In London, in the district of Taol Hamlets, a pair of riding boots step in the muddy puddles of the early morning streets, and the messy steps play like the drums of a symphony orchestra.

Dressed in dark blue swallow-tailed uniforms and wearing black top hats, the Scotland Yard officers were loaded with guns and ammunition, and lined up to surround a small building on the side of the street.

Many East District residents who were still asleep were awakened by the sudden movement like a storm, and the ladies who were sleeping lightly rolled out of their beds in crumpled pajamas one by one and lay on the window edge to look out.

They either covered their mouths in exclamation, or could not help but shake their snoring husbands behind them and shouted at them, "Oh my God! Don't sleep like a donkey, honey, look what's going on outside! ”

And among the neatly uniformed police officers, it is easy to distinguish who is the leader.

It was a tall young man, almost all the officers kept a certain distance from him, the early morning mist wet his brows, and several thin layers of water droplets hung on it, but the young officer didn't seem to care, he just raised his hand to dust off his body, and then put on the spotless white gloves little by little, and finally held the police knife hanging from his waist.

Beside him, beside him, stood a young sheriff who looked slightly older than him, his head hanging slightly, holding a thin pamphlet in his hand, as if he was reporting something to his superior.

"Superintendent Hastings, according to your instructions, the current available police force of the Whitechapel Police Department has been assembled, shall we directly break down the door and raid next?"

Arthur glanced at Sheriff Jones's sweaty forehead and knew what he was worried about.

He pulled a document out of his jacket pocket and threw it over: "According to intelligence from the London Police Intelligence Service, after the notorious slave trader Fred was hanged, a small number of his henchmen were still secretly engaged in the slave trade, and this building was one of their occasional strongholds. This morning, an arrest warrant for the fugitive henchmen of the slave trader Fred has been formally issued by Scotland Yard in the District Court, in full compliance with the legal procedures of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the internal regulations of Scotland Yard. Now, Sheriff Jones, carry out the order. ”

When Jones heard Arthur's reply so formal, he was so frightened that his hand to receive the document trembled, and he hurriedly clarified: "Sir, it's not that I don't believe you, your order must be compliant, but if you don't get the document, you suddenly move so many people at once, and it's hard for me to explain it when I turn around." Now that you have been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department, Taur Hamlet's side, it is certainly not as convenient for me to do things as before. ”

Arthur turned his slightly stiff wrist: "Jones, I know it's not easy for you to have yours, so I didn't bother me much." However, I am sure that the difficult problems on the part of Taul Hamletz will be solved soon. You should also know that there has been internal news lately that Superintendent Klein, who is in charge of Taur Hamletz, is about to be promoted......"

When Jones heard this, he immediately understood what Arthur meant, his eyes widened slightly, and the corners of his mouth pulled up little by little.

"Ah...... I...... I heard a little bit of rumors, but I don't know, if Inspector Crane is promoted, then who will take over his burden and shoulder the heavy responsibility here? Director Rowan ...... And the superintendents, do you have the right person in mind? ”

Arthur didn't speak, he just took out his pipe and stuffed it into his mouth, and before he could pull out the match, Jones had already said that it was too late to light the fire for him.

Arthur took a puff of his cigarette, took off his hat and brushed his hair full of small droplets: "Everyone knows that Taur Hamletz is different from other districts, there are many forces here, and there are a bunch of irascible sailors from all over the world who disembark from the West India docks, and the crime rate is the highest in all areas of London all year round, so it is probably not possible to transfer people from other places to get a novice who is not familiar with the local situation." ”

Jones grinned, "You're right, you have to be a local veteran of Taur Hamlets." We must know how to coordinate local relations and understand the priorities, there are so many criminal groups here, and new ones are emerging every day, if we don't focus on cracking down, where do we have so much energy? And there are so many foreigners here, how can I do it without mastering a few foreign languages, you look at me, I am just an ordinary sergeant with no culture, even so, I forced myself to learn a few words of Russian during this time. ”

Arthur nodded slightly when he heard this: "Another one, it depends on whether this person can carry out the orders from Scotland Yard and resolutely uphold the British tradition of the rule of law." As you probably know, in the past two days, because of the case of Bernie Harrison, we have been questioned by parliamentarians, who say that our Scotland Yard is simply lawless, and the Magna Carta is used as toilet paper. Director Rowan also made a special point of emphasizing this matter at the high-level police meeting, as the sheriff of Taur Hamlets, you should have also received the publicity document issued by Scotland Yard, right? ”

When Jones heard this, he hurriedly recalled the document.

Although there was a lot of writing on the paper, as a police secretary who had assisted Superintendent Clemens with office paperwork, he felt that the roundabout document could be summed up in one paragraph - until the matter was clarified, all police districts refused to be interviewed by the media, let alone admit mistakes. If anyone wants to admit their mistake, please have a letter of resignation ready at the same time.

