This is almost the only adventure Sherlock Holmes and I have ever had together that was more sudden and dramatic. We haven't seen each other for some time, and I have absolutely no idea about the direction of his recent activities. However, this morning,

, Holmes was very chatty. He asked me to sit on the old sofa by the fireplace, and he sat opposite with a pipe in his mouth. But as soon as we sat down, someone opened the door with a "hoo" like a mad bull.

He broke away and broke in. This was a huge black man. If he didn't look ferocious, he would definitely give people a sense of humor, because he was wearing a bright gray plaid suit with a strip of hair hanging from his neck.

He was wearing an orange-red tie, his broad face and flat nose stretched forward in an exaggerated way, and his two gloomy eyes were almost exploded with anger. He stood there and looked at us in turn.

"Which one of you is Holmes?" he asked, raising his voice. Holmes lazily raised his pipe.

"Huh, so you are?" said the visitor, walking around the table with an offensive sneaky step. "Mr. Holmes, please listen carefully. Don't meddle in their own business.

They are free to take care of things themselves. Do you understand?"

"Go on," said Holmes leisurely. "It's very interesting."

"Ha, you find it interesting, don't you?" The sturdy black man roared, "When I clean you up, you won't find it interesting anymore. I've seen a lot of people like you, but you just need to clean up and don't see the coffin.

No tears. Look what this is, Mr. Holmes!"

He stretched out a huge black fist and shook it near Holmes's nose. Holmes observed his fist carefully with interest. "Are you born like this?" he asked, "or did you develop it gradually?"

I don't know whether it was because of Holmes's calm composure or because I picked up the poker, but in short, this visitor's arrogance was reduced a lot.

"I've warned you anyway," he said. "I have a friend who is very interested in what's going on in Harrow. What I mean will be clear to you when you wake up. He doesn't need you to meddle in his own business. You know.

Already? You and I are not the law. If you dare to meddle in other people's business, don't blame me for being rude. Just remember what I said."

"In fact, I've wanted to meet you for a long time," said Holmes. "I won't ask you to sit down because I'm not used to the smell of you. Are you the boxing Steve Dixie?"

"Yes, I am Steve Dixie, but if you don't talk carefully, I will deal with you."

"Then you don't have to." Holmes stared hard at the man's ugly mouth and said, "But what are you going to do about killing Perkins outside the Holborn pub? Do you want to leave?

Done?"

The big black man immediately flinched back, his face turning an even more ugly iron-gray color: "It's best not to say these useless words to me." He said, "What does the kid's accident have to do with Perkins? I was there when he got into the accident.

Training at the Birmingham Bullring!"

"Yes, you might as well say that to the judge, Steve," said Holmes, "that your business with Barna Stockdale has been under my watch."

"My God! Mr. Holmes..."

"Okay, let's not mention this for now. We'll talk about it later when I need you."

"Mr. Holmes, good-bye then! I hope you don't mind my coming here today, right?"

"Unless you tell me clearly who asked you to come here." "Mr. Holmes, do you still need to ask? Who else could it be besides the person you just mentioned."

"Who ordered him?"

"God, I don't know, Mr. Holmes. He just said to me: 'Steve, you go and warn Holmes that his life will be in danger if he dares to go to Harrow.' That's it, I

Tell the truth." Before Holmes could ask any more questions, he hurried out as quickly as he came. Holmes smiled to himself and knocked the ashes from his pipe.

"Watson, fortunately you didn't smash his head. I saw you holding the poker. In fact, he is a trouble-free person. Although he looks tough, he looks like a stupid person.

The kid who fired the cannon can be easily suppressed, just like he did just now. He is a member of the Spencer John gangster group and has been involved in many despicable deeds in recent times. I will deal with it when my hands are free.

They. However, his top leader Bana is a very cunning person. They specialize in attacks and threats. I need to find out who is hiding behind this incident."

"But why do they threaten you?"

"This is the Harrow Forest case. When they did this, it made me more interested in the case. Since they have so many people going to war, it must be a bit complicated."

"What's going on?"

"I was just about to tell you about this when this little episode happened. This letter is from Mrs. Mayberry. If you are willing to come with me, we will send her a telegram right now.

Set off."

The following is the content of the letter:

Dear Mr. Holmes:

Recently, I have encountered some strange things related to my house one after another, and I really hope to get your help. If you can come tomorrow, I will be waiting at home around the clock. This apartment is next to Harrow Station. My deceased husband Mortimer

·Mr. Mayberry, was one of your early loyal customers.

Sincerely, Mary Mayberry

Detailed address: Gables House, Harrow Forest.

"You see, that's what it's all about." Holmes said, "Well, if you have time, set out now!"

After a short journey from train to carriage, we arrived at the residence - a brick and timber villa. There was an acre of natural grass surrounding the villa; above the windows on the upper floors were three small stacks of pointed gables, which can be regarded as "gables"

There is a not-so-tall pine forest behind the house. The overall feeling of this place is not prosperous and cheerful, but the furniture in the house is very elegant, and the person who received us was an elegant man.

As an elderly lady, her conversation also shows that she is well-bred.

"Madam, your husband has made a very deep impression on me!" said Holmes, "even though many years have passed and it was only a small matter that I did for him."

"Perhaps Douglas—my son's name is more familiar to you."

Holmes looked at her with interest.

"So, you are the mother of Douglas Mayberry? I once knew him once. Naturally, almost everyone in London did not know him. At that time, he was indeed a very fit man! He is now

Where is it?"

"No more, Mr. Holmes, he is dead! He was the counselor in Rome. He died of pneumonia in Rome last month."

"What a pity. No one would associate such a fit and healthy life with death. He is the most energetic person I have ever seen. His vitality is so tenacious and naturally tenacious!"

"He was too stubborn, Mr. Holmes. He was ruined by that. In your memory, he was always so charming, but he turned into a depressed and silent person. You have never seen him. He was hurt.

I can tell you that within a month, I witnessed my graceful and generous son turn into an exhausted cynic."

"Is it love, for a woman?"

"A devil. Well, Mr. Holmes, I did not invite you here to talk about my son."

"Watson and I are all ears for your instructions, please speak up!"

Recently, some very weird things have happened one after another. I moved to this house more than a year ago. Because I wanted to live a quiet life, I closed the door and rarely interacted with the neighbors. In three days

Previously, a customer who claimed to be a real estate agent came and said that one of his clients had fallen in love with this house. If I was willing to sell it, the price would not be a problem. I felt a little strange because there were several houses with the same condition around me.

The properties were being sold, of course, but I was still interested in his proposal. So I offered a price that was 500 pounds higher than when I bought the house, and the deal was about to be completed, but he also said that his commission

People also wanted to buy the furniture and asked me if I could give them a price. I shipped a lot of the furniture here from my hometown. You can easily tell that they are top-quality furniture, so I offered a high price that was very beneficial.

, and he immediately agreed. I was originally planning to go abroad, and this transaction was very profitable. I should be very rich in the rest of my life.

Just yesterday, this man brought the contract that was written. Thanks to me, I showed it to Mr. Sutro, who is my lawyer and also lives in Harrow. He said to me: 'This contract

Very strange, have you paid attention? If you sign this contract, then you have no legal right to take away anything in the villa - not even your personal belongings.'

When the man came that night, I pointed out this problem to him, and I said to him, ‘I only sell furniture’.

'No, not the furniture, but everything,' he said.

'So, what should I do with my clothes and jewelry?'

'There is no doubt that your personal belongings will be taken care of. However, anything that is taken out of the house must be inspected. My client is a very generous person, but his own hobbies and habits,

For him, if he wants to buy something, he will buy it, otherwise he will not buy it.'

‘If that’s the case, then there’s no need to buy it.’ I said, and the matter was let go. But this matter is indeed a bit strange, and I’m worried...

When the lady was talking about this, the conversation was interrupted by an unexpected incident.

Holmes first raised his hand to signal a pause in the conversation. Then, he walked to the other end of the room, opened the door suddenly, and pulled in a tall and thin woman. She was grabbed by the shoulders by Holmes, but she was struggling desperately, just like

A chicken was caught out of the coop and screamed at the top of its lungs.

"Let me go! What are you going to do?" she screamed. "It's Susan, what's the matter with you?"

"Madam, I was just about to enter the house and ask the guests if they wanted to stay for dinner, when this person suddenly caught me."

"I have heard that she was hiding outside the door five minutes ago, but I did not interrupt your interesting story. Susan, you are a little out of breath, aren't you? You are not skilled in doing this kind of work."

Susan turned to look at her captor in anger and surprise. "Who are you? What right do you have to treat me like this?"

"I just wish to ask a question in your presence, Mrs. Mayberry. Have you told anyone else about your letter to me and your request for my help?"

"Mr. Holmes, I haven't told anyone."

"Who sent the letter?" "Susan."

"That's right. Susan, your mistress is going to find me. Have you disclosed the information to anyone?"

"You're talking nonsense, I didn't report anything at all."

"Susan, people with asthma may have a short life, but people who lie will also have no good consequences. Who did you tell this to?"

"Susan!" her mistress said sternly, "you are a cunning and evil woman. I remember that you once hid by the fence and talked secretly with a man."

"That's just my personal matter." Susan retorted angrily. "What if I said that the person who whispered to you was Bana, right?"

"Since you know it well, why do you need to ask?"

"I wasn't sure, but now I'm sure. Well, Susan, if you name the person behind Bana, you will get 10 pounds."
To be continued...