Chapter 2 Westeria Residence

I found from my notebook that it was a cold and windy day before the end of March, 1892.We were sitting at lunch when Holmes received a telegram, which he readily answered.He said nothing, but he seemed to have something on his mind, for he then stood before the fire with a pensive face, smoking his pipe, and reading now and then the telegram.Suddenly he turned around and faced me with a mysterious look in his eyes. "I think, Watson, that we must regard you as a man of letters," he said. "How do you define the word 'grotesque'?" "Strange—unusual," I replied.

He shook his head at my definition. "There's definitely more to it," he said, "and there's an underlying sense of being miserable and horrific. If you think back to your articles that have long tormented the public, you'll realize there's a deeper layer to the word 'grotesque.' often means crime. Think about the 'Redheads', which started out rather grotesquely and ended up in a desperate attempt to rob. And the 'five orange pips', which couldn't be more grotesque. , which led directly to a murder case. Therefore, the word 'grotesque' always makes me vigilant."

"Is that word in the telegram?" I asked. He read the telegram aloud. "It happened to be extremely unbelievable and weird. May I ask you for advice? Scott Eccles Charing Cross Post Office” "Male or female?" I asked. "Of course it's a man. Women don't send such telegrams to pay back the electricity bill first. It's a woman, so I came by myself." "Have you seen him?" "My dear Watson, you know how weary I have been since we imprisoned Colonel Carruces. My brain is falling to pieces like a running engine, not connected to the work it was intended to make. Life is dull, newspapers are dull, and daring and romance seem to have been extinct forever in this criminal world. In light of this, you can ask me if I am prepared to study any new problem, however trivial it may turn out to be. But now, if I If there is no mistake, our client has already arrived."

There were rhythmic footsteps on the stairs.After a while a tall, sturdy man with a gray beard and a dignified appearance was ushered into the room.His poignant countenance and haughty demeanor speak volumes about his parentage.From his shoe spats to his gold-rimmed spectacles, he was a Conservative, a clergyman, a good citizen, downright orthodox and old-fashioned.But some astonishing experience disturbed his original composure, which left marks on his bristling hair, flushed and sullen face, and flustered and excited expression.He immediately cut to the chase with his affairs. "A most singular and unpleasant occurrence has befallen me, Mr. Holmes," said he. "I have never had it in my life. It is most unseemly—most intolerable. I insist upon some action." Explain," he said angrily.

"Sit down, Mr. Scott Eccles," said Holmes in a soothing tone. "First of all, may I ask, why on earth did you come to me?" "Well, sir, it doesn't seem to me that the police have anything to do with this matter, and, when you've heard it, you'll agree, I can't just leave it alone. I don't have the slightest regard for private detectives. Not interested, but, nonetheless, I've long admired your name—" "Yes. But next, why don't you come right away?" "What does it mean?" Holmes glanced at his watch. "It is a quarter past two," he said, "and your telegram was sent about one. But no one would have noticed it if it hadn't been seen that you were in trouble as soon as you woke up." You're dressed like this."

Our client brushed his uncombed hair and touched his unshaven chin. "You're right, Mr. Holmes. It never occurred to me to think of washing. I would have loved to be out of a house like that. Before I came here, I ran around asking. I went to the estate agent. You know, they say Garcia Monsieur has paid his rent and says everything is going well with Westeria House." "Well, well, sir," said Holmes, laughing, "you are really like my friend Dr. Watson. He has a bad habit of getting things out of the way at the outset. Please get your thoughts in order. Tell me, in good order, what has happened that you, unshaven and unbuttoned with your boots and waistcoat, came out for guidance and assistance."

Our client looked down at his rather unusual appearance with a sad face. "I must look very disgraceful, Mr. Holmes. But I do not understand that such a thing should have happened to me in my life. Let me tell you the whole story of this strange incident. After you have heard it, I dare Say, and you'll think I'm justified." However, his narration was interrupted at the very beginning.There was an uproar outside, and Mrs. Hudson opened the door and ushered in two sturdy, official-looking people.One of these was Sergeant Grayson, known to us as Scotland Yard, a vigorous, imposing man, and a capable general in his circle of business.He shook hands with Holmes, and introduced his colleague, Inspector Baynes of Surrey Police.

"Mr. Holmes, we were following together, and we have come in this direction." His large eyes turned to our visitor. "Are you Mr. John Scott Eccles, of Boham House in Lee Street?" "I'm." "We followed you all morning today." "There is no doubt that you followed him by telegram," said Holmes. "Exactly, Mr. Holmes. We found the lead at the Charing Cross post office and have followed us here." "Why are you following me? What are you trying to do?" "We would like to have a statement, Mr. Scott Eccles, of the circumstances in connection with yesterday's death of Mr. Aloysus Garcia of Westeria Residence near Usher."

Our client became alert, staring, his panic-stricken face pale. "Dead? You mean he's dead?" "Yes, sir, he is dead." "How did he die? Was there an accident?" "Murder, if ever there was murder in the world." "My God! How dreadful! Didn't you say—didn't you say I was under suspicion?" "A letter of yours was found in the dead man's pocket, from which we know that you intended to spend the night at his house last night." "That's right." "Oh, you spent the night, didn't you?"

They produced official notebooks. "Wait a moment, Grayson," said Sherlock Holmes. "A clear confession is all you want, isn't it?" "It is my duty to remind Mr. Scott Eccles that this confession may be used against him." "Mr. Eccles was just about to tell us about the matter when you came in. I don't think a glass of soda brandy would do him any harm, Watson. Now, sir, there are two more listeners here, and I I suggest that you don't mind it, and go on as if no one had interrupted you—as you have just done." Our visitor gulped down the brandy, and the color returned to his face.He glanced inquisitively at the sheriff's notebook, and then began his most extraordinary account.

