Surviving as a Writer in the British Empire

The Dartmoor Disappearance Case (4)

“hahahaha, it’s me on a business trip. This time, Scotland Yard has requested investigative advisers on the disappearance of the owner of this house.”

“I see.”

And if you look at it, you said that you get the material through investigation advisor.

But I didn’t know that it would be enough to travel to such a distant place. Isn’t that enough to pay for travel expenses?

“I was going to drop by your house once this work was over, but this is really lucky.”

“Ha ha, yes. I am always welcome.”

I didn’t expect to see you this early.

It was then. A young man approached from behind Arthur Conan Doyle.

She covered her hair with a black fedora, but her blonde hair was impressive. He would do well as an actor, but the gray trench coat stretched over the blue police uniform was a typical detective look.

“Sir, could you introduce me a bit?”

“Ah, Mr. Hopkins. Yes, this is… well, a young painter who helped me a lot with my writing in London. Hanslow, this is Detective Hopkins from Scotland.”

“hello. This time, I am Jinhan-Sol, who participated in the auction as Ashfield’s agent.”

“Aha, that’s right. As an auction agent for burns…”

As he spoke, he looked me up and down. Then he hurriedly shook his head and said.

“sorry. I think we met somewhere, but I can’t remember.”

“no. It can be.”

In fact, I also felt a bit of a sense of déjà vu.

Well, I’ve been to the Metropolitan Police Department a few times, so I might be one of them.

Anyway, to me who accepted the apology with a shrug, Hopkins spoke politely again.

“This is James Hopkins. It is an honor to meet you.”

“i look forward to.”

At that time, Arthur Conan Doyle spoke from the side.

“Oops, you’ve been holding on to the man with the luggage for too long. Hanseul, if you don’t mind, I’ll help you. Can you do some listening research? I’m going to say that I’m going to have a good time while I met.”

“Ah, whatever.”

“Thank you. Then Hopkins, I’ll be back.”

“All right. Then please.”

Hmm, it seems that the teacher’s discretion is wider than it looks.

Listening and investigating isn’t something a detective who is an outsider can do, isn’t it?

To me who had such doubts, Arthur Conan Doyle lowered his voice and whispered.

“It’s possible because it’s Detective Hopkins. That dude is actually a big fan of mine. Thanks to you, I’m getting a lot of help in case investigations and in various places.”

“Ah, too.”

Somehow, among the cops who appeared in ＜Sherlock Holmes＞, it seemed to overlap with the detective who was exceptionally like Holmes.

You secretly put in a lot of PPL, this guy.

Anyway, Conan Doyle and I were escorted by the bank teller Charlie into the room where Monty was waiting.

“Actually, I’ve only just arrived, but this mansion is really worth seeing. The tall, narrow windows with old stained glass decorations, oak window frames, and the boar’s head-shaped crests on the walls… Each one makes you feel an extraordinary history.”

“Well, it’s definitely an old place. I haven’t heard of it much around here, so I don’t know exactly.”

Even if it’s a neighboring town, there aren’t many things to come here.

“Ah, let me explain.”

Then Charlie, who was next to him, lightly cleared his throat and began to explain.

“Originally, it is said that the ancestors of this family were warrior aristocrats in ancient times. It is said that he came in following William the Conqueror during the Norman period and was granted this territory. Previously it was a lord’s castle, but the mansion itself dates from the 17th century. It is said that it is the result of making a lot of money and expanding it during the days of Elizabeth I.”

Hmm, I didn’t know that either. Interesting.

As befits a bank clerk in charge of buying and selling, Charlie slowly laid out details about Stapleton Mansion that even I didn’t know about.

The explanation itself is for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but as I look at it, my gaze occasionally reaches me.

Well, this is also an auction participant. It’s also a lot of money, so it’s likely to win the bid.

But I’m sorry, Charlie. The purpose of this is purely painting. There’s no use in telling me.

“Come to think of it, Charlie, originally, Baron Carlisle had no family relatives, right? But what do you mean the heirs are here?”

“huh? Oh, that’s the point. I don’t have any family relatives, but I’m a separate heir designated in the will written in advance by the baron personally. There are people I have been personally close to, some servants who have served the family for a long time, and there are also the safekeepers of the two lower villages.”

God, what’s so much?

Hundreds of people benefit directly or indirectly.

I even heard that Charlie was one of them. To be precise, since it was the main bank of the deceased Baron Carlisle, the Exeter provincial bank also deposits some of its legacy on condition that it return to society.

Oops, I understand now. Certainly the bank might have wanted to close the case quickly.

“Come on, let’s stay in this room.”

“All right. Thanks, Charlie.”

“Whatever, if you have any questions, call me anytime.”

Bank clerk Charlie left like that. Arthur Conan Doyle looked mysteriously at me and looked at his back and said,

“I heard that you are a bank teller, but you are quite friendly. Is this the sentiment of the rural people?”

“Eh, what. hmm. I guess so.”

It is a common misconception of city people about the countryside. If I explained it in detail, it would be a dirty story in many ways, so I just kept my mouth shut.

