"It is true, many people who have been to the forest have seen the golden fairy staring from the other side of the stream. But in an instant, the fairy will disappear. The realm of the faeries is forbidden. If an adult crosses a stream, they will be cursed to death. As for the children, they will never come out again," Knox said in a firm tone as if wanting to warn Holmes and the others not to challenge.

"So… how it different?" Gregson asked, barely covering his thought; what nonsense was this?

"Have you all heard of 'A piper man'?" asked Phillip Gardner.

Holmes and Gregson nodded in acknowledgment. Watson showed no expression.

Lestrade, who took a little longer to think, said,

"Is that a children's folk?"

"Yes, you can say so. But here, it's not just a fairy tale. There really is a man who plays the piper." The vice-principal said. "At night, we will hear the sound of the pipe. Not just once or twice, and every time the pipe sound, the adults have to see if their children are still in bed. The man of the piper called the children into the fairy forest. And if any child goes astray by the song into the forest, the kid will never come out again. As for adults who try to go into the forest to find their children or whatever. If they could come out, they would go crazy and die later."

"So there were many people who went into the forest before and didn't come out?" Holmes asked. By cutting things that can't be proven, like a piper or the forest of the fairies. If there weren't many mysterious disappearances, there would be no such rumors or beliefs.

Langdon Knox nodded with solemn eyes.

"Every year, there are rowdy students who escape from school to play in the forest and never come back. And when it is a forest area, some adults go to cut trees, collect forest products, or hunt. But all the people who went in and came out became mad. Talk nonsense or get sick and die in no time."

"That's like a local cop…." Gregson frowned. "But why is it that only adults are mad? But the children didn't come back. Has there ever been a case of reverse or not?"

The two teachers looked at each other, pondering their memories. After several seconds of silence, Langdon Knox spoke slowly.

"From the past, as far as I can remember… No."

"Watson, what are your thoughts?" Holmes asked his partner.

"I think this place is abnormal. Even if we don't count on adults that they come out crazy. But the school for young children is located next to the edge of the deep forest. Despite the case that the student had disappeared. But strangely, there are no fences to protect students' safety."

In other words, this school is very lax. Watson's honest comments were like a harsh slap on the school administrators' faces. This caused the faces of the Headmaster and Vice-Principal at this moment to instantly became irritated.

And at that moment, someone's voice answered Watson's words.

"School Rule No. 3 prohibits leaving the school territory without permission. School rule number 5 is strictly prohibited from approaching Epping Forest. The school rules clearly state that entering the forest is prohibited. The school's teachers were constantly reminded of the dangers of children entering the forest. Students who do not follow the rules, ignoring the teacher's warning, and despite the case of the example, will still stubbornly sneak into the forest again. Considered that the child was not qualified to learn."

Holmes and the others turned to look at the owner of a stern voice. He was a man dressed in lavish fashion. Looking at the wrinkles on his face, his age was probably over forty. The cold, sharp eyes that stared at them as he spoke were both wise and terrifying at the same time.

"Lord Walther…" Principal Knox said in surprise. "Why did you come here, I thought…."

Newcomer raising his hand

"This Scotland Yard team came from London to help. As a host, how can I lose my manners for them to meet?"

Saying this, the man turned towards the Holmes, bowing his head politely slightly.

"Nice to meet you. I... Lord Tommen Walther Sr., the school's director and landowner."

Lestrade and Gregson shake hands with Lord Walther and introduce Holmes and Watson, who are the adviser of the case.

"The investigative reputation of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I always read in the newspapers. It's such an honor to meet you here. Hopefully, your talents can help unravel the mystery that has happened here." Lord Walther joins hands with Holm and Watson.

"I will use all my abilities to find your family back," Holmes said with a smile. His eyes flashed earnestly.

"Thank you, I'll be looking forward to good news from all of you." Lord Walther nodded his head solemnly.

Holmes narrowed his eyes, and Lestrade turned to make eye contact with Gregson. Lord Tommen Walther Sr. had a cold, unchanging look on his face, unlike the man whose brother and son had vanished.

"Lord Walther. If it's not disturbing, we would like to inquire about the whole incident," said Gregson.

........................................................................

Because of this, Lord Walther invited Holmes and the others to talk in the office. Principal Knox also sat down to talk. But Vice-Principal Gardner has a class to teach, so he can't give the detail.

"Please start with the case of Mr. Jonathan Walther. What happened to him?" Lestrade fired the first question to Lord Walther. A serious expression like hounds' eyes ready to hunt flashed again on Lestrade's face. Holmes felt that he hadn't seen a look like this in a long time. Today the inspector has more fire than ever, same as the hawk-sharp eyes staring at the prey from above in Gregson's eyes.

