I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

It was absolutely impossible to see Brown Paddington in the daytime.

In the entire city of London, no one knew where Mr. Paddington was hiding under the sun. This incident also cast a veil of mystery on him, making him always a topic of conversation in the London social circle.

In addition, his paintings became more and more popular, and their prices kept rising.

There are even tabloids claiming that Brown Paddington has vampire blood.

When the sun is shining, he hides in the ancient castle to create art, and his butler will present him with a cup of fresh blood.When the moon rises and sets, and night falls, Mr. Paddington is willing to step out of the dark and cool room to experience the noisy and bustling human life.

"Only the identity of a vampire with a long life and eternal face can explain clearly why Mr. Brown Paddington possesses extraordinary and superb painting skills at such an age..."

"Only the proud blood clan will willfully refuse the invitation of the European royal family, and only focus on depicting the purest art in their hearts..."

Lester Sissel once poked Paddington's face wildly while laughing, wanting to "verify" whether his friend's skin was as cold as jade, pale and lifeless, as described in the tabloids .

In response, Mr. "Vampire" Paddington rolled his eyes, stuffed garlic into the laugher's mouth, and trapped Lester's poking fingers with the silver chain on the cross.

Aldrich was also present at the time.

The serious and calm Mr. Colonel felt the surprised and probing gazes on them, and he really didn't want to admit that he knew Lester and Paddington, and sat at the same table with these two people drinking.

Aldrich remembered that after the quarrel, Paddington gave him and Lester an address, saying that if there was an urgent matter to find her, he would send a letter with a green ribbon to this address. After receiving the letter, He will show up at the appointed place that night.

So, before Aldridge went to the meeting this morning, he ordered the housekeeper to send an urgent letter with a green ribbon to Paddington, and attached the address to meet in the evening.

At the beginning of the Chinese lanterns, the night is beautiful.

"Mr. Deville, long time no see, when did you return to London?"

"I just returned yesterday, Mr Paddington."

Aldrich and Pei Xiang made an appointment in a cafe.

The two sat facing each other, and the aroma of coffee wafted up, accompanied by the elegant and gentle melody, which made people relax subconsciously.

However, the topic Aldrich raised did not have the slightest romantic atmosphere, and was directly accompanied by blood and death.

"Mr. Paddington, Red-browed Locke is dead."

Pei Xiang didn't know the news yet, and he didn't know why Aldridge brought it up on purpose.

She took a sip of the fragrant coffee, swallowed it slowly, and waited for Aldrich's next words.

"I was investigating some things, and I happened to need to ask Red Eyebrow Locke for some details, but he was killed before my subordinates arrived. His deputy said, Red Eyebrow Locke met with you last night, and then left alone One left the alley."

"I did meet with Red-browed Locke last night, Mr. Deville, what do you want to inquire about?"

"I want to know, before you parted ways with Red-browed Locke, did he tell you where he's going, who he's meeting, and what he's doing?"

Pei Xiang smiled and shook his head: "Mr. Deville, you should know that this is almost impossible. Red-browed Locke has always been cautious. How could he disclose his whereabouts to an ordinary collaborator."

Aldridge leaned back, his fingers interlaced and resting lightly on the table.

"Mr. Paddington, I have always admired your mind and keen observation ability. I invite you to come out to inquire today, hoping to have some unexpected gains. For example, you have already deduced some It can provide some clues for my next investigation."

Pei Xiang pondered for a moment, and asked: "Mr. Deville, excuse me, can I know what you are investigating? And, can you tell me the details of the death of the red-browed Locke? To be honest, I don't know what happened. Under the premise of the whole story, it is difficult for me to tell you the truth."

For such a request, Aldridge was not surprised.

"I'm hunting down two murderers, a man and a woman, Flora and Rhodes. They should be, um, or have been lovers. Recently, someone saw Flora show up in the East End, so I As soon as I returned to London, I went there to investigate."

"Someone? Is this person trustworthy?"

Aldrich nodded reservedly: "My informant, I can guarantee his loyalty."

"So, what exactly did he see, did he only see Flora? What about Rhodes?"

"He saw that Flora had contact with the information dealer Phillips, but he didn't see Rhodes."

Pei Xiang understood: "You went to ask Phillips for information. I probably know that Phillips is cunning and risking his life. According to Mr. Deville's tough methods, he will surely be able to dig out a lot of useful things from that intelligence dealer."

Aldrich smiled unrecognizably, and continued to explain:

"Phillips provided me with the hiding places of Flora and Rhodes, but it was a pity that they were one step too late. When I took people there, they had already left early. The initial judgment did not seem like they fled in a hurry after receiving a warning, but It seems that I found a better and safer hiding place, and I carefully packed my things before leaving."