"I'm a bachelor," he said, "and I've made a lot of friends because I'm sociable. One of them is Melville's, a defunct brewer who lives in Abermar Hall, Kensington. A few weeks Before, I met a young man named Garcia when I was having dinner at their house. I knew he was of Spanish origin and had some connections with the embassy. He spoke perfect English and had a pleasant attitude. I have never seen him in my life. The most beautiful man ever. "This young lad and I had a very flirtatious conversation. He seemed to take a liking to me from the very beginning. In the two days after we met, he came to visit me in the Mile Street. This happened again and again, and finally he invited me to his house A few days. His home is at Westeria House, between Usher and Oxshott, and I was there last night by appointment. "Before I went to his house, he had told me about his house. He lived with a faithful servant, also a Spaniard, who took care of everything for him. Housekeeper. He said there was also an excellent cook, a mixed race, whom he met on his travels, who could cook well. I remember him talking about how strange it was to find such a place in the middle of Surrey. I agree with him Although the facts have proved that it is many times weirder than I imagined. "I drove up to that place—about two miles south of Usher. The house was quite large, set back from the road, and had a winding drive in front of it, lined with tall evergreen bushes. It was a The old house, in disrepair, looked dilapidated. When the carriage came to the mottled, dirty, weather-beaten gate and stopped on the weedy road, I hesitated to consider visiting such a place. I know little about the wisdom of men. He himself came to the door and greeted me with great cordiality. He handed me over to a sad-faced, dark-faced footman. The servant took the purse for me, and led me to the The bedroom I had prepared. The whole house was gloomy. We sat and dined face to face. My host, though he tried his best to be hospitable, seemed to be in a trance all the time, and his conversation was vague and incomprehensible. He did not He kept tapping his fingers on the table, biting his nails with his mouth. There were other actions that showed that he was restless. As for the meal, it was neither well-attended nor well-cooked, and the taciturn servant It was embarrassing to see the somber look on my face. I can assure you that I wanted to find an excuse to come back to the Mile Street that night. "One incident, it occurred to me, may have something to do with the matter which you gentlemen are investigating. At the time, I paid no attention to it. At the end of supper, a note came from the servant. I noticed that Well, after reading the note, my master seemed even more absent-minded and eccentric than before. He no longer pretended to talk to me, but sat there smoking and meditating. But what was written in the note , he didn't say. Fortunately, around eleven o'clock, I went to bed. After a while, Garcia looked at me at the door—the room was dark at the time—and asked if I had rang the bell, and I said No. He apologized for bothering me so late, and said it was nearly one o'clock. Then I fell asleep and slept till dawn. "Now, I come to the most astonishing part of the story. When I woke up, it was broad daylight and I looked at my watch. It was almost nine o'clock. I had taken special care to tell them to wake me up at eight o'clock. , I wonder how they forgot. I jumped up from the bed and rang the bell to call the servant, but no one answered. I rang the bell a few more times, but still no one answered. I thought, there must be something wrong with the bell. I held back Feeling angry, I put on my clothes indiscriminately, and hurried downstairs to ask someone to bring hot water. When I saw that there was no one downstairs, one can imagine the surprise at that time. I shouted in the hall, but there was no answer. and ran from room to room, all empty. My master had shown me his bedroom the night before, so I knocked on his door, but there was no answer. I twisted the handle and entered. The room, which was empty, had no one slept in the bed at all. He and the rest were gone. Foreign guests, foreign servants, foreign cooks disappeared overnight! I went to Westeria This visit to the apartment ends here." Sherlock Holmes, rubbing his hands and giggling, incorporated the oddity into his handbook of anecdotes. "Your story is unheard of," he said. "May I ask, sir, what did you do afterward?" "I was very angry. At first I thought I had been the victim of some ridiculous prank. I packed my things, slammed the gate, and went to Usher with my purse. I