Around 7:00 p.m. the next day in front of the hotel.

Sherlock Holmes and partner John H. Watson step down from the chariot in unusual clothes and accessories.

Holmes wore a navy-blue tuxedo and a top hat adorned with feathers. The right chest is decorated with golden wings—half of his face hidden behind a golden mask. Watson wore a black tuxedo on his chest with feather tassels. And because he has outstanding silver hair, he chose to wear a contrasting black mask. These striking fancy costumes come courtesy of Miss Hudson, who has a super fun time dressed them.

'Invitation to a fancy masquerade party.'

Yesterday after Holmes came home, he sent Watson an invitation from The True Watcher. After they both had a very few words conversation for days. Today is the first time that they have really had a conversation. But with Watson, he didn't mind Holmes at all. Watson took the card to read and sure that this party must be something to pull Holmes out of that extreme research.

'The event has tomorrow night. The news seller said I had to bring you in order to attend.' Holmes said with a frustrating expression, 'The True Watcher showed a special interest in you. You have to be careful,'

'Holmes, what is a fancy mask party,' asks Watson. He reads the details of the event; it is stipulated that the participants must wear masks. He kind of understands the human constantly gathering to social party. But don't understand why they have to wear a mask.

'Wear a mask so that you don't have to show your face or remember who the other person is. Some people think this makes it look mysterious or arousing, but this is not just that ... ' Holmes explains. 'This is an underground social masquerade party.'

The large banquet hall is adorned with red and gold tones include dark black, which evokes mystery. There is a dance floor inside. In one corner, the band played a famous alluring song. Close to the tables where food and drinks, there are gentlemen and ladies dressed in beautiful evening gowns. Everyone was wearing masks talking with smiles.

"Actually, I have just been to something like this for the first time. Normally I only heard from James or Rufus. Those two are frequently invited." Sherlock Holmes received a drink Watson brought.

"This kind of party is neither inviting nor welcoming to people associated with Scotland Yard, same as journalists or detectives. Since my face was quite well-known, if I hadn't put on a mask, I would have been fired by the organizer."

"Hmm, this is the benefit of the mask," Watson nodded.

"Yeah, people who come here don't want others to know they've come," Holmes carefully observes the surrounding people. As he knows, the main goal of this event is not the chitchat party.

"Watson This Way."

Holmes nodded as a signal and walked toward a corner of the event. The red curtain that was pulled down halfway blocked the small door. Here is a point that ordinary people who do not know before will not care. Think of it as a door for the staff to take out food and drinks. When opening the door, the noise and the smell of the food can be heard. On the other side is a walkway to the basement.

Watson followed Holmes down a stone staircase lit by a short candle. Until he saw a pair of well-carved brass doors, Watson heard the noise of many people inside.

"The underground auction," explains Holmes. "The real purpose of the Masquerade Party is to participate in auctions for strange or rare items, depending on which people will sell."

When the double door was opened, it was discovered that there was still another ground floor in this basement. It was as if Holmes and Watson were now standing on the mezzanine, not under the ground. When looking down through the balustrade made of carved wood, the spot lit up is a semicircular stage.

In the center of the stage, visible from the top, is a clear glass cabinet, albino turtle inside—one rare animal caused by a genetic disorder. The host, standing next to the cabinet, spoke the number of the bidders. When no one raised the price tag, the host reiterated the last price three times and gave a closing bell. Perhaps the albino turtle was not as attractive as it could have been, so the auction was over in a short time.

"The next product might shock the fearful ones. Please prepare your heart well. Meet the only one in the world, The Snake Boy !!!"

Along with the shouting of the host. Two assistants pushed the cage with wheels to the center of the stage. Inside, a boy with no clothes, approximately four to five years old, the skin from the cheeks to the torso and limbs appeared jade-green scales like snake scales. The hilarity and whistling sound from the masked crowd sitting waiting for the auction.

"I ensure that this is the real thing. This boy had snake-scaled skin since birth. It can be touched without being toxic. Or will take it to set up any show, as you please. Today's bidder will get this cage for free. Prices start at 'A thousand pounds'. Two thousand coming, two thousand five. The way is three thousand. Oh, that gentleman, five thousand. Five thousand five already."

Watson looked at the humans scrambling to raise the price tag. Some of the people not participating in the auction giggled and pointed at the child in the cage. A disgusting look was evident through their eyes clearly. The green eyes looked at the boy who was sitting in a cage hugging his knees. He thought if a human finds out that he was not a human, he would have to go into that cage, look at the humans, laugh, scramble, bid for themselves."

The mask is to hide the real face of the people who participate in this kind of auction," said Holmes in a calm tone. "Even if they don't wear real masks, humans usually wear unseen masks that hide their true minds from social standing. This type of event is intended to satisfy the true identity of certain groups of people. "

"But it is a business ... that has a good profit."

A woman's sweet voice interrupted between Holmes and Watson. Holmes looked at the charming smile of the long red-haired woman wearing a golden mask. And looking down at the crimson evening dress, he saw a Chinese paintbrush brooch.

"That child was sold by his real mother for a hundred pounds. Even with the deduction of the money that was given to the auction, it was still a pretty profit," said the young woman, as she was taking the conversation. Brown eyes are neither sympathetic nor pity.

"The True Watcher, you're so beautiful tonight," says Holmes. No matter the gender of the new seller's true identity, The True Watcher tonight's identity is an outstanding young lady. Her beauty, gestures, and way of speaking have the charm to spell others to comply.

"How dear how gentleman you are. It is an honor to receive your compliment. Tonight, you are very handsome as well. Even if your face is languishing, it looks pale, like you've lack of sleep for many nights. HuHu ... wouldn't you introduce a handsome guy who came with you for me? " A young lady in red turned her eyes toward Watson and giggle.

"He's my partner, John H. Watson," said Holmes, answer what the asking already knew.

"Hmmm, your partner is very overprotective don't you think," the True Watcher, in a charming young woman, said to Watson, holding his arm, pulling the silver-haired man close. Then look at Sherlock Holmes sideways,

"Why don't you go looking for a woman with the same hair and eye color as you?" And let me lend this handsome guy for the night."

"That matter, Watson will make the decision," said Holmes, tapping his hat in his goodbyes once and leaving.

"What do you say, Mr. Watson," said the True Watcher. Watson looked down at the clinging arm with expressionless eyes. Then coldly shook the woman's arm.