I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Chapter 279

Pei Xiang is currently not sure whether this Mr. Ashley Wilkes who appeared in Liverpool is the one she knows, and he is not in a hurry to confirm.

Because whatever his background, he was a customer in the store first, and the second known unlucky person to lose his wallet after leaving the House of Thorns.

"Maybe someone else had their wallet stolen, but they didn't come to the store to look for it," Pei Xiang thought to himself, "But no matter what, if there are frequent thefts in this area, it will be bad for the nearby shops and residents."

Pei Xiang decided to solve this trouble, but she didn't want to waste too much time on the sidelines, who knows how many days later the other party's next move will be?

—I don't want to be wandering the streets all the time.

"White, you can go to the Durva Watch Shop on Castle Street for me, and ask Old Durva's slick grandson, which tavern or casino Gray Wolf Morris likes to spend time in recently."

The clerk White took the change from Pei Xiang and asked in a low voice:

"Miss Lucy, are you going to ask Gray Wolf Morris to help you deal with that nasty little thief?"

"Well, we can't go on like this forever," Pei Xiang snorted softly, "this area was originally the territory of Gray Wolf Morris, and he knew who committed crimes under his nose. It would be easier for us to talk to him directly , and the wallet of Mr. Wilkes can be recovered as soon as possible. If it is a few days later, the stolen things will be out of hands."

White hesitated and wanted to persuade a few more words.Because Gray Wolf Morris had always had a big appetite, it would inevitably cost a lot of money to ask him for help.

Pei Xiang waved his hand, urging White to find Duval Jr. for information, and she knew the rest.

Seeing this, White had no choice but to take the order and leave.

After that, he successfully inquired about the recent whereabouts of Gray Wolf Morris.

"Playing cards at Harpy's?"

"Yes, that's what Little Duval said," White complained with some distress for the money to buy the news, "Miss Lucy, actually, I don't need Little Duval to say, I can guess the Harpy's Tavern. In the past two years, the reputation of Harpy's Tavern has become very famous. Which Liverpool man with some money in his pocket would not want to have a drink or two at Harpy's Tavern? Gray Wolf Morris is no exception."

Pei Xiang knew the reason and asked: "Why is Harpy's Tavern becoming more and more famous? Is it because the drinks there are good and cheap? But I heard that some rich kids are willing to go there for entertainment."

White replied casually: "The wine in Harpy's Tavern is indeed good, but the price is not cheap. If you want to say that the quality is cheap, you have to go to Little John Brothers. However, who made old Harpy marry a coquettish wife? My wife has a hot and beautiful younger sister... Oh, look at what I'm talking about, that, Miss Lucy, I'm going to tidy up the bookshelves."

Before the words were finished, White ran away in a panic, for fear that Pei Xiang would continue to ask the secret of the prosperous business of Happy's Tavern.

Pei Xiang didn't make things difficult for his clerk, and went about his own business with a smile.

As night fell, the Harpy's Tavern in Little Grington Lane was brightly lit, and amidst the bustle and bustle, gamblers, drunks, playboys and all kinds of indulgent people laughed wantonly.

Compared with the noisy lobby on the first floor, the environment on the second floor is a little quieter.

Gray Wolf Morris easily won the game again. He leaned back with a cigarette in his mouth, and at the same time pushed away the tired woman beside him, feeling a little bored.

At this time, a young man who appeared near him at some point gave a sudden laugh, then dragged a chair and sat across the card table.

"Mr. Morris, want a game? I promise you will lose so much that you forget the boredom."

There was silence all around.

Gray Wolf Morris narrowed his eyes and looked at this provocative person who suddenly appeared:

He is a young man in his twenties, with beautiful blue eyes and slender white hands. He is neatly dressed and looks a bit obedient. He is out of place in this smoky Harpy tavern with its mixed dragons and snakes.

Before Gray Wolf Morris could speak, the subordinates beside him became furious.Hearing a sound of "stab, bang, bang", the half-bearded Ruby knocked over the chair and jumped up. He waved his huge fist and punched the young man's handsome face directly.