Pei Xiang tapped on the table thoughtfully, speculating:

"I trust Colonel Deville's judgment on the traces. So, you think someone sheltered those two murderers? And this person, well, since Flora and Rhodes just returned to London, it should be someone they knew in the past, It's more likely."

Aldridge nodded, looking at Paddington with complicated eyes.

Even though this person is cunning and strange, to be honest, working with Paddington is really very worry-free and labor-saving.Just like now, without him having to explain too much, Paddington guessed a lot of inside information.

If it was Leicester... Aldrich suddenly didn't feel like talking.

Pei Xiang didn't know that the black-haired man on the opposite side was "disgusting" their mutual friend, so he still analyzed slowly:

"Since Flora will look for Phillips at the first time, it means that she or Rhodes has an old friendship with Phillips. If this is the case, the colonel should ask Phillips again carefully, and ask him about the relationship between Flora and Rhodes. Among the old friends, who are doing well now, who are both capable and willing to protect them."

Aldridge breathed a sigh of relief: "I have already asked, and Phillips confessed to Red-browed Locke, and then my subordinates found that Red-browed Locke and Flora were killed."

Pei Xiang sharply asked: "Were they killed together? What was their state when they were killed?"

There was a trace of approval in Aldrich's deep eyes:

"The bodies of the two are disheveled. The red-browed Locke was shot in the back of the head. He should have been deliberately killed by the murderer. But the way Flora died...we are more inclined that she died accidentally in the chaos."

"What did Rhodes do?"

"It's very likely. Since Phillips said that Rhodes is a very jealous man and has always been infatuated with Flora. Before the two of them became wanted criminals, Rhodes often attacked men who were close to Flora." .”

Pei Xiang glanced at Aldrich, and tentatively asked:

"Why did Flora and Rod become wanted criminals? Who did they kill?"

Aldrich took a sip of coffee and said in a low voice:

"It's a romantic nobleman. Flora became the lover of that nobleman, and not long after, a bloody tragedy happened."

Although Aldrich did not reveal the identity and surname of the nobleman, Pei Xiang had some vague guesses.

She glanced at the black-haired colonel with cold eyes, and did not continue to explore this question.

"Mr. Deville, before I parted from the red-browed Locke, he asked me how to please women, and he was very serious and cherished that."

Aldridge frowned, thinking of the intermittent words he heard in the inclined alley, and suddenly said:

"Mr. Paddington, I think I must tell you something before we continue."

"what's up?"

"When you were talking with Red-browed Locke, I happened to be interrogating intelligence dealer Phillips in a diagonal alley. The distance between us at that time..."

Pei Xiang frowned, staring at Aldrich intently.

Aldrich said frankly: "I heard all about the conversation between you and Red-browed Locke. So, I also heard the question you just mentioned about Red-browed Locke."

"In that case, Colonel Deville asked me to come out and ask... Is it a little unnecessary?"

"Not really." The stern man shook his head.

"Mr. Paddington, I just heard some conversations, and I didn't observe the expressions and movements of the red-browed Locke at that time. For example, I didn't notice the 'cherish' and 'serious' you just said, I thought It was just an ordinary chat between men. Also, after you left and walked out, I couldn't hear the conversation of the two of you clearly. So, I still want to ask, did Mr. Paddington find anything unusual? "

After pondering for a moment, Pei Xiang asked Aldrich:

"You said that a man feels uneasy and worried about gains and losses because of a woman. He is thinking about how to please her more quickly. Does this mean that this woman is in the position of being pursued, and she has more choices."

Aldrich nodded slightly: "Under normal circumstances, that's the case."

Pei Xiang continued:

"Assuming that the woman who worries Red-browed Locke is Flora, then the two of them probably have rekindled their old relationship.

"A few years ago, the red-bearded Locke chose to alienate and retreat. It didn't look like he had a special liking and would not marry a non-qing. Judging from the time I spent with him, I couldn't see it before. He had his own, and he had a great time with Mrs. Betty.

"So, my question is, in the short time Flora has been around, how did she manage to, um, fall in love with a more cold and sophisticated gang leader?"

Aldridge frowned slightly when Pei Xiang mentioned Mrs. Betty calmly.

One of the reasons he asked this person out for a conversation this time was to inquire about the details of the clues, and the second was to find out about Paddington's integrity and conduct when it comes to women.

At this time, listening to her talking freely and not shying away from her experience in Fengyue, I felt uncomfortable.

