Mary's Nineteenth Century

Make her laugh when she wants?

Mary shook her head solemnly. Would a kind-hearted person like her laugh at a person who was forced to travel and work overtime until Christmas? "Mr. Holmes, please look into my sincere eyes. I am deeply concerned about what happened to you, and I have no intention of ridiculing."

"Really? I don't believe it."

Mycroft looked unabashedly suspicious.Mr. Minton cared about him, but that didn't mean he couldn't laugh at the same time.

"Please don't doubt my sincerity."

As Mary spoke, she took out the pen and notepad she carried with her, and scribbled down a few addresses.

"These are some spas with the right atmosphere in Baden-Baden. If you are tired from working overtime, you should go to relax. The spa baths here are very famous."

Mary handed out a note, "To thank you for blocking the possible damage to me caused by the electric shock baton, I wanted to invite you to take a hot spring before, and this promise has always been counted. When you want to go these two days, I will be there whenever you want .”

Well, it looks like it's going to be too much to try to examine the wound.

Mycroft was tempted to decline, but pocketed the note out of politeness. "Mr. Minton, I don't like bathing with others. I can only appreciate your kindness."

Heart collar?it's not good.

In fact, Mary wasn't crazy enough to let the two of them take a bath in a hot spring pool.That is not to check the other party's old wounds, but to blow up one's own disguise.

Mary began to perform pompously, "God, you're going to make Mr. Holmes think about me elsewhere. I work hard to make money so that this moment will not be embarrassing. I can afford the luxury bathroom for one person. You don't have to do it for me." save money."

absurd!Who has thought about you everywhere?

Mycroft knew, of course, that Mr Minton could pay his bills.This is not a question of money, but why he agrees to create opportunities so that the other party can take advantage of him and see him all.

If you do this, you are really digging a hole yourself, picking it down, and burying yourself.

"It's getting late, let's go back to the hotel by carriage."

Mycroft immediately changed the topic. Anyway, he has the initiative to take a bath in the hot spring, and there is no need for verbal disputes. "Mr. Minton, please first."

Mary did not leave immediately, but for serious business.

"If you don't mind, I would like to delay you for a few minutes, can you talk about your overtime work?"

What is there to talk about.

This private entrustment task is not suitable for outsiders.

Mycroft was on the verge of speaking, but changed

idea.

"Mr. Minton, are you serious about what you said just now? I want to thank me for stopping in time last time, and I am willing to be there whenever I pass."

Not good, there is a situation.

Mary couldn't slap herself in the face, "Of course, I will do what I say."

"Okay, let's go to a nearby tavern and talk about it in detail."

Mycroft responded sharply.According to past experience, even if he doesn't mention entrusting the task now, the two of them will inevitably collide when they are together, so it's better to say it directly.

This is not to treat Mr. Minton as an outsider, but to make full use of the available manpower.

Mycroft felt he had good reason.Since Mr. Minton kept saying he wanted to thank him for kicking the taser away during the sting operation, he offered to provide a very suitable way of thanking him.Let's find the heirloom antique pocket watch lost by the son of the Marquis T. It's much better than treating guests to a hot spring.

In the tavern, drinkers chatted in twos and threes in low voices.

The guitarist played an unknown song, accompanied by the crackling sound of burning matches in the fireplace, there was a lot of warmth here.

Mycroft sat down and summarized the antecedents in a few words.In early December, Earl T's son lost a bet on the heirloom.A few days ago, the dealer in the Leisure Palace happened to have an inner ghost and stole the pocket watch and ran away.

At the moment, he said straight to the point, "This mission is easy to say, just find the pocket watch intact. Since you want to thank me, and you are idle, why don't you help me deal with this time?" Commissioned mission. What do you think?"

Mary: Routine, they are all routines.

Although she asked about Mycroft's mission first, she didn't intend to offer to help, she just wanted to make sure that it was related to her goal of coming to Baden-Baden.

Now it's tricked into it.

Mary suddenly leaned close to Mycroft, and without speaking, just looked him up and down.

But the eyes are very revealing, "I didn't see that you are also very good at routines, and you want to trick a helper into doing free labor, doesn't your conscience hurt?"

At this time, two glasses of draft beer were brought to the table.

Mycroft picked up the wine glass without changing his face, and drank it as if nothing had happened, as if he didn't feel the penetrating gaze of the other seat.Why can't he play tricks?I was too lazy to do it in the past, but it doesn't mean I won't.Thanks also to Mr. Minton for making him act.

Whoever dug the pit will jump.

Mary could only laugh and jumped down. "Okay, as you wish, I will help you find a pocket watch."

As she spoke, she picked up the wine glass and lightly touched Mycroft's wine glass.

"Do not

However, I'm not too idle to do nothing, this time I came to the town to inquire about someone by the way.As you already know, I'm interested in the Scarab Club.I'm looking for Ben Baden, who might have knowledge of the scarab pattern in the basement of the abandoned church. "

Mycroft was not surprised when he heard that, simply taking a vacation was not like Mr. Minton's style.

