In late autumn, London loses the sun very early, and in the evening, the stars are faintly visible behind the clouds in the night sky.

In the bright moonlight, the newly installed kerosene street lamps beside the streets were lit up one after another, and the night was so dark that you couldn't see your fingers that you could not see that London had said goodbye to London forever, and the shining city that never sleeps was no longer exclusive to Halloween, and the streets full of light were not just to guide the awakened spirits out of the city.

Outside the semi-open-air amphitheater of Astri, modeled after the ancient Roman Colosseum, there is a lot of traffic, and you can see coachmen wielding horsewhips everywhere on the road, and you can also see decent gentlemen holding their own wives or other people's wives.

But tonight alone, perhaps non-marital couples still make up the majority.

As Halloween coincides with the holiday, almost all gentlemen and ladies wear masks that cover the upper half of their faces, whether out of tradition or to conceal the intimate relationship between men and women.

There are many different types of masquerades, varieties and paintings, some couples choose to dress up General Nelson and her mistress, Lady Hamilton, others play the love story of Tristan and Isolde, and others are a little more daring, they dress up the Shakespearean classics - Romeo and Juliet.

Of course, there are many couples who are chasing fashion and new tastes, and some gentlemen chose to wear a Scottish Yard police uniform tonight, while his female companion wore a red dress and held a small beige parasol.

Readers who have read "British" magazine will surely recognize that they are imitating Mr. Hastings, the protagonist of "Hastings", and his assistant, Miss Helen.

Of course, there are also some of them who are dressed as other best-selling protagonists of "The British", such as Mr. Pickwick, the Count of Monte Cristo, the Young Duke, or Robin Hood, the Grand Thief.

But unfortunately, perhaps because the imitation is too difficult, Darwin's popular science work "The Monkey's Tale" unfortunately lost in the Halloween masquerade competition, after all, Mr. Elder Carter, who imitates the most in this regard, is playing fantasy rafting in the waters near Argentina at this time.

But while Mr. Carter's absence diluted the Halloween festivities a bit, jack-o-lanterns hung up in street shops added a festive vibe to tonight's show.

At the behest of the shopkeeper, the guys in the store put their best-selling products outside the door and shouted loudly to attract customers.

And the scavengers, who make a living by collecting horse manure and cleaning the way for ladies and ladies to get out of their cars, have also seized the opportunity, and thanks to the masked balls and various salons that are held all over London tonight, they no longer have to fight for a business.

There's enough traffic tonight for them.

While there will be plenty of nightly balls in London tonight, theatres are gearing up for Halloween night specials to get ahead of the increasingly competitive battle for London's top theatres.

But even so, among the nightly entertainment, the Astri Amphitheater is still the most eye-catching.

Thanks to advertisements in London's newspapers, Londoners were aware of tonight's programme at the Astley Theatre a few weeks ago. Even British gentlemen, who are accustomed to seeing the most upscale and topical performances, can't help but be attracted by their performances.

Under the same moonlit sky, in the backstage lounge of the Astrid Theater, Arthur put the biscuits in his mouth and picked up the black teacup.

He was holding the newspaper in his other hand, and with a slight shake of his arm, the lines of headlines were immediately printed in his eyes.

"Adaptation of a Played with a Licensed Stage"

Alexandre Dumas: "I've had a lot of success in the fashion industry, but don't forget that I came from a screenplaymaking background. The script for The Count of Monte Cristo was also written by myself, and I guarantee that it is no less of quality than my previous work, Henry III and His Court. ”

Charles Dickens: "The Pickwick Papers aren't over yet, but I think the first act is enough with what I've done so far. As Alexander said, it's really exciting to bring your work to the theater stage. I think the Astrid Theatre has the best set and professional actors, and I'm very happy to be able to work with them. Finally, I hope the audience will be able to see a perfect stage premiere there on Halloween night, so have fun! ”

London Philharmonic Society Announces Halloween Itinerary, Second Orchestra Pianist and Conductor Arthur Hastings Visits Asterley Theatre

"It is believed that Mr. Hastings will release a number of new personal compositions on Halloween, so music connoisseurs who love Hastings should not miss it"

Mr. Jacob Mendelssohn, a member of the London Philharmonic Society and a famous pianist, said in an interview: "I know that there is a lot of criticism against Arthur in the British music scene at the moment. They say that Arthur only has one piece a year, and that he plays nothing but "The Bell." Everyone is speculating whether the muse's doting on him has been exhausted? I had such suspicions at one time, and as a friend of his, I was also worried about his situation for a while.

