There is no martial artist who can keep a secret. If you block the lips and cover the pressure points, they will start speaking through sign language and sound transmission. Betrayal seeps out from the acupoints of the whole body.
–Sigmund Freud
“Please co inside.”
As Master Poole courteously greeted , Master Cudney mirrored the gesture perfectly.
Though they looked different, it was a strange sight as if a person and their shadow moved with a slight ti lag.
“I am Henry Poole. This is my colleague, Samuel Cudney.”
Master Poole’s voice exuded kindness and deep consideration.
There is a stereotype that those at the pinnacle of a field are usually arrogant or exude an overwhelming spirit, but Master Poole gave off the exact opposite impression.
He was the type who, despite having undergone deep training, was aware that what he held was not a sword but a asuring tape and needle.
He undoubtedly embarked on the path of Kung-Fu to understand martial artists and process the peculiar fabrics that couldn’t be handled by ordinary ans.
“It’s the first ti the Minister has introduced soone else, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting this day.”
I was quite taken aback by the unexpected words from Master Poole.
Though I had achieved a level higher than most of my peers, my standing in the London Murim was still quite low.
Yet, he treated with utmost respect, not taking lightly in the least.
“It is an honor to hear you say that.”
The counterpart was a grandmaster who dedicated his life not to felling enemies but to creating protective gear and Kung-Fu attire to safeguard others’ lives.
A person who is fundantally different from the majority of martial artists, who build up power for extrely selfish purposes and wield it without hesitation.
I savored the deep-seated reverence that arose from my heart.
“Co to think of it, the Minister left so additional words….”
anwhile, Master Cudney, who had been calmly watching from beside Master Poole, pulled out a thick ledger from the drawer and opened it.
“It says…to finish as quickly as possible since there’s an important event ahead. There are many who urgently need clothes visiting the shop today.”
People urgently needing clothes, huh. Could it be referring to the gentleman who just left the shop?
Before I could think deeply, my mouth moved first.
“If you’re referring to Russia’s new Tsar Alexander III, then indeed, the ti left until the coronation is tight. It’s been only a few days since the funeral of the predecessor.”
“…?!”
“It seems he visited for a fitting for a new ceremonial uniform today.”
The eyebrows of both masters arched simultaneously.
“If it was a sensitive topic, I apologize. I have a habit of speaking things I realize without consciously thinking sotis.”
I apologized for startling the masters with my unnecessary words.
I swear it wasn’t an action intended to make a strong impression from our first eting.
I rely guessed the visitor’s identity based on a few usual clues.
However, even if the custor is from another country, it is best to refrain from casually ntioning the royal family’s secret visit, even if no one else is listening besides the masters.
“…It’s been a while since such an impressive custor has visited.”
The old man, who had been quietly observing , nodded with a cheerful smile.
“You are too kind.”
I had a sense of what he ant by ‘impressive’.
Those two must have seen countless gentlen who were rely strong.
But a gentleman who, like I just did, could deduce the hidden identity of another custor with just a brief glance?
They probably hadn’t encountered anyone like that before.
…Or maybe not.
Since they ntioned it had been a while since an impressive custor visited, perhaps soone similar to had co to the couturier.
For example, ‘that person’.
“Are you, by any chance, affiliated with the Secret Intelligence Service?”
At that mont, Cudney, the old man, cautiously asked .
“?”
Such a question implies that, as I suspected, that person had visited here.
I slowly shook my head and answered his question.
“There’s no need to worry. I have no professional ties with the Secret Intelligence Service.”
As soon as I answered, the worry on the old n’s faces disappeared.
“That’s a relief. Occasionally, agents from the Secret Intelligence Service co by to inquire about a custor’s identity…”
“We always have a hard ti sending them away.”
“Oh dear. You must have been through a lot.”
I could fully understand why the old n reacted that way.
The Secret Intelligence Service, responsible for dostic and international espionage and counter-espionage activities, often instilled fear in the citizens of London because the specifics of their missions were unknown.
A group that inevitably caused trouble if you got involved with them.
Given their ominous impression, if mistaken for an agent, the two masters wouldn’t open up to .
No matter how much martial arts one has learned, those two are civilians.
No, even to a martial artist, Secret Intelligence Service is an equally troubleso entity.
First, I should explain the situation to calm the startled hearts of the masters.
“The reason I could identify the previous guest was because I noticed a few clues from their attire. Let’s call it a conclusion achieved through simple deduction.”
