Holmes made the decision not to tell the Prime Minister what happened tonight.
Zhang Heng had no objection to this, but Vuillard wanted to say something. He always felt that this was a bit ungentlemanly, and it was equivalent to using the Prime Minister as bait for fishing. However, because he was not British, he was not very open on such matters. So in the end Holmes got what he wanted.
The Baker Street team was summoned again, and Holmes personally went into battle this time, dressing up as a shoe repairman during the day and setting up a stall not far from the Prime Minister's Office, and pretending to be a drunkard on the roadside at night.
As a result, two days passed and he earned four shillings from repairing shoes, but he still didn't see the Prussian.
Holmes himself was not too anxious. He only slept three hours a day, but he seemed to be in high spirits, and he was still in the mood to play the violin in his free time.
As for Zhang Heng and Vuillard, they are not idle either. They are also spending time in pubs and boxing rings in London these days, hoping to use this method to continue looking for targets. However, like Holmes, neither of them gained anything. On the morning of the third day, Zhang Heng also received unexpected news that Holmes had been arrested.
Zhang Heng and Viard saw the great detective at the police station. The latter was sitting on a bench, holding his chin and wondering what he was thinking.
Zhang Heng went through the bail procedures, and then the police released Holmes.
Holmes took the shoe brush and tool box from the police officer and walked out of the police station without saying a word.
Zhang Heng and Vuillard were a little worried about Holmes, fearing that the latter would have something strange to think about. However, Holmes suddenly laughed after getting on the carriage, "Interesting, it seems that I did underestimate my opponent this time."
"Um?"
"It's a bit embarrassing to say it," Holmes chuckled, "I haven't been in such a mess for a long time. I originally went to keep an eye on someone, but instead I was discovered and beat up. Someone told the patrolman on that street Police, a suspicious person was found outside the Prime Minister's Office, and then I was arrested by the police. Although I have some connections in the police station, the matter involves the Prime Minister, and the police cannot release me immediately. They can only let you handle it. I bailed out.”
"They recognized your disguise?"
"It would be better to say that this was a trap from the beginning," Holmes said. "I am now certain that we were targeted. It should have been after that night at the theater. We were trying to find out the Prussian based on the information at hand. , but the other side is obviously also trying to figure out our bottom, and I have to admit that they have done a good job in this matter. It seems that they already know where we live and what I do, so this time our actions are completely based on I'm under surveillance, and what happened today seems to be their warning to me."
"warn?"
"Yes, it seems that they don't want me to get involved in this matter anymore." Holmes said, "But this also indicates that we are close to the truth."
"Sorry to interrupt," the red-haired detective scratched his head and said, "Did I miss something? Haven't we found nothing in the past two days? Why are we suddenly approaching the truth?"
"We don't know yet, but we must have inadvertently done something to make them nervous these days, so I have been thinking about this issue before you arrived." Holmes said.
Holmes felt in his pocket and found that his pipe was not in it because he had changed his clothes.
Vuillard quickly took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed one to Holmes with both hands.
"Don't worry, let me think about it again." Holmes took a puff of his cigarette and said.
While Holmes continued to meditate, Zhang Heng was also recalling what had happened in the past few days to see if there was anything missing. Then the two of them let out a chuckle almost at the same time.
"Have you discovered anything?" Viard is more curious than anyone else now, wishing he could get into the heads of Zhang Heng and Holmes.
"Are you thinking about what I was thinking just now?" Holmes asked Zhang Heng.
The latter looked at Viard, "You said that Mr. M's previous cases were all done in France, which means that there is a high possibility that he is a Frenchman."
"Uh...yeah, that's right."
"And 'Carmen' is a French opera."
"...There's no problem with that." The red-haired detective raised his eyebrows, "So?"
"'Carmen' first premiered in Paris, and then came to London, and Mr. M happened to appear in London at this time." Zhang Heng said, "Is this a coincidence?"
"Wait a minute, are you implying that Mr. M is someone related to the opera company?"
"This can explain why the other side is so nervous." Zhang Heng said.
"Because we were at the theater that night," Holmes said, "the other party felt that we might be close to targeting Mr. M."
"I'm going to find Miss Adler now to see who in the troupe is French and has just arrived in London during this time." Zhang Heng said decisively.
Half an hour later, Zhang Heng came outside Irene Adler's house. After Zhang Heng reported his name, the nanny opened the door and asked him to come and sit in the living room. At this time, there was the sound of a piano from the second floor.
"Miss Adler is practicing the piano, please wait a moment," the nanny said.
"Okay." Zhang Heng sat down on the sofa, and the nanny made black tea for him. About a quarter of an hour later, the music stopped and the female singer came down the stairs.
"Look who is here, you are a rare guest, Mr. Zhang Heng." Irene Adler said. She was wearing a white skirt today and looked like a quietly blooming lily.
With Eileen Adler's intelligence, Zhang Heng did not try to hide it and told her everything directly.
A look of surprise appeared on the female singer's face, "I see, you left that night because of this case."
"I hope Miss Adler won't be offended."
"Irene, just call me Irene." said the female singer. "How can I blame someone who works hard to improve public order in London."
"Strictly speaking, this job is free." Zhang Heng said, "So maybe it's more appropriate to call it interest."
"This makes people more admirable, right?" Irene said. She paused, sat down opposite Zhang Heng, and poured herself a cup of black tea.
"The person you are looking for does exist. He is the French consultant of the troupe. In the past, the contact with the troupe during the rehearsal stage was usually through telegrams, but this time the premiere in London is of great importance, so he also traveled from France. Come to think of it, I have never really liked that guy. Although he looks very humble on the surface, I can tell that he is actually very proud on the inside. He doesn't take other people seriously at all, especially women. Of course, He's pretty good at flirting, but unfortunately he's not as smart as he thinks he is in the whole troupe."
