[Comprehensive Classics] Detective Mary

"Miss Mary Bennet," said the strange gentleman, "what are you following me for?"

"..."

Mary's eyes widened.

Does he know himself?

But Mary did not know him, for she had never seen the man near Longbourne and Meryton--if she had, she would not forget it.

The man in front of him was less than 30 years old. He took off his gentleman's hat and held it with his cane.The gentleman has black hair and a clear face. His hooked nose bridge and high cheekbones are impressive, and his eyes are as sharp as a falcon.

This kind of person, who almost wrote the word "extraordinary" on his face, came to Meryton quietly, but there was no news from the surrounding social circles. He must have deliberately hidden his tracks, and his purpose was also It's not about socializing at Meryton.

Moreover, Mary is not a beautiful and talented woman, and her name is not famous enough to be remembered by strange men.

"Meridon is so big," Mary blinked. "I'm just walking around. I'm sorry to misunderstand you, sir."

"If you are looking for a stranger who abetted little Jeffrey to steal," he made a gesture of leaving, "it is too natural to follow rashly, Miss Bennet."

Mary: "...huh?"

Not only does he know her, but he also knows what she wants to do?

At that moment, an extremely absurd and daring possibility hit Mary's mind. She clenched the hem of her skirt tightly and felt her heart beating violently because of this possibility.

"Wait a minute."

Before the man left, Mary spoke first: "Wait a minute, Mr. Holmes!"

The black-haired gentleman turned his head sideways: "What's the matter?"

Mary took a deep breath.

Sure enough it was him!

Who else but Sherlock Holmes would be dressed like this, who would call out strangers' names as a matter of course, who would come to Meryton and know all about the burglary?

Before time-traveling, Mary often laughed at her friends for being crazy about star-chasing, but now she finally understands what it’s like for her friends to chase after stars-Mary also racked her brains to create an opportunity to go to London, just to see 221b Baker Street in this era, and in a blink of an eye Suddenly, the living Sherlock Holmes stood in front of her, talking to her.

God, is she living in a dream!

I really want to make a chance to go to London, just to meet my idol... In fact, there is no need to meet, even if you go to Baker Street in this era, Mary will feel satisfied.

But she didn't expect that Sherlock Holmes came directly to her before she succeeded in matching the feelings of the two sisters to achieve a small plan to go to London.

"You, you," Mary said "you" several times, and finally regained her sanity before she completely lost her composure, "How do you know my name, Mr. Holmes?"

Sherlock Holmes raised his eyebrows, as if Mary had asked some extremely low-level question.

But he stopped and answered Mary: "My client, Mr. Charles Bingley, told me that a young lady named Mary Bennet, quite bold and exceptionally clever, had no difficulty in judging little Geoffrey's There were other instigations behind the theft, and it was she who advised Mr. Bingley to ask someone else to investigate the matter thoroughly. And you, Miss Bennet, about 20 years old, well-dressed, fair-skinned, the daughter of a local squire, dared to follow alone A strange man—any stranger who was haunting Meryton at this time could be a suspect in abetting Geoffrey, and only those who cared about the case would do it. Not many around Tonton."

Sherlock Holmes used the basic deductive method on the spot, and Mary's heart can no longer be described with joy.

She tugged at the corner of her skirt, her eyes sparkling: "Then you... don't you wonder how I recognized you, sir?"

The thin gentleman replied naturally: "The person who is currently pursuing the case is not you, but me, ma'am."

Saying this, Holmes put on his hat and started to walk.

It was not until Holmes had almost walked out of the alley that she came back to herself.Mary followed in a hurry. Mr. Holmes was tall and long-legged, so Mary had to trot to catch up with him: "Sir, do you live in London?"

"Yes."

"How did you and Mr. Bingley meet?"

"Recommended by Fitzwilliam Darcy."

"Then how did you and Mr. Darcy meet?"

"..."

The amiable Mr. Charles Bingley would have patiently satisfied all of Mary's curiosity, but not so much Sherlock Holmes.

It's just that he is not as eccentric as the film and television works re-interpreted by later generations-in fact, after some conversations, Mary feels that among the many versions of Sherlock Holmes, this one is quite a gentleman.As the heroine of the fan fiction, she probably speculates that the author refers to the character setting of Jeremy Brett's version in 84.

But that doesn't mean the more peaceful Mr. Holmes wastes time in meaningless conversation.

