miss holmes vase

No one expected that the murderer Jack would turn against the case again in such a short period of time.The last time the Whitechapel prostitute was killed was half a month before Catherine was killed on the ship, but this time the murderer committed the crime again only ten days later.

Even if Athena didn't see the crime scene and the condition of the corpse, it can be deduced from the time alone that the murderer Jack is still getting more and more crazy.If he can't be caught this time, it's only a matter of time before the next victim is victimized.

The firewood had been removed from the kitchen boiler a long time ago, and now the chicken porridge inside was only simmering with a slight fire.The gurgling sticky bubbles cooked the leftover chai chicken together with the aroma of the dried meat floss made by Athena earlier.

Athena didn't care about the chicken porridge on the boiler, even though the smell made her stomach growl, but the portrait of the murderer Jack was the most important thing now.She and Alek only moved the drawing boards and charcoal pencils in the room to the living room, but the doctor who was still sitting at the dining table beside him was so hungry that he couldn't stand it.

He walked back and forth in the restaurant with his hands behind his back, trying every means to draw Athena's attention to him, so that the lady would remember that they were going to eat.But now Athena's mind is full of the matter of the Whitechapel murderer, so she can't care about him.

After some hesitation, the doctor couldn't help it anymore and asked directly: "Miss Holmes, why don't we eat first! It's not a problem to be hungry all the time like this? Besides, I don't know when Mr. Inspector will Will come with witnesses, or..."

The doctor tentatively stood in front of the drawing board, but Athena was fiddling with the charcoal pencil in her hand without lifting it, and Alek, who was kindly afraid that Athena would be in a hurry, added: "Our detective should arrive in a while, according to The procedure was supposed to invite Miss Holmes to our Scotland Yard to draw a portrait, but Mr. Inspector took extra care of you, saying that it rained heavily last night and the outside is muddy now, so it must be very inconvenient for you to go out. , let us come here!"

Although Athena said "hmm", she lowered her head and thought, but she didn't know what she was thinking, and she didn't know if she listened to the good things Alex said for Lestrade.But the doctor who wanted to come to the side must have not listened. He saw that Athena and Alek were heavy-hearted and busy, and it seemed that they would not have breakfast for a while.

So he went to the boiler and slowly opened the lid with a cloth. The thick meat porridge in the pot had been cooked through long ago. The doctor just said hello and enjoyed the unknown delicacy by himself.Unexpectedly, Mrs. Hudson, who was downstairs, rushed up before the boiling hot porridge cooled down.

"Mr. Detective is here with witnesses, and..." Mrs. Hudson paused slightly, turned her head to look at the doctor and said angrily, "Stop eating! Melina is awake."

The doctor cursed slightly, and only stuffed the spoonful of meat porridge that had been cooled down on the spoon into his mouth. The tender chicken and pork in the mouth were as soft and rotten as porridge.The aroma that I had smelled all morning was actually eaten into my mouth, and the sticky meat porridge was warmed along the intestines and even the stomach.

The doctor didn't even have time to appreciate Miss Holmes' original dish, so he hurriedly followed Mrs. Hudson downstairs to check on Melina's condition.

"Inspector Lestrade, Athena is in the living room, hurry up!" Mrs. Hudson happened to meet Inspector Lestrade who came up with witnesses when Mrs. Hudson led the doctor downstairs. Inspector Trade looked at the doctor and asked respectfully, "Is Melina feeling better?"

The doctor, who was interrupted by Mrs. Hudson, was irritable like a little animal that had only been hungry for ten days and a half months, and said without raising his head: "I'm going to see it! I can't sleep till this time." Wake up, it's probably nothing..."

"Dr. Colkin? Why... are you here?"

The doctor raised his head and leaned over to look behind Lestrade, his gloomy face turned into a smile, and he walked down very kindly to be level with the speaker.

Just then he stretched out his hand and said, "Professor James, why is it you?"

Professor James, who was wrapped in a blanket, smiled with mud on his face, it was really embarrassed and funny, not to mention the dried mud clods and dark blood on his pants, the most exaggerated thing was The bandage wrapped around his head was dripping with bright red blood, it looked like he was robbed in the mud.

"He is the witness we found at Scotland Yard!" Lestrade said slowly.

The difference between the Whitechapel case this morning and the last time was that the last time it was reported because the body was found by the locals, but this time it was reported because someone found a fainting witness instead of a dead body.

Professor Leslie James was found by an old woman who went out to feed pigs at about five o'clock this morning. He was lying under a tree in the fence covered in mud and blood, and he was hit hard on the head several times. Sap, the coagulated blood was everywhere from his head to his clothes, and he was almost fainted by the old woman who found him.

