Baker Street Charterers

The two children Delia and Aiden rescued from the St. Lawrence Orphanage were temporarily unadopted, and were placed in a small room used by the police station to hold prisoners, except for a few more warm bedding—— This is based on Holmes and Nora's instructions. In this era, orphans are not treated with pity and sympathy like later generations. Most people's attitude towards them is to let them fend for themselves. Children who are not well taken care of will generally not end up well. great.

The policeman guarding the prisoner was dozing off. He was awakened by the sound of hurried footsteps. He looked up in a daze. A tall, thin man in a coat with gray eyes came over. He glanced roughly at first. Turned around, fixed his eyes on him, then lowered his head slightly, and asked in a low voice, "Where are those two children?"

The policeman was stunned for a moment, unable to react for a while, so the other party patiently added, "Which room are the siblings in the orphanage?"

The policeman came to his senses completely. He had just been transferred here not long ago and didn't know the identity of this man, so he asked cautiously, "Who are you? How did you come here? Don't you know that idlers are not allowed to come here?" ?”

Holmes was not angry, he just looked at him faintly with those gray eyes, and said unhurriedly, "I am Sherlock Holmes, as to why I came here...you can consult your Master Lestrade."

As soon as the words fell, Nora and Lestrade arrived, and the police detective hurriedly greeted him, "It's okay——he is our favorite consulting detective, give him the key, and try to find what he needs wherever he wants to go. Give him what he wants—"

Holmes cast him a nonchalant glance. "You have never been so agreeable, Inspector."

Lestrade touched his nose.

The policeman was stunned for a few seconds when he heard the name, and then woke up like a dream, "Ah, so you are... sorry I didn't know before—"

"Gossip aside," interrupted Holmes, "I need to see the siblings, at once, at once."

The police stopped talking nonsense and took out the key, led them to the first small room, opened the door, and said with some admiration, "This is it, please come in, Mr. Holmes."

"Thank you." Holmes thanked briefly, walked into the room, and moved his gaze to the siblings who were huddled in the corner.

Seven-year-old little Aiden seemed to be sleeping in her sister's arms, while Delia was stroking her brother's back and singing a melodious little tune she had never heard before. The girl's voice was clear and gentle, just like It sounds as sweet as a newborn little lark.The light cast by the high windows was weak, but the girl's blond hair was softer and brighter than the sun, as if it was shining.This scene was peaceful and soft, and everyone couldn't help but hold their breath slightly, with smiles in their eyes.

—except Holmes, of course.

Of course, he also thinks this scene is very warm in his heart, but his focus is obviously different from others.He listened to a short song, and after Delia stood up awkwardly when she noticed their arrival, and stopped singing, he said calmly, "Are you Scottish?"

Delia was taken aback, "You, how could you..."

"That piece," Holmes seemed to be recalling, "had been played on the bagpipes by a good friend, and although there were some differences in key, I don't think I could mistake it—"Braveheart"?"

Delia seemed a little excited after she was stunned. She clutched the corner of her skirt and whispered nervously and excitedly, "I didn't expect that someone here would know this song. It was taught to me by my mother. Aiden would listen to it every day. Listen to him to fall asleep..."

Holmes nodded to indicate that he understood, but he didn't have the energy and interest to listen to the girl's memories. He just thought for a moment, and then asked again, "When did you come to London?"

"Two years ago," Delia's tone was obviously much closer.

two years ago?This time point undoubtedly reveals a lot of information and questions-for example, the "business" in the St. Lawrence Orphanage lasted at least two years; the number of missing children is far more than imagined; Start trading with Moriarty; how far and wide their stronghold is, it can extend to Scotland on the map; what other ulterior crimes did they use this child...

In an instant, Holmes had already thought about details that were difficult for others to reach. Although Nora was not as far-reaching as he thought, she also noticed a key problem.

Her gaze swept over Delia's silky blond hair, sea-blue clear and bright big eyes, white skin like snow, and thin and elongated figure, and she frowned, "Delia, maybe this question is very impolite, But I still want to ask you...you are very beautiful, as far as I know, most buyers should love your appearance very much, but why do you...still stay in the orphanage?"

Although Nora lowered her voice and looked cautious, Delia still took a step back in shock and bit her lip, as if feeling ashamed and ashamed. Holmes didn't respond yet, but Lestrade next to him endured it. He couldn't stop talking, "Little girl, if you have any grievances, just say it, Mr. Holmes and Miss Sharp are trustworthy people—"

Nora and Holmes glanced at him together, Lestrade cleared his throat embarrassingly, and fell silent.

"They, they said my face is very valuable..." Delia said in a soft voice. She didn't want to wake up Aiden, but she couldn't help the grievance in her heart, her eyes were red, and she looked very scared. Just take me to a good place, where I can sell for the highest price..."

She was trembling all over, "I know where it is, Judy is also very beautiful, she was sold there, I never saw her again, and the dean refused to tell me her whereabouts, but I know ...those people...people there...they like young girls..."

Delia didn't say it clearly, but everyone knew what she was referring to, and they looked at the child with more sympathy.Rich people inevitably have some hobbies. It is not a secret in their circle that many people like to molest beautiful children. If there is demand, there will naturally be business. There are not many underground places like London, and Lestrade is more or less aware of this. Some understanding, but his duty is not here, and this phenomenon cannot be prevented.

"Give us a specific address or name." Holmes said in a deep voice, "Remember carefully...any one of them may be able to save your partner."

