I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

In a ward of St. John's Block General Hospital, Leah was wiping the face of a sleeping lover.

There was an unhurried knock on the door.

"Please come in."

"Good day, Miss Leah."

Under Leah's astonished and puzzled eyes, Mycroft Holmes walked into the clean and tidy ward, and put the bouquet of condolences in his hand in the miscellaneous basket at the door.

"I hope my presumptuous visit will not disturb Mr. Albert."

"He just took medicine and fell into a deep sleep."

Liya put down the towel in her hand, stood up straight, and tried her best to suppress the fear and heaviness deep in her heart.

"Mr. Holmes, I really didn't expect to see you in Albert's ward. Excuse me, are you Albert's friend?"

Mycroft left the door ajar and took two steps forward.

When his tall body stood in the middle of the ward, Leah felt an inexplicable sense of oppression.

The gentleman's gray eyes were impassive and calm, and his face was expressionless, but it was more formidable than any face blazing with anger.

"I'm sorry, Miss Leah," the man's voice was reserved and cold, "I haven't met Mr. Albert before I entered this ward. I took the time to visit here today, and I want to ask you a few questions .”

Leah opened her mouth, wanting to say that the two didn't have any friendship, and she didn't have time to answer the other's question, but the other's aura made her unable to say no.

Mycroft walked to the only comfortable-looking armchair in the room: "Won't you invite me to sit down, Miss Leah?"

"Sit down, Mr. Holmes. I have been rude."

"Miss Leah, my appearance here today must have given you some thoughts. Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. I can tell you directly that I have already learned about you and Mr. Howard and Wens The conspiracy of the three of Miss Te."

Leah couldn't help but took half a step back.

"Sir, what are you talking about? What conspiracy?" Leah tried to keep her tone steady, looking directly at Mycroft with feigned composure.

Mycroft smiled faintly, and fixed his eyes on the sleeping patient.

"Mr. Albert's experience is really sympathetic. You are his friend who grew up together and his lover who has been separated for many years. I can understand your regret. However, you should not take the tragic experience of Mr. Albert , all on Miss Gladstone who knows nothing."

"Don't know anything?" Leah couldn't help raising her voice, and then, she looked in the direction of the hospital bed worriedly, and managed to suppress her excitement, "Mr. Holmes, I don't expect a master of your status to be able to Understand the plight of our poor people, but, but don't talk about it in such a relaxed tone in front of me, at Albert's hospital bed. Some people are arrogant and indifferent enough to be punished by God."

"So you punished Miss Gladstone instead of God?"

Leah's face twisted violently: "Don't slander me, Mr. Holmes! Even though I have many complaints, I know what I can do and what I can't touch. I think, exclude my personal Feelings, I didn’t make any mistakes at work, let alone get unwarranted accusations from a gentleman during the break.”

"This is not an unfounded accusation," Mycroft said with sharp eyes and a low voice, "Miss Leah, if I hadn't learned what you did from Miss Winster, I wouldn't be here. As Miss Gladstone's protector, I cannot ignore the danger that lurks beside her."

Hearing Miss Winster's name again, Leah's eyes panicked for a moment.Obviously, in her subconscious mind, among the accomplices, the emotionally confused Miss Winster was the one who was the most likely to reveal the secret.

Mycroft pressed on step by step: "Miss Leah, the lies you told Miss Winster, the deal you made with Mr. Howard, the fact that you used the power of the head maid, the coal you secretly hid... I need to continue Do you understand?"

These words made Leah pale, and almost all the calmness in her eyes disappeared.

In fact, when Mycroft appeared in this ward, Leah already understood that what she had done had probably been exposed.

"Sir, Miss Winster was pregnant out of wedlock, and she did such a scandal, what kind of lies can't be told? Please don't listen to the nonsense of such a bad character. How could I murder Miss Doris? That's all slander."

Mycroft raised his eyebrows and sneered: "Look, Miss Leia, you're self-confessed. I've never said the word 'murder'. Also, about Miss Winster's pregnancy, have you How do you know? Your rebuttal is full of loopholes."

