Mary's Nineteenth Century

The City of London is bustling.

More than a month ago, the cloud of the attempted treasury robbery completely dissipated, and the French AB Bank has filled all the security holes.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, business people in suits and leather shoes came and went to and from the bank.

People seem to have forgotten the crisis that the bank encountered, and by the way, the "M" who resolved the crisis invisible.

President Abel will never forget "M".

That afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and the archangel who saved him—Mr. Minton, who had a magical pocket, walked into the office.

"M" took out a small powdered paper bag containing the outer wall of the vault from his pocket, proving that the crime hole will soon be completely opened.At the same time, a detailed map of the underground waterway to encircle and suppress the robbers was taken out.

"Good afternoon! My dear Mr. Minton."

President Abel stood up and greeted him warmly, "It's been a long time since you visited my old friend, leaving me alone to listen to the sound of gold coins rolling in the Financial City."

Mary secretly thought that the Frenchman was good at rhetoric, saying that he missed his old friend, would the bank president really miss the messenger who came to inform him that the vault would be robbed?

"I also miss you, and miss those days of fighting side by side. The past time, so thrilling but extraordinarily fulfilling, always makes me sigh that our friendship can be met but not sought."

Abel's smile paused slightly.

God forgive him, he really wouldn't mind letting other bank chiefs enjoy such unbreakable friendships, given the choice.

Fortunately, yesterday's appointment was clearly written in the letter.

Mr. Minton came here to discuss business, to ask the bank if they had any plans to purchase a new machine, not to inform that a terrible crime was about to happen.

Abel didn't want to have another thrilling experience, so he quickly changed the subject.

"Oh, yes, and may the friendship last. Mr. Minton, you don't have to be polite to me, but just tell me what new machine you brought?"

This is an era of endless new things.

Abel regularly pays attention to the developments of the patent office, not because he loves new technologies, but because he likes the economic benefits that new inventions may bring.

I haven't received any rumors recently, which means that either the value of the new invention is not high, or the speed of patent application is very fast, and the gossip has not had time to flow out.

In view of the fact that the person who came was "M" with a magical pocket, Abel believed that the latter possibility was more likely.

His eyes fell on the large suitcase on the ground, somewhat the size of a typewriter.

"It's just a gadget."

Mary opened the large suitcase she carried with her and placed the new machine on the table.

At first glance, the new machine doesn't look too complicated.

The metal case, the base has a few link wires, and a long strip of paper (somewhat resembling a pay slip) runs through the printing roller.

"It needs to be connected to a telegraph communication line to use."

Mary pointed to the connecting wire, "Simply put, after the telegraph signal is transmitted, the roller rotates, and the ink leaves a string of numbers and codes on the paper."

That's a very succinct description indeed.

Abel was a little confused, and didn't understand the relationship between the new machine and him.Yes, this is never-before-seen gadgets, but so what?

Can new gadgets make people earn millions of pounds in minutes?If not, it doesn't have much to do with him.

Just when Abel wanted to euphemistically express his thoughts on not buying this thing, his eyes were finally attracted by the long strip of paper.

Long paper strips, each about one centimeter wide, and there are a total of two placed side by side.

One with letters and one with numbers.For example, "RMSC, CBNY,...", "109, 107,..."

Capital letters correspond to numbers.

"God!" Abel held up the long note with both hands, and at this time regarded the note that can be bought for a few pennies as an antique painting.

"This is not the stock price of the two companies yesterday. RMSC is the code of Royal Mail Sipping Company (Royal Mail Shipping Company), which opened at 109 points yesterday; CBNY is the City Bank of New York, which opened at 107 points yesterday."

Without further ado, this is a stock ticker.

There are no redundant number and letter keys installed on the outside, which means that it is not necessary to hire people to type, but the automatic printing is completed by the rotation of the instrument.

What does it mean?

Abel took a deep breath and looked out the window.

Very well, the rare clear sky in London does not mean that something good is happening in the financial circle.

Stocks, anyone who has stepped into the financial city has heard this word.Thanks to the invention of the telegraph, stock price information can be disseminated quickly.

Not limited to London, Europe, but also through the Atlantic submarine cable laid three years ago, it successfully established timely contact with North America.

Even so, the timeliness of securities transactions is not too high.

Because the telegraph uses Morse code, skilled operators were required to send and receive messages.

