Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 266 A Must-Take Course for English Gentlemen!

British readers turned the pages once again, hoping for more hidden content.

But the next page already marks the beginning of another section.

A tremendous sense of loss and an even stronger sense of anticipation gripped everyone once again.

"A flushed face? Long fingernails? How did he know?"

"God, what else did he see that we didn't see?"

"Damn 'Good Words,' why can't it be published all at once!"

"Next month! We have to wait a whole two weeks! This is torture!"

Despite the complaints, the readers' enthusiasm was completely ignited.

Holmes's superb observational skills, along with his bold deductions about the killer's characteristics, brought all the suspense to its climax.

Because Lionel reveals almost all the clues in the narrative, it becomes an intellectual game that the reader feels they can participate in.

Everyone was repeatedly scrutinizing every clue Holmes pointed out—ashes, footprints, mud spots, horseshoes—trying to piece together the reasoning process themselves.

Especially the origins of the most mysterious "red face" and "long fingernails".

The public reading room was packed with people, and those who arrived later could only squeeze through the doorway and peek inside.

Some applauded Holmes's insight, some were annoyed that the story ended abruptly, and some even got into minor shoving and arguments because of cutting in line.

In the gentlemen's club, the usual discussions of politics and economics have been completely replaced by "A Study in Scarlet."

The members, magazine in hand, enthusiastically analyzed every clue Holmes mentioned, trying to piece together the image of the murderer.

Some people even pulled out maps to study where in London there might be brick-red soil.

Newspapers of all sizes got involved, with reporters and columnists vying to be the first to "solve the mystery."

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This "Sherlock Holmes whirlwind" that swept through London inevitably soon reached Scotland Yard.

The atmosphere here is even more oppressive than before.

Standing before Sir Charles Warren was Colonel Howard Vincent, still a member of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.

On his large mahogany desk was a brand new copy of the magazine "Good Words".

Charles Warren poked at the magazine cover with his finger: "Vincent, take a good look! All of London is going crazy for this guy who's a hundred times smarter than us!"

And what about us? What has become of Scotland Yard? We've become the fools, the supporting cast!

Howard Vincent tried to explain: "Sir, this is just a novel..."

Sir Charles Warren interrupted his defense: “A novel? How many people in all of London still consider it a novel? Look at this!”

He grabbed another stack of letters from the table and threw them at Vincent: "These are all letters I received in the last two days! Letters from citizens!"
And all those reporters outside, swarming like flies! It's all thanks to this 'novel'!

The letters were scattered on the ground like snowflakes.

Howard Vincent bent down and picked up a few letters. After a quick glance, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The letters contained bizarre and fantastical contents, but at their core they all revolved around the latest installment of "A Study in Scarlet":

A widow solemnly reported her neighbor, a colonel who had returned from India, claiming that he was "tall, smoked cigars often, and behaved strangely," matching the characteristics of a murderer described by Sherlock Holmes. A bank clerk suspected his colleague of embezzling public funds because he found "strange red mud" on the soles of the colleague's shoes and noticed that the colleague's "eyes were shifty, as if he were hiding something."

Even more outrageous, an elderly gentleman wrote a letter demanding that Scotland Yard immediately send someone to inspect a construction site near his home, because he believed the red clay there was "perfectly identical" to that described in the novel and might be hiding clues to a crime...

In addition to these "whistleblower letters," there were also numerous letters from readers curiously asking whether Scotland Yard detectives also possessed the same advanced techniques as Sherlock Holmes in identifying murderers through cigarette ash and footprints.
If I don't know how, when will I be able to learn?

Howard Vincent felt a wave of helplessness wash over him: "This...this is absurd! Have these people...they've all gone mad?"

Sir Charles Warren roared: “Absurd? Yes! But that’s the reality you’re facing!”
Your CID was established to improve the efficiency of solving cases and to establish a professional image for the police!
But what about now? In the public eye, we're not even as good as a fictional detective in a novel!
We've become nothing more than a backdrop to highlight his cleverness! Clown!

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated emotions: "Vincent, I don't care what method you use, this farce must be put under control as soon as possible."

We need to prove to the public that Scotland Yard is capable of maintaining order in London and doesn't need some Frenchman's fictional character interfering!

He paused, then pointed to the book "Good Words": "Also, find the source of this story. What exactly is this Lionel Sorel trying to do?"
Are his so-called 'reasoning methods' truly based on any evidence, or are they merely sensationalist literary exaggerations?

Howard Vincent straightened up: "Yes, sir! I understand! I'll get on it right away!"

Sir Charles Warren waved wearily, telling him to leave quickly.

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Back in his office, Howard Vincent slumped wearily into his chair.

The faint sounds of street noise drifted in from outside the window, seemingly all about that damned Sherlock Holmes.

He rubbed his temples, looked at the mountain of documents on the table, and fell into deep thought.

Suppressing public opinion is impossible; the bestseller status of "Good Words" and the charm of its story have already created a trend.

Simply denying or belittling Sherlock Holmes would only make the public think Scotland Yard is arrogant and incompetent.

Perhaps... perhaps a more subtle approach is needed?
His gaze fell once again on the book "Good Words," and he thought of Lionel Sorel, the author of "A Study in Scarlet."

A Frenchman, living in Paris, stirred up a storm in London with his pen.

While the magazine "Good Words" deserves much credit, the source of this success is Lionel Sorel.

Hmm, and there's that "Conan Doyle," judging by the name, he's British, probably Sorel's assistant or something, I think he's in London...

Good Words is the UK’s largest-circulation literary journal, and its editor-in-chief is Dr. Norman MacLeod.

This gentleman's wealth, social status, and influence are far beyond my ability to challenge.

He had previously sent his secretary to the magazine "Good Words" several times in hopes of arranging a meeting with Dr. Norman McLeod, but was refused without hesitation each time.

The reason is simple: "The works published in Good Words do not violate the laws of the British Empire and are not subject to the jurisdiction of Scotland Yard."

Howard Vincent's intuition told him that both the figures on Baker Street and the empty houses in Somerley Lane were the work of "Good Words," but there was no evidence.

Howard Vincent muttered to himself, "To solve the problem, you have to find the person who caused it..."

He pressed the call button and instructed the secretary who entered—no longer the loyal Edgar Avery—"Investigate that Dr. Conan Doyle..."

It would be best to 'invite' him to Scotland Yard, and to be polite, I want to speak with him in person!

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Just as Scotland Yard was struggling to cope with the storm sparked by literature, A Study in Scarlet had already begun to transcend the realm of literature.

It has become a social phenomenon, and even a required course for British gentlemen!
(End of this chapter)