Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 160: Investigating Strange Cases (2)
In the dark bedroom, I saw my friend. He was lying on the bed, with a blood-stained bandage on his head, and his body was covered with the evening sun.I lowered my head by his bed, unable to speak for a while.

He said in a hoarse voice: "Come on, Watson, it's not as bad as you think, and I'm fine now."

"What can I do? That bastard must have found someone to do it. Just say a word, and I'll show him off right away!"

"Old friend, calm down! We can't be like them. Now I have a solution. First try to make my injury as serious as possible. Someone will definitely come to you to ask for information. You just need to exaggerate. I said I won’t survive for a few days.”

"anything else?"

"Then you find John and ask him to tell Miss Kitty Wind to hide for a while, I'm afraid she will be in trouble too."

"Okay, I'll go right away! Anything else?"

"That's enough. You come here every morning, and we can discuss it."

John and I sent Kitty Wind to the country that night, lest Gruner should harass her.

A few days later, Holmes' injuries were publicized as barely curable.But I visit him every day and know that he is recovering quickly now, and it can be said that those injuries have basically had no effect on him.

I read another news in the papers the other day, saying that in three days time the famous Baron Gruner would sail to America on business, and upon his return he would marry Miss Violet Melville, etc.Holmes was visibly anxious at the news.

"Three days later? He wants to go out to shelter from the wind, Watson, I can't let him succeed! You have to work hard now."

"no problem."

"Okay. Then hurry up and learn as much as you can about Chinese porcelain within 24 hours. The more you remember, the better."

I didn't ask him why he made me do this, I figured he must have a point.Therefore, I hardly stopped throughout the afternoon and overnight, and just finished memorizing a brick-thick porcelain professional book.My head is full of all kinds of fresh terms and Chinese history, such as the beauty of Yongle, the year of Jiazi, and a painter and calligrapher named Tang Bohu.

When I came to Baker Street the next afternoon, I saw Holmes had left the "sick bed", the bandages on his head had been removed, and the wound had healed so well that no trace could be seen.

"People who didn't know thought you were going to die!"

"That's what I want. Are you on the verge of becoming a porcelain expert now?"

"That's not to be taken for granted. Forcibly memorized these things, it's okay for a day or two, and you'll forget them all soon."

"Just one day, you can let others think you are an expert?"

"I think it should be fine."

"That's good." After saying that, he took down a small box wrapped in Chinese silk from the mantelpiece, opened the lid, and inside was a small tray, which was light blue and very delicate and unique.

"Look at this thing, the real Ming Dynasty carved porcelain, I'm afraid you can't find a second piece in the entire London art market. If you make up a set, it will be priceless. It's a pity that you can only find one in the imperial palace in Beijing." The whole set. So our one is very valuable. Anyone who knows how to collect it will be tempted when he sees it."

He handed it to me very carefully.

"What do I want it for?"

"Look at this." Holmes handed me a card with "Dr. Hill Barton" written on it.

He said: "You use this capacity to visit Sir Gruner tonight. He should be free at seven or eight o'clock in the evening. You can write him first and tell him that you will visit him and bring him a piece of paper. Rare and precious porcelain from the Ming Dynasty. You are also a doctor and an antique collector, and you said that you just got this set of treasures, and you know that the baron is an expert in this field, so let him appreciate it, and you can sell it if the price is right.”

"How much will it cost?"

"It depends on you. This is the tray brought by Sir James. It is the most important collection of his client. I propose that you can have an expert estimate it."

"Yes, it's really not good to raise the price yourself, so let's ask an expert to estimate it."

Later, I wrote a more tactful and decent letter and sent it to Sir Gruner.That evening I went to the Baron's Villa with the precious tray.

This villa is very luxurious, fully showing Gruner's wealth.I was ushered in by a handsome butler.

"Doctor Barton, hello, please sit down." He turned from the big cabinet, holding a brown vase in his hand, and he might be admiring his collection.

