I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

The happy-meeting duo looked at each other, and they both felt that the other had information they needed in their minds, so the two reached a consensus in a silent understanding—they could work together temporarily.

"Go to Villefort's tailor shop." Pei Xiang looked around to make sure that there was no third person nearby.

"What do you need me to do?"

"After changing clothes, pretend to meet by chance, and follow me to find Mycroft."

Sherlock raised his hat and said slowly, "I guess my brother is not very happy to see me."

"He is already an adult, he should learn to regulate his mood by himself."

Sherlock raised his eyebrows and chuckled lightly, with some sympathy and excitement.

Mycroft was sitting in the office, waiting for his wife to visit, in a good mood.

He glanced at the time, and told the most appropriate assistant to reserve a seat at the Monleyville restaurant, then he got up and walked to the window to look out onto the street.

At the corner of the street, a familiar carriage rumbled by. Mycroft thought of Mrs. Holmes in the carriage, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

The carriage stopped, the door opened, and a tall and thin man got out of the car first, and then, the graceful figure that Mycroft was looking forward to appeared in his vision.

The man who got out of the car first looked up and seemed to be meeting Mycroft's eyes behind the window.

Mycroft sighed, feeling that life was not easy.

"Fierman, make another reservation for dinner."

"Yes, Mr. Holmes."

Not long after, there was a burst of brisk footsteps, and then, a familiar voice sounded outside the door: "I'm looking for Mycroft, is he in the office?"

"Mrs. Holmes, Mr. Holmes is working inside, please wait a moment, I will pass on a message."

At this time, the carved wooden door of the office was pushed open, and Mycroft came out with a smile.

"Doris, honey, why are you here?"

"Mycroft, I have encountered some strange things and need to confirm with you. Because I was anxious, I came directly to you."

"Then come in and tell me, by the way, Sherlock, when did you return to London, and why did you come here with Doris?"

"I'm glad you saw me, brother, I came back yesterday," Sherlock deliberately showed an honored expression, took off his hat politely, and then continued, "Today I went to Villefort's tailor to order a dress. When we arrived at Doris, she seemed to be a little troubled, so I came with me, hoping to help."

After talking, several people entered Mycroft's office.

"So, dear brother, I guess there is a place for me at dinner tonight?"

"Since you have already observed it, don't ask any more questions, Sherlock."

Sherlock laughed, sat down on the soft chair, stretched his long legs freely, and his eyes were full of satisfaction:

"Today's luck is really good. I can see Mycroft regret grinding his teeth, and also encountered an interesting case. Doris, come and tell me, what have you discovered?"

Pei Xiang ignored the excited Sherlock. After she and Mycroft hugged each other intimately, she took out the "picked up" letter and handkerchief from her handbag.

"Look, here it is, very suitable for Miss Gladstone's conspiracy. I guess the mastermind is waiting for me to come and make a fuss with you at this time."

Mycroft read the contents of the letter and the handkerchief embroidered with his initials with a sullen face, and handed these two things to Sherlock.

"What else did you discover later, Doris?"

"I saw the blond lady at No. 32 Morelos Street, and a man with a similar figure to yours, and the style of clothes on his body was also very similar. After that, I saw another acquaintance in the alley, it was Lord Arthur Bridge."

Sherlock looked up and asked, "Is he Mr. K?"

"I heard his subordinates call him that, Sherlock, did you follow another man there? Are you looking for Mr. K?"

"Yes, I was investigating the human trafficking case in Hampshire before, and I found out a main person in charge of the gang, and followed him all the way back to London. Before I met you, I was following that person, planning to follow the clues Investigate the true identity of Mr. K."

Pei Xiang was stunned: "So, Baron Bridge has colluded with the leader of the human trafficking gang. No, maybe it can't be called collusion, but control and command."

Hearing this, Mycroft added: "Before there were clues that the gang investigated by Sherlock was backed by nobles. The security departments in various regions dispatched police forces several times to search for them, and they were able to get the news in advance and evacuated in time. "

Pei Xiang was puzzled: "Didn't Baron Bridge return to England last year?"

Sherlock sneered: "Their business is not limited to the British islands, and they are not ordinary human trafficking gangs, but are looking for so-called 'fine goods'. It is said that men and women who are not good enough in appearance, or do not have certain special characteristics People, they don't bother to make a move."

"Special characteristics?" Mycroft whispered, "In other words, this group of human traffickers has regular customers. Or, they exist to satisfy some people's special hobbies."

These words made Pei Xiang think, and she suddenly asked:

"Sherlock, this is the inside story you found out by investigating the case of Lucy Sydot?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me about your investigation process?"

