On the second floor of the Golden Lion Hotel, a large bedroom was cleaned up and used as a makeshift meeting room.

When a gunshot rang out in Lexington, it sounded the clarion call for independence for the North American colonies.

But now, half a century later, a single shot from Liverpool has brought hundreds of Scotland Yard's right-hand men to the locality.

Sitting by the window of the conference room, you only need to smoke quietly to hear the sound of the police officer's scabbard rubbing against the white breeches from downstairs.

From the street, the not-so-wide street in front of the Golden Lion Hotel is filled with groups of Scottish Yard officers smoking cigarettes.

Passing Liverpool citizens looked at this group of Londoners who fell from the sky with some curiosity, regardless of the appearance of each person's own characteristics, at least their uniforms that could not be wrinkled from head to toe were definitely much more handsome than the local security team in Liverpool.

Among the officers, the highest-ranking officer is Superintendent Brydon Jones, who is now the head of the Taul Hamletz Police District.

Standing next to him were Arthur's right-hand man, Sergeant Tony Eckhart, who was in charge of the Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Division, and Sergeant Tom Flanders, who was in charge of the Archives Division of the Criminal Investigation Division.

Although Jones is a higher rank than Tom and Tony, he does not dare to take the lead in front of these two.

Tom, in particular, still remembered that the honest and loyal police officer had spoken a few kind words for him in front of Arthur, and if it weren't for that, his body might have drifted down the Thames to the English Channel.

Jones took out two small porcelain bottles from his pocket and threw them at them: "Try this, it's much more comfortable than smoking a pipe." ”

Tony took the bottle and looked at it, "Snuffbox?" When did you get into this? ”

Jones replied with a smile: "Where do I have spare money to get this, it's all given by others." Anyway, it's something for nothing, don't be in vain. ”

Tony lifted the cap of the bottle and took a sharp breath, feeling refreshed: "Don't say it, this taste is quite good, it is much stronger than a pipe." Why don't you get one for Arthur too? ”

When Tom heard this, he held up the snuffbox that Jones had given him and said, "Just give this to him, I don't smoke much, and I don't use a snuffbox." ”

When Jones heard this, he just pressed Tom's hand back: "Don't worry, Superintendent Hastings' share I have prepared for a long time." By the way, you arrived before me, so you should have seen him in advance, right? Superintendent Hastings ...... Is it badly injured? ”

Tom listened, but said helplessly, "Sir, you don't need to be so careful. It's not like you don't know, Arthur loses his temper only a handful of times, and if you have any questions, just go up to him. Having said that, if you leave Taur Hamletz alone and directly ask Director Rowan to come to Liverpool to do security work, can you handle the work in the police district? ”

Jones shook his head when he heard this, "Tom, I'm different from you, my ...... It's all in his hands. And I'm not as important as you think on the Taur Hamletz side, we lack front-line patrol officers, not supervisors. Director Rowan takes leave every once in a while to find someone to replace him, isn't Scotland Yard still operating? Besides, my assistant Ridley is still there, and he just does what he does. ”

"Ledley?" Tony put down his snuffbox and asked, "Ridley King?" That kid from Whitechapel? ”

"Yes, that's him." Jones laughed: "Although that kid is greedy for money and lustful, he is also a good hand at work. Or, to put it another way, if you want to do a good job in Taurhamletz, you have to be a money-hungry and lustful boy like him. ”

Tony was amazed when he heard this: "I was promoted to sergeant in a year, and I became an assistant superintendent in less than half a year, Ledley, this kid climbed fast enough!" It's almost half as much as Arthur's. ”

Tom asked, "Tony, how did you know him?" ”

Tony glanced at him, "You've been in the archives all day, and of course you don't know a few people." For someone like me, who leads people to the field every day, I know the progressive youth of the various police districts in London very well. And Ridley King, the kid, is the most progressive of them.

With a smile on his face, he hides a knife behind his back, and uses his unworldly appearance to hide the trap that has been designed a long time ago. This kid is a typical set of mouths and hearts, and he is one set after another.

