Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 163: Investigating Strange Cases (5)
"Mr. Earl, I think you'd better invite your loyal Moulton upstairs, because it concerns his interests, so I think you should discuss together, which one is more important?"

He turned to Billy again.

"Billy, please come in the gentleman outside the door."

"What if he doesn't come?"

"He will definitely come. As long as you say that Earl Sylvia is looking for him."

"Okay." Billy walked out.

"Holmes, what on earth do you want?"

"Nothing, if I'm a fisherman, it's time to pull the net now."

The count stood up suddenly, and stretched his hand behind his back as if to draw a gun. Holmes was also holding something in the pocket of his pajamas at this moment.

"Mr. Earl, I think it's better not to shoot. It's not good for you. The sound insulation in this room is not good. Even if you are given time, I'm afraid you won't dare to shoot."

"Holmes, if I don't kill you, someone else will."

"So what? I think you'd better think for yourself."

At this time, a burst of hurried footsteps was heard, and a tall but bulky burly man came in.He stood at the door, looked around unaccustomedly, and hesitated.

Holmes said to the big man: "Mr. Moulton, hello, have you seen enough of the scenery on the street?"

Moulton looked at Holmes in perplexity. It seemed that the boxer was not used to such friendly greetings from strangers, and did not know how to answer them, so he had to ask his master for help.

He said in a hoarse voice: "Monsieur, what is the matter! I don't understand."

The count shrugged his shoulders and said nothing, but Holmes spoke for him.

"Very simply, Mr. Moulton, you've got the whole story out."

"What are you talking about? I'm not in the mood for joking. Count, what is he talking about?"

Before Sylvia could speak, Holmes continued:

"I don't even want to joke, and I don't have much time. How about you two discuss it first, and I avoid it? Now I go to the bedroom to play a tune, and I haven't practiced the violin for a long time. I'm not here, you will definitely have a good talk Have fun. Mr. Earl, please think carefully about what I said just now, whether you want diamonds or 20 years of freedom. I will come over in a minute."

After saying these words, Holmes went into the back room with his violin.After a while, melodious music really came from the closed door.

Moulton hurriedly asked his master, "Does he really know everything?"

"I'm not sure he knows it all," said the count in exasperation. "Anyway, he does know a lot."

Moulton's face paled suddenly: "Oh, God!"

"That boy Ai Qi betrayed us!"

"Him? Damn! I must kill him, I risk my life."

"What's the use of that? Let's quickly discuss what to do."

Moulton looked suspiciously at the door inside: "Wait a minute, that guy isn't eavesdropping, right? Let's be careful."

"He's playing the violin, it's impossible to eavesdrop."

"Yes. What's behind the curtains? There are so many curtains in this room, so there's no one hiding behind them." He looked towards the curtains in front of the window.He suddenly pointed forward with his finger, too surprised to speak.He saw the wax figure of Sherlock Holmes.

"That's fake," said the count, "wax!"

"Fake? Oh my god, I was really shocked. It looks so similar. I'm afraid no one will be able to see it without touching it. It's exactly the same as that guy, and there are pajamas. It really looks like it."

"Don't worry about it! We've lost a lot of time, and you don't want to go to jail for diamonds."

"Just blame this damned Sherlock Holmes!"

"He said that if he handed over the diamonds, he would not pursue our previous affairs."

"Hand over the diamond? It's a priceless treasure. If you sell it, we can spend a few lifetimes."

"You have to choose whether to pay diamonds or go to jail?"

"Well," Moulton was very embarrassed. Suddenly, he clapped his hands as if thinking of something, "Let's just kill him. Anyway, he's the only one here, and we're not afraid of him except him."

The count shook his head.

"He's not stupid. He's already prepared and has a gun on his body. Even if we kill him, we can't escape from such a lively place, and the evidence he knows may have been reported to the police long ago. Listen! What? sound?"

There seemed to be a vague rustling sound from the window curtains, and they both looked there, but saw nothing but the wax figure sitting there.

Moulton said: "It's the voice from the street. Boss, you can definitely figure out a way. If you can't force it, what should you do?"

The count said confidently, "I'm sure I have a way. I've even fooled people who are smarter than him."

"Now that the diamond is in my underwear pocket, I have to carry it with me. I'm safe. We're sending it abroad tonight. It'll be cut up and sold before the weekend. We have someone out there, he's sure have no idea."

