Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 312 Hello, I am engineer Nikola Tesla!

A Study in Scarlet has come to an end.

The intellectual adventure that lasted for half a year, with anticipation and discussion every two weeks, suddenly came to an end.

The figure wearing a deerstalker hat, a cloak, and smoking a pipe seemed to have quietly disappeared as the story ended.

Even though the latest episode of "The Rules of the Detective - 5" explained in detail how to judge the movement trajectory by the mud spots, it could not completely fill the huge void left by the end of the story.

Over the next few days, London's social circles seemed to have caught a common "cold".

The arguments in the club subsided, and more people were lost in thought, holding "Good Words" in the public reading room.

Londoners' lives seem to be missing an important part, becoming somewhat dull.

However, this gloomy mood did not last long.

Just as the mid-January 1881 issue of *Good Words* was released, readers saw a preview in the magazine that was enough to ignite enthusiasm:

[A major announcement from Good Words magazine!]
Following the sensation caused by *A Study in Scarlet* in Britain, we are pleased to announce:
Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson are about to return!
A new adventure, a more bizarre and convoluted mystery, has quietly descended upon 221B Baker Street.

The Sign of Four

In mid-February 1881, a sensational serialization began!

Fate, wealth, betrayal, and a curse from the East...

Everything unfolds in the brand new "Sherlock Holmes" mystery!

Accompanying this text announcement was a beautifully designed and suspenseful poster.

The main subject of the poster is still a profile silhouette of Sherlock Holmes; the background is a hazy London night view.

He was still wearing his deerstalker hat and holding a magnifying glass in his hand, the light shining through the lens.

The magnifying glass focuses on several objects that evoke a range of thoughts: a crudely made wooden prosthetic leg, a few letters beside a strangely shaped tin box...

At the very bottom of the image is a smaller promotional tagline:
A secret darker than the "letter in blood," a curse older than revenge... is about to be revealed.

An enlarged version of the poster was quickly posted in newsstands, bookstores, and the distribution points of Good Words magazine in London.

It instantly ignited a new passion among readers—

"Look! A new story! The Sign of Four!"

"A wooden prosthetic leg? An Eastern curse? God, this looks even more complicated than 'Scarlet'!"

"I knew it! Holmes wouldn't leave us!"

"Mid-February... another month to wait? This is torture!"

Disappointment and emptiness were quickly swept away, replaced by more fervent expectations and more heated discussions.

Readers carefully examined every detail on the poster, trying to discern the main storyline.

In clubs and salons, speculation about wooden prosthetic legs, oriental treasure chests, and "ancient curses" became the most fashionable topics.

Outside the window of 21B Baker Street, a figure lingered and peered out again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the detective before the new story began.

……

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In January 1881, while Paris was still shrouded in a damp and cold chill, Lionel's villa in the town of Villeneuve-sur-Seine was experiencing a new look.

Thanks to Mr. De La Ruwak's efficient work, the property transfer was completed before Christmas.

The contractors hired by Lionel are carrying out the necessary repairs and renovations on the house according to his requirements.

The walls were repainted, the old floors were reinforced, and the kitchen and bathroom were "modernized" according to Lionel's vision.

Although the villa itself hadn't changed drastically, it had been given a new lease on life. Lionel had carefully considered the news that an Edison Electric Light Company power plant was to be built nearby.

The power plant is located two kilometers downstream of the villa and downwind of it, so the impact of noise or coal smoke pollution is minimal.

On the contrary, Lionel was always dissatisfied with the dim gaslights and flickering candlelight.

For him, being among the first users of electric lights in Paris was undoubtedly extremely appealing.

Therefore, while the renovation project was underway, Lionel signed a "lighting contract" with Edison Electric Light Company in Paris.

Since the concept of an "electricity meter" had not yet been invented, electric lights in this era could only be considered "rented."

All electrical wires, lights, and meters belong to the lighting company, and are charged according to the wattage and usage time of each light. Damaged items cannot be replaced without authorization.

Lionel signed a contract for 500 francs a year, which will cover the installation of 5-7 lights, providing an average of 5 hours of illumination per day.

This amount of money is equivalent to two to three months' income for a middle-class family, which already makes them a high-end customer of the Edison Electric Light Company!
Edison took this order very seriously. Just a few days after the application was submitted, the company's engineering team came to survey the site and prepare for installation.

When the doorbell rang, Lionel was in the living room on the first floor of the villa, supervising the workers as they arranged the newly arrived furniture.

Petty ran to open the door and led in a tall, thin, and neatly dressed young man.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a lean face, a mustache, and clear eyes.

The young man handed Lionel a business card. "Good day, sir. I'm an engineer from the Edison Electric Light Company, responsible for installing the lights here."

Lionel took the business card, his eyes scanning the name on it, and his heart skipped a beat—Nikola Tesla.

He calmly suppressed the turmoil in his heart and looked up to carefully examine the future genius in front of him.

At this time, Tesla was still very green and no different from any other young person.

But Lionel couldn't help asking, "Mr. Tesla, you don't look French?"

Nikola Tesla smiled shyly: "I am from Austria, sir."

Lionel nodded: "Welcome to Paris, you can start your work now!"

Nikola Tesla didn't engage in much small talk and got straight to work: "I need to conduct a comprehensive survey of your villa."

This is how you determine the optimal wiring and the best locations for the lighting fixtures.

Lionel gestured: "Go ahead. Do you need me to accompany you?"

Tesla politely declined: "Not for now, thank you. I need to measure and calculate on my own first."

He then opened his toolbox, took out a tape measure, notebook, and pencil, and began working in the lobby and living room on the first floor.

His movements were swift and efficient, and he frequently jotted down data and sketches in his notebook.

Lionel did not disturb him, but simply observed from the side.

About half an hour later, Tesla completed its initial survey and headed toward Lionel.

He spread out his sketches in front of Lionel: "Mr. Sorel, based on the structure of the villa, I suggest installing a 16-candle incandescent lamp in each of the foyer, living room, dining room, master bedroom, and second-floor corridor."

This should basically meet the lighting needs of the main activity areas. The wiring will be brought in from outside and laid along the corners of the walls and the edges of the ceiling, minimizing any impact on aesthetics.

What do you think?

Lionel nodded: "It's a very reasonable arrangement. Let's go with your design!"

Nikola Tesla packed up his blueprints and was about to take his leave when Lionel stopped him:
"Mr. Tesla, I have a few more questions to ask. May I stay a little longer?"

Tesla stopped in its tracks upon hearing this.

　In the early 1880s, Tesla worked at Edison Electric Light Company in Paris, where he designed a model of an induction motor. He went to the United States in 1884.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)