"You have a treasure from the Ming Dynasty that you want to invite me to appreciate, is it true?"

"Yes." I handed him the small package.Under the light, he sat quietly at the desk and began to look at the ancient object seriously.I took the opportunity to start observing him.

I know he has always been called a "beautiful man". After seeing him today, it seems that he really lives up to his reputation.His body was strong, his skin was bronze, and his big black eyes were so bright that they could fascinate women.His thin lips were pursed habitually, which just revealed the coldness and ruthlessness in his heart.He has an elegant demeanor and a magnetic voice.He looks like he's in his early thirties at most, but he's actually 42 years old.

After a long time, he looked up and said: "It's really amazing, such a rare work of art is hard to see. But you say you have a set of six trays that are exactly the same? How is this possible? I have only heard of it in the whole of England. One of these things, and they are all in private collections, cannot appear on the market. Dear Mr. Barton, forgive me for being reckless, can you tell me how you own it?"

I was very nervous in my heart, but I was still calm on the surface. I pretended to be nonchalant and said: "Is it important? As long as it is genuine, you must be sure. As for the price, I want to hear the opinions of experts."

He stared at me with big black eyes: "Oh? It's so strange. Of course I'm sure it's genuine, but if you don't know the other party's situation for such a valuable item, how can you do this kind of transaction? You just said vaguely After a while, how can I rest assured?"

"I assure you that there will be absolutely no problems. I have credit in the bank, and I do have the right to sell this thing. I heard that you like cultural relics appreciation and collection very much, so I came to you. Of course, I don't have to worry about it. Sell ​​it elsewhere."

"I'm interested in cultural relics, how did you know?"

"You have written a book on this subject!"

"Then you've seen it?"

"Sorry, I haven't read it."

He said: "That's even more weird, don't you find that your words are contradictory? Saying that you are a collector of cultural relics and selling cultural relics, saying that you know me from a book, but you haven't read it, it's the bottom line It is how it happened?"

"I'm a doctor, and my collection is just a hobby. Although I haven't read this book through, I know the general content."

He said with some doubts: "I don't understand, can you answer a few questions for me? For example, in the history of the development of ceramics, what is the role of China's Northern Wei Dynasty?"

I said: "Mr. Sir, I can't answer your question. I may not have as much knowledge about ceramics as you, but don't you think this is a bit like an exam? Isn't it too rude?"

He stared at me, his teeth protruding from between his thin lips.

"Oh, I see. You are not a doctor at all, let alone a collector of cultural relics. You are here to find out information for Holmes. Isn't he about to die? You spy, you broke into my house without permission and don't want to go out?"

He jumped up from his chair and reached into the drawer for something, maybe a gun.It seems that I can't hide it from him. Maybe he doubted me from the very beginning, maybe my performance is too bad.At this moment, there was a slight sound from the room behind him. He froze for a moment, and after listening quietly for a while, his face suddenly changed.

"No!" he yelled, running to the cabin.

I also ran to the door, which I did not expect at all.The window of the cottage was open, and Holmes ran from the window!

Gruner ran frantically towards the window from which Holmes had left.But suddenly he uttered a terrible scream, and I saw clearly that a woman's arm was thrown quickly from the woods outside the window, and then Sir covered his face with his hands, fell on the carpet, and slammed his head against the wall in pain, mouth screaming:
"Oh my god! It hurts me, get me water, water, water!"

Instinctively, I ran to him with the water bottle, and the servants were also here.Seeing the Sir's face, one of the maids fainted at once, it was too frightening!The beautiful face just now was completely unrecognizable, it was completely corroded by sulfuric acid, like a polluted oil painting, the original charm was gone at all.Now, this face is not only inhuman, but also terrifying.

Jazz shouted: "It must be that crazy woman Kitty Wind, I will not spare her, it hurts me to death, I will definitely kill her!"

I briefly talked to the servants about the acid throwing situation, and some people chased it out, but it was definitely useless.

