## Chapter 211: Unexpected Guest
After leaving the Duke of Wellington’s mansion, Arthur chose to walk home through Hyde Park to save the cost of a carriage.
Although his current income was considered decent in London, he had practically emptied his savings to fund the upcoming newspaper. It was still a drop in the bucket. If he wasn’t busy with the London Conference, he would have to take a trip to the London Stock Exchange to retrieve his thousand pounds worth of stocks from Lionel Rothschild.
The sun was just setting. According to his usual work schedule, he should have returned to Scotland Yard for a while. The reason he could leave early was thanks to Rowan’s transfer application.
He was no longer responsible for any specific police district in London, but instead focused on investigating criminal cases with significant social impact.
But then again, while London was chaotic and crime-ridden, most crimes were for money, so cases generally revolved around theft and robbery. There were very few brutal murders that would cause public panic.
Since Arthur was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department last week, he felt like he was going moldy from being idle.
Although it was Rowan’s ultimate goal to keep him idle, if it were any other time, Arthur would have been restless after being kept in the dark for a week and would have planned to confront Rowan.
But since he inexplicably discovered that he had a powerful backing in the form of Lord Brougham, Arthur had gradually become accustomed to this leisurely work schedule. He understood that Rowan wasn’t deliberately trying to marginalize him by not giving him anything to do, but was simply afraid.
The Lord Chancellor’s office and the Home Office seemed to be planning to send him to the London District Prosecutor’s Office as a police representative. If he was angered, Rowan wouldn’t even need to go to the Magistrate’s Court to handle any case in the future, as it would be dismissed by Arthur.
The other police inspectors at Scotland Yard were well aware of this, so they all greeted him with smiles during this period. Even before lunchtime, they lined up at his office door, inviting him for tea.
Even if Arthur skipped work without a reason, no one dared to say anything to him, let alone the fact that he was missing today because he was running errands for the Duke of Wellington.
Although the Duke of Wellington was defeated by the Whigs in Parliament and seemed to be in a weak position, only an idiot would think they could casually step on the moral leader of the British Army.
If anyone dared to show the slightest disrespect to the Duke, those old comrades-in-arms who had served under the Duke at Scotland Yard would be the first to give them a dose of their own medicine before the Army generals even came looking for trouble.
Even former King George IV and current King William IV had to speak to the Duke of Wellington in a polite manner. Anyone who didn’t take him seriously was simply playing with their own future.
Agareus trailed behind Arthur, flapping his black bat wings. The Red Devil rubbed his hands and chuckled maliciously: “Arthur, how does it feel? Not working but still getting paid, feels pretty good, right?”
Arthur lit his pipe and replied as he walked: “I have to say, it does feel pretty good. I finally understand why those middle-of-the-road MPs could be easily bought by the Tories. They just need to tie their votes with the Tories to get a job where they don’t have to do anything and still get paid four or five hundred pounds a year. Where else can you find such a good thing?”
The Red Devil chuckled: “So you’ve tasted the sweetness now. Haven’t you changed your mind yet? Join the Tories and become an MP or something?”
Arthur blew out a smoke ring: “Sorry, Agareus, even if you praise being an MP to the heavens, I’m not going to do it. Even if I’m forced to become an MP someday, I won’t join the Whigs or the Tories.
For both parties, only the middle-of-the-roaders are worth winning over. As for those MPs with little influence in their own party, they’ll vote with their party regardless of whether they’re given a job. So why waste time and money on them?
After all, these sinecure positions are precious, and we need to spend our resources wisely.”
Just as Arthur finished speaking, he noticed an old man he didn’t recognize standing at his doorstep. The old man looked up at the house number, then lowered his head and carefully compared it to a small piece of paper in his hand.
Arthur couldn’t help but feel suspicious. He pretended to be casual and approached him, saying enthusiastically: “Sir, is there anything I can help you with?”
