The Unfindable Souls

At ten o'clock on sunday morning, although the city was still shrouded in mist, Saint Derain Square, where autumn was deepening, remained crowded with passersby.

Last night's torrential rain had washed the city clean. Even by morning, the autumn rain was still falling, though only in a light drizzle that did not greatly hinder travel.

Beneath the overcast sky, countless black umbrellas brushed against one another and parted again. Yet this did not prevent well-dressed gentlemen from conversing, nor did it stop smartly dressed young people from walking along with documents tucked under their arms. A carriage, washed dark brown by the rain, approached from afar. Its horses splashed through puddles before it came to a steady stop outside 6 Saint Derain Square.

Doctor Schneider, dressed in a black coat, stepped down from the carriage and immediately hopped up the steps beneath the eaves. After paying the fare, he looked out over rain-drenched Saint Derain Square and tightened his collar.

"Rain again. Looks like it's only going to get colder."

The carriage slowly pulled away, but was soon hailed by Mister Smith, Shade's neighbor, who had just stepped outside.

The elderly gentleman wore a proper formal suit and appeared to have something important to attend to. He noticed Doctor Schneider as well. After they exchanged nods, Mister Smith boarded the carriage and departed.

I think I've seen that man in the newspaper. Isn't he the kingdom's former Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Finance? As expected, anyone who can live in a neighborhood like this is no ordinary citizen.

The doctor thought in surprise. He glanced up at the raindrops falling from the eaves like strings of pearls, then turned and rang the doorbell.

Before long, footsteps sounded on the stairs. The door opened, and Shade, wearing a black turtleneck