Astrid Amphitheater, somewhere on the second floor, in a small room.

Lionel watched Arthur wrap himself in gauze and apply a strong, pungent ointment, and his calm expression, Lionel couldn't help laughing.

He leaned back on the table and asked, "Isn't this the first time you've done something like this?" Arthur, you're too skilled at this. ”

Arthur put on his Scotland Yard uniform and buttoned it one by one in front of the mirror: "If you mean being injured in an acting costume, it's really the first time." But if you're referring to bandaging wounds, I can't remember how many times this is.

Lionel, the job at Scotland Yard is not as easy as it is in Hastings, and it is not always in the limelight. To be honest, things like investigating homicides are actually worse than street patrols.

When I first entered Scotland Yard, I was often assigned to patrol the narrowest and most dangerously dark streets because I didn't deal with the sheriff. As I know, there are quite a few docks in Greenwich, so I can often meet drunken sailors and Irish Riffs carrying bags at the docks in the taverns in the training area.

There is a popular game of drunken amusement among these groups, where they make a bet that each person will take a penny and that if anyone dares to beat up the patrolling Scotland Yard policeman, they will take the money. Tom and Tony were both beaten up, and when I joined the company, the goal of the game was changed to me. Now, do you know why I am so skilled in bandaging? ”

Lionel couldn't help but laugh when he heard this: "I thought you were born to fight like this, it turns out that you also have such an unbearable past." ”

Arthur tightened his bagged palms until he was sure they were secure, and then he said, "For me, those days are not particularly unbearable, but they are better than rolling in the mud puddles of the York countryside when I was a child." Wrestling with Irish drunkards wasn't a particularly good memory, though, and I learned from them: don't fight more than two hooligans under any circumstances, even if you think you're very strong. ”

Lionel laughed, "But listening to you say that, I finally understand why there are so many attacks on police at Scotland Yard every year." The newspaper statement is really unfair to you policemen, who have suffered an unjustified disaster, but they are also accused of violent law enforcement. But that's it, journalists, they used to draw caricatures of Rothschild on their pages, and my father looked like he had a big belly and a pocket full of gold coins.

I was worried that in a few years, when they would get tired of drawing my father, they might have to replace me with their comic models. But this is also something that can't be helped, life has to go through such a thing in the world. So, rest easy, Arthur, not even His Majesty is immune to their attacks, let alone you and me. ”

Arthur buttoned up his hat and glanced at himself in the mirror, "I don't think it's a big deal about these attacks coming from Fleet Street. Because I can't say that the top and bottom of the Scotland Yard are completely clean, as far as I know, the attacks on Scotland Yard and the offenders are usually a two-way street. ”

"Huh?" Lionel asked, "What do you mean by that?" ”

Arthur picked up the teacup next to him and said, "For example, in the district of Tauer Hamletz, east of Shoreditch Street, there is a place called Old Nichol, where about 5,000 people live, but it is the worst in all of London. Even if you don't speak in the voice of Scotland Yard, but according to the local priest, you will hardly hear anything good from his mouth.

I spoke to the local pastor on my first day on the job, and he told me: 'Old Nichol has an incredibly low moral standard, and people live mainly about deception and concealment. Almost every family has one or more unspeakable reasons to fear the police. At first I wondered if the priest was exaggerating, but soon the residents of Old Nichol shattered my suspicions.

On my first day on duty, the Kingsland Road Police Station in Old Nichole submitted me a first-half crime report. According to the report, a total of 214 people were arrested in the first half of the year, including 72 people who were drunk and caused trouble, 35 people who attacked police, 4 people who robbed people with knives, 3 people who molested people, 16 people who beat their wives and passers-by, 1 person who abandoned children, 27 people who burglary and street pickpocketing, 33 people who gathered people to gamble, oh, by the way, and two people who attempted suicide. As for the rest of the charges of animal cruelty, selling alcohol in violation of permits, and some messy crimes, I can't remember it now. ”

Lionel, who has always been sensitive to numbers, couldn't help but gasp when he heard this: "214 people? That is, in half a year, 4.2% of the residents of Old Nicol were arrested? ”

"That's right."