Liya's body swayed, and she held the iron frame at the head of the bed in silence for a moment. Suddenly, she showed a strange smile:

"Mr. Holmes, you have said so much, but you actually have no evidence, right? Otherwise, why did you find this place? Just let the detective of the police station arrest me."

Holmes shook his head. Just as he was about to continue speaking, the door of the ward was pushed open silently.

A handsome brown-haired young man walked in with a smile.

"Good day, you two."

The young man who broke in suddenly took off his hat, first gave a polite greeting to Mycroft, and then he turned to face Leah who stared round.

"Looking at your expression, you should have guessed who I am. Leah, you said, I have appeared, will Mr. Holmes still have no evidence? That night, I have been watching you all the time Woolen cloth."

Sure enough, as the strange young man pointed out in his words, Liya finally showed complete despair in her eyes after seeing this person appear.She knelt down beside the hospital bed, covering her face with her hands.

Mycroft sized up the stranger who came in after him, his gaze stayed on his red and green checked vest for a moment, his expression a little unpredictable.

The young man blinked at the steady gentleman, with a playful and lively expression, with a friendly meaning that was not frivolous.However, when he turned to face Leah, his expression became fierce.

"Leah, I've been thinking that if you had been more daring that night, while you were clearing up the charcoal stove and extinguishing the fireplace, you would go to Miss Gladstone's bedside to check on her status and see if the murder was successful. You'll be able to find out earlier that it's not her lying in the quilt, but my casually rolled up clothes. That way, when you hear the bell the next morning, you won't be so scared and burnt, see Look, you are still wrapped in gauze, how painful it is."

Leah raised her head abruptly: "You already found out that I was going to do something? It was you! It was you! You rescued that woman Doris, right? Who are you? Who are you? Why did you get into the manor? Inside? Why do you want to help that wayward and indifferent eldest lady? You are the old earl's leftover?"

"Why can't I help her?" The young man in the red and green plaid vest asked back with a smile, "Miss Doris is so beautiful, so lively and straightforward, I think she is a good girl from the bottom of my heart, of course I want to save her from hell Come out. Besides, the old Earl is indeed kind to me, and I can't let you hurt his beloved granddaughter."

The young man's words caused disappointment and sarcasm to appear on Leah's brows.

"You are all deceived by her appearance. Doris has been a liar since she was a child. She relied on the old earl's favor to wantonly hurt innocent people and bring misfortune to other people's lives. What is there to praise, I am so pitiful you."

Mycroft tapped his cane gently:

"You two, stop talking. Now that Miss Leah has confessed to murdering Miss Gladstone, then the purpose of my visit today is considered complete. We can leave the patient a quiet environment and go together A trip to the police station?"

When she heard that she was going to the police station, Liya's expression was dumbfounded, and there was still panic in her eyes:

"Sir, sir, please, I can't go to the police station. I have to take care of Albert. If I don't take care of him, he can't live. Isn't Miss Doris all right? Please do me a favor and let me go Go! I, I am willing to confess the crimes of Howard and Winster, please forgive me."

The young man walked up to Leah, squatted down and looked at her: "Leah, we can't forgive you for Miss Gladstone. Remember, she was the one you hurt. If you committed murder, you will be punished. As for Abel Mr. Te, don't worry, I will bear his medical expenses, and I will never let him die early because he cannot receive timely treatment."

Liya was desperate at first, and then she was ecstatic because of the young man's words. She grabbed the young man's arm and asked eagerly, "Say, are you willing to see a doctor for Albert?"

"As long as you confess your guilt honestly and explain all the details clearly, I'm willing to bear Mr. Albert's treatment expenses. Of course, life and death are fate. If he can't support it, don't blame me."

"No, sir, Albert's vitality is very tenacious. He has been very strong since he was a child. As long as he is treated, he will definitely be able to survive. And, and, even...even if there is any accident, I will not It's your fault, as long as, as long as you and Mr. Holmes promise to treat him as best you can."

The young man nodded.

