Chapter 39, Chapter 13: Are You Willing?
Chapter 13 "Are you willing?"
Late November.
Watson's semi-fictional detective novel, *A Study in Pink*, has garnered widespread attention online. 221B Baker Street has also become a popular location for online discussions.
Holmes's insightful observations and unconventional behavior in the cases have garnered significant attention. However, Holmes himself was not interested in such a welcome.
In his view, people enjoy talking about him not because of genuine understanding or closeness, but because he has no impact on their lives. People always appreciate those who are different from themselves, maintaining a safe distance. They are different enough to satisfy their curiosity and desire to explore others' lifestyles, yet distant enough that they don't have to actually interact with them or pay any price.
"We only need to see Scotland Yard's attitude to know for sure."
Lestrade of Scotland Yard told Watson that many people were unhappy, and some even left malicious comments under the article using pseudonyms, saying, "If you spend an hour with him, even the apostle Matthew would have to delete the line 'Only by enduring to the end can one be saved.'"
Holmes had only two complaints about this situation.
First, it ignores the tedious, rigorous, yet crucial logical process, treating reasoning as a plot climax triggered by sudden flashes of inspiration.
Secondly, Milwald took advantage of this incident to visit the man frequently.
Milverton is young, sharp, and flamboyant, but not frivolous, much less blindly confident.
People who can maintain a clear understanding of things even when in a high position are rare indeed.
This level of rarity is probably comparable to London having several consecutive months of clear skies.
It's important to understand that in a social environment where applause replaces rationality and praise masks differences in ability, an average high school student can often be convinced of their own talent simply by being able to recite the multiplication table once.
But Milwaukee is not like that.
His prudence is not reflected in his ability to repeatedly engage in self-diagnosis or in lengthy and complex thought processes, but rather in his precise grasp of human nature.
In the case of the murder of taxi driver Jeff Hope, Holmes bluntly pointed out the connection between four "unrelated" victims to Milverton and explicitly warned him that if the killer did not stop, Milverton himself would likely be the next target.
Even so, he accepted the risky fishing assignment, his tone even carrying a hint of enthusiasm. This certainly befitted his age with his sharpness and boldness. However, alongside his youthful impetuosity was his meticulous preparation.
Even without being reminded, he still carried a recorder and camera equipment with him, and even Sherlock Holmes provided him with a communication device.
“If the other party already realized that ‘I knew in advance that I was their target,’ then the killer would likely suspect that his meeting with me was a trap,” Milwalton said. “Then he would definitely come to seize any equipment on me that could be used as surveillance footage. I would have to hand over at least one set to deal with the situation.”
At this point, it means that if Jeff Hope shows up on his own initiative, it will be tantamount to stepping into a trap that has already been set.
However, there is only one uncontrollable and greatest risk in the entire plan.
The other party might just open fire and kill him on the spot.
After all, Milverton didn't have a good reputation in society. Someone who could be so universally hated must have serious flaws in his words and actions.
However, throughout his interactions with Jeff Hope, he remained neither servile nor overbearing, never intentionally provoking the other in the slightest. His composure was remarkably precise, neither appearing submissive nor aggressive. More subtly, bystanders, witnessing his entire confrontation with the killer, often experienced a belated sense of unease.
Did they misjudge this young man from the very beginning?
Milverton was meticulous in his actions and could even be described as a positive figure, yet he was nonetheless a figure feared by the entire wealthy elite.
This was not because he was a hypocrite, but because Milverton knew all too well that "what is truly disturbing is never pretense, but the ability of a person to both pretend and know what they are doing."
After the case was closed, Milwaukee frequently entered and exited 221B under various blatant pretexts.
Regardless of whether Holmes truly grasped Milverton's true nature, he clearly judged that Milverton was a high-energy, high-needs person.
Milverton is energetic and quick-witted, his thinking and execution almost simultaneous, with very little buffer time. His actions often begin the instant he decides to act. For example, if he suddenly decides he wants an ice cream, he'll immediately leave the conversation, run two blocks away to buy two scoops, leaving Watson, who is still talking to him, standing there without hesitation. As for major events, so far, it's simply that once he agrees to the fishing plan, he immediately puts it into action.
Holmes believed that if Milverton deemed a plan feasible, he would immediately put it into action, setting up all the props or scenes in advance, quietly mobilizing the relevant personnel, and even pushing the whole event to a critical point without notifying anyone or obtaining any permission, leaving others caught off guard by the outcome.
In this model, Milwaldton is decisive and doesn't hesitate at all. Outsiders can only observe, but cannot intervene.