"It's Sedar."

"Yes, he must leave immediately. One of us will go to him with a diamond and tell him to act immediately."

"I haven't finished that fake base yet!"

"I don't care about that much anymore, I don't need the base. Don't delay any longer, it's worth the risk." He looked suspiciously at the window as he spoke, as if something was wrong, but he wasn't sure.

Moulton asked: "Then how to deal with this Sherlock Holmes?"

The count looked away.

"It's simple. He only wants diamonds. Anyway, he promised that if he got the diamonds, he would not hold us accountable. Well, then we will pretend to promise him diamonds and give him a fake address. When he knows that he has been cheated, we will have arrived. Netherlands."

Moulton grinned: "Good idea!"

"I'll deal with Sherlock Holmes, you take the diamonds to Sedar. I told him that the diamonds are in Liverpool. It's annoying, this music! By the time he knows that Liverpool has no diamonds, the 'Heart of the Sea' has already been cut into pieces." It's a few dollars, and we are enjoying it in Holland!" The count said as he flipped through his pockets, "Come on, get the diamonds, don't face the keyhole."

"You really have it with you!"

"That's the safest way. Didn't we also take it out of Buckingham Palace? If it is left in my residence, can it be guaranteed that others will not steal it?"

"Really, let me take a closer look at this good thing."

The count hesitated, and said:
"Go to the window where the light is better and look at it, look quickly, here you are!"

"Thank you!"

Holmes jumped up from the chair of the wax figure, snatched the diamond and put it in his pocket.With the other hand he held the gun to the count's head at the same time.

Moulton and Sylvia didn't expect such a situation at all, and they were all stunned.Before they could fully react, Holmes reached out and rang the electric bell.

"Gentlemen," said Holmes, "you had better hold your hand. The police below will be on their way in a moment, and resistance will only make you worse."

The count was angry and frightened, but he didn't understand.

"You, where are you from—?" He couldn't go on.

"I think you must be very surprised. You didn't see that there is another door in my bedroom that communicates with the back of this curtain. When I moved the wax figure, there was a little noise, but you didn't pay attention. So I am honored that I heard your vivid words clearly." The conversation is really wonderful, but it's a pity that your ideas fell through."

The count's face was full of despair and helplessness: "I have nothing to say."

And Moulton still didn't understand.

"What's the matter with the sound of the piano? Listen, it's still ringing now."

"Oh, you can keep it going if you want to. The gramophone sounds really good."

At this time, a large group of policemen poured into the door. They handcuffed the prisoners and sent them to the place where they should go.

Watson smiled and poured Holmes a glass of wine, congratulating him on solving another major case.

Little Billy came in with a tray of business cards on it and said, "The Lord of Cantlemere is here!"

Holmes couldn't help laughing and said, "Oh? What a coincidence."

"Billy, ask him to come up." He said to Watson again: "You must know this earl. He is a typical old nobleman, loyal to the royal family, but a little arrogant and stubborn. How? Let's talk to him." Just kidding, he must not know what happened just now."

"Welcome, Earl of Cantlemere!"

A thin and slightly serious old man with a mid-Victorian beard came in from the door.Holmes shook his hand warmly.

"Welcome. It's cold outside. Come inside to warm up. I'll help you take off your coat."

The count said coldly, "Thank you, no need."

Holmes held on to the earl's coat and said, "You're welcome. Let me take it off for you. Otherwise, the temperature difference will be bad for your health. My friend knows this. He is a doctor."

The Earl of Cantlemere was very impatient, and he shook Holmes's hand with all his might.

"Sir, I don't want to take off my coat. I just came to find out if there is any progress on the case. If there is any progress..."

"It's a little troublesome."

The count seemed very dissatisfied: "I think it must be, I really don't know why the Prime Minister asked you to do it, hum! You won't be so proud now, won't you think you really know everything?"

"I never thought I knew everything. There is only one little question which troubles me about the case, and I would like to ask you, and I hope you will be kind enough to advise me."

The count couldn't hide his complacency, and said with a smile, "Well, you need my help, right? Well, please tell me."

"I want to ask you, how to deal with people who hide stolen goods?"

"What? You caught the criminal? If not, then your question is too inappropriate?"