"I don't know..." Delia murmured, her eyes blank, "They never say in front of us..."

"There will always be some clues." Holmes said in a firm tone. "Delia, please think about it carefully."

The girl pursed her lips, with a troubled expression on her face. She seemed to be working hard. After a while, she seemed to have finally thought of something, and her eyes lit up. "I remember. They mentioned a person and called him Cooper."

Nora shook her head in disappointment, "We know this name...is there anything else?"

Delia bit her lips silently, "I'm not sure...they never let us be around when they talked, I only heard an address vaguely through the door...it seemed to be——sweet, sweet?" She His tone was very uncertain.

"Sweet candy?" Nora was a little depressed. Is this the name of the candy factory?

"Sweet candy." Holmes suddenly realized. Facing the puzzled eyes of Nora and Lestrade, he paused and explained, "It's an old brothel, and the prostitutes in it come from various countries. The boss is very powerful, rich and high-ranking officials with special hobbies like to go there—"

"You understand very well," said Nora flatly.

"I once visited there unannounced because of a case. It is indeed a well-deserved reputation. It is a gold-selling cave that can easily lead people to fall." Holmes explained seriously, "I once saw an Indian woman there, extremely beautiful, plump, Probably the style of Cleopatra is nothing more than this. She begged me to rescue her, and I couldn’t start a surprise because of the investigation. Later, she was bought by a wealthy businessman. I saw her at the banquet half a year ago. Seems to be doing well..."

After speaking, he finally noticed the strange eyes of the people around him, paused, and then turned his head to look at Nora—the woman had no superfluous expression on her face, very calm, neither smiling nor angry.

It was so peaceful that Holmes belatedly felt that something was wrong.

The big detective took a few seconds to observe her expression carefully. Nora didn't seem to see his movements, but said calmly, "What happened next? Did the investigation solve the case?"

"Of course—the servant who ran errands for all the ladies was the murderer. He fell in love with one of the prostitutes but couldn't get what he wanted and killed him." Holmes answered subconsciously, paused, glanced at her again, and considered He spoke slowly, "A long time ago, in order to investigate the case, I also pretended to be a homeless man for half a month, so I met Eugene..."

Nora responded lightly, turned her head and smiled at Delia, and said, "Are there no other clues, little girl?"

That smile made Delia shiver for no reason, and said timidly, "No more...I'm sure."

"Very good." Nora nodded, "Mr. Sheriff, we have an address, it's time to go to the famous underground prostitute tube, and see the stunning beauties who are comparable to Cleopatra."

Lestrade coughed lowly, "I'll arrange the manpower."

"Remember the plain clothes." Nora reminded, "Don't startle the snake."

This line seems very familiar... Lestrade glanced at Holmes. The detective seemed to be thinking about something, but he didn't reply, so Lestrade shook his head, turned and left.

"We'll let you know if your partner is rescued," Nora said to Delia. "You'll be safe here, don't worry... you'll be adopted by a kind couple soon, and you won't be out of luck." That life before, I promise."

A smile finally appeared on Delia's face, and she whispered gratefully, "Thank you, ma'am."

"I'm not Madam," Nora narrowed her eyes and smiled, "and I probably won't be able to bear this title for a long time."

"Then...thank you, miss." Delia changed her address very sensiblely, and she looked back at her younger brother who was sleeping soundly, with pure satisfaction in her eyes, and bowed to them, "You saved Me and Aiden, not just lives...we will never forget your help."

Nora smiled, said goodbye to them, and turned to leave.

Holmes looked at Nora's back thoughtfully and did not move. Delia couldn't help but said, "That lady seems to be angry...won't you go after her and explain to her?"

"Explanation?" Holmes seemed a little puzzled. "Because of what?"

Delia has been in trouble since she was a child, and knows how to read words and expressions better than ordinary people, but at the moment she is a little bit dumbfounded, "She should be your fiancée... Can't you see that she is not happy because you have been to 'Sweet Sugar'?"

"Because of this?" Holmes raised his eyebrows, thought for a few seconds, and finally nodded at her. "I see, thank you."

"No, no, no thanks," Delia waved her hand quickly, and smiled timidly, "She is a very gentle and capable lady...you are a good match." In her growing life, apart from her mother, few There is a woman who has shown kindness to her, she can't help but have a good impression of the lady just now, and she very much hopes that she can be happy with this gentleman.

Holmes didn't say anything more, and after saying goodbye, he turned and left.

Lestrade was telling what to do next in the hall when Holmes greeted him, "Hey, Holmes, Nora just went out, shall we meet at Baker Street?"

"Okay." Holmes nodded calmly, and then paused, "But before that, I have some private matters to complete. If you arrive at Baker Street, please wait outside the door for a while."

private matter?Lestrade was stunned. He rarely heard similar words from this detective. Although Sherlock Holmes was sometimes arrogant and arrogant, he was always very professional in designing cases. He was the first The first time I saw him not so focused.Lestrade wanted to ask more questions, but saw Holmes strode out in a hurry, the windbreaker was twirling at the door, but the figure had disappeared.

What kind of "private business" would make the usually unflappable Sherlock Holmes so hasty... I hope it's not about that Miss Nora Sharp, who has always been known to be very shrewd and capable--and if shrewd and capable women don't follow If you don't forgive me, it's much more difficult to handle than ordinary gentle and understanding ladies... Lestrade, who is currently pursuing a female store owner, thinks so deeply.