Chapter 495 - The Idle Days (2/2)

Holmes had also been keeping track of the case’s progress, but mostly, of whether his deductions of the criminals were accurate or not. Everything else outside of that didn’t seem to concern him.

Holmes even made a trip to see John personally after his arrest. He returned to 221 Baker Street that day, looking extremely pleased. Zhang Heng thought it was rather amusing. Sherlock Holmes’s obsession with deduction and reasoning had reached a tipping point where most people found difficult to understand. He was addicted to it, like a child preoccupied with toys, unable to withdraw no matter how hard they tried.

“The case itself isn’t complicated. In fact, it was quite simple. If I had been put in charge, I would have been able to tell that John was the killer right off the bat. Even if the evidence was insufficient and I couldn’t make an arrest, I would have my men follow him and keep him form escaping. Thank goodness, it’s finally over,” said Holmes.

It took Zhang Heng two weeks to go through all the cases Sherlock had handed him. They really opened his eyes, especially some of the more compelling crimes committed by the more crafty murderers.

Holmes, however disagreed with the quick scanning

“There’s no need to rush. This is just the beginning. After this, you’ll need to summarize and a.n.a.lyze the similarities and differences between these cases, then remember them. You might encounter similar cases in the future, and you’ll be able to make quick, efficient deductions. As for the knowledge of soil, tobacco, and all that, I’ll be teaching you that as well. But not now… At least not until you’ve completed the first stage; otherwise, you might just bite off more than you can chew.”

Zhang Heng nodded.

With the stipends he earned from the boxing match, money wasn’t going to be worry for the next two months. Of course, as the odds of him winning increased, things wouldn’t be that simple anymore. His appearance fee would increase, of course, but he would have to partic.i.p.ate in two or three fights a month to make enough money to cover his expenses.

Sherlock Holmes was consulted on two more cases after the River Thames case, one from a fellow detective, and another commissioned by a client. After listening to detailed accounts, Holmes compiled a list of deductions and solved the cases without even visiting the scene of the crime.

These two cases earned him some money. But after that, there was an idle stint.

With no work available for the entire week, Holmes finally found the time to complete his paper on the effect of the shape of hands on different professions. Then began the screeching and howling of his violin, until he finally succ.u.mbed to the boredom and became a sack of potatoes.

When Zhang Heng enjoyed his breakfast, which he rarely had the opportunity, Holmes was still fast asleep. In fact, he spent the entire morning in his room.

Zhang Heng knocked on his flatmate’s door and let himself in.

Holmes was slouching on his suede armchair with his head tilted back. There was a syringe on the side table and a couple of needle holes in his arm.

“Do you know that this only serves to kill you?” asked Zhang Heng.

“Don’t worry; this is only 7% of the solution. I’m aware of the harms it can bring, but I am not the type of who can just sit and do nothing. I need to be doing something! Even if I am given the most difficult problem or the most difficult case, I would be happy. I detest living an uneventful, mediocre life! The side effects of this drug is nothing by comparison.”

Holmes’s eyes were shut as he spoke, “Every earthling pursues stability and comfort, getting married, having children, and a stable job. But what’s there to look forward to in a life like that? Don’t get me wrong. I’m don’t look forward to chaos all day long, but if there are no criminals in London, then I will consider relocating! Otherwise, I might just die in this chair sooner or later!”