The Shadow of Great Britain

276: Chapter 184 Arthur’s Utilitarianism 276: Chapter 184 Arthur’s Utilitarianism In the second-floor box of the Coburg Theatre, Arthur surveyed the spacious room, furnished with a redwood cabinet, a soft sofa, and a broad view, and couldn’t help feeling a bit of a headache.

Although he had emphasized to the theatre’s staff beforehand that he needed a room that was more secluded and wouldn’t attract too much attention.

But…

Catching sight of the exquisite large bed set up in the center of the room from the corner of his eye, Arthur felt that the staff member had clearly misunderstood his request.

The two of them had obviously different interpretations of the word “secrecy.”

However, having a private box was better than not having one, and with the concert about to start, there certainly wasn’t time to change locations.

Better to make do with what one has, as the living can’t be killed by holding in their urine.

After looking around, Arthur ultimately decided to hide Great Dumas beneath the bed.

“Alexander, just endure it for a little while and it will be over.

Tonight’s concert is only three or four hours, so you can just sleep here,” Arthur said.

Of course, Great Dumas had ten thousand reasons to object to Arthur’s decision, but it was futile—his hands and feet were tied, even his mouth was gagged.

Arthur, with a face full of apology, said, “I know this is unfair to you, but this is the safest method.

If you have any objections, now’s the time to raise them.

If you don’t speak up, I’ll take it as your consent.”

After speaking, Arthur and Tom stuffed the difficult Frenchman under the bed.

Having sorted out the disarray in the room, Arthur finally had a moment to light his pipe and, after a long draw, lazily exhaled plumes of smoke.

Tom, wearing white gloves, carefully reviewed today’s operation plan, furrowing his brows as he stared intently at the contingency plans: one, two, three, and four.

He voiced his confusion, “It’s good to have so many plans, but…

is there a need to detail every single rule and regulation so meticulously?

This is almost on par with laws drafted by Parliament.”

Arthur, smoking and laughing, replied, “In this day and age, you might not need such thorough preparations to deal with others, but today’s adversary is Francois Vidocq.

Most of Scotland Yard’s crime investigation rules are based on France’s ‘Grand Paris Police Prefecture Police Management Regulations,’ and a good number of those were contributed to by Monsieur Vidocq himself.

Against such an opponent, it’s wise for us to be cautious.”

“Hm?” Tom became intrigued by this information, “Did he really help draft police management regulations?

Which of our rules are related to him?”

Arthur just grinned, “It’s a shame Tony isn’t here today, otherwise he might have had a chance for revenge.”

“What do you mean?”

Arthur explained with a laugh, “Those prohibitions Tony hates the most are almost all instated by Monsieur Vidocq.

For example: police must not fraternize with disreputable characters, gamble, incur debts, be disorderly in appearance, or drink excessively…

Basically, seventy to eighty percent of Scotland Yard’s prohibitions are related to Monsieur Vidocq, and the remaining twenty to thirty percent were derived from his base.

Now, if Tony knew about this, don’t you think he’d have a fight with Monsieur Vidocq right on the spot?”

Hearing this, Tom couldn’t help but snicker, “So those damn rules all came from him?

Looks like the police in Paris don’t have it any easier than us.”

Arthur remarked with a sense of humor, “Every villain has a master, and should he dare to show up today, Tom, you know what to do.

Giving him a couple of hard ones isn’t too bad; although Monsieur Vidocq is renowned, he’s merely the head of the Paris Police Prefecture’s Security Department after all.

From a jurisdictional perspective, he’s at my level, and most importantly, he has no authority over you.

Of course, don’t beat him to death outright, as he’s still part of the French diplomatic delegation, and a fatal incident would be challenging for us to explain to our superiors.”

Tom’s tension eased at these words, and he replied with a smile, “Don’t worry, I know how to be precise.

But honestly, getting a chance to take a swing at a high-ranking officer doesn’t come often.

Last time when I and Tony knocked Chief Wilcox out with a sap, I missed the perfect moment.

This time, I won’t let the opportunity slip through my fingers.”

As they talked, Tom asked, “By the way, does Monsieur Vidocq have any distinct features?”

Arthur thought for a moment and shrugged, “That’s the tricky part, Monsieur Vidocq is very good at disguises, from a poor man to a rich one, from a man in his twenties to one in his sixties or seventies—he’s had experience masquerading as all of those.

Besides the typical French charm, he also possesses a brilliant memory and a cunning personality.”

Tom joked, “Arthur, from the way you speak, you make Monsieur Vidocq sound like a Napoleonic figure in the police world.”

