Chapter 68 The sixty-fifth frightened delegates were murdered by a famous person in a new play by a madman

When Zhang Zizhong found this name note, he was so frightened that he made a fuss, and actually scared Zhixing to the ground.It can be seen that the bannermen are stern and timid, and they have reached the extreme.Since Zhixing fell to the ground, Zizhong had no choice but to help him up himself, and asked, "Second brother Zhi, are you less courageous than your younger brother? Why did you fall to the ground as soon as you heard the duel?" Zhixing said "Why are you blaming me? You're such a daredevil, you frighten me with the duel out of thin air. We are a literati with no power to restrain a chicken. How can we not be afraid when we hear the word "duel?" Zi Zhong said: "I didn't mean to scare you, because you don't know the rules of foreign countries. I have lived abroad for three or four years, and I have experienced all these things. According to Western customs, friends use white name paper for celebrations. I don’t use red easily. If I use red, it’s not an assassin, it’s a duel. If one side is red, it’s not life-threatening. If two sides are red, it means you have to fight to the death. Today I found this name. It’s really unexpected. , and both sides are red, how can I not be afraid when I see it?" Hearing what he said, Zhixing became more and more flustered, and hurriedly looked at the business card from Xiang Zizhong, and sure enough, both sides were red, and there were only three printed on the front. The word, the name is Jin Bailian.Looking at the back, there is a line of small characters, which reads "We sincerely pay homage to Zhijun, and we will have a meeting by the Huangpu River at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon." I didn't offend anyone, how could this happen?" Zi Zhong said: "You still say it. Yesterday at the meeting, you opened your mouth and cursed people, and I was sure to get into trouble. You don't know, the Revolutionary Party is very powerful Well. And this place in Shanghai is within the sphere of influence of other people. Even if we are cautious, there may be accidental dangers, not to mention acting straightforwardly and talking nonsense. To you, it is just a moment of politeness, and you will throw it away when you turn your face. I'm on the sidelines, but I didn't know that people kept it in mind, so they came up with all kinds of methods to deal with you. You are alone with two hands, trapped in this tight encirclement, how can you move around?" Zhixing listened to Zizhong's words , it really makes sense.Thinking about my current position again, it really is very dangerous, so I burst into tears.Said: "I never thought that I would die in Shanghai after traveling more than 2,000 places. I could not even see a single person in my family, and I would be a bereaved ghost. Why is that? The Jin Councilor really hurt me!" Xing cried more and more pain, Zizhong couldn't stop persuading him, and even Longhua and Hailiang next door were alarmed.They asked him why he was crying, and Zizhong had to tell Long and Hai what happened just now.The two were also terrified.Hai Liang said: "Since the door of this room is locked, how did he get in? Judging from this man's ability, he is really not small. He is almost the same as Ouyang Chun above, and Yunfei of God Walking Wuying Gu. Lian Zhan Xiong Fei, Bai Yutang may not have such a great ability at all. Unless Zhu Tianfei, the God of Drilling Clouds, and Hou Huatai, the Immortal Chasing the Wind in "Yongqing Shengping", may be able to catch up with him. As for Huang Tianba and Zhu Guangzu, they are even more incomparable." When Hai Liang said this, Long Hua just laughed beside him.Hai Liang asked, "Second Brother Long, what are you laughing at?" Long Hua said, "I don't laugh at others, Brother Xiao, you are very familiar with the history of Gang Jian, and you can actually recite it from Zhao Song to our Huang Qing. There are so many It’s as if you’ve seen all the great people with your own eyes, and you have to compare them one by one in terms of their size and abilities. Second brother, your skill in studying things is really good!” Hai Liang couldn’t hear the sarcasm, and thought it was flattering him. Well, he said modestly: "Don't dare, my younger brother is just talking nonsense and taking them as a proportion. There are so many other capable people in Gangjian, how can I remember them at a time. It's just these few people, in Gangjian The above is a characteristic character, which can be said to be known to all women and children, so I opened my mouth to talk about them. After all, the three of us have to think of a way for him, can we just ignore it and let him take risks?" Longhua said: "What's the matter? Since their revolutionary party is going to fight, tomorrow, please ask Erye Zhi to bring a pistol and a dagger, and wait for him by the Huangpu River." Zhixing then grabbed him by the chest, stared and asked: "Long Er! What indissoluble enmity does my surname Zhi have with you? You came up with this idea and told me to go to die! I have to drag you to see him." Is there any reason to ask for instructions from the imperial envoy?" The three of them were in a hurry when they saw him, Longhua quickly admitted that he was not, and said, "Second Master, don't worry, I'm just joking with you. If you really want to go, I can't tell you to go either!" Zhixing said harshly, "Good friend! You're so heartbroken and you're still joking, you're so heartless!" Hai Liang stood aside, offering an idea, saying, "It's best to ask Zhi Er first. Lord, you need to hide for a few days. Fortunately, Shanghai is a big place, and Imperial Envoy Tang has many foreign friends, so I asked him to send you to a foreign firm and hide for a few days. After the limelight is over, it will not be too late to come out again." Zhang Zizhong Shaking his head, he said: "This idea is not very appropriate. If the imperial envoy returns to the Ming Dynasty, the imperial envoy will never dare to bear this responsibility. He must use documents to consult the second master back to Beijing, let Xiang Gongbao know, and the future of the second master Zhi will be lost. , wouldn’t it harm him? Even if the imperial envoy is willing to make it convenient for him to leave the second master in a foreign firm, the Shanghai Revolutionary Party has many wings and good eyes and ears. Isn’t it good?” Zhixing said: “Brother Zizhong is the one who carefully reviewed the matter. But according to your idea, what must be done to be safe?” Zizhong thought for a while and replied: “In my opinion, I should avoid it. The land is good. Not only can the second master Zhi not go to the meeting anymore, he can’t even live in Shanghai. It’s the best way to ask for sick leave quickly and return to Beijing secretly. Except for this one, I can’t think of it Here comes a plan." Hearing this, Zhixing was extremely in favor of it.However, Long Hua tried to provoke right and wrong, so he snorted and said, "Second Master Zhi, you have to make up your mind, don't be fooled by others!" Zhang and Zhi were both very surprised when they heard what he said. They asked together: "Brother Zichun, how do you say this?" Longhua raised his head, smiled sarcastically, and slowly replied: "Second Master Zhi, you don't understand, don't you think Zizhong also Do you understand? Both of you were selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sent by Xiang Gongbao. In the future, when the peace negotiation is completed, Master Zhi will be promoted to a doctor immediately. Now that you are returning to Beijing halfway, all previous efforts have been wasted. In the future, you have to rely on Zi Brother Chong enjoys it all by himself. Maybe he’s been promoted to a councilor because of his extraordinary achievements, and you, Second Master Zhi, will suffer a lot.” Before Long Hua finished speaking, the loyal and honest Zhang Zizhong jumped up in anger. , Said: "Zichun, what are you talking about! Could it be that I, Zhang Zizhong, have some evil intentions, and deliberately squeeze the second master Zhi to return to Beijing, so that I can get the insurance case alone?" Longhua said with a smile: " Zizhong, don't worry, I'm just thinking for the second master Zhi, I never said you pushed him back to Beijing, why should you worry?" Zhang Zizhong said: "I invite him back to Beijing, just to avoid danger. As long as he is not afraid of danger , why should I commit a crime? But there is one thing, he is not afraid of danger, but I am really afraid of danger. Tonight, please invite Hai Erye to live in this room, and invite him to sleep with Brother Zichun on the same bed. Since Zichun said these things, he must be able to protect him." Zhang Zizhong was afraid of the revolutionary party and wanted to push out the treasure of Zhixing and put it on Longhua, so he said this set of words.But I didn't expect that there were people in favor.Who do you think this is in favor of?It turned out that it was Hai Liang who lived in the same house as Long Hua.Hailiang and Longhua are both recommended by the old Enwang, and they live in the same room. Of course, they are good friends and have a very close relationship.Why did Hailiang agree to separate from Longhua?There is also a reason for this.

