The table against the wall is not really placed side by side, so people can sit in all four directions. The lunches of the three professors have not been served yet, and they did not start talking until Shade ordered his own lunch.
"I never expected that, Mr. Watson, I would meet you again by such a coincidence."
Professor Boulanger seemed very enthusiastic, while the two young students who looked like students were more dull:
"After I met you last time, I added what you mentioned about the natural and cultural environment of the Pantanal region to my next paper. When the negotiations between the two countries are over, I am thinking about going to the Pantanal again.
Nar is investigating, there must be many mineral veins in that place."
"Then I wish you success, Professor."
Shade raised his glass of water and said, he likes to deal with such scholars:
"I haven't heard of anyone conducting decent research in the Pantanal for so many years. Recently, both countries have planned to develop swamps. Areas that were previously prohibited from entering have also been allowed to enter. Only then do we have the current opportunity. Professor
, seize this opportunity, you will definitely become famous."
"Academic research is not about fame, but of course it would be nice if it can bring fame."
The professor said modestly, and then talked with Shade about the local weather conditions for a while. There was only one light rain in the Green Lake area this spring, and Professor Boulanger believed that it would probably continue to rain starting next week.
After the drinks and food were served, Xia De finally asked:
"Professor, do you also want to find someone when you come to see Barry with the bad eye? I have been investigating some interesting things recently. If there are results, my next book will be a detective novel."
"Like "Hamilton's Detective Stories"? Then you must send me a copy. I like detective stories very much. But I'm not looking for someone. I'm conducting a geological survey. There is a college on the other side of Carson Creek.
As long as I take out the issued documents, no one will stop me anywhere. But on this side of Delrayon, there are some private lands that we are not allowed to enter. I spent a lot of time looking for people to ask, and then I found out about the bad eye.
Barry actually owns a large piece of land along the lake. He agreed to let me go in and collect some soil samples, but that man is really vulgar."
Professor Boulanger said with some dissatisfaction, not knowing what kind of criticism he had just received:
"Mr. Watson, I heard what you just said, do you still have a relationship with Bad-Eyed Barry?"
"No, no, I don't know this kind of person. He is my friend, an army captain. You know, no matter how powerful the local people are, they would not dare to go against the officers, especially since this is still a border area."
Shade said, Professor Boulanger nodded with deep understanding:
"This sentence is very correct. Since it is like this, it is actually a bit embarrassing to say it..."
He smiled awkwardly:
"If it's convenient, could you introduce me to your officer friend? During this time, I also felt some danger in Delrayon on the north shore of Green Lake. If you can ask your officer friend to introduce you to a few people who can temporarily contact me,
A bodyguard for our trip would be perfect."
What he means is to find someone to protect them at specific times. This is normal in military camps in border areas. After all, soldiers also need to eat.
"Of course. I will take you there in a moment. Captain Rades is the deputy battalion commander of the camp. There should be someone under him who is willing to take on such an errand. Speaking of which, I also have something I would like to ask you for help with."
Shade said, taking out the pen found near the water ghost's lair. He didn't know who the original owner of the pen was, but based on the knowledge he learned about pens from Dorothy, he at least knew that the pen was definitely not
Cheap:
"Professor, have you seen this pen and this name? Maybe it is related to the person I am looking for recently."
Professor Boulanger took the pen and asked the students aside:
"It looks familiar, Kirk. Is this the kind of pen you use?"
The tall and lanky young man adjusted his glasses:
"Professor, this is not the kind I use. This is a custom-made pen from Spencer Company. It was only sold once in Willondale two years ago. The price is very expensive, and it is actually rusted like this."
"The name is... Durut Giles?"
Professor Boulanger returned the pen, frowned and thought for a moment:
"I seem to have heard of this name, but I'm not sure. It's not distinctive. Oh, I'll write back to Willendale and ask my colleagues to help check it out. Those who use this kind of pen must be scholars. If it is famous, it should be
It can be found.”
"Thank you very much, Professor."
Shade said with a smile.
The two had been talking during lunch. The professor of geology and folklore was very knowledgeable, and the outsider who had been to many places could also express his unique opinions. As for the two students of the professor, they only communicated with each other with their eyes, obviously.
I'm not used to eating with my teacher.
When lunch was almost over, a traveling businessman with a red scarf around his neck and a brown scarf wrapped around his head came into the tavern. He claimed that he had a special rules Rhodes card in his hand that had not been authenticated and whose authenticity was unknown.
