Mary's Nineteenth Century

Sometimes, I am most afraid of the sudden silence of the air.

The divination result of the first question, that Ben Baden was in the same direction as the croupier Singer, already made the atmosphere very quiet, but when the result of the second question about Mrs. Roman came out, the atmosphere became obviously weirder.

Astrologers are suspecting that the crystal ball is broken.

For the other two people in the room, Mary sneaked a glance at Mycroft seemingly inadvertently, and saw that the man was sitting upright as if he had nothing to do with himself.

"Can I ask a professional question?"

Mycroft looked at the three astrologers, "Where did you buy the crystal ball? It can actually detect that Baden, who left a year ago, and Singh, who escaped eight days ago, are in the same place?"

At the moment, the tone of Mycroft's question did not show any ups and downs.Maybe he agreed with the result of the divination, or mocked the professional ability of the astrologers.

The only thing that was certain was that he didn't mention the fat ghost Mrs. Roman, as if he didn't care about the answer to the second divination.

"The crystal ball was bought from an old gypsy wizard more than ten years ago, and it is equivalent to half a pound."

Astrologer Da Xiong thinks the price is not expensive, "We have been using it for more than ten years, and we have not had any problems."

The voice just fell, but suddenly heard a slight 'click'.

The purple crystal ball shattered from the inside, and cracks like spider webs quickly spread throughout the entire ball.

Great, the eerie silence reappeared.

The three astrologers looked at each other, and then burst out with one voice, "This is unscientific!"

"You all practice divination, but you still believe in science?"

Mycroft unhurriedly repaired the knife, and then glanced at the shattered crystal ball inexplicably.

Really, well broken!Let it draw such unreliable conclusions.

Mycroft: Who gets fat?That's all nonsense.

He is clearly at the standard weight now, while Mrs. Roman was unhealthily thin due to excessive running around.

The astrologers had a bitter face, unpreparedly lost their most important tool, and they couldn't figure out why the crystal ball was broken?

It shouldn't be because it was too accurate to be backlashed, but that it will be broken when the time limit is up.Yes, it's because of the old relationship, otherwise the weird divination results wouldn't be given today, it's time to get a new crystal ball.

Mary and Mycroft certainly did not

continue to stay.

I've asked all the questions I should and shouldn't ask, even the crystal ball is broken, why don't I wait for the astrologer to treat me to dinner?

It didn't snow today.

The sky in Baden-Baden is a clear and transparent blue.

The two went out quickly, breathing the cold winter wind, which made people very refreshed.

Stone roads and long streets, walking side by side.

Mary has been walking normally and peacefully, without making any strange remarks, just looking down at the two figures on the ground.

At the moment, she is using implicit observation.

Compare the shadow to see how much Mycroft's weight has changed from last year.This method is definitely not accurate, but it would be impolite to observe how much fat a person has gained.

What about the observations?

Mary felt that her memory and reasoning were capable of drawing imprecise conclusions.From Mrs. Roman to Mr. Holmes, Mycroft has indeed gained a little weight.It is not too obvious from the outside, it is estimated to be about three or four catties.

Mycroft felt that the people around him were strangely quiet.

Looking sideways, as expected, someone's quietness does not mean security. "Mr. Minton, are you still thinking about the results of divination? It seems that you still have some ideas."

"Goodbye?"

Mary quickly came back to her senses, "No, no, it's not a good opinion. What I'm looking for is evidence. You can't follow the guidance of the crystal ball, but you might as well refer to it."

If it is a normal situation, there is no need to study the divination results carefully, but this time the astrologer has something, at least he is right that Mrs. Roman did not die.

This matter is a bit mysterious, but remembering that the potions for transforming into werewolves and vampires seem to have appeared on the black sand island, it is better to admit that there are always some events in the world that cannot be explained by existing theories.

Mary analyzed it seriously.Referring to the results of divination, Singh who was looking for was located in the same place as Baden, and it was surrounded by whiteness.