Arthur took a sip of tea: "This is only the arrest, based on the lack of police resources at the Kingsland Road Police Department, I am inclined to think that there must be a lot of fish in the local area." These fish that have slipped through the net have been accumulated over the years, and perhaps the words of the local pastor are really not exaggerating. The old man lived there all the year round, and his duties included listening to the confessions of the residents and counseling them, so he must have known a lot more about the crime than we must have done for the police.

I can only pray for him privately, hoping that when he returns to God, God will give him a better place for him because of his workload. His workload was indeed much greater than that of the average pastor, and a day in old Nichol was worth a few weeks in Westminster, so I think it's perfectly understandable that he occasionally whined. Although he is an apostle of God, he still has a temper after all. ”

Lionel couldn't help but shake his head when he heard this: "I thought that the poor Jewish community in London was bad enough, but I didn't expect that there was anything worse than it." ”

"Yes! London is always like this and full of surprises. ”

Arthur smiled self-deprecatingly: "Whenever I find out that an area is bad enough, London always puts his arm around my shoulder and tells me: Hey! Buddy! You're new here, right? Don't sigh here, because worse is yet to come! ”

Agareth put his arm around Arthur's shoulder and said, "Arthur, I don't remember when I changed my name to London. Also, I don't know London that well, and I know Jerusalem best. ”

Lionel asked, "What you just said is that the attack on the police by the citizens is a two-way street, is it convenient for you to say the next part?" ”

Arthur added some tea: "It's not a big deal, you just don't spread the word." In other words, even if you pass it, it won't have much impact, because the Scotland Yard that has an impact has basically been dealt with. ”

"What does it mean? Dealing with the police? ”

"Of course."

Arthur raised his eyebrows and said, "Lionel, although we are not clean inside, we still have clear regulations. And I don't deny that the reason for the Fleet Street attack is that there is indeed some scum in our police ranks. Scotland Yard lays off nearly 100 employees each year, and Nichole's Kingsland Road Police Station laid off as many as six employees last year.

I was humiliated by a case on Nichole Street last year when a police officer ran into a pub on Nichole Street while on duty, drank alcohol, and drunkenly beat up a kid staring at him. Moreover, he also made a contradictory description of the situation in court, which disgraced the entire Taul Hamlets Police District, and the head of the Taul Hamlets Police District, Inspector Klein, who was present at the trial, was furious on the spot and ordered him to shut up and sit down. As soon as the trial ended, he directly announced the dismissal decision. ”

Lionel asked curiously, "Why did you know so much about it, when you were on the scene?" ”

Arthur nodded slightly, "I'm in the auditorium." ”

Lionel smiled and asked, "Then you're not angry?" ”

"Of course not, or even if I'm angry, I won't scold in court." Arthur picked up the white porcelain teacup and touched Lionel, and said calmly, "I learned this from you, Lionel. Remember? The time I went to buy a house. ”

Lionel's eyes narrowed into a line with a smile: "So ......"

Arthur took a sip of his teacup: "That's right, I just called Inspector Klein to 4 Whitehall Street afterwards to talk"

"Hahaha." Lionel held back a smile and asked, "What did you say?" ”

Arthur rubbed his temples and said, "Let me recall, I should have told Inspector Crane." There is a restless anxiety brewing within Scotland Yard, and while I hate to criticize his work, there seems to be a growing interest in parliament and public opinion about the lack of policing and police enforcement in the area. This made his colleagues at Scotland Yard doubt his reliability, but I, the superintendent of Greenwich and Taur Hamletz, still trusted him.

