Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 298 Everyone Can Be "Sherlock Holmes"! (Bonus Chapter for 15,000 Votes in September)

Conan Doyle, sitting upright in his chair, spoke loudly to make sure everyone could hear him:
"Furthermore, in any future Sherlock Holmes novel that uses relevant materials, a special note will be added at the end of the novel—"

"Details in this section were verified with the assistance of so-and-so" or "Information in this area was provided by so-and-so!"

This sentence instantly ignited the entire audience!

"God! Signature!"

"Our names... can appear after 'Sherlock Holmes'?!"

“Is this…is this true?!”

A chorus of ecstatic exclamations filled the corner.

What could be more exciting for these young, ambitious medical students?
This is not just an honor, but the highest recognition of their hard work!
A freckled student suddenly stood up, his face flushed with excitement. He raised his glass high and shouted, "For Sherlock Holmes! For Lionel Thorell! For us!"

Others also stood up, raised their glasses, and their voices merged into a torrent:
"For Sherlock Holmes!"

"For Lionel Sorel!"

"For us!"

The cheers even carried out onto the street outside, attracting passersby to look up.

The freckled student, still not satisfied, jumped onto a chair and declared to his companions, "Gentlemen! From today onwards, we are not only 'Sherlock Holmes' boys'!"

He took a deep breath and shouted with all his might, "We are also—'Lionel's Boys'!"

"The Lionel Boys!"

"The Lionel Boys!"

The unified, proud shouts echoed throughout the club, lingering for a long time...

------

Scotland Yard, Office of the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Across from Colonel Howard Vincent sat Lionel Sorel and Dr. Norman McLeod, editor of Good Words magazine.

The wall clock ticked away, each second seeming to tighten an invisible string in the room.

Howard Vincent broke the silence first: "Mr. Sorel, Dr. McLeod. If you are referring to the previous report about the piracy issue..."

I regret to inform you that Scotland Yard has limited resources and is unlikely to be able to process each street pamphlet as "efficiently" as you would like.

His tone then turned sarcastic: "Or are you here to mock us?"
How dull-witted Scotland Yard seems in comparison to your 'consulting detective'!

Dr. Norman McLeod's chubby face flushed instantly, as if he wanted to retort immediately, but Lionel stopped him.

Lionel smiled gently and shook his head slightly: "Of course not, Colonel Vincent."

We came to London for the sake of the city's order and the sense of security of its citizens.

This opening statement completely surprised Howard Vincent.

He had anticipated that the other party would be angry, would make accusations, or even use public opinion to blackmail him, but he never expected to hear such words.

His tense expression eased slightly, but he didn't let his guard down. He remained silent, signaling Lionel to continue.

Lionel was candid: "Please allow me to be frank about one thing first—both 21B Baker Street and the empty house in Somerley Lane were just 'tricks' I played to boost the novel's sales."

The colonel raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips even tighter.

Lionel said apologetically, "I must admit that I did not expect this to cause Scotland Yard so much trouble, and I am deeply sorry for that!"

Colonel Howard Vincent sized up the young man before him. Seeing the man's clear and sincere gaze, his previously stiff expression finally relaxed. "As an individual, I can accept your apology, Mr. Sorel. But even so, you didn't come here today just to apologize, did you?"

Lionel then got to the real point: "Of course, it's not just that. What I want to point out is that 'Sherlock Holmes,' although a fictional character—"

But his deductive method, his ability to interpret subtle traces, and even certain traits of his character are not things I made up out of thin air.

They are based on real people who actually possess this talent for observation and reasoning.

Colonel Howard Vincent was stunned. He had always regarded "Sherlock Holmes" as a product of literary exaggeration and never thought that there was a real basis behind it.

He asked instinctively, "Who is it?"

Lionel uttered a name: "Dr. Joseph Bell."

"Joseph Bell..."

Howard Vincent frowned, and after a few seconds: "The surgery professor at the University of Edinburgh? The 'Chantral Murder'?"

Lionel nodded: "It was him. I was inspired by Dr. Bell to create Sherlock Holmes."

He showed me why the truth lies hidden in the details and logic.

Howard Vincent shook his head: "I remember the Chantilly case. Dr. Bell was able to solve it mainly because he was an expert in toxicology."

This is quite different from the almost omniscient and omnipotent image of Mr. Holmes in your novels.

Lionel smiled slightly: "Colonel, you're right, but not entirely. Identifying the symptoms of poisons is just the tip of the iceberg of Dr. Bell's abilities."

His abilities go far beyond that.

Leonard paused, recalling his own experience: "I had the privilege of witnessing Dr. Bell's abilities firsthand."

He can deduce a stranger's profession, habits, and experiences by observing their posture, clothing, and calluses on their hands.

He can glean information from the most insignificant details that even the person involved might overlook.

Lionel looked into Howard Vincent's eyes: "Colonel, please imagine this..."

If one day, Scotland Yard detectives could gather clues at crime scenes like Sherlock Holmes—

They were able to deduce from which part of London the suspect might have come from by looking at the soil next to a footprint;
The plant seeds found on the deceased's clothing indicate where he had recently visited.

A barely noticeable scratch on the window reveals the intruder's methods and tools...

By then, Colonel—everyone at Scotland Yard will be 'Sherlock Holmes'!
Solving cases will no longer rely solely on informants, chance sightings, or lengthy investigations.

Solving the case will be based on the scientific analysis of physical evidence and rigorous logical reasoning!

He paused briefly, then concluded firmly: "Only in this way can the sense of security of London citizens no longer depend on a fictional detective."

They will know that the city is protected by a truly professional force, with keen insight and unparalleled crime-solving skills!
Isn't this precisely what you, Colonel Howard Vincent, have been striving to achieve?

After Lionel finished speaking, he said no more, and a long silence fell over the office.

Colonel Howard Vincent was completely stunned.

The coldness and wariness on his face had vanished, replaced by an irrepressible flutter of excitement.

He recalled what his superior, Sir Warren, had said yesterday, and it was as if he had seen a completely new path...

He remained silent for a full minute, then slowly raised his head: "Mr. Sorel, where should we begin?"

(End of this chapter)