The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1611: Chapter 27: The Kensington Scandal

Besides knowing how to seize opportunities, the most important thing in life is knowing when to let go of benefits.

— Benjamin Disraeli

It’s rare to encounter a sunny day in London, and when such a day coincides with a holiday, many Londoners naturally choose to go to the nearest park to walk, picnic, sunbathe, and enjoy the hard-earned sunshine.

If you have a few extra pennies, perhaps going to the outdoor teahouse near the tavern is a better choice.

Gentlemen, dressed in intimidating vests and steel watch chains, smoking pipes, stroll in threes, while ladies clutch long white handkerchiefs like tablecloths, chasing each other on the grass. Everyone drinks ginger beer and tea together, accompanied by winkles and shrimp.

Under the same sky, however, people’s emotions are not connected.

As a well-paid senior officer at Scotland Yard, Superintendent Ledley King’s days off are always colorful.

Usually, he plans his next day off before the current one ends. If you intend to contact this Police Intelligence Department’s Section Five head to cultivate friendship, it’s best to book two to three weeks in advance.

But there’s always an exception; for instance, if your name is Arthur Hastings, you have the privilege of sneaking into Ledley’s packed schedule.

Needless to say, Ledley hasn’t been sleeping well lately. Every night, when he lies in bed and closes his eyes, the portrait hanging in the front hall of Scotland Yard flashes through his mind.

Therefore, when Arthur sent that private party invitation, Ledley was anxious to the point of sleeplessness.

How will Chief Inspector Hastings deal with me?

Expose my little ’hobbies’ to the public?

No, probably not...

He’s a decent man, likely not capable of such things...

But then again, he seems to be in an unfortunate situation now, which might drive him to desperate measures...

Ledley’s light carriage stopped in front of the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich, and before he could get out, he saw an unusual scene.

In the short distance from the street to the end, he surprisingly found nine groups of Scotland Yard’s standard 3-man patrol teams.

Initially, Ledley didn’t think much of it. After all, it’s the season for eating fish, and many middle-class families come from the central district to riverside areas like Greenwich to feast on holidays. Increasing patrol police forces to maintain order is expected.

However, when Ledley saw the massive formation of twenty or thirty different large carriages, small carriages, and light-covered carriages in front of the Trafalgar Tavern, he was instantly chilled.

God has given each person different talents, and the talent Ledley is most proud of is his ability to recognize the vehicle of every senior officer at Scotland Yard.

The presence of Hastings’ two henchmen, Tom Flanders from the Criminal Archives Management Center and Tony Eckhart in charge of Greenwich, was expected.

Tom Plunkett, the Ghost Team leader, who had braved life and death together with Ledley at the Tower of London, being here was also understandable.

Charles Field from the Criminal Investigation Department being suppressed at Scotland Yard and missing his old leader makes sense.

But...

The ’Shark’ from the Thames River Police, Tomlinson; Ledley’s old superior in Tower Hamlets, John Klein; the North London Chief Superintendent William Marshal; and George Mosley, recently promoted to Assistant Police Director...

It’s not an exaggeration to say that at least one-third of Scotland Yard is at the Trafalgar Tavern tonight.

Seeing this, Ledley felt his throat tighten slightly as he held onto the carriage and took a deep breath, with his legs feeling as heavy as if filled with lead, unable to take a step.

In the few years Arthur was away, Minister Rowan conducted a great purge at Scotland Yard with the Home Office’s support, which is true.

However, this does not mean that Rowan only purged the group of officers close to Arthur.

Such ’abuse of power for personal gain’ would naturally foster dissatisfaction among others.

Besides, due to Arthur’s special status at Scotland Yard, even cleansing only his forces would inevitably cause unhappiness.

All these factors converged, leading to a situation where this ordinary party appears to be a call to arms.

Ledley lingered at the tavern entrance for a long time, unable to muster the courage to enter.

After all, others have seen how he pleased Rowan in recent years; perhaps a few friends might stay silent and save him some face, but tonight’s guests include many with explosive tempers.

Or rather, owing to most being former military, the temperate ones at Scotland Yard are the minority.

Especially Arthur’s favored sharpshooter Plunkett, whom Ledley frequently encounters at Scotland Yard, though he can hardly recall the last time Plunkett spoke to him.

After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly saw a familiar face in a coat buying oysters at a street corner stall nearby.

Four oysters for a penny, sprinkled with vinegar and pepper, make a rare street delicacy.

”Sir,” Ledley approached the man and saluted, ”Why aren’t you going inside?”

The man turned his head, revealing a scar like a crevasse on his crusted lips: ”Oh, Ledley, is it you?”