Readers of "The Good Word" soon discovered that there was a hidden secret behind the last page of today's "A Study in Scarlet."
When they turned it over, it was clearly an article titled "The Detective's Creed - 1," accompanied by many pictures.
Upon closer inspection, there were small words beneath the title—"Identification of Cigar Ash."
Readers became excited—they had previously been astonished that Sherlock Holmes could identify which brand a cigar ash belonged to at a glance, and now they could finally peek into its mysteries?
Above the main text were several lines of handwritten introductory remarks, fronted by a classic silhouette of Holmes: deerstalker hat, long pipe, and cape.
The tone of the introduction mimicked Holmes's slightly arrogant professional voice:
[The First Rule of the Master Detective:
"Whatever walks, leaves a trace!"
Every corner where a criminal has stood, every object they have touched, everything they have left behind... will leave a silent witness to expose them.
A competent detective must hone their observational skills to the point of noticing every minute detail.
The subtle things in daily life often become the key to solving mysteries.
For example, the ash of a cigar smoked by a visitor can reveal their financial status, habitual tastes, and even their recent whereabouts.
To ignore them is to ignore the truth itself.]
Following this were two full pages of extremely detailed cigar ash illustrations, accompanied by exquisite hand-drawn images, the content so meticulous it was astonishing—
[Cuba, "Havana": The ash is silvery-white, dense in texture, with distinct layers; it burns slowly, with a rich, mellow aroma, and thus the ash also carries a unique sweet fragrance...]
Immediately followed by an illustration, showing the typical off-white cylindrical shape of this cigar's ash.
In a reformed club in London, a gentleman holding a Havana cigar immediately picked up the ashtray on the table to examine it;
After a long while, he finally put it down, convinced:
"Damn it, it's exactly like the picture! Those things of his aren't fabricated after all?"
The gentleman immediately began to read the description of the next type of cigar—
[Brazil, "Bahia": The ash is darker in color, almost grey, looser in texture, easily scattered; the aroma is spicy and strong...]
The accompanying illustration was equally exquisite, fully displaying the loose characteristics of this ash.
The gentleman didn't usually smoke this type of cigar, but he knew who did, so he stood up and looked around the hall, finally spotting his target.
He walked over quickly, just opening his mouth:
"Marshall, did you see..."
Mr. Marshall directly picked up the ashtray from his own table and handed it to him:
"It's indeed identical!"
He also had a copy of "The Good Word" in front of him.
Following pocket watches and palms, London's elite class once again stirred up a "deduction storm"—only this time the object had changed to cigars.
In fact, after "A Study in Scarlet" first revealed the "secret of cigar ash," some people had already verified it on a small scale.
But most people just found Indian 'Trichy' brand cigars, smoked them, looked at the ash, and stopped when they found it matched the novel's description.
Everyone thought that this was probably also the type of cigar the author, Lionel, usually smoked, and he just used it when writing the novel, which was normal for a writer's creation.
As for being like the "Sherlock Holmes" in the novel, knowing the smell and ash of almost all cigar brands, that was purely a fantasy!
Even veteran cigar enthusiasts probably wouldn't have such an obsession.
Now only one sentence echoed in everyone's minds:
"This lunatic..."
This "Detective's Creed" not only described the color, texture, burning characteristics, and aroma of each cigar ash...
It even noted the approximate price range and common consumer groups!
The text was concise and accurate, the illustrations clear and intuitive, making it practically a miniature cigar encyclopedia.
Cheers erupted like a tide from public libraries, reading rooms, clubs, studies, cafes...
"God, these ashes... there's so much to them!"
"Look, this is 'Trichy' cigar ash! It's amazing!"
"This 'Creed' is brilliant!"
"Will it teach us how to read footprints and identify soil next?"
"This is what I want! Compared to all the fighting and killing, this knowledge is what a true 'detective' should master!"
Readers were almost instantly captivated by this "Detective's Creed."
Not only the elite and quasi-elite readers who could afford cigars, but even common readers who usually only smoked ordinary tobacco were completely engrossed.
"So there's so much to cigars!"
"My goodness, a 'Havana' costs 10 shillings each!"
"Even the ash smoked by the rich is different from that of the poor!"
"What else does that 'Holmes' not know?"
"Probably only your wife's waistline..."
This "Detective's Creed" not only taught people "knowledge"—though almost useless—but also offered a glimpse into a corner of high society life.
It wasn't just an appendix; it was more like an invitation, inviting readers into a world of knowledge and logic that was originally exclusive to Holmes.
What they glimpsed was not just the scientific basis behind "deduction," but also an excessively rigorous creative attitude.
This "Detective's Creed" greatly enhanced the authority and exclusivity of the authentic serialization, and simultaneously proved that pirates, who only fabricated gunfights and lurid plots, could never reach the author's level.
This move not only successfully solidified the "Holmes" readership but also firmly associated the detective's image with "wisdom," "knowledge," and "professionalism."
From this issue of the serialization onwards, no one dared to say, "Sherlock Holmes is just a fictional detective; he couldn't possibly exist in reality."
Because Lionel had genuinely pointed out a path to becoming a "master detective."
At this point, re-savoring the phrase from the introduction—"Whatever walks, leaves a trace!"—felt like a prophet revealing truths to ignorant followers!
The "deduction game" objects were no longer limited to palms, pocket watches, rings, clothes, hats... but extended to every corner of daily life.
Everyone wanted to be a "master detective"! And the key was in "The Good Word"!
Readers finished "The Detective's Creed - 1," still wanting more, already imagining what surprises "The Detective's Creed - 2" would bring them.
But in doing so, the "Holmes Syndrome" among British readers became even more severe—
Originally, they only anticipated "A Study in Scarlet," but now they also had to add "The Detective's Creed"!
London readers were collapsing; what they shouted was no longer "NO!!!" but "F***!!!!"
And at the end of "The Detective's Creed," people were surprised to find that the author's signature was not only "Lionel Sorell" and "Conan Doyle"...
And a note was added after Conan Doyle's name:
"The above information was collected and compiled by Mr. Conan Doyle."
"Conan Doyle? That's the assistant!"
——————
In the apartment at 221B Baker Street, Conan Doyle held the newly published "The Good Word," looking at the "Creed" bearing his name, his face showing excitement and disbelief.
He looked at Lionel, who was casually drinking coffee opposite him:
"Lion, this..."
Lionel smiled:
"Make good use of it, Arthur. Readers like this; it makes them feel like they're also participating in the deduction.
Moreover, it lets them understand that real detective work is far from as simple as firing a gun.
And this was originally your work; your name should also be remembered by more people."
Conan Doyle nodded vigorously, almost bursting into tears.
He was now finally certain that the path he had chosen was far more meaningful than opening a small clinic and remaining unknown for a lifetime.
Lionel drained his coffee and asked him a question:
"Are you familiar with dogs?"
(End of chapter)