Chapter 26: Effort Always Pays Off

Chapter 26: Effort Always Pays Off

At dusk, Klein had just returned from Saint Samuel Cathedral and was about to enter the second-floor dining room when Butler Walter came forward and bowed respectfully.

“Sir, the matter you asked me to investigate has been clarified.”

Klein did not question him in front of the surrounding footmen and maids. He nodded steadily.

“To the study.”

Walter followed him all the way to the third floor and watched as Richardson opened the study door and lit the gas wall lamps inside.

Klein walked unhurriedly behind the desk and sat down, looking toward his butler and waiting for him to speak.

Walter gestured for Richardson to stand guard outside, then drew closer to the desk and considered his words.

Only after the door had closed again did he say, “Ms. Wahana’s husband is a cloth merchant. He previously collaborated with someone and invested 1,000 pounds, but the other party absconded with that batch of goods. She has already asked Councilman Macht and Madam Liana for assistance, hoping they can urge the police department to solve the case as soon as possible. However, with matters like this, the police cannot guarantee they will definitely find the target.”

Klein picked up the black, round-bodied fountain pen on the desk and rubbed it lightly.

“For Ms. Wahana’s family, 1,000 pounds is no small amount.”

As far as he knew, a normal governess did not earn more than 150 pounds a year. If food and lodging were provided by the employer, the pay would be even less.

Although Wahana served the upper class and had multiple employers, her annual income would at most reach four or five hundred pounds. Moreover, a large part of that would need to be spent on her own clothing, posture, and appearance, lest her employers deem her insufficiently proper and unfit to teach etiquette.

“Yes. Her husband’s income among cloth merchants can only be considered middling. To him, 1,000 pounds is a fairly large investment,” Walter said tactfully.

To me as well… Klein sighed inwardly, then smiled.

“I’ve only just arrived in Backlund. I am not familiar with the police department.”

Walter immediately replied, “Sir, when I served Viscount Conrad, I came to know several members of the Backlund Senior Police Officers’ Association.”

Backlund Senior Police Officers’ Association? Those are all upper-level figures at Sivellaus Yard. A chief superintendent responsible for public security in a borough would not even be qualified to enter.

“Sivellaus Yard” referred to the Backlund Police Department, named after the street on which it was located.

As expected of a butler from a noble household… Klein sighed inwardly, then shook his head with a smile.

“There is no need for the moment. In this matter, Ms. Wahana has far too many people from whom she can seek help. Whether Councilman Macht or someone else, any of them has enough ability to make Sivellaus Yard take this case seriously.”

He paused, then said in a deliberately casual tone, “I have seen the bottom of this society. I understand its rules of survival. At times, the police may not be as useful as gang members or bounty hunters.

“Walter, go to the police department and obtain the corresponding information. Then go to the well-known bars in the Backlund Bridge area and the East Borough and post a bounty.

“Whether they find the corresponding criminals or recover the batch of cloth, I will give a reward of 200 pounds.

“Heh. I only hope those swindlers are still in Backlund.”

“A 200-pound reward?” Walter repeated the number and could not help looking at his employer, as if finding it hard to believe he was willing to spend so much on Wahana’s matter.

He opened his mouth as though wanting to remind him of something, but in the end, he said nothing. He merely replied seriously, “Very well, sir.”

“I will give you the money directly.” Klein slowly rose and took out his wallet.

As Walter received the thick stack of cash, he asked after some thought, “Should Ms…