It turned out that Hai Liang had been a long history in the palace for seven or eight years. He happened to catch up with the old En Wang who was the foreman of the military aircraft, Minister Wang, and later changed to the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.Who dares not to follow his door if there are servants of all ministries inside, hall officials of various monasteries, governors and towns outside, and even all priests.Anyone who wants to follow him must first bribe Hailiang, and then the second step is to go before the prince.Therefore, Hailiang has made a full two to three million dollars in the past few years.Long Hua was originally a poor censor. Tie Muxian used to be the secretary of the Ministry of War when he was the Minister of the Army, and he was given a monthly allowance of four to five hundred taels of silver.Later, Tie Muxian let go of his foreign job, and he tried every means to find a job, so he had to work in the Ruyi Pavilion, and he still had a few hundred silver left over every month.Since the huge case of bombing the Regent happened in the Ruyi Hall, the hall was also cancelled, and Longhua was almost dismissed from office. Thanks to Tie Muxian's efforts on his behalf, his reputation was preserved.He tried time and time again to walk away from Old Enwang's sect and send Taoist priests outside, but Hailiang never got through.Hai Liang asked him for a door bag of 3,000 silver, and he would pay a higher price if he took care of the old prince.Longhua said: "I don't have so much silver. If it's worth three thousand and the plate is full, I can handle it. I need to spend three thousand on the bag first, and the old prince has to give another filial piety. I have to thank Bumin." Liang also said it well, even if you can buy a magistrate with three thousand silver, what else do you want to do?Therefore, even if Longhua's matter was stranded invisibly, the two had a rift from then on.But this time, the old Enwang, who was escorting the peace representative, only thought of Longhua, and actually protected him to go all the way with Hailiang. Hailiang felt very uncomfortable.But with the king's order first, I dare not say anything, after all, I always feel a little alienated from Longhua.In order to save face, Longhua tried his best to get close to him and called his second brother loudly.When the two arrived in Shanghai, Longhua would borrow money from him at any time, buying clothes today and materials tomorrow, Hailiang would wait for the bill for him.The most ridiculous thing was that one day, the two of them were walking and playing on the road. As soon as Longhua looked up, he saw the Jiuhualou Jinzhu Jewelry Store. He took Hailiang to watch it together, and asked the person on the counter for a gold bracelet of four taels, studded with diamonds. golden ring.After choosing and choosing, choosing and choosing again, I finally settled on a pair of gold bracelets, weighing 422 cents, and a diamond-encrusted gold ring, which is the most bald. .Longhua called to wrap it up, took out the wallet from his bosom, took out the bills, counted and counted, counted and counted, only more than three hundred yuan, still less than half.Hai Liang couldn't see it anymore, so he took out a money clip from his pocket, opened it and took out a thousand-yuan HSBC banknote, handed it to the person on the counter and said, "Give me the rest." The person on the cabinet saw Hai Liang's money clip The book is full of banknotes, and if you take it out, at least one hundred yuan is one piece, and the remaining one thousand yuan and five hundred yuan are two rolls.The businessmen looked at it coldly, and they had long believed that this was a rich man, so they immediately offered cigarettes and tea, showing a very respectful attitude, and tried their best to curry favor.Then I asked this lord, is he from Beijing?Before Hai Liang could answer, Long Hua rushed to say: "You don't even recognize this big man? This is Er Ye Hai, the butler of Prince En's Mansion in Beijing. You are sure, and the mansion will take care of you in the future, maybe it will be one hundred and two thousand One hundred thousand." When the boss heard this, he hurried over to deal with it in person, and made sure to invite him to the living room at the back for tea.At the back, put on a very beautiful smoking set, and invite Mr. Hai to smoke.Hailiang didn't have much of an addiction at first, but because he was with many representatives in Shanghai, he refused to smoke openly, for fear of being laughed at, so he had to eat a little plum blossom ginseng slices, and he was addicted to chatting. After all, he was not as comfortable as smoking.Now the owner of the gold shop suddenly took out Da Tu Gong ointment and put it on himself, and asked him to suck it. Hailiang was a little overjoyed to see him, so he sucked four mouthfuls in a row, then sat up and handed over his hands to express his thanks .The boss personally poured another bowl of high-quality black tea and handed it to Hai Liang.Hai Liang took it over and asked him his name, Tai Fu.The boss replied that his surname was Wu Hao Ziliang, he was from Chaozhou, Guangdong, and he had been doing business in Shanghai since he was a child.In the past, he was the owner of the Tuzhuang, but later the Tuzhuang took over and changed to a gold shop.Hai Liang asked him: "Is it easy to buy big soil now?" Wu Ziliang said with a smile: "It's not easy to buy big soil now unless you, Mr. Hai, can afford it. It's not that big soil is not easy to buy. , because today's authentic Yinzhuang goods must be sold in boxes, and it is impossible to sell them at retail. But this box of goods has at least a thousand taels, and each tael is priced at seven or eight yuan, which is more than 10,000 yuan. Ordinary people, how can they afford it?" Hai Liang said: "This time I'm out of Beijing, the old prince told me to buy a box or two if there are authentic printed goods. Boss Wu can take the trouble to inquire on his behalf. Hezhong, you can go to the big hotel to find me, we will pay both money and goods. But only the high-quality goods can be used by the lord." Wu Ziliang fully agreed: "This is a small matter, and I should do it for you. Lord Hai please be kind to me. Ann. Mistakes are top-notch products, and I would never dare to send them in front of adults." The three chatted a few more words before Hailiang returned to the apartment.The next day Wu Ziliang came to look for Hailiang and said, "I've already bought two boxes of the best printed goods. The price is very cheap. Each pair is six yuan and seventy-five cents. The total is eighteen thousand four hundred and sixty-two." Eighty-two cents. Please ask Mr. Hai to allocate only 18,400 yuan, and the rest can be wiped off. This is the cheapest opportunity, so please accept it. "Speaking, he took out two boxes of samples, and declared that they had been boiled into a paste last night, and asked the adults to taste it first.In the evening of that day, Hailiang really went to Jiuhualou to smoke a few big local cigarettes, and he felt that it was even more delicious than yesterday's.He immediately took out the HSBC bank receipt, signed the amount of 18,400 yuan, stamped it with his own stamp, and handed it to Wu Ziliang.Ziliang took it, and immediately ordered his disciples to bring the two boxes of goods to Hai Liang, and then opened them with his own hands, asking Mr. Hai to look at each package.Then it was sealed and sent to the hotel.From then on, Long and Hai often communicated with Wu Ziliang.Longhua took advantage of this opportunity to buy rings today and make jewelry tomorrow, either Mr. Hai would know the money, or write it to Mr. Hai's account, which made Hai Liang very disgusted.In the end, it's hard to say anything in face.I wish I had a chance to stay away from him so that I would suffer less loss.

