Chapter 24: The Value of Life
A figure stood tall and straight, clad in a deep blue tuxedo with a high collar, its lapels adorned with three sparkling stars like constellations. White gloves, spotless and immaculate, covered their hands. Their trousers, long and slender, fit perfectly, while gleaming silver buckles held them in place. A trusty police officer’s knife hung at their waist, completing the ensemble.
He dampened his hair with water and meticulously combed it back.
After ensuring everything was flawless, he finally donned the iconic domed helmet with the emblem of the Metropolitan Police Service, symbolizing Scotland Yard.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror, seeing himself restored to his familiar appearance.
Only three days had passed, yet it felt like a lifetime.
He gazed at the familiar yet strange person in the mirror, slowly raising his hand in a salute.
Agareus’s voice echoed eerily: “Inspector of the Greenwich District of the East London Division of the Metropolitan Police, Arthur Hastings, tsk tsk tsk…”
Arthur adjusted his collar. “Agareus, why do you sound so sarcastic? I’m just a small inspector managing four police stations. How can I compare to you, a Duke of Hell commanding 31 demon legions?”
“Oh…” Agareus covered his mouth. “That was in the past. Now, I don’t even have a single minion, so my words carry no weight in Hell. But you, at least, have the power of life and death over four precincts.”
Arthur glanced at him, feeling that his words had recently become more cynical.
Agareus leaned against the wall, eyeing Arthur’s new look. “Arthur, even though I hate seeing you in that uniform, I must admit you look more and more like a decent man.”
Arthur responded, “Agareus, if I remember correctly, in the devil’s lexicon, being called a ‘decent man’ isn’t exactly a compliment, is it?”
Agareus chuckled sinisterly. “Being decent may not be a beautiful term, but I am indeed praising you! Haven’t you heard?
The highest-level hunters often appear as their prey.
You looking like a decent man is perfect for my grand soul-harvesting plan.”
Arthur relaxed his shoulders, which had grown sore from the prolonged tension. “Really? What I heard was different. I only know that the finest ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods.”
“Arthur, what nonsense are you spouting? I can’t understand a word! We’re in this together now; can’t you be more straightforward with me?”
Arthur gently shook his head. “If we only have one pair of pants, I’d rather one of us wears them while the other stays bare.”
“Why?”
Arthur calmly replied, “Because if two people share one pair of pants, the things we each want to cover would be exposed.”
Agareus looked down at himself, then at Arthur, drawing out his words. “Brilliant! But Arthur, if there were indeed one pair of pants, you should wear them first. It seems like something of yours is about to be exposed.”
Arthur suddenly froze.
He slapped his forehead, cursing under his breath. “Damn! I almost forgot about the Willocks situation.”
He turned and strode out.
Agareus asked, “Where are you going?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m running away. This trip to Scotland Yard wasn’t a total loss; at least I got a new outfit. Agareus, see you in America.”
Arthur grabbed the door handle, but before he could open it, Agareus’s roar echoed in his ears.
“Arthur!!!”
Arthur frowned and rubbed his ears. “What the hell are you doing? You’re going to deafen me!”
“Can you not be so impulsive? Ready to run at a moment’s notice? You’re an inspector now! What are you afraid of? If anyone wants to mess with you, just kill them!”
“So what if I’m an inspector? Agareus, this isn’t Hell, at least not the one you know. Here, murder is a serious crime. Stealing five shillings can get you hanged, and you think killing is a minor matter? As an outsider, you should respect our local laws on this.”
Agareus was furious. “Hey! Arthur, damn you! Are you still acting with me? You might as well become an actor; it’d be more promising than being a cop!”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “You mean, you’ll help me?”
Agareus snorted. “Of course. But…”
The red devil leaned on the table, crossed his hands under his chin, and gave a predatory smile. “We need to discuss the price.”
Arthur thought for a moment, reluctantly holding up five fingers.
Agareus was delighted. “Five souls?!”
“No, five pounds,” Arthur said reluctantly. “I need to keep the other five pounds in case you fail, so I can still catch a ship.”
“Arthur! Can you forget about the damn ship! Don’t you trust my abilities?”
The red devil was hysterical. “I’ve never seen anyone bargain with a devil like this! You’ll do anything to save your poor friends, but when it comes to me, asking for a bit is like pulling teeth! Damn, I should take Jesus off the cross and nail you up there instead!”
Arthur was also exasperated by the red devil’s anger. “Agareus, five pounds is a lot, five pounds is a hundred shillings, twelve hundred pence. If the Bloody Code wasn’t repealed, that money could hang twenty people.”
“Then go buy those twenty lives; I don’t shop for myself! Do you have slaves here? You can buy me two of those!”
“Agareus, you’ve been asleep too long; you’re confused. Great Britain banned the slave trade in 1807. If caught, each slave incurs a hundred-pound fine!”
“What if I insist on slaves?”
Arthur shrugged. “Then you’d still have to give me five pounds for the ship; there are plenty of slaves in the American colonies.”
“Can you stop thinking about that damn ship! Damn it, you’re cunning as a fox only when dealing with me.
Do you know how Robert Peel has used you?
He used your deeds to distract from the Catholic Emancipation Act and pushed forward his campaign to repeal the Bloody Code.
And you, you have no reaction to this at all!”
Arthur sighed. “Agareus, you’re a devil and can ignore reality. But I can’t. I have to consider these things.
Moreover, you said it yourself. I’m now an inspector at Scotland Yard; I have more sway in London than you do.
The Bloody Code is being repealed, the Catholic Emancipation Act passed; I can’t think of a better outcome.
As for Sir Peel…
In these times, having a good result is already hard enough; I can’t blame the implementer for any improper conduct. Being used is fine, as long as our goals align.”
Agareus rolled his eyes. “Inspector? Weren’t you planning to run away?”
Seeing him this angry, Arthur tried to calm him. “As long as I’m alive, I can regain my position.”
“You really plan to run?”
“What else?”
Agareus took a deep breath, sparks flying from his nostrils.
Since signing a contract with Arthur, he felt his temper had improved.
Agareus glared at him. “You little rascal, forget about the ship. You’ll be fine.”
Arthur was puzzled. “Why?”
“Because someone wants Willocks dead more than you do. An inspector isn’t a big deal, and neither are you.
For some, if you’re in their way, they’ll find a way to kill you.
In London, how many homeless and beggars die in the streets? Haven’t you seen corpses floating in the Thames?”
Arthur’s expression changed as he looked at Agareus. “You seem to know a lot.”
“Of course, don’t forget what I’m good at; I can solve all mysteries in the world.”
Agareus said meaningfully, “Arthur, you value life. But you’ve seen that to those who drafted the Bloody Code, a life is worth only five shillings…”
…
Above Arthur and Agareus in the dressing room was a lavishly decorated office.
A middle-aged man, also in a police uniform, was working at his desk.
Knock, knock, knock!
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
A brisk, efficient policeman entered and saluted the middle-aged man, then bent down to whisper in his ear.
“Superintendent, Wilcox’s body has been found.”
(End of Chapter)
Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 is considered a good thing because it promoted religious freedom, political and social inclusion, reduced sectarian tensions, advanced modern democratic principles, and represented a significant step towards justice and equality in British society