Arthur jestingly replied, “In Paris, indeed some people do refer to him as such.”

Tom laughed, “Then you’re Scotland Yard’s Wellington, huh?”

“The situation we’re facing now is more disadvantageous than that at Waterloo,” Arthur retorted humorously.

“At least the Duke had the support of the Germans, while we can only rely on active defense.”

No sooner had Arthur finished his words than a knock on the box door was heard.

Arthur frowned and shot Tom a meaningful glance.

Once he was sure his trustworthy subordinate was well-concealed, he slowly began to pull the door open.

One hand was on the doorknob, and the other lay behind his back, pressing on the Civilization Cane tucked into his belt.

As the door creaked open, the face that appeared before Arthur made him exclaim in disappointment.

It was Eld, his face beet red, looking so excited he appeared as if he was about to burst through the railway from London to Liverpool.

“Arthur, I just knew you’d be here!”

Arthur peeked out and scanned both ends of the corridor to make sure no one was following before he dragged Eld into the room.

He closed the door and asked, “Damn it, Eld!

Didn’t I tell you not to look for me until after today’s performance was over?”

Eld clutched at his pounding heart and said, “Arthur, I would stay away for a year if it was anything else.

But this, I must share with you, my best friend.”

Arthur furrowed his brow, “What, you won a horse race bet this afternoon?”

Eld waved his hand, “Not at all, the horse I bet on this afternoon finished dead last.”

Arthur, upon hearing this, congratulated, “Congratulations.”

“Arthur!

That’s not what I’m talking about!”

Eld’s face almost burst into a smile, “Never mind, I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll let it slide.

Do you know?

I might’ve found a genuine romance.

I just met this girl, and you wouldn’t believe how amazing her figure is.

She’s five feet nine inches tall, with a white oval face and long, light golden hair.

My God!

There aren’t many stunners like her in London, and I happened to find one.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur just took a puff of his cigarette, “Eld, although we are the best of friends, that girl sounds excellent, but whether it’s from a Catholic, Protestant, or traditional British moral standpoint, there’s no need to share with me.”

“What are you thinking of, huh?!” Eld glared, “Arthur, there’s nothing that doesn’t involve you, but if you have designs on her, don’t blame me for not treating you as a brother.”

After his speech, Eld looked behind Arthur, “Where’s Alexander?

I want to use this to really irritate him.”

“Alexander?” Arthur feigned bewilderment, “I don’t know.

I thought he was with you.”

Upon hearing this, Eld muttered, “Huh, I bet that fatso’s off somewhere enjoying himself again.

But I’m sure I’ll have a better time than he will today.

Oh, and Arthur, don’t wait up for me tonight, I’ve got some personal matters to attend to.”

Arthur scratched his temple, “What about tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow night?” Eld straightened his collar with a triumphant air and turned to leave, “By tomorrow night, I might have moved out of your place.”

“Fine by me.” Arthur watched Eld’s excited demeanor and bit back his words, but out of concern for his friend, he still courteously reminded him, “Eld.”

“What is it?” Eld stopped, turning back with a cheeky grin, “Come on, Arthur, don’t be jealous.

You look pretty good too; if you make an effort, you can definitely find someone better than me.”

Arthur just gestured with his hand for him to stop, “That’s not what I was talking about.”

“Hmm?”

Arthur casually exhaled a ring of smoke, “If you don’t show up for three days, I’ll report you as missing.”

“Screw you,” Eld laughed, and then, with his head held high and chest puffed out like a swan protected by the royal family, he descended the stairs.

No sooner had Eld left than Great Dumas’s head popped out from under the bed, the chubby man protesting in mumbles, “Are you really not going to tail Eld tonight?

I have this feeling that he could be in a worse predicament than me.

Doesn’t he ever think about what kind of woman, out of her right mind, would find him charming?”

Arthur raised an eyebrow at Great Dumas, who was lying on the floor, and nodded, “I must agree, the ladies who take a shine to Eld are usually quite clever, just like how Fiona took a fancy to you last time.”

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and brow furrowed in thought for a long while before he finally spoke, “Anyway, let’s leave him be for now.

If Eld goes missing, at most I’ll find him in the Thames, and there might still be time for salvation.

But, Alexander, if you were to go missing, I reckon I’d have to sail to France and then fish you out of the Seine River.

Compared between the two, the difficulty is as different as heaven and earth.

Abandoning you to watch over Eld is neither economical nor practical.

If something really happens to Eld in the end, I believe he would understand.

As a fellow University of London graduate, he ought to grasp the concept of utilitarianism.”