Now that what happened to Zhixing, Zhang Zizhong was timid, and he wanted to push Zhixing out of the house immediately by taking advantage of Longhua's witty remarks.Hearing this, Hailiang felt exactly what he wanted, so he tried his best to persuade him, saying: "Second brother Long is bold, please live with him in the same room as Master Zhi. Brother Zizhong can move to the room of the younger brother, and it is also very convenient to switch each other. Not bad." At this time, Long Hua, although he was not happy, was helpless.He was still thinking about making some excuses, but Zhixing agreed first, saying that Brother Long is very courageous, and I would rather live in the same room with him.After finishing speaking, he ordered the team leader who brought him: "Go quickly and move Erye Long's bedding and luggage to my room, and send Uncle Zhang's share to Erye Hai's room." Hai Liang also ordered others to help .Seeing what had happened, Long Hua knew it was irreparable, so he ran back to his house and supervised several long shifts to carry it, fearing that the newly bought gold, jewelry, shells and other clothes and jewelry would be stolen by others.After everything was packed, they moved into Zhixing's house.Zi Chong's luggage was very limited, so he packed it casually and moved here.Hailiang was very welcome. He said Brother Zhang: "It's very suitable for us brothers to live in the same room. I really can't get along with him because of Lao Long's temper." Zi Zhong also said: "Long Hua is not enough friends. He is worried. He also joked casually and alienated friends, there is no one like him in the world!" Hai Liang said with a smile: "Don't panic, let's just watch him suffer. This Second Master Zhi is enough for him to deal with." What are you busy asking?Hai Liang said: "You don't need to inquire, you will know when the time comes." That day, Zhixing didn't eat a bite of dinner, he just sighed and frowned.When people began to persuade him, he raised his head and answered irrelevant questions, as if he was out of control, and everyone was unhappy with each other.In the dark night, only Longhua was with him, he still sighed, holding a bowl of hot tea in his hand, but he didn't pass it to his mouth, but put it in front of his nostrils, sucked it in, choked and scalded, and poured a bowl of hot tea. The tea was poured casually, and it was completely poured on Longhua.It's a pity that a brand-new two-blue Ningxia silk and pearl leather jacket was stained all over by a bowl of black tea.Longhua was so angry that he jumped up and said, "Are you crazy? The leather jacket I just made this year was destroyed by you, so you should pay me!" Zhixing stared and asked, "What do you want? I dare not accompany you to a duel, you can go alone." After saying that, he wanted to hide under the bed.This made Long Hua laugh too, and said, "My second master, you must have lost your mind. I told you to pay for my fur coat, but who told you to accompany me to a duel! Get some rest, Stop making jokes." After Long Hua finished speaking, he immediately forced him to take off his clothes and go to bed.Fortunately, at this time, Zhixing was not much different from a unconscious person. If he was asked to undress, he would undress, and if he was told to sleep, he would sleep, which was very obedient.But lying on the bed, he still couldn't fall asleep.It happened that the bed he was sleeping on was right next to the board wall. Sometimes he sighed, and sometimes he beat the board wall with his hands so loudly that Longhua couldn't sleep all night. , and also suffered from it.The next day Longhua pouted and came to look for Zhang Zizhong angrily, saying, "Okay! You take off this lice leather jacket forcibly. Is this justified? Let's go back to the original state and return yours." Anlewo, I live in my Wagangzhai. Otherwise, I can’t stand it anymore.” Before Zizhong could answer, Hailiang rushed to say: “Brother Long, forget it. Jing, you are not responsible for protection, what should you do? Besides, Second Master Zhi is only narrow-minded for a while, and his spirit is not very comfortable. After a day or two, he will naturally recover. Why can't you bear it for a moment, it is obvious It's too disrespectful to my friends." Longhua said: "Second Master, you can say such sarcastic remarks. Look at the leather jacket I'm wearing, a bowl of black tea has been completely poured on it, and the crepe has changed color. Who will pay for it? Me?" Hai Liang said with a smile: "It's a trivial matter, it's nothing. I'll buy half a bolt of crepe to compensate you today. I'll hang it again, and I'll pay for the handwork. What else do you have to say?" Long Hua Hearing that the leather jacket lost face, he was not as impatient as before, and even said: "Okay, I thank the second master! Later, let's go to the meeting first, and we can talk about it later in the evening."

Hai Liang, Long Hua, and Zhang Zizhong attended the meeting with the representatives.Zhixing was the only one, because he was in a trance, and everyone was afraid that he might make some jokes in the meeting, so they had to politely ask him to recuperate in peace in the hotel.Zhixing felt a kind of panic in his heart, because everyone was in one place, he was courageous, but he was not very scared, now that everyone left, but he was going to be left alone, how could he bear it, he waved his hands and shook his head , insisted on refusing.Later, it was Hailiang who came up with the idea to send him to the hotel owner's house and ask the owner to take care of him on his behalf. He would open the door after they came back.The boss's surname is Huazi Jiliu, but he is very tactful, so he readily agreed.Let Zhixing go to his room and chat with him.Everyone went safely.Because of yesterday's incident, Zhixing was always in his mind, so he asked Hua Jiliu repeatedly: "Are there any assassins in Shanghai?" Boss Hua said: "Ah! Speaking of assassins, it's really scary! They came without a trace. , go to Wuying, no matter when, no matter where, you can find it all. A good person falls asleep in the house and loses his head the next day. Otherwise, he is walking on the road, flying over from nowhere A gun came and pierced the chest, and the person fell to the ground. I don't know who fired the gun. Do you think it's fierce?" Zhixing was panicked in his heart, but after hearing Hua Jiliu's words, Even heartbroken, she lay on the bed with her eyes open, not saying a word.Ji Liu offered tea to smoke, but he didn't know how to accept it, just like a wooden sculpture made of clay.Ji Liu didn't know what kind of illness he was suffering from, and asked again and again: "Master Zhi, don't you feel a little unhappy in your heart, can I go out with you for a stroll?" Zhixing still didn't answer.After another moment, he suddenly got up from the bed and smiled at Ji Liu: "You are not a good person! Why do you want to lie to me? You have hooked up with the assassin, and as soon as I go out, you will shoot me coldly. Me, isn't it?" Hearing what he said, Hua Jiliu was really a monk of Zhang Er, confused, and stared blankly, and said: "My Lord Zhi, what are you talking about? We are alone A businessman can't afford it." While making trouble, a red-headed Yin Zuo suddenly came in from outside, wanting to borrow money from Hua Jiliu.As soon as he stepped into the door, Zhixing was terrified. With a cry of "Oops", he crawled under the bed and shouted, "No! The assassin is here!" Yin Zuo didn't know why For one thing, I bent down and wanted to pull him.Ji Liu hurriedly stopped him and said, "No way, this is an imperial envoy sent by Beijing. If you act recklessly, you can't even afford the consul!" Then Yin Zuo stopped and asked Ji Liu for a loan.Ji Liu paid two yuan and sent Yin Zhu away, then helped Zhi Xing out from under the bed with his own hands, and said, "My lord, why are you so timid? The foreign patrol who came just now was not an assassin." , you don’t have to be afraid. To tell you the truth, assassins will never dare to come to me, you just rest assured that you will recuperate, there will be no mistakes at all, I will guarantee it.” Hua Jiliu comforted him while helping him to the edge of the bed Sitting down, he made sugar water to calm him down, trying his best to deal with it.The boss's idea was finally very good, but Zhixing was mentally ill, no matter how he tried to enlighten him, he just turned a deaf ear to it.This was also helpless, Ji Liu dealt with it patiently for a long time, and the representatives didn't come back until sunset.Ji Liu greeted Long Hua, and said: "Master Long, please open the door quickly, and let Master Zhi go to your room, I really can't accompany you." Long Hua squeezed his scalp and opened the door of his room.At this time, Ji Liu has accompanied Zhixing to the door, and Longhua goes in together holding Zhixing.He also asked Ji Liu to sit in the room for a while, but Ji Liu said something was wrong and went away without even looking back.

