In the evening, in front of a townhouse on the outskirts of London, Superintendent Clemens, with a scab on his right face, bravies the drizzle and carries gifts outside the carved iron gate.

It wasn't the first time he'd been to this place, but it was the first time he had felt so nervous.

He smiled at the doorkeeper and said, "Do you remember me?" ”

The servant looked at him carefully, smiled and nodded, "Of course, Superintendent Clemens." Did you happen to be passing by today, or did you come to visit His Excellency the Viscount? I remember that His Excellency the Viscount did not seem to inform me that you would be visiting me today. ”

Clemens smiled reluctantly, then pulled out his wallet from his pocket, pulled out a ticket, and handed it over with the gift.

"I know that Viscount Palmerston has always been a hard worker, but I beg you to go and inform him now, I have something important to talk to him about."

The servant accepted the gift, stuffed the ticket into his pocket, and nodded slightly: "Please wait a moment." ”

Clemens sighed slightly as he looked at the back of the servant leaving.

He pulled his pipe out of his pocket and tried to take a few puffs, but when he opened the matchbox, he found that the matches inside had been exhausted.

He pinched the matchbox, closed his eyes vigorously, looked up against the misty rain, gritted his teeth and scolded in a low voice: "Bad luck!" ”

He felt a chill from head to toe, and he didn't know if it was a symptom of excessive blood loss or if it was due to his terrible mood.

Fortunately, the servant did not let him stand in the rain for long, and soon the servant's voice sounded in his ears.

"Mr. Clemens, Your Excellency the Viscount, please."

Clemens opened his eyes and asked the servant with a forced smile, "How is Your Excellency the Viscount feeling now?" ”

The servant smiled slightly: "He has been in a good mood for the past two days, which should be due to the fact that most things are going very smoothly for His Excellency the Viscount. ”

Clemens breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and walked towards the living room with the servant leading.

The living room is still decorated, and the only difference from last time may be that the deer head specimen on the living room wall has been replaced with a picture frame.

Framed in the frame is not a high-end oil painting, but a caricature cut out of a newspaper.

The manga is not very clever in drawing skills, but the content shown is evocative.

It was an endless line of railroad that stretched all the way to the sky, and on the rails was the Duke of Wellington riding on a locomotive and the coffin with the name 'William Huskison' written on it in the carriage.

And below the comic, its title is also indicated - an expedited courier sent by the Duke of Wellington to God.

This is probably the biggest possibility that Palmerston has been in a good mood lately, and it is also a big reason why Clemens had to visit him today.

Clemens stared at the cartoon until Palmerston's voice rang behind him.

"This kind of painting technique is very crude, but I have to admit that it is often only through the use of this simple and understandable form that we can play with the public's less developed brains and provoke their rich and somewhat extreme feelings."

Palmerston, dressed in a formal suit and bow tie, glanced at the clock on the wall, took off his hat and put it on the coffee table, and then leaned down on the sofa: "Sit down, just say anything, I have to go to the banquet in a while." ”

Clemens, sitting upright on the sofa, smiled and asked tentatively, "It seems that you already know about the opening ceremony of the Manchester-Liverpool railway." ”

Palmerston picked up his teacup and nodded, "There is a lot of news flying all over the world, even if I don't want to know." Mr. Heskison is unfortunate, and though I don't like him, a brilliant man really doesn't deserve that end. ”

When Clemens heard this, he opened his mouth slightly, hesitated for a long time, and finally said stubbornly: "I...... Actually, I deliberately didn't warn Mr. Huskison, and then again, his death had something to do with me. I know you've been worried about the Huskisons returning to the Duke of Wellington, so ......"

Palmerston interrupted him when he heard this: "Clemens, do you know what you're talking about? Mr. Huskison's death was an accident, and at most what does it have to do with the railroad and Scotland yard's negligence? Do you want to say that I deliberately plotted to murder a former Secretary of State, the leader of the House of Commons? ”

"No, no, no." Clemens hastened to deny: "Of course this has nothing to do with you, you have always had a good reputation. It's just that I ran into a little problem, so ......"

Palmerston stared at him for a long time, then nodded slightly, and he reprimanded.