Seeing this, the people around showed gloating smiles, knowing that this young man who knows nothing about the heights of the sky and the earth is going to suffer a lot today.However, as soon as their idea was formed, it was immediately defeated by the real scene in reality.

——Not only was the slender and fair young man not beaten to the ground, but he easily resisted Ruby's big fist, and then knocked him to the ground.

"Mr. Morris, I'm James Hoffman, and I'm here to ask you a favor."

Pei Xiang, who subdued a strong man casually, looked at Gray Wolf Morris with a smile, and unhurriedly explained his intention:

"I opened a small shop near the green park, and the business is still able to make ends meet, but recently I have encountered some small troubles, for example, after the guests leave the 'House of Thorns', they always have their wallets stolen. I think Will Mr. Morris help me catch that little thief who disturbed my business?"

After witnessing Pei Xiang's force value with his own eyes, Gray Wolf Morris sat up straight and put away the indifference in his eyes.

"Mr. Hoffman, you should know my rules." The snake's voice was cold and gloomy.

"I know, you don't necessarily have to do things if you collect money, but as long as you win Mr. Morris at the poker table openly, you can become your loyal friend."

"It seems that Mr. Hoffman is very confident."

Pei Xiang raised his chin, he didn't bother to go around in circles and try to deal with it, but directly wrote:

"Compare? I won, and I asked my friend, Mr. Morris, to do me a little favor; you won, and I, James Hoffman, will do one thing for you."

"What can you do for me, young man?"

Pei Xiang pulled out a sharp dagger from his waist, raised his wrist slightly, and before everyone could react, the sharp blade was like a silver lightning, and it was inserted into the door frame not far away with a "duo" sound:

"Everything within my power."

Gray Wolf's eyes were condensed, he licked his lips excitedly, looked "James Hoffman" from head to toe again, and then accepted Pei Xiang's bet with anticipation...

After more than two hours, there was silence near the poker table.Some people held their breath and secretly looked at the face of Gray Wolf Morris, and some people were obsessed with the winning or losing of the game and breathed heavily. Obviously, this stalemate atmosphere has lasted for a long time.

——Until Morris suddenly laughed and threw away the cards in his hand.

"You won, my friend, yes, you gave me a very interesting evening."

Whispers gradually sounded all around, and then there was the sound of clinking wine glasses, the coquettish laughter of the hostesses, the muttering and shouting of drunks... All kinds of voices gradually regrouped into a stream, setting off a new round of turmoil and activity.

Pei Xiang smiled slightly, without arrogance or impetuosity:

"I also feel hearty. Playing cards with Mr. Morris is a kind of enjoyment. I haven't expected to be favored by the goddess of luck at the poker table for a long time, because those people are vulnerable and can easily To win. And Mr. Morris put a lot of pressure on me."

These words made Gray Wolf Morris, who has always been proud of his poker skills, feel better. He sipped a few sips of spirits and said loudly:

"You can really talk, James, but the words come out of your mouth, it's fucking comforting, haha, only you have the qualifications, brother."

While talking, he waved his hand towards the strong man named Ruby, and raised his voice and said:

"Go and bring the person James is looking for. By the way, warn the boys of the Lila gang not to put your hands on that one in the future. Hey, brother, what is the name of your store?"

"'Briber House,' near Shady Park and Castle Street."

"Okay, 'House of Thorns,' Ruby, go get someone."

"Okay, boss."

Ruby rubbed her nose, turned and strode away.

Pei Xiang conveniently handed over the money he won tonight to the girl who poured wine for him, in exchange for a hotter wink from the other party.

Then, she had to lean back slightly to avoid the girl's grateful kiss, her expression at that moment was really embarrassed and shy.

The jerky performance of this young boy immediately caused a burst of laughter, especially the laughter of Gray Wolf Morris.

Everyone saw that she was a sophisticated and calm person, with excellent martial arts and poker skills, so it was inevitable that they were a little apprehensive in their hearts.But at this time, he suddenly discovered that this person also has things that he is not good at dealing with, and it is still about women.

This instantly satisfied the secret vanity of some men, and their gazes towards Pei Xiang became much closer.

Pei Xiang pursed his lips and pushed away the trembling laughing hostess, seemingly flustered and embarrassed, but in fact, he calmly caught a familiar voice from the laughter of many people.

