After signing the contract with Miller Carter and receiving a deposit of ten pounds, Klein did not rush to Williams Street, but arranged to meet at four in the afternoon.
Miller completely understood this. In his opinion, the lone detective Charlotte Moriarty would definitely need to recruit some people to begin the exploration.
As soon as the old-fashioned gentleman left, Klein immediately returned to the dining table, cut up the cold steak, and stuffed it into his mouth.
Seriously, doesn't he need to eat lunch? He had to come at this time... After barely filling his stomach, Klein bitterly began to clean up.
At two in the afternoon, Mrs. Mary came to visit as scheduled. Her eyes were slightly swollen, but her face was even more gloomy. Staelen Summer, who was accompanying her, had to remain silent.
Klein placed the carefully selected photo in an envelope and handed it over: "Ma'am, please confirm." Mary paused for two seconds, slowly took a breath, then took the envelope, pulled out the photo, and examined it carefully.
"...Very good, excellent. You are the most efficient and responsible detective I have ever met. I am honored to introduce you to the members of the Cragg Club. Here is the balance of 7 pounds. It is yours." Mary took out a wallet from her leather handbag and counted out a five-pound note and two one-pound notes.
Then, without waiting for Klein's response, she stuffed the photo into the envelope, put it in her handbag, stood up abruptly, and left.
Thump, thump, thump. Her boots without buttons made a hurried sound. Staelen Summer struggled to keep up.
When she opened the door to leave, Mary suddenly tripped and nearly fell. Luckily, Staelen managed to support her.
After this incident, Mary noticeably slowed down, as if she had calmed down.
Ma'am, you forgot your portable camera... I'll give it to Mrs. Summer later, and she can bring it to you... Klein silently watched this scene, shook his head slightly, and said nothing.
He returned to the second floor, took a nap, and woke up comfortably to the sound of the nearby church bell striking the hour.
Klein had already looked at the map and confirmed that Williams Street was at the junction of the West Borough and Queen's End, a core area of Backlund suitable for living.
A decent house in the West Borough or Hillston Borough costs around 2,500 pounds. Miller Carter's house, close to Queen's End, was a former viscount's property. It must be sizable. Buying it outright would cost at least 3,500 pounds, perhaps even 5,000. That's enough for a pretty good mystical item... He came to visit me without a butler or servants. Could it be because he just arrived in Backlund and hasn't settled in yet? Klein put on his double-breasted formal coat, hat, picked up his cane, went out the door, and entered Minsk Street.
At this time, the gas street lamps were not yet lit, and the street was gloomier than the evening, but the air was tolerable, not as suffocating as in the eastern districts.
Taking a hired carriage all the way to Williams Street, Klein saw a waiting footman outside the house at No. 8.
The footman was wearing a red waistcoat and light trousers. He bowed respectfully to the visitor: "Good afternoon, are you Detective Moriarty?" "Yes, I have an appointment with Mr. Carter." Klein nodded slightly and followed the footman into the mansion, which had a lawn in front and a garden on the side.
The house had two floors. The ground floor was quite cluttered, with a lot of building materials and workers coming and going, making renovations.
Miller Carter, without a hat, holding his nose, walked over: "I'm very sorry, it's too messy and dirty here, but I hope everything can be beautiful by the time my family arrives in Backlund, so I have to urge them to keep working." After speaking, he looked at the footman and gave an order: "Keep watching them."
No wonder he didn't bring servants earlier; the servants have become overseers... Klein smiled and said: "I know many doctors, and they tell me that newly renovated houses are not suitable for immediate occupancy. You have to wait at least three months for ventilation, otherwise, elderly people and children with weaker constitutions can easily get sick." "Is that so?" Miller asked doubtfully as he led Klein towards the basement. "I haven't verified it, but I prefer to believe the authorities. It is said that this saying originated from a quote by Emperor Roselle." Klein casually fabricated.
Miller nodded, turned to look back at the door, and couldn't help frowning as he asked: "Detective, you didn't bring an assistant?" "There might be considerable danger hidden within that building."
I have an assistant, you just can't see him... Klein silently complained to himself, then said seriously: "This is the first exploration. I will advance very cautiously. If any problems arise, I will retreat immediately." "I have extensive experience in this area. I won't let myself fall into a dangerous situation. An assistant who isn't familiar with my methods might actually hinder my flexibility and decisive action."
Miller was stunned for a moment: "You are very professional."
Professionally good at bluffing... Klein silently added.
Miller no longer doubted anything and led Detective Moriarty through the cluttered living room, down the steps, and into a rather spacious basement.
There were no gas pipes here, but four metal candlesticks were embedded in the walls, their dim yellow light flickering unsteadily.
Stepping on the stone slabs on the floor, Klein couldn't help sighing inwardly: As expected of a noble's property, even the basement has "luxury renovations," and it's almost as large as the living room of my current house...
At this point, Miller pointed to the far end: "There is a secret door over there. The workers found it during the renovations."