Chapter 508 Closing in on the Truth
Hols decided not to tell the Pri Minister what happened that night.
Zhang Heng had no objections, but Villard felt differently about it-he thought that it was not very gentleman-like since it ant using the pri minister as bait. But since he wasn’t a British citizen, he felt it wasn’t his place to make any comnts. So, in the end, Hols got what he wanted.
The Baker Street Irregulars were summoned once again. This ti, Hols made an appearance himself. During the day, he would dress up as a cobbler, setting up a booth nearby the pri minister’s residence. At night, he played a drunk on the streets.
Two days later, he managed to make four shillings from repairing shoes, but still, no sign of the elusive Prussian.
Even so, Hols didn’t get perturbed at all. He only slept three hours a day, yet still seed to be filled with energy, even in the mood to play the violin when he had the ti.
Zhang Heng and Villard, on the other hand, spent their ti stomping in the belly of London’s pubs and fighting clubs, hoping to find the perpetrator. To their disappointnt, like Hols, neither of them yielded anything. Then, on the morning of the third day, Zhang Heng received unexpected news that Hols was arrested.
He rushed to the police station, accompanied by Villard. The private detective was found seated on a bench, chin resting on his hands, and seemingly deep in thought. Zhang Heng completed the bail procedure, and Hols was subsequently released.
Hols collected a shoe brush and toolbox from the police officer and walked out of the pound without saying a word. This worried Zhang Heng and Villard.
The mont he got into the carriage, Hols broke into a fit of laughter. “Hah! It appears that I’ve underestimated our opponent!”
“Huh?”
“It’s all rather embarrassing,” Hols sighed. “I haven’t been this abashed in such a long ti. I went there to spy on them, but instead, I was found out and given a good beating. Soone inford the officer patrolling on that street that a suspicious individual had been seen outside the pri minister’s residence. Thus, I was arrested. I’m well acquainted with the police, but since this involves the pri minister, they weren’t able to release
imdiately, except on bail, of course.”
“They saw through your disguise?”
“Rather, it had been all a trap since the beginning,” said Hols. “It’s safe to say that we’ve been targeted. Probably because we attempted to find the Prussian based on the information we had on the night at the opera. But the enemy clearly did their howork as well, and boy, did they do pretty well. It appears they now know where we stay and what I do. They have been monitoring us, and what happened today must have been a warning directed to ...”
“Warning?”
“Yes. It seems they do not wish for
to be involved,” lanted Hols. “But at the sa ti, it ans we’re very close to the truth.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” The French detective scratched his head, “but did I miss sothing? Haven’t these two days been unfruitful? Why are we suddenly close to the truth?”
“I don’t know yet, but we must have done sothing these past few days that made them nervous. I’ve been trying to determine what it is even before you ca,” Hols said.
He reached into his pocket, only to find his pipe was missing. Where did it go? Oh yeah, he had changed his clothes earlier.
Villard quickly took out his own pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered Hols a stick using both hands.
“Don’t worry. Let
think about it a little bit more,” said Hols, taking in a long drag.
As Hols mulled over the issue, Zhang Heng recollected the events during the past few days to see if he had missed anything. It wasn’t long before the two looked at each other and cried Eureka! almost simultaneously. “What is it???”
Villard was burning with curiosity, wishing so badly that he could just climb into the brains of Zhang Heng and Hols.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Hols asked Zhang Heng.
Zhang Heng looked at Villard.
“You ntioned that all of Mr. M’s cris were committed in France. This indicates he is very likely a Frenchman.”
“And Carn is a French opera...”
“...yes, that’s all true.” The French detective frowned. “So?”
“Carn first premiered in Paris before London, and Mr. M happens to be here in London at the sa ti,” replied Zhang Heng. “Could it be just a coincidence?” “Hold on. Are you inferring that Mr. M is connected to the opera troupe?” “That would explain why they were so nervous,” said Zhang Heng. “...nervous because we showed up the opera,” Hols continued. “They must have thought that we were close to finding Mr. M.”
“I’m going to pay Ms. Adler a visit and see if any of the troupe mbers are French and had arrived in London recently,” Zhang Heng announced.
Half an hour later, Zhang Heng arrived at Irene Adler’s place. After Zhang Heng reported his na, the housekeeper welcod him, telling him to wait in the living room. Upon entering the house, he heard soone playing the piano on the second floor.
“Ms. Adler is practicing. Please wait a mont,” said the housekeeper. “Alright.”
Zhang Heng sat himself down on a sofa while the housekeeper made him a cup of tea. After about a quarter of an hour, the music stopped, and the opera songstress erged from the stairs.
“Look who’s here! It appears we have an extraordinary guest, Mr. Zhang Heng,” Irene quipped. The white dress she was in today made her look like a blooming lily.
Knowing how perspicacious irene could be, Zhang Heng went straight to the point and related everything to her.
The opera singer looked stunned. “It all makes sense now. You left that night because of this case.”
caus
“I hope you won’t take any offense, Ms. Adler.”
“Irene. Just call
Irene,” answered the singer. “How could I bla a man who works so hard to make London a safer place for all of us?”
“It’s strictly a pro bono job,” said Zhang Heng. “So, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it a hobby.”
“That makes it even more admirable, doesn’t it?” said Irene. Sitting adjacent to Zhang Heng, she poured herself a cup of tea.
“The person you’re looking for actually exists. He’s the troupe’s French consultant. During rehearsals, he only communicates with the team through telegrams, but the London premiere is of great importance, so he ca here all the way from France. I must say though, that I don’t fancy him very much. He might appear humble on the surface, but I can tell how he’s a very proud man, constantly looking down on people—won especially. Of course, he’s very good at his job; but unfortunately, he’s not the smartest person in the troupe-as he would like to think.”
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