Hailiang and Zhang Zizhong opened the door of their own room first, and made tea. They didn't care about drinking, so they went to visit Zhixing's house first.Seeing his intoxicated appearance, the three of them knew that they were deeply ill.Discuss with each other, we must ask a doctor to check his pulse, or take a dose or two of medicine, maybe he will calm down.But I don't know who is the best doctor in Shanghai, so I have to ask Ji Liu again.Ji Liu recommended a man surnamed Ding, saying that this man had been in Shanghai for 20 years, and he was a well-known doctor. If he was invited, he would definitely be cured.Hai Liang asked the hotel staff to invite him.After going for a long time, I didn't come back until after lighting the lamp.Said: "If you want to invite Mr. Ding, you must register in the morning. He has gone out in the afternoon, so there is nowhere to invite him. I have already registered at his concierge, and I will be here tomorrow afternoon. Today is too late." Listen to this. , very disappointed, but helpless.Hua Jiliu said: "His illness was caused by fright for a while, and he lost his mind. You all just advised him to rest early. In the middle of the night, Master Long took his clothes and laid them slowly on the ground, calling his name Said: So-and-so go to bed quickly. In this way, he can draw his lost soul from the ground into the clothes. Then put this clothes on his body, after he has slept for a full night, the next day Tian must be clear-headed and energetic. This is an extremely effective method, please ask Lord Long to try it out." Hai Liang said with a smile: "I have done this method you mentioned more than once when I was in Beijing. But, all I did this because the child was frightened accidentally. I have never heard of people in their 30s and 40s playing this trick. Isn’t it a joke?” Ji Dao: “Master Hai, don’t say that. No matter how big or small a person is, the soul It’s all the same. If you don’t believe me, just call and see, if it doesn’t work, I’ll be willing to be punished.” Hearing what he said so vividly, everyone agrees, it’s always beneficial, so why not try it out.Longhua urged Zhixing to go to bed early, stretched out his hand to undress him, and waited for him to lie in the quilt, waiting until the third watch, so that he could do it in the same way.After a day and a night of fuss, Zhixing was indeed a little sleepy, he fell asleep after lying down for a long time, and everyone felt relieved.After finally waiting for the third watch, Longhua took his clothes, bent down, walked back and forth on the ground, and kept calling Zhixing's cry: "Zhongxiang Zhongxiang, hurry up and rest on the bed with my younger brother." .” He was really concentrating on handling this matter at this time.Unexpectedly, at this time, a strange sound suddenly came out from outside the house door, Long Hua was frightened when he heard it.Unexpectedly, two monsters broke in from the door of the house, one black and one white, and they rushed straight in front of Longhua, making strange noises continuously.This frightened the resourceful Long Zichun, who fell to the ground with an "oops".When he fell, the sound was very loud, because the floor was empty, so it was particularly loud, and woke up Zhi Xing who was sleeping soundly.He opened his eyes and saw a person lying on the ground, beside two furry things, one black and one white, screaming there.He looked at it, and when he lost his mind, he thought it was an assassin coming, and with a groan, he jumped out of the quilt, naked, and went straight out the door.Next door is the room where Hai Liang lives. Although Zhang and Hai are sleeping in the quilt, because of Xuan Xin, the lunatic next door has not yet fallen asleep and is chatting with each other in the quilt.Suddenly there was a knock on the door of the room, and suddenly a person came in, completely naked, staring straight at Hailiang.He even yelled: "No, no! The assassin is here! Second brother Hai, quickly cover me with a quilt! No wonder, there is also a black dog and a white dog, who have already bitten Long Er down!" Yibi shouted , while lowering his head towards Hailiang, he was hit by random drills.Shocked, Hailiang got up and frantically looked for clothes.Seeing the situation, Zhang Zizhong didn't dare to sleep peacefully anymore.Immediately got up, put on clothes, and moved a chair to push the door, lest the assassin come in.The three of them were in a mess in the room, and they had already summoned the shop assistant who was on duty at night, and asked loudly, "What's going on?" At this time, Long Hua had already got up from the ground, and only then did he see the black and white things clearly. , It turned out to be two big cats, fighting outside the door. The white cat couldn't bite the black cat, and kept breaking into the house. The black cat chased after it, screaming.Longhua's eyesight was poor, he thought it was some kind of monster, and frightened himself.It wasn't until this time that I saw it clearly, and unconsciously spat and cursed: "Damn plague cat! It almost didn't scare me to death." He raised his head and said, "Oh weird! Where did Lao Zhi go?" Looking down, I suddenly heard shouting from the next door, it was Hailiang's voice, saying: "You must be crazy! Why do you keep running into other people's houses in the middle of the night without even wearing clothes? What kind of bad luck is this? Why doesn't Long Er Er ignore you!" Upon hearing this, Long Hua knew that Zhi Xing had gone to the neighbor's house, and secretly wished in his heart that he would give you two a taste of being a lunatic.He simply turned off the light, lay on the bed, pretended to be asleep, but secretly listened to the jokes next door.When I was young, Hua Jiliu, the owner of the hotel, came to the house because of the noise. When he entered the door, he asked, "Where is Master Long? Didn't he summon the soul of Master Zhi in the middle of the night, why didn't the soul summon him, but he himself was summoned to this room. What happened?" What happened once? It's really puzzling." Hai Liang complained to him: "You still say, it's not your stupid idea, what kind of soul was recruited in the middle of the night! The soul was never recruited, but this lunatic was recruited to me He came inside the room. Look at him naked, he is forced to get into people, what kind of dignity is he?" Zizhong interjected: "Let's not quarrel. Just now the lunatic said that his room fell I found one, you go and see, who fell down? Maybe Zhang Guan Li Dai, Long Zichun was stabbed to death by an assassin, maybe there are some." Long Hua listened next door, secretly hating: I have the same surname as Zhang. You have so much hatred, you cursed me for no reason, why bother?But Hua Jiliu was very tempted when he heard this, he couldn't even say it, I'll go to that room and have a look.He pushed the door open in a panic and came in, only to hear a groan, and fell to the ground again.Hua Jiliu was here to see Longhua, why did he fall to the ground again?This matter has already been described above, because Longhua turned off the light, and the room was dark.Of the two big cats, only one black one ran out, and the white cat was still lying on the ground.Where Ji Liu could see, one foot was stepping on the cat.The cat let out a groan from being trampled on. Ji Liu didn't know what it was, but he was frightened, slipped under his feet, and fell down again with a plop.Long Hua lay on the bed, could hear clearly, but couldn't breathe.The people next door didn't know what happened when they heard him fall.

