Chapter 357: Happenings at the Banquet

When he got back to Minsk Street from the factory district, Klein had a

simple lunch and took a nap. He didn't wake up until the evening when

the sky had darkened.

But even so, he still felt exhausted, exhaustion that stemmed from the

depths of his heart.

After quite some time of being lost in thought, Klein went down to the

first floor and lit the gas lamp. He prepared to sit on the sofa and

read the day's newspapers, but when he glanced around, he saw an

invitation letter on the coffee table.

He was stunned for a moment before realizing that it was an invitation

letter which Mrs. Stelyn Sammer had sent her maidservant to deliver a

few days ago.

*I almost forgot about this... The disguised matchmaking

banquet...* Klein put down the invitation letter and walked to

the bathroom on the first floor. He used cold water to wash his face,

sprucing himself up to look much more energetic.

Compared to when he first arrived at Backlund, there was a much thicker

black stubble around his lips and under his chin. Although it didn't

completely eliminate his scholarly bearing, it made him look more mature

and rugged.

*Someone who doesn't really know me well wouldn't be able to recognize

me in person...* Klein exhaled silently, wiped his face clean,

and put his gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose.

He took a short break, changed into a shirt with a starched collar and a

black tailcoat, and then, quite formally, he put on his silk half top

hat and picked up his cane stick and invitation letter before leaving

the house for the unit beside his.

Amidst the tinkling of the doorbell, he saw Julianne, the maidservant,

open the door, and Stelyn with her blonde hair coiled up high, and her

ears adorned with silver earrings.

Klein took off his hat, bowed, and praised politely, "Mrs. Sammer, you

are very beautiful today."

Although his words were extremely perfunctory, it was true that she was

much more beautiful than usual. It appeared that her ability to doll

herself up meticulously had experienced a significant breakthrough.

*It seems like the adultery case made her besties with Ma'am Mary.

Besides, Mary is now a tycoon with a wealth of tens of thousands of

pounds, and she has been admitted into the National Atmospheric

Pollution Council, allowing her to acquaint herself with many people in

power. She must have had sufficient experience in the areas of makeup,

clothing, accessories, and so on...* Klein nodded in

understanding.

The corners of Stelyn's mouth couldn't help but curl up.

"These are my new earrings that cost eight soli."

Lady, you haven't changed in the slightest... Klein smiled and

handed his hat, cane, and coat to the maidservant.

The fireplace and the pipes in the room brought the warmth of early

summer. Many women and young ladies were not dressed that

conservatively. Some of their fair arms were exposed, while others bared

their creamy chests.

"Luke is talking business with some friends. Let me apologize on his

behalf." Stelyn played her role as the female host to its fullest. "Have

your meal first. I'll introduce you to a few well-educated ladies

later."

*Actually, there's no need for that. Just let me eat in

peace...* Klein smiled.

"I can already smell the fragrance of the food."

Since there were quite a lot of guests, with over twenty of them, the

dinner was in the form of a buffet. Klein took a plate and walked

around, and he found that the food was a lot more varied than before.

Cold trout, chicken pie, mutton stew with peas, salted breast, curry,

roast beef, turkey, beef tongue pastry, ham, salad, and cream cake...

The alcohol provided was still champagne and red wine.

This suited a carnivore's palate very well. Klein, with his large plate,

didn't make conversation with anyone. He hid in a corner and slowly

savored the food.

It's not as good as the chefs at the Quelaag Club... From time

to time, he would inwardly make comments on the food.

He was about to go for second helpings when he was finally discovered by

Stelyn Sammer.

At the same time, he saw an acquaintance beside the lady. He was none

other than Lawyer Jurgen with his serious expression.

Right, Jurgen is also a bachelor... Klein smiled and walked

over, taking the initiative to ask, "How is Mrs. Doris's recovery?"

Jurgen uncomfortably tugged at his bow tie.

"She'll be discharged next week."

"That's great," Klein sincerely said with mixed emotions.