However, while I have confidence in his abilities, I also highly appreciate the results of his current work. But given the magistrate's long-standing hostility towards Scotland Yard, I also knew that the work was not easy. Therefore, if he feels that he is a little inadequate, he does not have to force himself too much, because gold will shine wherever it goes, and I am willing to euphemistically convey to Director Rowan on his behalf the application for transfer to a more suitable department. ”

Lionel laughed so hard that tears came out of his eyes when he held his stomach with one hand and laughed when he heard this: "Arthur, I admit that I may have inspired you in the first half, but most of the second half is your own understanding, you just have this talent, you don't have to 'attribute' it to my head." ”

Arthur poured the last bit of tea into his stomach as well, and he replied with a smile, "Lionel, you are too modest. ”

The Red Devil put his arm on Arthur's shoulder, bit the sugar cane, chewed it twice, and spat out a mouthful of slag: "Arthur, it's you who are humble." You little bastard was born to make deals with the devil. Keep up the good work, I'm optimistic about you. ”

Lionel took out his handkerchief and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and he asked, "Then Inspector Crane was encouraged after this conversation?" ”

Arthur nodded lightly, "Inspired." Incidentally, due to his outstanding work achievements in the past year, Superintendent Klein was recently promoted to superintendent. Now, like me, he wears a St. Edward's Crown badge on his shoulders. Like I said earlier, Inspector Klein is a very capable officer, and he deserves it. The loss of Taur Hamletz to him is a significant loss,

Thankfully, we still have good police commanders in the area, such as the newly appointed Superintendent Jones or Sheriff Ridley of the Whitechapel Police Department. Even the Kingsland Road Police Station, which I have been criticizing before, also has many police officers with high moral character and a sense of social responsibility. As far as I know, the relationship between the officers on Kingsland Road and the residents of Old Nicol is quite complicated. ”

Lionel asked, "How so?" ”

Arthur spoke, "In addition to their day-to-day tasks, the officers on Kingsland Road often volunteer to do tasks that should not be done by them. For example, using the medical knowledge learned in police officer training to perform some simple medical first aid in situations where doctors are not available. Or to stop domestic violence, to stop husbands from beating their wives and parents from abusing children, even though it is not their role either in legislation or in the Scotland Yard Regulations.

And as I said before, most of the residents of Old Nicol are uneducated and have precarious incomes, so many of them are dependent on alcohol. Parents are unable to perform guardianship duties when they are intoxicated, and of course, they rarely perform them when they are sober. Because of this, children are often lost in the more than 30 streets of the local area. Now almost all of the imps there have learned to ask the police for help when they get lost, and the residents often call the police for them to take the little things away.

Perhaps because of the high frequency of such cases, some toys were added to the Kingsland Road Police Station to keep the little ones quiet, and they even set aside special funds to buy jam and bread for the thirsty and hungry little ghosts. In this regard, they are perhaps the best in all of London. With the exception of some of the scum, the rest of the officers on Kingsland Road had always been worthy of the uniforms they were wearing, and their behavior was respectable. They are an invaluable treasure in a parish that is often mired in despair and trouble. ”

Lionel smiled and said, "Thank you for telling me so much. Arthur, based on what you just said, I feel that the taxes I paid should not have been spent in vain. ”

Arthur pondered for a moment, and then said with a little embellishment: "I can only say that some of the tax money is indeed not spent in vain. ”

Lionel smiled and asked, "It's always nice to talk to you." But it's not too early, maybe it's time for us to go to the third floor to meet His Majesty the King. Your performance could be improved, but overall it was a success, at least His Majesty was very happy to watch, and I think that's enough, isn't it? ”

Arthur asked as he walked, "Did Brother Angelo say anything?" ”

Lionel pressed one hand on the doorknob: "They saw that something was wrong, but for the sake of you using their swordsmanship, the two masters didn't care too much." After all, they also understand that this is just a show, and they don't really go to the battlefield to fight. If they really want to see you fight each other, they shouldn't come to the Astrid Theatre, but to the streets of Greenwich. And your opponent is not the Parisian sword St. Bertrand, but a group of street hooligans with crowbars and short clubs in their hands. ”