"The black forest after the snow in winter turns into a snow-covered forest, which is exactly what it is. As for the two people appearing in a place full of flowers and plants, it is likely to be a place in the forest where flowers and grass grow. We can boldly assume that, The two may have run off to a private garden in the Black Forest."

Listening to Mycroft's serious analysis, Mr. Minton's ability to avoid important things and ignore minor things has improved again, otherwise why didn't he mention the conclusion of observing the shadow.

"You really plan to refer to the results of divination? Do you think that the three astrologers have something to say? So, you also think that Mrs. Roman will become

A fat ghost? "

Mary was beaten and asked three times, and she looked back innocently. "Oops! I didn't say anything, you brought it up yourself."

"Mr. Holmes, you overestimate me. As an ordinary human being, how can I grasp the matter of ghosts? I only want to think on the bright side. Being fat means living a good life, and I am fat."

Mary seemed to be discussing the facts, "However, too much is too much. Too fat is not good for health, and there is no way to flexibly respond to various emergencies, such as not being able to escape easily. From this point of view, it is better to maintain a standard figure in order to save life. good."

As she said that, Mary looked at Mycroft in a dignified manner, and then said with a smile:

"You needn't worry. Personally, I think you're in decent shape for the long trek deep into the Black Forest in pursuit of thieves.

oh!Sorry, got off topic, how did it come to you, we're talking about ghosts.You can embarrass me with this question. The standards of living people and ghosts must be different, and I can't judge. "

Mycroft: You pretend, you pretend!

However, barely enough can be regarded as hearing a good word. Mr. Minton praised him for his current figure, which is quite standard.

Forget it, don't care about these little things.

Mycroft said back to the topic, "Since you think you can refer to the divination results, which mentioned that flowers and plants are overgrown, you can inquire in the town after lunch if there are any strange rumors related to plants."

The scope of this investigation is too large, and it can only be said that it is better to look for it than nothing.

It's less than eleven o'clock now, and lunch is still a little early, so let's go to investigate a place.

The two went to the residence of dealer Singh.

After Singer stole and absconded, Leisure Palace managed to get the house key from the landlord to check the house for any remaining clues.What annoyed Manager K was that he found no clues in the rented house related to Singer's theft and escape.

Mycroft had called for the portkey last night, and had to go over it himself. "If there is any merit in the steward K, he let the people who searched the house do their best to maintain the original appearance of the place."

Open the door, the room is not clean, but not too messy.

Singer, a man living alone, bought a lot of daily necessities, tobacco, wine, clothes, silver ornaments, newspapers, and several sets of gambling equipment.There is no trace of the second person accompanying Singer for a long time, and the neighbors said that they have not seen Singer either.

Bring a friend or lover home for the night.

The items are all in line with Singer's economic level, and everything seems to be in order.

"It seems that Singer prefers absinthe, and there is no other kind in the house."

Mary turned around and counted fourteen empty bottles, but saw no unopened bottles. "Winter escape with wine is the right choice for keeping warm."

Singh is a Frenchman.

In recent years, the French wine industry has been hit hard by an outbreak of a newly identified plant disease - phylloxera.

Phylloxera is a devastating pest of grapes.

France is a big wine exporting country, but the phylloxera is rampant, and the lack of raw materials leads to a sharp drop in wine production.Immediately, wine prices across Europe rose sharply.

In this case, the green absinthe sells well. It has been popular for decades from medicinal wine to aperitif, and it is much cheaper than wine. .

"It's not surprising that Singer drank absinthe, which is considered to be refreshing by many people, but what if you put mugwort leaves under your pillow?"

Mycroft waved at the bedroom door, "Come and see, there are traces of plant juice on Singer's sheets and pillowcases, and you can find a broken leaf the size of a fingernail."

Mary walked into the bedroom and saw that the mugwort leaves on the bedside were withered and yellow and so fragile that they would shatter when touched.

According to the contaminated area of ​​the plant juice, it can be speculated that Singer collected fresh mugwort more than once and put it under the pillow to accompany him to sleep.

Seeing this scene, Mary instantly understood what Mycroft wanted to say.