For the sake of his more sensible sake, I prayed to God on his behalf that it would be better not to be caught by the higher authorities for all the he had done. And you, Jones, if the East Window incident happens in the future, you won't be able to escape. ”

The more Tom listened, the more curious he became, "What the hell is that kid doing?" ”

Jones took out a handkerchief and wiped the beads of sweat from his chin: "Actually, it's nothing, it's just that I want to improve too much." Aside from some personal style trivialities, it is to stuff contraband on the turf of some gangsters who are not easy to convict, or the law enforcement style is more rough.

All in all, as long as you dare to give Ledley a target, he will dare to give you 200% excess business. It was with this in mind that I transferred him from Whitechapel, and if I hastily sent him out on a mission, this kid really couldn't tell you what would cause you anything.

Last time, the hall issued an order that the number of car accidents in London has been a bit high recently, and the traffic congestion in some police districts needs to be rectified. I didn't put this at ease, so I left it to Ridley's kid to do it.

It turned out later that this bastard had actually closed a small part of the road in the police district, and when a car came over, he lied to them that there was construction ahead and asked them to take a detour. At this moment, Taor Hamletz is indeed not blocked, but the incidence of car accidents in the surrounding area is stable and increasing compared with the past.

The hall didn't know the specific situation, and thought that we did a good job, so instead of criticizing, they commended our work. All I can say is that Ridley is fortunate to be under my hands, and if he has to be put somewhere else, he can be a bad party. ”

Speaking of this, the three of them couldn't help but sigh.

Tony quipped, "Jones, you're delaying Ridley's progress." ”

Jones took a puff of snuff: "If I don't delay him, he's going to start delaying me." We all have to make progress, and let's score a priority. Then again, Superintendent Hastings' incident seems to be a bit of an eyebrow, you know? ”

Tony asked, "You mean the London District Prosecutor's Office?" Wasn't that settled early in the morning? ”

"That's not all."

Jones raised his white glove to cover his mouth and whispered, "I heard that the London District Prosecutor's Office should have a District Attorney General and four District Attorneys General. The Attorney-General is nominated by the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords, chaired by Lord Breham, Lord Lord Justice, and appointed by His Majesty the King.

According to the grapevine, the most likely person to get the position is Professor John Austin, dean of the University of London's law school and former barrister John Austen. He, like Superintendent Hastings, was a figure of great interest to Lord Broughham.

As for the four Deputy Attorneys-General, one was nominated by the Chancellor's Office, one by the Home Office, one by the British Law Society, and the last one was reserved for the police, which is Scotland Yard. Director Rowan is not a fool either, so this deputy chief of public prosecution of the police will 100% be Superintendent Hastings. ”

Tom asked, "Isn't that something that everybody knows?" ”

Jones waved his hand and said, "The focus is on the back." If Superintendent Hastings is the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, then Scotland Yard will be ...... Although the rank of superintendent is not low, as the representative of Scotland Yard in the London Magistrate's Office, how can he also have the rank of assistant superintendent? ”

Tom took a deep breath when he heard this, pinched his chin and pondered, "But...... Didn't the Hall just enact that 'anti-Hastings Ordinance' a few months ago? Now, if you want to be promoted to assistant superintendent, you have to serve at least eight years. It's written in black and white, how can it not be fooled, right? Unless, the department plans to revise the regulations recently? ”

Jones took a puff of his cigarette: "Originally, this thing is really not easy to do, after all, the new regulations just issued on the front foot have been changed on the back foot, which is unreasonable." But isn't Superintendent Hastings being shot now? Have you read the newspaper? The Home Office, for its part, is now planning to establish police bodies throughout the country, and if it is not possible, a complete revision of the Greater London Police Act 1829 will be required, and the jurisdiction and powers of Scotland Yard should be re-designed. If the department intends to take the opportunity to upgrade the criminal investigation department as a whole, then it is only natural that Superintendent Hastings be promoted to assistant superintendent. Not to mention, he had just blocked a shot for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. ”

Speaking of this, Jones also smiled and congratulated Tom and Tony: "Maybe in a few months, you will be like me, with three Bath stars on your shoulders." After all, once the Criminal Investigation Department is upgraded, it must be a whole, and you have to follow suit. ”

When Tom and Tony heard this, they couldn't help but feel dizzy in their heads.

"Oh my God!"

"I didn't do anything, so I'm promoted again?"

