed, We will always agree. I think they think so too, and the treasure would rather sink to the bottom of the Thames than go into the hands of others, especially the descendants of Morstan or Sholto. We killed Archmet, Never let others get rich on it. When I was sure that your boat would overtake me, I decided to hide the jewels where no one else would ever find them. You won't get a single rupee for this trip, Jewelry and Tongge are together now."

Ethelney Jones cried angrily, "Small, big liar, why don't you throw the box and jewels away, and ask for trouble?"

The cunning Small squinted at him and said, "It's easy for me to throw, and it's easy for you to fish. If you can catch me, you can fish out an iron box in the Thames. But if you take the treasure Scattered in five miles of river, it is not so easy for you to fish. I did it with a heartless heart. When I found your boat approaching, I almost went crazy. In this life, I have success and Failure, but I will never regret what I have done, regret is useless!"

Jones said: "Small, the nature of what you have done is very bad. If you can assist our work instead of deliberately breaking the law, we may send you lightly when you are sentenced."

The criminal laughed and said, "What a beautiful speech! But who does the treasure belong to? Isn't it us? The treasure is not theirs, but the law insists on giving it to them. Is this fair? How much did I pay for it?" I just got this batch of treasures. 20 years, I spent 20 years in that hot and humid land! I have to work hard under the mangroves all day, and I am locked in a dirty shack at night, except Mosquito bites, diseases are prevalent, and there are handcuffs and shackles on the body. But even such a heavy price still cannot be exchanged for the treasure of Accra, and you are still talking about fairness with me! If I take this treasure that I have been tortured Take it for others to enjoy, and you think it’s fair? I’d rather be hanged, or let Tong Ge shoot me to death with poisonous thorns, than let others wantonly squander my treasure and let me live an inhuman life in prison At this time, he was completely different from the taciturn him before, he spoke a lot of words, and the handcuffs kept ringing because he was too excited, but his eyes were still bright.Seeing this scene, I suddenly understood why Major Sholto was so horrified when he heard the news of the prisoner's escape.

(End of this chapter)