novelraw Chapter 165 Detective is not easy to do 21
Chapter 165 Detective is not easy to do 21
After getting the permission to spend money according to the order, Mary didn't hesitate any more.
In Milton before, and during the confrontation with Blackwood, Mary assisted Holmes in the investigation of the case, so it was a matter of interest and helping the poor.But when she stepped into France and came to Marchenne, she stopped pursuing clues in her personal capacity.The sentence "Mycroft is responsible for all the expenses" does not require Sherlock Holmes to name her, and Mary understands that it is the British government that actually spends the money.
Somewhat cool!
It sounds like the hero in those spy movies, such as 007, wearing a custom suit with a limited watch, driving an extremely coquettish and expensive sports car, everything is still paid by mi6.Mary didn't expect that she would experience the treatment of 007 one day.
She followed Sherlock Holmes and the reporter Harvey back to Massena, and Mary had roughly figured out the countermeasures on the way.
To be a "007", you first need to start with the clothes.
Fortunately, Mary packed all her luggage directly from Paris, which also meant that she brought some clothes that she did not plan to use in the Montsou coal mine—such as dresses, and the clothes that Lydia forced on her. .
Once in Paris, it was like heaven for Lydia.When I accompanied my two younger sisters for sightseeing, I naturally went to millinery shops and women's clothing stores. Even Mary was forced to sell some of the most fashionable styles in Paris.Mary had thought these dresses were going to be stuffed in the bottom of a suitcase, but she didn't expect that they would have an immediate use.
She put on brand new clothes, and the skirt was still the simple color that Mary usually likes, but the decoration and style of the clothes made her look a lot more fashionable.
Although Mary feels that she is not suitable for this style, it is enough to show her identity.
After getting the residence of the general manager from Harvey reporter, Mary went out with her skirt in her hand.
Mr. Enebo, the general manager of Mengsu Coal Mine, was in a state of distress over the strike—no one was off work, and it wasn't just the workers who didn't get paid.The general manager is not an investor. If the company loses money, they will also be jointly and severally liable.In the past few weeks, he has been restless and restless.He suddenly heard a strange lady visit. At first Mr. Enebo thought it was a worker’s wife or daughter who came to beg for an explanation. The general manager just wanted to refuse to see him, but he heard his nephew add: “It seems to be a foreign lady. , she said she wanted to see you on something important."
Foreign lady?
Monsieur Henebo was taken aback, and after thinking hard for a long time, he couldn't think of any "foreign lady" who could come to Marchenne.He was so confused that he could only say, "Please come in...please come to my office."
At first, the general manager thought that his nephew was using some metaphor, but when he saw the visitor, he realized that "foreign lady" is not an adjective, but an attributive.
She was a young girl, dressed very fashionable, her appearance was not outstanding, but her eyes were particularly bright.After seeing Mr. Enebo, she smiled generously, and then said in substandard French: "You are Mr. General Manager? I am Mary Bennet, and I just came from Paris."
"Miss Bennet."
Mr. Enebo was still at a loss: "Excuse me, I just thought about it for a while, and I searched the address book and business cards. I really can't remember any lady surnamed Bennet making an appointment, or ever knowing each other."
"It's normal for you to be confused."
The strange lady nodded: "You and I don't know each other, sir. I was introduced to Mengsu."
Mr. Enebo: "Who?"
"Ms. Irene Adler."
Mr. Enebo was taken aback.
He had also lived in Paris, and had only been working as general manager of the Montsour coal mine for a few years.Who doesn't know a famous soprano of Irene Adler's level?What's more, the general manager also has a wife who is greedy for vanity and luxury, and often goes to the opera house to socialize.Mr. Enebo thought that by leaving Paris, he would distance himself from these Vanity Fairs.
"Then, Miss Bennet," asked Mr. Henebo in surprise, "what did you come to Montsouux from Paris for?"
"Collect materials." The strange lady responded.
Her French is not very good, but her thinking is clear, and she explained her intention of coming in the simplest way in a few words: This Miss Mary Bennet is a female writer from England, who is fledgling but famous.His works have always been praised for focusing on the lives of the poor.
What Mr. Enebo cared about was not her reason for coming, but the cards she showed.
Dressed in fashion, she is also a friend of Ms. Irene Adler, and she even has a long-term friendship with PT Barnum.Mr. Enebo didn't know if she really knew Barnum, but a series of high-society names popped up, and Mr. Enebo remembered the special image of Mary Bennet: rich and nonsense.
