Chapter 23: A Dreamlike Reality
The middle-aged gentleman, sporting a black top hat and gold-rimmed monocle, repeated his question when Arthur didn’t respond.
“Excuse me, are you Officer Arthur Hastings?”
Arthur slowly turned around, recognizing the familiar face.
“You’re looking for me?”
The gentleman smiled, removing his white glove from his right hand and extending it towards Arthur. “Not looking for you, but waiting for you.”
Arthur, slightly dazed, shook the gentleman’s hand. “You’ve been waiting for me for long?”
“Not long,” the gentleman chuckled, “Just two days. I thought you wouldn’t come back.”
“Two days?” Arthur questioned, “Why did you wait for me?”
The gentleman beckoned to a servant behind him, who promptly presented him with a document.
The gentleman smiled, waving the document in front of Arthur. “You see, I came to deliver a letter of gratitude from the police.”
Hearing this, Arthur chuckled helplessly, “You must know I’m not a policeman anymore.”
“No matter,” the gentleman replied.
He then asked, “If you don’t mind, would you accompany me? I have some gifts to give you, and I hope to present them to you in person. Even though you’ve decided to leave, I still want to offer this expression of gratitude from the citizens of London for your just law enforcement.”
Arthur was about to refuse, but the Red Devil suddenly reappeared.
Agareus whispered, “Arthur, even if you could make it to America with those ten pounds, you wouldn’t have much left once you get there. Accept his gifts, you deserve them! You need to eat, and I don’t want you starving in the streets. Your kind of criminal is too rare these days.”
Arthur, upon hearing this, realized Agareus had a point.
After a moment of hesitation, he accepted the gentleman’s request.
“Thank you for your kindness. I may actually need these gifts.”
The gentleman simply smiled. Without saying a word, he led Arthur to the landing of the staircase leading to the second floor.
Just as Arthur was feeling confused, the gentleman suddenly turned around and addressed everyone behind him.
“Recently, the Adam Evans theft case, overseen by the Metropolitan Police, has garnered widespread attention from London citizens and the British public.
The Times, Manchester Guardian, and other prominent media outlets have published articles about the outstanding performance of Officer Arthur Hastings of the Greenwich District of Scotland Yard during the Magistrate’s Court trial. London citizens have praised Officer Hastings’ actions.
This has sparked discussions in the House of Commons, and the Supreme Court has also called for revisions to the Bloody Code.
All this is thanks to the tireless efforts of Constable Arthur Hastings.
Officer Hastings’ performance at the Magistrate’s Court is exemplary, setting a model of justice, brilliance, and responsibility for the public.
He perfectly upholds the historical tradition and professional code of ‘Police are the public, and the public are the police’ from the Police Instructions.
And this is what Scotland Yard has been tirelessly pursuing since its inception.
Therefore…”
The gentleman, holding the document in his hand, announced to everyone.
“The Right Honorable Secretary of State for the Home Department of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the highest administrative officer of Scotland Yard, Robert Peel, hereby reads the 23rd Order of the Home Department of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for this year.
After discussions at the Home Department’s internal administrative meeting, and considering the joint recommendation of the five police district superintendents of the Metropolitan Police, and respecting the strong calls of the citizens of London.
After careful consideration, the Home Department, exercising its authority as stipulated in the internal regulations, formally rejects the resignation application of Constable Arthur Hastings of the Greenwich District of the Metropolitan Police.
And, due to his merit, Arthur Hastings is promoted to Inspector of the Greenwich District of the East London Region of the Metropolitan Police, overseeing four subdivision constables and 144 constable officers, managing four patrol areas, including E1, E2, E3, and E4.
This resolution takes effect immediately upon the issuance of this administrative order.”
As soon as Peel’s words fell, a unified standing ovation erupted within the office.
Arthur, in a daze, turned around. He saw his colleagues facing his direction, standing like a row of swords.
“Salute to Inspector Arthur Hastings of the Metropolitan Police!”
With a whoosh, countless hands rose to their foreheads, moving in unison.
Arthur felt his mind racing, even during the attack by Willocks, he hadn’t felt this weak, so weak that he needed to lean on the staircase railing to stand.
But even though he had no strength left, he mustered the last bit of energy in his body to raise his hand to his forehead.
His salute was as standard as his colleagues’.
Peel, smiling, handed the commission to the bewildered Arthur.
“Constable Hastings, if you disagree with our decision to reject your resignation, you can sue the Home Department in civil court. Of course, I don’t want to see that happen. The best situation is that you accept this commission, for the sake of our friendship.”
A constable, with three V-shaped badges on his shoulder, carrying a brand new police uniform and shoulder badges adorned with three Bath Stars, walked up the stairs and stood before Arthur.
He first saluted Arthur with a serious expression, then announced in a firm voice.
“Welcome back! Sir!”
Arthur’s hand hovered over the familiar police uniform. He hesitated for a moment, but eventually, he placed his sweaty palm on the Metropolitan Police badge.
Seeing this, the officers who were standing at attention could no longer contain their excitement. They cheered and crumpled the newspapers on their desks, throwing them into the air.
Newspaper fragments fell like snowflakes onto every corner of the office.
But through the incomplete newspaper fragments, Arthur could still vaguely make out some headlines and content.
- The conscience of Britain is beating in Scotland Yard
- The glory of Britain, we are fortunate to have such an outstanding officer
- London citizens call for the retention of Constable Arthur Hastings
- My view of Constable Hastings, interview with Charles Dickens, court clerk
- The Duke of Sussex submits a joint signature from 800 jurors to the House of Commons, urging the Parliament to complete the legislative revision of the Bloody Code as soon as possible
- The House of Commons is expected to hold a hearing and discussion with the Supreme Court as soon as this week
- Home Secretary Robert Peel delivers a speech in the House of Commons: It’s time for change!
- Constable Hastings graduated from the University of London, the atheistic college on Gower Street
- But no one is more like a true believer than him, God is in his heart
- Iron Chancellor Duke of Wellington forces the King to obey, the Catholic Emancipation Act is successfully passed in the House of Lords
- Non-Anglicans will enjoy the same rights as Anglicans and can hold public office without hindrance
- Civil war averted! All parties in Ireland have expressed their willingness to put aside their differences and build a strong Britannia
- The King was devastated by the passage of the new law, it is said that the whole of Windsor Castle could hear his cowardly cries all night
- The University of Oxford criticizes the Catholic Emancipation Act, believing it to be a betrayal of Britain’s historical traditions
- The University of Oxford angrily withdrew their support for Peel in the House of Commons because Peel broke his promise and did not block the Emancipation Act for them in Parliament
- Peel has officially changed his constituency from the University of Oxford
- Peel’s response to the University of Oxford’s accusations: While Catholic emancipation is a great danger, civil war is an even greater danger. Those who still maintain their prejudices after the situation changes are simply slaves to their own vanity. Non-Anglicans can also have noble character and talent, Constable Hastings is a prime example.
- Duke of Wellington: Thanks to my friend Peel for his support of the Act, he did a lot of work in the House of Commons.
Arthur looked at this surreal scene, he couldn’t help but cover his forehead.
He mumbled, “God, am I really not dreaming?”
(End of Chapter)
TL Note: O’Connell’s ensuing triumphant election compelled the British prime minister, the Duke of Wellington, and Sir Robert Peel to carry the Emancipation Act of 1829 in Parliament. This allowed Catholics to sit as MPs and take public office, but reduced the number of Irish peasants entitled to vote.
History is interesting, isn’t it?