Mycroft said at the same time: "I can agree to your request, with honor, Miss Leah."

With the consent of the two gentlemen, Leah's whole body relaxed, and she was like a deflated balloon, which suddenly spread to the ground.

"Gentlemen, thank you for your benevolence and kindness, and thank you for your willingness to help Albert. I know that you are all running around for Miss Doris, but, but she is really not worth what you do for her. Although she is She is noble and beautiful, but she does not have a beautiful and gentle heart."

The young man stood up, his eyes moved slightly: "Maybe, I can listen to your story, Miss Leah."

Mycroft glanced down at the time, he had already guessed the general course of the matter and the extreme anger of the people, and he was not particularly willing to listen carefully to the specific details.

However, at this time, he became interested in this Santa Claus worshiper who suddenly appeared. After hesitating for a while, he did not get up and leave the room, but sat still and quietly observed the two people opposite him.

As if aware of the scrutiny behind him, the young man glanced back at Mycroft and smiled politely at him.

"Gentlemen, Albert and I came here from our hometown of Derbyshire nine years ago, and we were introduced to find a job at Gladstone Manor. How happy we were then, to be able to serve the noble Earl's family , It is very proud and decent to say it.

"Albert liked horses since he was a child. His father was a horse trainer, and he was also a good horse trainer. Therefore, the housekeeper asked Albert to take care of the horses in the manor, and I became a maid in the kitchen.

"I've been looking forward to, after Albert and I worked in the manor for a few years, saved up some money, got a residence in the village, and then I would quit my job as a maid, marry him, and have children for him. Albert and I thought the same, about a year later, Albert became the official horse trainer in the manor, he was very happy, we drank that night, he proposed to me, and we imagined the future together life……"

Seeing Liya falling into sweet memories, the young man frowned and had to interrupt the other party:

"Leah, I think we should cut the long story short. Mr. Holmes may not have so much time to listen to all your past."

Liya paused, she woke up from the colorful memories, she had to face the cold reality, had to face the two men who interrogated her, her eyes gradually filled with tears.

"That day, Miss Doris was going to practice riding, and Albert was responsible for her safety. However, the pony under Miss Doris suddenly picked up speed, which frightened her, and she yelled. One After Mr. took her off the horse, she fell down and was injured. Because of this, the old Earl was very angry and dismissed Albert on the spot.

"Because he made a mistake and was fired, it was difficult for Albert to find another stable job near the manor, and life became difficult. I pleaded with Miss Doris, but she refused me."

The young man was puzzled: "You hate Doris because she refused to intercede?"

Leah shook her head: "Not all. What annoyed me the most was that on the second day after I pleaded, I heard Miss Doris say to Miss Jane with a smile that she was not actually frightened. But , as long as she pretends to be scared, she can skip class for many days, so she is unwilling to plead with the horse trainer Albert."

Speaking of this, hatred burst out in Liya's eyes.

"Just because she wanted to miss a few days of class, Albert lost her beloved job. After that, Albert returned to his hometown. However, because the original introducer was afraid of offending the Gladstone family, he said everywhere Albert was fired because he made a mistake, saying that he injured Miss Gladstone, so no one wanted him to touch their own horses anymore, and they didn't trust him to be a good horse trainer.

"Albert had no choice, so he wrote to me and said that he planned to go to the factory in the north to find a job first. After a period of time, when the turmoil and rumors faded, he would come back. Since then, I have occasionally received I read Albert's letter from the factory, he said that the work was tiring and dirty, but he could support himself and save some money, and in a few years, he would be able to marry me.

"I have been waiting for him, but a year later, Albert suddenly sent me a letter, saying that he met another girl he loves, married her, and left the previous city , told me not to wait for him any longer. I didn't believe it, but I couldn't find him, so I gradually gave up. "

Suddenly, Liya's tone became excited, and her speech speed became very fast.

"However, just last month, I went home to attend a relative's funeral and bumped into Albert. God, my poor Albert, how did he suffer so much! Gentlemen, I found out that he was all He lied to me, he didn't change his mind at all, he wrote to tell me not to wait for him, it was all for my own good.

