Sherlock Holmes Complete Works - World Detective Novel Classics (Volume 1, 2, 3) (Illustrated Treasure Edition)

Author: (English) Conan Doyle / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: "Repent within 29 days, or else—" This dash was more terrifying than any threat. What John Farrel couldn't figure out was how the note had gotten into his room, since the maids slept in the outer room and all the doors and windows in the room were tightly shut. He crumpled the note into a ball and didn't mention it to his daughter, but the incident only made him more terrified. These twenty-nine days were clearly the remaining days of the month deadline set by Yang. How could brute force and courage stand up to enemies with such mysterious powers? The hand that nailed the note could have easily stabbed his heart with a knife, and he would never know who had killed him. The next morning, he grew even more frightened. When they sat down for breakfast, Lucy suddenly exclaimed, pointing to the ceiling. Above them, the number "28" was crudely written on the ceiling, apparently with a burnt stick. His daughter didn't understand its meaning, and he didn't explain it to her either. That night, he didn't sleep, staying up all night with a gun by his side. That night, he saw nothing and heard nothing, but the next morning, a large "27" was written on his house's door. Day by day, just as dawn came each morning, he would find the number written by his enemy in a prominent place, reminding him of how many days were left in the month. This fatal number sometimes appeared on the wall, sometimes on the floor, and occasionally on small pieces of paper stuck on the garden gate or railing. Although John Farrel was extremely vigilant, he still couldn't figure out when the warning was delivered each day. Whenever he saw these warnings, Farrel felt a sense of fateful terror. As a result, he grew increasingly gaunt and restless, like a hunted beast, his eyes filled with panic. His only hope was that the young hunter would arrive from Nevada. The deadline shortened from 20 days to 15, then to 10, but there was still no news of Hope. Days passed, and the numbers decreased, yet the man from the distance still hadn't appeared. Whenever the sound of hooves or the cry of a carriage driver came from the road, the old man would rush to the front door, hoping his savior had finally arrived. As the deadline dwindled from 5 days to 4, then to 3, he finally gave up all hope of escape. He was alone with his gun, and with his lack of knowledge of the surrounding mountains of the settlement, he knew he was powerless to avoid his fate. Checkpoints were set up on the main roads, guarded by men, and no one could pass without the order of the Four Horsemen. It seemed he had no way out and was doomed. Despite this, the old man's resolve remained unshaken. He would rather die than let his daughter suffer such humiliation. One night, he sat alone, pondering this torment, but he couldn't think of a single viable solution. The next morning, a "2" appeared on the wall of the house. Tomorrow was the last day of the deadline. What would happen then? He imagined all sorts of vague and terrifying scenes of bloodshed. If he died, what would happen to his daughter's future? Would they really be trapped in this invisible net around them? At the thought, he couldn't help but cry, leaning his head on the table. P68-69