"Inspector Lestrade, Miss Holmes and I are upstairs." Alek and Athena, who came out, lay on the railing of the third floor together, and Alek, who was very excited about knowing the true face of the murderer Jack, Ke is different, Athena's eyes are full of doubts and... embarrassment.

She just left Professor James at the concert yesterday without saying goodbye, but today she asked him to recall and describe the appearance of the murderer. She really didn't know what to do.

Obviously, Lestrade and Professor James themselves are not so happy.Especially Lestrade, he knew that Professor James must have seen it yesterday, and guessed that he took Athena away, but he didn't say a word from the beginning to the end, as if nothing happened.

Embarrassment is embarrassment, but it is always important to find the murderer.

"Professor James, let's go upstairs first! We have to draw the appearance of the murderer Jack as soon as possible... while your memory is still clear." Lestrade looked at him respectfully and said slowly, and Professor James also He just smiled and walked up with Lestrade.

Alek, who was standing upstairs with his chest crossed, smiled and said, "This Professor James really has a good attitude. If it were someone else, he would first see the disembowelled prostitute, and then be chased by a perverted murderer and break his head." I guess I was scared to death, how can I laugh."

Athena held the charcoal pencil in her hand, looked at the pale Professor James and asked, "How are you? Are you okay?"

"Saving a life, I think... it should be considered a good thing! It's just a pity, when I saw the murderer, he was already opening up that woman." He said, and immediately punched Chilling, I think it's because the memory of last night is too terrifying, just thinking about it makes one's hair stand on end.

He tightened the blanket on his body and said with some self-reproach: "If I could have gone earlier, the girl might not have died!"

After Athena followed James through the door for her professor, she asked, "Why did you go to Whitechapel? It was still in the middle of the night, and that place is not where a gentleman like you should go."

Alek brought a cup of hot tea from the side, and saw that James was still in shock, so he handed it over and said a few words of comfort.James didn't answer Athena's question, he only recovered after drinking several sips of hot black tea in his cup.

He sighed slightly, with a look of embarrassment on his face, but he still said: "To be honest, although I am a professor of classical literature, my salary is really not high, so I usually write a column for the "London Daily" in my spare time. To subsidize my own high expenses. I am no better than you, Miss Holmes, I do not have a rich family background nor brothers and sisters who can support me, so I have to find some part-time jobs..."

He took another sip of tea, but he coughed slightly. Professor James handed the teacup to Alek and said with a smile, "Can I have another cup? Maybe... Is there something to eat? I'm really hungry!"

Alek glanced at Athena beside him. After all, this wasn't his home, so he didn't know where to eat.Athena only looked up at the boiler in the kitchen, and said: "You go and serve a bowl of meat porridge, by the way! Can you also send a bowl to Melina? She has only woken up now after sleeping. hungry!"

"Okay, Miss Holmes." After Alec readily agreed, Athena turned her attention to Professor James again, wondering why he went to a slum like Whitechapel in the middle of the morning. This is neither logical. It doesn't make sense either.

Unexpectedly, before Professor James opened his mouth, Lestrade, who was sitting opposite, directly added: "Someone sent a letter to the "London Daily" saying that he knew about Jack the Ripper and invited the writer to come and talk about the details. .”

After hearing this, Athena felt even more puzzled, and she asked, "You have been searching for so long but haven't found any trace of Jack the Ripper, why did this insider send a letter to the newspaper and not tell you about Scotland Yard? "Speaking of which, she turned her head to look at Professor James and asked: "And you said that you are working part-time in a newspaper office. Why... does such a big news newspaper office send a part-time employee like you to negotiate?"

Professor James raised his eyebrows slightly, and said very calmly:

"Tell the newspaper because there will be a valuable bounty as usual, and tell the detectives of Scotland Yard not to mention the money, or even be arrested as a criminal suspect. Mr. Detective, I said this It's not that I have any objections to Scotland Yard, but... the public is not convinced of Scotland Yard's ability, and this case is very sensational. If your high-level executives can't stand the pressure from the outside, it is possible to just find a scapegoat right?"

Lestrade leaned on the sofa silently and did not speak, but obviously based on his knowledge of the Scotland Yard bureaucrats, it was not possible but very likely.

Seeing that he was silent, Professor James added again: "I didn't go alone yesterday. There were two reporters with me. They are all staff of the newspaper. If you don't believe me, you can call to ask for confirmation. .

