Chapter 427 Nightingale Mansion

As the night fell, the gas street lamps cast flickering shadows, illuminating the hurried pedestrians on the cobblestone road.

Although it was dusk, there were still crowds of people near Covent Garden. As for why, you may ask?

As the British proverb says, God gave people a mouth and a pair of hands. If the hands are to work, the mouth must eat.

For most workers with poor economic conditions, they do not have the leisure time to buy food for the next week during the day. Only in the evening when the factory is closed, they will start their own shopping when they pass by the market after get off work.

Although most of the remaining goods in the market at this time are not so fresh, the small vendors will not give them the standard fresh food price accordingly.

For the cost-conscious working families, there is nothing more exciting than being able to buy discounted goods in a day.

Moreover, the second-hand goods and discounted food circulating in the Covent Garden market not only attract workers, but also make the middle class who are trying hard to maintain their decent lives often come here to hang out.

Although Britain may be a country with a relatively high proportion of wealthy people in the world, in order to maintain a family of six living in London, they need at least 54 pounds 10 shillings and 4 pence per year.

If this family of six wants to live a decent middle-class life, their minimum expenditure will reach 230 pounds, provided that they hire a maid. If they want to go a step further and plan for the future of their four children, they will need to save 75 pounds per year to prepare for the high cost of higher education in the future, which means that their family income must reach 305 pounds at least per year.

Such a high cost of living and the British people's natural face-saving character have made many middle-class gentlemen and ladies occasionally consider using some "ninety-nine new" second-hand goods to replace those expensive new dresses.

In such a bustling market area, there is such a strange place. Through a narrow alley, a gorgeously decorated white Regency-style building comes into view. There are distinctive red lanterns hanging in front of its door, and through the gaps in the curtains, you can vaguely see the flickering candlelight in the room.

Gentlemen and ladies who are not aware of the situation are impressed by the grand decoration of this new apartment and hope that they can move into such a house in the future.

And those who know the situation, even the most devout believers, are reluctant to set foot here, because they know that this is a place of indulgence hidden in the shadows of the city, a blasphemous sin.

But unfortunately, a considerable number of eccentric gentlemen in London still like to come here to be tried.

Nightingale Mansion, a cage that has caused countless tough men to fall.

Want to taste the taste of a whip dipped in water?

Gentlemen and ladies, I assure you that in 19th century London, except for the army, the Royal Navy and expensive public schools everywhere, you will never taste a more authentic whipping than here.

The door of Nightingale Mansion was gently pushed open, and the wind chimes rang. Several gentlemen in black coats stepped into this world full of temptations and started an adventure that they had never imagined.

Their arrival did not attract much attention, nor did it cause much noise. Unlike what everyone imagined, this place was quite quiet. Except for the occasional crisp whipping sound and a few dull hums, you really couldn't hear anything else.

Arthur took off his hat and looked up at the decoration of the front desk. The interior decoration was luxurious, with exquisite classical oil paintings hanging on the walls, and the carpet was thick and soft. Every step seemed to be on the clouds. The air was filled with a mixture of perfume and tobacco. The phonograph at the front desk was slowly turning, and low music echoed in the room.

It can be seen that the lady who arranged this place has good taste, because the music played by the phonograph is the most famous chapter "Waltz in A Minor - To Hastings" composed by the famous pianist Chopin in London.

And the oil painting hanging on the wall is a "Crucifixion of Christ". Jesus was hung high on the cross, his head drooping weakly, and around him were a circle of women who sobbed and wailed for him, Mary Magdalene and the female believers led by her.

As shown in this picture, every customer who comes here will go through hardships like Christ, which fully demonstrates that Nightingale Mansion perfectly implements the principle that customers are God.

In one corner of the room, a dignified blonde is leaning on the sofa, her skirt slightly lifted, revealing a section of snow-white thighs. In the dance hall on the other side, a young gentleman is dancing with a black-haired woman, her fingers gently slide across his cheek, and the two of them are staring at each other, as if the world around them has disappeared, and as if someone in the world is going to pay a lot of money.