But not long ago, Arthur called me into his home and let me listen to a few new songs. That's when I realized how ridiculous and rude my fears were. If my tune represents beauty, nobility and harmony, then Arthur represents passion, restlessness and fanatical love, and behind this love lies an unforgettable melancholy and depth.

I really rarely envy someone, but this time, I'm sorry, Arthur, although you are my friend, but I still have to say, I am jealous of you, I am really jealous! Why is the Muse's love for you so crazy? Were you her lover in your last life?

Alas...... Arthur, I see that you are the heart, why did you let me listen to such a thing before I left for Paris? Arthur, you're such a bad person. Now it seems that your job as a police officer in Scotland Yard may be good news for the European music industry, but if you are a full-time composer, where is there a place for us in Europe? ”

"Jacob Mendelssohn changes his itinerary in Paris on an impromptu basis, and the romantic pianist who inherited the mantle of Mr. Bach announces that he will perform a new piece for Mr. Hastings at the Halloween performance"

Seeing this, Arthur took a sip of hot black tea, and let out a breath of white air leisurely: "Jacob, you have also learned badly!" You know that those tunes are not mine, but you still brag in front of reporters. Now, counting Mr. Vidocq's time, I owe you two favors. ”

Then, his gaze shifted a little downward, and it was an equally striking and appalling headline.

"In the 35 days of landing in London, 49 English swordsman masters lost one after another, and the London Swordsmanship Association was wiped out! 》

"The London Sword Fighting Association loses hundreds of members in a week, and the practice hall is silent"

The Birth of a Foil Napoleon! Who was François Bertrand? 》

"Can't the 22 million people of Great Britain find a person who knows how to fight with swordsmanship? 》

"The frog's legs have been trampled on Britain's face!" British martial arts face is gone! 》

"I hereby call for the immediate organization of the Eighth Anti-French Alliance!" 》

"Tragic Retribution! In order to preserve the glory of English fengering, the upright and brave Superintendent of Scotland Yard, Mr. Hastings, has announced that he will have an honorary duel with François Bertrand, the swordsman of Paris, before playing a new song! 》

"The London Philharmonic Society tried to stop this unnecessary bloodshed, and the President of the Philharmonic Society, Mr. Moscheles, angrily denounced that it was outrageous enough to let a promising young pianist arrest a criminal, and that it was ridiculous to lose his life or both hands because of a duel! 》

"Mr. Faraday, the head of the Royal Institute of the Royal Society, expressed his concern to the newspaper reporter: Arthur is currently working with me and Mr. Wheatstone on an important paper in the field of electromagnetism, and I am concerned that his departure may cause irreparable damage to the field of electromagnetism"

After news of the duel was announced, Mr. Hastings' ardent supporters of science and music staged a protest at the Metropolitan Police Hall at 4 Whitehall Street.

Mrs. Codrington, the representative of the demonstrators, said: "We ladies of the Blue Sox Club have always supported Mr. Hastings, but he went too far this time. But we don't think he can be blamed for it, and we don't understand why the consequences of the incompetence of British swordsmanship should be borne by such a brilliant figure as Mr. Hastings.

Miss Byron, who was also present at the demonstration, accompanied by her mother, agreed: "I am very familiar with Mr. Hastings, who is not only a very polite and funny gentleman, but also an outstanding police officer, a fine pianist, and a pioneering researcher of natural philosophy. I've heard that his swordsmanship is just as good, but I don't think he should be the price to pay to cover up the incompetence of others.

Incidentally, during the interview, the reporter also heard a lot of creative solutions.

"If Bertrand dares to stretch out his claws to Mr. Hastings, we'll cut off his shoulders as well!"

"Don't blame me for not reminding Scotland Yard, if you don't stop this duel, I'll definitely bring a gun when I go to the show that day!"

"Don't believe him, I prove that the gentleman who just said this is an Oxford graduate! Do you understand the weight of the Oxford gentleman's promise? ”

Scotland Yard announces increased patrolling of the vicinity of the Asteri Amphitheatre on Halloween night and enacts short-term control of firearms in the region

"Charles Rowan, Metropolitan Police of Greater London: Arthur Hastings is the best police officer in Scotland Yard and an asset to all Londoners, and we will certainly answer the call of the people of London to keep him safe"

"Like a great enemy! According to an inside source: 500 police officers will leave for the Asteri Theater on Halloween night! Relevant citizens are requested not to take drastic measures》

St. Mary's Hospital will send a professional emergency doctor to the duel venue to do everything in his power to ensure that Mr. Hastings does not have to worry about his life.