The three of us have been waiting in the Bad Angel Bar in Whitechapel since eleven o'clock, and the person who sent the letter did not show up until one o'clock in the middle of the night. Everyone thought it was a prank.After discussing it, I decided to go home and forget it. My family lives in Tanning Street, not too far from the White Church, so I walked back.The other two took the steam bus [1] to go home because their families lived far away.They should be in the car operated by the Scottish Steam Motor Company. After all, there was only one car in London at that time! "

Yes, the only steam bus in London that runs at night is the one operated by the Scottish Steam Motor Company.The fact that there were buses in the Victorian era has always made Athena feel very strange, but she was disappointed when she saw them. In fact, although the so-called buses are steam cars, they are almost like a large tractor. Compared with Mike The steam car owned by Roft is far behind in terms of grade and appearance.

However, for Sherlock and Watson who could not afford a steam car but traveled all over London, the steam bus was the most convenient means of transportation besides the horse-drawn carriage.And Athena has heard Sherlock and Watson mention more than once that the only bus that runs at night is from the Scottish Steam Motor Company. Watson and Sherlock even jokingly always call that bus "" Little Scotland".

After Professor James finished speaking, Athena remained silent and only looked at Lestrade on the opposite side. Lestrade also said: "Professor James' words are correct, our detective has already asked the other two reporters about the The details, and the letter from Jack the Ripper, prove that Professor James is right."

Speaking of Lestrade slowly taking out the well-folded letter from his suit pocket, he handed it to Athena and said: "This letter is kept by a newspaper reporter traveling with Professor James, I read the writing on it... ...you won't believe who wrote this!"

Athena stood up and quickly took the letter from Lestrade. She looked up in surprise and said, "This is exactly the same as the card in Catherine's room and on the suitcase! This is the murderer Jack, or he……"

Speaking of this, she suddenly paused and glanced at Professor James, who was munching on meat porridge. She had never told others about the murderer behind the scenes. After all, it is better to have more things than less things.

Thinking of this, Athena even changed her words: "He is so bold, this is provocation and humiliation! This is naked|naked|naked telling us that he doesn't care at all, even mocking Scotland Yard for not even having his fur today touched."

Athena angrily slapped the paper in her hand on the table. Lestrade naturally knew that she had been very concerned about this matter, not only because Jack the Ripper might commit crimes outside if he failed to catch him for a day, It is because Jack the Ripper is the chief culprit for Athena to kill her maid Catherine.

Catherine, who grew up together, died so cruelly in front of Athena even though she was just a maid, how could she remain indifferent?Even not only Athena, even Lestrade himself was about to be driven crazy by this Jack the Ripper, he had killed three people so far!

No!Including the child in the arms of the prostitute who was killed in Whitechapel for the second time, there should be four people!Jack the Ripper had killed four people, but not only could they not catch anyone in Scotland Yard, they couldn't even find a clue.

The daily interviews with major newspapers in London are nothing more than the words "no comment".

But fortunately, the insane and bold Jack the Ripper missed this time. How could he have thought that Professor James, who was walking home, happened to bump into the scene of his crime. The men narrowly escaped death.

Thinking of Lestrade, he couldn't help himself. He wanted to see what Jack the Ripper looked like now, and he couldn't wait to have him wanted in London.

Therefore, Lestrade directly handed the drawing board to Athena, and comforted him: "Drawing the portrait first is the serious business, we have to draw the portrait as soon as possible and post the wanted ones all over London, otherwise, if Jack the Ripper realizes that we have witnesses, If you run away again, you will be in trouble!"

Athena also felt that what Lestrade said was very reasonable, she just picked up the charcoal pencil, looked at Professor James and said, "Leslie, I have to trouble you this time! Please tell me all about his characteristics." Whether I can catch the fugitive is all in one fell swoop."

Professor James slowly raised the spoon in his hand and said with a satisfied smile, "I'm glad I survived and saved you from catching that beast. Maybe God let me live for this!"

He put down the porcelain bowl in his hand, frowned slightly, and began to recall the face he saw not long ago. He said: "This man is not tall, and he is dressed very ordinary, but it is impossible to judge him from his clothes. What is it for. A plain suit, but since it was dark at night and it rained heavily last night..."

He let out a soft "hiss", and raised his hand to press out the wound, presumably because he pulled the wound and it hurt again.Being hit on the head several times by a wooden stick was no joke. If he hadn't been treated in time, and Professor James was young and physically fit, he might have been beaten to death.

"Take it easy, don't be nervous!" Lestrade looked at him with concern, and Athena stopped the movement of her hands, and said: "The appearance and outline, just tell me about these, and the rest will be put on hold for now." Don't think about it."