“So, you weren’t aware of the Tsar’s visit schedule beforehand?”
“No, I wasn’t.”
Master Pool and Master Curdney exchanged glances. They seed relieved.
Just how much trouble had the Secret Intelligence Service caused them for them to react this way?
In fact, it was more shocking that soone like , who looks affable, was mistaken for an agent.
“…The custor who visited earlier wanted to keep this visit a secret.”
“Indeed. Given the recent turmoil in Russian affairs, it makes sense.”
As expected, the Tsar’s visit was confidential.
It’s clear that they strictly ordered this tailor shop not to disclose his presence to the outside.
The reason for hiding the Russian Tsar’s visit to England was sowhat understandable.
The reason the masters mistook for an agent and showed unease was likely related to this.
Caught between their client, Alexander III, and the powerful Secret Intelligence Service, deciding whether to reveal or keep information silent would not have been a pleasant matter for a craftsman.
“Let reiterate, I didn’t co here to pry about the Tsar. If I were an agent of the Secret Intelligence Service, the Minister would nary have written a letter of recomndation.”
“Indeed…that makes sense.”
The Secret Intelligence Service, led by my brother Mycroft,
operates under the orders of Her Majesty.
Naturally, it doesn’t have a good relationship with Sir Harcourt of the Gladstone Cabinet,
which often clashes with Her Majesty by pushing progressive policies.
Master Poole and Master Cudney must have known this much, so they believed my words.
“Just to clarify, we’ve never suspected that you ca to our shop for anything other than ordering raint.”
“It’s fine. Keeping a client’s secrets is also important for a tailor, isn’t it? In that sense, it’s quite similar to my profession.”
“Your profession, you say. Co to think of it, Sir Harcourt didn’t tell us about your profession.”
I had guessed as much since they didn’t react to my na, but it seed Sir Harcourt hadn’t inford the two gentlen about , except for the fact that I was invited to the Court Ball.
“I work as a consulting detective at 221B Baker Street. I deal with cris that individuals or organizations find difficult to handle or solve.”
“A consulting detective, you say. Then the murder case at the Debutante Ball was solved by…?”
“Yes. That was .”
The two gentlen nodded solemnly.
It seed they finally recalled the article about the murder case and my na ntioned in it.
“Indeed, with a mind astute enough to uncover murderers, it’s understandable that you recognized the passing figure as the Tsar.”
The expressions of the elders showed a deep interest.
“This is purely out of personal curiosity, but how were you so sure that the custor who just left was the Tsar?”
Full of curiosity, Master Poole couldn’t help but ask .
Could it be that he gains inspiration for his work from encountering new clients?
“It’s simple.”
They are the craftsn who will make the Kung-Fu attire I will wear in the future.
If I want to leave a good impression, it’s better to be thorough.
If a brief demonstration of reasoning is sufficient, there’s no reason not to do it.
“The first thing I checked was their physique. The custor leaving the Kung-Fu attire shop was over 6 feet and 2 inches tall and possessed a very developed muscular build with signs of receding hairline under the hat brim. At this stage, the candidates are considerably narrowed down. Most custors visiting Henry Poole, with a few exceptions, are of high social status, and among them, those with such a build or lineage are limited.”
“Hmm…”
“Next, I thought about why soone with credentials to visit Henry Poole would wear a double coat lined with Astrakhan fur, specifically the fur of a newborn Karakul lamb, on the collar and cuffs, instead of the Kung-Fu attire made here.”
The series of deductions were made almost subconsciously in my mind, so recalling and explaining the process in an easy-to-understand manner took a bit of effort.
“He must be practicing a powerful cold-based Kung-Fu, which is why he had to wear thick clothes even in spring to maintain his body temperature. The Astrakhan fur I ntioned earlier is of premium quality, and its distribution is limited to Russia, so his origin is certain.”
“You only saw him for a few seconds, yet you figured all that out…”
“Additionally, the unnatural wrinkles on the shirt he wore under his coat were marks from having taken it off and put it back on. This ans the purpose of his visit was for a fitting. Ordering a rush job at this ti of year suggests he has an important event coming up.”
As the deduction continued, the elders’ mouths began to open slightly.
There’s still a long way to go until their jaws reach their limit, so it’s okay to continue.
“If we consider soone from Russia with noble status and wealth, it must be a noble or royalty. Among them, there are hundreds preparing for an important event. However, narrowing it down to one person wasn’t a difficult task.”
Was this a sign to continue? The two masters nodded silently.
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