Arthur smiled and said, "Lionel, you're quite knowledgeable. If you get tired of making money one day, you might want to consider visiting Scotland Yard to experience it. ”

Lionel laughed and opened the door: "Forget it, I can't beat the street hooligans." ”

Arthur and Lionel were chatting when they heard a loud rustling down the stairs outside the door, followed by a furious roar: "You two ruffians, don't run!" Guard! Catch those two bastards stuff for me! ”

When Arthur heard this, he subconsciously raised his hand and prepared to pull out the police officer's knife at his waist, but as soon as he held the handle of the knife, the tight touch from the bandage on his hand still made him unable to help but let go of his hand.

Just as he was hesitating whether to make a move, he suddenly saw two black shadows coming out of the building.

Judge Norton slammed Arthur and Lionel out of the way, snatching a way through the cracks.

Bernie Harrison, who followed suit, was stunned when he saw Arthur, and then took off his hat in embarrassment and politely: "Good evening, Mr. Hastings." I'm sorry, but tonight seems to be a bit bad. ”

Without waiting for Arthur to reply, Harrison rushed down with his hat in hand.

Not long after his figure disappeared, four or five more strong men in decent tuxedos rushed down from the upper floor, they were Viscount Palmerston and Lady Levine's valet.

Because the two lords wanted to create a more private and secluded space to get along, the servants had also gone to the public balcony to chat and smoke.

If it weren't for that, with their athletic skills, it would definitely be impossible for Norton and Harrison to pull out so far.

When the manservants saw Lionel and Arthur blocking the entrance of the building, they hurriedly asked, "Sir, did you just see two unscrupulous people escaping from here?" ”

Arthur nodded slightly, casually pointed to the window and excused: "You may be too late to chase now, I just saw from the windowsill that they have escaped into the carriage and been picked up, presumably an organized criminal gang." It's not unusual for this to happen in a theater, and it's probably not the first time you've encountered these people to commit this kind of crime. ”

Arthur was saying this, when suddenly, he looked up and saw a man coming down from the stairs in a rage.

The man was still tucking at his slightly wrinkled coat as he walked, and it was none other than Viscount Palmerston.

When Palmerston saw Arthur, his anger suddenly disappeared, and he asked with a happy face, "Oh, Mr. Hastings, with you here, I guess those two impudent people must have been caught, right?" ”

Arthur didn't know how the two stupid hats had provoked the Foreign Secretary, so he thought about it for a moment and decided that it would be better to explore the way first.

Arthur pointed to his gauze-wrapped arm regretfully and said, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency, if it were the usual time, I would definitely be able to take down those two gangsters." But today I was injured, and I really can't do it, so I ask for your forgiveness for not doing my best. ”

When Palmerston saw Arthur's injured arm, he patted his head and said, "Alas! How did I forget about it? You can't really be blamed for that, but you just shot Bertrand. Now that you're strong enough to walk on the ground, how can I blame you for not catching those two bastards? Then again, how's your injury doing? ”

Arthur chuckled softly: "The doctor helped me take out the projectile, and I also applied the medicine, except for a little pain, it is not a big deal." By the way, Your Excellency, although I can't help you catch those two gangsters, it is my duty to fight crime after all. Since you're here, why don't you explain the case to me first, and save you a trip to Scotland Yard tomorrow. ”

When Palmerston heard this, he feigned concern and said, "This ...... Not so good......"

"Nothing bad." Arthur also pretended to endure the pain and took out a pen and paper from his inner pocket: "You can just say it as concisely as possible." ”

Seeing that he insisted, Palmerston stopped dissuading him.

He said: "Don't worry, in fact, the case was not complicated. I was watching tonight's show in my box when I heard the sound of the door being kicked open behind me. I turned my head to see that the two men who had just escaped were kicking the door.

