"No, it's just luck, just God's blessing." Klein modestly stepped aside and invited Stuart in.
What he said was actually the truth; this matter was indeed good luck. He had already known where
Stuart took off his woolen coat and hat, hung them on the rack in the hallway, and shivered as he said: "This damn weather, it's getting colder and colder. Maybe I need to try those fur-lined coats."
"You call this cold? If you go to the north of the Sea of Jians, or spend a day in Winter County, you'll understand what real low temperature, real winter is." Klein chuckled.
Then he generously asked: "A cup of hot coffee?"
"That's exactly what I was hoping for." Stuart followed him to the living room on the first floor. "I've been to the north of the Sea of Jians, I know the low temperatures and heavy snow there. It was a fairly pleasant vacation, but
Stuart stood in front of the burning coal fireplace for a full twenty seconds before sitting down on the sofa. Watching Klein busy making instant coffee, he said: "For the New Year, I plan to go on vacation to the south, go fishing in Dicy Bay. What about you? Any vacation plans? We've endured Backlund's air for a year, worked hard and saved our money, all for this kind of vacation."
"Maybe, I'll go to Dicy Bay too..." Klein said hesitantly. With his face turned away from Stuart, his expression briefly became dazed.
This was about a promise. A promise with his brother Benson and his sister Melissa.
"Haha, I'll show you my sea fishing skills then." Stuart chattered on. "We're still not rich enough; otherwise I'd really want to travel to Fursac, Intis, or even the Southern Continent."
Klein finished preparing the coffee, handed the white glazed ceramic cup to the other, then stepped back two paces and sat opposite.
Stuart held the cup, deeply inhaled the rich and warm aroma a couple of times. After a few seconds, he put the cup down and said very formally: "According to the agreement, I'll share the reward from this job with you. Mr. and Mrs. White gave a total of 50 pounds, and your contribution is clearly more than mine. Sherlock, how about you take 30 pounds? I still need to give my informants some compensation."
Only 50 pounds? A vampire only worth 50 pounds? Klein couldn't help muttering inwardly.
But he also knew that Mr. and Mrs. White did not want to increase the bounty because they were afraid that offering too much money would scare the detectives, causing unnecessary associations and attracting the attention of the police or certain official organizations.
For an ordinary private detective, a 50-pound job was already tempting enough. When Klein had hired people to investigate all the red chimney houses in Tingen and its suburbs, it only cost him about 7 pounds.
"Also, Mr. and Mrs. White gave an extra 1 pound, saying it's for your carriage fare these days." Stuart took out six 5-pound notes and one 1-pound note, looking a bit puzzled.
Klein reached out and took them, casually checking their authenticity, and did not explain about the carriage fare.
Stuart didn't press further, instead changing the topic with a smile: "Besides Mr. Stanton, you are the best detective I've ever met. Did you come into the profession midway, or did you previously study under some great detective?"
Study under some great detective? There were many: Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, the eternal elementary school student, that guy who swindles in the name of his grandfather... Klein silently complained.
After thinking for a moment, he said: "I come from the Sea of Jians. I did many jobs early on, and later became a detective."
"So your experience is rich enough!" Stuart realized.
Hey, your compliment is making me a bit embarrassed... Klein smiled without responding.
Stuart took a sip of coffee and said: "Sherlock, if I encounter a difficult case in the future that I can't solve, I hope to ask for your help."
My connections in the detective world are spreading out... Klein replied cautiously: "If I'm available then."
After a few more casual words, Stuart tactfully took his leave. Klein escorted him to the hallway.
Putting on his coat and hat, Stuart was about to open the door when he suddenly turned around and said sincerely: "Sherlock, you are too frugal. Your talent deserves better coffee."
Ah? Klein was taken aback, then felt a bit awkward. He gave a dry laugh: "I can't tell good coffee from bad; it's all the same to me."
...
After sending Stuart off, Klein went out to the butcher's and bought some beef bones and beef, went to the vegetable shop and bought white radish and other ingredients, and got the corresponding seasonings.
He was going to prepare beef bone and radish soup for dinner to go with the leftover rice. For lunch, he had a small lamb chop at a randomly chosen restaurant on the street.
In the leisurely afternoon, Klein continued studying the "Book of Secrets," and the more he read, the more he felt how little he knew about mysticism.
Fortunately, he had a solid foundation, so once he came across and pondered something, he could quickly grasp it.
In the evening, he smelled the tempting aroma of the beef bone and radish soup wafting out, and his
He also heard the doorbell ring, which was like a dinner trumpet.
Swallowing his saliva, Klein walked to the door and grasped the handle. His mind naturally presented the visitor's image: the handsome but not quite masculine red-eyed vampire, Emlyn White.
No need for urging? He is a man of his word... Klein opened the door and said with a smile: "Good evening, Mr. White."
Emlyn raised his chin, letting his impatience show. He was about to speak when Klein noticed the brown clerical robe he was wearing and said with a knowing smile: "Just came from the Harvest Church?"
Who was it that said last night they could hold on? Emlyn instantly lost his gentlemanly composure and said through clenched teeth: "That old man, that old man..."