Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 1

Chapter 19 Research on Scarlet Characters 19
The criminals frantically resisted.But his resistance was obviously not out of malice to us, because when he found that the resistance was in vain, he actually smiled kindly, and said that he hoped he didn't hurt us when he struggled.He said to Sherlock Holmes: "You must take me to the police station. My carriage is at the door. If you let go of my legs, I can go downstairs by myself. I am not as easy as I used to be." People lift up."

Gregson and Remired exchanged glances, as if they thought this request was too much, but Holmes immediately accepted the criminal's request and untied the towel tied around the criminal's ankle.The criminals stood up and stretched their legs, as if to prove that they were free.As far as I can remember, I have seldom seen a man of his stature in my life.The resolute and indomitable look on his sun-tanned face was as intimidating as his physical strength.

Looking intently at my companion with genuine admiration, he said: "If the post of Chief of Police is still vacant, you are the man to fill. The method by which you have solved my case has been meticulous. "

"You had better come with me," said Holmes to the two detectives.

Remy Red said, "I'll drive your car."

"Great! Gregson can ride with me in the car. And you, Doctor. You've been interested in this case, so you might as well come with us."

I nodded happily, so we led the prisoner downstairs together.The criminal made no further attempt to escape, but calmly stepped into the carriage that belonged to him.After everyone got into the car, Remired climbed into the driver's seat, whipped the horse forward, and brought us to the police station in a short while.We were ushered into a small room where a police officer took down the names of the criminal and the two people he was accused of murdering.The police officer had a pale complexion and an indifferent expression, performing the established procedures rigidly.

"The prisoner will be brought before the court this week. Mr. Jefferson Hope, do you have anything to say before that? I must remind you that everything you say will be recorded and will be censored." used as a basis for accusing you," he said.

The criminal said slowly: "I have a lot to say. I will tell you all exactly, gentlemen."

"Wouldn't it be better to wait until the interrogation?" the officer asked.

He replied, "I may never go to court. You don't think I'm going to kill myself. Are you a doctor?" He turned his piercing eyes to me as he said the last sentence.

I replied, "Yes, I am a doctor."

"Okay, please press here with your hands." As he spoke, he smiled and touched his chest with his handcuffed fingers.

I pressed his chest according to his words, and immediately felt an abnormal and messy throbbing in his chest cavity.The walls of his chest vibrated slightly, like a powerful machine in a flimsy house.In this quiet room, he could hear a slight humming in his chest.

I yelled, "Ah, you've got an aortic aneurysm!"

He said calmly: "That's what they say. I saw a doctor last week, and he said that this kind of tumor will rupture in a short time. I got this disease in the mountains around Salt Lake City, because I lived and lived in the open air." , I have been hungry for a long time, hungry and full, and overworked. This disease is getting worse every year, but I have completed my mission now, and I don’t care when I die. However, I want to put this matter before I die. Speak out exactly and leave a record. I don't want to be seen as an ordinary murderer."

The officer and the two detectives discussed whether it was appropriate to obtain a detailed statement now.

They referred me to me: "Doctor, do you think his condition is dangerous?"

"Yes." I answered in the affirmative.

"Then, in order to maintain justice, it is our duty to record what he has to say, although it is not our duty." The police officer and the detectives turned to Hou Po again, "Sir, you are free to speak. However, it needs to be reminded Yes, we will record everything you say."

"Permit me to sit down and talk," said the criminal, without waiting for permission. "My illness makes me tired easily, and half an hour ago we had a fight. I am dying." There is no need to lie to you, and the facts themselves don’t need to lie to you. Every word I say comes from the heart. I don’t care what kind of treatment I will receive.”

Having said these words, Jefferson Hope leaned back in his chair, and delivered the following frightening confession.When he spoke, he was calm and orderly, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.I can assure you that this supplementary confession is absolutely correct, for I have copied it from Ray Mired's notebook, which in turn has taken down the confession of the criminal verbatim.

He said: "Why do I hate those two people so much, it doesn't matter to you. They have committed a heinous crime and killed two people - a father and a daughter, so I killed them and they must pay their lives. This is them They deserved what they deserved. They have been committing crimes for so long and I can't find any evidence to charge them in court. However, they are guilty and I am determined to do this for the judge, jury and executioners so that they will be punished .If you are bloody men, stand in my position, you will definitely do like me.