The old man looked back at the well-dressed Arthur, pondered for a moment before asking: “Thank you for your kindness. This poor old man is having a bit of trouble. Is this the residence of Mr. Arthur Hastings?”
When Arthur heard the other party mention his name, he finally remembered a daily work anecdote.
Arthur said: “If you’re looking for Mr. Hastings, you might be disappointed. He’s been working very hard lately, coming and going early every day. It’s not easy to see him during the day.”
“Is that so?” The old gentleman chuckled, tapping his cane on the ground: “Well, seeing him is just a side thing. I came here mainly to…”
But before he could finish his sentence, a surprised shout came from behind Arthur. It was Alexandre Dumas, returning from the market, carrying a full bag of groceries.
“François Vidocq?”
François Vidocq?
As soon as Arthur heard the name, he was immediately on high alert.
He thought the old gentleman in front of him might be a new neighbor who had just moved in, or a thief scouting the place for a burglary.
But he never imagined that the man with the handlebar mustache in front of him was his old mentor in the Parisian police force, the head of the Parisian Security Brigade and the Detective Department of the Greater Paris Police – François Vidocq.
Given Alexandre Dumas’s status as a fugitive in France, and his own apprehension towards the French, who were known for their unconventional ways, Arthur pretended to casually move his body to block Vidocq from Dumas.
Of course, Vidocq saw through Arthur’s little act. He saw right through Arthur’s intentions.
Vidocq asked: “Mr. Hastings, is that a little disrespectful? Although Alexandre’s head is worth two pennies, I’m not so poor that I need to trade his head for a reward.”
Arthur wasn’t flustered by Vidocq seeing through his act. He smiled apologetically: “You’ve already figured out who I am. Such keen observation, no wonder you have such a high reputation in the French police force. I have no problem with you, in fact, I respect you. I bought your “Memoirs” as soon as it was published in England. In a way, I should be considered one of your first fans in England. But protecting Mr. Alexandre Dumas’s safety is an order from the Home Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Whether you have malicious intentions or not, I need to be as cautious as possible. Please understand.”
Vidocq just narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. He seemed to dislike Arthur’s answer.
“Well…” he sighed, seeming to let it go.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Vidocq’s shoulders slumped and he charged towards Arthur.
Arthur didn’t dodge Vidocq’s attack. He stood his ground.
The two shoulders collided, Arthur remained unmoved, while the fifty-year-old Vidocq stumbled, almost falling to the ground.
Seeing this, Dumas quickly shouted: “Mr. Vidocq, don’t bother. If it comes to a fight, you might not even be a match for him, even with two of you.”
But it was too late for Dumas to say that. Vidocq’s cane was already raised, but Arthur dodged it with a side step.
Then, Arthur, who was behind Vidocq, skillfully pressed his arm against Vidocq’s forearm and shoulder. With a slight push, he subdued Vidocq.
Vidocq winced in pain and couldn’t help but curse: “Damn it! If I were thirty years younger, I would be the one pinned down.”
Dumas shouted: “Arthur, that’s enough. Mr. Vidocq isn’t here to arrest me. I knew him back in France, and the reward for my head isn’t enough for him to betray our friendship.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow: “Alexandre, you said it. If you get caught and taken back to France, I’m not responsible.”
Dumas replied nonchalantly: “You don’t need to be responsible. Just let him go.”
Hearing this, Arthur finally released Vidocq’s arm and apologized: “Excuse me, sir. My reaction might have been a little excessive.”
Vidocq turned his arm, covering his sore neck: “Young man, you’ve got quite the strength.”
Seeing Vidocq released, Dumas quickly stepped forward to help him up: “You came to see me, you must have something to tell me, right?”
“There is something indeed.” Vidocq pulled out a few letters from his coat pocket and handed them to him: “Someone asked me to bring you something.”
Arthur glanced at the envelope and saw a name: Victor Hugo.
To be continued tomorrow morning.