"I sneaked into their so-called 'Boutique Hall', oh yes, the name is 'King's Garden'. There are beautiful men and women of various appearances, and everyone has a price tag on them. Goods for sale. I eavesdropped on the conversation of the guards, saying that there will be an auction soon, and I hope the "flowers" can find a good owner. However, I don't know more, I just broke into the underground hall. After a while, they were discovered and could only flee quickly."

Speaking of this, Sherlock gave Mycroft a guilty look, not quite sure what his brother's attitude was towards the fact that he was personally in danger.

Mycroft smiled back with a standard arc and gestured to Sherlock with a cool look in his eyes. After that, the two brothers could sit down and "talk in detail".

"The King's Garden, the name..." Pei Xiang frowned in disgust, "Sherlock, tell me about the case of Lucy Sidot, was that girl also abducted by this gang? How did she die later?"

Sherlock pressed the brim of his hat, turned sideways to avoid Mycroft's gaze, and quickly explained:

"The disappearance of Lucy when she was five years old should have been an accident. The scene of the murder was too chaotic at that time, which scared the five-year-old girl and ran away accidentally. After she became a street child, she was caught by a circus The troupe took care of her and suffered a lot. Later, Lucy followed the circus to Hampshire, and finally met a kind person who was willing to help her. When I heard the news in the newspaper, I felt that the vague description above was more like a missing niece, so I personally went to Hampshire to meet her."

Pei Xiang understood: "If there are no accidents, old Sidot should have recognized his niece. Then, what happened later?"

"Mason Sidot said that when his father, Old Sido, went to find his niece Lucy, he had indeed found someone. But on the way back, he was addicted to drinking and gambling, and was deceived by a few hooligans in the casino. , not only lost all his money, but also owed a lot.

Those people used him as a foreigner as an excuse to not let him go, saying that they were afraid that he would renege on his debts.After some talk and threats of beatings, old Sidotte agreed to keep his niece Lucy to settle the bill. "

"How old was Lucy then?"

"Twelve years old," Sherlock's expression became meaningful at this point, "Because she suffered a lot in the circus, 12-year-old Lucy Sidot is thin and weak, with withered hair and yellow hair, she doesn't look worth it." A lot of gambling debt."

Pei Xiang was keenly aware of the tricks in it.

"Those guys who set up the trap targeted Lucy at the beginning? Let me guess, they are people from the trafficker gang?"

Sherlock nodded: "From the later investigation, those people are called "hounds", looking for "fragrant flowers" for the "King's Garden", and they have been eyeing Lucy West from the very beginning. Dot."

"You just said that the flowers in the garden must be exquisite, or have special characteristics and styles, so why did 12-year-old Lucy Sydot attract the attention of those scumbags?"

At this time, Mycroft suddenly asked, "Is it because of the color of the eyes?"

Sherlock nodded slightly, with sharp brows: "Lucy Sydotte has a pair of very beautiful emerald eyes. They described them as not the usual greenish-yellow nor mixed with brown, but the oriental emerald without impurities. tone."

Mycroft's face was stern: "Doris, one of the reasons why I asked you to pretend to be Lucy Sydot back then is because you all have a pair of green eyes."

Pei Xiang raised his hand and touched the corner of his eyes.

Sherlock frowned thoughtfully:

"I heard from those 'hounds' that one of their orders was to look for young girls with beautiful green eyes. The purer the color of the pupils, the more bounty they will get. Lucy Sidot at the time Let those scumbags make a fortune."

Pei Xiang immediately thought of Baron Bridge: "So, Baron Bridge showed me so much hospitality the first time he saw me, because he was obsessed with green eyes?"

"Now it seems that it is very possible. Since Baron Bridge is Mr. K, and Mr. K is closely connected with the human trafficking gang."

Pei Xiang could feel the obvious anger on Mycroft's body, she put her hand on his hand, silently comforting, her big hand held her fingertips in turn, conveying a warm and reassuring breath and heat through the glove.

"Sherlock, did you find clues from the 'Hound' and search all the way to their 'garden'?"

"Yes, it's a pity that those 'hounds' are all outsiders. They don't know much about the inside story, and they can be discarded at any time. From their confessions, I can only infer their stronghold in Hampshire. However, I As soon as I sneaked in, I was discovered. The other party was very cautious, and once they thought that the stronghold was unsafe, they would evacuate immediately. Anyway, when I went there for the second time, the place was already empty."

Although there was regret in Sherlock's tone, his gray eyes were sharp and bright, and he was full of fighting spirit at a glance. Therefore, Pei Xiang immediately speculated that Sherlock had found new clues later.

"They were empty, and the 'hounds' didn't know the inside story, but you locked down one of the leaders of the gang, and followed him all the way to London, where he saw the scene of his meeting with Mr. K."

