Although the outside world kept speculating about who 'James Bond' was, Lionel remained unaffected.
Today, he wrote to summon Conan Doyle to his apartment to begin discussing what to write for the latest 'Sherlock Holmes' story.
Arthur Conan Doyle sat in an armchair by the fireplace, leaning forward, his face flushed with excitement, almost restless.
Lionel, across from him, appeared much calmer, merely sipping red wine from his glass while listening to his enthusiastic narration.
"It's incredible, Lion! You absolutely cannot imagine how detailed the information provided by 'Lionel's Boys' is!"
Conan Doyle's voice trembled with excitement:
"From the shape of footprints in a muddy patch, to almost invisible scratches on a certain window, to the routes of vagrants in different neighborhoods... everything is there!"
Lionel frowned.
He still found the name 'Lionel's Boys' a pain in the ass.
Couldn't they be called 'Avengers of Justice' or something?
Conan Doyle didn't notice the change in Lionel's expression.
He spread a thick notebook on his lap and flipped through it quickly, the pages rustling.
"Under Professor Bell's guidance, I've tried to classify and summarize this massive amount of information. Good heavens, it's like entering a whole new world!
Some of the medical students involved, especially those interested in toxicology and microscopy, proposed types of traces we had never even conceived of.
For example, they attempted to deduce which specific workshops or factories a suspect might have visited by analyzing unique dust particles adhering to clothing fibers..."
Lionel: "..."
If this continues, won't forensic science in this world develop a bit too quickly?
Conan Doyle took a deep breath, trying to calm his tone, but the sparkle in his eyes didn't diminish in the slightest.
"And Scotland Yard, hey, guess what? They actually managed to secure a budget!
Although not much, it was enough for them to free up a few rooms and put up a 'Crime Lab' sign – probably the first in the world!
Colonel Howard Vincent officially hired Professor Bell as a consultant for the CID, with pay!
Ha, now, a true 'consulting detective' has been officially recognized! And I, as an assistant, also have a remuneration..."
At this point, he smiled somewhat awkwardly and rubbed his nose:
"With the royalties you share with me, my life is quite good now."
Lionel put down his cup, a gentle smile on his face:
"This is a very good start, Arthur.
Systematic observation, classification, and evidence-based reasoning are the cornerstones of future criminal science development.
What you and Professor Bell are doing is of great significance."
Conan Doyle, affirmed, became even more invigorated, and simultaneously said to Lionel with admiration:
"You've left yourself out, Lion! You are the beginning of everything!"
Lionel didn't want to dwell on this topic, so he steered the conversation in another direction:
"The serialization of 'The Sign of Four' is nearing its end. Norman is pressing hard, and readers are also looking forward to a new adventure for Sherlock Holmes.
I recently had a new story idea that I'd like to discuss with you."
Conan Doyle immediately straightened up, like a student listening intently:
"Please tell me!"
Lionel's voice deepened:
"This story is about an ancient curse, a gloomy manor, an heir from America, and a giant hound. It haunts the night, spewing flames from hell from its eyes and mouth…"
Conan Doyle held his breath.
Just this opening had already made him feel a strong atmosphere of horror.
He asked curiously:
"Are you... are you going to write a Gothic-style story?"
Lionel nodded:
"Indeed. This will be the first time a 'Sherlock Holmes mystery' makes people feel bone-chilling fear."
Conan Doyle became excited and instinctively picked up his pen, ready to record Lionel's subsequent narration.
He felt that this was still a 'Sign of Four'-style collaboration, with Lionel narrating and him taking notes.
But Lionel stopped him:
"This time, you must not only listen with your ears, but also remember with your mind!"
As he spoke, Lionel pointed to his temple and took the pen from his hand.
Conan Doyle was stunned.
Remember an entire novel with his mind?
Although he had been a top student since childhood, his memory could never be good enough to remember everything after hearing it just once.
Lionel didn't continue to explain, but changed the subject:
"This time, I hope to make some breakthroughs in storytelling, trying methods never before seen in detective novels."
Conan Doyle asked curiously:
"What kind of method?"
Lionel carefully chose his words, selecting vocabulary Conan Doyle would understand:
"I call it a 'narrative trick'! Simply put, it's about manipulating the narrative style and the order in which information is presented to guide, or even 'deceive,' the reader.
This will lead them to incorrect conclusions during the reading process, only realizing the truth when it's finally revealed."
He saw the confusion in Conan Doyle's eyes and explained further:
"Specifically, I plan to extensively use letters and diaries in the narration of this case."
Conan Doyle pondered:
"Letters? Diaries? Like in 'The Sign of Four,' interspersed with some of the involved parties' narratives?"
Lionel shook his head:
"No, not just interspersed. This time, I want the core part of the entire case to be presented in the form of letters and reports written by Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes, as well as his personal diary excerpts."
Following this, he recounted the synopsis of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' to Conan Doyle in simple, concise language:
"This story takes place in a manor located on the moor, belonging to a family named 'Baskerville.' Within this family, a 'curse of the demon hound' has been passed down through generations...
Sir Charles Baskerville died suddenly in the manor, with huge canine teeth marks and footprints appearing at the scene. The family lawyer, Stapleton, sought help from Sherlock Holmes to uncover the truth...
After the manor's heir, Henry Baskerville, returned from America, he successively encountered anonymous warning letters, his shoes also went missing, and the roar of a giant hound echoed from the marsh; everything was filled with an eerie atmosphere..."
The entire story concluded in 15 minutes.
Although lacking in detail, the novel's overall framework and its key deductions were already in place.
However, the look of confusion in Conan Doyle's eyes deepened.
He seemed hesitant, a little uneasy.
Lionel noticed his demeanor and smiled, encouraging him:
"If you have any questions, just speak them."
Conan Doyle looked into Lionel's eyes and spoke only after a moment:
"Lion, I think... I think this story is wonderful... But the deduction part, the deduction part..."
He didn't continue, seemingly afraid of offending the friend and mentor before him.
Lionel, however, didn't mind, his smile unwavering:
"Is the 'deduction part' of this novel a bit weak, not as brilliant as before?"
Conan Doyle finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Lionel himself had realized it.
He nodded:
"Indeed... that's truly the case."
Lionel smiled even more brightly:
"This novel was originally a game we authors play with our readers..."
Conan Doyle was stunned.
(End of chapter)