Chapter 9: 9

John’s death is a major event in Delanlier. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it caused a huge sensation in the town, after all, Delanlier is a small town. Even the opening of the train station six months before had been a huge matter. With such horrid news of murder, Daily News and Delanlier Daily wrote about it. John’s murder was headline news for the next three days.

The time of John’s death has been determined. It was around the same time that the fireworks display was going on. John had not gone to the fireworks festival because he had work to do. And all the servants in the Lawrence family had been allowed to go home because of the festival. The Lawrence couple had left a half deaf old man to watch the gate because they were worried about leaving their only son home alone. The poor old man had not heard anything at all and little John had died just like that.

When the news first came out in the papers, Evan read it seriously and continued puzzling over it. But later reports made him lose interest because the newspapers were filled with illogical speculations. It was just for grandstanding so Evan found it a little annoying and his mood started becoming messy.

On the day John died, he had actually gone to Jimmy’s house following the address given to him by the maid but he didn’t see Jimmy. According to Jimmy’s mother, when Jimmy came back that morning, he had suddenly said that he was going to London to look for work. He then took the earliest train to London that same morning and left Delanlier. Evan was one step late.

This matter concerning the Lawrence family was like looking for flowers in a thick fog, Evan couldn’t find any clues at all. What happened to Jimmy that made him leave Delanlier in such a hurry? Did the Lawrence couple find out about their son’s messy hobby? Evan couldn’t understand at all.

On the fourth day after John’s murder, the newspapers finally reported about a startling piece of news that Sheriff Chandler of the town of Delanlier had caught John’s real murderer. It was a gypsy who was occasionally seen wandering around Woolwich Manor and the motive for the murder was to steal money. When the gypsy was arrested, a pocket watch that didn’t belong to him was found on him.

Sheriff Chandler had finally fulfilled his promise to solve the case. In the picture in the newspaper, he looked unusually energetic but Evan could not help sighing because the so-called pocket watch that didn’t belong to the gypsy was the same pocket watch he had lost at the fireworks festival. He didn’t call the police to report the missing pocket watch because he thought there wasn’t a need to do so. But now, a picture of Sheriff Chandler proudly holding the pocket had appeared in the newspaper.

Evan put down the newspaper and called loudly for Tom to come over, “Call a carriage immediately, I’m going to see Sheriff Chandler.”

Tom was a little surprised but he still did his duty and immediately went out to call a carriage.

While Tom called a carriage, Evan also packed up. He quickly got into the carriage and told the driver to drive quickly to the town’s police station. He had to get there and stop him before Sheriff Chandler made some stupid decisions. The town didn’t need the interference of any external power.

When Evan arrived at the police station, a carriage was already parked in front of the police station. The carriage was very familiar to Evan because it was Duke Wilson’s carriage. Evan raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had originally wanted to tell the carriage driver to wait for him but he quickly dropped this thought and told the driver to leave.

Evan strode into the police station and as soon as he entered through the door, he saw Duke Wilson stand up from his seat and say something with a serious expression. Sheriff Chandler, who stood beside him, was sweating profusely with an expression showing his grievances.

Both of them looked surprised when they saw Evan walk in with Sheriff Chandler showing the most surprise. “Reverend Bruce, why are you here?”

Evan looked at the scene before him with a little hesitation. He first nodded at the duke, then he spoke, “I saw the news in the newspaper so I rushed over here.”

A frown formed on Sheriff Chandler’s face, “You’re not also here to tell me that the gypsy is not the murderer, are you?”

Evan looked at the Sheriff in surprise, then looked at Duke Wilson who was standing beside him with an unpredictable expression and couldn’t help smiling, “You’re right, I do want to tell you this unfortunate news. Does Duke Wilson agree with me?”

As soon as he said these words, Sheriff Chandler and Duke Wilson were stunned. Duke Wilson was the first to react, “This is just my guess, do you have any tangible evidence?”

Sheriff Chandler also came back to his senses at this time, and his face showed a bit of anger, “Reverend Bruce, don’t you agree with point of view?”

Evan smiled bitterly, “I also hope for this terrible thing to have a quick end but I have to overturn your conclusion because the pocket watch that the gypsy stole is mine.”

“What? It’s yours?” Sheriff Chandler looked at Evan in shock. “Are you sure it’s yours? But there’s no sign on it.”

Evan smiled slightly, “It can’t be said that there isn’t any sign, you just didn’t see it. If you open the back cover of the pocket watch, you will find my initials engraved on the inside of the back cover. Because the engraving is somewhat hidden, if you don’t look for it you won’t find it.”

Sheriff Chandler was disbelieving. He opened the back cover of the pocket watch, he carefully searched along the cover. When he looked at the underside of the cover, he saw a flower-shaped E. B. on it and he was surprised for a moment. Feeling dismayed, he sat down and waved at the police officers standing behind him, motioning for them to let the gypsy go.

Duke Wilson looked at Evan with great interest and suddenly asked, “Since the way to identify the pocket watch is hidden behind the cover, how did Reverend Bruce determine that the pocket watch is yours form the appearance?”

Evan said with a wry smile, “I didn’t know for sure that the pocket watch belongs to me but I lost my pocket watch that same night. I was afraid that I might have wronged an innocent person because of this so I rushed over here. Since it has been determined that the poor gypsy did not do this, then I’m relieved.”

Evan said this but he thought to himself that there is in fact a small pattern on the right side of the pocket watch, which he has carved himself after he bought it. But at this time, given an excellent opportunity to express himself, Evan will naturally not say such words. He must show his benevolent and kind side to the duke because, according to the description in the book, Duke Wilson likes this kind of thing.

