## Chapter 206: The Tsar’s Spy (4k4)
If you were to ask an Englishman where the wealthy people of London lived, he would undoubtedly tell you that they resided in the West End. But if you were to ask a true-born Londoner, they would narrow that down even further.
The old Londoner would tell you, “Only those nouveau riche upstarts would flock to Kensington, Chelsea, and Notting Hill. Those who are truly of the old London aristocracy typically live in Mayfair.”
As the old Londoner said, Mayfair, as the earliest developed wealthy district in London, boasted not only convenient transportation but also the most luxurious and upscale commercial and artistic areas in all of London.
The Regent’s Crescent, Sotheby’s Auction House, the Royal Academy of Arts, and of course, the three major shopping districts in London – Burlington Arcade, known for its high-end jewelry and luxury goods, Piccadilly, famous for its high-end clothing, and Bond Street, renowned for its antique and art appreciation.
The abundance of high-end commercial real estate attracted not only a large number of aristocrats with strong spending power to settle here, but also led to the establishment of a number of foreign embassies in the area. The Russian Imperial Embassy in Britain was one of them.
As the wife of Count Leven, the Russian ambassador to Britain, Countess Leven naturally resided within the embassy.
This usually heavily guarded embassy area naturally saw its security level raised during the London Conference. Although it was already dusk, the military police stationed outside the embassy gate remained vigilant.
Unnoticed by the guards, Arthur sat in a public carriage, slowly circling the embassy.
Beside him sat Royal Naval cartographer Eld, who was constantly sketching the embassy’s terrain structure with a T-ruler, and Pinkerton, the young boy who was sweating profusely.
Based on Arthur’s knowledge of British architectural development history, ever since London experienced several large-scale outbreaks of epidemics in the 18th century, the concept of ventilation had quickly become widespread in Britain. High-end residences like the embassy would invariably have large wooden bellows and ventilation shafts.
As the carriage circled the embassy for the third time, Arthur finally spotted an inconspicuous square hole on the eaves behind the back door of the embassy. Judging by its size, almost half a meter wide, it must be the ventilation shaft.
This size of ventilation shaft would be too small for an adult to enter, but if it was a child stunted by malnutrition, they might be able to squeeze in.
Arthur pointed to the ventilation shaft, lowering his voice and asking Pinkerton, “That’s what I was talking about. Have you ever done this before?”
Pinkerton glanced at the ventilation shaft and hesitated before slowly nodding. “I… I used to sweep chimneys for others. This ventilation shaft looks similar to a chimney. I should be able to climb in. But…”
“But what?” Arthur asked softly. “Alan, if you have any questions, ask now, don’t hesitate. It’s better to speak up now than to get stuck in the ventilation shaft later. Even if you think this mission will fail, just say it. We still have time now, and I can think of other ways.”
Pinkerton, hearing this, quickly shook his head. “No, sir, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not backing down. I just wanted to know if there was anyone down there with a bonfire lit. When I used to sweep chimneys, I was most afraid of this. Some owners, to urge us to finish the job quickly, would light a fire directly below the chimney. The suffocating smoke would rise up, and I’d have nowhere to run. Several children in our area died that way.”
Eld, who was drawing, couldn’t help but utter a curse. “Those idiot employers, did they drink Thames water too much? You’re sweeping chimneys, and they’re lighting a fire below? That’s practically the same as murder!”
Pinkerton just forced a smile. “There’s nothing we can do, sir. The children who sweep chimneys either have parents who have died, or their parents are alive but might as well be dead. Even if we are suffocated, no one will care. The employer can just pay a sum of money to settle the matter.”
At this point, Pinkerton couldn’t help but lower his head. He thought of his own current situation.
Arthur saw his expression and just pressed his hand on Pinkerton’s head, shaking it vigorously. “Alan, I’m sorry to hear about the fate of your chimney sweep companions, but I can’t do anything about it, at least not for now. But my inability to help them seek justice doesn’t mean I can’t protect you. Remember, you’re my man now, an employee of the London Temporary Measurement and Survey Statistics Bureau.