I thought they were in the wrong room, and I was just about to remind them when the man in the purple tuxedo jacket shouted at my female companion, 'You stinking bitch, shitty whore!' I guessed you're doing all this kind of! ’

As you know, a brave gentleman must not allow himself to suffer such insults, much less tolerate his female companion being slandered as a prostitute, so I chased him out with all my might. ”

When Arthur heard this, he pinched his chin and groaned for a while.

He seems to have understood the ins and outs of this matter, and there is no way to describe Norton and Harrison with talent, these are simply two geniuses.

He's already told Harrison the room number, and he can kick every door?

For a moment, Arthur also felt that this matter was a little tricky.

After all, if he really arrested Norton for this, Norton would definitely confess Harrison.

Harrison was confessed, and with his integrity, he would have to pull Arthur in the courtroom nine times out of ten.

In order not to make things bigger, Arthur had to find a way to find another way, which made Palmerston retreat.

Arthur first asked, "Have you seen the face of the criminal?" ”

Palmerston shook his head and said, "At that time, the situation was urgent, and the lights in the room were relatively dim, so I could identify the clothes of the two of them at most, and I couldn't see their appearances clearly." ”

The Red Devil rode on the handrail of the stairs and shook his tail and smirked, "That's going to be easy." ”

Arthur pretended to investigate carefully, "Your Excellency, the situation you just mentioned is actually very common in the East End of London. From your description, my preliminary analysis suggests that it may have been a prostitute...... The badger game of the Wandering Warbler fraud gang. Of course, a gentleman of your culture and style probably doesn't know what a badger game is, and you don't need to know it. But I ask for your consent to take your girlfriend back to the police station for questioning, as she is most likely involved in this crime. ”

"My female companion?" When Palmerston heard that Arthur wanted to take Mrs. Levine away, he immediately thought of dropping the case.

It would be humiliating enough to have someone kick open the door in the box of the Astley Theatre, and if Scotland Yard were to take Mrs. Levine, the wife of the Russian ambassador, away for investigation, it would most likely make the headlines of The Times tomorrow.

It has only been long since Bernie Harrison's prostitution incident, and if the news of the foreign secretary's seduction of a married woman breaks out at this time, then the citizens of London will have something to talk about after tea and dinner for the next month.

Although Palmerston has never been a devout character like Bernie Harrison, he has always presented himself as a playboy even from the beginning of his political career. But such a blatant audacity to make headlines with the wife of a foreign minister is still a bit exciting.

Combined with the behaviour of the London reporters on Fleet Street, who like to make big news, Palmerston can even imagine what kind of headlines will appear on his desk tomorrow.

"The Gentle Township of Heroes and Heroes? This is Viscount Palmerston's 'gunboat' diplomacy! 》

St. Petersburg is continuing to exert a dirty pomegranate skirt influence on Britain's foreign policy! 》

Poland or Russia? Bernie Harrison and Viscount Palmerston give different explanations"

"I am very concerned about the recent emergence of traitorous tendencies among politicians"

"Check it out for the rest of the council!" 》

"The only thing to be happy about in recent foreign news is that Arthur Hastings defeated François Bertrand in last night's duel"

At the thought of this, cold sweat came down Palmerston's head.

He smiled and waved his hand, "Forget it, I thought about it carefully, this is just a little unfortunate episode that happened on this beautiful night tonight." The officers have been working hard tonight, and I shouldn't have caused you any more trouble. I have always been committed to serving the whole of Britain, and the police of Scotland Yard should naturally be included in that. Superintendent Hastings, do you think that's the truth? ”

Arthur said solemnly, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Excellency. But I must also stress that it is also the duty of Scotland Yard to protect the lives and property of Londoners. You are part of the people of London and we absolutely have a duty to protect you. So, don't put it away. ”

Seeing that Arthur didn't understand what he meant, Palmerston had to hint tactfully: "I can assure you that my female companion is innocent, and I have known her for a long time. She was a very wealthy lady, and she would never look down on what little property I had, let alone extort anything from me. Remember what I told you before? I had a bankruptcy when I was younger, but that wasn't the only time I went bankrupt, I was also in financial trouble a few years ago, and it was the lady who helped me out of it. So, tonight's incident is just an accidental incident, and this is the end of it. Arthur, young man, you should take care of your wounds, and don't worry about these little things. You're not just an ordinary petty police officer now, you're a Scottish Yard superintendent and you're starting to think about the big picture. ”

When Lionel heard this, he immediately understood which lady Palmerston was referring to.

