[Sherlock Holmes] The Legend of the Nightingale

(Nightingale's Diary)

I met McMurdo unexpectedly at the corner of Baker Street.

The detective from the United States has a chic style, walks like the wind, doesn't have a cane and doesn't pay attention to walking manners, keeps his head down, shoulders shake a lot, and is in a hurry.It turned out that I recognized his walking posture from a distance and greeted him first.

"Ah, Miss Nightingale!" McMurdo was startled, and then said cheerfully, "what a coincidence, how is the business?"

Asking a lady on the street "how is business" I'm not sure if he's speaking out loud or with malice, so I just ask him the other way around:

"Is sir coming to Baker Street for business?"

"Call me Jack," said he. "I wish to speak to Mr. Holmes. Is he at home now?"

"Yes." I said, "I still have something to do. If there is nothing else, I will excuse you first."

"Wait a minute, Miss Nightingale." He stopped me. "What do you want?"

"Sorry, there's no need to tell you."

"No offense, I just want to ask, are you alone?"

"Correct."

"No one is with you, it's not okay." He said decisively, "The streets are not smooth now."

"Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I have no one to join me, and no one is under any obligation to join me."

McMurdo looked at me, then at Baker Street, hesitated for a while, and said with the same resolution at last:

"Let me walk with you, Miss Nightingale."

"No, sir, I thank you again for your kindness, but this has nothing to do with you." I reflexively refused.

"It can't be helped," he said quickly, with a practiced smile across his face, "you think, Miss Nightingale, in case, I mean just in case, something happens to you outside, Holmes knows that I met you but didn't accompany you, which caused you to be in danger, so I don't have to go back to Chicago alive. Your teacher is cold on the surface, but in fact, he is protecting his weaknesses, and his actions are ruthless. I have no doubt He'll legally drop me here. No, Miss Nightingale, don't frown, and even if you don't agree, I can't keep me from changing my mind here, or walking with you, or going with you. A destination. It's a free country—sorry, I say I'm used to it. Anyway, just take my meaning."

"I see," I said, suddenly realizing that it didn't seem to matter to him to speak harshly. This old chick from Chicago wouldn't mind. "You smooth-talking professional scoundrel."

"No, it's the conscience of the industry." McMurdo pushed the brim of his hat pretendingly. "Since there is no objection, can you tell me where I am going now? I don't want to be kidnapped to some poor country in a daze."

If I hadn't immediately adjusted the communication mode to gags, the logic of this sentence would have made me lose my temper.I noticed that when he smiled a lot, his mouth looked a little strange. I couldn't tell what was so strange. It seemed that his lips were a little twisted, which might be the reason for his strange pronunciation.

"Go to the Prince Hotel, the conscience of the industry."

"Oh! Have a date?"

"Find a friend, she works there."

"Your eyeliner?"

"No."

"Yes, you won't tell me."

"will not."

"Say it quickly, you must have a purpose in going to her."

"Yes. Shut up."

"Ok?"

"Because as soon as I see her, she'll give me my gun back."

Successfully silenced the almighty conscience of the industry to our destination.

It was impossible to prevent McMurdo from entering the restaurant with me.After entering the door, I told the waiter that I wanted to see Miss Adler, and he asked us to wait a while.Not long after, I saw Iris appear at the door of a certain private room.In the bustling world of flowers and flowers, this woman who is charming on the surface but as proud as her sister is in her heart wants to do the opposite. She always wears dark colors, but stands out in the bright lights.I was very happy to see her and waved to her - once the previous incident was over, I couldn't get angry when I saw her.

"Good afternoon, dear," she said lazily. "Your revolver?"

"Correct."

"In my room, the dresser drawer. Oh no, honey, don't take it away, let's talk about something. Is this gentleman with you? There seems to be a temporary problem with his speech function. "

I glanced back at McMurdo, no wonder why he hadn't introduced himself for so long. He was standing beside me blankly, staring at Iris in a daze.However, his demeanor was far from disrespectful. His ecstasy was not out of malice, but out of shock and fascination from the bottom of his heart.Iris should have seen the man's reaction too much. It seemed that McMurdo, who was a veteran, was stunned in front of her like a fledgling boy, and she couldn't help smiling.

"Looks like I need your introduction, Angela. I haven't seen him before. You girl is always lucky as a detective. I wonder why a novice can handle these cold and charming gentlemen with ease. It's amazing." I'm envious. Don't tell me you gave up on your cold Mr. Although this one looks more beautiful, you don't seem to be familiar with each other."

"This is Mr. Jack McMurdo, from the Pinkerton Detective Agency in the United States. He is currently participating in the investigation of the Ripper case at Scotland Yard." I rushed to say that it was not the first time that Iris didn't talk about the gatekeeper. Once, "Mr. McMurdo, this is Miss Iris Adler, my good friend, the queen of London society. May I add, you are very gentle in your present state."