Anyone who opposes you is opposing me. Opposing me is opposing Scotland Yard and the University of London. Opposing Scotland Yard and the University of London is opposing the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor’s Office. Opposing the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor’s Office is opposing the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
I will not allow anyone to pose a threat to my men, or even if, God forbid, something unfortunate happens to you one day, even if I can’t bring you back, I will definitely send the perpetrator’s whole family to the gallows. You must have faith in me on this point.”
After speaking, Arthur extended his pinky finger towards Pinkerton. Pinkerton was taken aback for a moment, then remembered what Tom had told him about Arthur’s life experiences. The fear in his heart instantly turned into courage.
He also extended his pinky finger and hooked it with Arthur’s, gently pulling it. Their thumbs pressed together firmly, signifying a formal pledge in the innocent language of children.
Pinkerton took off the new felt hat Arthur had just bought him, a smile on his face. “Sir, I believe you.”
Eld, hearing Arthur’s words, couldn’t help but whistle. He joked, “Arthur, that’s a powerful statement. If I ever find myself down on my luck, I might just throw my lot in with you. It’s a shame you’re a Scotland Yard inspector. Royal Navy officers and sailors dream of having a superior like you. If the fleet commander and the Admiralty leadership were willing to protect them like you do, even if we were to fight the entire European navy at the same time, we’d have the confidence to win.”
Arthur just chuckled. “Come on, Eld. I may not know much about the Royal Navy, but I do know their goal is to be able to fight a war against four maritime powers simultaneously. If Scotland Yard had that kind of power, why would I be constantly worrying about whether I should sneak in through a ventilation shaft to steal something? I’d just wave my hand, and General Codrington’s cannons would flatten the Russian embassy. Once the smoke clears, I’d just walk in through the front door and pick up my loot.”
Eld shrugged. “If you were willing to take responsibility for General Codrington, he might actually agree to help you, seeing as the Ottoman Turkish fleet is like paper in front of him. Something as minor as blowing up the Russian embassy, maybe he wouldn’t even need to show up. You could even get the out-of-work General Cochrane to do it. After all, he’s been obsessed with using bomb ships to attack the enemy for a long time. When it comes to explosions, he’s the most professional.”
Arthur just smiled. He patted Pinkerton on the shoulder and patiently explained, “I brought you here today just to let you observe the surrounding terrain first. I know you’re a genuine ‘craftsman’. Your skills are so remarkable that even old Eugene of St. Giles would praise you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought of you for this task.
Of course, I’m not asking you to go to your death. The ventilation shaft and chimney are different. There’s no bonfire below it. Under normal circumstances, it should lead to a wooden blower that speeds up air circulation. But I don’t know where the blower is located yet, and how far the room with the blower is from the bedroom where the information might be stored.
So today, your task is to climb in through the ventilation shaft and figure out the situation outside when I enter the embassy. I’ll do my best to distract the embassy staff, so you’ll have plenty of time to figure things out. Take your time, don’t rush.
Even if you don’t collect any valuable information, it’s no big deal. This mission is important, but not essential to complete, so safety comes first.”
Arthur only felt at ease after confirming that Pinkerton understood his instructions. He then took him out of the carriage.
He first surveyed the surrounding pedestrians, then, taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, he grabbed Pinkerton and leaped over the wall into the back door of the embassy. He lifted the boy’s buttocks and, stepping on the windowsill, sent him into the ventilation shaft before leaping out himself.
Arthur lit his pipe outside the wall and watched Pinkerton disappear into the ventilation shaft, smoking as he did so. Only when he could no longer see him did Arthur feel at ease. He picked up the gramophone he had placed at his feet and walked to the front door of the embassy, smiling and handing his card to the military police on guard.
“Please inform Countess Leven that Arthur Hastings is here to visit.”
Unexpectedly, the military policeman didn’t even look at the card. He just stared at Arthur’s face for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“I didn’t expect the Hastings that Countess Leven mentioned to actually be you. Please come in. The Countess is currently receiving guests. You should be able to see her immediately.”