"When he was manipulating those terrible machines, he was accidentally caught in it, and his entire arm was gone. He was afraid of delaying me, so he wrote to lie to me, saying that he was married, and made me give up.

"Albert lost his arm. The factory owner still had some conscience. He paid for Albert's treatment and asked him to show the factory's warehouse. Albert cherished that job very much. He didn't want to go to the poorhouse, so he kept Work conscientiously. Later, a fire broke out in the warehouse, and he was the first to rush in to put out the fire. Unfortunately, the fire was too big for Albert to stop, and he himself was choked by the poisonous smoke.

"Since then, he has been coughing all the time, and he has become thinner and thinner. When I met him, he had already left the factory. He was so sick that they were afraid that he would infect others, so they let him He went back to his hometown and waited to die... I, how could I bear to watch him leave in such pain..."

Liya broke down in tears when she said this.

The young man sighed, but still asked her in a calm tone:

"You met your former fiancé a month ago. You wanted to treat him, but you also felt that all the sufferings in his life were caused by Miss Gladstone's waywardness back then. So, you agreed to Secretary Howard, Willing to murder a young life for him, once the matter is revealed, you will confess your guilt, and then let Howard take care of Albert for you, right?"

Leah sobbed and nodded.

The young man continued: "Leah, I swear by Albert's health and your conscience, do you really think that Miss Gladstone is responsible for all this suffering? Do you really think it is wrong for the old earl to fire Albert?" Is there a reason? At that time, Albert was indeed distracted when he was working, and he didn't pay attention to the ten-year-old girl who was just learning how to ride, right?"

Liya froze for a moment, and was about to blame Doris for the mistake, but she turned her head and glanced at Albert on the hospital bed, looking at his withered face, she suddenly didn't dare to express her resentment .

The young man pressed further: "Why did Albert lose his mind at that time, and why did he look back?"

Liya closed her eyes. She happened to pass by the lawn at that time. Albert and her just expressed their feelings to each other...

The young man glanced at Leah's changing expression, and instead of continuing to ask this question, he asked another question:

"Leah, since you hate Miss Gladstone so much, and... I guess, you stole some anesthetics from this hospital to make the young lady unconscious. Since you can do this, why Instead of directly attacking and hurting people, you chose such a troublesome way instead?"

"I, I dare not. I was also forced to do nothing. Although I hated Miss Doris before, I didn't want revenge. It was Howard who bewitched me."

"No, for Albert, you have agreed to Howard's terrible deal, you have sold your soul, there is nothing you dare not."

Liya looked up and found that the two gentlemen in the room were looking at her coldly, as if they didn't feel any compassion at all because of her narration.

Lia cried even more.

Mycroft had a gentle tone and a firm attitude: "Miss Leah, please cooperate with the interrogation, so that Mr. Albert can get better treatment as soon as possible."

Leah shivered under such a gentle tone. For some reason, she was more afraid of the gentle and gentle Mycroft than the aggressive handsome young man. She didn't dare to hide the last calculation in her heart.

"Gentlemen, although I agreed to Mr. Howard's conditions, I don't trust him. I'm afraid... Once I'm arrested, he won't keep his word and ignore Albert. So, I chose A troublesome way. In that way I can involve Tom White, who is always doing things to me, and I can also involve Miss Winster."

There was an expression in the young man's eyes as expected, and he quietly listened to Liya's confession of his thoughts.

How she secretly arranged and planned to blame the servant Tom, and how she made up lies to make Miss Winster panic about Doris, and promised to cover for her, pretending to be sick and stealing coal.

Before Howard found out and stopped her, she also involved the pregnant Miss Winster in this conspiracy. By the time Howard found out, it was too late, because Leah had already pinched Winster's handle, and she had the ability to check and balance him. the power of.

"I told Mr. Howard that I would hide the evidence of Winster's participation in the murder of Miss Gladstone. As long as he fulfills his promise and treats Albert, those evidences will never appear in the police station. But , if he goes back on his word, I will also ruin his reputation."