went to the town Allen Brothers, the leading real estate agent on the Internet, found out that the villa was rented by this firm. It suddenly occurred to me that the whole situation could not be to fool me. The main purpose must be to Rent evasion. It’s the end of March, and the four seasons’ billing day is approaching. However, this doesn’t make sense. The manager thanked me for the reminder, but he told me that the rent has been paid in advance. Later, I went to the city to visit Spain The embassy, ​​the embassy didn't know this man. Later, I went to Melville, and it was at his home that I first met Garcia. But I found that he didn't know Garcia as well as I did. Finally, I got your call back and came to you. Because I heard that you are a good problem solver. But now, Mr. Sheriff, from what you said when you entered the room, I know What tragedy has happened in this case. That is up to you to go on. I can assure you that every word I have said is true and that there is nothing wrong with the death of this man other than what I have already told you. , I am absolutely ignorant. My only wish is to serve the law to the best of my ability." "I believe it, Mr. Scott Eccles--I believe it," said Inspector Grayson in a friendly tone, "and I must say that the circumstances you describe correspond to what we have observed. The facts fit perfectly. For example, a note came at dinner. Did you notice what happened to that note?" "Yes, I noticed. Garcia crumpled it up and threw it on the fire." "Have you anything to say about that, Mr. Baynes?" The town detective was a stocky, fat, red-skinned fellow.Fortunately, he has two piercing eyes to make up for the lack of his big face.Those eyes were almost hidden behind wrinkled cheeks and forehead.He smiled slightly, and pulled a folded and discolored piece of paper from his pocket. "Mr. Holmes, there is a grate outside the stove. He threw the note over the grate. I found this unburned piece of paper from behind the stove." Holmes smiled appreciatively. "You must have inspected the house very carefully to find such a little ball of paper." "Yes, Mr. Holmes. That is my style. May I read it, Mr. Grayson?" The Cockney nodded. "The note is written on regular beige ruled paper without watermarks. The note is a quarter of a page and is cut in two cuts with short blade scissors. It is folded over three times, sealed with purple wax, and sealed with Something flat oval hastily embossed in wax, addressed to Mr. Garcia of Westeria Apartments. It read: 'Our own colours, green and white.Green on, white off.Main staircase, first aisle, seventh right, green baize.Good luck. d. ' This is a woman's font, with a thin tip.But the address was written in a different pen, or else by another person, in a much bolder hand.look. " "A very curious note," said Holmes, with a quick glance. "I really admire you, Mr. Baynes, for the attention to detail in examining this note. Perhaps a little detail could be added, the oval seal, a flat cuff-link no doubt--what else? Is it this shape? The scissors are folding nail clippers. Although the distance between the two cuts is very short, you can still clearly see that there are creases in the two cuts.” The town detective chuckled. "I thought I had it all figured out, but now I know I'm missing something," he said. "I must say I didn't take the note very seriously. I just knew they were up to something. , and the matter routinely involves a woman." While this conversation was going on, Mr. Scott Eccles sat restless. "I'm glad you found this note, because it confirms what happened to me," he said, "but I want to point out that what happened to Mr. García, what happened to his family, I don't even know." "As for Garcia," said Grayson, "it's easy to answer. He was found dead. Found this morning in a field in Oxshott about a mile from his house. His head was beaten to a pulp. ,was hit with a sandbag or something like that, hit it hard, not wounded, but opened the flowers. The place is secluded, no one's house for a quarter of a mile. Someone apparently knocked him down from behind Yes. The perpetrator continued to beat him for a long time after beating him to death. It was a violent attack. The perpetrator did not leave any footprints or any clues." "Have you been robbed?" "No, there is no sign of robbery." "It is very tragic--tragic and dreadful," said Mr. Scott Eccles indignantly, "but it is very cruel to me. My master went out late at night and met such a tragic end." , This has nothing to do with me at all, how could I be involved in this case?" "Very simple, sir," replied Inspector Baynes, "the only material recovered from the dead man's