Chapter 17 Episode Seven: Ellery Queen Hears Messages from the Past

Doorbell rang. Ellery Queen put down the manuscript.There was no doubt that it was the drunkard.He responded indiscriminately, looked at the typewriter guiltily, walked into the hallway, and opened the door. Not Grant Eames, the postman from Western Union.Ellery began reading the unsigned telegram after signing it. "No problem," Ellery said.Ellery tipped the postman, ready to carry out the inspector's order immediately. Ellery Quinn grunted, plugged in the razor too, and turned the blades to trim her beard.I have been trying to call him, and it means that Dad is still in Bermuda.If you scare him again, he can stay for another week...

The back-to-work phone rang, and Ellery unplugged the razor and answered the phone.His good dad. But it wasn't Dad's call.It was the voice of a trembling old woman.A very old woman. "Mr. Quinn?" "you are?" "I've been looking forward to hearing from you." "I must apologize," said Ellery. "I was going to call you, but the timing of my possession of Dr. Watson's manuscript is so unfortunate that I must suspend my writing." "I'm very sorry." "Trust me, I'm the one who should apologize." "So you haven't had time to read yet?"

"On the contrary, the manuscript was too tempting. I couldn't control myself and I couldn't meet the deadline. Even so, I had to restrain myself. Now, there are two chapters left." "Maybe, Quinn, your time is limited, I should wait for you to finish the work at hand." "No—please go ahead. My problem has been resolved. I look forward to speaking with you." The well-bred old woman giggled. "Should I tell you that I have already pre-ordered your next work? Or do you think I am being flattering? I hope not." "You are very kind." There was something lurking beneath the old woman's quiet words, expressed through precise words, restraint, discipline.Probably because he'd been expecting to see—an uneasiness, as if the old woman was on the verge of breaking down.

"Have you questioned the authenticity of this manuscript, Mr. Quin?" "Frankly, when Grant first gave me the manuscript, I thought it was a prank. I quickly changed my mind." "You must think my delivery method is queer." "No, after reading the first chapter," Ellery said, "I totally get it." The old woman's voice trembled. "Mr. Quinn, he didn't do that, he wasn't the Ripper." Ellery Quinn tries to ease her pain. "After so many years, is it really, is it that important?" "Of course, of course it matters! Justice is the most important thing. Time can change many things, but not this."

Ellery Queen reminded her that she hadn't finished reading the manuscript. "But you know, I can feel you know." "I know where it leads." "Follow the directions to the end. But this is not true, Mr. Quinn! Sherlock Holmes made a mistake once. Watson was not wrong, he was merely recording what unfolded—according to Holmes' dictation. But Holmes failed, once Very unfair sentence." "But the manuscript wasn't published—" "There is no essential difference, Mr. Quinn. The verdict is known, the stain has become the brand." "But what can I do? Nobody can change history."

"Sir, I have only this manuscript! Manuscripts and hideous lies! Sherlock Holmes is no saint. Who is? Only God. The truth must be hidden somewhere in the manuscript. Mr. Quin, I implore you to find it." "I will do my best." "Thank you, young man, thank you very, very much." When there was no sound on the other end of the line, Ellery put down the receiver and glared at the phone.It's a tragic invention.He was originally a good person, devoted himself to writing good works, and was filial to his father, but now... At the moment, he wished very much that the plague had fallen on John Watson, and all those admirable friends who wrote biographies of close friends (where were his own close friends?).But he recalled the trembling voice of the old woman, and could only sigh, and sat down to read Watson's manuscript.