Mary continued, "I can help you find the pocket watch, but if it conflicts with the search for Ben Baden, we have to reevaluate which one is more important to find first."

The stolen pocket watch is estimated to be worth at least [-] pounds.

It is an antique that has been passed down for more than 16 years since the 300th century, and it is of great significance to the Marquis T family.

A sky-high price list, or an unknown commoner, do you still have to ask which one to look for first?

Mycroft didn't think it would be a problem to put them together, "Okay, it depends on the specific situation."

The two exchange known clues.

In order to recover the antique watch stolen by the croupier, Leisure Palace Casino issued a secret reward order to arrest Singh on the day of the accident.

It is still uncertain where the pocket watch will go. Singer will choose to sell the stolen goods secretly or use it for other purposes.

Singer is French, and he has no particularly close friends in Baden-Baden. The search team sent by the casino has arrived in Singer's hometown.

"The day after tomorrow at the latest, Manager K said he could 'invite' the friend who knows Singer best."

Mycroft didn't need to say which way to invite people. It was impossible for outsiders to interfere with the casino's operations. He only wanted one result. "Perhaps there will be a worst possibility. Singer fled into the Black Forest."

The Black Forest has a wide range and is the largest forested mountain range in Germany.

There are different towns around, and the interior of the forest is as the name suggests, because of the dense forest, it is as dark as if it is difficult to see the sun all day long.

In this era, there are no travel routes for the general public to hike the forest, and only professionals will go into the mountains or hunt or gather herbs.To put it simply, most of the forest areas are undeveloped areas, and even the rich and powerful enclose the land to build ancient castles.

"You mean that Singer chose the escape route that is least likely to be traced. Is his ability to survive in the wild?"

Mary didn't know anything about the dealer Singer, but Singer's successful stealing of the gambling funds from the Leisure Palace was enough to prove that she had some skills.

Mycroft relayed Steward K's description. "Actually, Singer's motive for the theft has not been ascertained so far."

Antique watches are very valuable, but Singer made six and a half years

The croupier has never shown a tendency to be greedy and steal.

The stewards in the casino have developed a pair of penetrating eyes and are good at observing words and deeds. They always think that Singer is reliable and reliable.

"If there is no theft, Singh will be promoted in half a year. Now everything is still to be ascertained."

Mycroft was also writing to London.Was Singer entrusted to steal the pocket watch?For example, Marquis T's enemies paid Singer a lot of money.

Mary understood as soon as she heard it, and she was asked to help this time to arrest people together in case they need to go deep into the Black Forest.

"Then wait for the news first. Anyway, I won't leave the town for the time being. Tomorrow's arrangement is to go to the astrologer in the morning, because Ben Baden likes to chat with astrologers. I'll go and ask about the situation. Are you interested in listening?"

"The astrologers 'Big Bear', 'Little Bear' and 'Orion', I've heard of those three. "

Mycroft was suggested by Steward K that before he had more substantive clues, he might as well turn to divination. He was recommended to go to an astrology hall for a try.

To what extent must his brain be corrupted by sweets to believe that divination can find the whereabouts of the pocket watch?

Unless astrologers and pocket watch theft are inherently related, how can people be convinced of the so-called telekinetics.

**

The next day, ten o'clock in the morning.

Mycroft still came to the Astrology Hall.It is not to believe in those misty mystical techniques, but to make sure that the three astrologers are not suspected.

"You two, please sit down."

The three astrologers had already heard about the previous situation from K, the steward, so they specially spared time to entertain the distinguished guests.

Slack cannot be snubbed.The astrology hall is opened in the Leisure Palace, as long as it wants to continue to operate, it must cooperate with the above arrangements.

Because of this, the two of them were entertained in the reception room with bright windows, instead of going to the dark divination room in a mysterious way.

Orion, the astrologer, said first, "We probably understand the intentions of the two of you. Let me talk about Ben Baden first. A year ago, he used to come to the museum to chat about nursery rhymes and fairy tales. If you want to talk about the specific content, please allow me to be honest. I really don't remember."

Whoever has nothing to do will remember the content of small talk.

Tell the story casually, and forget it when you turn around.

"There are many rumors of fairy tales in the Black Forest area, and many of the stories overlap. We and Ben Barden will tell whatever we want, and what we tell are all the stories we heard, which are similar to the published fairy tales."

The astrologer Orion didn't feel anything special, "The last time I saw Ben Barden, we were talking about Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales.

"Red Shoes".If you wear shoes, you have to dance all the time, and you have to cut off your feet to stop. "

This is a well-known fairy tale, and there have been similar real stories in Europe in the past few hundred years, such as the historical group dancing to death.The exact cause of this dancing plague is still unknown.

"And after this story? What did Ben Barden say?"

Mary always felt that Ben Barden's enthusiasm for fairy tales was a bit strange, but it was not completely incomprehensible, after all, he was a member of the Adventure Club in his early years.