Louis and Dumas looked at the surrounding environment, and the nature of the two French people was instantly stimulated, revealing an ambiguous smile.

Only at this moment, Arthur would agree without hesitation that Mr. Louis Bonaparte absolutely contains 100% pure French blood, although not necessarily from the Bonaparte family.

Dumas raised his elbow and poked Arthur, coughed and asked: "I say... Arthur, are you sure there is no other service here? Just a simple whip?"

Arthur copied the directory at the front desk, glanced at the services on it, shook his head slightly and said: "Alexander, you underestimate these lovely ladies. If you are willing, you can also choose a stick and add a little money, they can even They can also replace it with iron ones. Although they are now engaged in legal business, don’t forget what kind of business they used to do. You can’t forget your roots. The old skill of beating sap is still there.”

Alexandre Dumas was disappointed when he heard this and said: "Arthur, look at you, what are you being so serious about here? Do you think you are still a policeman?"

As soon as Alexandre Dumas finished speaking, he heard Plunkett behind him say: "Mr. Dumas, although Sir Arthur Hastings is no longer here, we are still working at Scotland Yard."

But then I heard Ledley say with a playful smile: "That doesn't matter, aren't we both off duty now? We are police officers when we are at work, and ordinary citizens when we are off duty. Work is work, and life is life. Thomas, let's After working as a police officer for so long, can’t you enjoy it?”

After hearing this, Plunkett sneered: "Ledley, if you like this kind of enjoyment, I suggest you join the army, and you must join the 57th Regiment."

"Why?"

Plunkett took a puff of his cigarette, blew out the smoke ring and said: "Because the 57th Regiment has a nickname, we all call them 'Steelbacks'. Guess where their nickname came from? With your small body, as long as you Stay there for three to five months and I guarantee they'll break your spine."

Ridley was about to defend himself when he heard this, but in an instant he saw the blonde sitting on the sofa walking towards him.

The boy's face that had just been pulled down immediately bloomed like a summer sunflower. He took off his hat and said hello: "Miss Selina, I didn't expect to meet again so soon."

The girl named Selina looked at Ledley and the gentlemen beside him, and said with a playful smile: "Are these police officers from Scotland Yard too? Are you here to atone for your sins as a group today?"

"Of course, uh...no, not...Selena, you can't talk like that."

Ledley said: "Although there are indeed two active-duty police officers and two retired police officers here, the atonement or anything is purely illusory. We came here today specifically to find a regular customer of your place."

After finishing speaking, Ledley couldn't help lowering his voice and said: "Madam, you'd better pay attention. If you offend the gentleman who is flipping through the directory, your boss will 100% deduct your salary. What you did is It’s hard work and you earn hard money, so why should you be so hard on yourself?”

"My boss?" Selina glanced at Arthur, who was looking at the knickknacks in the glass fruit bowl at the front desk, and asked in a low voice: "Is that the reason why the crazy woman suddenly converted to Catholicism?"

"Converted to Catholicism?" Ridley frowned and asked, "When did this happen?"

Selena rolled her eyes and said, "God knows! The only thing I know is that she actually changed our lounge into a prayer room, and spent a lot of money to bring back a life-size statue of Jesus from a well-known sculptor. . Do you know how bloody it feels when you come back to the break room and see Jesus opening his arms to you after you've just bled someone out? Similar."

Ridley coughed lightly and said, "In a sense, Selina, you have indeed committed a crime. According to the law, drawing blood from a person's butt can be charged with personal injury."

"Isn't that what you guys begged me for?"

Selena looked a little angry: "Ledley, I have never wanted to cause trouble, but I am not afraid of you and your police officers. Why do you stand there sanctimoniously and accuse me? As if you know what morality is. "

Ridley nodded with a smile and bowed: "Yes, that's right, ma'am, you will be punished if you make a mistake. So I ask you to swing the whip harder next time."

Selina said angrily: "Are all the people in your Police Intelligence Bureau so perverted?"

"That's not the case." Laidley raised his thumb and pointed at Arthur. "Our former boss is over there, Sir Arthur Hastings, a Scotland Yard legend, Police Intelligence Bureau All the traditions were established by him. If you have any dissatisfaction, just ask him."

Selina heard this and walked towards Arthur. She obviously didn't treat Ledley as casually as she did towards this stranger.

What she didn't expect was that before she could speak, the other party raised the question first.

Arthur took out a dice from the fruit plate, pointed to the text on it and asked: "Why is this dice different from what everyone usually plays? Ordinary dice are marked with 1 to 6 points, why are the dice in this fruit plate different from the ones we usually play?" But are they written about historical figures or events such as Cromwell’s Long Parliament, The Trial of Bloody Mary, Joan of Arc’s Battle of Orleans, and the French Revolution?”

Selina heard this and showed a standard professional smile: "You are indeed very knowledgeable. You can see the difference of Nightingale Mansion at a glance. These historical events are actually special themes we provide for our guests.

For example, in the trial of Bloody Mary, the guests play the role of a protestant with firm beliefs, while we play the role of Mary I who used violent means to suppress the protestants. You must be willing to die under the whip to strengthen your beliefs.

In the Battle of Orleans of Joan of Arc, the guest will play a noble English knight captured by Joan of Arc, and we will play the witch of France. You must defend your honor as a knight and your loyalty to England under her torture.

Of course, if you really can't stand it and want to bow down to the tyranny of Mary I and Joan of Arc, we can understand you, but for your better experience, I personally always think that you should at least hold on for a while. "

Dumas heard this and suddenly popped his head and asked: "In that case, does the script of the French Revolution need to play Louis XVI of France? And you and your lovely friends have to play the Jacobins? "

Selena nodded slightly and said: "You are really smart, but the script of the French Revolution is not always the same. Since some guests insist that Robespierre is a good person, we sometimes let guests play the French Republicans, and we will play Napoleon's accomplices or royalists according to his preferences. "

Dumas' eyes lit up when he heard this. The fat Frenchman took out a guinea from his pocket and slapped it on the table: "I'm going to play the Republican today... No, that's not right. I'm the Republican of France."

Louis, who was standing by, also took out a guinea and said, "Don't bother you ladies with the whipping. No one in the world knows how to play Napoleon better than me. Madam, please tell me where the props I'm going to use today are?"

"Damn it! Louis, you want to whip me?"

"No, Alexander, I mean no offense, but I can't watch you slander my uncle like this!"

Arthur saw the two Frenchmen who were already making a fuss, and took out another guinea and handed it to Selina: "Madam, prepare a good room for them. This gold coin is your reward. By the way, which room is Mr. August Schneider in? I have something to ask him. "

Selena was surprised to hear this, but she soon accepted it. There are all kinds of people coming to Nightingale Mansion, and occasionally you can meet people like Dumas and Louis, which is not a rare thing.

She accepted the gold coin, smiled and winked at Arthur, saying: "Sir, thank you for your generosity. I will arrange the room, but... you said you want to find someone... Sorry, I don't know who the person you just mentioned is. There is a rule in the store. Whether he has been here or not, we cannot disclose the identity information of the guests. This is a basic respect. "

Arthur leaned against the counter and said: "So, recording in the room is also a way to protect the privacy of the guests?"

Selena's face turned pale when she heard this, but she still pretended to be calm and said: "Sir, how can a noble person like you slander others' innocence out of thin air?"

Arthur took a puff of cigarette and shook his head slightly: "Whether you are innocent or not, no one knows better than me, because I asked someone to install the recording device. Miss Selina, if you feel that you can't make the decision, call Fiona to see me. I don't want to embarrass you. It just so happens that I haven't seen her for a while. You call her over and we can just catch up. "

"Uh... you want to see Miss Ivan, right?" Selina heard this and said hesitantly: "Yes, but can you wait a moment? Now is her prayer time. I'm afraid of angering her and she will make things difficult for me later."

"It's okay, ma'am, I'll take the blame if there's any trouble." Arthur said: "I just need you to tell her: Mr. Arthur Hastings is here."