"The Widow" Bertha

On the second floor of the dilapidated bar, the atmosphere was almost stalemate.

In the end, Bertha thought for a moment and spoke first: "Don't worry, Thomas, this gentleman is my friend."

"lady……?"

"Go and see how Mr. Geoffrey's carriage is, and help him solve the problem, will you?"

This is what he meant to avoid for the time being.

Thomas Thames didn't say much, he just glanced suspiciously in the direction of the shadow, and then turned and left.

When the figure of the young man disappeared on the second floor, Bertha asked, "Are you going to hide there until I leave, sir?"

Hearing this, the man in the shadow laughed, and then he came out.

When seeing the appearance of the visitor, Bertha's first reaction was - he is so young!

The gentleman who came out was well-dressed, tall and imposing with a walking stick.It's just that he is different from the images of many film and television dramas. Bertha thinks that he looks about 30 years old, and he is in his prime.

At first glance, a man looks a little rich, but it is far from affecting the body shape.This instead makes him look polite and decent, an easy-going gentleman with a smile on his face.

The premise was that Bertha had to ignore the sharpness and composure that couldn't be concealed by his smile.

After all, it is Sherlock Holmes, Bertha sighed in her heart.

—How do you know that he is Mycroft Holmes himself?Listen to that humble but revealing "I have the final say" tone!

It's true that Bertha has never had contact with Holmes, but she is a reporter, and she has contact with few leading officials. She knows the tone of the behind-the-scenes speech very well.

"Thomas Thames," Holmes nodded, "is quite a smart choice, he is righteous enough, and he is short of money at the moment. If you give him a hand, he will definitely die in the future."

One sentence is enough for Bertha to know that the gentleman in front of him has mastered all her movements.

"is it?"

Facing such a character, Bertha just curled her lips: "I don't know that young people who are gangsters are loyal?"

Holmes paused, then smiled as if in surprise: "It turns out Madam knows that he is from a street gang."

Of course, although Thomas Thames did not disclose any personal information about him, Bertha had enough contact with him for a few days to have a rough guess about his situation.

"Can't catch" Jack is a thief, who else can a thief find?Thomas Thames was not a man of manual labor, but his trademark beige overcoat proved that he was not a young gentleman of the upper class.

Well-informed and quick in handling affairs, it doesn't look like she has nothing. Apart from gangsters, Bertha really can't think of other identities.

The reason why she didn't tell Thomas was that Bertha didn't think it mattered, and it was even convenient.

"Let's not talk about him, let's talk about you, sir," Bertha changed the subject calmly, "is my existence causing you trouble, or do you need me to do something for you, so that you have to come forward in person ?”

Mycroft chuckled slightly.

"Neither, ma'am," he said, in what could be called sincerity, "I have come to apologize to you."

"Excuse me?"

"Apologies for what happened at Thornfield Manor."

Bertha was startled.

What happened at Thornfield Manor has nothing to do with Bertha on the surface—she is "Miss Marple" and "Mrs. Thames". It is true that she is a friend of Edward Rochester, but the friend died and burned Manor, she has nothing to lose, why should I apologize to her?

Unless Mycroft knew she was Bertha Mason!

"The past cannot be traced, what has happened has already happened, and nothing can be done to help it," Bertha did not speak, and Mycroft continued, "Why don't we look forward together and see if it is feasible, Mrs. Thames? "

"..."

At the end of the other party's words, there was a subtle pause before the title "Mrs. Thames" was mentioned.

This pause was enough for Bertha to see what he meant: Mycroft Holmes was expressing goodwill, and he would not mention to anyone the fact that Bertha had escaped by feigning death.

However, even so, Bertha also had a feeling that the handle fell into the hands of others.

How did Mycroft know?Her thoughts were spinning rapidly: "No wonder, Colonel Dent is your man."

In this case, the cause and effect all make sense.

Bertha had long felt that there was someone above Colonel Dent.If he was the one who had the final say, he wouldn't just bow his head and back down when he heard that "Miss Marple" knew Holmes.

It turned out that it was Mycroft Holmes who really had the final say.