Pei Xiang is still thinking seriously:

"No matter what method Flora uses to arouse the tenderness in Red-browed Locke's heart, one thing is for sure, she must be well-groomed. I know Red-browed Locke, and that man's aesthetics for women has always been single. Glamorous , Plump, oh, coupled with fine clothes, jewelry and haughty eyes, it will definitely make him bow his head. That kind of miserable little child, or a good wife and mother type of woman, has never been the choice of Red-browed Locke."

Aldrich temporarily suppressed his personal emotional issues, and followed Paddington's train of thought to seriously consider it.

"As a fugitive wanted criminal, Flora doesn't have many ways to get fancy costumes and jewelry."

Pei Xiang checked the candidates in the Eastern District who are capable of sheltering Flora, and combined with various restrictions, the scope was quickly narrowed down.

She told Aldrich the result of her analysis, and got the other party's approval.

"Mr. Deville, may I go and see Flora's body and relics?"

Aldrich did not immediately agree, but looked at her with some doubts:

"Mr. Paddington, I'm flattered by your enthusiasm. I originally thought... being able to talk to you was already the limit. I didn't expect you to be willing to go to investigate yourself."

Pei Xiang's eyes flickered slightly, and he felt that Aldridge was really cautious and thoughtful.

She deliberately provoked: "If I don't explain my thoughts to you, Mr. Deville, are you willing to accept my help with doubts?"

Aldridge looked indifferent, and his tone was sincere: "It's natural. In any case, at present, I have something to ask for."

These words were exchanged for a chuckle, and Pei Xiang said with a relaxed eyebrow:

"Actually, Mr. Deville should understand my character of being unprofitable. I am willing to take the initiative to participate in this matter. On the one hand, I want to strengthen the friendship with Mr. Deville. On the other hand, I am willing to take part in this matter. He wanted to obtain part of the power left by the red-browed Locke by personally arresting the murderer.

"Mr. Deville should know, um, the unspoken rules for the survival of certain gangs. Anyone who avenges the previous leader will always be supported by some loyal people."

Aldridge pursed his lips, he knew that these words were confided.However, the more honest this man was with him, the more complicated his feelings became.

Some things about Miss Marianne are inextricably linked in Aldrich's mind, and it seems that they have become a mess.

He has a crush on the lady.

After the initial astonishment, although that goodwill did not brew into deep love, it did not become shallow or thin.Every time we meet, the throbbing in my heart will deepen, and the image in my mind will become more vivid.

For the first time in his life, as a man, he felt admiration and love for a woman, and had the urge to hug her, protect her, and accompany her.

However, on top of this favorability is his moral restraint on himself.

He didn't want to be involved in a pair of lovers whose hearts matched each other. He knew that as long as he was given some more time, he could silently clean up the lingering feelings in his heart.

Just like he left London for two months this time, he thinks he has figured out a lot of things.

But what Aldridge never expected was that when he returned to London, he faced Brown Paddington, who looked like a playboy.

This person's romantic style and lace scandal made Aldrich feel frightened and angry for a certain moment, and even had the urge to draw his sword to a duel.Even though he quickly calmed down afterwards, Aldrich knew very well that his silent efforts for the previous two months were all in vain.

The black-haired and dark-eyed colonel pondered for a moment, and then met Brown Paddington's smiling and gentle eyes, feeling that he should clarify something.

—before he accepted Paddington's help.

"Mr. Paddington, I heard your conversation with Red-browed Locke before. You said that you haven't met a woman who makes you worry about it. Is this true?"

Pei Xiang was a little confused, and didn't know why the topic turned to this aspect.

——Shouldn't we settle the bill immediately, and then check that Flora's body and remains?

"This one……"

Of course, Pei Xiang didn't forget that she deliberately misled this keen colonel, making him think that there was a relationship similar to a secret engagement between "Paddington" and "Marian".

"Ah, that's just perfunctory red-browed Locke's words. My friend, of course I have a woman on my mind, but in order to protect her, how could I reveal her existence in front of those dangerous gang members?"

Aldridge nodded slowly, but he didn't realize that he was holding his breath while waiting for the other party to answer his question.

Hearing Paddington's negative answer at this time, Aldrich's heart became even colder, so cold that it was silent and empty, and he suddenly felt disinterested.

"Since that's the case, Mr. Paddington still often goes to places like brothels, isn't he afraid of hurting his sweetheart?"

Pei Xiang's movement of drinking coffee was indiscernible, and she suddenly raised her eyes to look at the black-haired man opposite, and happened to meet a deep and obscure gaze.