pocket was your letter to him. It said that you were to spend the night at his house, and that night he died. There is We found out the name and address of the dead man only after we found the envelope of this letter. We were at his house after nine o'clock this morning, and neither you nor anyone else was there. As I telegraphed Mr. Grayson to look for you in London, Inspecting the Westerian flats. Then I went into town and came here with Mr. Grayson." "Now I think," said Mr. Grayson, rising, "that it is best to do business. Mr. Scott Eccles, you will come with me to the Bureau and write out your statement. " "Of course I can. I'll go right away. But, Mr. Holmes, I still hire you to help me. I hope you will spare no expense and take pains to find out the truth." My friend turned to look at the town detective. "I co-operate with you, and I don't think you'll object, Mr. Baynes?" "Of course not, sir, with great honor." "It seems that you are quick and organized. I would like to ask, when is the exact time when the deceased was murdered? Is there any clue?" "He's been there since one. It was raining. He must have died before it rained." "But it is impossible, Mr. Baynes," exclaimed our client. "I couldn't hear his voice wrong. I could swear he was talking to me in my bedroom at that very moment." "Strange, but not impossible," said Holmes, smiling. "Have you got a clue?" Grayson asked. "On the face of it, the case does not appear to be very complicated, though it has some novel and interesting features. Before I venture to make a final statement, I must learn a few more things. Oh, by the way, Mr. Baynes, you During the inspection of the house, did you find any other strange things besides this note?" The detective looked at my friend strangely. "Yes," he said, "and one or two very odd things. Maybe you'll want to say something about them when I'm done with the police." "At your command," said Holmes, ringing the bell. "Mrs. Hudson, send these gentlemen out, and give this telegram to the footman, if you please. Ask him to pay five shillings for the return call." After the visitors had gone, we sat for a while in silence.Holmes was smoking furiously, his piercing eyes were drawn into a frown, and his head was stretched forward in the air of concentration that was characteristic of him. "Well, Watson," he asked me, turning suddenly, "what do you think?" "I still can't make sense of Mr. Scott Eccles' shaming." "And what about the crime?" "Well, judging from the fact that the man's companions have disappeared, it should be said that they were in some way complicit in the murder and then escaped." "That view is certainly possible. On the face of it, however, you have to admit that it is strange that two of his servants had conspired in his murder, and that they had attacked him on the evening when he had company. That week, except for the day Except, for the rest of the days, he was alone, and they could do whatever they wanted to him." "Why did they run away?" "Yes. Why did they escape? There is much to be said for that. The other important circumstance is that of our client, Scott Eccles. Now, my dear Watson, we must consider the two circumstances. Wouldn't it be beyond the limits of the human intellect to give an explanation? If an explanation could be given which would also explain that mysterious note in oddly worded form, it would be worthwhile as a provisional hypothesis. If we understand If the new facts we have come across fully fit the conspiracy, then our hypothesis can gradually become the answer." "But what is our hypothesis?" Holmes leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "You must admit, my dear Watson, that the idea of ​​mischief is out of the question. As the ending shows, there are serious matters inside. To coax Scott Eccles into Westeria Abode and the matter Some connection." "What could be the connection?" "Let's go through this piece by piece. On the face of it, there is something odd about the sudden and strange friendship between this young Spaniard and Scott Eccles. It is the Spaniard who quickens the pace of friendship. People. On the very day he first met Eccles, he rushed to the other end of London to visit Eccles, and kept in close contact with him, and finally invited him to Usher. Then, he What is Eccles for? What does Eccles have to offer? I don't see any charm in this man. He's not particularly bright--can't get along with a quick-witted Latino. Garcia, then. Why was he chosen among those he knew? What was it that was particularly suited to his needs? Did he have any outstanding qualities? I say he did. An impressive witness from an Englishman. You