Chapter 508: 508

Chapter 508 Closing in on the Truth

Holmes decided not to tell the Prime Minister what happened that night .

Zhang Heng had no objections, but Villard felt differently about it-he thought that it was not very gentleman-like since it meant using the prime minister as bait . But since he wasn’t a British citizen, he felt it wasn’t his place to make any comments . So, in the end, Holmes got what he wanted .

The Baker Street Irregulars were summoned once again . This time, Holmes made an appearance himself . During the day, he would dress up as a cobbler, setting up a booth nearby the prime minister’s residence . At night, he played a drunk on the streets .

Two days later, he managed to make four shillings from repairing shoes, but still, no sign of the elusive Prussian .

Even so, Holmes didn’t get perturbed at all . He only slept three hours a day, yet still seemed to be filled with energy, even in the mood to play the violin when he had the time .

Zhang Heng and Villard, on the other hand, spent their time stomping in the belly of London’s pubs and fighting clubs, hoping to find the perpetrator . To their disappointment, like Holmes, neither of them yielded anything . Then, on the morning of the third day, Zhang Heng received unexpected news that Holmes was arrested .

He rushed to the police station, accompanied by Villard . The private detective was found seated on a bench, chin resting on his hands, and seemingly deep in thought . Zhang Heng completed the bail procedure, and Holmes was subsequently released .

Holmes collected a shoe brush and toolbox from the police officer and walked out of the pound without saying a word . This worried Zhang Heng and Villard .

The moment he got into the carriage, Holmes broke into a fit of laughter . “Hah! It appears that I’ve underestimated our opponent!”

“Huh?”

“It’s all rather embarrassing,” Holmes sighed . “I haven’t been this abashed in such a long time . I went there to spy on them, but instead, I was found out and given a good beating . Someone informed the officer patrolling on that street that a suspicious individual had been seen outside the prime minister’s residence . Thus, I was arrested . I’m well acquainted with the police, but since this involves the prime minister, they weren’t able to release me immediately, except on bail, of course . ”

“They saw through your disguise?”

“Rather, it had been all a trap since the beginning,” said Holmes . “It’s safe to say that we’ve been targeted . Probably because we attempted to find the Prussian based on the information we had on the night at the opera . But the enemy clearly did their homework as well, and boy, did they do pretty well . It appears they now know where we stay and what I do . They have been monitoring us, and what happened today must have been a warning directed to me…”

“Warning?”

“Yes . It seems they do not wish for me to be involved,” lamented Holmes . “But at the same time, it means we’re very close to the truth . ”

“Sorry to interrupt,” The French detective scratched his head, “but did I miss something? Haven’t these two days been unfruitful? Why are we suddenly close to the truth?”

“I don’t know yet, but we must have done something these past few days that made them nervous . I’ve been trying to determine what it is even before you came,” Holmes said .

He reached into his pocket, only to find his pipe was missing . Where did it go? Oh yeah, he had changed his clothes earlier .

Villard quickly took out his own pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered Holmes a stick using both hands .

“Don’t worry . Let me think about it a little bit more,” said Holmes, taking in a long drag .

As Holmes mulled over the issue, Zhang Heng recollected the events during the past few days to see if he had missed anything . It wasn’t long before the two looked at each other and cried Eureka! almost simultaneously . “What is it???”

Villard was burning with curiosity, wishing so badly that he could just climb into the brains of Zhang Heng and Holmes .

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Holmes asked Zhang Heng .

Zhang Heng looked at Villard .

“You mentioned that all of Mr . M’s crimes were committed in France . This indicates he is very likely a Frenchman . ”

“And Carmen is a French opera…”

“…yes, that’s all true . ” The French detective frowned . “So?”

