The carriage moved smoothly through the streets of Southwark. The scenery outside the window gradually changed from lively commercial districts to quiet, elegant residential areas.
Finally, at Charlotte's request, the two got off one block away from Clement Street.
"We'll do it here."
Charlotte said.
"If we go any further, the noise will be too loud. At this hour, carriages usually don't pass through there."
Russell paid the fare, and the two got out of the carriage one after another.
Southwark was quiet at night. There were almost no pedestrians on the streets.
Only the occasional passing carriage and the lonely figure of a patrolling officer in the distance could be seen.
Instead of taking the main road, the two chose a shortcut through narrow alleys toward Clement Street.
Soon, Hannigan's mansion came into view.
The main entrance was tightly sealed with tape, and the doors and windows were the same.
The two walked along the wall and circled around to the back of Hannigan's mansion.
A high wall covered in ivy blocked their path.
Inside the walled garden was a small, neglected garden that hadn't been tended since the owner's death.
"We have to go in there."
Charlotte said in a low voice.
"Should I go first, or you?"
Russell asked.
Charlotte glanced at him but said nothing. She simply took two steps back.
Under Russell's watchful eye, Charlotte took a running start, stepped on a brick protruding from the wall, pushed herself up with both hands, and elegantly flipped over onto the top of the wall.
The entire process was swift and efficient, like an agile cat.
The girl crouched on the wall, turned around, and extended her hand toward Russell below.
Russell looked up at her, then shook his head.
He changed his angle, took a few steps back, and flipped over in a more relaxed, quiet posture, landing firmly beside Charlotte.
Seeing this, Charlotte withdrew her hand, pursed her lips, and looked slightly displeased that Russell hadn't appreciated her gesture.
The two crouched on the wall and used the grass to absorb any extra sound as they jumped down without making a noise.
The garden wasn't large, but because it hadn't been maintained for a long time, it was quite messy.
"Let's split up and look for the secret door."
Charlotte lowered her voice. "Don't make any noise."
As she spoke, she crouched down and began scanning the surroundings.
Seeing this, Russell also crouched and pretended to look around casually while actually moving steadily closer to the back door.
The Southwark night felt as though a thick black velvet cloth had completely enveloped the entire garden.
The moonlight was almost completely blocked by thick clouds, with only faint, cold silver light filtering through the gaps.
The air was filled with the scent of earth, dead leaves, and flowers, mixed with the crispness unique to early winter.
One on the left, one on the right—the two moved lightly and silently, like two cats that had accidentally wandered into this deserted place.
Charlotte hunched her back. In the darkness, her gray-blue eyes shone with particular sharpness.
She carefully scanned the back wall of the villa, not missing any corner where a secret door might be hidden.
Blending into the darkness, Russell slowly made his way toward the location of the back door in his memory.
He occasionally stopped and pretended to push aside bushes, acting as though he was seriously searching for something.
Charlotte moved quickly and thoroughly searched her area in no time.
She found nothing.
The girl raised her head and looked toward the other side of the weeds.
Russell's figure emerged from the darkness and waved at Charlotte.
Seeing this, Charlotte quickly and quietly approached where he was.
"Did you find it?"
She asked in a low voice.
Russell said nothing and simply pointed at the wall in front of him, densely covered in thick ivy.
It looked no different from the rest of the wall.
But Charlotte knew Russell wouldn't speak without reason.
She crouched down and moved closer to examine it carefully.
She immediately noticed something was off.
Under the moonlight, she saw several clear wrinkles in the ivy in front of her.
The soil at the base of the vines was softer than elsewhere, and there were a few blurred footprints.
Charlotte reached out and gently parted the camouflage ivy.
A small wooden door, almost blending into the color of the wall, suddenly appeared before their eyes.
The door wasn't locked—probably prepared for an easy escape.
Charlotte and Russell exchanged glances. Both understood the meaning in the other's eyes.
Russell stepped forward, pressed his ear against the door, and listened carefully for any sounds inside.
It was very quiet.
No footsteps, no talking.
But there was the intermittent sound of breathing.
It was like someone taking a drag from a cigarette and slowly exhaling.
An ordinary person might have dismissed it as a mere whisper.
But to Russell, who possessed the Listening B ability, the sound was all too obvious.
He turned his face and gave Charlotte a slight nod, making a smoking gesture.
Seeing this, Charlotte immediately understood and looked at him with surprise at his hearing.
Russell turned his face again and gently placed his hand on the door.
This was where his Skillful Hands B+ technique came in handy. The door was pushed open without a sound.
Soon, a gap just large enough for one person to pass through appeared before them.
Just as Russell was about to step forward and take the lead, he suddenly felt someone tug at his clothes.
He turned around to see the girl's gray-blue eyes staring straight at him.
Charlotte tugged at him again, signaling Russell to step back, then took his place.
She walked past Russell. Her small frame slipped through the gap in the door like a raccoon, without a sound.
Russell followed right behind her.
Behind the door was a narrow, dimly lit passage. It didn't lead directly to the basement but to a storage room.
Fortunately, the storage room was empty, and the two were able to enter without making a sound.
Breathing sounds from inside the mansion began to grow clearer, and a faint scent of tobacco could be detected.
The two exchanged glances and looked down at the floor at the same time.
Billson was in the basement.
This was a good opportunity. There was only one way to the basement, so all they had to do was block it.
Russell pointed at the ground, then at the stairs, and took the first step.
Seeing this, Charlotte slowed her pace and followed.
The two descended the stairs and finally stopped in front of the basement door.
The door was tightly closed, and in this situation, it was impossible to open it without making a sound.
Russell gave Charlotte an inquiring look.
What should we do?
Charlotte reached into the inner pocket of her coat, quietly took out the folded cane, unfolded it, and fixed it firmly in place.
Then she stared straight at Russell, pointed at the door with her chin, and raised her foot.
What do you think?
Seeing this, Russell shrugged.
After all that sneaking around, we ended up having to force our way in after all.
Haah, I just can't get along with you amateurs.
He sighed, then raised his own foot as well.
Charlotte raised her other hand, held up her fingers, and then folded them one by one.
—3
—2
—1!
"BANG!"
The ear-splitting sound of the door being kicked in shattered the silence of Southwark.
…
…
PS: Please support me and read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode