[Sherlock Holmes] The Legend of the Nightingale

(Nightingale's Diary)

"What do you want to see?" As soon as Holmes left, the witch immediately remembered her profession, and became enthusiastic about me who stayed as a customer.

"Let's take a look around first." I looked around and said, "It's too dark here, I can't see anything on the shelves."

"Here you are, look at it." The witch picked up the lamp on the table and handed it to me.Sure enough, it was the only light source.I held up the lamp and started looking around the room, shelf by shelf, being careful to avoid things on the floor.There must be a serious fire hazard here.

"That's a voodoo doll," Mrs. Cunningham explained in a timely manner. "If you buy that, you will get a booklet of spells that will teach you how to use it. Of course, if you don't have someone you hate, don't use it." Now, this is no joke. That one is for psychics, do you have anything you need to ask the ghost? Maybe it can be used for solving crimes. It's very simple, just a little practice can be as good as I use it .”

"If you use this to solve the case, the teacher will send me back directly."

"I think that would be better for you," said Mrs. Cunningham in a low voice, and then she was silent for a while, then suddenly changed the subject: "Actually, I know it would be in my interest for you to look into this matter."

"Ok?"

"Although there is no evidence to prove that I did it, there is also no evidence to prove that it was not me. Therefore, it is best to find out the truth." At this time, her tone did not look like a witch at all, which should be her normal appearance. "It's just, you know, most of the people who come to talk to me about it are looking for trouble, and I don't like people prying into my personal affairs."

"When necessary, there is nothing we can do. We are not good at inquiring into other people's privacy." At first I felt a little sorry for her, but after thinking about it, she is a witch who lies without batting an eye. How could she believe such a few words? Her innocence.The sympathy that had just gained the upper hand was suppressed by me again.At the same time, I saw that her softening was a good time for me to ask for more information.

"So, who are you, Mr. Gray?" I asked.

"My brother's son," she said, "Grey is my real name."

"It's strange that no one seems to have mentioned it." I remembered what the villagers said that Gray sometimes came to the town at night to find the witch.In this way, it makes sense.

"He didn't want to have anything to do with me at all. Ever since he heard that I was going to work here, he strictly forbade me to say that we are relatives." Mrs. Cunningham sneered, "so there will be no one in the village knew."

"Did he never come to see you?" I tried to sound casual, but it probably didn't work because she didn't answer.I looked back at her, and she was staring at me with a complicated expression.

"No," she said finally, "never."

"there has never been?"

"It's like not having me."

I understand what her answer means.Either she's lying, or Gray isn't here for her, but has something else going on, both of which could point in a bad direction.I haven't figured it out yet, the witch has already woken up.

"Why are you talking about these things again? It's exactly the same as your teacher. Sorry, from now on I refuse to answer any questions that have nothing to do with my job."

She wouldn't remember reintroducing the subject herself.I hold up the lamp and continue looking at the merchandise.Just as I was carefully studying a row of art carved from the bones of unknown animals, the witch started chattering again:

"Are you interested in crystals? Girls like crystals, right? The ones I sell here are not for wearing, but for divination. You can also... Hey, do you like tarot cards? Give me the lamp."

Baffled by her sudden enthusiasm, I went over and gave her the lamp.She rummaged through the counter, took out a box, and spread the flannelette on the counter, only then did I see a fancy hexagram drawn on it.

"This is a tablecloth, a must have. Before starting fortune-telling, there are four elements... Do you have any questions? It's okay, the first time is free, let you see if it works. You want to know the missing Where did the kids go? Well, let's do the math. Let me see where I put the elements..."

I stared dumbfounded at her rummaging and rummaging through the boxes. I was really embarrassed to say that there were already more than four elements discovered so far—just pretend that the elements she said were philosophical.At this moment Mrs. Cunningham produced a curiously shaped shell, a candle holder, a plate of crystal shards, and a bouquet of white feathers.

"What is this?" I asked in surprise.

"Water, fire, earth, wind, the four elements." The witch said mysteriously, placing them on the four corners of the tablecloth, and then put on a pair of reading glasses, "then we can begin."

"I said, can we do it this way," I said, "I think there is another more simple way of embodying the four elements."

"What?" She was taken aback.

"I want to borrow your fire," I took a candle off the candle holder, "there is water in the air--there is water, there is dust in the air--there is soil, and the air moves to produce wind--wind There is."

I cannot describe the way Mrs. Cunningham looked at me.She viciously shoved all the things on the table into the counter, snatched the candle from my hand, and threw them into the drawer together.

"I can't communicate with you people." She said angrily, "I don't think you want to know how to solve this case."

"I'm sorry, I just think it's more comical. Is there a less complicated way?"