"Then it's better to be prepared. You'd better answer."

"Is there any doubt about this? Of course he was taken to prison."

"Then how to determine whether he is harboring criminals?"

"If you can find the stolen goods from him, that's for sure. It's not easy? Don't you, a 'detective', even know this?"

Holmes could not help laughing when he heard the count's words.

The count is still very serious: "Is it ridiculous?"

"I'm sorry, Monsieur Earl, but if you say so, you will be caught and thrown into prison."

The count was so angry that his beard trembled and his face turned pale: "What are you talking about!"

Then he said: "I don't have time or interest to joke with you. I have to deal with many important things. My vision seems to be good. I asked the Prime Minister to refer the case to the police at first. I don't care about you. The detective is under no illusions. I don't want to hear your nonsense here, Mr. Holmes, I'm going!"

The count was about to leave.Holmes immediately blocked the door.

"I don't mind you leaving, but please keep the diamonds."

The count was so angry that he couldn't speak: "You! You are too presumptuous, I will sue you for defamation!"

"Don't worry. Please touch the right pocket of your coat before you lose your temper."

"Why should I do this?"

"Do as I say, and you'll find out soon."

"Ah?" The earl touched his pocket, his complexion suddenly changed, he took out the "Heart of the Sea" from his pocket tremblingly, it was crystal clear and gleaming.

"Well, what's going on here?" The count stared at the diamond, stunned and at a loss.

"Okay, stop joking with the Earl." Watson said as he turned to the Earl. "I'm sorry, this friend always likes to play tricks. He just made a joke with you."

"Mr. Earl, it's a joke. Please don't take it too seriously. When I was about to help you take off your coat just now, I put a diamond in your pocket. It was just a joke."

"It's really hard for me to believe, but this is indeed a lost treasure of the royal family. How did you find it?"

Holmes smiled and said: "Well, it's a long story. You can go back and report the good news to your superiors now, which may make up for my prank a little bit. Billy, see off, and tell Mrs. Hudson, please send two as soon as possible." dinner." Mysterious Manuscript
I haven't seen Holmes for a long time. I don't know how he is now. Is there another big case?So this morning, I left my clinic and went to Baker Street.

Holmes, smoking his pipe, was delighted with my presence.The two of us sat in front of the fire that was burning brightly, smoking and talking, and it was very comfortable.

I was about to ask him if he had any interesting cases lately.At this moment, a huge black man broke into the room.

This person is full of cruelty, and his clothes are ridiculous.He was wearing a bright gray plaid suit with a very bright red tie on the chest.He had a flat nose, a broad face covered with pimples, and eyes that blazed with fury.

"Who is Sherlock Holmes? Where is he?" he asked, looking at us.

After casting a glance at him, Holmes continued smoking his pipe without answering.

Seeing that no one paid any attention to him, the giant became even angrier, and roared loudly, "Who is Holmes? Come here!"

Only now did Holmes raise his pipe slowly.

"You?" He immediately went around the table and walked towards Holmes. "Listen, please stop meddling in other people's business and mind your own, otherwise—"

"What else? Go on."

"Do you think it's very interesting? I'll show you some color later, and you'll think it's more interesting. I've cleaned up too many people. If you don't believe me, I'll show you my fist."

As he spoke, he clenched his fist and raised it under Holmes' nose. His fist was indeed very large and frightening.

Holmes was very calm, and seemed to study the fist with great interest.

"Yes, there are really not many such big punches, you should be proud of it."

But I stared at him very vigilantly, and picked up the poker beside me by the way, waiting for the opportunity.

Seeing my "weapon" and Holmes' calmness, the man obviously became less confident, and his tone softened a little.

"I'm warning you on behalf of my friend, it's best not to get involved in the Harrow place, do you understand? Otherwise, hum! You'd better think clearly about it!"

Holmes said indifferently: "I know you as a boxer. Your name is Steve Dixie, right? How did you get here? A young man named Perkins was killed in the Holborn bar. Hey, what's the matter?" , you want to go? I haven't finished yet!"

The uninvited guest seemed to be half short for a moment, and he was no longer arrogant, he stepped back step by step.

"What did it matter to me that he was killed? I was playing cards! I wasn't even there!"