In this high-energy state, he also desperately needs attention from others. The difference is that he doesn't passively demand it, but rather skillfully transforms his need for attention into attention that others actively give him. For example, he easily grasps other people's likes and dislikes and can often manipulate their emotions.
Anxiety, joy, surprise, unexpected events, being moved, warmth, ease, helplessness, and so on are all under his control.
Watson is now completely under his thumb.
Holmes always understood that a truly kind and positive person cannot only earn the fear and disgust of others. Those who are hated by everyone will eventually reveal their flaws, no matter how perfect or clever they may appear on the surface.
“Milverton is like a Cheshire Cat.” Holmes said calmly, but with a thoughtful look in his eyes, as he watched him leave with another smile. “You never know what he’s smiling about.”
"Be careful, Watson."
Holmes said softly again, "Everyone knows that the Cheshire Cat can help Alice, but it can also make her confused and even put her in danger."
Watson fell silent at Holmes's words, then asked, "Holmes, do you also read Alice in Wonderland?"
Holmes: "..."
Just as Holmes was still racking his brains for ways to prove Milverton's danger, there was a gentle knock on the door of 221B. A young woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a plain dress, her expression tense, her eyes filled with undisguised despair.
Her name is Ivy Blackwell.
“I have suffered from Milverton’s threats and persecution for many years.”
Ivy's voice trembled slightly. Her gaze swept to the ground, then suddenly rose again, pleading, "I'm getting married soon. If my fiancé finds out that I've been under Milvolton's control for so long, I'm afraid I'll be abandoned."
Holmes narrowed his eyes slightly. Unaffected by his emotions, he asked calmly and sharply, "Right now, how many people around you know you've been threatened?"
Ivy froze, remaining silent for a moment.
“If you intend to lie to me, there’s no need for us to continue this conversation.” Holmes’s voice was deep and firm, like a searchlight shining straight into your heart.
"It's just me," Ivy finally admitted in a low voice.
Holmes: "You've been threatened for years, yet you've managed to keep this secret. I also believe in your ability to continue keeping it from your fiancé."
These words were so cold and callous that even Watson, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but look at her in astonishment.
He paused, his gaze sharp, his tone calm yet undeniable: "This is the 21st century. A woman as successful and independent as you shouldn't be like women of centuries past, completely dependent on her husband's whims. If you can only act according to his mood after marriage, then the most rational choice is to decisively end this unhealthy relationship."
Ivy fell silent: "..."
Holmes said, "The door to 221B is always open. You can leave at any time, or come back whenever you want. And we will not reveal any of your personal visit information."
Ivy's breathing became slightly erratic, her hands gripped her handbag tightly, her lips moved slightly but no sound came out, and she was clearly struggling internally.
Holmes pointed a finger to the door, his tone still calm: "If you judge that we cannot help you, you may seek help elsewhere."
Watson remained silent, only noticing her slowly lowering her head, her shoulders trembling slightly: "I'm actually doing this for myself... Milvolton is too greedy, the extortion fees increase year after year, and I can't keep going anymore. If I've really done something wrong, justice should punish me, not let that scoundrel Milvolton persecute me."
The unexpected use of the word "petty person" clearly made Watson feel uncomfortable.
Ivy continued, "Shouldn't I be given a chance to repent?"
"Mr. Holmes, can you help me?"
Seeing her weeping, Holmes looked at Watson, whose expression was complex, and asked, "Watson, if it were you, would you do the same?"
Time seemed to stand still in the silence, with only the ticking of the clock and the faint sound of the wind outside the window.
Watson did not answer immediately. He glanced at Ivy, whose eyes were brimming with tears, and then at Holmes, whose expression remained unchanged. A mixture of hurt and understanding flashed in his eyes.
“Holmes,” he began calmly, a hint of weariness in his voice, “when you ask me ‘whether I’m willing,’ what you really want to know is probably, ‘Have I learned enough lessons from Milverton?’”
"You worry that I'll be fooled by appearances, that I'll fall into a carefully crafted script again out of pity. So, my answer is—"
Watson paused again, true to himself, and frankly stated his thoughts: "I am willing to help anyone who has truly suffered injustice, but I would rather trust you, trust your judgment, than trust my eyes, or even my conscience."
"Therefore, your will is my will. If you are willing to investigate, I will accompany you. If you think it should be refused, I will send her away."
As soon as he finished speaking, Watson looked firmly at Sherlock.
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Author's Note: 20 random small red envelopes!! Go to sleep now!!
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