"I understand your situation," Mr. Enebo said, "it's just that you came at an inappropriate time, Miss Bennet, and the workers in the Mengsu Coal Mine are on strike now, so I can't take you to visit the miners' village and the mine. "
"Isn't that better?"
The young lady probably didn't understand the environment she was in at all, so she replied casually: "I haven't written about workers' strikes yet, maybe I can."
"..."
Mr. Enebo asked after a moment's silence: "Where are you going to settle, Miss Bennet?"
"That's one of the reasons for my visit, sir."
Mary Bennet said, "I need you to find me a place to stay. I don't want to live in a hotel."
Mr. Enebo: "You need to rent an apartment?"
"It's too troublesome to rent," the lady pouted, "buy it."
"........."
The general manager felt that after sending Miss Bennet away, he had to tell the police in Marchena to pay more attention to the lady's personal safety.Otherwise, if the workers make trouble and implicate her, the little general manager can't afford to provoke her.
"I'll ask for help," said Mr. Enebo. "Since you say that's only one of the reasons, miss, what else do you want?"
"Ah, yes."
The young lady continued: "Although I came to the Mengsu Coal Mine, I don't know anything about it. I don't even know who the coal mine belongs to. It must not belong to you, Mr. Enebo, right?"
"There are many shareholders in the Montsour Coal Mine," the general manager replied, "some are in Paris, and some live nearby. You are young, madam, and you should have a common language with M. Grégoire's daughter."
"Gregoire?"
"Why," the general manager keenly noticed the change in Mary Bennet's expression, "do you know Mr. Gregoire?"
"I heard his name in Paris."
Being able to climb from a poor boy to the position of general manager is enough to prove that Mr. Enebo is not only good at management, but also good at observing words and deeds.One word from Mary Bennet was enough for Mr. Enebo to understand her.
The general manager nodded: "I think Mr. Gregoire will be happy that his daughter has a new friend."
Mary Bennet smiled brightly: "Thank you for your help, sir."
Now the entire Mengsou coal mine is on strike, and the town of Massena is quite depressed. That night, Mr. Enebo found an apartment that was especially suitable for single women in terms of location and decoration, and it also brought furniture.He invited Miss Mary Bennet to see the house in person. The lady from abroad went around and signed the check immediately, which surprised Mr. Enebo again. He dare not underestimate this confident and exaggerated behavior. Girl.
He himself called two unloaders—the only ones in the town who could be hired during the strike—to help Miss Mary Bennet with her luggage.Although her luggage was a lot, it seemed too little for a girl from Paris.
When the two unloaders were carrying things, Manager Enebo stood in the living room with Mary Bennet and said a few words. The girl's words and demeanor were somewhat careless, and to say the least, she was arrogant.But a woman who can become a close friend with Ms. Irene Adler is also worthy of pride. Besides, she is generous, and it is estimated that her family background is also good.
As a foreigner, Mr. Enebo knew nothing about this lady, but fortunately, she also knew about the Monsou Coal Mine.Miss Bennet asked some information about coal mining companies and investors. It was no secret, and she didn't seem particularly curious. Mr. Enebo picked out important information and said.
"All right."
She listened carefully to a part, but gradually lost her patience visible to the naked eye, and at the end simply interrupted Mr. Enebo's explanation: "The luggage is almost there, and I will pay the wages of the workers. Sir, you should go to work on you." business."
After receiving the eviction order, Mr. Enebo didn't say much, but promised to pass a message to Mr. Gregoire as an introducer instead of Miss Bennet, and then politely said goodbye and left.
After Mr. Enebo left, Mary took out a few sou tips and handed them to one of the unloading workers.Then, without waiting for another unloader to react, he closed the apartment door.
The room suddenly became quiet, and Mary let out a long breath.She turned around, leaned against the door panel and asked, "Is there a problem with the investor? I didn't dare to mention Moriarty's name. Even if the general manager doesn't know anything, if he reveals it, it will be easy to startle the snake."
When her words fell to the ground, another unloader in the room straightened his back.
He took off his low-brimmed workman's hat, revealing a thin face and piercing eyes.Sherlock Holmes, who was dressed as a load unloader, nodded: "Your idea is correct, Mary. The investors mentioned by the general manager are indeed living in Paris or from Paris. Now mentioning Professor Moriarty, It’s really easy to scare the snake away.”
"I will go to Grégoire's mansion to inquire," said Marie, "his daughter is a good starting point."
"Best."
After speaking, Holmes glanced at the clock on the wall of the apartment: "It's getting late, you should go to bed as soon as possible."
"What about you?" Mary asked.
Holmes tilted his head, but did not answer.
Mary curled her fingers, and then said, "Do you want to stay?"