At this moment, Jones immediately showed his highly correct political position: "The first paragraph of Chapter C and Section A of the Internal Management Regulations of the Greater London Metropolitan Police Department, police officers must maintain a high degree of political neutrality, police officers should not have any personal emotions and political tendencies when participating in police operations, and maintaining the safety of life and property of London citizens and reducing the overall crime rate are the absolute core and only work content of police officers." ”

Arthur nodded again when he heard this: "I am very familiar with it, it seems that you are indeed very concerned about this aspect." But when you talk about the management regulations, it just reminds me of one thing, you should know that the management regulations will be revised again after a while. New elements may be added to it, such as the fact that Scotland Yard will set a limit on the number of years to be promoted in accordance with the Royal Navy regulations in order to prevent inexperience or nepotism from within. From now on, promotion to Sergeant requires at least three years of service in Scotland Yard, and more than six years for Constable Inspector, and so on until the highest rank of Superintendent of Police. ”

When Jones heard this, his eyes widened: "Superintendent Hastings, this ...... Is this coming for you? ”

Arthur didn't bother to play Tai Chi with Jones in this regard: "Maybe, but that was before, but now I and Director Rowan have turned the page." The Inspector General of Police and Assistant Superintendent of Police are now filled to the brim, and I have no interest in squeezing them up for the time being, and the passage of this amendment will be a good thing for the overall development of Scotland Yard in the long run, so I am not going to oppose it. But while this kind of thing doesn't matter to a person like me, it must be a disincentive for police officers who are determined to forge ahead and dedicate themselves to the citizens of London. Therefore, it is best for young police officers who are aspiring to be promoted to do some good results recently. Jones, I wish you the best of luck in this regard! ”

When Jones heard this, he only felt a pang in his heart, and a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind, and he glanced at the small red brick building in front of him, and he finally understood why Arthur had specially ordered the Whitechapel Police Department to rush to the police early this morning.

When Jones thought of this, the only complaint in his heart and the doubt that he feared that the superior police inspector would pursue him were gone.

Fuck, Inspector Crane, a guy who's going to get out of here, as long as he doesn't make a mess of it? He can't stop me from getting promoted to office, right? If he does that, I'll throw him two guns tomorrow and won't let me go up, then he won't go up!" Recently, because of the case of Bernie Harrison MP, the parliament is keeping an eye on Scotland Yard!

As soon as Jones's train of thought was smooth, the whole person's pattern immediately opened, and even the dirty air in the East Side made the taste a little sweet.

Arthur twisted his neck, he took a puff of his cigarette and said, "By the way, I made an appointment with the news reporter at the Whitechapel Police Station today, Charles Dickens, you should have met him a few times, right?" ”

Jones pressed the joy in his heart, nodded again and again, and said: "Of course I know, Mr. Dickens is an honest and cultivated journalist, he has come to Whitechapel to do several news investigations before, and you asked me to send someone to accompany and protect him. ”

Arthur spat out a smoke ring: "It's not the same time now, our Mr. Dickens's "The Pickwick Papers" has been serialized in "The British" recently, and it is very popular. I heard him say that he was considering quitting his job as a journalist and devoting himself full-time to the field of literary creation. This interview may be his final work in journalism, so I'm sure he will write it very carefully. ”

Speaking of this, Arthur put one hand in his pocket, raised his arm and waved his hand at Jones: "Then I'll go to the police station and wait for you first, Jones, I'll wait for your good news." ”

With that, he walked and disappeared into the early fog of the London morning.

Jones looked at the back for a long time with a solemn face, until he could no longer see the back of Arthur's tuxedo.

Almost instantly, Jones's expression changed.

The sheriff, who had been kind and gentle just now, and even spoke as calmly as the surface of an autumn lake, suddenly became like a violent devil who had just been killed from hell to earth.

If Arthur was here, he would definitely be surprised, if he didn't look closely, he didn't know that this young policeman, who was cautious and harmless to humans and animals more than half a year ago, actually grew a hanging of horizontal flesh on his face after more than half a year of field experience.

Sure enough, the simple folk customs of Taol Hamletz are still very nurturing.

Jones spat at the ground, stepped on his hard, ice-cold riding boots, and walked to the door past the officers standing in his way.

He first glanced at the police officers around him, and only after making sure that everything was ready, then he took a deep breath, kicked open the door in front of him, pulled out his flintlock pistol and pointed it at the dark room, and yelled: "Police! You bitches, all of them are lying down for me! ”

Jones, however, was met with silence.

In his meritorious eyes, there was neither a vicious criminal, nor a large amount of hidden contraband, but a young man who had his hands tied behind his back, stripped naked, and only a pair of underwear left on his body, constantly staging carp beatings trying to break free.

Seeing this, Jones instructed the officers to search the other rooms as he walked up to the young man and pulled out the rag that was in his mouth.