At that moment, Stelyn had already brought a few young ladies over and

introduced them.

"This is Mr. Jurgen Cooper, a senior solicitor, who earns at least three

pounds a week. He often gets a commission from the cases he handles, and

he definitely earns more than two hundred pounds a year. Furthermore, he

is young and capable. He will most likely become a great lawyer in the

future.

"This is Mr. Sherlock Moriarty, a well-known detective. His income is

unstable, but he is paid handsomely for every mission he receives, for

example ten or fifty pounds."

Lady, isn't this too direct... Klein couldn't help but

silently lampoon.

Jurgen, who was standing beside him, evidently frowned.

Without feeling that she had made a faux pas, Stelyn continued the

introductions.

"Miss Sarah Taylor. Her parents are teachers at a grammar school...

"Miss Angelina Watson. Her father is a civil servant at the Backlund

Police Department..."

Klein smiled numbly and greeted each lady.

After Stelyn was done, Jurgen said in a deep voice, "Mrs. Sammer, it's

impolite to mention the income of others in front of others."

Stelyn wasn't mad; instead, she replied very seriously, "No, it's very

important.

"If you end up liking each other and decide to start a family, then

income is essential.

"Think about it, there must be meat, vegetables, fruits, milk, white

bread, butter, cream, and other foods every day. It costs at least a

pound and five soli a week on food alone, not to mention the alcohol. In

addition, to rent a better house is nearly a pound a week. Yes, there's

also the need to purchase water, gas, charcoal, soap, and the like. One

still needs to consider transportation expenses. This adds up to about

ten soli.

"That is just the most fundamental expenses. Are you not bringing your

wife to a musical concert or to go watch a play?

"Don't you need to get new clothes every year? Ladies, I believe that a

family must spend at least 30 pounds a year on it in order to be

considered to be living a decent life.

"In addition, there is the salary of the maid, the cost of education for

any children, the emergency money that's needed to be set aside for

medical treatment, as well as the expenditure of some necessary

decorations.

"Only with an income of more than 200 pounds a year can those needs be

met. Only then can a happy family be achieved.

"Thus, in order to not delay everyone's time or cause any

misunderstandings, I believe it is necessary to include this in the

introduction."

As a lawyer, Jurgen was momentarily unable to provide a rejoinder.

Fortunately, he always had a serious and stern expression on his face.

*How big-hearted... But the basic etiquette is to tell the two parties

this information in private, and of course, I know exactly why you're

making the introductions straight to their face...* Klein

smiled.

"Yes, income is very important.

"Only with an income of more than 400 pounds a year can one host a

dinner at this level. Only with that much can one afford to have his

wife be dressed in beautiful dresses and exquisite earrings."

Stelyn raised her chin slightly as she tried her best to suppress her

smile and said, "430 pounds. I mean that there must be some savings each

year, to prevent any accidents or to have spare cash to invest into

stocks or bonds."

That was her husband's approximate annual income.

After finding a common topic for the two groups of strangers, she left

and greeted the other guests. Klein could also clearly sense that Sarah,

Angelina, and the other ladies were more interested in Lawyer Jurgen.

After all, he was a good-looking man, and his job and income were very

stable.

As for a private detective who might be locked up in the police station

at any time, they were not the first choice for middle-class women.

Besides, Klein now looked rugged with his beard. It wasn't a surprise

that the girls would remain a little apprehensive towards him.

After a short casual chat with them, he found an excuse to leave before

hiding in a corner and eating while he enjoyed watching Jurgen's awkward

and helpless performance.

At this moment, it was a wonder where his eloquence as a lawyer had gone

to.

A few minutes later, the two children of the Sammers ran past Klein

while playing.

They noticed the gentleman in the corner, stopped, and, with widened

eyes, asked curiously, "Mr. Moriarty, we heard that you're a detective?"

"Yes." Klein smiled in response.

The little girl said innocently, "Can you tell us about the cases you've

cracked?"