have seen with your own eyes that it never occurred to either of the sheriffs to question his statement, however extraordinary it was." "But what do you want him to witness?" "He can't witness anything now that it's the way it is, but he could witness everything if it had been otherwise. That's how I see the matter." "I see, so he can give an alibi." "Exactly, my dear Watson, he probably wanted proof of his alibi. For the sake of discussion, let us imagine that the family at Westeria House were conspiring together. Whatever the intention may be, , we can assume that they wanted to leave before one o'clock. They played a trick on the clock. It is likely that they sent Eccles to bed earlier than Eccles thought. Anyway Said, perhaps, that it was not past twelve when Garcia went to tell Eccles that it was one o'clock. If Garcia could finish what he wanted to do within the time mentioned and return to in his own room, then he can obviously make a strong defense to any charge. Our blameless Englishman can swear in any court that the defendant has been in the house. This is the worst case A bond." "Yes, yes, I understand. But how can you explain the disappearance of the other people?" "I don't have all the facts, but I don't think there are any insurmountable difficulties. It would be a mistake, however, to argue with the data in front of you. You've been playing with the data yourself, unconsciously, to justify yourself." "What about the letter?" "What does it say on the letter? 'Our own colours, green and white.' Sounds a lot like a horse race. 'Green on, white off.' That's obviously a signal." Main staircase, first aisle, right Seven, green baize.' This is the place of appointment. We might run into a jealous husband at the end of this affair. Clearly, it's clearly a dangerous quest, otherwise she wouldn't have said 'Best wishes Goin' good. 'D' - this should be the getting started guide." "The man was Spanish. I presume the 'D' stands for Dolores, which is a very common woman's name in Spain." "Well, Watson, very well—but it is extremely difficult to establish. A Spaniard writes to a Spaniard and can use Spanish. This letter must be written by an Englishman. Well, we must wait patiently until then. The great sheriff returns to us. But we are to thank our good fortune, which has freed us for a few hours from this unbearable idleness and ennui." Holmes was called back before our Surrey Constable returned.Holmes read the reply, and was about to put it into his notebook when he caught a glimpse of my expectant face.He smiled and threw the call back at me. "We're in aristocratic circles," he said. The telegram listed a number of names and addresses: Sir Harringby, of Dingle; Sir George Flyot, of Oxshott Tower; Mr. Haynes Haynes, Magistrate, of Paddy Place; and Mr. James Buck Williams, Forton Hull; Mr. Henderson, High Gables; the Reverend Joshua Stone, Nate Walslin. "It's clearly an attempt to limit the scope of our operations," Holmes said. "There is no doubt that Baynes in his right mind has adopted some similar scheme." "I do not quite understand." "Oh, my dear partner, we have come to the conclusion that what Garcia received at dinner was a letter of appointment or tryst. Now, if this definite explanation is correct, in order to keep the appointment, the person has to Climb up the main staircase and look for the seventh door in the passage. It is clear that the house must be large. It is also certain that the house is not more than a mile or two from Oxshott, for Garcia is In that direction. And, from my interpretation of the circumstances, Gaassi would have expected to be back at Westeria House before one o'clock in time to show that he was not there. The number of big houses is limited, so I took the obvious route and telegraphed a few of the managers Scott Eccles mentioned. Their names are on this call back. The other end of our mess must be among them." It was nearly six o'clock before we came down to the pretty Surrey village of Usher, accompanied by Sheriff Baynes. Holmes and I ate some supper at Bull, and found comfortable accommodation.In the end we went to visit Westeria House, accompanied by the detective.It was a cold, dark March night, with a cold wind and a drizzle, and it was a fitting scene for us as we passed through the desolate clearing on our way to the tragic site. foil. After a few miles of cold and dreary walking, we came to a tall wooden door.Inside the door was a dark chestnut-lined avenue.The crooked and gloomy road led us to a low, dark house, looming darkly against the blue-gray night sky.There was a faint light in the window to the left of the door. "Here's a