## Chapter 43: Lecture at the Royal Society
Arthur, clad in his police uniform, stepped out of the Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Street.
He was accompanied by several inspectors from different districts of London. They were exchanging information about the tasks assigned at the morning’s police meeting, occasionally trading jokes.
Most of the inspectors were in their thirties, making the young Arthur stand out.
The older inspectors, despite their outward care for the rapidly rising young man, showed a distinct distance in their words and actions.
Everyone knew that Arthur was a favorite of Home Secretary Robert Peel, but this special treatment made Arthur uncomfortable.
Agareus, with an evil gleam in his eyes, observed the smiling inspectors. He reminded Arthur, “All of it is false. Look at their eyes. Even the warmest smiles can’t hide the truth that’s written in their eyes. These guys are green with envy, they want to strangle you.
Arthur, it seems climbing too high has its downsides! You’re making enemies everywhere. How about we think of a way to strike first? Give them a lesson?”
But Arthur was already immune to the red devil’s provocation.
Had he followed Agareus’s advice, he would have killed an entire battalion since four years ago.
He reluctantly endured the older inspectors’ flattery. Thankfully, they soon boarded public carriages heading to their respective districts after leaving Scotland Yard.
Arthur let out a sigh of relief. But before he could adjust his mood, Eldred, who had been waiting across the street from Scotland Yard, approached with a wide smile.
Eldred pulled out two tickets from his pocket and waved them in front of Arthur. “Arthur, look at this! Tickets to a Royal Society lecture! It took me a lot of effort to snatch them from my cousin.”
Arthur knew what the kid was implying. He hailed a passing public carriage.
“I understand. Your meals are on me today.”
Eldred followed Arthur into the carriage, laughing heartily. “You’re a good friend! But I won’t let you lose out either. You specifically asked me to find a lecture on chemistry and pharmacology, right?
I made sure to check this time. The speaker today is a renowned chemist. You’ll be satisfied!”
The carriage rumbled and swayed, and Arthur’s head bobbed along with it.
“Eldred, this time you have to be sure. I remember the first time you took me to the theater. You said it was high art, but the actual performance was… not very civilized.”
Eldred coughed awkwardly.
“Arthur! Art is art, it’s about how you perceive it. The beautiful ladies are so poor they can’t even afford clothes. What does that tell us?
There must be something wrong with the way our society operates!”
Arthur gave him a sidelong glance. “Is that why you disappeared right after the performance?
Though society is indeed flawed, your brain isn’t any smarter.
Your aunt caught you red-handed, and I had to bail you out in the end!”
Eldred, hearing Arthur expose his scars, exploded in anger. “Arthur! I am a law-abiding citizen!”
“A law-abiding citizen who engages in smuggling?”
“That’s different! Smuggling at worst gets me hanged, you’re trying to ruin my reputation!”
Arthur looked at Eldred’s righteous face and sighed softly. “Let’s not talk about the past. You’re not going to cause any more scandals at the Royal Society this time, are you?”
“Of course not…”
Eldred was about to launch into another lewd joke, but stopped short when he saw Arthur removing the fast handcuffs from his leather belt.
Arthur stared at the handcuffs, muttering to himself. “I can’t catch you for smuggling. But if you’re doing something obscene at the Royal Society…”
Eldred immediately raised his hands in surrender, saluting Arthur.
“Don’t be crazy! I’m taking you there with pure intentions, no personal desires whatsoever. This time it’s really a chemistry lecture. The scientist is famous, I remember his name… Michael… Michael something…”
Arthur probed. “Michael Jackson?”
Eldred slapped his thigh and exclaimed. “That’s right! It’s Michael Faraday! I told you he was famous, you even know him!”
Arthur took a deep breath. “Eldred.”
Eldred beamed. “No need to thank me, just treat me to dinner.”
“I’m going to handcuff you today!”
“Hey! Arthur! You’re serious?”
The carriage meandered through the streets, passing through crowds and London’s alleyways. After what seemed like forever, it finally reached its destination – Gresham College in northeast London.
The door opened, and Eldred, with his hands cuffed behind his back, stumbled out of the carriage.
He staggered forward, nearly bumping his nose against the college’s red brick wall.
Arthur politely tipped his hat to the coachman and pulled out two shillings from his pocket.
“It’s not easy to hail a carriage here, so please wait for us for two hours. We need your carriage again. We’ll pay double for the return trip.”
The coachman was happy to earn this easy money. He tipped his hat in return. “No problem, officer.”
Arthur had just gotten out of the carriage and hadn’t even stood firm when he heard Eldred’s angry roar.
“Arthur! Look at this! I told you the speaker’s name was Michael, you wouldn’t believe me!”
Arthur looked up and saw Eldred standing in front of a signboard introducing the day’s lecturer.
He was hopping mad, his language not exactly clean. “You freaking idiot! Get these handcuffs off me! Most of the people here are London ladies, what if they see me like this? How am I going to have a chance with them?”
Arthur scanned the surroundings and realized Eldred was right.
Though it was still early, there were already several carriages parked outside the gates of Gresham College. Ladies in elegant pleated skirts, wearing silk white gloves, and high-born young ladies were everywhere.
Some were getting out of carriages, supported by their private coachmen, with long skirts trailing behind. A servant stood by with a small broom to sweep away any horse dung or trash on the road, lest it stain their white skirts.
Others, using fans to cover their mouths, were chatting with familiar friends.
A few others glanced at Eldred with a faint smile that angered the young master.
Arthur knew he couldn’t let him lose face, otherwise the kid wouldn’t talk to him for half a year.
He walked over, skillfully applying force to Eldred’s wrists, and the handcuffs were back in his hands.
Eldred rubbed his reddened wrists and pointed to the signboard next to him, grumbling at Arthur.
“Arthur, look at what it says! You see clearly, today’s lecturer: Michael Faraday!”
(End of Chapter)