Part 1V THE UNDEAD CHAPTER XLI The Extra Unfolding
William Sykes …… A Deacon of the Manor …… Crane mentally repeated the other man’s reply, and turned to direct the conversation toward the gleaming banner and the White Rose War.
After a few moments of small talk, he politely excused himself, and, together with Walter, the butler, and Richardson, the valet, proceeded to the other display cases, and continued his own tour, as if the encounter had just been a trivial and insignificant incident, an exchange of chance circumstances.
Near noon, back on the upscale four-wheeled carriage, Klein looked out at the bicycles jingling by outside, and suddenly spoke up:
”Walter, you seem to know Mr. William Sykes?”
Walter nodded gravely:
”I met him once when I was working in Viscount Conard’s household.
”He served a member of the royal family, the Earl of Rustin before him, Prince Edzak.”
He did not make any concealment, and gave a detailed account of William Sykes’ origins.
Served Prince Edsak? After this prince’s death due to the Great Haze of Berkland, he actually lived a good life, not knowing which manor he served as a deacon again …… Maybe he knows some secrets? Klein nodded gently and did not ask any more questions, while in his heart he thought about whether to find a chance to investigate William Sykes.
If William Sykes really knows something, that faction of the royal family will not let it go, or, he belongs to that faction, in any case, investigating him will be a rather dangerous thing, there is no way to entrust the “magician” Miss, Emlyn White or Miss Hugh to do it… …Miss Sharon’s ability is enough, but it will probably lead to the destruction of her current stable life …… The best way is to go to the Black Emperor, but the problem is, before stealing the Antigonus family notes, I have to go to the Black Emperor. The investigation of the Beckland haze incident, I hope to be limited to the periphery, do not alarm anyone, do not bring unexpected changes …… Klein appeared to be calmly enjoying the street scene outside the window, the heart flashed through many thoughts.
In the end, he decided to hold back for the time being, not wanting to jeopardize the most important thing at the moment as a result.
After lunch and a nap, Klein was educated in the appreciation of literature until late afternoon.
After dropping off his governess, he was about to head to the second floor dining room when he suddenly heard the doorbell being rung.
At the tinkling sound, Klein glanced at Richardson, and the valet immediately took a few steps forward and pulled open the door to the room.
Outside stood two police officers in black and white checkered uniforms, and from their epaulettes it was clear that one was a senior inspector and the other a sergeant.
”Sergeant, what can I do for you?” Richardson asked for his employer.
The senior inspector, a tall, thin man with dark hair tucked under his hat, only the sideburns showing the color, swept the room and smiled gently:
”I’ve come to see Mr. Dawn Dantes about a case involving him and his housekeeper.”
”What case?” Crane said as he walked slowly toward the door, “I am Dawn Dantes.”
After making his introductions, he said politely:
”Officers, I don’t know what to call you?
”If the matter is troublesome and takes longer, why don’t you go to my parlor and talk over a cup of tea.”
The other police officer, the sergeant, was a very English lady, and she was obviously a bit impressed, looking at the senior inspector next to her, waiting for her superior’s decision.
–Due to the relationship of the Church of the Goddess of the Night, there are quite a few female police officers within the Ruen police system, but due to the remaining beliefs, social trends and other aspects of the impact of their promotion and positions, there is still a certain degree of discrimination, most of them are mainly internal clerks, and there is an invisible ceiling in terms of the space for upward mobility.
That senior inspector smiled and said:
”No need for tea, but we have to question the servants in your house.”
He paused and finally got to the point:
”Mr. Dawn Dantes, do you know the man William Sykes?”
”I met him this morning at the Kingdom Museum.” Klein vaguely felt that things had taken an unexpected turn and took the initiative to ask, “Did something happen to him?”
The senior inspector put away his smile and said:
”He died, inside a hotel near the Kingdom Museum.”
”Dead?” Klein didn’t hide his surprise and astonishment.
I had just met with him and he was dead?
He’s been on the radar for a long time?
The senior inspector nodded seriously:
”Yes, the cause of death is complicated, and the possibility of being murdered cannot be ruled out.”
”What about his female companion?” Klein asked with a frown, “He had a female companion when I met him.”
”That lady was his mistress, and when she left the hotel, William Sykes was still alive, which the hotel waiters can confirm, as they had wine sent over later.” The Senior Inspector briefly described the situation saying, “Where did you go after leaving the Kingdom Museum?”
”I came straight back here, lunch, sleep, and classes, as my servants, my neighbors, my literature appreciation teacher, can all attest to.” Crane answered frankly.
He whirled and turned sideways to Richardson:
”Go get Walter.”
Soon Walter, the butler, came down to the second floor wearing white gloves and answered the same question.