Sure enough, after Evan said this, there was a look of appreciation in the duke’s eyes. He gently gave Evan a pat on the shoulder and said, “You are really an honest person.”

Evan accepted this compliment without feeling any guilt in his heart.

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“You overrate me, this is just what I should do.” Evan still had a humble smile on his face.

Sheriff Chandler returned the pocket watch to Evan and spoke to Duke Wilson with a little dejection, “Please forgive me for offending you before but, no matter what, the gypsy still committed the crime of stealing so he will be detained for fifteen days.”

Duke Wilson frowned when he heard this and Evan immediately took the opportunity to say, “Sheriff Chandler, forget about it, the poor gypsy did it because of poverty. There are countless poor people in the world, maybe a lost soul can be saved today. The Lord will forgive him.”

Sheriff Chandler was very dissatisfied with Evan’s deflections but since the party involved didn’t care and Duke Wilson had made it clear that he wants to interfere in the matter, Sheriff Chandler could only grit his teeth, he said, “Since Reverend Bruce doesn’t care then we’ll let the gypsy go.”

Duke Wilson just nodded coldly and didn’t say a word to the sheriff. Sheriff Chandler blushed with embarrassment. Seeing this, Evan hurriedly smiled and diverted the conversation, “Lord Duke, I hope Lord Edward has not been affected by this incident. I heard that Mr Lawrence and Lord Edward were very close.”

When Evan said this, Sheriff Chandler looked at him gratefully. Duke Wilson’s expression became solemn, “His state has indeed been a little bad these days.” After he finished speaking, he looked at Evan again and there was a glimmer of expectation in his eyes, “Last time, I saw that you and Edward got along very well, can you please come and advise him?”

Evan couldn’t help laughing in his heart. Basically, he had only said a few words to Edward last time but the duke was in a state of anxiety so he hadn’t noticed.

“It will be my honour.” Evan nodded slightly.

A smile flashed in Duke Wilson’s eyes.

Duke Wilson and Evan got into the duke’s carriage together. Sheriff Chandler had to release the gypsy he’d caught. According to the duke, Sheriff Chandler had almost reported the incident to Scotland Yard*. Fortunately, the duke had stopped this. Duke Wilson very much disliked people from other places interfering in the matters of his territory.

Duke Wilson did not immediately leave the police station. He waited until Sheriff Chandler released the gypsy. Evan felt that this was strange but he didn’t think much of it. It was when the gypsy came out of her police station and at the same time, Evan saw the duke slightly lift the curtains of the carriage with a cold smile on his face.

Evan suddenly felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart.

Duke Wilson turned to look at Evan, Evan quickly turned his face to the side, pretending that he was admiring the interior of the carriage. Duke Wilson looked at Evan’s side profile with slight relief and there was a smile in the corner of his eyes.

“Reverend Bruce, I’m going to trouble you again.” Duke Wilson said with a gentle tone.

Evan reluctantly raised the corners of his lips. He felt a little uneasy in his heart. Duke Wilson’s current appearance made him feel that something was wrong.

“You’re too kind, Lord Duke.” Evan tried his best to control his tone.

The carriage drove along the streets of Delanlier towards Cornwall Manor. The sound of hooves clicking filled Evan’s mind with panic. The way things have developed has obviously exceeded his expectations. He doesn’t know how many more surprises awaited him.

They soon arrived at Cornwall Manor and Butler Chris personally came out to welcome them. When he saw Evan, he eyes showed his surprise but as an old-fashioned British butler, he restrained himself. He welcomed Evan and the duke and led them into the castle in a proper manner.

Duke Wilson’s castle is still as tidy and gorgeous as it was when Evan was there a few days ago. The whispers of the servants and the sound of their feet contrasted sharply with the silence of Evan’s small house.

Duke Wilson invited Evan to have a seat in the study and a servant quickly brought tea. Evan took a sip, it was authentic Darjeeling**.

“What’s wrong with Lord Edward?” Evan asked, trying stabilise the panic in his heart.

Duke Wilson pondered for a moment, and finally replied, “Reverend Bruce, you might find it absurd for me to say this but my relationship with Edward is not very close and it may not be as good as the relationship between him and John. It’s just that he’s been in low spirits these days and he doesn’t eat very much.”

Evan frowned slightly and nodded, “In that case, please allow me to see him now.”

Duke Wilson sighed with relief and led him towards Edward’s room.

Evan walked behind Duke Wilson and looked at his back with a scorching expression. Duke Wilson looked like a very traditional nobleman on the outside, with meticulously arranged clothes and a cold and arrogant expression. He doesn’t know how long it has been since he last saw such a nobleman in his life. But at this moment, he is very clear about the fact that this person is not as simple as he seems on the surface. Whether it is the description in the book or the little bit he saw today, Duke Wilson is definitely not a good person.

Just thinking about this makes Evan’s whole body feel restless.

1 *Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, the territorial police force responsible for policing the 32 boroughs of London. Its name derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. 2 **Darjeeling tea is a tea made from Camellia sinensis var. sinensis that is grown and processed in the Darjeeling or Kalimpong districts in West Bengal, India. 1 *Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, the territorial police force responsible for policing the 32 boroughs of London. Its name derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. 2 **Darjeeling tea is a tea made from Camellia sinensis var. sinensis that is grown and processed in the Darjeeling or Kalimpong districts in West Bengal, India.

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