In that simple and slightly dilapidated stone house, time seemed to stand still, and every second was loaded with heavy expectations and anxieties.

At this moment, O'Neill held his breath and sat quietly in the dim corner like a sculpture, with emotions surging in his heart that were difficult to describe.

One or two minutes seemed as long as a century to him. The voice echoing in his ears was cold and sharp, carrying a hint of unspeakable sarcasm, like a sharp blade piercing his heart.

He was very familiar with that voice. It could only belong to that person - Lu Mofei, the mysterious figure who always appeared at critical moments but whose whereabouts were elusive.

"Lv Murphy!" Olier finally couldn't hold back his excitement and blurted out, his voice trembling with disbelief. He seemed to be confirming a miracle, a miracle that surprised and delighted him.

"Come out!" O'Neill's voice sounded outside the door, with a hint of subtle tension and caution, "Please be careful with your revolver. I don't want any unnecessary misunderstandings to occur at this moment when we meet again."

Olier carefully bent his body and passed through the rough door frame. His sight passed through the narrow gap and fell on a rock outside the door. There, Lu Murphy was sitting leisurely, with his back to the moonlight. His figure looked lonely and tough. When Lu Murphy turned his head and met Olier's eyes, his gray eyes seemed to be lit up instantly, flashing with joy and cunning. They turned happily, as if telling countless unfinished stories.

"In my life, I have never been happier than seeing anyone." O'Neill excitedly held Lu Murphy's hand and shook it vigorously, with each word full of sincere emotion. This sudden reunion made him feel unprecedented warmth and peace of mind.

Lu Mofei smiled and responded: "Or should I say more surprised than that, huh?" His smile was a bit teasing, but more of it was admiration for O'Neal's ability to find him so quickly. The tacit understanding between the two was perfectly interpreted at this moment.

O'Leary nodded and admitted, "Oh, I have to admit it. Your appearance really surprised me." His words revealed a bit of helplessness, but more of it was recognition and admiration for Lu Mofei's abilities.

Lu Murfei sighed with emotion: "In fact, it's not just a one-sided surprise. Let me tell you, I really didn't expect that you had found my temporary hiding place, and I didn't expect that you were hiding in the house until I was less than twenty steps away from the door." His words were full of admiration for O'Neill's keen insight, and at the same time revealed his helplessness about his whereabouts being exposed.

O'Learn speculated: "I think it's because of my footprints?" There was some uncertainty in his words, but more of a desire and pursuit for the truth.

Lu Murphy shook his head, with a sly look in his eyes: "No, O'Neill, I'm afraid I can't guarantee that I can identify your footprints from those of people all over the world. If you really want to fool me, you have to change the brand of your cigarettes. Because as soon as I saw 'Dehua' printed on the cigarette butt, I knew that my friend O'Neill must be nearby. You can still find it on the side of the path. There is no doubt that you threw it away at the critical moment when you rushed into the empty house." His analysis was clear and logical, which made people admire his observation and judgment.

Upon hearing this, O'Neill nodded in sudden realization: "That's right." A warm feeling surged in his heart, and he was moved by Lu Mofei's attentiveness and care.

Lu Mofei smiled and patted O'Neill's shoulder: "When I thought of this, and knowing your admirable and tenacious character, I knew for sure that you were sitting in the dark, holding your pistol in your hand, waiting for the owner of the house to come back. Do you really think I'm the fugitive?" There was a hint of ridicule in his tone, but more of it was an affirmation of O'Neill's loyalty and courage.

O'Leary shook his head, his eyes firm: "I don't know who you are, but I am determined to find out. No matter who you are, no matter what you are doing, I will not give up my determination to find out the truth." His words revealed an unquestionable firmness and persistence.

Upon hearing this, Lu Murfei couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Great, O'Leary! Your spirit is really admirable. So, how did you know my location? Maybe on the night of catching the fugitive, I accidentally stood in front of the rising moon and you saw me?" There was a bit of curiosity and expectation in his tone.

O'Neill nodded: "By the way, I saw you that time. Although it was just a quick glance, your figure has been deeply imprinted in my mind." There was a bit of emotion and relief in his memories.

Lu Mofei guessed, "You must have searched all the small houses before finding this stone house, right?" There was some tentativeness and curiosity in his tone.

O'Learn shook his head: "No, I didn't look blindly. I saw the kid you hired, and he showed me the direction to search. There was a secret in his eyes, and I happened to understand it." His words revealed a keen ability to capture and interpret details.

Upon hearing this, Lu Mofei immediately realized something: "He must have seen it from the old gentleman with the telescope. At first, when I saw the flashing reflection on the lens, I couldn't figure out what it was. It turns out that he has been observing us secretly." There was a sense of sudden enlightenment and relief in his tone.

He stood up and looked into the hut, his eyes fell on the table with food: "Ha, that kid brought me some food again. What is this paper? So you have been to Akali, right?" There was a bit of surprise and expectation in his tone.

O'Neill nodded: "Yes. I went to see Mrs. Ellen Aywerk, and she gave me some key clues." His words revealed an expectation and confidence in the progress of the case.

Hearing this, Lu Mofei's eyes flashed with praise: "Well done! It's obvious that our investigation directions are the same."

There was a hint of excitement and confusion in O'Leary's voice. He stared into Lu Murphy's deep eyes, as if trying to find fragments of answers in the darkness.