He also smiled and came up to make a round and said, "Arthur, I assure you that the testimony of His Excellency the Viscount is true, so forget about this matter." ”

Arthur pretended to be embarrassed for a moment, and then sighed, "Since you all said so, then ...... Alas......"

Arthur sighed and put the pen and paper back away: "It's unpleasant to watch two villains slip out of their hands. Your Excellency, you really shouldn't be so kind. Listen to me, your gentleness and kindness will hurt you one day. ”

Palmerston smiled and brushed his hair back: "I know it too, but I can't help it, I can't see the misfortune of others." The two gentlemen may have just tried their luck, and if they could have come to me in a more tactful way, I would have been tempted to give them a few shillings. But at that time, you know, I was really. But let it pass, I don't care. ”

With that, Palmerston stretched out his hand to say goodbye to Arthur, "Goodbye, Mr. Hastings." Your duel tonight was very exciting, and Mr. Chopin's performance was very pleasant to listen to, and I hope that the proceeds from his performance tonight will help the Polish people. May God be with Poland. ”

Arthur watched Viscount Palmerston leave the stairwell with his servants until he was sure they were far away, then he turned to Lionel and asked, "Who is his female companion?" ”

Lionel glanced around, and after making sure that there was no one around, he spoke, "Madame Levine." ”

"Then he said he went bankrupt a few years ago......"

Lionel smiled mysteriously and said, "Probably in 1825, Palmerston did experience a financial bankruptcy, and he owed a lot of money, and the total borrowings of the Rothschild Bank, the Bank of Baring, and other bits and pieces totaled about 10,000 pounds. No one was willing to continue to guarantee his loans, so His Excellency the Viscount turned to his old friend, Madame Levine. Madame Levine told him that he could try his luck at the casino, so Viscount Palmerston went to a casino on St James's Street, and won a huge sum of twenty-five thousand pounds in two days. Arthur, remember what I told you? Powerful people have always had good luck, so you know, Viscount Palmerston is also a powerful person. ”

Arthur couldn't help but take a breath when he heard this: "Twenty-five thousand pounds? Mrs. Levine is really willing to give up Ben. It's just that I don't know if it's her passion, or if she's making a long-term investment in the Russians, or both? But then again, Lionel, how did you know about this? ”

Lionel smiled and replied, "Because that casino is run by a Jew, Mr. Jecob Hart, and I know him." Mr. Hart also had a prosperous fortune because of this gamble, and he had just been appointed British consul in Leipzig by the Foreign Office earlier this year. ”

Arthur couldn't help but laugh when he heard this: "It seems that the rate of return on this investment is quite high!" What Mrs. Levine, the majority shareholder, has gotten, it is impossible to say for sure. But Mr. Hart, a small shareholder who co-invested, has successfully cashed out these shares. ”

Lionel smiled and took out his cigar and lit it, "Isn't it?" Arthur, have you wanted to play two lately? I'm not like Mr. Hart, I'm going to hold it for the long haul. ”

When Arthur heard this, he just took off his hat and fanned the wind, he shook his head and said, "Lionel, you can't always keep injecting capital, if you keep doing this, my own equity will be almost diluted." ”

Lionel laughed when he heard this, he took a sip of his cigar and spat out the smoke ring, "Arthur, you don't need to worry so much. As you said, my investment is not just about investing, it's also about impulse. It's up to you to take the lead on the board, and I'm not going to use the weight at the table to choke your neck and keep you from playing. Unless...... You want to get a bigger table yourself......"

——— second update will be issued early tomorrow———

(End of chapter)