Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 293 is all about love, hate, and grudges.

In previous episodes, the clues Holmes and Watson were investigating had pointed to a relatively closed community in London—a Mormon settlement.

[...Our investigation seemed to have hit a silent wall. Gresen and Lestrade claimed they had repeatedly questioned prominent figures in the community, receiving only polite but firm denials—they insisted they knew nothing of Inauk Zeppelin and Joseph Stangerson's past, and had absolutely no connection to their recent misfortune.]

Lionel had Conan Doyle research the Mormon community in London so that he could incorporate it into his novel and connect London readers with the case.

In the original story, Jefferson Hope killed Inauk Zeppelin and his secretary Stanjasson because Inauk Zeppelin used the Mormon Church's unique polygamous and intra-denominational marriage system to steal his lover Lucy Ferrier and kill Lucy's father.

From then on, he began to travel the world in order to find Inauk Zeppelin and exact his revenge—until he found his enemy's trail in London.

The story itself is quite compelling, but the problem is that it is too far removed from the realities of life in London, making it feel disconnected from the reader's experience.

Indeed, the Mormon Church had spread to London in the first half of the 19th century and formed a community of several hundred people.

So, what choice will Inauk Zeppelin, a believer, make after fleeing to London and realizing that Jefferson Hope has discovered him?

—Naturally, he sought refuge with the sect again, just as he had in the United States.

Of course, the "detective Sherlock Holmes" in "Good Words" won't have any gunfight with the elders here.

Elder Stanson understood our purpose, but his expression remained unchanged, as if he were listening to a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.

His voice was as cold as London in January: “Cieber? Yes, we know this man. He was once our brother, but he was expelled from the community long ago for his misconduct. His death was his sin and God’s judgment. His affairs have nothing to do with us anymore.”

Holmes said calmly, “I understand your position, Elder. But the murderer may still be at large, and his targets may not be limited to Zeppelin alone. According to our investigation, another victim, Joseph Stanjasen…”

Elder Stanson abruptly interrupted him: "That's my nephew! His misfortune... is also his own doing, as he strayed from the Lord's righteous path!"

He stood up: “Detective, I’m busy. We don’t welcome outsiders here, and even less so those who bring trouble and gossip. Please leave. We have nothing to say about the deceased, nor do we need your ‘help’.”

Holmes's deduction did not end there; he sensed something else in Elder Stanson's desperate attempt to distance himself.

It wasn't about avoiding trouble, nor was it about protecting anyone; it had a deeper psychological motivation—

Holmes stood at the window of 221B Baker Street, his violin slung over his shoulder: "Watson, they are not acting out of fear, but out of anger, and also out of shame."

They were closed off, emphasizing internal purity and absolute obedience. Two members died, and the word 'revenge' was written in blood on the wall… This was a ritualistic murder.

I couldn't help but ask him, "What does this mean?"

Holmes plucked a string: “They know who the murderer is, but they have a creed that transcends conventional law. Look at what’s happened to them in America—'Fertile crimes must be redeemed through bloodshed.'”

"Lennancial punishment!"

This idea struck a chord with all the readers instantly.

A mysterious American religion, polygamy, a gated community, a murder, and hints that the deceased's sect is preparing to carry out a "lynching"...

The interplay of various elements made them feel that the case was slowly extending and expanding like a spider's web, with the spider silk seemingly about to touch their faces.

But what about the motive? Whether it's the murderer, the victim, or the Mormon elders, what brought them together?

Could the killer also be a religious believer? Was this a religious vendetta?

Soon, Holmes's reasoning touched on the core issue—

"...That ring, Watson, it belonged to a lady. Judging from the marks on the inside, she hadn't worn it for many years. It was almost certainly a 'memorial item.' The murderer cherished it so much that after losing it, he risked exposure to return to the scene of the murder."

Holmes pointed to the table, on which was a stack of newspaper clippings about the Mormon Church: "...They allow polygamy and have confronted the fathers and fiancés of many missing women in America. Is it possible that the owner of that ring, that woman, was once married to the murderer or the deceased? But it ended in tragedy, and an irreconcilable hatred was formed between them?"

It was only then that it dawned on me: "A crime of passion?"

Holmes added, "A crime of passion for revenge. It could be a stolen emotion, or a broken family. In this way, the elders' reaction can be reasonably explained—if they condoned this revenge, it would mean that the doctrines they believed in had been undermined."

They wanted to carry out their own kind of justice, just like the murderer did.

At this point, Holmes seemed to have seen something through the window. He quickly took a step back, drew the curtains, and then peeked down through a corner of the window.

(This concludes this installment. Thank you for watching.)

"NO!!!!" This cry of despair echoed once again in London and throughout various reading spaces across the UK.

"My God! It's here again! That Frenchman! He's definitely doing it on purpose!"

"Damn it! Damn 'Good Words'! Damn Lionel Sorel!"

"Can't they just log in more at once? It's like feeding sparrows every time! My heart can't take it!"

"We still have to wait half a month... a full half month!"

"Next episode! I'm not watching if they don't catch that bastard next episode!"

"A crime of passion? These are all about love, hate, and grudges!"

……

Curses, lamentations, complaints, worries... a mix of emotions allowed readers to once again experience the "unique charm" of serialized works.

These reactions demonstrate the irreplaceable appeal of legitimate serializations, which may be more captivating than cheap, one-off thrills.

When readers' interest was completely captivated by the "revenge murder" and the "strange customs of the mysterious religion," the gunshot of "Sherlock Holmes" became irrelevant.

However, some people still followed their usual habit and hurriedly searched for the "next chapter".

But this time was different from before; they made a gain!

(End of this chapter)