Arthur was curious to see that the policeman actually recognized him. “Who are you?”
The policeman didn’t say anything else. He just saluted. “The murder and body theft case was handled beautifully. I’m glad I once fought alongside you. At the same time, please allow me to express my gratitude here. My brother’s body was also dug up by those grave robbers. You gave me a chance to avenge him.”
Arthur just chuckled. He remembered who the other man was. “I also thank you for your dedication. As far as I know, there are no cowards in the 5th Royal Guards Regiment. The Wellington Guards are not without merit.”
The policeman smiled and stepped aside. “Inspector Hastings, please proceed.”
Arthur nodded in return and stepped into the embassy. It was more like a luxurious private residence than an embassy.
There was a garden outside, with a stone-paved path, with several marble statues on either side as decoration.
However, some of these statues were finished, some were only half-carved, and some looked like they were just beginning, with only a rough outline drawn on the brick surface with a pen.
It seemed that these statues were not the work of professional stonemasons, but rather the handiwork of amateur stone carving enthusiasts.
He looked up at the marble statues, then at the color of the stone path below his feet, and suddenly seemed to understand something.
Indeed, geniuses are always a minority. In any era, people who are unskilled but have big ambitions are the main theme.
Arthur pondered these things as he quickly crossed the stone path and walked up the stairs to the front hall, supported by four stone columns, each over three meters tall.
Two embassy officers in Russian military uniforms, with swords at their waists and goatees, saw the visitor and one immediately turned back to report, while the other stepped forward and questioned Arthur in his accented English.
Fortunately, the questioning didn’t last long. The officer who had gone back to report soon returned.
He said, “Mr. Hastings, please wait a moment. The head maid said that Countess Leven is currently putting on makeup. You can go to the lounge and sit for a while.”
Arthur heard this and thought back to what the policeman at the gate had said.
Wasn’t Countess Leven receiving guests? Why was she putting on makeup?
However, Arthur didn’t directly ask his question. Instead, he smiled and took out a tin box containing tobacco. “Would either of you like some of this? It’s tobacco from Santo Domingo in the West Indies. It has a very pure flavor. The tobacco there is usually used to make cigars. If I didn’t have a friend working on a plantation there, I, a small police officer like myself, wouldn’t be able to get such a good thing.”
The two officers initially intended to refuse, but when they heard that the tobacco was from the West Indies, they hesitated slightly before readily agreeing. “Then we won’t be polite.”
Arthur handed them the tin box. Soon, a cloud of smoke billowed out from the front hall of the embassy.
The bearded officer, puffing on the tobacco, gave a thumbs-up. “It’s definitely stronger than Russian tobacco. Our land isn’t suitable for growing tobacco.”
The other bearded officer, who spoke broken English, also laughed without hesitation. “Sir, you said you’re a policeman? That’s a coincidence. I’m also a policeman, so to speak. We’re colleagues, in a way.”
Arthur, hearing this, took a couple of puffs and asked, “Really? Are you an officer of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs?”
The bearded man waved his hand. “You know Russia quite well. I was indeed part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs before, but a few years ago, there was a department reform, and I was transferred out.”
“Is that so? Then I must congratulate you.” Arthur joked. “Being a policeman isn’t an easy job. Even if you were transferred to another department to sweep the floors, it would be a promotion.”
“Hahaha!” Arthur’s words struck a chord with the bearded officer. He also joked, “I’d rather be sweeping the floors. You may not know this, but after the department reform, my job is much harder than before.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“Why?” The bearded officer exhaled a cloud of smoke. “Because I ended up in the damn third hall of the Imperial Office. Although I mainly deal with documents now, there are just too many damn documents.”
The third hall of the Imperial Office?
Arthur heard this name and the smile on his face immediately became brighter.
It seemed that the rough-looking bearded officer wasn’t lying. He was indeed a colleague of Arthur’s.
The third hall of the Imperial Office, perhaps the name sounds too pretentious and is not easy to understand.
In Russia, the local people usually call it – the Tsar’s secret police.
(End of Chapter)