According to Hailiang who wanted to go and have a look, Zhang Zizhong stopped him from coming out, saying that it was not a joke to beware of assassins.The store clerk heard the boss fall in the house, hurriedly greeted four or five people, all holding knives and sticks in their hands, and rushed into the house together.With a flashlight, I saw that the boss had got up, and there was only one piece of clothes lying on the ground, nothing else.Looking at the two beds again, one has messy bedding and is deserted; the other is lying on Long Hua, snoring loudly.The clerk turned on the light casually, and Hua Jiliu was relieved when he saw that there was nothing in the room when everyone came in.Looking at Longhua again, he was still sleeping soundly there, he felt a little unhappy.He walked over and gave him two gentle pushes, telling Master Long to wake up.Long Hua stretched, opened his eyes and pretended to yawn, and asked, "Boss, what's calling me?" Ji Liu sneered, "My lord, you're still pretending to be okay. The sky is going to collapse for a long time, Don't you know that your house was stolen?" Long Hua immediately widened his eyes when he heard about the theft, and asked, "What was lost? Tell me quickly!" Ji Liu said, "The most valuable treasure has been lost. Hearing the word "baby", Long Hua thought he had lost something he bought in Shanghai, turned over and sat up, and asked, "What treasure? Maybe it's my gold jewelry. If you lose it, you must pay for it. "Ji Liu smiled and said: "Lord Long, don't worry. The treasure I'm talking about is worth more than pearl jewelry." .Ji Liu said: "This baby is alive and can walk with legs. Let me ask Mr. Long, where is Mr. Zhi who lives in your house? He is also a dignified imperial envoy. , we businessmen can’t afford it, so I have to ask you, Lord Long?” Long Hua listened, spat and said: “Bah! What kind of treasure do I think! So you are talking about that lunatic, didn’t he run to the next door? Did you go? You go to ask Mr. Hai, why did you ask me?" Ji Liu said: "You didn't sleep just now, didn't you know at all? How come you know that the madman has gone to the next door. It looks like this, you Master Long pretended to be sleeping, but listened quietly to our troubles, you are having fun, and I am so sorry to my friend!" Long Hua was asked by others, but he couldn't answer a word.At that time, she became angry from embarrassment, beat the bed with her hands and cursed: "What are you, you dare to touch me to sleep! It has nothing to do with me whether a madman runs away, but I use you to talk about it!" Ji Liu saw that he was in a hurry, and he didn't care. Ken Rao still contradicted him with words.The two of them talked more and more anxiously, almost wanting to use force.Hai Liang couldn't hear it anymore, so he asked Zhang Zizhong to look at Zhixing, and ran over to persuade him.Said: "Since you sleep with the lunatic, you have the responsibility to protect him, but why do you let him run around the world? Instead of following behind, you lie on the bed and pretend to sleep. The next door is going to collapse. The room doesn’t even hum, it’s too sophisticated. The boss of the skater heard that you fell in the room, so he hurried over to see you, and even the other fell, so you didn’t say hurry up to comfort him, on the contrary Getting angry and swearing. How can anyone be so unreasonable in the world?" Hai Liang was