But Bertha understood why he knew all about herself.Even though Thornfield Manor is remote and desolate, it can't stand that the person involved is his "subordinate".

Even if Colonel Dent didn't realize that "Miss Marple" was Bertha Mason, wouldn't he not be able to detect it according to Holmes' IQ and resources.

"You can say that."

Mycroft nodded: "It never occurred to me that Colonel Dent's sudden decision would implicate innocent people. It really shouldn't be."

One sentence not only admitted that Colonel Dent had a relationship with him, but also showed that this matter was his own initiative. Mycroft did not participate in it, and even strongly disapproved of the murder.

"So Miss Blanche Ingram could have been immortal," said Bertha.

"Yes, Miss Ingram is just a pawn. It is true that she is suspected of treason, but it can be used properly, and it is also a sharp edge," Mycroft said, "and her death is tantamount to scaring the snake away."

"You mean to alarm the Truth Society."

Bertha squinted her eyes, probably understanding why Mycroft Holmes had come.

To apologize?Even if he needs to come to the door in person, he can still send a greeting card generously. Having a cup of hot tea at the White Horse Hotel is no better than meeting in a haunted house.When it came to the Society for Truth, Bertha sorted out the situation almost immediately.

"I'm being targeted by the Truth Society, aren't I?" she asked.

"I can't hide it from you, ma'am," sighed Mycroft, "but don't worry, the matter is settled, and I assure you that no one will endanger your safety."

Just know that.

If Colonel Dent had cut his teeth first, the compensation given to Rochester would have been enough to silence both him and Bertha, so there was no need for an apology from Mycroft himself.Bertha must have been targeted by the terrorist organization behind Miss Ingram, and he would only show up if things got serious.

"I don't think the Truth Society will target a private investigator who was born as a civilian. They are here for you."

"Yes," admitted Mycroft, "but I have a favor, madam."

I'm coming!

I knew that he sent the address and visited in person, and he definitely did not come to volunteer to help.

"Please, sir," returned Bertha, "if there is anything I can do, I will do it."

"Although the Institute of Truth is here for you and me because of our 'close personal relationship', I still hope that you can keep this relationship between us... that is not humane."

Saying this, Mycroft smiled, as if he found such remarks interesting.

"The other party is very smart. Seeing that retaliation by force is not enough, they may calculate interests like you and me. Next, the Truth Society will most likely adopt a soft attitude," he explained, "If the other party comes with a gift, you can Take it all."

"What's next?"

"The next thing you have to do is to remind me a few words occasionally, and what the Truth Society intends to do."

So having said all that, Mycroft Holmes came to make Bertha another Miss Ingram.

The difference is that Miss Ingram went undercover for the Truth Society, while Mycroft wanted Bertha to go undercover for the Truth Society.

Undercover, it's quite exciting to think about it.If Bertha hadn't been "Bertha Mason," she would have been tempted.

First of all, who doesn't like an exciting life?Anyway, Bertha is very yearning; secondly, Mycroft acquiesced that she could walk in society as "Holmes' lover", and it would be much more convenient for her to do business in London in the future.

only……

They have only met for the first time, and Mycroft Holmes' trust is not due to Bertha's halo of Mary Sue.

He believed that she would not betray her because Bertha had the handle in his hands: he knew that she was Rochester's dead wife, and that she was Bertha Mason.

Even if Bertha dared to use the traveler's understanding of "The Collection of Sherlock Holmes" to be sure that the elder Holmes is not a villain who threatens with his tricks, she would not do things for those who have her own tricks.

Once on this ship, Bertha is doomed to be controlled by others.Can't take that risk.

"Suddenly having multiple lovers, I don't mind," so Bertha smiled and replied slowly, "but I'm straightforward and inexperienced, I'm afraid I can't be an undercover agent, so don't make trouble for you. If you need my help , I can go another way, sir."

"I would like to hear more about it, madam."

"The location of this mansion and bar is really good, opposite to the Whitechapel area, it's a good location."

No one who has ever heard of Whitechapel would describe it as a good location - it's a slum.

Holmes understood Bertha's thoughts at once.

His expression was subtle, and then he seriously advised: "You are not the first person who wants to make an idea of ​​the Whitechapel District."