She looked towards the door casually, and met a pair of interested black eyes.

— Rhett?This guy is here too?

——Oh, by the way, this is Harpy's Tavern, and it's not surprising that men from all over the city come here.

——No, if George Rexar appeared in this kind of place, it would probably be the headline of tomorrow's tabloids, right?

Captain Butler had actually stood there for a while.

As soon as he arrived at the tavern tonight, he heard many people discussing that there was a young man named James Hoffman on the second floor who was challenging Gray Wolf Morris. He was startled at the time.

As an old friend of the Hoffman brothers and sisters, Rhett Butler naturally knew who the so-called James Hoffman was.

To be honest, he also personally taught "James Hoffman" how to drink, play cards and pretend to be a man to flirt. For this reason, the angry Edward almost broke up the friendship.But he never expected that the "apprentice" he taught would be so bold.

I haven't seen her for a few days, so she dares to challenge the leader of the gang?

When Rhett Butler went upstairs to find Pei Xiang, Pei Xiang was fighting fiercely with Gray Wolf Morris at the card table and had no time for him.He had no choice but to quietly watch the winning and losing results at the poker table among the spectators, and at the same time broke into a cold sweat for his friend.

When Pei Xiang finally won and did not make Gray Wolf Morris feel disgusted and hostile, Rhett was secretly relieved, and had extra thoughts to appreciate her performance.

At this moment, seeing Pei Xiang looking over, Butler grinned at her, and then quietly turned and left.

Pei Xiang withdrew his gaze without any abnormality, and continued to deal with the shrewd gray wolf Morris.

After a few glasses of ice wine, the two chatted about the topic, from the temptation of the general talk to the recognition of similar views, the more they chatted, the more speculative they were.

Time passed gradually, until the big Ruby returned with a thin man in black, and the conversation between Pei Xiang and Morris came to an end.

"Boss, I asked. This is the guy who recently did something near the green park. All the things he stole today are here. Take a look."

Pei Xiang looked down at the thief who was thrown to the ground by Ruby, and found that he must have been beaten severely.His face was smeared with blood and mud, and one arm was hanging at an obviously wrong angle, apparently dislocated or broken.

"James, this is the person you want, and I'll leave it to you."

"Thank you. Without your help, Morris, I might have spent more time finding him."

"Haha, you..."

Before Gray Wolf Morris could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a few sudden gunshots, followed by short screams and the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground not far away.

Almost at the same moment, all the strong men near the card table showed vigilant expressions. They stood up one after another to be on guard, and some of them immediately touched the weapons on their waists.

"The gunshots are very close to us," Pei Xiang made the first judgment, and she listened for a while before whispering, "Two groups of people ran out from the second floor."

Morris winked at an unremarkable subordinate, who immediately walked out.

After about ten minutes, the investigator returned.

His expression was a little strange, and he leaned into Gray Wolf Morris's ear and whispered:

"There is a nobleman in the corner room, and there are some unfamiliar men who seem to be from America. The gunshots sounded from that room. The nobleman said that someone was going to assassinate him, and his followers had already chased him. go out."

After listening to his subordinate's report, Morris raised his eyelids and glanced at Pei Xiang, thinking that the other party might not be able to hear the conversation between him and his subordinate, but he still took a few steps outside before asking:

"Which nobleman? The gunfire has been going on for so long, why didn't the tavern owner come upstairs to explain?"

"The old happi was detained, and the other party asked him to explain who went up to the second floor tonight, but the old happy couldn't tell at all. He had been busy downstairs collecting money before. Boss, I quietly I asked Lilia, who was in charge of delivering the wine, and she said that she vaguely heard the person inside calling out Lord Pepys."

"Lord Pepys?" Gray Wolf Morris was thoughtful. "It is said that he has close contacts with old Harpy's wife and sister. It is not surprising that he appears here. But, which of Pepys' enemies wants to assassinate him?"

"Boss, I didn't find out. Maybe it wasn't about the assassination of Lord Pepys, or maybe those gringos got in trouble, you know, Americans, tsk tsk . . . "

Gray Wolf Morris shook his head, feeling confused for a moment.But at present, the gunshots tonight have little to do with him, so there is no need for him to rush to find out the truth.