Seeing this, Jones just sighed with envy and jealousy: "Life is like this, especially working in a place like Scotland Yard, it is more important than the right people. Unfortunately, I was with Superintendent Clemens, and if I had found out early on that there was such a 'blue-blooded nobleman' from York hidden in the corners of the Greenwich Police Station, I might have been promoted to Superintendent next year.

Alas, the Superintendent, three Bath stars, the insignia on the shoulders is the same as that of an army captain, and the official price of an army captain starts at a thousand pounds. As for the superintendent, a St. Edward's insignia, equivalent to a major, is more than two thousand pounds. The Assistant Superintendent, on the other hand, has a Bass Star in addition to the St. Edward's badge, a lieutenant colonel, and this kind of position is not only dependent on money, but also on luck to meet a vacancy......"

Jones was sighing when he heard a messy footstep in his ears.

He turned his head to see that several police officers were leading two well-dressed gentlemen towards the door of the hotel.

The middle-aged gentleman in the lead had a pipe in his mouth, raised his cane and gently touched his hat: "Young man, do you like shiny epaulettes?" I have to admit that you are indeed very discerning, and I was the same as you when I was younger. But in my opinion, although the epaulettes are equally shiny, the officer uniforms of the Royal Navy are still much more handsome than those of the Army. Of course, if you judge it only from the perspective of police uniforms, your Scotland Yard is not bad. ”

Hearing this, Jones frowned slightly and asked a few small officers, "Who is this?" ”

The secretary who followed the middle-aged gentleman took out a document from his bosom when he heard this, pointed to the red seal on it and said, "We are from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we have urgent matters to discuss with Mr. Hastings. ”

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

Jones's head grew as soon as he heard the name, and Tom and Tony tightened their faces.

"We didn't hear that someone from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would come here today. And I don't have the right to open this special letter, do you have any other documents that can prove your identity? ”

Seeing that Jones didn't believe it, the secretary didn't talk nonsense, but took out a foreign ministry badge carved with a unicorn, a lion and a crown from his inner pocket.

Jones had long remembered the signs of the various departments in Whitehall, and he just glanced at them and knew it was genuine.

But for security reasons, he still politely requested: "It seems that the two are indeed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." However, the current situation in Liverpool is more sensitive, in order to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the two, can the two take off their coats and be checked? We have to make sure you don't have guns and ammunition on you. ”

When the middle-aged gentleman heard this, he couldn't help frowning and snorted softly: "I'm just asking Mr. Hastings to do a small matter, and it's a small matter specially authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is it so troublesome?" ”

Seeing that the situation was not good, Jones hurriedly explained: "Sorry, sir, but this is a rule, and I have no right to violate the decisions of the higher authorities such as the Ministry of the Interior. ”

"Huh...... Moving out of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to scare me? Good! ”

The middle-aged gentleman's gray brow furrowed, and he put his arms around the back of Jones's head and stuffed his head into his coat.

The middle-aged gentleman took a puff of his cigarette and asked, "Do you see clearly?" What's under my coat, on my shoulders? ”

Jones pretended to be calm and reported aloud: "Report! It's a gold-rimmed epaulettes! It is also inlaid with a St. Edward's coat of arms, a crossed command and saber, and two sun stars. ”

The middle-aged gentleman asked, "What does this epaulette mean?" ”

"Report! This epaulette represents that you are an active Rear Admiral of the Royal Navy! ”

The middle-aged gentleman laughed when he heard this, he let go of Jones's head and said, "Young man, it seems that your knowledge level needs to be improved. ”

Jones was sweating: "Please advise!" ”

The middle-aged gentleman patted him on the shoulder: "You missed a point, I am not only a rear admiral of the Royal Navy, but also a rear admiral of the Red Banner of the Royal Navy, which also means that I am only one step away from being promoted to vice admiral." That is, if I'm lucky, when I get back from Portugal, in the Grand Fleet, I'll be able to move away from the damned Guards and take command of the Avant-Garde. ”

Jones smiled and said, "I disagree with you, it seems to me that you may still have a chance to be Adjutant of the Admiralty, or the second, third, or fourth sea lords." ”