As a doctor I'm working now, after treating his face with water, I sedated him and gave him painkillers.To be honest, if you don't know him as a person, you will definitely sympathize with him.But now I just feel that he deserved what he deserved, it was all caused by himself, and he is not worthy of sympathy at all.

The police also arrived at this time, and after a brief questioning I left Gruner and went back to Baker Street.

Holmes was resting in an easy-chair, pale and not in good spirits, and not merely from a wound on his head which had not healed.

He was also shocked after hearing how Gruner was corroded by sulfuric acid.

"This is retribution. This man will not escape this fate sooner or later." As he said, he picked up a yellow leather book, "I finally found it. This book records all his heinous crimes. Miss Melville hopes Can be sober in the face of conclusive evidence. Of course, any woman with a conscience and a sense of shame will not be able to tolerate what he has done."

"Is this the diary that Kitty Wind spoke of?"

"Yes. I started to notice it when Kitty Wind mentioned it, and it was the only proof. Then I was wounded by him, and he pretended to be badly wounded, so he would take no precautions against me. Only You can steal it by distracting him, which is why I asked you to bring the tray to do business with him. I had no idea where the book was, so I brought Kitty Wind. But I don't know her With such a strong hatred, you dare to pour sulfuric acid on him with your own hands, the result is hard to predict."

"He saw who I was."

"But you bought me time, and I got the diary just in those minutes, and escaped at the last moment."

When the bell rang, Sir James entered, and after hearing what we had said, he said:
"The man has been disfigured, so there would be no wedding without this diary."

Holmes shook his head and objected: "Whether it is disfigured or not is not a problem. If there is no diary, no matter how much his face is corroded, Miss Melville will not abandon him. She will only love her more. Only this is written by him himself. Only the book of criminal activities can make Miss Melville truly understand his essence and character, and it will also make her completely lost."

James took the beautiful tray and the diary with him.Because I have something to do, I came to the street with him.When he got into the carriage, I saw the family coat of arms on the carriage clearly by the dim street lamp, and I was so surprised that I ran to my friend's room.

"Guess who is our real customer?" I hurriedly said loudly, "I saw it just now, it turned out to be—"

"A faithful friend, and a generous nobleman," said Holmes, waving his hands. "I knew it all along."

Afterwards it was very simple.I know how the book of crimes was used, for three days later it was reported that the wedding of Baron Gruner and Miss Violet Melville had been called off.Kitty Wind was prosecuted for wounding with intent, but due to extenuating circumstances, the sentence was not severe.As for Detective Holmes, he should have been suspected of theft, but due to the needs of handling the case and the prominent noble client, the British court, which was originally stern and selfless, was flexible and did not trouble him.

The ending is happy.Soldiers under house arrest
My friend Watson has long wanted me to record the process of solving the case myself, because the stories he wrote can never satisfy me.I think his descriptions in some details are not very real, and they are always mixed with some subjective opinions, which have a strong emotional color.Due to travel and marriage, Watson left me. This time I really have to record it by myself. I hope my clumsy pen can write something attractive.Of course, although what I said is not very exciting, the case itself is still very attractive.

In January, 1903, I was approached by a tall, brisk, dark Englishman named James Dodd.

There was plenty of light on him from the window so I could watch him closely.

"With all due respect, sir, I take it you have just returned from South Africa not long ago?"

He was surprised: "Yeah."

"It's the Special Cavalry Unit, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"It must be of the Middlesex regiment."

"Exactly. You are wonderful, Mr. Holmes."

I just smiled at his surprise.

"If a stout gentleman came to my room, with a darker complexion than the English climate can attain, and with a handkerchief in his cuff instead of his pocket, it would be easy to know where he came from. You're not in regular regiments by your short beard, you're a horseman by your stocky figure and you're a stockbroker in Throgmorton Street by your business card, that must be a Middlesex regiment .”

"Your insight is really admirable."

