Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 52 The Legendary Hound (1)
In the middle of the night, Sir Childs died suddenly in the swamp outside the manor. Near the body, there were many creepy paw prints of hounds.Could it be that his death was really the work of the big hunting dog in the family's ancient legend...

careless visitor

Sherlock Holmes was sitting at the table eating his breakfast.In addition to working all night at times, he was usually up very late.

Standing before the fire, I took up a cane which a visitor had left here the night before.This walking stick made of betel nut wood is delicate and heavy.At the top of the cane there is a silver hoop about an inch wide, engraved "To James Mortimer, M.R.C.S., from friends of the CCH, 1884." It's just an old fashioned but durable Just a cane.

"What do you think of this stick, Watson?"

Holmes was sitting there with his back to me, and I thought he was unaware of what I was doing.

"You must have eyes in the back of your head, otherwise how would you know what I'm doing?"

He pointed to a shiny silver coffee pot in front of him and said: "That's what let me know. And, Watson, tell me what you think of this cane? It's a pity we didn't meet His owner, I don't know why he came here. Therefore, this unexpected souvenir is all the more important. Now that you have examined it in detail, please describe to me his owner. .”

I thought that we should consider the matter in the way of his reasoning, so I said: "From the souvenirs sent to him by those who knew him as a tribute, Mortimer is a doctor who has practiced for many years, accomplished a lot, and is very popular. Dear Doctor."

"Well, that's great!" said Holmes.

"I also think he may have been a doctor who practiced in the country, and mostly on foot."

"Why do you say that?"

"Although this cane is beautiful, it has been bumped in many places, and the iron head wrapped around the lower end is very worn, showing that it has been used frequently. It is difficult to imagine a doctor in the city still using it , so I say it's a country doctor's walking stick."

"Yes, that is so," said Holmes.

"As for the words 'Friends of CCH' engraved on it, according to my speculation, it may refer to a hunter association. He may have treated the members of the hunter association here, so the hunters gave He took this stick as a token of thanks."

"Watson, you have come a long way! You have been used to underestimating yourself when you are recording my humble achievements. You may not be able to shine by yourself, but you are the medium that can transmit light .Some people are not geniuses themselves, but he has an amazing energy to inspire genius. Dear friend, I thank you so much."

Never before had Holmes uttered so many compliments as he did today.His words gave me great encouragement.His indifference to my admiration for him and my attempts to make his reasoning methods known to the public had done a great deal of damage to my pride.I am delighted to think that I have now mastered some of his reasoning methods, and have applied them with ease, and that I have even received a compliment that Holmes seldom has.

He took the cane from my hand, first looked at it carefully, and then put the cane under the magnifying glass to observe.

"It's simple, but it's very interesting. There are a few points on the cane that can illustrate the point." Holmes said, sitting slowly on the bench.

"Have I overlooked something? I believe I've covered all the important points." I was puzzled.

"I am afraid, Watson, that not many of your conclusions are correct! When I say you have an astonishing energy to inspire genius, I mean that when I point out your mistakes, I am often close to the truth. Of course, I did not say that you This time it was all wrong, as you say, the man was a country doctor, and often made trips on foot."

"So, my guess is correct!"

"It's only to this extent."

"But that's the whole truth."

"No, you are mistaken, my dear Watson, that is not the whole truth. For example, you say it came from a hospital rather than from the Hunter's Society. Since 'CC' is placed before the word 'hospital', Therefore, the words 'Charing Cross' (Charing Cross) naturally come to mind."

"It might be possible."

"90.00% so. If this assumption holds true, then we can give a general description of this visitor."

"Well! If 'CCH' means Charing Cross Hospital, what further conclusions can we draw?"

"There must be something that can explain the problem. Now that you have mastered my reasoning method, let's use it now."

"One thing I've figured out is that he used to practice medicine in the city."

"Let us venture to imagine the circumstances under which such a gift is most likely to have occurred? When did his friends consort in presenting him a gift of thanks? Evidently at Mortimer when he left the family When the hospital goes to the countryside to practice medicine by itself!"

"Yes, there is indeed such a possibility."

"We can also surmise that he was not an attending physician, for such a position is attained only by a man of great renown who has practiced medicine in London for many years. How can a man of such renown be removed to the country? So, what was he at all?" What kind of role is it? If he works in a hospital and is not an attending doctor, then he can only be a resident doctor, that is to say, just a little higher than the senior medical school students.

"The time inscribed on the cane shows that he left five years ago. If so, Watson, you are wrong in inferring the serious middle-aged doctor. The doctor was not thirty years old, He was affable, content, and sloppy. And he had a dog with him, a dog between the size of a greyhound and a mastiff."

Holmes leaned back in his chair, blowing smoke rings from time to time.