policeman on duty," Baynes said. "Let me knock on the window." He walked across the lawn and tapped on the window sill.Through the dim glass I vaguely saw a man springing up from a chair by the fire, and heard a scream from within.A moment later the door was opened by a pale and panting policeman, a candle dangling in his trembling hand. "What's the matter, Walters?" Baynes asked sharply. The man wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, and heaved a long sigh, reassuring. "I'm glad you're here, sir. It's been a long night, and I think my nerves aren't as good as they used to be." "Your nerves, Walters? I had no idea you had nerves in you." "Well, sir, I mean this lonely house, and that strange thing in the kitchen. I thought it was there again when you knocked on the window." "What's coming again?" "Ghost, sir, I know. It's at the window." "What's in the window? When?" "About two hours ago. It was just dark, and I was sitting in a chair reading a paper. I somehow looked up and saw a face looking in at me from the lower window frame. My God, sir, what was that?" A face of mine! I see it in my dreams." "Tut! Tsk! Walters, that doesn't sound like a police officer." "I know, sir, I know, but it scares me so much, sir, that it won't help if I don't admit it. The face is neither black nor white, it can't be called a color, a very strange color, as if The mud was splashed with milk. And as for that face, it was as big as your two faces, sir. And that look, those big, protruding eyes, with their white teeth, made them look like a Hungry wolf. I say to you, sir, I dared not move a finger or breath until suddenly it disappeared. I ran out, through the bushes, and thank God there was nothing there. " "If I didn't know you were a good man, Walters, I could put a black point on you just for that. If it really was a ghost, then a duty officer should never be afraid to use it for him." Touch it with your hand and thank God. Isn't it a hallucination and a neurological delusion?" "That, at least, is easily settled," said Holmes, lighting his little pocket lamp. "Yes," he said, after a quick inspection of the grass, "a size twelve, I think. Judging by the size of his feet, he must be a big man." "What's the matter with him?" "He appeared to be running through the bushes toward the road." "Well," said the Inspector, with a serious and pensive face, "whoever he is, and whatever he may wish to do, he is gone now, and we have more urgent matters to attend to. Mr. Holmes, if With your permission, I will show you around this house." Every bedroom and living room was searched and nothing was found.Apparently the lodger had brought little or nothing with him.From all furniture to small items, they are rented together with the house.Many of the clothes that remain bear the mark of Marx & Co. of High Holborn.The results of the telegraphic inquiries showed that Marx knew nothing except that his buyer paid his bills readily.A few odds and ends, a few pipes, novels, two of them in Spanish, an old revolver, and, among personal possessions, a guitar. "There's nothing in here," Baynes said, strutting from room to room, candle in hand. "Mr. Holmes, I now call your attention to the kitchen." The kitchen is dark, with a high ceiling, at the back of the house.In the corner of the kitchen stood a straw bunk, apparently the cook's bunk.The table was littered with plates and dirty cutlery, leftovers from yesterday's dinner. "Look here," Baynes said, "what do you see here?" He held up the candle to something special behind the cupboard.The thing was so crumpled and shriveled that it was hard to tell what it was.It can only be said that it is black, made of leather, and looks a bit like a short person.When I examined it, at first I thought it was a desiccated black child; at second glance, it looked like a distorted ancient monkey.Whether it is an animal or a human, I am still baffled in the end.It has two strings of white shells hanging from the middle of its body. "Very interesting indeed--very interesting!" said Holmes, gazing at the wicked relic. "Anything else?" Baynes said nothing, and led us to the sink.He shone the candle forward, and saw some great white bird, with its wings and body torn apart, and its feathers still on it, filling a basin.Holmes pointed to the dewlap on the severed head of the bird. "A white cock," said he, "is very interesting! It is a very curious case." But Mr. Baynes stuck with his most inauspicious exhibit until the very end.He pulled an aluminum bucket from under the sink, full of blood.He took another plate from the table, and on it lay the charred broken bones. "Some things were killed and some things were burned. We collected them from the fire. I had a doctor this morning and the doctor said it wasn't human." 