The two officers, with the consent of Dawn Dantes, made further inquiries of Richardson and the other servants, and found nothing wrong.
Without stopping, they politely excused themselves and visited the surrounding neighborhood.
Without letting the incident affect his appetite, Klein went up to the second floor and enjoyed his dinner.
The rest of the day flew by with leisurely reading of books and newspapers, and before going to bed, Klein looked out of the window at night and waited for Richardson, his valet, to collect the fruit from the room.
Suddenly, without turning his head, he spoke and asked:
”What has Walter been doing this afternoon?”
”Been attending to various matters without leaving.” Richardson replied in a low voice.
Klein nodded softly without asking any more questions, wondering a little if he was overthinking things.
Huffing …… he exhaled slowly, walked towards his sleeping bed and lay down.
Sleeping until the middle of the night, Klein’s spirituality suddenly had a touch, and the whole person woke up with a start.
He lightly raised his eyebrows, got up and left the bed, walked to the window, and pulled the curtain open a crack.
In the dull moonlight, deep in the night, a figure reached carefully from the garden path and tumbled out beside the outer wall.
With his broad forehead, glossy black hair and serious brown eyes, he was none other than Walter the butler.
”Quick and fluid, either a long-time trainer or a low sequence Extraordinary One ……” Klein watched the scene, making a preliminary judgment in his mind.
He saw Walter follow the shadows of the street all the way to the entrance of the sewer that Hazel had previously entered, moved the manhole cover, and climbed down, not forgetting to recover.
Why was everyone so skillful at climbing sewers? Mr. Butler should not have done it in the middle of the night before, otherwise my aura would have had a warning, after all, from my “territory” to leave …… This means that he is elsewhere, before he became my butler, often have similar actions …… Klein hooked his mouth, returned to the bed, and took out the iron cigarette case from under the pillow.
He was going to manipulate the “ghost” Seniol to follow the butler Walter and see what he was doing.
I hope it’s not more than 100 meters away, or I’ll have to go into the sewers too. …… Klein muttered to himself as he went back behind the gap in the curtain.
His secret puppet Seniole immediately used the mysterious connection between the different mirrors to jump to the gas street lamp next to the sewer entrance, then penetrated the manhole cover and followed silently.
Klein saw Walter go forward about ten meters and then turn into a more secluded and eerie passage, with much moss and filth on the walls and floor.
Suddenly the butler gentleman stopped and said to no one in particular:
”Why are you so impulsive?
”Why didn’t you wait for a better opportunity?”
Soon a female voice, slightly hoarse from weakness, responded to Walter’s query:
”This is the best chance.
”By the time he gets back to that manor, there’s no telling how long it will be before he comes out again.”
”But why are you still so badly injured?” Walter said with a few moments of concern.
The female voice chuckled:
”William Sykes is stronger than you, and me, could ever imagine, and probably the only thing that fits his shadowy identity.
”At any rate, I finally got a clue from him, and after all this time, there’s finally a chance to get closer to the truth.”
”There’s no need for you to be in such a hurry.” Valter said after a moment of silence.
The weak female voice gave a low laugh and said:
”I have already sold my soul to the Evil God, the only meaning in life next is revenge.”
Valt let out a rare breath and said:
”You continue to hide here, I will prepare food for you until you recover.
”If there is an accident, contact me the old fashioned way.”
The weak female voice said after a long moment of silence:
”When he was alive, he had many subordinates who claimed to be loyal, after his death, there were only a few who still remembered him and were still willing to risk their lives for him, you are the most surprising to me.”
”He was the first noble to give me that kind of treatment, and the one I truly wanted to serve.” Valter responded in a low voice.
Klein, who had used the secret puppet to hear these conversations, vaguely understood what was going on a little:
After Prince Edzak’s death, a few people loyal to him were secretly investigating the truth of his suicide, and Walter was one of them, however, he was mainly responsible for gathering intelligence in the open, as well as using his identity to provide some assistance …… This should be the additional development that “Magic Mirror” A Rhodes mentioned the additional unfolding ……
Klein immediately let the “ghost” Seignior hidden form, sneak into the secluded hidden passage, saw Walter standing sideways, talking to someone, and he half blocked the place, there is a woman in black dress sitting against the wall, face is quite pale.
The woman listened to Valter’s words, laughed in her throat, and looking toward the exit said:
”You should leave, be careful of being noticed.”
Her turn of the head allowed Klein to see her clearly, her face was slightly round, her eyes were long and thin, her temperament was gentle and her sweetness was hidden, she was an excellent and extremely seductive young girl, and also Klein’s “acquaintance”:
Tris!
Tris Chick!