15 Minsk Street, Backlund, a few hours before Max headed out to William's Street…
Klein had just prepared to have some food, but the door rang which caused him to put a stop to his actions and instead head over to the door to investigate.
It was an old-fashioned gentleman in a light grey overcoat, a silk top hat, and he held a black and gold cane. He had sharp blue eyes, and his temples were streaked with white. His wrinkles were deeply engraved in his face, causing his facial muscles to seemingly sag.
"May I know who you're looking for?" Klein asked after opening the door.
The old gentleman said in a thick Midseashire accent, "Are you Sherlock, Detective Moriarty?"
"Do you have something you wish to entrust to me?" Klein nodded and made way, leading the old gentleman into the living room.
He hesitated for two seconds, then asked, "Would you like coffee or tea?"
"A cup of hot water, please," The old gentleman had taken off his hat and sat down.
After preparing and placing the hot water in front of the old gentleman, he walked to the sofa and sat down with his hands folded, "How may I address you?"
"Millet Carter," the old gentleman answered simply.
"Mr. Carter, what would you like to entrust me with?" Klein asked directly without bothering to exchange pleasantries.
Millet Carter lifted the white porcelain cup and, while rubbing its surface, said, "The thing is, I've bought a house on Williams Street. Heh, I come from Midseashire and because of my business, I'll be living in Backlund permanently."
'Williams Street, where's that?' Having been in Backlund for less than a month, Klein, who had to consult the map or rely on his intuition, tried his best to appear staid and reliable.
Millet Carter looked at him, and under his gaze, he continued, "Rumour has it that the house was originally owned by a bankrupt viscount. That was about two to three decades ago. After a few changes of hands, I finally bought it."
"I planned on doing some renovations that suited the modern style, but I discovered a hidden secret door in the basement which leads to a very large underground structure. Considering that it might not be safe inside, I temporarily stopped construction, and I prevented the workers and servants from rashly exploring it. I hope that you can help me confirm the situation inside the underground structure."
'Underground structure... Ancient ruins? Secret treasure?' Klein thought and said, "Why didn't you call the police? The resources that the police can mobilize are more than a hundred times that of a private detective like me can muster. The results of the exploration will definitely be better and more reliable."
Millet Carter rubbed his nose bridge. "I don't want too many people to know about this, especially the government. If I confirm that there is no danger within the underground structure, then I intend to use it as part of the structure and re-purpose it. I know that this is a high risk for you, and I'm willing to pay 50 pounds for it. But you can't have more than three assistants, and I can make up for it later, depending on the circumstances."
'50 pounds, that's quite a high price. If I were an ordinary detective, that would be equivalent to two or three months of my income. He's just arrived in Backlund and doesn't know any other detectives. He could only read the newspapers to look for hires and ended up coming to me.' Klein hesitated for a few seconds, 'Let me think about it.'
He suddenly revealed an apologetic smile, pointed behind him and said, "I'm need to use the bathroom."
Millet Carter nodded slightly and took a sip of hot water. After entering the bathroom and closing the wooden door, Klein looked at the mirror and took out a copper penny. Because he had Miss Bodyguard with him, he couldn't confirm it above the grey fog, so he could only rely on his own divination skills.
"I should accept this commission." Klein chanted seven times and flicked the coin as he watched it tumble down.
*Thud*
The copper coin fell into his palm, and the king's portrait faced up, indicating a positive response.
Klein slightly nodded, and whispered into the air, "What does your intuition tell you?"
Miss Bodyguard's figure quickly appeared in the mirror. She replied expressionlessly, "There's a certain amount of danger, but it's not great."
'Very good,' Klein put away the coin, washed his hands, and walked out of the bathroom and into the living room.
He looked at Millet Carter and said with a smile, "I'll take this commission."
…
Back to the present…
"Good afternoon, might I inquire if you are Detective Moriarty?"
"Yes, I have an appointment with Mr. Carter." Klein nodded and followed the manservant into a mansion with a garden and lawn.
The house was two stories tall. The first floor was in a mess, with a lot of construction materials placed everywhere. There were workers coming in and doing some modifications. Millet Carter wasn't wearing a hat.
Covering his nose, he walked over. "I'm very sorry about the mess and dirt here, but I do wish that everything will be fine before my family arrives in Backlund. I can only urge them to keep working nonstop."
Having said that, he looked at the manservant and instructed, "Continue watching them."
'It's no wonder that he didn't bring any servants with him. Even his servants have become supervisors,' Klein smiled and said, "I know a lot of doctors. They told me that the newly renovated houses weren't suitable for immediate occupation. One has to wait at least three months to ventilate it well enough. Otherwise, old people and children who aren't strong enough will easily fall sick."
"Is that so?" Millet led Klein to the basement and asked doubtfully.
"I've never verified it, but I chose to believe in authority. It's said that this originated from the words passed down by Emperor Roselle," Klein casually fabricated an excuse.
Millet nodded, then turned to look at the door. He couldn't help but frown before asking, "Mr. Detective, you didn't bring an assistant?"
"There might be quite a bit of danger in that structure."
'I have an assistant; it's just that you can't see her,' Klein lampooned as he said seriously, "This is my first visit, so I'll advance very carefully. If there are any problems, I will immediately retreat. I'm experienced in this area, so I won't put myself in a dangerous situation. If I were matched with inexperienced assistants, it might easily affect my nimble and decisive actions."
Millet was startled. "You're very professional."
'A professional bluff,' Klein silently added. Without any further doubts, Millet led Detective Moriarty through the cluttered living room and down the stairs to a fairly spacious basement.
Behind them, a servant followed swiftly with an enclosed bottle of water, and a backpack full of emergency items, including lots of food in case the journey to the newly discovered area turned out to be perilous.
Klein concluded this was the servant's purpose, else Millet would not waste one of his servants on following him around but would have put him to work to supervise the workers. After all, he had a shortage of labour force, which was why he had hired Klein in the first place.
There were no gas pipes here, but four metal candlesticks were set into the walls, their yellow lights flickering. Stepping on the stone pavements on the ground, Klein couldn't help but sigh in reflection, 'As expected of a noble's property. Even the basement has been nicely decorated. Furthermore, it's almost as big as the living room of my current house.'
At this moment, Millet pointed ahead and said, "There's a secret door over there. It was discovered by the workers when they were renovating."
Klein focused his gaze. With the not-very-bright candlelight, he saw a grey stone door in the corner. It should've been part of the wall, but it was now exposed.
"I'll leave the rest to you. Be safe." The old gentleman, Millet, gave Klein a lighted lantern and cautioned him.
"Has this place been ventilated ahead of time?" Klein asked cautiously.
Millet shook his head indiscernibly. "It's not particularly stuffy inside, but I didn't let the workers go too far."
"Alright." Klein checked his belongings, put on a black glove, and, under Millet's gaze, unhurriedly carried the lantern and approached the stone door. He pushed it open with his cane.
Amidst the heavy creaking sounds, through the light outside, he saw a deep-coloured passageway paved with stone. There were several wooden doors on both sides of the passageway and at the end.
They had already begun to rot, but they were still barely usable. Not too ancient. However, the ostentatious style of the door and the depth and thickness of the stone slabs don't match.
'Did the viscount's family change it before?' Klein quietly activated his Spirit Vision, gripped his cane, and walked forward, step by step, with the lantern in hand.
The light dispersed the darkness, and when he passed by the rooms on either side, he was able to see a somewhat empty scene through the open door which was likely opened due to the exploration from the workers Millet had hired.
There was also a long bench and a table that shared the same aesthetic style as the door.
"Mr. Moriarty! Mr. Millet has instructed me to follow you and help you on your journey. If nothing else, I can scream really loudly! The others outside will definitely hear it and come to the rescue!" the servant who had been following Millet rushed up behind Klein while panting slightly.
'Would they come to the rescue or run away fearing evil spirits?' Klein muttered to himself, but since it was the client's wish, he accepted it and just nodded before turning away from the young man.