"The girl I just mentioned was supposed to marry me 20 years ago, but she was forced to marry Draper, and she died of hatred. I took this ring from the finger of her body, And I swear that I will let Draper watch this ring die, let him die to understand that he has committed a lot of crimes, and he has ended up today. I have traveled thousands of miles across two continents, and I have been carrying this ring. Chasing Draper and Ster Jason until I caught up with them, they tried to wear me down by running around, but it was such a waste of time, I wouldn't give up. Even tomorrow I Dead, of course this is very possible, I also die without regret, because I have achieved my long-cherished wish, and achieved it brilliantly. Both of them died, both were killed by my own hands, in this life I don't have any extravagant expectations.

"They were all rich people and I was a poor man. So, it was really difficult to catch up with them. When I came to London, I was almost broke and I had to find a job to support me. Driving a carriage and riding a horse was no problem for me. So I went to a carriage factory to find a job, and soon I succeeded. I rented a carriage, and in addition to paying a certain amount of rent every week, the rest of the money was my own .But every time there is not enough money left, I have to hold on for revenge. The most difficult thing is that I don't know the way at the beginning. The streets of the city of London are more complicated than the streets of all cities I have ever seen. So , I always carried a map with me, and it wasn't until I got acquainted with some big hotels and a few major stations that my situation began to improve.

"After a long time, I finally found out where the two enemies lived. I kept asking, and finally, I stumbled upon them. They lived in a house in Kemberville, just across the Thames. In the apartment. I found them, they were in the palm of my hand, I had grown a beard, they would not recognize me again. I followed them closely, waiting for the opportunity to strike. This time, no matter what They run away.

"Even so, they nearly slipped away. I always followed them, never to leave them. Sometimes I followed them in a cart, sometimes on foot. I thought it best to drive, because then they couldn't get away from me." I'm only doing business early in the morning or late at night to make money so I don't have enough money to pay the rent. But I'm holding on to that, as long as I can kill them myself, whatever I don't care.

"These two fellows are very cunning, too. Seems aware that they are being followed, so they never go out alone or at night when they go out. I followed them in a buggy for two weeks and never saw them part. Dre Bo is often drunk, but Ster Jason is very cautious. I peeped at them greedily every day, but I never found a chance to strike. I did not lose confidence because of this, I vaguely felt that Now is the opportunity for revenge. The only thing that worries me is my illness. I don't know when it will break.

"Finally, one evening, as I was driving up and down Torquay Street where they lived, I saw a carriage pull up to their door. Presently some luggage was brought out, and Draper and Stuart Jason followed. They got into the carriage and went away. I drove the carriage at a distance after them. I was very anxious lest they should change their lodgings again. They got off at Euston Station. Carriage, I asked a child to help me watch the carriage, and I followed them to the platform. I heard them ask about the train to Liverpool, and the person on duty at the station said that one train had just left, and how long would the next train have to wait? Hours later. Stuart Jason was dismayed to hear it, but Draper seemed happy. I was in the middle of the noisy crowd and was so close to them that I heard every word of what they had to say. Draper Draper said that he still had one thing to do, and asked Ster Jason to wait for him and come back in a while. Ster Jason tried his best to dissuade him and reminded him that he had agreed to stay together. Draper said It was a very delicate matter, and he had to go alone. I didn't catch what Stuart Jason said, but I heard Draper yelling, saying that Sturt Jason was just his hired servant and had no right Interfere with him. So the secretary had to make fun of himself by saying nothing more than reminding Draper that if he missed the last train he could be found at the Halliday Hotel. Draper replied, He must have been back on the platform before eleven o'clock, and then he walked out of the station.

"The long-awaited moment has finally come. I have firmly grasped my enemies. When they are together, they can protect each other; when they are apart, they are even better. However, I have not acted rashly. I have already sworn that the plan of vengeance will please me only if the enemy knows who killed him and why he was punished. I will show the villain that it is time for him to do his best. Say Coincidentally, a few days ago, a gentleman who took my carriage to see the house in Bulley Road forgot the key to open the door in my car. Although he claimed the key that night, I have already taken it The mold of the key, and a matching one. In this way, I found a safe place in this big city, where I can move freely without being disturbed. Finally, how to get Draper to Where does the puzzle go.

"He walked along the street, entered two taverns one after another, and stayed in the last one for nearly half an hour. When he came out, he walked shakyly and was obviously drunk. There was a two-wheeled carriage on the street, and he sat down as soon as he said hello. up. I followed, my horse's head not more than a yard away from the carriage all the way. After running many miles, we passed Waterloo Bridge, and I was surprised to find that we were back where he used to live. I I didn't understand why he went back there, but it didn't matter, and wherever he went, I would never miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So I followed without hesitation, stopping a hundred yards or so from the house. He went in, and the hansom drove away. Give me a glass of water, please, my mouth is dry."

I handed him a glass of water and he drank it in one gulp.

(End of this chapter)