He asked, "Who are you?" ”

The young man's left eye was bruised, he endured the pain and opened his eyes to look at Jones, when he saw Jones's uniform, he was stunned for a moment, and then left tears mixed with emotion and joy: "Thank God! You were sent by my uncle to save me, right? ”

"Your uncle?" Jones was also stunned, but soon, he was solemn and said, "Are you the nephew of Superintendent Hastings?" No wonder he was in such a hurry and had to leave quickly to avoid suspicion. ”

"Hastings?" The young man was also stunned: "Isn't it my uncle's case?" ”

"Who is your uncle?"

"Joseph Bonaparte!"

"I don't know."

"Then my second uncle, Napoleon Bonaparte, you always know each other, right?"

When Jones heard this, the officer's knife that was pressing behind Louis Bonaparte and was about to untie the rope suddenly stopped, and he suddenly stopped a young police officer beside him, and said: "Ford, I said you remember, and you will use it later when I am interviewed by reporters." It is particularly distressing that the victim has developed mental problems after a long period of abuse by the criminal group, and it also shows the cruelty of Fred and his remnants' criminal methods and the viciousness that is disgraced by the public......

When Louis Bonaparte heard this, his eyes widened: "Are you British crazy?" ”

The little police officer just glanced at him who was pressed to the ground and couldn't move, and replied softly: "Sir, it's you who is crazy." ”

……

Half an hour later, in the sheriff's office at the Whitechapel Police Department.

Arthur and Jones sat on either side of the desk, one on the left and the other on the right, while Dickens, dressed in a beautiful outfit, was wearing a hat and taking notes.

Arthur followed the speed of his record, reciting in a gentle tone what had been typed a long time ago: "This operation, thanks to the quick response of the Whitechapel Police Department, did not wait until the criminal syndicate transported the victim to sea before stopping it, as it did last time. But we must also be aware of the shortcomings in this case, for an area like Whitechapel, even with a good leadership like Sheriff Jones, it is not possible to completely solve the problem of police shortage, which is the most important reason why the whole of Taur Hamlets has become a haven for criminals. ”

Dickens recorded this, and with a swift and forceful note on his notebook, he whistled and said, "That's it, it's going to be a good report!" ”

When Arthur heard this, he also smiled and said, "It's also troublesome for you to let you run so early." Would you like to go and have tea with me later? ”

Dickens smiled: "Tea, you can drink it later, but before that, Arthur, why don't you show me if there are any good fishing spots nearby?" I've been hooked on this stuff lately. ”

"Huh?" Arthur joked, "Ask me where to go fishing?" Charles, I'm afraid you're looking for the wrong person. I'm a good fisherman, but I don't fish in the river. ”

Dickens laughed and said, "Arthur, don't be kidding. As a police officer, you know where to fish. You may not know, but the other day I finished writing, I squatted in front of my house to fish in front of my house to relieve my boredom.

But after waiting for a long time, I didn't see the fish take the bait, and then someone next to me talked to me and asked me if I was fishing. I thought he was taunting me for not catching a fish for half a day, so I explained to him that I had caught a dozen of them here yesterday.

I thought he would be discouraged, but the boy's voice became even higher, and he said, 'Sir, do you know who I am?' I'm here to search for fishing. I would like to advise you that fishing is strictly forbidden in this river! ’

Then he pulled out an invoice book from his pocket and tried to give me a ticket. I saw that his posture seemed to be serious, so I hurriedly changed his words and said, 'Sir, do you know who I am?' I'm Dickens, and I wrote it specifically. You know, fictional stories are in the nature of families. ’

He was stunned by my words, so I quickly took advantage of his stunned moment, and I quickly ran away with a bucket. He chased me for a long time and didn't catch up with me, hahaha! ”

When Jones heard this, he couldn't help laughing, maybe he had just made a meritorious service, and he was also interested in joking.

Jones gave a thumbs up and pointed to Louis Bonaparte, who was sitting on the bench in the corner and was tied up, and said to Dickens: "Mr. Dickens, when it comes to making up stories, you are already a master. But I bet you're still not as good as that guy over there. ”

Dickens was surprised: "What? Did he make up any good stories? ”

When Arthur heard this, he pretended to be confused and said, "He said that he was a relative of Napoleon." ”

As soon as these words came out, there was a burst of cheerful laughter in the office.

Seeing this, Louis Bonaparte couldn't help but grit his teeth and roared: "Don't think that I don't know English because I'm French, I'm well educated!" Did you know? You're humiliating a true royal family! ”

Dickens laughed even more when he heard this, and he said: "Like Alexander, it seems that the French have always had a consistent sense of humor. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a bang, and the door to his office was pushed open.

Standing outside the door was a fat French man with a big belly, he looked at Arthur sitting in the office, and couldn't help but pat the holster hanging on his waist proudly, pointed to the pistol inside and said, "Arthur, look, I got something good." This gun is more novel than your Scotland Yard gun, which can shoot three rounds in a single charge. By the way, what are you going to do when you leave me a note at home and ask me to come back to the Whitechapel Police Station to find you? Is there anything new here? ”

When Arthur saw him, he just smiled and spread his hands, and he raised his head at the corner: "Come, Alexander, meet your French emperor." ”

(End of chapter)