The Shadow of Great Britain

320: Chapter 203: The Troublesome Imp and a Special Feature Article (7K)_4 320: Chapter 203: The Troublesome Imp and a Special Feature Article (7K)_4 Speaking of which, Viscount Melbourne suddenly recalled the case that had been forwarded to him by Scotland Yard that very morning and asked vaguely, “Arthur, you aren’t involved with the matter concerning Representative Harrison, are you?”

On hearing this, Arthur responded with a sheepish smile, “Unlucky, Your Excellency, if only you had asked me this question earlier.”

“Representative Harrison?” Mrs.

Norton asked in confusion.

“Did something happen to him?”

Upon hearing this, Viscount Melbourne hesitated for a long time and eventually just shook his head.

“Caroline, better not to ask about this.”

Hearing his response, Mrs.

Norton realized that Viscount Melbourne must have encountered some sort of difficulty, and after thinking it over, she eventually decided not to press him further.

“Alright, William, you must have your reasons; I understand,” she said.

Viscount Melbourne smiled, “Thank you for your understanding, my dear.”

He then continued, addressing Arthur, “This matter is likely not going to be easy to resolve.

I’ve already forwarded the details to Scotland Yard through documentation.

You at least need to find some plausible reasons, or I won’t be able to excuse you in Parliament when questioned.”

Arthur nodded in response, “Don’t worry, Your Excellency.

I have already discussed this with Minister Rowan, and I assure you, Scotland Yard will not put you in a difficult position.”

Reassured by Arthur’s promise, Viscount Melbourne’s mood visibly improved.

He was about to return to his room when he paused halfway and offered a couple of words of advice to Arthur.

“If you are too deeply tangled in this matter and there’s no other option, just submit your resignation.

That way, Parliament won’t be able to scrutinize your responsibility too deeply.

Arthur, you understand, the groundwork for the establishment of the prosecution office in the London region is only a few months away.

A few months, not too long nor too short, but people tend to forget, Parliament included.

You understand what I mean, right?”

Arthur certainly understood what Viscount Melbourne meant; he was simply suggesting that he lay low for a while.

While the Home Office could nominate many candidates for the representative of the prosecutor’s office in the London region, only one candidate satisfied the Lord Chancellor’s office.

As long as he wasn’t named on the Parliament’s blacklist, that position would undoubtedly be his.

However, Viscount Melbourne clearly underestimated Arthur’s determination.

The newly appointed Home Secretary did not know that what Arthur valued most was actually the position at the London Police Intelligence Bureau.

Without the function of police intelligence, even if Arthur were appointed to the prosecutor’s office in the London region, his powers would be decimated.

Of course, it wasn’t surprising that Viscount Melbourne unconsciously overlooked the London Police Intelligence Bureau since, to the Cabinet members, it seemed merely a nominal position.

They did not believe that a department with very few official employees and a mere ten thousand pounds in funding could stir up a significant storm.

At that moment, only a few people would realize the kind of monster that could be bred when the functions of the prosecutor’s office in the London region and the London Police Intelligence Bureau were combined onto one person’s shoulders.

Viscount Melbourne even offered consolation: “It’s normal to have ups and downs in life.

Arthur, you are still young, and facing some setbacks is not necessarily a bad thing.”

Arthur smiled, “Your Excellency, I also think so.

Have a pleasant day today.”

The Viscount of Melbourne nodded slightly and then walked back to the Home Secretary’s official residence.

As soon as he had left, Mrs.

Norton also prepared to board the carriage to start the next part of her journey.

Seeing this, Arthur quickly elbowed Disraeli who was beside him.

The Caesar of Britain quickly stepped forward to block the carriage, “Madam, won’t you reconsider the matter of writing for us?

To be frank, we have prepared a rather generous remuneration.

I have always thought that your literary achievements are seriously underestimated.

Publishing in a magazine like ‘Blackwood’s’ doesn’t give you the opportunity to continuously unleash your outstanding talents.”

Mrs.

Norton, upon hearing this, merely smiled and replied, “Look at my forgetfulness, I almost forgot about that.

I am certainly interested in submitting to ‘British,’ but I have a portrait session with a painter this afternoon.

Mr.

Disraeli, if you don’t mind, shall we discuss this tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

Upon hearing this, Disraeli’s eyes suddenly darted about, reminded of the secrets he had gleaned from another lady at the last banquet, “Tomorrow works, then today I’ll discuss the upcoming issues with Mr.

Arthur Sigma.”

Mrs.

Norton was about to close the carriage door when she heard the name Arthur Sigma, and she immediately paused her action of pulling the door shut, “You are going to see Mr.

Arthur Sigma today?

The author of ‘Hastings Case Files’?”

“Of course,” Disraeli adjusted his collar, “I was actually thinking of inviting you to join me in seeing him.

I have always believed that when outstanding authors gather to discuss, they inspire a spark of creation, just as Mr.

Sigma and I have always done.”

Mrs.

Norton hesitated for a while after hearing this, and eventually, with a gritted sigh, said, “Ah…

I really would like to meet him, but…

the portrait session can’t be rescheduled, Mr.

Disraeli, I truly am sorry.”

Hearing this, Arthur suddenly spoke up, “If it can’t be rescheduled, then let’s all go to the studio together, I’m not busy today anyway.

Madam, what do you think?”

Mrs.

Norton, hearing this, looked into Arthur’s eyes which gradually widened: “Mr.

Hastings?

Wait…

Arthur Sigma?

‘Hastings Case Files’?

That book was written by you?”

Arthur, hearing this, shook his head, “No, it can’t exactly be said to be written by me.”

Mrs.

Norton, upon hearing this, clutched her chest and exhaled, “Indeed, a great detective like you doesn’t have time to write novels.”

Arthur smiled, “Not written by me, but indeed experienced firsthand, madam.

It counts as a piece of narrative literature.

So, shall we now head to the studio to discuss?”

Mrs.

Norton upon hearing this was initially excited, but then her tone turned slightly reproachful, her eyes filled with doubt, but the corners twinkled with a smile: “Mr.

Hastings, you really have a way with jokes, I recall that there are devils in that book.

Are devils part of narrative too?”

Arthur nodded, “Of course, madam, there’s nothing so serious about devils.

Who knows, God might appear later on.”

Mrs.

Norton, upon hearing this, laughed and wrinkled her nose: “Well then, Mr.

Disraeli and Mr.

God, please get on the carriage now.”