Sherlock bent his lips quite proudly: "Their evacuation is indeed very fast, but the more big the move, the more flaws will be exposed. If they didn't act in such a hurry, maybe I would have to wait a few days later Arrived in London today."

Pei Xiang nodded, instead of asking about Sherlock's subsequent investigation process, he said directly:

"Sherlock, do you think they will continue to hold the 'auction' here in London after they evacuate from Hampshire?"

"From all indications, this is the case. The people I saw in the underground hall before should all be in London at this time. However, before I have time to conduct further investigations, I encountered is you."

Pei Xiang thought for a while, and knew that some things should not be rushed, so he continued to ask about Lucy Sidot.

"Sherlock, since old Sidot sold his niece to those people, how did he know that his niece is dead?"

"Old Sidotte later went to Hampshire again. Those people took old Sidotte to a grave and told him that Lucy's health was very bad. Six months after old Sidotte left, poor The little girl died."

"Is this true? Old Sidot believed it?"

Sherlock shook his head: "They are lying to old Sidot, because after sending people out, they will never know the fate of those 'flowers'. The reason why they are willing to deal with old Sidot is to give him In making up the story, I actually wanted to find out whether there is such a green-eyed girl among the relatives of old Sidot's family."

Pei Xiang almost laughed angrily: "A bunch of beasts that should go to hell!"

Sherlock's eyes were also condensed, and he was extremely disgusted with these criminals.

Mycroft held Pei Xiang's hand, and said softly, "Don't be angry, Bridge has been found, and the end of this gang will come soon."

Pei Xiang took a deep breath to calm down the ups and downs in her heart, and then she told Sherlock about Philip Sissel.

"I've heard he fell in love with my sister at the ball and proposed shortly thereafter. I've always found it odd, but the admiration in his eyes was real. Now that it's connected with Bridge, I'm very skeptical, This Sissel is also one of them, and has his own criteria for choosing 'flowers'. Unfortunately, my sister was 'chosen' by him."

"These two are very close?" Sherlock leaned forward and asked.

"They are very close friends, and the two of them have worked together for many years."

This news shocked Sherlock, he put his fingertips together, and said in a high-pitched voice:

"Doris, Mycroft, I'm so glad to know about this! Of course, when I say glad, I don't mean that I don't feel sorry for poor Miss Gladstone. But... for this case, The more prominent characters are involved, the more obvious the clues will be.

"I was still wondering where Bridge would set the location of 'New Garden', but now there is an extra Sissel, haha, no matter who listens to whom, or they are equal-status conspirators, They must choose a hidden place that is suitable for both parties to enter and exit at the same time without attracting attention. Of course, there are many restrictions, let me think, let me think, is there any place that meets these conditions?"

Before Sherlock could come up with an answer, Mycroft, who was more familiar with the whereabouts of the two men, said directly:

"It's a club, Sherlock. A senior gentlemen's club in St. James's Street. It's a very strict club. It was founded by the Marquess of Wickes in Hampshire. Lord Bridge joined when he was a student at Oxford." After joining this club, even though he has been on a mission to Europe for many years, he has not given up his status as a core member of the club. After returning to China this time, he often goes in and out there. Moreover, Philip Sissel was personally introduced by him.”

"What is the purpose of that club?" Pei Xiang was curious.

Mycroft shook his head, and said slowly:

"I don't know, but I just heard some vague rumors, as if sharing some novel discoveries, or sharing some curiosities. Their secrecy system is very strict, just like so many eccentric clubs in London city."

Sherlock raised his eyebrows, jumped up from the chair immediately, and said quickly:

"Mycroft, I've always believed in your deduction, so since you pointed out a clue, I'm going to investigate. By the way, do you have any information on Sissel and Bridge? I need a piece of information. in detail."

Hearing this, Pei Xiang immediately got up and said enthusiastically, "I have a copy there, Sherlock, I'll go with you."

Mycroft coughed.

Pei Xiang immediately turned to look at him, his eyes sparkling.

"...Don't be in a hurry tonight, we can study that club first and find out who the core members are."

Pei Xiang pretended to be hesitant: "It's hard to inquire about such news, and it might take several days. I think it's better for Sherlock and I to investigate it ourselves."

Mycroft smirked: "Tomorrow, dear madam, please wait a little longer. I will personally visit some old friends. Before dinner, we can get some definite news."

"Is that so, won't it arouse some people's vigilance?"

"No, dear, some conversations should have been held long ago, but I was busy with other things before, so I delayed them, and this time I just took the opportunity to solve them."

With this guarantee, Sherlock immediately sat down again, and there was no eagerness in his eyes.

Pei Xiang showed a big smile to Mycroft with a cute expression.

Mycroft thought about the next day's running schedule, and silently added a sugar to the cup.