not polite, as if his uncle was teaching his nephew, and he taught Long Hua a lesson.Logically speaking, Longhua must be even more unwilling to accept it.Unexpectedly, he was submissive and did not dare to resist a word. Instead, he said with a pleasant face, "What the second brother said is that the younger brother was reckless at the moment. I am really sorry for the boss. Please don't get angry, you always blame your brother. Scared and confused, I couldn't tell the difference between east, west and north for a while, so I said that rash thing. It's important for us to treat the lunatic quickly, otherwise, I'm afraid there will be a big joke."

Seeing that he admitted that he was not, Hai and Hua couldn't say anything more, so they had to go to Hailiang's room together to see how Zhixing was.I saw him curled up in the quilt, not even moving, but kept shouting: "There are assassins!" Everyone looked at the situation, sighed at each other, and couldn't think of anything to do, and they made a fuss all night.The next morning, everyone rested for a while.In the afternoon, Mr. Ding came, had his pulse checked, and said to Hailiang: "This gentleman, because of being overly frightened, his brain is confused, and his heart is weak. If he wants to take medicine, he may not see any great effect. It is best to let him go. When he was sent back to his hometown, he saw his relatives at home, and his illness was cured by half. After resting for a month, he will recover naturally. If he lives in this hotel for a long time, he will definitely get worse day by day. As a doctor, They are different in nature: they insist on the purpose of getting money back once they come, and they don’t care about delaying other people’s illness; I just want the patient to get well soon, and I don’t have to take my medicine, and I don’t want to get more Money. His disease is a heart disease, which cannot be cured by medicine. As long as we send him home early and get rid of all the fears in his heart, the disease will heal naturally. I prescribed a prescription for clearing the heart and calming depression, and took it可以安静一点，要想完全收效，是不能的。”说罢草草写了方剂，便去了。花了八块钱的诊费，两元钱的车钱，一塌糊涂，还说不到治病。不过大家听他说的话，也很有道理，只得彼此商量，还是早早送他回北京为是。但是谁负这护送的责任？海亮当然不能走，只好就龙、张两位中选择一个。两人也都不乐意于这差使。依海亮的意思，想叫龙华走一趟，龙华却执意不肯。张子重说：“我同志二爷是代表外务部来的，外务部的旗员，只有我们两人，我再送他回北京，便是一个人也没有了，对本部的公事，似乎有点说不下去。”海亮见他两人相持不下，心中盘算着：这事还得洋钱来解围。好在也花不着我的，等回京之后，向老王爷多报一笔，便有了。想到这里，便向龙华道：“子春，这回京是好机会，你为什么不去呢？你前几天置衣服、打首饰，不是说眼前就是嫂夫人寿诞吗？你正好拿了这些东西，回京祝寿。再者你要带志二回京，我情愿赠送一千元路费。你来回有二百就够了，可以白得八百块钱。似这样便宜事，真是打着灯笼没地方去寻，你为什么不去呢？”龙华听见有一千块钱，他的心早就动了，但是还不肯遽然答应，故意作态道：“海二哥，你不要拿小弟当财迷看待。我果然乐意去，便是一个钱没有，我也一定去；我要不乐意去，便是三千五千，也打不动我，何况是一千呢。我同志二爷，既住在一个屋中，论理本应当我送他回京。只是有一节，目前和议正当吃紧之时，我随便一走，公事如何交得下去？难道说志二爷害病，我也害病不成？倘然钦差不乐意，随便加上几个字的考语，我的前程可就牺牲了。这事海二哥能替我想法子吗？”海亮笑道：“这不是什么大问题，回头咱三人具一张公呈，就说志二爷病重，公推你护送他回京，往来请半个月的假，钦差决不能不准。只要他准了，你放心大胆前去，还有什么可怕的？至于出席会议，那还不是遮掩耳目吗，议席上哪有咱们发言的份儿。多两个人，少两个人，有什么关系呢？”其实海亮出的主意，说的话，龙华心里全有。他是故意逼出海亮这一套词儿，自己好下台。所以海亮说完了，他拍手称妙，极端赞成。

