Chapter 501 - Do You Have A Theory? (1/2)

“Have you investigated the maid who cleaned the room?” Holmes took out his pipe and filled it with tobacco.

“I have. Even though the maid has been working in the house for two years, the old housekeeper immediately detained and searched her. Still, there was no oil painting. Moreover, she had not been anywhere else since she entered the house and went to see the housekeeper. So, we can rule her out as the suspect,” said Villard. After a brief pause, he continued, “Through the viscount’s contacts, I also found two other victims of Mr. M. The descriptions they provided were similar to the viscount’s situation, all receiving a letter from Mr. M when their valuables were stolen. One of them was on vacation when the burglary occurred, and the other was a public figure more prominent than the viscount. Their valuables were well-concealed, but by whatever powers, they were stolen somehow. Like a magician, the thief could sneak into whatever secret rooms you have and always has his victims firmly in his clutches.”

Holmes lit his pipe and took a drag.

“The most talented thief I’ve ever met is a dwarf who performed in a circus. He was half the height of a child and a scrawny, stick-thin creature. He could burrow into your home through the chimney and squeeze through narrow creva.s.ses by contorting his body, never leaving behind a single trace of his visit.”

“Which is exactly why I’ve come to you—I haven’t the faintest idea how the guy did it,” replied Villard respectfully.

“Alright,” Holmes smiled. “Since I’ve already promised to help you, and this case interests me, I won’t set it aside, but for now, let’s find you a place in London.”

The three arrived at an inn on a carriage, and while Villard checked in, Holmes stood in the lobby, smoking his pipe as he watched the tourists come and go.

“Do you think Mr. M is among them?” Zhang Heng asked.

“Who knows?” Holmes blew out a ring of smoke.

He was obviously in a good mood. “We’re fortunate today, Zhang Heng, to have come across such an intriguing case. I knew that Villard was going to bring us a surprise—hah! — turns out he didn’t disappoint!”

Zhang Heng didn’t know if he should laugh or cry.