I smiled lightly: "I can't check whether your later speculation is correct, but it's not impossible to find a few characteristics related to his age and experience." I flipped through the pages as I spoke. From the books on the bookshelf, I found a medical handbook and turned to the list of names.There are several Mortimers here, but only one could be our visitor.

I read to Holmes: "James Mortimer, resident surgeon at Charing Cross Hospital in 1884, recipient of the Jackson Fellowship in Comparative Pathology. Corresponding member of the Swedish Society of Pathology. The medical officer of the diocese such as Takatsuka Village."

Holmes said in a slightly mocking tone: "Watson, there is no Hunter's Association! But your guess is correct on one point, that is, he is practicing medicine in the country. However, I think my guess is more in line with this doctor, because Only a kind person receives a gift, only a person who is not greedy for fame and fortune will leave the big city and come to the country. I also said that he is sloppy. You see him sitting in the room for a while, then he dropped his walking stick. .”

"You said he had a dog, where did that come from?"

"This cane has obvious dog teeth marks, and judging by the gaps between its teeth, its jaw is wider than a hound and narrower than a mastiff. Oh, I figured it out, it is a curly long-eared yellow Dogs," said Holmes earnestly.

With these words, Holmes stood up and paced up and down the room.His tone of voice was so confident that I stared at him in amazement.

"I said, how can you be so sure? It's unbelievable!"

"Because I have seen the dog," said Holmes, pointing to the steps of the gate. "Listen to the bell. It is the owner who is ringing the bell. Don't go away, Watson. You are fellow travelers, and your presence will hurt me. help."

"Listen to the footsteps, Watson. He is coming towards our room. But you don't know what the doctor wants to ask the detective expert? Come in!"

The visitor's appearance was beyond my expectation.

I had expected him to be a typical country doctor, but he was a tall, thin man with a big nose and owl-like eyes that shone brightly against a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles.He was dressed stylishly, but a bit downcast, with a dirty coat and a hole in his trousers.Although he was young, he was somewhat hunchbacked.He walked with his head thrown forward, and he had the kindly and kindly demeanor of an aristocrat.

As soon as he entered, he caught sight of the stick in Holmes' hand.He threw himself at the cane, and said at the same time: "Found it at last! I would rather lose everything than lose it. I have never been sure whether the cane was lost by the steamship company or here."

"It must be a present?" asked Holmes.

"Yes, sir."

"Is that from a friend at Charing Cross Hospital?"

"Yes, it was given by two friends when I got married."

Shaking his head sadly, Holmes said, "My God! It's too bad!"

Dr. Mortimer blinked weary eyes through his glasses.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no, but you've confused me. You said they gave it at the wedding?"

"Yes, I left the hospital as soon as I got married and quit my job, so I lost the opportunity to become a consultant doctor. However, it is worth it to build a happy family."

"Haha, fortunately I was not mistaken, Dr. James Mortimer."

"Don't call me Doctor anymore, I'm just a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons."

"No, absolutely not, you are still a thoughtful person."

"Mr. Holmes, I am only a layman in science. Now I have something to say to you alone."

"Please don't mind. He is my friend, Dr. Watson."

"Hello, Watson. I am very pleased to meet you. I have heard of your name. However, I am more interested in you—Sherlock Holmes. I did not expect to see you with my own eyes. Your long head is deep and deep. If your skull had been modeled as it was before it was a real specimen, it would have been the finest specimen in an anthropological museum. I hope you don't mind my words, I admire your skull very much. "

Holmes motioned for his guest to sit down.

"I can see from your appearance that you are a person who is good at thinking about the problems of the industry. I can see from your index finger that you roll your own cigarettes. Please do your own thing."

The man took out the paper and tobacco and rolled a cigarette deftly, his fingers twitching like insect tentacles.Holmes looked composed, but his eyes moved rapidly, as if interested in this visitor.

"Last night and today, you didn't come to the humble house twice just because you were interested in my skull?"

"No, not for that. I have another matter. I know that I have no practical experience, and now I have encountered a very complicated matter. I learned that you are the second highest expert in Europe..."

Holmes was a little angry: "Then who do you think is ahead of me?"

"Mr. Bertillon's approach to the case was carried out with great rigor."

"Then why don't you discuss it with him?"

"Monsieur, please don't be offended. As far as the strict and scientific mind is concerned, Bertillon is like this. But in terms of practical experience, you are unique in the world, and no one can replace you. Did I offend you by what I just said?" ?”

"It's a little bit, but I can forgive you. Doctor Mortimer, you'd better tell me what you have doubts about." Holmes said.terrible legend
James Mortimer said, "Here is a manuscript."

"I saw you as soon as you entered the room," said Holmes.

"It's an old manuscript."

"It's from the early eighteenth century, or it would be a forgery."

"Sir, how do you know?"

"As you speak, I see that the manuscript has been sticking out an inch or two. An expert should date the document to within ten years, or he is a poor man. You may have seen my A treatise on the subject. Let me speculate that the manuscript was written around 1740."