Pei Xiang, who was not far away, had some thoughts after hearing clearly the conversation between Morris and his subordinates.

She always remembered what Captain Butler had said that day.He said that some notables from the American South had come to England, and the great manor named Jones was among them.

She then remembered Ashley Wilkes whom she had met in the "Briber House".

—British aristocrats, American Southern slaveholders, popular taverns with people coming and going, and sudden gunshots...

At this time, a rush of footsteps came from the stairs, and then, someone shouted loudly:

"Lieutenant Knight, Sergeant Adolf, why are you two here? Oh, you brought so many people with you, what happened?"

"Sheriff, come and have a drink too... Uh-huh, you, you go away, I'm not drunk..."

"Quiet!"

A loud and powerful serious voice came from the corridor:

"Hush all! Listen to me, a man has attempted to assassinate a distinguished gentleman, and has fled cowardly and cowardly after a failed attempt. Lieutenant Knight and I have been ordered to search, and anyone who is injured will come forward, and we will check to see if anyone has been injured. Gunshot wound..."

After a tumultuous uproar, the whole Harpy's tavern was questioned, under the supervision of a lieutenant army officer and a sheriff.But unfortunately, there were several injured people, but unfortunately none of them were injured by gunshot wounds.

In the end, several injured people, including the beaten thief, were temporarily detained.The rest, apparently healthy, were let out of the tavern, but were ordered to leave the vicinity of Little Grington Lane immediately.Except for the original residents, no one can linger here to inquire about news.

Pei Xiang followed the crowd out of the gate of Harpy's Tavern. Her good night vision ability allowed her to see the shadowy guards at the entrance of the alley. Walk around.

——The entrances on both sides of Little Grington Lane are guarded by police and guards?

——If this is the case, does it mean that the police believed that the assassin who had been shot was still hiding in the alley and hadn't left at all?

--Huh?It doesn't have to be the assassin, it might just be a temporary excuse to facilitate the search.

While thinking about tonight's accident, Pei Xiang suddenly felt a commotion and crowding around her, and then, a plump woman with a strong perfume smell stuck to her body.

After that, the woman turned around abruptly, raised her hand and slapped the bald man behind her. At the same time, she cursed loudly, accusing the man of secretly pinching her buttocks while taking advantage of the chaos.

And that man is not a coward and a fool. After drinking again, he immediately scolded the woman who beat him, and was about to fight back...

As soon as the scolding sounded, the crowd suddenly became chaotic, and many people subconsciously squeezed towards the source of the excitement, probably wanting to watch the excitement.

At the same time, Pei Xiang, who was mixed in the crowd, began to back away slowly. She gradually hid her figure while everyone's eyes were on the person who was arguing.

After turning around without a trace a few times, she was firmly hidden somewhere in the shadows of Little Grington Lane.

Temporarily avoiding everyone's sight, Pei Xiang unfolded the small note that had just been stuffed into the palm of his hand.

"Back Diagonal Alley, No. 19, Captain."

After seeing clearly the handwriting and the special code on the note, Pei Xiang frowned slightly.

—This is indeed Rhett Butler's handwriting.

When the plump woman who was arguing before approached, she quickly said the word "Butler" in Pei Xiang's ear, and then secretly slipped her such a small note.

——Whether the person who was shot and injured was Rhett?

Pei Xiang took a deep breath, and quickly left the original hiding place after destroying the note. Instead of rushing to act according to the contents of the note, she first walked around Little Grington Lane and the half-diagonal alley behind it. over again.

After inquiring about the terrain and the exit, she sneaked towards No. 19, the back inclined alley under the cover of night...

After Pei Xiang silently pried open the window of No. 19 house, she found that the strange woman who had just handed her the note was pacing back and forth anxiously in the house, and a half-naked man was lying on her bed.

His eyes flicked over the mottled blood stains on the man's white shirt, and then fixed on the man's deep and handsome facial features. At this moment, Pei Xiang had to admit that the biggest unlucky person tonight was none other than her friend and business partner— — Rhett Butler.