The transmission operation of a group of stock price information is complicated.

First, it is transmitted from place A to place B, and the radio operator at place B will translate it.Then typed out the data with a typewriter and compiled it into a book, and then regularly read the data report in the hall of the exchange.

The trading floor has limited space and cannot accommodate all traders who want to obtain stock price dynamics.Some people take notes on their behalf, and messenger boys are sent to deliver the recording paper to office buildings far or near.

Apparently, traders hear the stock price index at least an hour or two after it is issued.

That is by no means real-time data.

Everything will be changed, and a new era of stock trading is coming in which you can know the stock price fluctuations in a timely manner.

—Because of the stock ticker in front of him.

It is not difficult to imagine that financial markets will stage a tragicomedy that changes in an instant.

In the first minute someone became rich because of the skyrocketing stock price, and in the next minute someone went bankrupt because of the plummeting stock price.

Between heaven and hell, the time difference between the two places is only between the gears of the stock ticker.

However, no one will reject such a machine, because it is too important to grasp the stock price dynamics in real time.

"Mr. Minton, you always bring me great surprises."

Abel withdrew his confused thoughts and smiled like a sunflower. "Please let me reserve three in advance."

Banks will have investment departments, how can investment not pay attention to stock price dynamics.

Abel thought of something very practical, when will this kind of machine be produced on a large scale?

"As a friend, I make sure to prioritize your order."

Mary said sincerely, in fact, she needs a customer to help her promote the product introduction, and she doesn't know the arrival time that President Abel cares about.

The total output of the stock ticker will not be too high.It is not a daily necessities in people's lives, but a product that is quite in demand in the securities trading circle.

Mary does not intend to engage in production or sales by herself. Once she gets involved in the actual operation of a certain physical business, one can imagine how many trivial things will have to worry about.There are currently two plans, either to sell this patent, or to use it as a share to hand it over to a certain company.

She is always grateful.After passing the patent application, he immediately wrote a letter to Darcy, a kind man in Derbyshire.

Because I am grateful for Darcy's helping hand half a year ago, I think of him whenever there is a good business.If Darcy intends to get involved in this business, or to recommend a friend who is interested, please contact us as soon as possible.

However, eggs cannot be put in one basket.

I came to President Abel today, that is, let him spread the word and sincerely recruit interested partners.

Friendship is friendship, business is business.

Although it may not necessarily be the one with the highest price, it is right to compare it in many ways.

Mary thought about saying to President Abel, "You must be concerned about when you can get the spot, that depends on when a reliable partner appears."

President Abel understood in seconds, "Oh! I can't bear to let good things be dusted. Mr. Minton, let us have a good discussion, what kind of partner do you admire more?"

**

Time flies, more than a month in a blink of an eye.

Sunday, October 08th, at 30:[-] am.

Pall Mall Street is a little quieter than weekdays, and it’s rare that it’s winter on weekends, so sleeping in is a happy thing.

In the reception room of Mary's house, there are people who are full of energy, and they don't have the slightest awareness that they should stay in bed on winter weekends.

"Mr. Minton, have you seen it? These are orders from the United States."

Bentley couldn't hide his excitement. He didn't even think that it was the weekend morning. After receiving an order from the other side of the Atlantic last night, he had a hurried breakfast today and went straight to the home of his investment partner. "Look at Monia Investment Company, Solo Economics, and..."

Things started more than a month ago.

Darcy didn't have much interest in the stock ticker.I don't admit that it's because of Mr. Minton's keen observation, what if there is an accident in the process of operating and selling new machines?

Not the business itself, but the odd case.

After all, he is the witness of the first underground vault robbery in this century, and Christmas is less than two months away, and he only hopes that his life will continue to be stable.

Nevertheless, Darcy thought about whether there was anyone suitable for this business, and then Bentley volunteered.

Darcy hesitated for a moment. He was sure that Bentley's ability to run a business and its credibility were all right. Bentley would not intentionally lower the price to deceive Mr. Minton, but...

but what?

Darcy didn't know if introducing this business to Bentley would have cheated Bentley instead?

These words are hard to say, and Bentley has already gone straight to London with the letter of recommendation from Darcy.

At the moment, Mary looked at the new partner with a smile.

For nearly half a month, the City of London has been extremely lively.The emergence of automatic stock quote machines has greatly changed the long-term data acquisition efficiency of exchanges.