Her twin brother nodded immediately.

*The cases I cracked? If it doesn't involve wraiths, puppets, or Devil

dogs, then it's about finding cats or catching an adulterer. There's

really nothing suitable for children...* Klein thought for a few

seconds, then chuckled.

"Alright, this is a story about treasure.

"An officer who had just returned from East Balam was suddenly

murdered..."

He had mostly forgotten the detective novels he had read in his previous

life, so he could only make them up based on a vague impression. The two

children didn't care about the irrationality of the plot and listened

very seriously, even learning to ask "what happened next."

Without realizing it, Klein was a lot more relaxed.

When the banquet was almost over, and he was about to leave, he saw that

Stelyn's face was filled with joy.

"What is the cause for celebration?" Klein casually asked.

Stelyn raised her head slightly and replied with a reserved smile, "Mary

has received a luncheon invitation from the chief secretary of the

National Atmospheric Pollution Council, Mr. Hibbert Hall, on Monday.

"This gentleman is the eldest son of Earl Hall, a true nobleman. He has

invited all the members of the council and has allowed them to bring two

or three friends with them."

Stelyn paused.

"Luke and I were just invited by Mary."

Monday afternoon.

Dressed to the nines, Stelyn Sammer, who was accompanied by her husband

Luke Sammer, followed Ma'am Mary to Empress Borough where they saw a

large building.

Marble statues, pools, fountains, gardens, and lawns reflected

themselves in her eyes, making her feel nervous even before she entered

the villa.

"Luke, does my necklace not match my dress?" she asked her husband as

she tilted her head.

Luke shook his head and laughed.

"Darling, you're too nervous.

"You don't have to worry about that. The nobles only live in a place

that's slightly bigger than ours and eat a little better. We aren't

lacking in any way."

Stelyn nodded when she heard that, as though she had found her

confidence.

Entering the villa, they saw the gorgeous crystal chandelier, the hall

which could accommodate many dancers, and the plates of delicious food.

*Foie gras, pan-fried Dragon-Bone Fish, baked lobster... Aurmir grape

wine, misty champagne... It's exactly the same as the magazine's

description.* Stelyn looked at the food with curiosity, thinking

that she could have such a meal on a holiday or during new year's if

they scrimped a little.

Except for the Aurmir wine and the misty champagne... she

finally added in her mind.

At this moment, her gaze suddenly straightened as she saw a young girl

wearing a beige palace dress walking over.

The girl had blonde hair and green eyes, and she was abnormally

beautiful. She wore a pair of white silk gloves with a pair of small

beautiful emerald earrings. She exuded pureness and elegance.

She's just like an angel... Even though she had always been

proud of her appearance, Stelyn couldn't help but exclaim in admiration,

and she felt an inexplicable sense of inferiority at that moment.

"Hello," she clumsily greeted with the etiquette she had just learned.

"Hello," the girl returned the greeting gracefully.

After they had passed each other, Stelyn accompanied her husband and

Mary to meet the distinguished guests and the noble, Mr. Hibbert Hall.

After a while, she walked to the balcony by herself, intending to ease

her mood. However, she unexpectedly saw the angelic girl from before.

She was looking out over the landscape, a large golden retriever

obediently sat beside her rose ribbon-rimmed shoes.

"It's so cute." Stelyn made an attempt to make conversation.

The young girl replied with a faint smile, "Let me thank you on Susie's

behalf for your praise."

As she looked at the duo, Stelyn suddenly felt that she should own a

similar pet for herself.

This was the only way to showcase the Sammers' dignity! She asked in a

measured tone, "I heard that the nobles rear a lot of hunting hounds. Is

this one of them?"

"Yes." The girl whose emerald-green eyes looked more enchanting than her

earrings' gems lightly nodded.

"May I know how much money is needed to buy one?" Stelyn asked with a

smile.

The pure and elegant girl looked down at the huge golden retriever and,

without minding the question, answered with a slight smile, "450

pounds."