福尔摩斯微笑着搓着两手。 “我得恭贺你，警长，你处理了一件如此不同一般、如此富于教益的案件。你的才能似乎胜过你的机会，如果我这样说不致于有所冒犯的话。” 贝尼斯警长的两只小眼睛露出高兴的神色。 “你说得对，福尔摩斯先生。我们在工作上停滞不前。象这样的案件可以给人们带来机会。我希望我能利用这种机会。你对这些骨头是怎么看的？” “我看是一只羔羊，要不就是小山羊。” “那么，白公鸡呢？” “很怪，贝尼斯先生，非常奇怪。可以说从来没有见过。” “对，先生。这房子里住的人一定很奇怪，行动一定也很奇怪。其中一个已死啦。难道是他的同伴跟在后面把他打死的？如果是这样，我们早就抓住他们了，因为所有的港口都有人监视着。不过，我本人有不同的看法。是的，先生，我本人的看法大不相同。” “那么你自有主张喽？” “我要自己来进行，福尔摩斯先生。我这样做只是为了我自己的声誉。你已经成名了，我也得要成名。如果以后我能够说，我在没有你的帮助下破了案，那我就高兴了。” 福尔摩斯爽朗地笑了起来。 “好吧，好吧，警长，”他说，“你走你的路，我过我的桥吧。我的成果可以随时供你使用，如果你愿意向我索取的话。我想，这房子里，我想看的都看过了。把时间花到别处去也许更有好处，再见啦，祝你运气好！” 我可以举出好多微妙的表情来说明福尔摩斯正在性急地追寻一条线索，这种表情，除了我以外，别人可能不会注意到。在一个不经心的观察者看来，福尔摩斯象往常一样冷淡，但是，他那双发光的眼睛和轻快的举止却显示出一种抑制着的热情和紧张的情绪，这使我确信，他是正在考虑对策。按照他的习惯，他一句话不说；照我的脾气，我什么话也不问。能和他一起参加这场游戏，为捕获罪犯而提供出我微小的帮助，又不致以不必要的插话分散他的注意力，这对我来说已是很满意的了。到时候，一切都会转向我的。 因此，我等待着——可是，我越来越失望，白等了一场。一天接着一天，我的朋友毫无动静。有一天的上午他是在城里度过的，我偶然了解到，他是去大英博物馆了。除了这次外出之外，他成天作长时间的而且常常是孤独的散步，要不就是同村里的几个碎嘴子闲聊，他力求与这些人交往和结识。 “华生，我相信在乡间住一个星期对你是很宝贵的，”他说道，“重又看见树篱上新绿的嫩芽和榛树上的花序，那是非常愉快的。带上一把小锄，一只铁盒子，和一本初级植物学读本，就可以度过一些有意思的日子了。”他自己带着这套装备四处寻觅，可是带回来的只是寥寥几株小植物，而这是在一个黄昏就可以采到的。 在我们漫步闲谈的时候，偶尔也碰见贝尼斯警长。当他同我的同伴打招呼的时候，他那张又肥又红的脸上堆满了笑容，一对小眼睛闪闪发光。他很少谈起案情，但从他谈起的那么一点情况来看，他对事情的进展也倒不是不满意的。然而，我得承认，在案子发生五天以后，当我打开晨报看见这样的大字标题的时候，我还是不由得有些惊奇： 奥克斯肖特谜案揭破 被认为是凶犯的人已捕获 当我读着标题时，福尔摩斯从椅子上跳了起来，好似被什么刺了一下。 “啊！”他叫了起来。“你该不是说贝尼斯已经抓住他了吧？” “很明显，”我说着就把以下报道念了出来。 “昨晚深夜当传闻与奥克斯肖特凶杀案有关之凶犯已被捕获时，在厄榭及其邻近地区引起极大轰动。人们记得威斯特里亚寓所的加西亚先生系被发现死于奥克斯肖特空地，身上有遭受残酷袭击的伤痕，他的仆人和厨师亦于同一晚上逃走，显然他们参与了这一罪行。有人指出但从未得到证实的是，死去的这位先生可能有贵重财物存放在寓所里，以致财物失窃，构成罪案。经负责此案的贝尼斯警长多方努力，查明了逃犯的藏匿处所。他有充足的理由证明他们没有远遁，只是潜伏在事先准备好的某一巢窟中。首先可以肯定，他们最终将被捕获，因为据曾经通过窗户见过厨师的一两个商人作证说，厨师的相貌非常特别——是一个魁梧而可怕的混血儿，具有显著的黑种人型的淡黄色的面目。自从作案以来，有人曾见过此人，因为他竟敢贸然重返威斯特里亚寓所，以致在当晚被警官瓦尔特斯发现并追踪。贝尼斯警长认为，此人此行定有目的，因而断定可能还会再来，于是放弃寓所，另在灌木林中设下埋伏。此人进入了圈套，在昨晚经过一场搏斗后，终被捕获，警官唐宁在搏斗中遭到这个暴徒猛击。我们知道，当罪犯被带到地方法官面前时，警方将要求予以还押。捕获此人后，本案可望取得巨大进展。” “我们真应当马上去见贝尼斯，”福尔摩斯喊道，拿起了帽子。“我们来得及在他出发之前赶到他那里。”我们急忙来到村路上，正如我们所料，警长刚刚离开他的住处。 “你看到报纸了吧，福尔摩斯先生？”他问道，一边把一份报纸递给我们。 “是呀，贝尼斯先生，看到了。如果我向你提出一点友好的忠告，望你不要见怪。” “忠告，福尔摩斯先生？” “我曾细心研究过这个案件，我还不敢肯定你走的路子是对的。我不愿意你这样蛮干下去，除非你有十足的把握。” “谢谢你的好意，福尔摩斯先生。” “我向你保证，我这是为了你好。” 我仿佛看见贝尼斯先生的两只小眼睛中的一只象眨眼睛那样抖动了一下。 “我们都同意，各走各的路，福尔摩斯先生。我正是这样做的。” “哦，那很好，”福尔摩斯说，“请别见怪。” “哪儿的话，先生，我相信你对我是一片好意。不过，我们都有自己的安排，福尔摩斯先生。你有你的安排，我也许有我的安排。” “我们不要再谈这个了吧。” “欢迎你随时使用我的情报。这个家伙是个地道的野人，结实得象一匹拖车的马，凶狠得象魔鬼。抓住他之前，他差点儿把唐宁的大拇指咬断了。他一个英文字也不会说，除了哼哼哈哈之外，从他那里什么都得不到。” “你认为你可以证明是他杀害了他的主人？” “我没有这样说，福尔摩斯先生，我没有这样说。我们各有各的办法。你试你的，我试我的。这是说定了的。” 福尔摩斯耸耸肩，我们就一起走开了。“我摸不透这个人。他好象是在骑着马瞎闯。好吧，就照他说的办，各人试各人的，看结果怎么样。不过，贝尼斯警长身上总有某种我不很理解的东西。” 我们回到布尔的住处时，歇洛克·福尔摩斯说道：“华生，你在那个椅子上坐下。我要让你了解一下情况，因为我今天晚上可能需要你的帮助。让我把我所能了解的案情的来龙去脉讲给你听。虽然案情的主要特点是简单的，但是如何拘捕仍然存在着极大的困难。在这方面还有一些缺口，需要我们去填补。 “让我们回过头去谈谈在加西亚死去的那天晚上送给他的那封信吧。我们可以把贝尼斯的关于加西亚的仆人与此案有关这一想法搁在一边。证据是这样一个事实：正是加西亚安排斯考特·艾克尔斯到来的，这只能说明他的目的在于为他证明不在犯罪现场。那天晚上，是加西亚起了心，而且显然是起了坏心。他在干坏事的过程中送了命。我说'坏'心，那是因为，只有当一个人心怀恶念的时候，他才想制造不在犯罪现场的假想。那么，谋害他的人又会是谁呢？当然是犯罪企图所指向的那个人。到现在为止，我看我们的根据是可靠的。 “现在，我们可以解释加西亚的仆人们失踪的原因了。他们都是同伙，都参与了这个我们还弄不清楚的罪行。如果加西亚回去时事情得手，那么，那个英国人的作证就会排除任何可能的怀疑，一切都会顺利。但是，这一尝试是危险的。如果加西亚到了一定的时间不回去，那就可能是他送了命。因此，事情是这样安排的：遇到上述情况，他的两个下手便会躲到事先安排好的地方，逃避搜查，以便事后继续再干。这说明了全部的情况，是不是？” 整个一团乱线似乎已在我眼前理出了头绪。我奇怪，正和往常一样，何以在此之前我总是看不出来呢。 “但是，为什么有一个仆人要回来呢？” “我们可以想象一下，在急忙逃走的时候，他遗下了某种珍贵的东西，他舍不得丢下的东西。这一点说明了他的固执，对不对？” “哦，那么下一步呢？” “下一步是加西亚吃晚饭时收到的那封信。这封信表明，还有一个同伴在另一头。那么，这个另一头又在哪儿呢？我已经对你说过，它只能在某一处大住宅里，而大住宅则为数有限。到村里来的头几天，我到处游逛，进行我的植物研究，并利用空隙时间，查访了所有的大住宅，还调查了住宅主人的家世。有一家住宅，而且只有一家住宅，引起我的注意。这就是海伊加布尔有名的雅各宾老庄园，离奥克斯肖特河的那一头一英里，距发生悲剧的地点不到半英里。其他宅邸的主人都平凡而可敬，与传奇生活毫不相干。但是，海伊加布尔的亨德森先生是个十分古怪的人，稀奇古怪的事可能发生在他身上。于是，我把注意力集中在他和他一家人的身上。 “一群怪人，华生——他本人是他们中间最怪的一个。我利用了一个近乎情理的借口设法去见过他。可是，从他那双晦暗、深陷、沉思着的眼睛里我似乎看出，他对我的真正来意十分清楚。他大约五十岁，强壮而机灵，铁灰色的头发，两道浓眉联成一线，行动敏捷如鹿，风度宛如帝王——一个凶狠专横的人。在他那羊皮纸一般的面孔后面，有着一股火辣辣的精神。他要么是个外国人，要么就是曾长期在热带居住过，因为他的皮肤黄而枯槁，但却坚韧得象马裤呢。他的朋友兼秘书卢卡斯先生无疑是个外国人，棕色的皮肤，狡猾，文雅，象只猫一样，谈吐刻薄而有礼貌。你看，华生，我们已经接触到了两伙外国人——一伙在威斯特里亚寓所，另一伙在海伊加布尔——所以，我们的两个缺口已经开始合拢了。 “这两个密友是全家的中心。不过，对于我最直接的目的来说，另外还有一个人甚至更为重要。亨德森有两个孩子——两个姑娘，一个十一岁，一个十三岁。她们的家庭女教师是伯内特小姐，英国妇女，四十岁上下。还有一个亲信男仆。这小小的一伙人组成了一个真正的家庭，因为他们一同旅行各地。亨德森先生是大旅行家，经常出去旅行。前几个星期他才从外地回到海伊加布尔来，已有一年不在家了。我还可以补充一句，他非常有钱。他想到要什么就可以很容易地得到满足。至于别的情况，就是他家里总是有一大堆管事、听差、女仆，以及英国乡村宅邸里常有的一群吃喝多、干事少的人员。 “这些情况，一部分是从村里的闲谈中听到的，一部分是我自己观察所得。最好的人证莫过于被辞退而受尽委曲的仆人。我幸运地找到这么一个。虽说是幸运，但是，如果我不出去找，好运气也不会自己找上门来的。正如贝尼斯所说，我们都有自己的打算。按照我的打算，我找到了海伊加布尔原先的花匠约翰·瓦纳。他是在他专横的主人一怒之下卷铺盖滚蛋的。而那些在室内工作的仆人有不少和他一个鼻孔出气，他们大家既害怕又憎恨他们的主人。所以，我找到了打开这家人的秘密的钥匙。 “怪人，华生！我并不认为我已弄清全部情况，不过确是非常古怪的人。这是两边有厢房的一所住宅，仆人住一边，主人住另一边。除了亨德森本人的仆人给全家开饭之外，这两边之间没有联系。每一样东西都得拿到指定的一个门口，这就是联系。女教师和两个孩子只到花园里走走，根本不出门。亨德森从来不单独散步。他的那个深色皮肤的秘书跟他形影不离。仆人当中有人传说，他们的主人特别害怕某种东西。'为了钱，他把灵魂都出卖给了魔鬼，'瓦纳说，'就等着债主来要他的命了。'他们从哪里来，他们是什么人，谁也不知道。他们是非常凶暴的。亨德森曾两次用他打狗的鞭子抽人，只是由于他那满满的钱包和巨额赔款，才使他得以免吃官司。 “华生，现在让我们根据这一新的情报来判断一下形势。