"Judging from the items in the rented house, Singer doesn't really like to read. There are only three popular novels of this year and a stack of newspapers in the house, and there is no big tome "Natural History" here."

Mycroft nodded, "Yes, Singer doesn't seem to read books by ancient Roman authors like Pliny the Elder, so why would he put mugwort under his pillow?"

Pliny the Elder mentioned the magical power of mugwort in "Natural History".

Collect mugwort and put it under the pillow, which can stimulate desire and dispel the impotence symptoms imposed by demons on people. ①

Since Singer does not seem to have read such ancient books, is his frequent use of wormwood an accidental act, or is he treating male hidden diseases after listening to someone's advice?

Mary can't give a clear answer for the time being, but there is one thing that coincides with the divination word

.

"Mr. Holmes, this may be a coincidence. The astrologer mentioned that Singer fell into a place full of flowers and plants, and Singer used the absinthe plant in a special posture. Is there a possibility that Singer suffered from a hidden disease, which made him change?" the previous style of doing things.”

"You suspect Singer of stealing antique watches for medical bills."

Mycroft thought about it, and this assumption made sense.Baden-Baden is a well-known spa town, but Singer's illness cannot be healed here.

"The Black Forest is very large, and there are indeed some witch doctors left. Sleeping with mugwort on your pillow is the witch doctor's folk remedy. The witch doctor's rules for treating diseases are weird. Singer may be required to bring that antique watch to seek medical treatment."

These are just speculations, and we will have to wait for Singer's best friend to be invited to the Leisure Palace tomorrow to learn more about it.

Next, the two had lunch as planned, and then began to visit the town to find out if there were any weird plant-related rumors, and added a question about who knew about the witch doctor in the Black Forest.

After four o'clock in the afternoon, the winter sun set.

Before dark, the two said goodbye and separated.After half a day of visits, nothing more was gained.

Mary was not disappointed.The Black Forest is huge, and Baden-Baden is just a small town on its side. Perhaps more clues can be found in other towns.

Expanding the scope of snooping news obviously requires more manpower.

Mycroft came to the Leisure Palace again and handed over the large-scale inquiries to the casino.Who makes the casino guards unfavorable, and these people who have contributed to the investigation of the casino must do it.

The steward K could only agree with a smile, and the casino must also find Singer and deal with him severely, so as to serve as an example to others.He also politely asked Mycroft if he would stay for dinner, but was refused.

You don't have to eat.

People's power of association is so good, as long as they stay in the Leisure Palace, they either think of the stolen pocket watch or the crystal ball in the morning.

Mycroft had dined in the hotel dining room without ordering dessert.

It’s not that the beloved desserts are abandoned, but that the sweets in Germany are not the same as those in France next door, and it is still difficult to find a shop that suits your appetite.

I have been working in Germany for almost ten months, and if I round it up, I have not enjoyed my favorite desserts for a year, and I can only be satisfied two or three times a month.

That's why I originally hoped to end my expatriate work early, looking forward to returning to London to be able to date my sweet tooth anytime.

his dear brother

Sherlock once speculated that if an excessive intake of sweets is superimposed with a lack of exercise and a state of life, a person must be very fat in middle age.

But so what?Do you want to listen to your brother and stop dating sweets?It is absolutely impossible, who cares about the figure.

Thinking so firmly, I went back to the guest room.

After changing his shoes, he turned and went into the bathroom.The half-length mirror can just shine on the belly of the body.

The next moment, Mycroft acted like a ghost, and made a move that he would never have done before.

He lifted his coat and stretched out a finger to poke his stomach.It's not soft, it's only a little more fleshy than in the United States, but it's still in the shape of abs.

oh god!What is this doing?

Mycroft stopped quickly, his mind racing to find a legitimate reason for this abnormal behavior.

Come on, come up with an excuse.

The author has something to say: "Legend of Aphrodisiac Plants", [France], Bernard Bertrand. (Ahem, it is a book that introduces herbs seriously.)

It is mentioned in the book: Pliny Secundus said, "It is said that putting mugwort under the pillow has the effect of stimulating yu, and this substance is quite effective in exorcising the demons that cause impotence."