Arthur poured the last bit of black tea into his mouth, and as soon as he put down the newspaper, he saw Bertrand in a fighting suit walk in from the east side of the lounge.

His forehead was covered with beads of sweat, and it was obvious that even Foil Napoleon was nervous.

When Bertrand saw Arthur, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and walked up in two steps of three steps: "Mr. Hastings, I'm glad that I wisely chose to accept your hand that day...... Uh, no, friendship. No, not really, it is the loyalty of the Bonaparte family and the friendship between us. Hehe, looking at today's situation, even if I win, it is estimated that I will not be able to get out of the theater alive. From the moment I stepped through the door, I realized that I had to lie down and get out today. ”

Arthur chuckled softly, "Don't worry, Mr. Bertrand, as long as you follow the script, I promise nothing will happen to either of us." Relaxing, it's just a scene, although you and I are not professional actors, but we have rehearsed several times. And in order to prevent the audience from shooting black guns at you and me, we also deliberately set the duel stage a little farther away this time, and also asked Scotland Yard to strengthen gun control. So ......"

When Bertrand heard this, he interrupted: "If I hadn't promised you that day, wouldn't Scotland Yard have gun control?" ”

"No, it still does." Arthur smiled and leaned back in his chair: "But in that case, I can't guarantee the comprehensiveness of gun control." After all, you also know that the job of a police officer is not easy to do, and occasionally there will be one or two fish that slip through the net. ”

Bertrand shuddered, "I feel more and more now that I made the right decision. But it's my own fault, I seem to have played too much, and if I hadn't picked so many fencing clubs in London, I wouldn't have to end up in a duel with you. ”

Arthur was noncommittal about Bertrand's speculation, he just shrugged his shoulders: "Alright, Mr. Bertrand, you better hurry up and prepare the props." There are a lot of great people here tonight, and there are also many of your French nobles, such as the French ambassador, Mr. Talleyrand. If he has his eye on you, it will definitely help you in your development in Paris. As I said before, I'm not going to make it too ugly for you to lose, you can lose very flamboyantly. Overall, I'm advocating a win-win situation. ”

Bertrand stretched out his hand and gave Arthur a high-five: "I won't bother you, you can also prepare well." But looking at your calm state, I probably don't have to worry about this performance. ”

With that, Bertrand opened the door and walked out.

Unexpectedly, not long after he went out, a familiar face came in the lounge again.

It was Lionel Rothschild in a straight tuxedo and a bow in full costume.

There was a slight smile on Lionel's lips, but between his eyebrows hung a hint of worry that was the opposite of happiness.

The young man, who had always been polite and polite, walked straight towards Arthur, and even forgot to say hello.

He sat down directly in front of Arthur and asked, "Arthur, are you sure about today's odds?" ”

Arthur could hear something wrong with the words: "Is something wrong?" ”

Lionel took a deep breath and nodded, "It's a good thing, but it's also a bad thing." ”

Arthur quipped: "I thought that only civil servants in various departments would talk like this, but it turns out that bankers are the same?" ”

Lionel smiled, he waved his hand and said, "That's it, I'm not kidding you, it's really not the time to joke." Arthur, I have a very important thing to tell you, you have to win today. ”

Arthur lifted the teapot and poured himself another glass: "Thank you for reminding me, Lionel, but that's what I had planned." ”

"Arthur, I'm not talking about your determination to win, but about the outcome of this duel must be that you win! Because I just received a notice from my father that there will be a few special guests in the theater today. If you can perform well in front of them, it will not only help Rothschild as the organizer, but also your own future. ”

"Huh?"