He glanced sideways at Mary, and the intent in those piercing eyes was obvious: if Mary Bennet was going to spend time on meaningless conversations, he'd really overestimated her intelligence.

Mary was not discouraged, but smiled and said, "I guess it's a family friend, right? It's okay, I can ask Mr. Darcy."

Since Mr. Bingley said that Holmes and Darcy have a good relationship, Mary thinks that they are probably family friends.Firstly, she couldn't figure out how a wealthy bachelor could become friends with a detective who was running around in the streets of London. Secondly, the Holmes family was also a well-known local gentry, so it was normal to know Darcy's family.

Without waiting for Holmes to speak, Mary changed the topic on her own: "You said just now that the person who instigated little Jeffrey would not return to Meryton because his plan failed. Naturally, there is no need to turn back. It's just me Some don't understand what he wants, sir, do you have any clues?"

Holmes stopped short.

Mary looked up and found that they had come near the home of little Jeffrey.

The distance is too close!Mary could not wait to walk another ten kilometers with Sherlock Holmes.

The detective turned around: "What do you think, Miss Bennet?"

Is this testing her?

Mary's eyes lit up suddenly.

When it comes to the case, she is much calmer, but the cunning color shines on her ordinary face: "Since you also believe that little Jeffrey was instigated by someone, sir, I won't go into details. At the beginning I thought it was Mr. Bingley who had offended someone, but when I think about it I think it must be something of great value in Mr. Bingley's bedroom."

"You think there is an eye on Mr. Bingley's property."

"That's the only motive I can think of."

"A contract."

Mary shivered.

She originally thought it would be something like a jeweled crown, but it was time-traveling in a fan novel anyway, so it's not surprising that it was exaggerated and romantic.

Mr. Holmes' assumptions are much more realistic - what was most valuable in the Victorian period?capital.What does the operation of capital depend on?market.

And the market makes capital, and the terms of the contract are always indispensable.

Mary reacted quickly: "The contract, is it a factory contract or a commercial trade contract?"

She didn't know what Mr. Bingley's business was. Although Mary was quite curious about the capitalist production relations of this era, in the view of the southern country gentry, only a wealthy landowner like Darcy could be called "noble". .And doing business to make money is something that cannot be put on the table.

Therefore, Mary did not ask specifically.

But such an answer did not let Mary understand the cause and effect of the case.

"A signed contract." She was even more confused. "What's the use of stealing it? And if you steal the contract, the case would be too simple."

"Think, Miss Bennet."

Mr. Holmes grew impatient.

"Before you blurt out, you should think first."

He tapped the heel of his shoe lightly with his cane, almost engraving the word dissatisfaction in every cell, almost directly complaining about such a simple question, how could he have doubts in his heart.

Anyone else might be scared back by the big detective's contempt for IQ, but Mary doesn't like this.

Her curiosity was thoroughly aroused, and she didn't want to explain, nor was she afraid when she saw Mr. Holmes.

The petite girl turned slightly and stood in front of the thin gentleman. Mary boldly raised her head and looked straight into Mr. Holmes' sharp eyes, and said relentlessly, "You can't force an unmarried lady who has never set foot outside the county to understand Everything, Mr. Holmes, there are many things in the world that I do not understand, but I can learn, and . . . "

Mary raised a smile: "I haven't figured out what to instigate the thieves in Little Jeffrey to steal the contract, but I figured out another thing."

Holmes: "What?"

Mary: "Mr. Darcy recommended you to Mr. Bingley to solve the theft case."

"Yes."

"Then I think this case is too simple for you," Mary said, "Is it because you have a bigger conspiracy behind this commission?"

"..."

Sherlock Holmes, however, did not answer her.

The detective just put his hat back on, walked around Mary who was standing in front of him, and walked towards Little Jeffrey's house.

Mary turned around reluctantly, and said to Holmes' back, "Can I investigate with you, sir? No matter what conspiracy is behind it, I just want to give justice to little Jeffrey's mother!"

Holmes did not stop.

"Sir, if you don't speak, I will take it as your promise."

"........."

Sherlock Holmes, who was walking in front, stopped again, turned his head to Mary and said, "What are you waiting for, clues will not come to you, Miss Bennet."

Hey?

Mary looked dazed.

Mr. Detective sighed helplessly: "Why don't you leave soon?"

Mary froze for a moment, then raised a particularly bright smile.She picked up her skirt and followed without hesitation.