The astrologer Big Bear shook his head, "I don't think much of it. We talked a little about whether this kind of strange dance incidents have erupted in the Black Forest area, but they are all rumors and there is no conclusion. In fact, I think Baden has been chatting with people. All kinds of fairy tales are not liking, but looking for something through the stories.”

what to look for?

None of the three astrologers could say for sure, because Barden never said a word.More, they don't know.

This is kind of interesting.

Mary made a mental note of this, and then looked to Mycroft to signal that it was his turn.

Yesterday, when Mycroft questioned Steward K, he had already been informed about astrology.

Steward K not only recommended him to try it, but also indicated that Leisure Palace had consulted an astrologer and checked the whereabouts of Singer and the stolen pocket watch.

"I heard that you have predicted that Singer went to a place full of flowers and plants."

Mycroft sneered at this, "The vegetation rate in the Black Forest Mountains is extremely high, which means that thousands of square kilometers may almost all be calculated locations. Can this also be considered divination?"

It is simply impossible for a Sherlock Holmes to believe that divination can find the target person.

Mycroft himself could predict that Singer would flee into the Black Forest Mountains in order to escape smoothly, but what about the specific direction?It is more than 160 kilometers from north to south and more than 60 kilometers from east to west. Can such a large area be used for accurate divination and positioning?

Fortunately, the leisure palace is famous all over the world, but the operators inside are really unreliable.Otherwise, the ghost will not steal the important pocket watch, let alone bet the last hope of finding the thief on the astrologer.

When questioned face to face, the three astrologers still kept smiling.

Because of being repeatedly told by the steward K, Leisure Palace doesn't want to lose a large amount of real money.

"Mr. Holmes, you are quite right to question. We are human beings, not gods, so we cannot determine the exact scope because of our limited ability."

Astrologer Big Bear said, "This is also

It is closely related to timing. Different people ask the same question and get different answers.For example, when the steward K came to consult and you came to consult, the relationship between the two of you and the pocket watch is different, and the predicted picture is bound to change. "

Adapt measures to people and circumstances.

This is a very simple truth in divination.

The astrologer Daxiong tried his best to be patient, "Last time, according to the crystal ball divination, Singer rushed into the flowers and plants with a pocket watch, and the surroundings were white. Why don't you ask questions today, and we will do the divination again."

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe that."

Mycroft said bluntly, "Since I can't believe it sincerely, I don't think there will be an accurate result."

It's too much like you're here to mess things up.

The three astrologers couldn't reprimand, because this was not the client who sent them money and begged for a question in the past.

Mary didn't believe it either, but it didn't stop her eagerness to try new things.

"Why don't you change me? They all came together, and the divination quota should be one for each person. Since Mr. Holmes has given up, it will be regarded as a transfer to me. Now I can ask questions twice. Is it possible?"

Mycroft was helpless, and Mr. Minton's curiosity popped up from time to time.What else can he say, he can only nod to fulfill the other party.

The three astrologers looked at each other, all right, then test two questions.

Get divination tools such as crystal balls, explain the whole process, and then you can start.

"Please put your hands on the crystal ball."

Astrologer Daxiong said, "Take three deep breaths and concentrate for five seconds, then you can clearly state the two questions you want to ask most at the moment."

Mary cooperated one by one, and the thing she wants to know most now is the whereabouts of Ben Baden, so let's just say it directly.As for the other spot you won, what else do you want to ask?

After thinking for a while, a flash of inspiration came.

Mary kept her eyes fixed and didn't look at Mycroft, but said very seriously: "It's Christmas again, and my dear Mrs. Roman passed away at this time last year. May I ask how she is doing in that world?"

Mycroft:!

This question made him almost fail in expression management.That's how Mr. Minton paid him back?He agreed to transfer a quota, but he was asked such a damn question knowingly.

Mary looked back quite innocently, "Whoever told you not to ask, then let me play freely. I am testing the ability to help you as an astrologer."

The three astrologers gradually frowned.

Not because of the two people on the opposite side

Instead, the three of them sensed the answer given by the crystal ball, and the answer was too weird.

For a full 5 minutes, the room was unusually silent.

In the end, the astrologer Orion spoke up. It was the first time in his ten years of practice that he felt that the crystal ball was broken.

"There is a result. The first question, Ben Baden is going in a field full of flowers and grass, surrounded by whiteness, which is exactly the same as the place where dealer Singer is going."

As soon as these words came out, the air became quieter.

Immediately afterwards, the astrologer Daxiong gave the answer to the second question.

"As for whether Mrs. Roman is doing well in that world? The crystal ball's induction is not very good, it's a cloud of fog. It's like a ghost that can't see its true face, constantly wandering in the world, wandering—"

Another astrologer, Xiaoxiong, added, "By the way, the mist of that phantom has a tendency to spread. I don't think it dissipates, it's a bit like getting fatter?"

As a result, astrologers were puzzled.