The closed country community is surprisingly shady. I said everything because the Royal Society of Literature seemed rather innocent.

“Mister Monty, have you been waiting?”

“Hanseul, are you coming now? That one…”

“Nice to meet you, Doryeong.”

“Ah, nice to meet you.”

Perhaps out of respect for Monty’s status, Arthur Conan Doyle politely greeted Monty despite his young age.

Monty also received the greeting politely. I nodded and told Monty.

“Brother, this is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sir, this is the eldest son of the Miller family whom I serve, Master Louis Montague Miller.”

“Arthur Conan Doyle…! Could it be that ＜Sherlock Holmes＞?!”

Oh, also Monty. Like a book-loving child, he recognizes it right away.

I nodded, and Arthur Conan Doyle responded with a proud smile.

“That’s right, Dol. I am…”

“Why did you kill Holmes!?”

“Cool!!”

yikes. Yes, if you know Sherlock, it’s a national rule to ask him about it.

I looked at Arthur Conan Doyle, who had been sunk by a child’s pure, more serious question, with pitiful eyes and said,

“Sir, I’m sorry, but I can’t shield this. You know?”

“Keuheuk… I know. In Eastern language, it is called karma. I understand.”

No, that’s an Indian concept. Of course, it landed in Korea as an acting theory, so it’s not much different…

Anyway, since you look a little pitiful, shall we help you a little?

I gestured and gave him my opinion. Holmes-related countermeasures, which we had chatted with before. It was the sign corresponding to that C (Children).

Soon, Conan Doyle also recognized the sign, trimmed his neck with a big smile, pretended to look around for a while, and then cautiously approached Monty.

Then, as if to tell a secret story, he put his hand to his mouth and whispered.

“Ugh, Dolyeong. He says he has a deep relationship with Hanslo Jin, so I’ll inform you secretly. Actually… Sherlock isn’t dead.”

“What do you mean?”

Monty swallows saliva for a moment.

Conan Doyle answered with a smile like an agent on a secret government mission.

“Literally. If you do something wrong, Moriarty and his gang could get caught.”

“omg! What do you mean?”

“Yes, it means that sooner or later he will make a splendid return. Never, never tell anyone.”

“Sure!!”

Monty nodded enthusiastically, eyes twinkling.

Yes, the best carrot for kids of that age is, of course, ‘secret secret’.

From noble mtl dot com

I gave Conan Doyle a thumbs up from behind Monty’s back. Then he too gave a light thumb over Monty’s shoulder.

“By the way, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, why are you here? And why with Hanseul?”

“Ah, that’s…”

“Hmm, that’s good. While explaining to Hanseul and Doryeong, can you also listen to the circumstances? If possible, I would like you to tell me about Baron Carlisle, or if you know anything about this area.”

“Ah, yes. I don’t know much, but I’ll tell you as honestly as I can.”

That’s how I explained to Monty all along about his relationship with Arthur Conan Doyle and that he had come to investigate the disappearance of Baron Carlisle.

On the other hand, he told Arthur Conan Doyle everything he knew about Baron Carlisle and Dartmoor as a resident of the neighboring estate, but to be honest, it was quite fragmentary and not very helpful about the case.

“In short, since it is such a barren and remote land, these villages retain the traditions of the old feudal institutional lords and their territories.”

“Once you understand that.”

Incidentally, the Ashfield side is similar.

Although the title has disappeared, the Beymer family and the Miller family that succeeded it are second only to the Carlisle family in terms of wealth and status.

“So, for me, I want this to go smoothly if possible. Even in the neighborhood and seeing the late Baron Carlisle.”

“Hmm, I see what you mean.”

Loyalty doesn’t matter.

Arthur Conan Doyle said that and nodded.

“However, for that to happen, everyone’s innocence needs to be clarified. Don’t worry, even from my point of view, it’s extremely difficult to see this case as the work of an outsider like you. Maybe it’s an insider, or if you’re really lucky, it’s just an accident.”

“I hope it’s the latter.”

I don’t want Monty to stay in a neighborhood where killers roam.

Besides, look at it even now, aren’t the eyes of a bloody teenager whose second grade disease hasn’t completely gone yet, full of anticipation?

“Then what do you plan to do next?”

“Ah, anyway, there was something I wanted to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

“If an auction like this were to take place, wouldn’t there be a place for the participants to gather? I want you to let me in there. Entering as a police officer and entering as an acquaintance of a participant somehow makes a difference in the quality of information.”

Hmm, not wrong.

Besides, it’s such a simple thing that you just have to say a word.

“All right. Well, it’s not difficult.”

“Thank you, Hanseul. Then Doryeong, I will be traveling with you from now on, so please take good care of me.”

“Woah, it’s an honor! Author Arthur Conan Doyle!”

Pambaka Bam! Arthur Conan Doyle joined as a teammate.

Now then… Let’s go to a search battle wearing the mask of dinner.

After going back to my main job after a long time, I brushed my hair and shone my eyes.