When the middle-aged gentleman heard this, he was even happier with joy: "Then I will lend you auspicious words, but according to the Admiralty's usual habit of employing people, generals like Thomas Cochran and I, who can fight well, have never been as stable as the position of office marshal who can have a relationship with the king like Gambier." So, young man, I'll take your auspicious words as a joke. ”

The secretary who was following the middle-aged gentleman slightly pursed his lips when he heard this, and he just urged: "Since Mr. Napier is unwilling to be examined, then please ask Superintendent Hastings if he can be a little accommodating." We do have a secret order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we cannot afford to delay this matter. ”

When Jones heard this, he didn't dare to be sloppy with the other party, so he hurriedly saluted: "Okay, I will truthfully convey your words to Superintendent Hastings." ”

Unexpectedly, as soon as his words fell, the sound of riding boots coming downstairs sounded behind him, followed by Arthur's slightly dry and hoarse voice.

Arthur's white gloves held the railing with one hand and pressed the king's sword with the other: "General Charlie Napier?" I have admired the daimyo for a long time. ”

Napier smiled when he heard this, and he raised his hat in greeting, "Mr. Hastings, young talent, I have heard Codrington and Corcoran mention you. Many people in the Royal Navy have a good impression of you, and I hope you can keep that impression alive......"

At this, Napier's words suddenly paused, and he saw the needle in the corner of Arthur's eye.

However, unlike most people's sympathetic attitude, Napier only felt quite kind when he saw the wound, and he pulled down the frills of his neckline and pointed to a finger-thick scar on his neck.

"I also have one of these medals. Young people, don't feel sad because of the injury, there are many ladies and ladies who find this quite attractive. This shows that we have really been born and died for Britain, which is proof of honor. ”

Arthur walked down the stairs: "You're right, but it's better not to show this honor of yours here, because I'm afraid it will cause a diplomatic incident." ”

Napier snorted, his eyes rolled slightly, and then he smiled and asked, "Is there a traitor from North America here?" ”

"You guessed it." Arthur nodded slightly, "The secretary of the American Legation, Mr. Washington Owen." ”

When Napier heard this, he couldn't help laughing and said, "I don't know about Owen, but I'm familiar with Washington." I've been there before, have you ever seen Washington at four in the morning? Under the clear night sky, the cannonballs resemble shooting stars, and the fireworks at the Capitol and Commonwealth buildings are beautiful. ”

When Arthur heard this, he just sighed: "I knew it was right to stop you here. Although Mr. Owen is also disgusted with the United States, he is not going to burn everything to the ground like you. ”

Napier said, "Don't say that, I still have something to contribute to the Americans." Do you know that American military song "The Star-Spangled Banner Never Falls"? That song was actually written on my boat. ”

"Huh?"

Napier blurted out cold knowledge that made Arthur stunned for a moment: "Do you still compose music?" ”

Napier shook his head with his cane and said, "No, no, no." I don't know music as well as a pianist like you. That piece was composed by an American lawyer who happened to come to my boat. I was under orders to besiege Baltimore, and the American lawyer was sent to negotiate and ask me to release one of the American prisoners on board.

Our offensive was fierce, so the lawyer thought that tomorrow Baltimore would fall. But at dawn the next day, he found the Yankee's Star-Spangled Banner still flying in Baltimore, so he knelt on the deck and wrote it with tears in his eyes.

To be honest, although I don't think much of the hillbillies, I was equally touched by this simple emotion. So, I took the initiative to ask him to write the lyrics for this song, but it really didn't work, and I could accept it if I asked me to help polish it. ”

When Tom, Tony, and the others heard this, their faces turned strange.

Arthur recalled the lyrics of the song and asked, "What part of the lyrics did you edit?" ”

Napier hummed the tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner Never Falls": "That's the part — the rockets glittering, the cannonballs roaring, they're all witnesses, the flag is safe and sound." I had all those rockets and shells shot. Without me, how could this song rhyme like this? ”

As soon as Napier finished speaking, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Perhaps the laughter was so loud that they all drew Louis and Alexandre Dumas, who were sorting out the papers on the second floor.

They looked puzzled and said, "What are you laughing at?" ”

Arthur turned his head to look at them, and after much deliberation, he finally spoke: "You quickly arrange for someone to take Mr. Owen to the city of Liverpool." ”

(End of chapter)