Professor James gave a "hmm" and said again: "His face looks like the characteristics of the aboriginal Celtics. Do you know what I mean? It's just... the nose is a bit round, and the face is very round and he His face was very pale..."

"Is that so?" Athena slightly turned the drawing board, and Professor James squinted his eyes and pointed: "The nose is slightly smaller, and his face is very soft... Yes! That's it, the eyes are obvious double eyelids, black eyes ! Yes! Yes, the eye sockets are also very deep! The eyebrows are raised slightly..."

Athena modified her painting a little bit according to Professor James' description, because Professor James' description was very specific and the details were in place, and soon she completed the painting and handed it to Lestrade.

Lestrade looked at the face on the drawing paper and remained silent for a long time. Athena sighed while holding the paintbrush: "Mycroft is right, he is very ordinary! Even with the conspicuous red hair, he Such an unimpressive appearance is also forgotten after seeing it!"

Professor James on the side also echoed: "That's right! He has a very ordinary appearance. If I hadn't seen him do such a beastly thing with my own eyes, I would never believe that he is actually a murderer!"

Lestrade got up quickly and said, "Professor James, Miss Holmes!"

When Athena heard him calling herself Miss Holmes, she only raised her head and raised her eyebrows. It was obvious that he was very dissatisfied with his polite manner after she confessed clearly, but she didn't say anything more.

After all, catching Jack the Ripper is serious business now!

"Then I'll take a step ahead, I have to go to the printing factory to arrange printing and posting, this matter can't be delayed!" He looked at Professor James again and said: "I'll let Alek take you home later , you helped a lot in this matter, and I will thank you later when I catch someone."

"It's my honor, Inspector Lestrade!" James smiled palely, stood up and said, "I really have a terrible headache, I have to go back and rest!"

Seeing this, Lestrade hurriedly said: "Okay, wait a minute, I'll call Alek right away!" After speaking, Lestrade took a look at Athena, and walked down quickly, walking While calling Alek's name.

"Alek! Alek!"

The excited shouts not only called out Alek, but also Dr. Colkin and Mrs. Hudson came out.

Dr. Korkin just wanted Lestrade to keep his voice down so as not to disturb Melina's rest in the room, when he saw him waving the drawing paper in his hand and said, "The portrait is out, Alek!"

Alek craned his neck very excitedly when he heard that, he only took the portrait in Lestrade's hand and said, "Let me see it quickly! Is this Jack the Ripper from Whitechapel? It seems Mr. Holmes is right. Yes, he looks really ordinary!"

As soon as Alek finished speaking, Lestrade was about to speak, but Dr. Colkin snatched the portrait and looked at it with a strange expression for a long time before asking: "This is the opening of the prostitute by the Whitechapel." The murderer who broke his belly?"

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?" Lestrade stopped and looked at Dr. Colkin hesitantly, but his heart was beating non-stop.

"I know him! He's a nurse at St. John's Hospital! His name is...Jack...Jack Zahir! Yes! Zahir!" After saying this, Dr. Korkin asked with a very ugly face: "You Make sure there is no mistake, Jack is a well-known good old man and warm-hearted, how could he be a perverted murderer who cut people open?"

Lestrade grabbed the drawing paper, pointed to the man in the portrait and asked repeatedly: "Are you sure the man in the portrait is a nurse from St. John's Hospital, Jack Zahir? Are you sure, doctor?"

"If there is no mistake in the drawing, I am sure!"

The author has something to say: [1] There were buses in France in 1827, but they were drawn by horses. In 1831, the British produced the world's first public relations car equipped with an engine, which could carry ten passengers.There is indeed a steam bus, but I don’t know if it will be open in the middle of the night. Here it is recreated to serve the plot and set that he must drive this bus at night.

There is also a comment in the previous chapter that a little angel questioned cough syrup. According to the information I found, cough syrup was very popular in those days, and doctors even sold counterfeit medicines to make money. Datura flowers were added to the syrup to make drugs (opium and methamphetamine) to make people dependent and addicted.This is real, not something I made up.

英国因为是工业革命的发源地，维多利亚时代又是最强大的时候，很多方面其实都很先进的。就比如我十几岁的时候第一次看《国王的演讲》发现人家二战前就开始用电梯一样惊讶！感谢在2020-07-1823:25:58~2020-07-1923:28:52期间为我投出霸王票或灌溉营养液的小天使哦~

Thanks to the little angel of irrigation nutrient solution: izzy_wxy;) 1 bottle;

Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!