Detective Mr. Swift made no attempt to hide as he leaned in for a closer look, quickly confirming the traces on Ronald’s body.
He nodded in acknowledgnt and said,
"Indeed, these were caused by outdoor activities, and for at least more than a day."
"But this doesn’t prove you were wearing these clothes at the ti of the incident."
"After all, if soone were prepared in advance, these could also be forged."
"Mr. Swift!"
Ronald’s tone rose sharply as he swiftly countered,
"I’ve said it before, don’t question innocent passengers as if they’re criminals!"
"By your logic, then who else on the entire train would not be suspect, the unborn babies in the pregnant won’s stomachs?"
"..."
"Alright, I apologize."
"But this is simply the nature of my job."
Hearing Ronald’s retort, Swift fell silent for a few seconds before choosing to apologize, then he continued,
"Next question."
"I heard there was another passenger in this compartnt besides you."
"Do you know his whereabouts?"
The most crucial inquiry had arrived!
When passengers in the other carriages were asked this question, as long as they answered honestly, they usually wouldn’t be in trouble.
But Ronald was different!
Nade, who concealed his real na and also disguised his gender and appearance, used a rchant identity that... that probably exists in reality, but undoubtedly ca with plenty of issues!
If Ronald didn’t want to get into trouble, he had to disassociate himself from this fellow.
This matter...
was going to be very difficult.
The ticket in his own hand was a whole ticket for this compartnt. This ant that the entire compartnt belonged to Ronald, the ticket holder, and other people were not allowed to ride without permission.
The facts were clear.
Nade had spent quite so ti on the train with him.
Thus, there had to be so connection with him.
The response at this mont beca very critical—
Intentionally raising his hand to touch his chin and pondering, Ronald organized his thoughts and spoke,
"That passenger’s na is Nade, he claims to be a rchant..."
Swift was very astute, imdiately picking up on Ronald’s choice of words and cast a suspicious look,
"Are you saying this Mr. Nade, ’claims’ to be a rchant?"
"Yes," Ronald nodded, "he claims."
"That Mr. Nade and I rely had a chance encounter. Before this, I had never even heard of his na, and naturally, I’m not too familiar with his profession. Thus, I can only refer to his self-introduction as a ’claim’."
"..."
Piercing gazes clashed in the quiet carriage.
Swift stared into Ronald’s eyes, seemingly trying to find sothing within.
But faced with Ronald’s unwavering grey pupils.
After a few seconds of scrutiny, he eventually gave up.
Pulling out a small notebook and charcoal stick from his jacket pocket, Swift began to write in it:
"Alright then, tell more about this ’rchant’ Mr. Nade."
"Did you purchase your ticket together?"
"Not at all," Ronald shook his head in denial, "To be precise, after I revealed my noble identity, Mr. Nade, who had already bought a ticket, showed his goodwill towards and then invited to travel together."
"Even before getting off the train, he gave his ticket without any compensation."
"..."
Visibly, Swift’s charcoal stick stopped trembling at the end.
His pondering wrist held the notebook aloft, as the contemplative detective thought over Ronald’s words.
It was about four to five seconds later that he resud speaking,
"When did this Nade disembark?"
"This morning, when we passed through the first town."
Ronald quickly replied to the other party, not forgetting to add:
"Before that, I had washed my face with Nade, and the guard on the train saw it too."
Swift continued to question:
"And then you went your separate ways?"
Ronald nodded:
"Yes, I was left alone when I returned to the carriage."
Click—
With a light push of his fingertips, Swift closed the notebook he was using to record clues.
Smacking his lips, he took a puff from his pipe, and then, with a frown, continued speaking:
"Mr. Ronald, from our conversation just now, I can tell that you are an intelligent man."
"So..."
"You should know what your answers imply, right?"
"Of course." Ronald nodded openly, "The responses I just gave, without a doubt, increase the likelihood of being suspected."
Swift was still puzzled:
"Then why would you..."
"Because, rather than protecting myself with lies and fabrications, I’d prefer that you, as a detective, have the most accurate information so that you can investigate and reveal the truth to everyone."
"As a nobleman loyal to Her Majesty the Queen,"
"It’s my duty."
"..."
Ronald wasn’t quite sure whether his insincere words had taken effect. After all, this Mr. Swift, the detective, was extrely discreet about certain details.
Like now—
After listening to Ronald’s statent, Swift thought for a mont with his head bowed, and then he reached out his right hand:
"Good, thank you very much."
"Now then, I hope Mr. Ronald would stay in the carriage and not wander around."
"If there are no surprises, we will need your assistance again after a while."
Ronald reached out and shook hands with him, shaking firmly:
"Happy to serve."
After the brief interrogation ended, Swift imdiately turned and left the train compartnt.
Behind him, the young guard helped close the compartnt door.
Click—
The door shut, and the lights in the train corridor were isolated as well.
The modest space once again fell into a quiet night, with only the starlight shining in through the window onto the chair, casting a white glow in front of Ronald.
"..."
Leaning against the wall of the train behind him,
Ronald beckoned towards the table in front.
The black mist that ford from the accusation of "rape" erged, then slid up his sleeve and concealed itself inside his garnt.
"Whew—"
The second interrogation had ended, Ronald let out a long sigh of relief.
But it wasn’t a sign of relaxation after letting down his guard, it was a gesture of even greater vigilance in light of his current situation.
The direction Swift had co from earlier...
Was the end with the commoners’ carriages.
Putting aside the interrogation skills demonstrated during the negotiation,
Just by hearing the commotion of the people around when he appeared on the train, it was evident that this detective must possess quite a reputation in Berlingwich.
Such a well-to-do individual would not be riding in a train’s commoner carriages.
There had been no stir heard from his earlier appearance either.
From this, a simple deduction could be made.
In the more than three hours that the Orient Express had stopped, soone on the train must have notified Berlingwich, a hundred kiloters away, and then the detective had accepted the job and hurried over.
First, soldiers halt the train, and then a renowned detective from a hundred kiloters away is invited.
To make an urgent journey overnight to the rural railway.
Just what kind of incident of great significance has occurred on this steam locomotive nad the Orient Express!
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