Businessmen finally don't have to wait patiently to read the stock index regularly, as long as there is a machine installed in the company office, they can know the stock price changes in time.

How convenient and efficient!

Time is money, and who doesn't love a ticker that makes a clicking sound every time a message comes in, it's so sweet.

This order craze spread rapidly from London to overseas in just one month.

As the owner of the ticker company, how could Bentley be unhappy, so he sent a message by not sleeping late in the morning.

Mary remained patient and listened to Bingley make a long list.Then he asked, "Seeing how excited you are, do you still want to go to the United States to discuss business in person?"

"You guessed it."

Bentley should have nodded like this, "The end of the year is approaching, and I have something to go to New York at the end of November. This time, I just set off early and take a look at the new developments on Wall Street. So, I came to you."

Bentley took out a ticket. "Last week, I heard you talking about your plan to go to the United States recently. I wonder if you have bought a ticket, how about a boat?"

It is a first-class ticket for the "Diamond Pink Diamond" cruise ship.

Mary glanced at it and found that the sailing date was "November [-], [-]:[-] p.m.".That is to say, she will leave in three days, which is exactly the time of travel planned, but she has not bought a ticket yet.

To be precise, the first-class cabin was sold out when I went to book a ticket.You can only change cabins and ships, or wait five days for another "Diamond Black Diamond" of the same series to set sail.

Why go to America?

Of course, it is because of the money, so the identity of "Mark Minton" should be properly confirmed.

"It's a pleasure to travel with you."

Mary didn't push to refuse the door-to-door ticket.It happened to be the boat she wanted to buy but couldn't. Now that there is one more person she knows who travels on the same boat, there is no delay. "Thank you, Mr. Bingley."

Bentley: "You're so kind, you let me not have to travel alone."

It's great, I didn't go to the United States alone, and I can find someone to discuss with me in case of problems.

The two smiled, and it was decided to see you in three days.

**

November [-], Port of London.

At 01:30 in the afternoon, passengers boarded the "Diamond" cruise ship one after another.

There are not only gentlemen with canes, but also ladies in fine clothes.

Mary and Bingley boarded the deck and walked towards the first-class cabin under the guidance of the waiter.

Three meters behind the two, a lady appeared after a while.

I saw a tall lady, wearing a mesh top hat and a black skirt, and carrying a square black suitcase on board the boat.Also follow the waiter to the room.

All the way to the first class.

"Thank you, no other services for now."

The tall lady waiter continued to introduce the entertainment items on the cruise, and when she opened the door of the room, she said she would take a rest first.

Then quickly closed the door, did not rest, but checked the entire suite.

Well, for this cruise itinerary, the room is comfortably furnished without any problems.

Hell no problem!

In the bathroom, a neutral face is reflected in the mirror.

Mycroft grinned at the mirror, trying to make it cheerful, but it was a bit forced.

Damn Lord Matthew, what kind of mission was assigned to him.Ten days ago, he had just left work and was invited to have a secret conversation halfway through.

At the end of the conversation, Matthew said the following.

'Remember, you, Mycroft Holmes, will be in charge of Mission 008 in the United States, and from now on you will be Madame Roman in Paris, France.

You are a wealthy 30-year-old widow who decides to take a trip to the United States to relax.Along the way, you're eager to find a pleasurable travel romance.To be more exciting, it was agreed at the beginning that we would break up when we returned home.

Of course, I'm not really asking you to have a hot relationship, or your identity as a man disguised as a woman will be exposed.

You should understand that "Madame Roman" is such a character.All the procedures related to this identity have been completed, and this operation will least arouse the doubts of those who are interested, and it is convenient for you to walk freely in the United States. '

Matthew finally said, 'Mycroft, before I leave, I should let you know that, looking at the entire Whitehall Street, among all the staff of the British government, I like you the most!By the way, one last thing, Mrs. Roman doesn't like sweets very much, you should understand why, right? '

why?

Now, Mycroft looked at himself in the mirror.God is my witness, he has no ambitions, and he doesn't need anyone who is most optimistic about him.

Why did he think that Ben Oliver, who never met, was actually the original executor of the 008 mission, but Ben died.Why did he become "Madame Roman" and most importantly, why did he say goodbye to his beloved sweet tooth?

Life, dare to have more accidents? !