我们可以这样认为：那封信是从这个古怪人家送去的，要加西亚去执行某种事先早已计划好的任务。信是谁的？是这个城堡里的某一个人写的，并且是个女的，那么，除了女教师伯内特小姐之外，还会是谁呢？我们的全部推理似乎都是指向这个方面。无论如何，我们可以把它看作是一种设想，看它将会带来什么样的结果。再说一句，从伯内特小姐的年纪和性格来看，我最初认为这件事里面可能夹杂着爱情的想法肯定是不能成立的。 “如果信是她写的，那么，她总该是加西亚的朋友和同伴了吧。她一旦听到他死去的消息，她可能会干些什么呢？如果他是在进行某种非法勾当中遇害的，那么她就会守口如瓶。可是，她心里一定痛恨那些杀害他的人，她大概会尽力设法向杀害他的人报仇。能不能去见她？设法去见她？这是我最初的想法。现在我遇到的情况不太妙。自从那天晚上发生了谋杀案后，到现在还没有谁看见过伯内特小姐。从那天晚上起，她就没有影踪了。她还活着吗？也许她同她所召唤的朋友一样，在同一个晚上遭到了横祸？或者，她只不过是个犯人？这一点是我们要加以确定的。 “你会体会到这种困境的，华生。我们的材料不足，不能要求进行搜查。如果把我们的全部计划拿给地方法官看，他可能会认为是异想天开。那个女人的失踪说明不了什么问题，因为在那个特殊的家庭里，任何一个人都可以一个星期不见面。而目前她的生命可能处于危险中。我所能做的就是监视这所房子，把我的代理人瓦纳留下看守着大门。我们不能让这种情形再继续下去。如果法律无能为力，我们只好自己来冒这场风险了。” “你打算怎么办呢？” “我知道她的房间。可以从外面一间屋的屋顶进去。我建议我们今晚就去，看能不能击中这个神秘事件的核心。” 我必须承认，前景并不十分乐观。那座弥漫着凶杀气氛的老屋，奇怪而又可怕的住户，进行探索中的不测危险，以及我们被法定地置于违反原则行事的地位，这一切合在一起，挫伤了我的热情。但是，在福尔摩斯冷静的推理中有某种东西，使得避开他提出的任何冒险而往后退缩成为不可能。我们知道，这样，而且只有这样才能找到答案。我默默地握住了他的手。事已如此，不容翻悔。 但是，我们的调查的结局竟是如此离奇，却是始料所不及的。大约在五点钟，正当三月黄昏的阴影开始降临时，一个慌慌张张的乡下佬闯进了我们的房间。 “他们走了，福尔摩斯先生。他们坐最后一趟火车走了。那位女士挣脱了。我把她安顿在楼下马车里了。” “好极了，瓦纳！”福尔摩斯叫道，一跃而起。“华生，缺口很快合拢啦。” 马车里是一个女人，由于神经衰竭而半瘫痪了。她那瘦削而憔悴的脸上留有最近这一悲剧的痕迹。她的脑袋有气无力地垂落在胸前。当她抬起头来，用她那双迟钝的眼睛望着我们的时候，我发现她的瞳仁已经变成浅灰色虹膜中的两个小黑点。她服过鸦片了。 “我照您的吩咐守在大门口，福尔摩斯先生。”我们的使者，那位被开除了的花匠说。“马车出来以后，我一直跟到车站。她就象个梦游人，但是当他们想把她拉上火车的时候，她醒过来了，竭力挣扎，他们把她推进车厢，她又挣脱了出来。我把她拉开，送进一辆马车，就来到这儿。我决不会忘记当我带她离开时那车厢窗子里的那张脸。要是他得逞了，我早就没命了——那个黑眼睛、怒目相视的黄鬼。” 我们把她扶上楼，让她躺在沙发上。两杯浓咖啡立刻使她的头脑从药性中清醒过来。福尔摩斯把贝尼斯请来了。看到这情况，他很快就明白了发生的事情。 “啊，先生，你把我要找的证人找到啦，”警长握住我朋友的手热情地说道。“从一开始，我就和你在找寻同一条线索。” “什么！你也在找亨德森？” “唔，福尔摩斯先生，当你在海伊加布尔的灌木林中缓步而行时，我正在庄园里的一棵大树上往下看着你。问题只在于看谁先获得他的证人。” “那么，你为什么逮捕那个混血儿呢？” 贝尼斯得意地笑了起来。 “我肯定，那个自称为亨德森的人已经感到自己被怀疑了，并且只要他认为他有危险，他就会隐蔽起来，不再行动。我错抓人，是为了使他相信我们已经不注意他了。我知道，他可能会溜掉，这样就给了我们找到伯内特小姐的机会。” 福尔摩斯用手抚着警长的肩膀。 “你会高升的。你有才能，你有直觉，”他说。 贝尼斯满面笑容，十分高兴。 “一个星期来，我派了一个便衣守候在车站。海伊加布尔家的人不管上哪儿、都在便衣的监视之下。可是，当伯内特小姐挣脱的时候，便衣一定感到为难，不知如何是好。不管怎么说，你的人找到了她，一切都很顺利。没有她的证词，我们不能捉人，这是很清楚的。所以，让我们越快得到她的证词越好。” “她在逐渐恢复，”福尔摩斯说，眼睛望着女教师。“告诉我，贝尼斯，亨德森这个人是谁？” “亨德森，”警长说，“就是唐·默里罗，一度被称为圣佩德罗之虎的就是他。” 圣佩德罗之虎！这个人的全部历史立刻呈现在我眼前。在那些打着文明的招牌统治国家的暴君中间，他是以最荒淫残忍出名的。他身强力壮，无所畏惧，而且精力充沛。他刚愎自用，对一个胆小怕事的民族施加残暴统治长达十一二年之久。他的名字在整个中美洲是一种恐怖。那个时期的最后几年，全国爆发了反对他的全民起义。可是，他既残酷又狡猾，刚听到一点风声，就把他的财产偷偷转移到一艘由他的忠实追随者操纵的船上。起义者第二天袭击他的宫殿时，那里已经一无所有。这个独裁者带着他的两个孩子、秘书以及财物逃之夭夭。从那时起，他就从世界上消失了。他本人则成了欧洲报纸经常评论的题材。 “是的，先生，唐·默里罗就是圣佩德罗之虎，”贝尼斯说。“如果你去查一查，就会发现圣佩德罗的旗帜是绿色和白色的，同那封信上说的一样，福尔摩斯先生。他自称亨德森，但是我追溯了他的已往，由巴黎至罗马至马德里一直到巴塞罗那，他的船是在一八八六年到达巴塞罗那的。为了报仇，人们一直在找寻他。可是，直到现在，人们才开始发现他。” “他们一年前就发现他了，”伯内特小姐说。她已经坐了起来，聚精会神地听着他们谈话。“有一次，他的性命几乎要完蛋了，可是某种邪恶的精灵却保护了他。现在，也是一样，高贵而豪侠的加西亚倒下了，而那个魔鬼却安然无恙。还会有人一个接一个地倒下，直到有朝一日正义得到伸张。这一点是肯定的，正如明天太阳将要升起一样。”她紧握着瘦小的双手，由于仇恨，她那憔悴的脸变得苍白。 “但是，伯内特小姐，你怎么会牵涉进去了呢？”福尔摩斯问道，“一位英国女士怎么会参与这么一件凶杀案呢？” “我参与进去是因为在这个世界上没有别的办法可以伸张正义。多年前，在圣佩德罗血流成河，英国的法律管得了吗？这个人用船装走盗窃来的财物，英国的法律管得了吗？对于你们来说，这些罪行好象发生在别的星球上。但是，我们却知道。我们在悲哀和苦难中认识了真理。对于我们来说，地狱里没有哪个魔鬼象。只要他的受害者仍然呼喊着要报仇雪恨，那么生活就不会平静。” “当然，”福尔摩斯说，“他是你所说的那种人。我听说他极端残暴。不过，你是怎样受到摧残的呢？” “我全都告诉你。这个坏蛋的做法就是以这种或那种借口，把凡是有可能成为他的危险对手的人都杀掉。我的丈夫——对了，我的真名是维克多·都郎多太太——是驻伦敦的圣佩德罗公使。他是在伦敦认识我的，并且在那里结了婚。他是世上少有的极为高尚的人。不幸，默里罗知道了他的卓越品质，于是用某种借口召他回去，把他枪毙了。他预感到了他的灾难，所以没有带我一起回去。他的财物充公了，留给我的是微薄的收入和一颗破碎了的心。 “后来，这个暴君倒台了。正象你刚才说的那样，他逃走了。可是，许多人的生命被他毁了，他们的亲友在他手里受尽折磨而死去，他们不会就此罢休。他们在一起组织了一个协会。任务一天不完成，这个协会就一天不撤销。当我们发现这个改头换面的亨德森就是那个倒台的暴君之后，我的任务就是打进他的家里，以使别人了解他的行动。我要保住在他家里当女教师的位置，才能做到这一点。他没料到，每顿饭都出现在他面前的这个女人的丈夫，正是被他迫不及待地杀害了的人。我向他微笑，负责教他的孩子，等待着时机。在巴黎试过一次，失败了。我们迅速东绕西拐跑遍欧洲，甩掉追踪我们的人，最后回到这所他一到英国就买下来的房子。 “可是，这儿也有司法官员在等待着。加西亚是以前圣佩德罗最高神职官员的儿子。当加西亚得知默里罗要回到那里去时，加西亚带着两名地位低卑的忠实伙伴在等着他。三个人胸中都燃着报仇的火焰。加西亚在白天无法下手，因为默里罗防备严密，没有他的随员卢卡斯——此人在他得意的年代叫洛佩斯——在身边，他决不出外。可是在晚上，他是单独睡的，报仇的人有可能找到他。有一天黄昏，按照事先的安排，我给我的朋友送去最后的消息，因为这个家伙无时无刻不在警惕着，他不断地调换房间。我要注意让所有的房门都开着，同时在朝大路的那个窗口发出绿光或白光作为信号，表示一切顺利或者行动最好延期。 “可是，一切都不顺利。秘书洛佩斯对我起了疑心。我刚写完信，他就悄悄从背后向我猛扑过来。他和他的主人把我拖到我的房间，宣判我是有罪的女叛徒。如果他们有法逃避杀人后果的话，他们早就当场用刀刺死我了。最后，他们经过争论，一致认为杀死我太危险。但是，他们决定要干掉加西亚。他们把我的嘴塞住，默里罗扭住我的胳膊，直到我把地址给了他。我发誓，如果我知道这对加西亚意味着什么，那么，他们可能早把我的胳膊扭断了。洛佩斯在我的信上写上地址，用袖扣封上口，交给仆人何塞送了出去。他们是怎样杀害加西亚的，我不知道，只知道是默里罗亲手把他击倒的，因为洛佩斯被留下来看守着我。我想，他一定是在金雀花树丛里等待着。树丛中有一条弯曲的小径。等加西亚经过时就把他击倒。起初，他们想让加西亚进屋来，然后把他当作遭到追缉的夜盗杀死。但是，他们发生了争执。如果他们被卷进一场查讯，他们的身份就会立即公开暴露，他们就会招来进一步的打击。加西亚一死，追踪就会停止，因为这样可以吓住别的一些人，使他们放弃自己的打算。 “如果不是因为我了解这伙人的所作所为，他们现在都会安然无事的。我不怀疑，好几次我的生命都处在死亡的边缘。我被关在房里，受到最可怕的威胁，以残酷虐待来摧残我的精神——请看我肩上的这块刀疤和手臂上一道道的伤痕——有一次，我想在窗口喊叫，他把一件东西塞进我嘴里。这种惨无人道的关押继续了五天，吃不饱，几乎活不下去。今天下午，给我送来了一份丰盛的午餐。等我吃完，才知道吃的是毒药。我象在梦里一样，被推塞进马车，后来又被拉上火车。就在车轮快要转动的时候，我才突然意识到我的自由掌握在我自己的手中。我跳了出来。他们想把我拖回去。要不是这位好心人帮忙把我扶进一辆马车，我是怎么也逃脱不了的。感谢上帝，我终于逃出他们的魔掌了。” 我们都聚精会神地听着她这番不平常的叙述。还是福尔摩斯打破了沉默。 “我们的困难并没有过去，”他说着摇摇头。“我们的侦查任务已经完成，但是，我们的法律工作却开始了。” “对，”我说，“一个能说会道的律师可以把这次谋杀说成是自卫行动。在这样的背景下，可以犯上百次罪，可是，只有在这件案子上才能判罪。” “得啦，得啦，”贝尼斯高兴地说，“我看法律还要更强一些。自卫是一回事，怀着蓄意谋杀的目的去诱骗这个人，那就是另外一回事了，不管你害怕会从他那里遭到什么样的危险。不，不，等我们在下一次的吉尔福德巡回法庭上看到海伊加布尔的那些房客时就可以证实我们都是正确的了。” 然而，这是个历史问题，圣佩德罗之虎受到惩罚，还得要有一段时间。他和他的同伙狡猾而大胆，他们溜进埃德蒙顿大街的一个寓所，然后从后门出去，到了柯松广场，就这样甩掉了追捕的人。从那天以后