Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 730 Is this the end of the cooperation?

When Lingge and Saint Charity saw Miss Gloria again, she was watering the plants in the yard. Although Lingge did not think those bleak dead trees were worth taking care of, and it was difficult to grow lush and beautiful flowers in the deep ditches and narrow alleys of the old neighborhood, the detective seemed to be enjoying it, so he did not say much.

Miss Gloria, who was watering the plants through a rickety low wooden fence, heard the footsteps and looked up from the gray branches and leaves. She saw the two guests at a glance. She laughed happily, with a hint of pride and cunning in her smile: "No wonder a black cat walked across my roof today. It turns out that something good is going to happen."

"As far as I know, black cats have always been regarded as messengers of bad omens and misfortune. Even children playing on the street throw stones at them." Lingge did not go into the courtyard, but stood outside the wooden fence to talk to her: "Are the people of Lunwitting different and need to be distinguished from other cities in terms of folk customs?"

"That's not true."

Miss Gloria blinked, her long black eyelashes trembling: "It's just because I'm a special detective."

Lingge was speechless, while Saint Xia Liya beside him smiled silently, as if she found this conversation very interesting.

Today, Miss Gloria was not wearing the great detective's iconic outfit like she did yesterday, and of course, she was not wearing a skirt or other clothes that were more in line with her gender. Instead, she was wearing a dark gray shirt, a pair of plaid cropped trousers of the same color, and a pair of shiny black leather shoes. The only thing she still wore was a brown deerstalker hat on her head, covering her fluffy and soft gray hair.

Perhaps to match her temperament, she particularly prefers this deep color tone, which is in sharp contrast with girls of the same age who like gorgeous clothes. If you have not noticed the long gray hair, you will definitely mistake her for a boy who is keen on chasing excitement and new things in the streets and alleys of the city. Charles Dickens once called this kind of boys the "Lenwhiting gang" in "A Tale of Two Cities" to describe their gang-like idle situation and trouble-making character. The uniform clothing of these boys is tattered shirts, patched cropped trousers and dirty hats.

Gloria noticed that Ling was observing her clothes, and the corners of her mouth curled up a little: "This is an outfit I tailored to hide from others. Generally speaking, as long as I walk on the street dressed like this, no one will pay attention to me. The homeless, beggars, boys and girls on the street are not stingy to share their little secrets with me. As everyone knows, in the city of Lunwitting, the people who know the most secrets are never the bigwigs sitting in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, but these cute guys who are easily overlooked. Do you think what I said makes sense, Mr. Ling?"

Saint Xia Liya had been listening quietly, and only spoke up after their conversation ended, "So, Miss Gloria, you are dressed like this today. Do you have any cases to deal with? I hope we won't disturb you."

Miss Gloria put her hat back on. "Not really. I just plan to go to the Harbor District and ask those good guys who only care about money and not people for more information about the archaeological project of the Prehistoric Heritage Institute. Maybe it will come in handy in the future. However, since you are here, the priority of this matter can be put aside, because I believe you will bring me more important news, right?"

Ling Ge thought for a moment and said, "I think even if you walk down the street in the most gorgeous dress, no one will notice you."

This is not a disparagement, but the truth - Miss Gloria has an amazing talent for reducing her presence and erasing her from other people's sight. Otherwise, a detective as unique as her would have been noticed by the residents of the entire Seven Stars Plate area long ago.

She looked at the two guests with a smile, her tone casual but not frivolous.

Gloria thought so too, so she took off her hat and bowed her head gracefully to thank her guest for the recognition.

"Maybe so, maybe not." Linger replied: "Regarding the answer to yesterday's incident, whether it is important or not is for you to judge, Miss Gloria."

"That is of course very important." Gloria raised her voice and said, "Please don't stand at the door, both of you. Come into the office quickly. We can chat while drinking coffee, so that Miss Alice won't say I don't know etiquette. Hey, isn't Miss Alice here today?"

"She's busy with other things. Besides, we can just chat here. I don't think anyone would eavesdrop in a place like this—" Linger looked around. The gray alley was empty, with only the occasional dripping sound from the gutter against the wall. He looked up. The sky was narrow and gloomy between the stone houses. Dark clouds were gathering. It looked like it would rain soon. This was not surprising. After all, Lunweiting was the rainy city. For it, days without rain were special.

"It would be best if we can finish discussing this matter before it starts to rain." Ling Ge retracted his gaze and said to the girl with gray hair and gray eyes, "First and foremost, the most important point: after discussing last night, we have agreed to accept your cooperation proposal, Miss Gloria."

"call out--"

The other party whistled in an unladylike manner: "This is really the best news I have heard in half a year. It is even more exciting than Sonny giving birth to four boys and three girls."

"Who is Sonny?" Ling'er's first reaction was: How can he be so fertile?

"Oh, that's the black cat I mentioned before, the one that passed by my roof this morning. Do you want me to introduce you to her? She has a wonderful daughter who has yet to be adopted. Perhaps you would be a good match?"

"...No need."

As Saint Chariah chuckled, the young man changed the subject abruptly: "Then the next step is the details of the cooperation. You are responsible for providing a disguised identity and gathering information about Professor Heinrich Schliemann and his villa, Xiaoliang Palace. This is reasonable. So what I want to ask is, what do we need to be responsible for?"

"Well, I've already thought about this." Gloria smiled mysteriously, which made Ling Ge suddenly feel ominous. "You guys are responsible for providing manpower and money."

Manpower is not a big deal, but money...it really hits the biggest pain point of young people right now.

Linger said with a straight face: "Specifically?"

"To be specific? As for manpower, I need four or five reliable helpers from your side. For a dangerous plan like this, someone has to be responsible for the execution and the support. Although I have Mr. Peanut to help me, I am still outnumbered. I have to rely on you, Mr. Lingge."

I wouldn't think you were being funny if you didn't mention Mr. Peanut.

"As for the money, it's not much. One or two thousand pounds is enough. It should be more than enough for Mr. Ling..."

"It looks like our cooperation ends here, Miss Gloria."

"Eh?"

(End of this chapter)