What does she want to do?Bertha knew that many people had doubts.Thomas Thames has always maintained a high degree of curiosity about Bertha, and Miss Jane Eyre has also asked about Bertha's next plan.

During this period Bertha thought for a long time, and finally felt that...

Since the gangsters in London are doing things for her, wouldn't it be a waste of opportunity if they didn't use it to do something in reverse?

The Whitechapel district is chaotic and impoverished. According to Bertha's understanding of the bottom of this society, the dark forces must be complicated and no one will obey the other.This kind of environment is very suitable for an outsider like her to end up messing things up.

What she wants is this land.

"Yes."

Bertha turned her head to the side: "Since I'm not the first one, so what if there is one more?"

Mycroft was not surprised, neither minding Bertha's refusal of his request, nor admonishing her about her intentions.The elder Holmes thought for a moment, and then said: "If you are in the Whitechapel neighborhood, maybe you can really help me, madam."

"Ok?"

"Before Colonel Dent went to Thornfield Manor, he had inquired about the movement of the Truth Society in the Whitechapel area," said Mycroft. "Thomas Thames used to be a local gangster. Ask him to check it out. It should be easier than my men sneaking into the slums."

You really don't see the outside world, Bertha slandered, she was just being polite, she didn't expect Mycroft to be so easy going, and he had to "take advantage" of her.

But Bertha didn't mind. Wouldn't it be harmful to have a good relationship with Holmes?

"If possible, please help me pay more attention. Maybe I will rely on your help in the future."

Bertha's smile remained unchanged, but her hoarse voice suddenly changed.

"Between lovers," she stood at the stairway of the dilapidated hotel, her posture was dignified, but she was full of amorous feelings, "it's too extravagant to be so polite."

"...that's natural."

Mycroft paused, and then put on a rather helpful expression: "It's my fault, Bertha."

Bertha curled her lips, "It's good to know."

From the beginning to the end, this gentleman put on a friendly and familiar attitude, as if they had really known each other for a long time.

But as for whether to take it to heart, only each other knows each other well - Bertha was a well-known local beauty in Jamaica before she got married, and she knew what a man would do when he accepted her flirting.

No matter what the performance is, it will never be what this gentleman looks like at this time.

***

The elder Holmes didn't stay long. After talking with Bertha, it was she who sent him to the door of the bar herself.

"Send it here, ma'am."

Facing the shocked expressions of Thomas and Mr. Jeffrey, Mycroft didn't have the slightest sense of "a big living person popped out of nowhere in the haunted house", he politely pressed the brim of his hat: "I don't want to stay for a long time now, and I will be there in the future." If there is an opportunity, I will definitely visit the door in person.”

Bertha smiled and said, "Then don't make me wait any longer, I will miss you, sir."

The other party nodded solemnly, as if they had promised something.Then he turned and left, walking towards a rather low-key carriage at the corner of the street.

After he left, Thomas stepped forward in confusion: "Ma'am, was that person just now...?"

Bertha didn't care: "Oh, old lover, it's okay to come to collect debts."

Although she accepted the other party's request for help, Bertha felt that it was not the time to send Thomas to contact them.She hasn't figured out all the details about the other party yet.

Thomas: "..." That doesn't sound like a thing at all, does it? !

Bertha didn't mind what Thomas thought. She looked directly at Mr. Jeffrey: "I think the price of 2100 pounds is reasonable. After the contract is drawn up, it can be traded. And Thomas, find me a witch or witch."

"what?"

"Isn't this a haunted haunted house?"

Seeing the astonished expressions of the two men, Bertha clapped her hands and explained with a cheerful smile.

"The first thing after buying a house, of course, is to have a grand exorcism ceremony!"

The author has something to say: The lovers who have never met before meet for the first time, and they are quite satisfied with each other√

Bertha: Although the attack is menacing and she still holds a handle, she is very talkative and can cooperate for a long time.

Maggie: Although I rejected my proposal, he is still smart enough to understand current affairs and can cooperate for a long time.

Ginger Flower:? ?Don't you two consider the issue of appearance?

Maggie, Bertha: [disdain.jpg]