Arthur found clues from the other party's words, he thought for a moment, and instantly seemed to understand something, he couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly and pointed to the ceiling: "You mean that?" ”

Lionel smiled brightly and said, "That's right, it's the one!" ”

Agares, who was sitting on the chandelier, pulled his cheeks with his hands and said sarcastically: "Oh! My King Solomon! Arthur, is even God coming down to see your monkey show with Bertrand? Still, I think the carpenter preferred to watch the Jews nail the cross! Now that the Jews have it, Arthur, while there is still time, you can quickly saw two more rotten logs, and for the sake of me being with you for so long, I can reluctantly nail you up. ”

Arthur ignored the Red Devil's taunts, he just asked, "Why did His Majesty come to the Astrid Theatre?" Didn't royalty usually go to Covent Garden Theatre to see their high-flying operas? ”

Lionel slapped his palms, pursed his lips and smiled: "This can only be blamed for our success in publicizing this duel!" Arthur, to be honest, in fact, Rothschild's social circle is quite wide. As you know, in addition to stocks and bonds, our main business is the loan business. You also know that you are one of our loan service customers, and before you, we have provided quality and affordable services to many people, such as the Duke of Wellington, the late Duke of Liverpool, or the former Chancellor of the Exchequer Wansitat and the former Chairman of the Board of Trade, Mr Helris.

Among the people we serve, we value the British royalty the most. Until the current King, His Majesty William IV, was fortunate enough to succeed to the throne, he was for a long time a Duke of Clarence who was not treated well by others. Perhaps because of the lavish spending in his early years, or because others didn't respect him much, his finances were in a terrible state for a long time. During that time, Rothschild provided him with long-term stable borrowing services of tens of thousands of pounds, so he also won some of his friendships.

Occasionally, he would invite my dad over for a quick dinner, or give him proper financial advice or something. It just so happened that this morning, His Majesty suddenly asked about this sword fight. Because he had been in the Royal Navy for his early years, he had always been interested in this aspect of things.

In addition, the whole city of London is in an uproar about the duel between you and Bertrand, so he also came up with the idea of coming to see the show. His Majesty's order, perhaps the great nobles of the House of Lords can not care, but for Rothschild, we cannot give up this opportunity. So, Arthur, you know, winning this duel, it's good for all. ”

After Lionel said this, he suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Arthur, I asked someone from the London Sword Fighting Association. Bertrand's strength is no joke, and he is not in vain. So I thought, to be on the safe side, we might as well ......"

When Lionel said this, he made a gesture to count the votes at Arthur: "Arthur, what do you think?" I don't mean you lose your honor, but life is precious, isn't it? You're going to have to play a tune later. ”

Seeing his action, Arthur just stood up solemnly and said with some sadness: "Lionel! I really didn't expect that in your cognition, I was actually that kind of person......"

Hearing this, Lionel hurriedly restrained his smile, and he got up and apologized: "Arthur, don't be angry, this is just an immature proposal, and I have no intention of offending you." I'm just habitually using the banker's logic, sorry, I should have understood this, as a true swordsman, your honor cannot be tarnished with money. ”

Arthur sighed and shook his head, he picked up a biscuit and held it high against the chandelier, and through the small hole of the biscuit, he could just see the mocking smile of the Red Devil: "Lionel, Mr. Bertrand is already my friend. I won his friendship just as Rothschild won the friendship of His Majesty the King. ”

"Huh?"

Lionel was stunned, he was still thinking about how to apologize to Arthur, and when he heard this, he immediately pinched his waist and said, "Arthur, it's really exciting to be friends with you!" I thought you were a sensitive person! ”

Arthur threw the biscuit into his mouth, chewed it carefully, and tasted, "No, Lionel, you're right. I'm really sensitive to friendship, and in order to make friends, my trip was almost in vain. ”

"Ah......h

A confident smile returned to Lionel's face, and he leaned one hand on the back of Arthur's chair, bowed his head and said, "Arthur, don't be so worried. The price of friendship has always been very expensive, especially the friendship of big names, which is simply sky-high. Compared to them, I think Mr. Bertrand is already very cheap. But you like to make friends, and I like to make friends, so you can take me to meet him another day, right? In that case, I think we can split the price of friendship evenly. ”

With that, Lionel stretched out his hand to Arthur and smiled at him.

Arthur took out a handkerchief to wipe the cookie crumbs off his hand, and then shook his hand familiarly.

Arthur spoke, "Lionel, I hope our friendship is not something that can be measured simply by money. ”

Lionel smiled and nodded, "Of course, but I do have the idea of investing more, because in my opinion, the current valuation of this stock is actually still undervalued." You see, Arthur, just a copy of "The British" was a surprise to me. ”

When Arthur heard this, he just shook his head: "You really don't listen to persuasion, Lionel." But whatever you want, I don't have much to say about it. Because I'm really not an expert when it comes to investing. ”

Lionel patted Arthur on the shoulder: "Arthur, put on a good show, you are the protagonist of today's scene, and we are all just wet." Don't forget, this Halloween night, all of London is in the spotlight. ”

(End of chapter)