I want to have a bet with the people in the tavern.
This kind of gambling involves not only betting on who can win, but also betting on whether the card played by the travel dealer is real.
So Shade, who was interested, got up and went to join in the fun, asking Professor Boulanger to wait for him, and then they would go together to see Captain Rades.
There were quite a few people in the tavern who were also interested in this, but most of them were worried that it was a scam. In addition, more people couldn't afford the 5 pounds bet that the travel dealer said, so they finally saw the card in front of the tavern counter.
, there are only three people in total including Xia De.
The rules of the card are very special, different from all the special cards Shade has ever seen:
"This is... [Dove of Peace·Kansas Mountain Negotiation], suit star 13. With the consent of all players, this game is a draw."
On the card, two hands are clasped together, with a distant view of the Kansas Mountains in the background.
The "Dove of Peace" series of decks includes those negotiations and meetings that play a decisive role in world peace and the process of civilization. The cards in this series are very special, because the rules of all special cards are "All players agree.
Game and Game", which also expresses the original intention of the Prophet Association when it produced this deck.
This series of decks was released about thirty years ago and has never been reprinted so far. Although it is very rare, because the rules of special cards are really difficult to implement, the auction and sales prices of this series of special cards are generally higher in the early days of release than at the same time.
Other series in this period are lower.
Of course, since the Prophet Association has begun to reprint past cards in recent years, the price of "Dove of Peace", which has never been reprinted, has gradually approached or even exceeded other series of card sets of the same era.
After seeing this card, after hesitation, the well-dressed old gentleman among the three gave up the fight, so one of Shade and another gentle gentleman wearing glasses decided to have a bet with the traveling merchant.
The two of them checked the card together, and "she" reminded Shade softly that the details and texture of this card were most likely real.
The traveling merchant said after the two inspected:
"Please give me the amount of money you want to bet on cards. The base price is the 5 pounds you just agreed on. I will bet with the person who bids the highest."
"You really know how to do business."
Sha De said, taking out his notebook and writing a number. The middle-aged man hesitated, shook his head and said to Sha De:
"I'll give up too. Just play cards with him. I won't let such profiteers take advantage."
"You're right, I don't want profiteers to take advantage either."
Shade showed the number he wrote on his notebook - 5 pounds. The traveling businessman smiled and shook his head:
"I didn't take advantage of you. I received this card and spent a lot of money on it. Sir, we will decide the outcome of the game. What about the most basic rules? If it is a draw, I will take it.
You take the money and the cards.”
"sure."
Shade took out his spare deck which did not contain any special cards. Under the gaze of the old gentleman and middle-aged man who did not leave, he and the traveling merchant each drew two cards and displayed the last one.
Shade lifted up the first hidden card and took a look at it. After raising his eyebrows, he lifted up the hole card:
"I'm suspending trading."
The moon is 10 and the stars are 9, totaling 19 points.
You Shang used the second card to tilt up the first card, moved it a little bit in front of his eyes to open the cards, and then smiled and held a card in each hand to show it to Shade:
"Stars 9, Sun 9. You shouldn't draw the cards directly, otherwise I would have to hesitate whether to continue drawing cards."
"Playing cards is fun, but it would be boring if you are too obsessed with winning or losing."
Because the loss is not big even if you lose, the foreigner who has become richer and richer recently leaned on the counter and said easily. Both the old and middle-aged people expressed their agreement.
So the travel merchant opened his third card, threw it on the table with exaggerated movements, and made a regretful sound:
"Sun 13? Is this a joke?"
"Then this card belongs to me."
Star 13 [Dove of Peace·Kansas Mountain Talk] was not placed in his deck by the Traveling Merchant, but in a position visible to everyone. Shade picked it up and inserted it into his deck, and then
He handed the 5 pounds as a bet to the businessman:
"You also want to make money and eat, so just treat it as a draw."
The traveling merchant was a little annoyed at first, but now he was stunned. He wanted to refuse for the sake of dignity, but in the end he accepted the money and said to Shade:
"I'm not taking your money for nothing. Take a look at the products I have here and pick one out."
Then he said to the bartender who was watching the excitement:
"Please give me four glasses of ale, yes four glasses, and I'll treat the three gentlemen here to drinks."
Although he usually doesn't like drinking, Shade did not refuse the other party's kindness. When the bartender brought the wine glasses one by one, he smiled and clinked glasses with the old man, middle-aged people and traveling businessmen and praised the Rhodes card.
