218 – Catastrophe (1)
The store known as ‘Javert Wilson’s’ pawn shop was very large and flashy. Jane Watson, who had access to many luxurious and diverse experiences during her wealthy childhood, could see at a glance that this was a store owned by a large businessman in many ways.
Of course, considering the location of the store, it may have been natural. It was a store located in an area where a large bank, several companies, or a congressman’s office were located within a few meters of many people coming and going.
It was originally in the outskirts, but during the belated redevelopment, it was clear that a considerable amount of money would be needed just to maintain a store here, unless it was a store that had been in place for a long time. Above all, through the store window, Watson could see the items that various customers had left behind, and all of them were expensive luxury goods.
A wedding ring that someone left behind for a while, or a gorgeous diamond necklace. Even valuable-looking ceramics and watches.
Above all, Watson knew the pawn shop business quite well, so she was able to feel more confident. Although she was embarrassed to confess it to others, she often pawned various ornaments that were gifts from her parents when they were alive or the fancy pocket watch that she inherited from her father.
I thought he was hiding it from Holmes, but Holmes already knew that Watson was often the source of money for horse racing, even though he was broke.
Watson was well aware that waiters at high-end pawn shops usually hire well-groomed people considering the dignity of the customers who visit them.
In fact, the employees who greeted Holmes and Watson at the door were similar. If you look at his attire, he was wearing an ordinary suit, except that he was neatly dressed. At least in Watson’s opinion, the clothes were not made of particularly expensive materials or made by famous manufacturers.
However, if you look at his face, he was quite handsome. The only flaw was a wart near his forehead, but thanks to the intelligent look in his eyes, it didn’t stand out too much.
Of course, it wasn’t her waiter’s appearance that made Jane Watson nervous without realizing it. She spoke as if she knew them well, and she sneered as if Holmes also knew the other person well.
If you think about it, the very existence of this store was suspicious in the first place, so the people working there couldn’t be considered ordinary. Watson was able to learn as she met various people and experienced events alongside Holmes.
I couldn’t remember what Watson was like now, but in fact, the other person was already on the same page as Watson. If the older Jane Watson had kept her diaries in more detail, she would have known that the young man in front of her, about her own age, was Holmes’s senior, to whom she had given an invitation to her suicide club. .
Of course, Watson, who was looking at Holmes and the man in silence with a confused expression, did not open his mouth. However, as if she was considerate of Watson and at the same time trying to be sarcastic to the man in front of her, Holmes kindly opened her mouth and began to explain.
“Now that I think about it, Watson, you may not know. “It’s not a first meeting, but a first meeting, but this person is John Clay. First of all, he is from Christ Church, Oxford, like me, so he is a man I can call my school senior.”
“… Strictly speaking, it might be a little different, junior. I graduated a few months ago, and I heard they aren’t going to school anymore. Of course, even if I went all the way, I wouldn’t have been able to get a diploma. By the way, it seems it was true that the witch there lost her memory. “Is it because I have the wrong friends?”
John Clay sarcastically said. Watson thought that he somehow resembled Holmes. But he couldn’t help but feel angry at his sarcasm. Holmes clicked his tongue as if to stop Watson.
“Well, senior. Well, if you don’t want to be treated like a senior, I won’t bother you, Clay.”
“… “That’s not polite.”
“I serve it to people who need to be polite, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Watson, this is… Teacher Moriarty’s favorite student. “I guess this is enough, right?”
“For… “What on earth are you planning?”
Watson blurted out without realizing it. I could see that he was an unusual person, but it was impulsive because someone directly related to Professor James Moriarty appeared.
There was silence for a moment.
Watson thought it was a pity, but even his friend Holmes just looked at Clay quietly as if there was no problem, and Clay only raised the corner of his mouth slightly as if laughing at the two women, but remained silent as if he was angry.
Finally he opened his mouth again. Of course, his voice contained a mixture of arrogance in his belief in his own specialness and a sneer that looked down on the opponents in front of him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. As you can see, I am currently working here at a pawn shop for a while. “If you are not a guest, would you please go back?”
“They boasted about being from a duke’s family, but it looks like the family has fallen into ruin.”
“Ha, sometimes people like us do things that lower class people can’t understand. “If you’re not a guest, I don’t have anything more to say.”
Then, John Clay ignored Holmes and Watson and entered the store. The door was closed in front of Holmes, as if to block the two people from entering, and Holmes stared at the glass for a moment, as if trying to see through the opaque glass window.
“… Uh… What are you going to do, Holmes? If you’re going to force your way in, I’ll help. This… Once you beat him up and knocked him out… “It will work, right?”
“Ha, Watson.”
Holmes responded with a sigh to Watson, who was accustomed to slowly clenching and unclenching his fists and stretching, preparing to attack like a hunting dog if Holmes gave him permission. Naturally, Watson smiled awkwardly and looked the other way, as if it was a joke, but Holmes already knew the truth of Watson’s violence.
“Now… “It’s a joke, you know?”
“You sound unconvincing. Sometimes, Watson, I’m afraid of your violence. Consider yourself different from street thugs, Watson. No, it was my mistake. Yeah, I probably forgot. I don’t know if you heard it when I was making sarcasm earlier, but first of all, he’s a noble. “My grandfather is a duke, and although it is highly unlikely, he has the right to succeed to the throne.”
“… What?”
“But you seem to be a natural criminal when it comes to such subjects. Why am I here? “What are you planning?”
Ignoring Watson’s reaction, Holmes stared at the store for a moment. Then, he turned his head towards the source of the noise that had been hurting his ears just a moment ago. There was still some noisy construction going on in the building right next to the pawn shop.
Strangely enough, I could see many workers carrying sacks of dirt or doing their own work.
“… Come to think of it… “It’s close.”
“What?”
“No, it’s not certain yet. Let’s go back now, Watson. Even if we want to knock them down and force them to investigate, there is a higher chance that we will get the reverse. “If there is a legal issue, we are at an immediate disadvantage.”
“… “I hate nobles.”
“Because they are a people who only believe in natural lineage without any effort of their own.”
From noble mtl dot com
Holmes seemed to agree and grabbed his carriage, and the carriage started heading towards Baker Street. Even in the carriage, Holmes opened his mouth to Watson as if discussing.
“However, there is definitely something going on with the Red Head Club, Watson. Clay, after getting to know that person, I did some research on my own… There was a high possibility that he was a born criminal. “I don’t call myself the best student of Professor Moriarty for nothing.”
“… “Do you think they don’t have any evidence?”
“I told you, the possibility is high. Above all, it is difficult to properly catch an ordinary criminal because of his family. He’s a picky guy in a different way than Mr. Moriarty. It seems like you have a good head. “He’s probably the fourth smartest guy in London.”
“… “Who are the three people above?”
Holmes smiled and answered Watson’s question confidently.
“Mr. Moriarty, Mycroft, and me.”
“Do you know that Holmes just looked really unlucky?”
“It’s okay, Watson. “Because I’m good.”
Watson was often disgusted by his friend’s arrogance, but Holmes continued as if he would not give Watson time to react.
“However, now I think the Red Head Club itself may be a tool, Watson.”
“… “A tool?”
“The teacher probably didn’t give me the invitation just to see me try my best. Of course there may be that reason, but there may also be other purposes. “For example, like a smoked herring that distracts a hunting dog, the purpose is to focus only on the red-headed club.”
“… “Are you saying there’s another conspiracy?”
“To find out, we’ll have to do a little more research. Well, I guess I’ll have to go to the Redhead Club again first. Ah, but don’t think about investing any more, because I don’t want to see my friend fall into debt anymore.”