“Carmen first premiered in Paris before London, and Mr . M happens to be here in London at the same time,” replied Zhang Heng . “Could it be just a coincidence?” “Hold on . Are you inferring that Mr . M is connected to the opera troupe?” “That would explain why they were so nervous,” said Zhang Heng . “…nervous because we showed up the opera,” Holmes continued . “They must have thought that we were close to finding Mr . M . ”

“I’m going to pay Ms . Adler a visit and see if any of the troupe members are French and had arrived in London recently,” Zhang Heng announced .

Half an hour later, Zhang Heng arrived at Irene Adler’s place . After Zhang Heng reported his name, the housekeeper welcomed him, telling him to wait in the living room . Upon entering the house, he heard someone playing the piano on the second floor .

“Ms . Adler is practicing . Please wait a moment,” said the housekeeper . “Alright . ”

Zhang Heng sat himself down on a sofa while the housekeeper made him a cup of tea . After about a quarter of an hour, the music stopped, and the opera songstress emerged from the stairs .

“Look who’s here! It appears we have an extraordinary guest, Mr . Zhang Heng,” Irene quipped . The white dress she was in today made her look like a blooming lily .

Knowing how perspicacious irene could be, Zhang Heng went straight to the point and related everything to her .

The opera singer looked stunned . “It all makes sense now . You left that night because of this case . ”

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“I hope you won’t take any offense, Ms . Adler . ”

“Irene . Just call me Irene,” answered the singer . “How could I blame a man who works so hard to make London a safer place for all of us?”

“It’s strictly a pro bono job,” said Zhang Heng . “So, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it a hobby . ”

“That makes it even more admirable, doesn’t it?” said Irene . Sitting adjacent to Zhang Heng, she poured herself a cup of tea .

“The person you’re looking for actually exists . He’s the troupe’s French consultant . During rehearsals, he only communicates with the team through telegrams, but the London premiere is of great importance, so he came here all the way from France . I must say though, that I don’t fancy him very much . He might appear humble on the surface, but I can tell how he’s a very proud man, constantly looking down on people—women especially . Of course, he’s very good at his job; but unfortunately, he’s not the smartest person in the troupe-as he would like to think . ”

Chapter 509 Case Over

“Yuri, he asked me to have dinner with him before, but I rejected him. He probably thought that I was the same as those women from the French opera troupe that allowed him to do whatever that pleased him,” said Irene Adler while putting down the teacup in her hand. “I can give you Yuri’s address, and I can even ask him out for you, but what good is it for me?”

“What do you want?” Zhang Heng asked. “Hmm…I haven’t figured it out yet.” Irene blinked.

“Let me know after you figure out what you want.”

“Sounds good to me,” replied Irene Adler. “In this case, Yuri is yours.”

At the Royal Hotel.

Irene was sitting opposite a French man looking to be about 40 years old. The latter was going on about Paris’s artistic atmosphere and how many outstanding artists were born there. Irene Adler was looking at the man with admiration, greatly elating the Frenchman.

“It’s a pity that Bizet is no longer there. I can introduce other plays to you, though. I have many contacts from the Paris Music Festival, so if you get tired of staying in London and coming to Paris, please contact me.”

“Oh, you think too highly of me! I can only speak a few French words. It would be hard getting used to Paris, let alone singing there.”

“It’s okay. Language can be learned,” Yuri wiped his mouth with a napkin. “You are very talented. Whether your appearance or singing skills, once you have mastered French, and coupled with my resources, you will be the best in Paris. You will also become one of the few female singers who have succeeded in France and England.”

Irene burst into a giggle when she heard the words, seemingly yearning for the beautiful reality depicted by Yuri. She then raised her glass in her hand and said, “Please, forgive me for being rude. I didn’t know you were this funny and interesting. You are completely different from other men that I have met!”

“At my age, nothing more is left except for a little experience and a bad sense of humor.”

Yuri laughed at himself and raised the glass in his hand. He had always been polite, making him hard to fault. When his eyes flashed over Irene’s chest, he could feel that an imperceptible heat ignited him.