"Jonathan is my brother, four years younger, and works as a math teacher at this school," the Lord replied in a flat tone. "Usually, he sleeps at school like any other teacher. what happened to him, I also heard from Principal Knox."

Lord Walther's sharp eyes turned towards Principal Langdon Knox. The principal slightly nodded and continued to explain.

"On Tuesday, He didn't teach in the class. The teachers then went looking for him. But they can't find him anywhere in the school. Until Barton, the janitor came to tell me that it was early in the morning when he saw Mr. Walther walking into the forest but didn't come back. So I asked people to look around, but couldn't find him, so I called the police," the tall, thin figure explained.

"It means that Mr. Jonathan Walther was the first adult to go into the forest and not come out insane. But disappeared like children, right?"

Holmes noted Principal Knox nodded in agreement.

"Well… it is as you said."

"The belief of the fairy forest, I don't care," Lord Walther said flatly, referring to his attitude. The time flew by in an instant before Gregson asked further questions.

"The police who is in charge ...Harry Hilde, what happened to him?"

The only person who could answer was Principal Knox.

"After reporting, Mr. Hilde brought his men to find Mr. Walther in the forest. I had told him that the Epping Forest was very wide. To enter must took our janitor, Barton, who familiar too." The principal’s eyebrows began to furrow. "But after several hours of searching, they couldn't find him. The police then returned. The next day, police brought more people to find by expanding the search circle, yet still not found. Until Friday..."

Langdon Knox's eyes trembled slightly.

"At that time, the teachers and students were playing sports outside. Saw Mr. Hilde staggering out of the forest. All the clothes are ragged. Then suddenly, he fell to the ground. The teachers helped to take him to the doctor. During that time, the policeman was ranting. His eyes widened like a mad man, his fever was high, and a few hours later, he was shocked to death… Until now, I don't know when he entered the forest. And the more I don't understand why he went in alone."

Knox shook his head in disappointment and did not understand.

"What ranting nonsense talk? What was he talking about?" Holmes asked.

"He keeps saying sorry. He's wrong. Don't do this to him. Something like this. But what he said and can understand the most was he cries about his father. It's as if… he goes to see his father who has died ten years ago." Knox frowned with a puzzled expression on his face. While slowly composing the words into sentences.

Holmes listened to the story with a very thoughtful and inquisitive look on his face. Just as the two inspectors furrowed their brows, followed by a serious expression on their faces.

"Looks like the other person who knows the details is a janitor named Barton," Watson said.

"Yes, he is well versed in the paths in the forest. If you guys are going to ask him, I'll call him in a moment," said Principal Knox and began to stand up. But Lestrade raised his hand to stop him.

"You don't have to follow him. We will go into the forest soon and will interrogate him while he guides." Gregson was the one who explained the purpose of Lestrade Holmes and Watson.

"Alright." Knox nodded and sat down. The thin figure's face radiated unhappiness. "I have said it many times. But please be careful. Do not enter the forest on your own. And do not cross the stream at all."

Probably because he didn't want the incident to repeat Mr. Hilde again. Principal Knox then repeated it over and over again.

"When looking for Mr. Walther, didn't the polices cross the stream?" asked Sherlock Holmes.

Langdon Knox nodded vigorously.

"Of course, every people here knew. Mr. Walther, too. But Epping Forest is very spacious even if we don't cross the stream; it's really tough to find."

Scotland Yard then questioned about Tommen Walther Jr., the Lord's son who shares the same name as his father.

"I have Tommen attend school and behave like the rest of the students," Lord Walther said in a low voice, with a calm face as before. "Yesterday, I was informed by Knox that Tommen had disappeared from his bedroom. Until now, I still haven't found him."

The Lord's answer raised the doubts of Holmes and the rest.

"Well, about this. Yesterday morning the student slept in the same room as Tommen Junior has come to report that he is missing," said Principal Knox with an embarrassed expression on his face.

"We searched all over the school but couldn't find him. Plus, Tommen's bed was the innermost bed next to the second-floor window, and the students in the same room said in one voice that at night they couldn't hear Tommen walking past their bed to get out the door. It was assumed that he may climb out of the window because the outer wall was entwined with vines. Did he go into the forest or the others place? I still cannot come to a clear conclusion."

The inquiry is over. Principal Langdon leads Holmes, Watson, Lestrade, and Gregson to a janitor named Barton to guide them through the forest. As for the school director, Lord Walther, after finishing the conversation, he returned to the mansion. Leaving only coldness, he was clearly indifferent about the disappearance of his brother Jonathan Walther or his son Tommen Walther Jr. as if not caring whether his family would live or die.