当日写好了公呈，三个人一同去见唐绍怡，又当面说了说志兴的病情。绍怡批准：志兴给假一个月，病愈急速到差。由龙华护送回京，途中勿要耽搁。往来给假半月，该委员等着迅速启程。海亮见上司批准了，果然拿出一千元来交给龙华，又派了一个长班，名叫于升的，跟随他们一同回京。趁便将两箱大土带回京去，进呈王府。志兴自己长班，名叫都尔贵，一共主仆四人，搭了招商局新铭轮船，直开天津。好在途中并没有什么耽搁，三天半就到了天津，住在日租界德义楼旅馆。志兴本害的是精神病，终日不言不语，如醉如痴。龙华便叫都尔贵陪伴他在一间屋中，自己一个人闷闷地吃过晚饭，便出来在大街上闲游。一抬头，见广告牌上贴着很大的金字戏报，戏报上写着：“北京新到超等清客串管君天下、黑君巨鹰、苟君一鸣、牛君致远，准演拿手好戏《徐天麒》。”旁边写着：“包厢两块加一百铜子，池座三毛加铜子十枚，两廊一毛五加五枚。”龙华看了，不觉心中一动——哪管天下同黑巨鹰，全是我们旗人中的大名士，我在北京时候很会过他们几次，怎么如今跑到天津唱戏来了？再细看报上写的是丹桂茶园，龙华晓得，丹桂茶园坐落在南市平安大街。心说，我何不看看他们演戏，倒借此可以消遣消遣。想到这里，便信步游行，顺着日租界一直走到三不管，向西一拐，几步便是丹桂茶园。他走进去看，园中尚未开戏，冷清清的，只有六七个人分坐在池子中间。他便在池子第二排座上，寻了一个于净座头坐下。紧跟着看座儿的给他沏上茶来，又摆了两碟瓜子花生。龙华慢慢喝着茶，专等听戏。不大工夫，新戏开幕了。好在这种新戏，一没有锣鼓，二没有丝弦，唱戏的人也不穿古装行头，只是随身便衣，在台上随便乱说，先唱了几出淡而无味的滑稽戏。龙华看得不耐烦，想要立起身来，再到旁边去游玩，偏偏冤家路窄，被戏台上一个人望着他，便高声喊道：“子春子春，请台上坐！快请台上来坐！”龙华一看，正是他在北京时常会着的黑巨鹰。黑巨鹰他本来不姓黑，是满洲镶蓝旗人，姓顺名喜，字奉清，也是一个世家子弟。他祖父做过副都统、科布多办事大臣，倒是很剩了几个钱。到他父亲这一辈，弟兄三个争强斗胜，比赛着花钱，把家业花个精光，可怜顺喜过了没有十年舒服日子。后来他父叔三个分家，他这一门虽然分了几处房产，几千银子浮财，怎奈嚼用过大，坐吃山空，不到三年工夫已经报光。顺喜的父亲过不得穷日子，窘迫了不到半年，一病不起。自从他父亲死后，他连书也不念了，终日随着一群顽皮子弟练少林五虎棍。这种少林会，在北京很出风头，凡是山场庙季，必有人约他们出会。内中的会员，人人能打，什么真刀真枪，全都练得很熟。虽然是些花招数，无济实用，但是打在一处，非常热闹好看。顺喜在少林会中，也是一个硬角色。他每逢出会时候，总是用油墨将脸抹得漆黑，又因为他身体捷便，能手使两把板斧，蹿起一丈多高来，头朝下，脚朝上，翻一个跟头，然后落地，真好似一只搏兔的花鹰由天空下降。他手中的两把板斧，恰好似鹰翅一般。因此本会中给他起了一个绰号，叫黑巨鹰，他便居之不疑。从此，顺喜两个字倒没人知道，黑巨鹰却传遍九城。他在会中玩几年，虽然交下不少朋友，但是家中贫寒，他母亲两只手替人缝做衣服挣几个钱，还不够母子俩吃饭的。他被迫无法，只得跳出少林会，投到仓中，替人充一名打手。北京仓库，在当年本是个是非坑，几乎没一天不打吵子的。这种情形，本书前文已经详细表过。那时金戈二正在仓中管事，黑巨鹰便投到他门下。戈二见他年力精壮，遇上事又真能勇往直前，便将他收下，不时给他几个钱，拿回家去养他母亲。后来仓库的事全完了，金戈二在报界很露头角，黑巨鹰便也因缘着入了报界，戈二荐他到一家小报馆中充当校对。黑巨鹰当他父亲在世时候，倒也很读过几年书，总算粗通文义，当一个小报馆校对，确乎可以胜任。不料他为人不安本分，自入报界之后，便借此招摇撞骗，无所不为，闹得声名狼藉，被人辞退。从此金戈二再也不管他了，可怜他又成了无主游魂。那时恰赶上王钟声在北京演新戏，他便投了去，拜王钟声为师，跟他学唱新戏。他们同门的，便有管天下、苟一鸣、牛致远。这四个人，全是王钟声的高足弟子。后来又跟着钟声到外埠唱过几回，借着王钟声的名儿，也自称新戏大家。后来又转回北京，便不是从前的面目了，居然自命为八旗名士，也不时同龙子春一班人互相拉拢。尤其是黑巨鹰，拉一手好胡琴，凡票房中走戏，十有九次叫他托弦。他便妄自张狂，居然以梅二锁、孙老元自居。

这一次因为武汉革命，项子城来到北京，事事用专制手段防患未然。尤其是对于一班旗人，格外注意，从拱卫军中挑选了二百名少年精于，派为稽查，专门查北京城内外各旗人的机关。旗人普通嗜好，就是皮黄戏，差不多西东两城旗人组织的票房，至少也有四五十处。自从拱卫军稽查分头取缔，这些票房全有点存立不住了。在一班有饭吃的，虽然无处消遣，还可以回家吃一碗现成饭；唯有那些穷光蛋，平日专指着唱票戏，好伴上一班哥儿，吃饭花钱的，如今全没有指望了，只可另想方法，别谋生路。黑巨鹰原想投入戏班子，去拉胡琴，偏偏各戏班子全不肯收。说尊驾的胡琴，只能去拉票戏，要打算登台，一板一眼地给各名角托戏，还差得远呢。黑巨鹰碰了这个钉子，便去寻管天下商量，要一同到天津去唱新戏。管天下自从穿了文伯泉一套衣服跑出门去，不到十天工夫，便把衣服当净，连当票子全卖掉了。有心再去寻伯泉，实在觉着不好意思。正当为难，忽然遇见巨鹰，要拉他一同到天津唱戏。管天下听了，自是恰合孤意。便先问黑巨鹰，盘费是否预备停妥。巨鹰说：“我手中没钱，只有几件衣服，还能当十几块钱。”管天下说：“十几块中什么用，咱们还得想旁的法子。我记得当日唱新戏，咱旗人中有两个叫什么苟一鸣、牛致远的，他们全是世家子弟，家中很有几个钱。你快去将他两人搬弄出来，这事就好办了。”黑巨鹰立时去寻牛、苟二人。这两个人虽也是王钟声的徒弟，但他们并不以唱戏为业，不过甘赔几个钱，以此消遣而已。自从票房取消，他两人在家中，正在郁郁寡欢。黑巨鹰寻了来，假说：“天津丹桂园老板，特到北京来约角色，此次是别开生面，专约唱新戏的角色，不约唱旧戏的角色。因为天津朋友，旧戏全听腻了，要另换换眼光，听一听新戏，特特托管天下，向咱们几个人接洽。我想你两位，在家里也闷得慌，何不一同走一趟，在天津住上几个月，又费不着咱们什么，又可以借此出出风头，这不是难得的机会吗？”一席话把两人说活了心，立时应许前往。所有唱新戏的各样行头，苟、牛两人家中差不多都有。黑巨鹰又说：“丹桂老板因为有要事，赶回天津，这里的事托管天下完全代表。老板本要留几个钱给咱们做盘费，管天下执意不要，为的是不叫他们小看了咱四位。好在京津相离不远，这有限的盘费只好先由你两位垫办，将来由包银中再扣还你们，是决然不会吃一个钱亏的。”这两人本也是纨绔子弟，只要出风头露脸，花几个钱倒也很不在意，当时全答应了。第二天早晨，四人在车站候齐。牛、苟两人还另外带了七八个副手，新戏行头也装了两大箱子，在车站上很受了严厉的盘查。偏偏箱子里有两支手枪，这原是唱新戏必须用的，被护路军警搜出来，硬说他们是革命党，便要扣住，交执法处讯问。幸亏管天下的口齿灵便，极力剖辩，说：“我们全是唱新戏的，手枪俱系假造，不能伤人，不信请当面试验。”他随说随把假手枪拆开给大家看，这才证明了是假的。军警开恩，不追究了，但是早车已经开走了，只好等午后的车，这才开赴天津。到了天津，天已掌灯时分，众人下车，住在西门外一个小客栈里。当天晚上，管天下便分头去接洽。天津几家报馆，差不多全认得管天下。他先央托人家在报纸上替他们鼓吹：说北京新戏大家某某现来天津，住在某某客栈，各戏园万不可失此机会。然后又由管天下自己去寻戏园老板，商量改唱新戏的事。恰恰丹桂茶园近来生意不甚好，老板想：唱新戏可以俭省开销，第一是角色少，第二是这些人又不计较包银多寡，比旧戏名角实在好对付得多。有此种种利益，老板欣然允许。第二天便贴出红纸金字的海报：“新到北京清客串新戏大家某君某君，准于某日在本园登台开演。”

不料这个报纸才贴出去，河北某茶园也贴出新戏的报纸来。这个演新戏的主角，较比管天下一干人名望又大得多了。原来不是别人，正是开创新戏的大家王钟声。王钟声本是留学东洋学生，并且是民党一分子。他回国后本想运动差事，在宦场中鬼混，将来有了机会也学步徐天麒，轰轰烈烈地做一场。无奈中国自徐天麒的事件发生以后，自中央政府以至各省政府，无不畏留学生如蛇蝎，再想运动做官，是很不容易了。因此王钟声抛弃了做官思想，要在普通社会灌输一点革命思想。别的事业全不能引人注目，唯有看戏却是中国人一种公共的嗜好。钟声在外国时很留意戏剧一道，对于一切布景表情，颇能体贴研究。并且还实地演过几次，颇得观众的赞许。于是毅然决然地献身舞台，而且专门扮演女角。他的化妆手术非常高妙：未上妆以前，他本是一个黑胖汉子，及至上了妆，居然变成一个时髦女子。他演了几年新戏，最得妇女的欢迎，妇女同他交朋友的也很多。因此外边乱纷纷的，发生了许多议论，到底是否实有其事，记者既非目睹，也不敢妄下断语。 如今但说眼前事实，在辛亥秋冬之交，因为各省独立风行，天津为北京门户，当道防范手段，自然要特别加严。此时天津的巡警道是杨德林。这位杨先生，乃是项子城特别赏识的人才。他做北洋大臣，杨德林还是当小差事的末僚，项子城见他为人特别精干，亲自派了他几次很棘手的差事，杨德林全办得非常周妥。于是项子城专折保荐，由一个小僚佐的前程，便一直保到知府，由督署特委为侦探局总办。干了二年侦探局，很立了不少功劳，破获了许多重案，于是又保他过班道员。后来天津南北段巡警局取消，并成了一个巡警道，杨德林便补授了这个道员。