Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 258 Scotland Yard's Statement!
"What?! There's nothing below?!"

George Wilson, who was sitting at his workstation at the insurance company, almost jumped up from his chair.

He frantically flipped through the pages of "Good Words" magazine, the rustling of the papers sounding particularly jarring in the quiet office.

He hoped to find the sequel to the story in the next insignificant essay or the next advertisement.

However, the cold, hard truth told him that this was the end of this episode.

He couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath: "Damn it! How could it break here!"

This drew sidelong glances from his colleagues, and he could only awkwardly explain, "Sorry, a client didn't show up..."

Throughout London, countless readers like George Wilson experienced what it meant to be "heart-wrenchingly anxious" at that moment.

They had just been drawn into a mysterious and perplexing case, witnessed the wisdom of an unprecedented genius detective, and had their strongest curiosity piqued...

But the story was abruptly interrupted at the most crucial moment!

Inside the club, an old man stomped his cane on the floor in anger: "Half a month! A whole half a month!"

This is even more agonizing than waiting for the parliamentary debate results!

In the pub, a worker took a big gulp of beer and grumbled, "That Frenchman, Lionel Sorel, he knows exactly how to torture the reader!"

The readers' excitement quickly spread to the media.

The day after The Study in Scarlet was published, major London newspapers reported on the enthusiastic response the book received from its readers.

The Times' arts section commented:

...This young French writer delivered a powerful blow to the London literary scene with his new work, A Study in Scarlet.

His 'consulting detective'—Mr. Sherlock Holmes—completely overturned our previous understanding of detective novels with his astonishing observation and logical deduction abilities…

The Palmer Bulletin, on the other hand, focuses more on social impact:

[...Recently, a strange 'epidemic' has emerged among London gentlemen: observing each other's palms and pocket watches.]

All of this stemmed from "A Study in Scarlet," serialized in the magazine "Good Words."

The name Sherlock Holmes has become the hottest topic of conversation in clubs and salons...

Dr. Norman McLeod sat in his office, looking at the various newspapers spread out on his desk, a satisfied smile on his face.

Everything is progressing as Lionel predicted in his letter, and even better.

He could already foresee the sales peak that the late July issue of "Good Words" would reach.

He summoned his assistant: "Tell the printing press to prepare for a reprint! Also, send a telegram to Monsieur Sorel in Paris, just say, um—"

'London has already entered the scene; let's wait for the next act.'

In his apartment at 21B Baker Street, Arthur Conan Doyle also bought the latest issue of Good Words.

He stroked the small "Conan Doyle" next to Lionel Sorel's name on the cover, his heart pounding with emotion.

Although he is only mentioned as an assistant now, he seems to have already seen a future in which his name is closely linked to the legend of Sherlock Holmes.

He walked to the window, looked down at the pedestrians who occasionally stopped or looked up, and silently said in his heart: "Leon, you...we did it."

We've made all of London go crazy for Sherlock Holmes.

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The fervor sparked by "A Study in Scarlet" has not subsided over time; on the contrary, it has grown stronger.

London, the heart of the empire, seemed to resonate with such unified rhythm for the first time, inspired by a work of literature. The speed at which word-of-mouth spread exceeded everyone's expectations.

Initially, the discussions were confined to clubs, reading rooms, and literary salons—

The gentlemen waved magazines, fiercely debating the plausibility of Holmes's reasoning, or mimicking his tone as they tried to analyze their companions' pocket watches or canes.

But soon, this trend broke through geographical limitations.

On the platform at Victoria Station, staff members waiting for the train exchanged their opinions on "A Study in Scarlet."

At the Greenwich docks, workers could overhear snippets of conversation about "the detective who could see through everything" during their breaks.

Even the nannies pushing strollers in Hyde Park would whisper among themselves under the shade of the trees, guessing what "RACHE" really meant.

Local newspapers began reprinting reviews from their London counterparts in their literary columns, or publishing reading notes written by local writers.

"Sherlock Holmes" and "A Study in Scarlet" quickly became the focus of attention for literature lovers across Britain.

In this nationwide "Sherlock Holmes craze," readers from all walks of life can find something to resonate with.

Intellectuals and professionals are impressed by Sherlock Holmes' rigorous "deductive method" and regard him as the literary embodiment of scientific rationality.

Ordinary citizens, on the other hand, are deeply attracted by the bizarre murder cases and mysterious suspense, enjoying the fun of solving intellectual puzzles;
Many young students not only admired Holmes's extensive knowledge but also felt a strong connection to Watson, a character of similar age.

This widespread positive reputation is most directly reflected in the sales of "Good Words" magazine.

On Dr. Norman McLeod's desk, the sales figures are breaking records every day.

In the past, it was considered excellent if a single issue of "Good Words" could sell 10 copies.

Three days after the publication of A Study in Scarlet, local sales in London approached that figure.

On the fifth day, urgent orders from major industrial cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool poured in like snowflakes.

By the seventh day, even Edinburgh, Glasgow, and as far away as Dublin had joined the buying frenzy.

The printing press machines roared day and night, workers worked in shifts, and the smell of ink permeated the entire workshop.

The inventory, originally planned to last a month, was sold out in just ten days.

Norman McLeod had to urgently order two additional print runs, each one leaving the experienced printing house owner speechless with astonishment.

The publishing director of "Good Words" stormed into McLeod's office with the latest data: "They're all crazy! They're all crazy!"

His face was filled with exhaustion and elation: "Doctor, our sales this issue have surpassed the highest record of any issue in the past five years!"
And the numbers are still growing! Newspaper kiosks along the railway line are all complaining of shortages!

Dr. McLeod sat behind his desk with a calm smile on his face, as if he knew everything.

He had long since calmed down from his initial excitement, and Lionel's prediction in his letter was gradually becoming a reality: "Tell the printing press to continue printing more."

In addition, send telegrams to our distributors to ensure that products are available in remote areas as quickly as possible. We want the whole of Britain to read this story.

However, what propelled this craze to its peak was an unexpected "assistance" from the authorities.

On July 24, The Times published a brief statement from Scotland Yard:
To the citizens of the Empire:
Recently, the Metropolitan Police noticed that a novel serialized in a literary magazine mentioned that a detective from the Metropolitan Police commissioned a private investigator named "Sherlock Holmes" to solve a fictional case.

The Metropolitan Police Service hereby solemnly declares that the Metropolitan Police Force conducts rigorous and dedicated investigations, and all investigations are carried out independently by its professional officers in accordance with the law. It has never, and will never, entrust any external private investigators to assist in solving cases.

Furthermore, upon investigation, Scotland Yard's current and past police officer rosters do not contain any detective named "Gresen" or "Lestrade".

The plot of this novel is entirely fictional. Readers are advised not to confuse literary creation with reality.

...]

(End of this chapter)