"Actually, I see the same things as you, but my professionalism and sensitivity after long-term training make me pay more attention to subtle things. Alright, let's stop discussing observation techniques first, and you come to me in the end What is it for?"

"I don't know where to begin. That Colonel Emsworth is so insolent that I would never have put up with him if I hadn't seen Godfrey."

I lit a cigarette and took a drag, leaning back in the chair.

"Can you explain more clearly?"

He lost no time in sarcasm and said: "Okay, I thought I really didn't need to say anything and you would know."

I did not respond.

He went on to say: "That's right, I've been thinking about it all night, but the more I think about it, the weirder it becomes, I hope you can help me figure it out.

"In 1901, two years before, I joined the Middlesex Regiment, and Godfrey Emsworth was in our squadron at that time, the only son of the famous Colonel Emsworth. He He is a brave soldier, and even a good friend of mine. The two of us formed a deep friendship in the flames of war, which can be said to be a life-and-death friendship. He was injured in a fierce battle near the Diamond Canyon. I heard that Into the hospital. He wrote me a letter from the Cape Town hospital and never contacted me again.

"Everyone went back to England after the war. To express my friend's concern, I wrote to Godfrey's father asking how he was doing, but there was no reply. I wrote another letter and received another. Very curt, dry reply saying that Godfrey will not be back for at least a year because he's gone on a trip around the world."

"Mr. Holmes, can I believe it? This is a strange thing. Godfrey is a man of affection, and it is not like him to set aside my friend so casually. I know he will inherit a whole family." and his relationship with his father is not very good. The old man has a strange temper. I was really skeptical about the letter, so after finishing some chores at home, I set out to solve the mystery of Godfrey .”

I asked, "Then how did you do it?"

"I'm going to see his house first - Tewkesbury Manor. I don't believe the old man, so I wrote a letter to Godfrey's mother and told her that I was a good friend of her son and happened to pass by her on business. and asked if it was possible to visit her. She wrote back promptly and kindly invited me to live, so I went.

"In the evening I arrived at Tewkesbury Hall. It was out of the way, and five miles from the nearest station, so I had to walk a great distance with my suitcase. Godfrey's mother, a gentle, kind woman. And an old butler named Ralph and his wife, who had been Godfrey's nurse. They were all very close, except the Colonel.

"Colonel Emsworth is dark, tall, slightly stooped, with a shaggy beard. He was sitting behind a messy desk when I saw him.

"He said to me in a very unpleasant voice: 'Sir, I want to know the real reason why you are here.'

"I made it very clear in my letter to his wife.

"He then said: 'How do you convince me you're Godfrey's best friend?'

"So I pulled out the letter for him: 'Here's the letter he wrote me.'

"He looked at it casually, then threw the letter back to me.

"'Even if you were his friend, what would you want?'

"I said: 'I don't want to do anything, I just care about him. We used to live and die together on the battlefield, but now he suddenly disappeared. It's strange. I want to find out how he is.'

"'Haven't I already written to tell you? He's gone on a trip around the world. He hasn't been in very good health since he came back from Africa, and both my mother and I thought he needed a change of scenery and a complete rest. Sailing is A good idea. You see now, don't you?"

"'Really? Then can you tell me the name of the ship he took, the specific route, and the departure time. I want to contact him.'

"The colonel was angry and embarrassed by this request. His two thick eyebrows lowered his eyes, and he said nothing for a long time. Finally, he said irritably: 'Dodd, you are too stubborn, you are simply making trouble for no reason!'

"'I'm sorry, I'm just being a good friend and genuinely concerned about your son.'

"He said: 'I understand, if it weren't for this, I wouldn't have the time to waste my time talking with you. But please understand that every family has its own scriptures, and there are some secrets in every family that cannot be disclosed to outsiders. Yes. My wife wants to hear about Godfrey's past, tell her if you like, and I hope you'd better ask no more.'

(End of this chapter)