对于地方的事，倒很是励精图治。自从武汉起义，项子城来京，很关心天津的治安，生怕革命党混迹其间，发生了什么意外。因此给杨德林来了一封密电，叫他时时注意，处处留心，如有不轨之人，不妨取严厉手段。特授以全权，准其自由处置，并特派张庆澜师长为天津戒严司令。这张庆澜，便是三十一回书中所述的北洋健将，现带着一师劲旅驻扎天津。张本是项子城一手提拔的人，心目中只知有项宫保，不知其他。所以项子城倚为心腹干城，把这看守北洋门户的重任，交给他同杨德林两人。张庆澜本也是一位老军务，他自奉到戒严司令的委任，不动声色，在暗地里调兵遣将，布置一切。这时候，恰恰赶上倒霉王钟声想唱新戏。自从他的报子贴出来，军警两界便格外注上意，暗地派了十几名密探监视他的行动。王钟声平日本好交游，上至官场下至贩夫走卒，全同他交朋友。因此他的寓所门前，往来不断总有人来看他，内中并夹杂着有妇人女子。张庆澜部下有一名军探，姓栗名周，为人极其精干，张庆澜也很重用他。此番调查王钟声的差使，便派到他名下。他平日同钟声也有一面之识。心想，我就这样前往，岂不被人看出破绽来，于是化装成一个做小生意的，篮子里放了些糖豆烟卷之类，专在王钟声住址左右往来叫卖。这一天，正在同一个小学生交易之际，忽见钟声送出一个妇人来。这妇人妆饰得很时髦，栗周仔细打量，认得是他朋友皮鼓一的姨太太，唤作什么金宝的。原来这皮鼓一名叫皮得胜，也是军界中人，在张庆澜部下当营长。为人性如烈火，倒是一员虎将，同栗周彼此很要好，内眷不避，因此栗周认得他的姨太太。可是栗周化装一个老头子，金宝如何能认得他。两人巧遇之后，栗周心中便有了主意。第二天早饭前，他便来到皮得胜的寓处，也明知此时皮得胜必不在家，好在彼此交情很近，也用不着护兵去回话，他便一直来到金宝的住房。嘴里喊着：“嫂子，大哥可在家吗？”金宝忙迎出来，说请到里面坐。栗周毫不客气，进至屋中坐下。金宝笑道：“今天叔叔为何来得这般早，你的差事不忙吗？”栗周冷笑了一声说：“公事倒不忙，只是私差忙得太狠。”栗周说完了这话，又对金宝面目仔细打量了一番，然后点点头，自言自语道：“可惜！”金宝见他这种举动，简直摸不着头脑，很惊诧地问道：“栗叔，你有什么事？不妨对我明说，为什么做出这种嘴脸来？”栗周叹了一口气道：“我实在有点不乐意说。到底不说不好，说了更是不好。”金宝听他这话中有话，心里更发怔忡不定，遂一再往下追问。栗周道：“嫂子，你在外边事事要机密一点。难道不知道大哥那种脾气吗？”栗周这两句话不要紧，金宝立时吓得粉面焦黄，禁不住瑟瑟地抖起来。她嘴里却还要强硬着，问栗周到底是什么事情：“你大哥究竟听见了什么话，好兄弟，你直截了当地告诉我吧。”栗周道：“我不问你旁的，只问你可认得一个姓王的吗？”金宝听见这个王字，早吓得软瘫了，立刻向栗周跪下，哭着说道：“总怨我一时糊涂，被人勾引，只求兄弟替我设法遮盖，千万别叫你大哥知道。他如果知道了，我的性命立刻就完！”栗周道：“不知是什么坏人，向大哥透了一点风声，依着他的性子，便要立刻回家同你算账。是我把他拦住，应许替他调查，如果实了，再办不迟。今天我寻嫂子，同你约法三章，你如果全答应了，大哥那一面我敢保险，决然不至同你过不去，你要有一件不应，我只好将实话对他说，应当怎么办也只有由他好了。”妇人忙回道：“休说三件，便是三十件、三百件，我也一齐应，就请你对我说吧。”栗周道：“头一件，从今天起不许你出家门一步，必须将来经我许可了，才准你出门。”金宝连声应道：“使得使得！”栗周又说：“第二条，你要一心一计侍奉我大哥，既不可稍存不良之心，更不得略露惊惶之意。至于今天我对你说的话，尤不许再对第二人说。这事你可以应许吗？”金宝道：“这乃是我应负的责任，还劳叔叔吩咐吗？”栗周又说：“第三条，你既同王某有往来，当然知道他的秘密，你须要和盘托出，将一切情形完全告诉我。我不但不宣布你的隐秘，并且能在大哥面前替你掩饰遮盖，使你们夫妻感情比从前还要加厚。这事你一定乐意应承了。”金宝听到此处，眼珠一转，不肯遽然作答。栗周是何等精明人，早看出她的意思来。哈哈大笑道：“嫂子，你不要糊涂了。你要知道，此时姓王的废了命，方才能保住你的生命。你要再想顾全他，可就要随着他一路走了。”金宝听了这样惊心动魄的话，立刻对栗周说：“叔叔你不可错会了意，我并非不肯说，实在因为关系重大，说了恐怕于自己不利。”栗周忙插言道：“你只管说，我敢担保，决牵连不着你一丝一毫。”金宝道：“我同他本是新交，过于机密的事，他也不肯对我说。但我在一旁冷眼观察，见他的朋友实在不少，并且这些朋友，多半是夜聚明散，其中哪一界的人全有。还有外省的军界代表，此地的警界科员，至于学界报界的人，也很有几个。只是他们叫什么名字，我却不知道。这一层得要求叔叔原谅我，因为我虽然看见过这些人，却不曾同他交谈，张三李四，我全说不上来。不过听他们谈话，可以猜度一二罢了。”栗周又问他们所谈的，都是些什么话？金宝说：“我也记不甚清。只有一次，他们几个人会议，说在天津下手很难，杨德林同张庆澜全不是好意的。又商量泺州石家庄，全是起事的好地点，只是运动军界很不容易。只说到这里，以下因为声音太低，便听不清了。”栗周点点头说：“有这几句谈话，就够用的了，其余听得清听不清，也没什么关系了。”说罢便起身告辞，临行又再再嘱咐：千万别出门，千万别对第二人说。金宝满口答应。

栗周离了皮家，便一直到师部报告。张庆澜听了，立时调了二十名马队，四十名步队，交给栗周带领着去捕拿要犯。只嘱咐这些人，专事要听栗稽查的调遣，却不说明到什么地方捕人。栗周已经打听明白了，今天夜间王钟声在河北某茶园开演了，自己仍扮作叫卖生意人，在他住址左近监视着；却派那四十步队全换便衣，晚七点在这一带聚齐；马队等到九点，取包围形势一拥而上。“只听我的胡哨一响，大家便动手向前，休叫跑走了一个！”众人领了令，各自分散开了。栗周一个人挎着篮子，来回走了几趟，见钟声寓所门前停了几辆很漂亮的人力车，看神气便知是某局所科长、科员的包车。栗周心中算计：“钟声的运动力真不小，居然把官场人全拉拢进去了。回头来个滚汤泼老鼠，一个也不留。”天有掌灯时分，见他家的厨子出来，手中拿着一把小银元分散给众拉车的，说：“上边正开饭呢，你们众弟兄拿这两块四毛零角子，吃饭去吧。吃完饭快点回来，他们还等着上园子呢。”众车夫接了钱，拉着车子慢慢散去。栗周一想，这正是好机会，趁他们吃饭，一个也跑不脱。于是取出哨子来，尽力一吹，转眼工夫，四十步兵，二十马队，如风驰电掣一般，将这一条胡同全包围了。栗周只带着二十名步兵，直闯进他的寓所。寓所中有四五个雇佣，全吓得手足无措。栗周对大家说：“你们主人在哪屋？快快说，不干你们的事。”雇佣手指上房，说全在北屋中。栗周带着人直奔上屋，见东屋中一个圆桌，围坐着八九个人，正在那里吃饭。因为外面有了风声，一个个全站起来看，神气是预备要跑的样子。唯独王钟声仍然端坐在主位上，连一动也不动。栗周进来，冲钟声道：“王先生，我们是戒严司令部的。无事也不敢擅造尊寓，因为奉了总司令的命令，请你们诸位一同到司令部谈话。这就一同走吧，外边车都备好了。”钟声道：“贵司令请我们，也犯不着这样小题大做，何必派许多兵呢？难道还防备我们拒捕吗？”栗周道：“这一层，你先生得原谅。因为有人告发你，说你这寓处是革命党的机关，里面藏着有手枪炸弹，总司令为慎重起见，当然要有一种防备。你诸位不必废话，快快随我们走，我们决给诸位留面子。诸位要不识趣，可就别怪我们不情了。”说罢一使眼色，各步兵全从怀中将铁锁掏出来，哗啦啦抖得山响。钟声冷笑道：“丈夫做事丈夫当，不要说铁锁，便是刀锯鼎镬，也算不得一件事！”说罢便挺身在前，并向众人说：“对不起诸位，随兄弟走一趟吧。”内中有两三位全是局所的科员，他们的意思不乐意走，向栗周说明履历，并声言：“我们不过喜欢研究新戏，并没有其他关系，请看在同寅分上，高高手放我们走吧。”栗周笑道：“对不起！王先生的案情因为过于重大，诸位既同他在一处吃饭，便不能说没丝毫关系。等到总司令部，如果证明了确无关系，自然立时开放。要说在外面徇情私纵，在下是担当不起的。”众人听他这口风很硬，只得一个个垂头丧气，随着钟声向外走。这里栗周又指挥众人，在屋中搜查函件证据，果然查出不少的私信来。多半是南方民党，托他调查北方军政各界的情形，并委他蛊惑军政界的人加入民党，以便相机起事。