"The judge may believe you, and besides, do you think I don't know what you're doing with Barney Stogdal?"

The visitor fled in a hurry: "Oh, God! You—it's too hard to believe, I'm leaving first."

Holmes stopped him: "Wait a moment, you should at least let me know who sent you to come to me?"

"Don't you understand everything? It is the man you mentioned just now. Besides, Mr. Holmes, I hope you will understand my attitude just now."

"Who was he appointed by?"

"I don't understand that. He said to me: 'Steve, go to Baker Street for me and warn Holmes not to let him go to Harrow, or he will look good to you.' And here I am." Halfway through the sentence, He had slipped to the door, opened it and was off, faster than he had come.

We both couldn't help laughing.

"Watson, I noticed that you took the poker. Fortunately, you didn't hit him. You don't have to be afraid of him. Don't look at him because he is big. In fact, he is a typical person with well-developed limbs and a simple mind. A few words can calm him down." He is a gangster in the Spencer John group, and he often does some illegal things with that group, and I will deal with them later. His immediate boss, Barney, is a sinister, cunning, and difficult person."

I asked, "Then why are they threatening you?"

"That's the Harrow case he was talking about," he said.

"Speak clearly."

"Actually, I was just about to tell you about this, but this big guy just came in. Don't worry, I'll show you this letter first."

As he spoke, Holmes took out a letter from the drawer, in which he wrote:
Dear Mr. Holmes:
Hello!Many strange things have happened near my house recently, I really hope you can help me.If you have time tomorrow, I will be waiting for you at home.I live next to the station in the Harrow area.Also, your former client, Mortimer McBerry, was my late husband, and he worked with you.

Sincerely, Mary McBerry

Address: Rose Hill, Harrow Forest
Holmes said: "See clearly! I was still thinking about whether I should take up this case, but Steve's arrival made me more determined. How is it? Would you like to take a walk with me?"

I readily replied: "Of course."

"Rose Mountain Villa" is a good name, but in fact there are no roses at all, maybe there used to be, but now there are no roses.The exquisite and elegant building is surrounded by a large lawn, and the lush pine trees behind the house add a sense of gloom to the house.

But the room is very particular, so we can know the taste of the owner of the house.The hostess who received us was also very personable.

"I'm very glad to have you here, Holmes and Watson. Your presence has added a bit of joy to my family."

Holmes said: "Don't dare, your husband met me several times during his lifetime, and I still remember him now."

"Sir, you probably know my son Douglas better."

"Douglas Maberley? That's a fine fellow. I saw him at a party. He's a great name in London society. Is he not at home now?" asked Holmes.

"Ah, what a misfortune. He was secretary to the British ambassador in Rome, but he died of pneumonia last month, in Rome."

"How is that possible? What a pity! He's such an energetic and tenacious man, that—"

"That's what you say! He may be too strong to suffer a little setback. I have witnessed his transformation from a lively young man to a depressed and depressed person. It is because his heart has been broken. He just got so fast."

"Broken heart? Is it because of feelings? Is it because of a woman?"

"I don't want to talk about the devil! Well, don't talk about my son. It's not about my son that I invited you here today."

"That's because—"

Mrs. Maberley said: "It's like this. Some things have made me uneasy recently. I moved here a year ago, and I hardly communicate with other people. But a few days ago someone came to me and said that I was entrusted to Discussed with me to buy my house, and said that he could offer a high price. Although I thought it was a bit strange, I still offered a very high price, but he immediately agreed. Later he said that his client would also like to buy a piece of my furniture Buy it, the quality of this furniture is really good, you also found it, so I also said a high price, but the other party didn't bargain at all, and immediately closed the deal. I originally wanted to sell the house and live in a foreign country. It's a great deal.

"But this person asked me to sign the contract yesterday. Fortunately, my lawyer Sutro was also there. He read the contract and said to me, this contract is very strange. If I sign it, my personal things in the house will also be destroyed." If it belongs to the other party, I will not have the right to take any of them.

"So I told the middleman that I only sell furniture and houses, and not my personal items. He said that he could consider taking away my personal items, but he had to check before deciding whether they could be taken away.

"At that time I was very angry, and said that if this was the case, then the transaction would not be discussed, so I put the matter aside for the time being, but the more I thought about it, the more wrong it became,—"

(End of this chapter)