When Arthur Conan Doyle created the character "Sherlock Holmes," he initially did not fully realize the charm of the "deductive method" and its foundational status in the history of worldwide detective fiction development, so he was somewhat nonchalant.
Following his usual habits, he elaborated too much on Watson's personal affairs and a large amount of overly trivial conversations between Watson and Holmes.
It's important to note that, within the same amount of text, other Gothic detective novels of that era had at least already featured a corpse, and one that had died particularly bizarrely.
This was also the main reason why A Study in Scarlet was repeatedly rejected when first submitted—the opening part of the novel was too scattered, and its core selling point was not highlighted.
In the jargon of 21st-century web novels, he failed to write the "golden three chapters"!
Although A Study in Scarlet was published in Beeton's Christmas Annual of 1887, Conan Doyle ultimately only received a remuneration of 25 pounds.
British readers, for the first time, gained from reading detective novels an enjoyment of an intellectual game, beyond gore, violence, pornography, and the detectives' seemingly profound sudden inspirations.
So, what Lionel had to do was to delete the tedious and uninteresting dialogues and content from the original work, focus the writing on what readers would most likely be interested in, ramp up the content, and make sure the novel grabbed their attention from the very beginning.
[Holmes began to narrate, his tone still calm:
"This is clearly a pocket watch inherited from a father. The case style was popular forty years ago.
It's in fair condition but shows obvious wear, indicating it was used daily for a long time rather than being a collector's item.
Its original owner was clearly a meticulous gentleman who valued time but was not exceptionally wealthy."
I nodded; this wasn't difficult.
The style and quality of the watch could indicate its age and the social class of its original owner.
But I couldn't help but ask,
"How do you know it's inherited, and not a second-hand watch I bought?"
"Two reasons—first, on the inside of the back of the case, here, in this inconspicuous spot, there are two scratches of a special shape, likely caused by prolonged friction from a specific watch chain clasp.
The watch chain you are currently using has a clasp style that doesn't match one of the old scratches; the new chain's scratches are much shallower.
This indicates that this watch chain was fitted in recent years, and the original chain was either damaged or lost.
Typically, people don't replace an expensive silver chain for a second-hand watch they bought; they usually opt for a steel chain—this effort to maintain consistency is more common with inherited items.
As for the other reason, I'll tell you later."
I nodded, acknowledging his deduction.
Holmes continued,
"It was meticulously cared for and used for many years, but starting about seven or eight years ago, its fate took a significant... turn."
My heart rate slightly accelerated.
He gestured for me to look at the wear and tear I had long grown accustomed to:
"Please note these scratches on the back of the case.
They are not evenly distributed but concentrated at several specific points along the edge.
Although old, they haven't started to blacken.
This type of wear is typically caused by the watch case frequently rubbing against other hard objects—such as coins or keys—when kept in the same small pocket.
This indicates that the wearer's economic situation or living habits changed; he might no longer use a dedicated watch pouch or began a job that required frequently reaching into his pocket to retrieve change or tools, greatly increasing the chances of the watch colliding with hard objects."
I carefully examined the scratches, and with his hint, it indeed seemed to be the case.
My father had indeed experienced some changes at that time; his financial situation had deteriorated greatly, almost forcing me to drop out of medical school.
Holmes pointed to a very faint dent on the side of the watch case:
"More interestingly, here, this is left by a slight impact, not forceful, but very concentrated.
Looking at its shape and position, I strongly suspect it was during some... hmm... heated argument or shove, the watch slipped out of the pocket and hit a hard object, like a table corner or doorframe."
My face paled slightly. My father had indeed had several unpleasant disputes with his partners due to business failures...
"Then there's its interior.
Although it's still in fair condition, one can still hear a slight, abnormal wear in its gear bearings.
This indicates it was used in a relatively turbulent environment for a considerable period.
It might have endured many bumps with its owner—perhaps frequent short trips, or persistent emotional anxiety, causing the movements when using it to no longer be as smooth and gentle as before."
He paused before continuing:
"Combining all these traces—the change in economic situation starting about seven or eight years ago, possible interpersonal conflicts, the bumps and anxieties of life... all these point to one conclusion: your father went through a considerably difficult and trying period.
He strove to maintain appearances—the watch was still being used and cared for—but the pressures of life were clearly imprinted on this timepiece that accompanied him.
It records not just precise time, but also a tumultuous life."
"And you, Watson, inherited this watch, and also inherited a certain responsibility?
Or rather, a desire to emerge from your father's shadow and restore the family name?
You meticulously care for it, even beyond its intrinsic value.
That's why this watch has very few scratches from recent years—if it were just a second-hand pocket watch you bought, you wouldn't cherish it so much!
Am I right?"
I was utterly stunned; these old family affairs were actually read by a stranger from a cold piece of metal! This astonished me more than his deduction of my profession!
I murmured to myself, all doubts vanishing at that moment:
"Good heavens... you... you're absolutely right. My father... those years were truly very difficult for him."
Holmes nodded gently, no trace of smugness on his face:
"Objects speak, Watson, if only we know how to listen. They record their owner's habits, experiences, and even emotions. Every bit of wear, every scratch, is a story. My job is to interpret these stories."
He walked to the fireplace, picked up his violin, and gently plucked a string, producing a monotonous note, as if to disperse the heavy atmosphere of the recent conversation with music.
...]
Having written this far, Lionel stopped writing and let out a long sigh of relief.
Outside the window, Paris was already deep in the quiet of the night, with only the occasional sound of a carriage breaking the silence.
He reviewed the plot he had just finished writing—this approach not only retained the suspense of Holmes seeing through Watson's background at their first meeting but also, through a progressive and richly detailed deduction process, endowed it with stronger scientific credibility and persuasiveness.
The analysis of the pocket watch, meanwhile, deeply delved into the character's family background and psychological aspects, and he also had a subtle intention—
As an essential timekeeping tool for the middle class of that era, the widespread use of pocket watches was undeniable.
Readers who finished that deduction segment would probably all feel compelled to pull out their own pocket watches and observe them carefully, trying to use the "deductive method" to see what life experiences, theirs or others', were left upon it.
This not only gave readers a stronger sense of immersion but also completed a clever interaction with the readers.
After all, surgeons weren't common, and even if one met one, it would be impolite to stare at someone else's hand; but a pocket watch was carried on one's person and could be looked at anytime.
Giving readers a certain "sense of participation" is key to the success of detective novels.
Lionel also dabbled a bit with a small trick from later generations.
He planned to send this opening part first separately to Conan Doyle and Good Words magazine, so they would be prepared for his new story.
The preparatory work for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was complete.
To truly delve into the case content of A Study in Scarlet, he would have to wait until he finished the serialization of The Strange Case of Benjamin Button.
Throughout February, too many "big events" involved him!
(End of chapter)