"Hey, Lu Mofei, your appearance is like a ray of light in the fog, illuminating the haze in my heart caused by the heavy responsibilities and the strange case."

"My nerves have been stretched to the limit by this invisible pressure, and it seems like they will break at any time."

"However, you seem like a savior that came from the sky, but I am puzzled - how did you manage to pass through the fog and quietly come here?"

"During this time, where and what kind of stories have you been weaving? I thought you were immersed in the intricate anonymous threatening letter case on Baker Street, fighting wits and courage with the cunning criminals."

Hearing this, Lu Mofei curled up a gentle and mysterious smile. That smile seemed to contain thousands of words, but at this moment it was silent.

"Ollier, my old friend, your misunderstanding of me is exactly the kind of fog I was expecting."

"I didn't mean to use you, nor do I distrust you. On the contrary, your existence is my most solid support during this long investigation."

"I chose to appear in this way out of a deep understanding of the special nature of this case and a deep concern for your safety."

"You know, every tiny movement could be a clue that reveals our intentions, allowing the enemy lurking in the dark to set a trap in advance."

He patted O'Neill's shoulder gently, an action full of understanding and comfort, as if silently expressing the tacit understanding and trust between the two that did not require any words.

"My dear fellow, in this battle of wits, each of us is a vital chess piece."

"I am taking this approach partly for your safety."

"I know full well how dangerous you have put yourself in order to uncover the truth."

"Therefore, I decided to step into this unknown territory myself, silently observing and analyzing as an unknown person, ready to deliver a fatal blow at the critical moment."

"If I and you, the noble Sir Jack and you, the brave one, were to appear in public together, our whereabouts would undoubtedly become the focus of our enemies' attention."

"They will double their vigilance and put up many obstacles to try to prevent us from getting to the truth."

"As a character on the edge, I have more freedom and flexibility to explore those ignored clues and touch those secrets hidden in the dark."

“It is this arrangement that allows me to show my true strength at critical moments.”

"I am like a hunter lurking in the dark, patiently waiting for the best opportunity to come."

“And when that moment finally comes, I will rush forward without hesitation and use my wisdom and courage to bring this battle to a successful conclusion.”

At this point, a hint of determination and resoluteness flashed in Lu Mofei's eyes.

"So, please forgive me for hiding and deceiving you during this period. It was not out of malice, but out of my desire for victory and my deep concern for you."

Olier's heart was still surging with confusion and ripples, and the dissatisfaction hidden deep in his heart was like an undercurrent, which occasionally hit the bank of his reason. "Why do you put me in this fog, as if I am an outsider?" His voice was low and complex, and every word carried a desire for the truth and a questioning of trust.

Hearing this, Lu Mofei's eyes flashed with tenderness and determination. He slowly spoke in a gentle but powerful voice: "O'Leary, my dear friend, this is not out of contempt or alienation, but out of the deepest consideration and protection. In this complicated situation, every bit of your emotion seems too precious and too easy to be detected. If you knew my whereabouts, the irrepressible worry and care might become our weakest link. You would desperately want to pass on information, or help me in your own way. Even a trivial meal or a piece of clothing could become a clue to expose me. In this undercurrent world, any unnecessary action could lead us to eternal damnation."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Cartley, who was standing aside, looking a little reserved but loyal, and continued, "So, I brought Cartley with me - the inconspicuous but extremely smart little guy in the servant agency. He became a bridge between me and the outside world. My simple needs, such as a rough but warm piece of bread and a spotless white stiff collar, were all quietly delivered through his hands. This seemingly insignificant daily life is a necessity for survival and a spiritual comfort to me. He is like my shadow, adding a pair of tireless feet and a pair of always vigilant eyes to me. These two treasures are invaluable in this dangerous journey."

As O'Leary listened to Lu's explanation, his dissatisfaction gradually turned into understanding and relief. He recalled the days and nights when he wrote those reports. Every word was the result of his hard work and sweat. At that time, he was full of passion and pride, thinking that he was standing at the pinnacle of justice and wisdom. However, reality was presented to him in a more complex and profound way, forcing him to re-examine his role and mission.

"So, those carefully written reports of mine..." There was a hint of bitterness and reluctance in O'Leary's voice, as if he was mourning those efforts that did not play a direct role.

Lu Murphy smiled and pulled out a roll of carefully preserved papers from his pocket. It was O'Leary's report. "Look, they are here, intact, and the words are full of your passion and wisdom." He gently stroked the paper, his eyes flashing with admiration. "I read it over and over again, and each time I can draw new strength and inspiration from it. Although your work did not directly affect the surface, it laid a solid foundation for the entire plan. Your contribution cannot be fully measured by any form of success."

Following Lu Murphy's words, a warm current slowly flowed into O'Leary's heart, dispelling his previous anger and dissatisfaction. He realized that true wisdom and courage are not always reflected in the moment of charging into battle. More often, it is hidden behind the scenes, silently supporting, silent but powerful.

"You're right," O'Neill finally let go, his voice full of firmness and determination, "To achieve our goal, this arrangement is indeed the best choice. I shouldn't have become a burden to you, and I shouldn't have ruined the overall situation because of my ignorance."

"Of course, O'Leary."

Lu Mofei picked up the simple water cup on the table and drank a sip of water, then said with a smile: "After all, if you knew in advance, with your smart head, you would definitely think of what kind of scheme this is, and it would be difficult to proceed smoothly according to the plan at that time."

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like