Now that the matter has come to this point, the young man feels that there is no need to ask any more questions. I believe that Mr. Howard and Miss Winston will be able to complete the rest of the details and motives.

He glanced at Mycroft: "Sir, when I came in, the person who saw you was standing at the end of the corridor. Are you going to take Leah away? Give it to the police officer?"

Mycroft shook his head: "Why bother asking. I will take Miss Leia back to Gladstone Manor and explain the matter clearly in front of the Earl, Countess and Miss Gladstone. After that, How to punish the murderer depends on the attitude of the Gladstone family."

"What if Your Excellency the Earl wants to keep Howard? Or, there are more key figures involved behind this matter, such as Mrs. Aurora in London. Does she know her brother's plan? For example, Your Excellency the Earl, does he acquiesce?" What? When the time comes, will you insist on justice for Miss Gladstone?"

Mycroft suddenly stood up and walked up to the young man: "Sir, I haven't asked how to address you yet?"

"Mr. Holmes, my name is Klaus."

"Klaus?" Mycroft raised his eyebrows and changed his tone: "Mr. Claus, I think, before answering your question, I have to ask, what is your relationship with Miss Gladstone? , That night, why did you show up in time and save her? As far as I know, there is no legal place for you in Gladstone Manor."

The young Klaus smiled heartily, pointing to Leah and the patient:

"Should we talk in another place? Here, although Mr. Albert slept soundly because of the medicine, we shouldn't occupy his room all the time and disturb his rest."

Mycroft nodded slightly, and walked out of the ward first with a cane, followed by the young man.

After Mycroft's subordinates pushed Lia away, the two walked down the stairs one after the other, and stood facing each other in the courtyard of the hospital.

"Thank you, Mr. Holmes, for what you have done for Miss Gladstone."

With a faint glance at the handsome young man with a sincere smile, Mycroft felt a trace of doubt.

"Since the crime has been discovered, I will not allow it to continue to exist. Besides, based on my friendship with the Gladstone family, it is reasonable to do these things. Mr. Claus, you haven't cleared up my doubts, you Why did it 'coincidentally' appear in Gladstone Manor?"

This question made the young man's smile more shy. He moved a few steps quietly, looked up at the sky again, and there was a trace of tender admiration in his eyes, as if he was remembering, but also seemed to be covering up.

After about half a minute, he explained slowly:

"I accidentally learned a few words about the conspiracy, and I am very worried about Miss Doris's safety. Therefore, these days, I have been paying attention to the disturbances in Gladstone Manor. As for how I paid attention, sorry, forgive me I can’t tell the truth. I can only swear on my reputation and conscience that I have not hurt any innocent people or done anything unrighteous.”

"However, your appearance itself means destroying Miss Gladstone's reputation. I think Earl Gladstone will be furious when he finds out about your existence."

The young man showed an indifferent smile: "I believe that His Excellency the Earl will hide my existence. No one cares more about the reputation of the Gladstone family than him. He can say that I am any brave man in the manor who saved people." The servants, or even the maids, will not be strangers of unknown origin."

Mycroft looked at the young man on the opposite side very seriously, and gradually had some guesses in his heart.

He asked calmly, "Mr. Claus, does Miss Gladstone know about your existence?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

Klaus took out his pipe, he turned his head to glance at the patient walking not far away, and tilted his head towards Mycroft.

"That's a long story. I want to take a few sips first. Let's go outside the hospital?"

Mycroft glanced at the pipe in Klaus's hand and the way he held it, and nodded slowly.

However, when the two of them reached the intersection outside the hospital, a group of dirty half-grown children ran over, shouting and laughing, separating the young man from Mycroft, and At the same time, cloth ribbons of various colors were flying in their hands, which directly disturbed Mycroft's sight.

After the noisy children ran away, Mycroft was not surprised to find that the young man who said he wanted to smoke and talk in detail had disappeared. A nondescript carriage sped away and quickly disappeared around the corner... …