"If you have a problem, just say the problem, why do you want to talk about other things? Clemens, such a mother-in-law, doesn't look like you at all. Do you know why I liked to use you when I was in the War Department? It's because you're a person who takes matters into account, resolutely implements all orders, and doesn't have any other superfluous ideas. ”

Clemens sweated on his forehead, and he spoke, "Yes, it's my fault, I beg your pardon." ”

Palmerston looked away from his face, and he leaned back on the couch and took a soft sip of tea: "Okay, let's talk about the problem. ”

Clemens mustered up his courage, and he spoke: "To tell you the truth, I may have pushed Fred a little in a hurry to complete your explanation, and he wrote some of my things into a report letter and handed it over to Scotland Yard. Director Rowan was furious about the train accident and the letter, so he is now forcing me to voluntarily resign. ”

Hearing this, Palmerston took a deep breath, he rubbed his face, and asked, "Clemens, I don't take the initiative to mention Fred, you still have a face?" I told you to make sure Fred got that Frenchman back to Paris safely, where did all your efforts go? ”

"I ......"

Clemens sweated: "Your Excellency, this matter is complicated. I was going to take care of it myself, but you don't know that I was suddenly assigned to Manchester the night before the opening ceremony, and even if I didn't get Fred's thing done, at least I did some effort in Mr. Huskison's affairs......"

Palmerston slapped the coffee table and snorted, and he pointed at Clemens with righteous words: "If you really have anything to do with Mr. Huskison's death, then I suggest that you surrender to Scotland Yard as soon as possible." The life of an outstanding politician is no child's play! ”

"That Fred's thing......"

"What does Fred's affair have to do with me?" Palmerston smiled and asked, "Clemens, have you forgotten what I told you the last time we met?" There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Do I have any interest in Fred's matter? ”

"But you asked me to make sure Fred ...... that Frenchman."

"Oh! Is it? Why don't I remember it? Clemens, you are the superintendent of Scotland Yard, so you should know that all cases must be based on evidence. Besides, did Fred transport the Frenchman back? He didn't even bring anyone back, he himself died on the high seas, are you going to drag his body out and take him to court? ”

"I ......"

When Clemens heard this, his clenched fists suddenly tightened: "So, are you unwilling to come forward to protect me?" ”

"Not just for me, it's for everybody, the only measure of whether a person is important or not, not what he wanted to do but didn't get things done," Palmerston asked. Clemens, if you want to protect yourself, the best way is to increase your value.

Besides, I can't get involved in Scotland Yard, and don't forget, I still have a lot of old acquaintances in the Tories, but I'm an opposition Whig MP at the end of the day. ”

When Clemens heard this, he also understood Palmerston's attitude.

He didn't want to argue with the other party any longer, but simply stood up and said goodbye to Palmerston.

"Farewell, then, Your Excellency, Viscount. Have a great time at the banquet tonight. ”

Clemens turned around and was about to go out, only to find Palmerston's hand on his shoulder.

Palmerston smiled and paced up to him, "Taylor, don't be angry just yet. If something happens, someone has to come out and take responsibility. If you want to have a hard top with Director Rowan, I'm afraid it won't end well. Just a superintendent of Scotland Yard, there's nothing to be nostalgic about.

You go home and recuperate for a while, from a few months to a year, and I promise that when the Whigs go up, I'll keep my promise and transfer you to the Ordnance Headquarters. During this time, you should cultivate yourself and think about the gains and losses during this time in Scotland Yard, which will help you in the future. ”

Hearing this, Clemens turned around and asked, "Are you serious?" What other interests do you have in me? ”

Palmerston laughed, "It's not a benefit, it's just a little bit of old feelings." After all, in the matter of Petrus back then, you were able to help me anyway. It's not that you're incompetent, but you're still a little less thorough, so I'm sure I'll be able to use you again in the future. ”

Hearing this, Clemens was silent for a moment, and finally nodded slowly.

"Well, I trust you. This time, even if Luo Wan wins my game, I will submit a letter of resignation to him. ”

Hearing this, Palmerston slowly shook his head: "How could Rowan win a game against you?" Even if you resign, the vacated position will not fall into the hands of his subordinates! ”

"You mean?"

Palmerston picked the newspaper from the table and threw it into Clemens' hand.

He said flatly: "The most showy this time is the cronies that Peel has cultivated all the way. He used the same methods, just like when I cultivated you. ”

(End of chapter)