"Miss Adler," McMurdo came back to his senses, looking at me with sparkling eyes, "the last time I saw a baby like this was before I left Chicago, I didn't expect to see something comparable to it in London..."

"Hey." I stopped him, and the words that might not be on the table, these two people together are a disaster, "You have pity on my impression of Pinkerton, it has always been very good .”

"Feel sorry."

"It's nothing, Angela." Iris said with narrowed eyes, "This gentleman's compliment is quite sincere, very cute, I like it."

"Thank you, call me Jack." McMurdo suddenly became energetic.

"Iris."

It was probably the first time since McMurdo's arrival in London that an invitation to be called by his first name had been accepted.

(Manuscript by Dr. Watson)

For the next few days, we just went crazy.

The anger between Holmes and Nightingale reached the point where the conflict was all-encompassing. The interior of 221B is tense, and the outside is London shrouded in smog and terror.Although the current murders all happened in Whitechapel, it doesn't mean that the murderer will stay there forever. No one is [-]% sure that they are safe.Ladies hardly dare to go out alone.During this period, I also tried to keep Merry at home. Holmes did not even express his disdain, as I feared, but acquiesced.

At last one day, Holmes suddenly said to me:

"Pack up and let's go to Belmer Street."

"Going to the club?"

The case of the Greek interpreter has etched the address of the Diogenes Club into my mind.

"Correct."

"To find your brother?"

Holmes got up to get his hat and coat without answering me.

I can't form a clear image in my mind, only a vague concept. Sherlock, who was thoughtful and reticent when he was young, lived peacefully and calmly under the shadow of his brother's omnipotence. leave.When facing his childhood authority again, Holmes stood coldly in front of Mycroft, and smiled at his weak point with a "fairly funny" look.Even though Sherlock Holmes is famous all over the world, Mycroft Holmes is unknown, for Holmes, there is one thing that can't be changed no matter what: Mycroft's level is higher than Sherlock's.Whether anyone knows it or not, facts are facts.This undoubtedly hurts the lonely Sherlock deeply all the time.But personally, the relationship between the two of them is very good, and there is absolutely no rancor.Mycroft's seeming lethargy was another manifestation of Sherlock Holmes' indifference.

"Is Nightingale going?" I blurted out habitually, and regretted it as soon as I finished speaking.From the stairs came the nightingale's voice:

"Sorry, I didn't plan not to talk today, there are other things."

Holmes did not move, but glanced up at the ceiling.

"I know at last what is admirable about her, and she is very calm. Let us go."

"I do not advise you to speak of her in that way, Holmes, as it would amount to reversing much of what you have said before. I think the suggestion to go to Mycroft was originally suggested by her, but you have ignored it throughout, and it is likely that Intentionally ignoring what she's saying. Because asking for help hurts your ego."

Holmes cast a sidelong glance at me.

"Ah, sorry, next time I say this out of her ear."

"I'm sorry I heard you." Her voice came from upstairs again.

"Watson, you—you know what I'm going to say," said Holmes, turning up his collar.

Sitting in the drawing room of the club, I consciously withdrew to the side, leaving room for the two Holmes.

"It hasn't been going well lately," said Mycroft, who had buried himself comfortably in the armchair, with a lazy tone as if he was about to fall asleep. "There's no reason to come to me right after receiving a case."

"It's not asking for help." Holmes shook his head slightly. "I already know what to do. I just need a little assistance."

"Then I won't disturb your plans." Mycroft smiled graciously, but knowing their brother's temper well, I knew that at this moment only those shrewd gray eyes could see his true thoughts.Speaking of this, Angela has a subtle distinction between the two of them in addressing, Sherlock is "Holmes", and Mycroft is "Mr. Holmes".

"Bait found?" asked Mycroft again.

"That's not a problem. But the bait needs a hidden place to hide before each dispatch, and there can't be any wind for the murderer to hear. We are amateurs, and we don't have enough conditions like Scotland Yard."

"You can come to me first. No problem."

"Very well, that's what I mean."

"It's interesting—do you think this series of cases has anything to do with the Professor?"

Mycroft suddenly mentioned his former teacher in a peaceful tone, and Holmes' eyes suddenly deepened a lot.

"will not."

"why?"

"Moriarty is a man of clear mind, and this murderer is clearly a madman."

"Do you know that I admired him so much when I was a child?"

"Mycroft," said Holmes in a warning voice, "this is going too far."

"But don't relax." Mycroft continued as if he didn't hear his brother's words, "Although he is not the mastermind, a London full of fear and turmoil is his natural barrier."

"I know."

"Be careful, Sherlock."

"I know."

"It's not just you."

Holmes raised his head and looked at his elder brother who he had deliberately avoided just now with some doubts.It was an expression not often seen on a detective's face.

The author has something to say: I planned to write two chapters, but felt that it was too late, so I shortened it to one chapter, resulting in the second half having nothing to do with the first half, and it has nothing to do with the title. . .