Chapter 12: The Mysterious Gentleman
Mrs. Peel’s words were a mix of soft and hard tactics.
Everyone in the courtroom could see that the exquisite parasol was extremely valuable.
However, if George Morris were to be summoned to testify in court, he would never admit that the parasol was expensive, even if he were beaten to death.
As a young politician who had just managed to climb out of a difficult election, if he were to be tied to a bribery scandal, it would undoubtedly ruin his promising political career.
Although everyone knew that bribery was not a new thing, both the Whig and Tory parties kept it under wraps and tacitly agreed not to expose each other’s corruption.
If someone were foolish enough to expose this, they would be suppressed by the powerful parties and politicians.
George Morris, a newcomer with shallow roots, did not have the courage to challenge the two major parties and veteran politicians, nor was he prepared to take the risk of being ostracized.
The judge also understood the situation and didn’t even bother to summon George Morris to testify, knowing that he would not tell the truth.
If George Morris were pressed, he might even claim that the parasol was worthless.
The judge, with over 20 years of experience, had seen too many such cases.
He pretended to deliberate, saying, “Mrs. Peel, considering your good reputation, I believe your judgment. But if this parasol is just a trivial souvenir…”
Before he could finish, the jurors in the courtroom started to murmur.
“It’s not worth much.”
“It’s just a toy.”
“My son could play with it.”
“How long should the thief be sentenced?”
The judge smiled and said, “Ten days should be enough.”
The jurors laughed and said, “This is what you said.”
“We think we can make a verdict.”
“Yes, we believe Adam Evans is guilty of stealing a toy.”
Mrs. Peel looked at the lively jurors behind her and smiled, saying, “It seems we don’t need to deliberate outside the courtroom. The jurors have reached a verdict, and you can make a sentence.”
The judge was relieved, as he still had many cases to hear that day.
Bang!
The judge’s gavel fell.
The judge declared, “By the verdict of the jury, the defendant Adam Evans is guilty. I hereby sentence him to 10 days in prison and a fine of 1 shilling.”
“Hurray!”
The jurors cheered.
Adam Evans was overjoyed, thanking the judge repeatedly.
The judge told him to thank Arthur instead.
Arthur smiled and said nothing, just walked up and patted him on the shoulder, then fished a shilling out of his pocket and headed towards the magistrate.
“Magistrate, here’s his fine, I’ll pay it for him.”
The magistrate raised his stubby white eyebrows and snickered, “You want to rob me of such a thing? Not a chance. Paying that shilling for little Adam will get me more piety than going to church ten times. I can’t leave that to you, take it back.”
Arthur also joked, “Then when you go to heaven, remember to keep a good place for me by your side.”
“No need, Arthur.”
The magistrate stood up clutching his papers as he laughed, “Because when the time comes, you’ll be in a position where you must be closer to God than I am, and I’ll need you to help me put in more good word before God.”
“As far as the law allows?”
“That’s for sure, I’m a judge.”
The two smiled at each other, and Arthur turned and opened his mouth to say goodbye, “Goodbye, Magistrate.”
The magistrate’s voice rang out behind him.
“Will I see you here again?”
Arthur’s footsteps paused, “Probably, no.”
The magistrate was silent for a moment, then whirled around and spoke, “Arthur, take my advice. Keep doing it or you’ll regret it. You’re fit for the job, and I couldn’t find a better man for the profession. I hate all the cops at Scotland Yard, but you’re an exception. Everything will be all right with you.”
Arthur didn’t reply to the magistrate’s retention; he simply slung his police officer’s uniform over his own shoulders, stuck one hand in his trouser pocket, and waved his other hand gently at the other man.
He then took a step and left the courtroom without a word, as if he had never been there.
The magistrate looked at his distant back and sighed heavily.
The judge watched him leave, sighing, “Young people these days…”
The court clerk, who had been sitting below the judge, couldn’t help but chase after Arthur, calling out, “Arthur, wait!”
Seeing this situation, the magistrate couldn’t help but laugh again and let out a long sigh. “What young men these days!”
Arthur walked out of the courtroom, feeling the warm sunshine on his face.
A black high-end carriage was waiting outside, and a middle-aged gentleman with a black top hat and a single gold-rimmed glasses was standing beside it.
He smiled and greeted Arthur, saying, “You’re Arthur, the police officer, aren’t you?”
Arthur looked at him suspiciously, asking, “Do I know you?”
The gentleman smiled, saying, “You don’t know me, but I know you. That was a brilliant performance just now. Although I was just here to pass the time, I was still moved by your passionate speech.”
Arthur forced a smile, saying, “Thank you for your support.”
The gentleman continued, “To be honest, you’re the perfect police officer in my mind. Calm, composed, intelligent, confident, just, and progressive, yet not losing your sense of proportion. You’re a model for the entire Scotland Yard.”
Arthur smiled awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable with the excessive praise.
The gentleman asked, “Are you really not going to continue working at Scotland Yard?”
Arthur nodded, saying, “From tomorrow on, I won’t be a police officer at Scotland Yard.”
The gentleman asked, “Don’t you want to reconsider?”
Arthur shook his head, feeling a bit uneasy.
He reached into his pocket and found the pipe that Elder had given him that morning. He hadn’t finished the tobacco, and now it was a good opportunity to use it.
The gentleman saw Arthur take out the pipe and naturally offered to help him light it.
Arthur took a few puffs, feeling uncomfortable.
The gentleman smiled, saying, “You’re not used to smoking, are you?”
Arthur nodded, saying, “I just learned this morning. There was a rule in the police force that we couldn’t smoke in public, so I never touched it before.”
The gentleman asked, “Why did you learn it then?”
Arthur took a few more puffs, feeling unhappy.
“I’m going to sea after I quit my job. I heard that to get along with sailors, I need to learn to smoke and drink a bit, or else it won’t be easy on the ship.”
The gentleman asked, “Have you found a ship already?”
Arthur nodded, saying, “Yes, the Royal Navy’s Beagle. They’re preparing for a global scientific expedition and need a biologist.”
The gentleman’s eyes showed a hint of regret, saying, “Losing you as a police officer is a loss for Scotland Yard and the people of London. But I respect your decision.”
Arthur thanked him and was about to leave when Tom and Tony, two police officers, came running out of the courtroom.
They chased after Arthur, shouting, “Arthur, don’t be impulsive! We can’t lose you!”
“My son must go to the University of London in the future! Even if Oxford and Cambridge don’t want tuition fees, he has to fucking get his ass to the University of London!”
The gentleman watched this scene with amusement.
As he enjoyed the officers’ impromptu race, someone interrupted.
“Sir, did you see a man in a white shirt with a police uniform over his shoulder?”
The gentleman turned, seeing the young court clerk.
“Are you looking for Officer Arthur? Do you need him?”
“Yes, do you know him?”
“That’s great! I’m a court clerk but also work part-time at a newspaper. Officer Arthur’s speech was inspiring today, and I want to publish it. Could you relay this request?”
The gentleman thought for a moment, then smiled.
“I’ll tell him. I don’t think he’ll refuse. May I ask which newspaper you write for?”
The clerk replied bashfully, “It’s not a major paper, just a small one called ‘The Observer.’ Why do you ask?”
The gentleman smiled, “I know some editors at ‘The Times’ who need content. If you don’t mind, can they reprint your article? They’ll pay well. Could you do me this favor?”