"It was completed in 1742," continued the doctor, drawing a manuscript from his pocket. "It was given to me by Sir Charles Baskerville. It is the heirloom of his family. Three months ago, Baskerville Sir Skerville's misfortune caused great repercussions in Devonshire. I was his personal physician as well as his friend. He was a man of strong will, experience, and insight. He He valued this manuscript very much, in fact, he already knew what was going to happen, and it still happened now."

Holmes took the manuscript, laid it flat on the table, and studied it.

"Watson, come here, the alternate use of long S and short S is one of the main basis for me to determine the date."

I followed his shout and walked over, only to see "Baskerville Manor" written on the yellowed paper.Below it is written the Arabic numerals "1742".

"It seems that it is a chronicle text."

"Yes, it does record a legend that has been passed down for a long time in the Baskerville family."

"I think you came to me because of a current incident related to this record?"

"You are right, but this matter is urgent, and I hope you can make an accurate judgment in a day and a night. If you like, I will read it to you."

Holmes leaned back in the chair again, closed his eyes slightly, put his hands in front of his head, and seemed to let things take their course.

Mortimer held the manuscript under the lamp, and read the strange tale in a hoarse voice:
There are many legends about the Hound of the Baskervilles, and I set it down because I am sure of it.I am a direct descendant of Hugo Baskerville, and this matter has been passed down from my father.Children, I hope you believe that the just gods will never let those sinners go. Unless they repent and repent, no matter what crime they commit, they will not be forgiven by the gods.Even if you know about it, don't be afraid.However, you have to be more careful in the future, so as not to repeat the same mistakes.

During the time of the Great Rebellion (referring to the English Civil War 1642-1660 - Translator's Note), Hugo, the owner of this Baskerville estate, was a vile and vulgar man who did not put God in his eyes.For these, the villagers can forgive him, because no religion has ever flourished here.His arrogant and cruel character is well known to everyone.This Mr. Xiu Guo fell in love with a farmer's daughter.The girl has always been quite cautious, and she naturally avoided this notorious dissolute man.On the day of Micomus (the Christian festival commemorating Saint Michael [September 9]——Translator's Note), the girl's father and brother were away.After learning about the situation, Mr. Xiu Guo took a few cronies to snatch the girl back and locked her in a small firewood room upstairs.Then they drank, as they used to do in the nights, and said bad things.The poor girl was huddled in a corner listening to the swearing, terrified and bewildered.It has been said that whoever repeats what Baskerville said when he was drunk will not get good results.Later, the girl couldn't bear it anymore, so she came out of the window and climbed down by the vines on the wall.Then she ran all the way home, which was about nine miles away.

After a while, Xiu Guo smiled and came to the firewood house. He opened the door and found that she had run away.He ran downstairs angrily, overturned the dining table, and shouted: Who can get that girl back, I want her to be at his mercy.These dissolute prodigal sons were dumbfounded, and the fiercest and most drunk among them let go of a pack of hounds and shouted to the servants to prepare their horses and go after them.

The rest of these people were still standing there stupidly. Xiu Guo yelled again, and they came back to their senses. Some were carrying guns, some were riding horses, and some were carrying wine.

The moon was high in the sky, and they followed the girl's path with great momentum.

As they galloped a mile or two they met a shepherd, and they asked him rudely if he had seen a girl.The shepherd didn't know what happened, and it took a long time to say that she had seen it, and said that she was followed by a group of hounds.The shepherd went on to say that Hugo Baskerville also passed by on a black horse, followed by a great hound.

"My God, don't let this dog follow me!" the shepherd prayed.The drunkards slurred obscenities and rushed forward.It was not long before they were trembling with terror, for they heard a scream which was near them.Then they saw the black horse running out of the swamp, foaming at the mouth, and the drunkards huddled together, all terrified.They advanced slowly, and if they had been walking there alone, they might have turned their horses and fled in fright.But relying on the large number of people, they finally caught up with the group of hounds.Although these hounds are brave and valuable breeds, they are huddled at the end of a deep ditch in the swamp and howling. Some have already fled, and some just stared forward.

The group reined in, and it can be imagined that by this time their wine was almost sober, and most of them dared not go any further.Only the three brave guys continued to walk forward, and found that not far away was a wide flat land, with two large stone pillars standing in the middle.Under the moonlight, the girl who died of fright and exhaustion lay there, next to Xiu Guo's body.What frightened them was not the two corpses, but a terrible thing that was tearing at Xiu Guo's throat—a big, black thing, like a big hunting dog, no one had ever seen such a big thing hunting dog.As they stared blankly at the scene, the blood-dripping monster turned to them.When the three of them saw it, they turned their horses' heads and ran for their lives screaming.It is said that one died of the fright that night, while the other two also went mad.

(End of this chapter)