"Yes." As soon as I asked the question again, the witch's eyes lit up again, "It seems that you don't like complicated ceremonies, it doesn't matter, simplicity is also a good thing. Some people like to have more steps and look professional, but it's not necessarily the case. .It seems that you are more suitable to use this." She lowered her head and rummaged for a while, and took out a smaller box and handed it to me.It took me a long time to break it open.Inside was a metal cone with a metal chain that gleamed brass in the dim light.

"Is this a pendulum?"

"A bit spiritual." The witch said with a cunning smile, "you can channel spirits, you can find lost objects, and of course you can also search for people. Channeling spirits is too dangerous for you, but it is still possible to find objects—or people. It's just a sample, I have new ones here. If you think this look is too common, there are several other styles..." She took out another box. "check it out."

I also opened this box.This pendulum looks a bit like a separatory funnel, with a thin and long tail that becomes sharper as it goes down, like the tip of a needle. It is two inches long, and it is a bit scary to look at.

"This... is a bit too long..."

"It doesn't matter how long it is, don't delay using it. If you look for those children, you will definitely find them."

I'm not ashamed to say, then why didn't you look for it earlier. "But what if they've... been killed?"

"Who told you they were dead?" A strange smile appeared on the witch's face, "No, believe me, you can find them, you will definitely find them."

"..."

I escaped from the witchcraft shop.This place is so eerie.The moment I first came into contact with the sun, I felt like I was going to go blind. I wonder why the witch's eyes haven't degenerated yet.Dejectedly, I walked back along the way. I think the little information I just got should be worth the time I spent and the mental loss I received.When I was walking about two-thirds of the distance, I saw two people walking towards me from a distance.They greeted me first, Stevenson, and a guy I don't really want to see right now, Gray.

"Miss Nightingale, gone to town? Where is Mr. Holmes?" Stevenson asked.

"He went back by himself first," I replied. "I just stayed a little longer at the witchcraft shop."

The expressions of the two gentlemen became unnatural.

"See anything interesting?"

"It's okay. Mrs. Cunningham enthusiastically showed me some divination methods."

"Young people like it," Stevenson told Gray.

"Fortunately."

Then the atmosphere was a bit awkward, neither side knew what to say.When Gray, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly spoke to me, I was taken aback.

"It's not very safe to go this way alone, Miss Nightingale. I think I'd better see you back."

"Thank you, I don't think so." I said calmly, "I'm going to the village soon, so I don't think there will be anyone in such a close place."

"Then it will be different. Goodbye."

Gray didn't wait for me to answer, and went on without even waiting for Stevenson.I didn't quite understand when I said something that made him dissatisfied, and I was stunned for a moment.Stevenson gave a wry smile: "Miss Nightingale, please don't worry, he is out of good intentions. It's just that the matter is a little urgent, and he also needs to help me prepare for my going out to do business. If you are willing to walk by yourself, we will It won't get in the way."

"Want to go out?"

"Yes, in these two days."

"Are you together?"

"In business, we are partners, but usually I go out to talk alone."

"By the way, I think I can only ask you something." After hesitating for a long time, I finally plucked up the courage to say, "I heard that Gray sometimes goes out at night. Is there such a thing? There are some rumors against him in the village." , I find it incredible."

Stevenson looked at me in surprise.

"How do you know? He has always kept this matter a secret."

"Secret? I can't say how I know it, but it's obvious that everyone knows it."

"This is not very good." Stevenson said with a frown. "He doesn't want others to know. It's something in his own family, and it's not convenient for me to talk about it. He only told Morrie and me about it. None of us will publicize it. Anyway, this kind of thing has been hidden for a long time."

"How long will it be before you come back?"

"It will take at least one day. Well, I won't delay you, and Gray has gone too far. Oh, yes, there is more." His tone suddenly became serious, "Miss Nightingale, I know you may not care much , probably no one stopped you before, but you must never go to that store again in the future."

"Why?" I laughed, "I don't think it's as scary as everyone said."

"It's hard to say." Stevenson said, "Don't be fooled by that witch's interesting appearance, she knows how to win people's favor. Especially after the sun goes down, there will be some ulterior motives in that place. It is said that she can summon spirits and predict the future... I don't know what she showed you, but I can be sure that is just the tip of the iceberg of all her tricks. She will lure you. Even if you don't believe in the occult, And don’t take your own safety seriously.”

"Okay," I found the conversation a bit awkward.It made me uncomfortable that a man who had gone to university should be so afraid of witchcraft, but I thanked him anyway.

After saying goodbye to Stevenson, I began to recall more carefully my conversation with Mrs. Cunningham, and her enigmatic smile.I wish I could figure out a general direction before meeting Holmes.

The author has something to say: I feel that it is necessary for me to declare that I am also a poker player myself, and I have absolutely no malice towards the poker itself.It's just that in the story Mrs. Cunningham is a swindling charlatan, so Nightingale treats her in this way.It is not usually called a pendulum, but I think the common name written here is not easy to be verbal, but it also has a bit of feudal superstition, so it is good for everyone to understand. . .