His experience told him that his remarks should have conquered Adler’s heart. He assumed she was now completely mesmerized by the beautiful prospects that he portrayed, meaning that he was about to get what he wanted-maybe even as soon as tonight.

Yuri was pleased when he noticed that Irene had taken the initiative to drink first. Once she became drunk here, he could…

Instead of that, Yuri felt dizzy first. He knew the amount of alcohol he just consumed, and never before had he gotten drunk only after two sips. Yuri immediately realized that there must have been a problem with the wine. His heart sank.

Despite all that, he didn’t suspect Irene, believing that some other enemies must have targeted him. It was also a common mistake made by most men:

Underestimating women. Even a powerful character like Sherlock Holmes could have fallen for Irene Adler. This time, the famous Mr. M was no exception. Yes, yearned badly for the attention of the people around him to help him, but he was also a cautious man. Even on a date, his bodyguard would tag along. A few seconds later, his head fell into in Irene’s arms.

“Oh, Mr. Yuri, you look a little drunk. It’s fine. I will send you back,” Irene purred gently.

She then called the waiter and asked him to go downstairs to call for a carriage. Holmes, disguised as a coachman, walked into the restaurant behind the waiter and carried Yuri to the carriage with Irene.

The bodyguard at the other table was lost. Uncertain if Yuri was drunk or about to be taken advantage of by that woman, he stayed in his spot. Yuri had already been carried downstairs by that time. The bodyguard hurriedly paid the bill, but the carriage was already gone when he came out of the restaurant.

Suddenly, someone patted him on the shoulder.

Zhang Heng and Villard quickly sandwiched him.

A week had passed since the brewing of the oil painting case. Holmes’s tactics of capturing the mastermind behind the criminal organization had been a great success. All members of Mr. M’s gang were found and arrested. The viscount retrieved the missing oil paintings from his porcelain vase, and Villard had safely returned to France.

However, Holmes still needed to figure out a way to deal with Mr. M, a mastermind of countless crimes comitted. Hence, it made him a criminal. Strangely, for all the crimes he committed, none of his victims dared to speak up or report the crime. In other words, it was difficult to convict him through legal means.

When Yuri woke up, he realized that he had fallen into a trap. However, he noticed that Holmes could not do anything with him. In the end, Zhang Heng was the one that managed to force him to unveil information of his acomplices. After Mr. M swore he would never return to London, and Sherlock Holmes allowed him a safe return to France.

Zhang Heng too had gained something after this case. The ‘criminal investigation’ skill appeared on his character panel, something that could be regarded as a reward for studing this period’s cases and participating in an investigation in person. In addition, apprehending Mr. M earned him 15 game points.

That said, the main task he cared about the most was still unfinished. Zhang Heng initially thought that with Irene’s help, he would be the first to discover Mr. M’s true identity. In fact, it was exactly how this case ended, but the system didn’t seem to recognize this result.

Zhang Heng guessed that it was because Holmes was the one that made most of the deductions. And in the end, it was also Holmes’s deduction that spooked Mr. M. After that, the two thought of the opera troupe at about the same time. Hence, the system didn’t recognize Zhang Heng as the first to find the criminal.

Naturally, Zhang Heng became a little resentful, but he wasn’t too upset. At least, he’d now figured out the way to win this game. And he saw the hope of winning. Although this wasn’t an easy path to go down, time was still on his side, fortunately. After this case, he came to the realization that Holmes was only human and could make mistakes. His self-correction ability was terrible to the point he managed to see through Mr. M’s defenses in the oil painting case.

In the end, Zhang Heng always felt that there was another reason why Holmes chose to release Mr. M. He had asked Holemes about this before, to which Holmes only replied with a smile. After that, he reproduced his violin.

“I’d like to listen to “Carmen” again. It is indeed a good opera show. Your friend, Miss Adler’s performance, is lovely. I’m fond of one of the sessions. Let me play for you right now.”