Alan and Tarim each filled out recommendation forms and left the Cragg Club. Since it wasn't a weekend, one of them still had two surgeries in the afternoon, and the other had to go teach horseback riding to Viscount Conrad's youngest son, ensuring that the newly adult young man wouldn't embarrass himself during the latter half of Backlund's social season.
Klein watched the red-vested footman and the beautiful maid come and go several times before finally receiving his own membership certificate and a badge engraved with the symbol of the White Frost Constellation.
"The initiation fee is 50 pounds, and since there are three and a half months left this year, the annual fee is 4 pounds." The red-vested footman pushed the two items toward Klein.
Klein took out the 57 pounds in cash given to him by Marie Gail and counted out 54 pounds to the other party.
The amount beyond the fees was the first payment Marie had given him. She was very satisfied that Klein had quickly figured out who Drage Gail's mistress was and had taken photos.
A 50-pound initiation fee… Mrs. Marie is truly a generous lady! As Klein watched the footman and maid verify the authenticity of the banknotes and confirm the amount, he recalled Staline Summer's private introduction:
Marie's father was a co-founder of the Coiem Company, holding twenty percent of the shares. Originally, it was a small company barely making a profit, but as pollution worsened in Backlund and demand for anthracite and charcoal increased, the Coiem Company rapidly expanded and became one of the top ten companies in its industry in the capital region. Marie's wealth subsequently soared.
The only problem was that when she married Drage Gail, the company was still in its obscure phase. Her father didn't pay much attention when he gave the shares as dowry; he didn't adopt "property gift protection" but instead used the more popular "will reversion" method.
The former means the dowry exists as independent, separate property of the wife, not belonging to the husband, and even the right to use it depends on the wife's mood. The latter makes the dowry part of the family property, but the husband must make a valid will promising that if he predeceases his partner, when dividing the remaining estate, the wife will receive priority rights equal to two to four times the dowry, after which the normal inheritance law applies. This effectively ensures the widow's livelihood.
If Marie filed for divorce before obtaining evidence of Drage's marital infidelity, the Coiem Company shares would be split equally between both parties.
Klein remembered Staline saying with great envy:
"Just this share alone is currently worth nearly twenty thousand pounds, plus other property. Marie is truly a wealthy lady. Once divorced, she will definitely become the object of pursuit for many men in Backlund, even including some nobles."
That amount of money would only be enough for Miss Justice to assassinate Ambassador Becklang twice… Klein suddenly made the connection and saw the red-vested footman and the not-bad-looking maid bow to him:
"Mr. Moriarty, welcome to the Cragg Club."
Hearing this, Klein picked up the membership certificate and the White Frost badge.
The former was made of elastic, stiff paper, like a card, with Klein's name and the date of membership written on it.
After pressing his index fingerprint onto it, the membership certificate could be officially used.
The latter was the unique badge of the Cragg Club, named because the club was founded in early November, corresponding to the White Frost Constellation. The front bore the symbol and the number "192," while the back was engraved with "Sherlock Moriarty."
"Does the club now have 192 members?" Klein asked casually.
"Yes, our club does not accept anyone without a recommendation." The red-vested footman introduced with a full smile. "On the first floor there is a buffet, a bar, a library, a squash court, a meeting hall, and a card room. You can use them all for free, and the food and drinks are also complimentary. On the second floor, there are 16 lounges and two small meeting halls, also free to use as long as they are available."
The good-looking maid pointed behind and said:
"There are two tennis courts on the lawn, completely free, and two shooting ranges underground; you only need to pay for equipment rental."
"If you are not satisfied with the simple buffet, you can order a la carte. We have dedicated chefs, and you only need to pay for the ingredients."
Free food, free lodging, free entertainment… No wonder it's a high-end club… Klein sincerely thanked Mrs. Marie in his heart.
He smiled warmly and said:
"Have someone show me around to get familiar with the place, then give me a lounge for a nap."
"Certainly." The red-vested footman gestured.
After becoming familiar with the Cragg Club's environment, Klein entered the lounge and carefully studied the layout, finding it similar to later hotel rooms, reportedly in the Intis style.
He needed to consider how to obtain evidence of Drage's affair tomorrow. The camera's flash was simply impossible to conceal… That meant there was only one chance for a photo… And if he did it, he would surely be expelled from the club… He needed to think of a safe way… Later, he would go through the newspapers, trying to judge the progress of Ian's case from the news, to determine which three days to protect… Klein paced back and forth, lost in thought.
Just then, his heart suddenly raced, and his whole body tensed up.
Was this the Clown's premonition? But no image came to mind… Klein felt the air around him become heavy, as if a storm was brewing.
Soon, this feeling disappeared as if nothing had happened.
Could it be that danger was approaching? But when he had been attacked by Mersault earlier, no such feeling had occurred… Klein doubtfully took out a coin and divined whether he would encounter an attack in the next few days.
The answer was no.
After thinking for a few seconds, Klein drew the curtains, pretended to nap, took four steps counterclockwise, and entered the gray fog.
He sat down, considered for a long time, and murmured softly:
"In the next few days, I will be in great danger."
...