The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1682: Chapter 54: Scotland Yard’s Strongest Voice? Scotland Yard’s Lightning Fist!

”How Long From Scotland Yard to King’s Cross Station? At Five Miles Per Second!”

10:30——The telegraph rings: ”Man in gray coat, five foot nine, carrying stolen royal items,” received!

10:33——Sir Arthur checks the time, ”Carriage at ten forty-five? Let’s go!”

10:37——Officer Colley leads the way, Officer Hoot lies in wait, dust rises at the station entrance.

10:43——Suspect attempts to board the train: ”Wait, I haven’t...”

10:44——In a flash, a leading punch, the crowd cheers, pigeons take flight.

10:45——Mission complete!

”Thieves running, telegraphs ringing, police flying”

So far, our reporter has yet to contact the official spokesperson for the Picket Street gang, perhaps because the organization has not established this position.

”The Undeniably Perfect Ending, Sir Arthur Hastings’ New Nickname: York Lightning”

Champion boxer Tom Cribs: ”Sir Arthur’s punch reminded me of the ’Britain-America showdown’ in 1809. During that match, I also used the same finishing punch to KO American champion Tom Molino.”

”The Royal Seal Recovered, A Breath of Relief for the Constitutional Monarchy”

Inside the stolen ivory writing box, besides a complete set of items Princess Victoria used during her travels, there was also a letter signed by George IV and Princess Victoria’s personal seal. However, London citizens can rest assured because, according to informed sources, even if these royal items were to be misused, the worst case would merely be Britain inadvertently forming an alliance with our troublesome neighbors across the sea. Oh, no, we almost forgot to mention: In April this year, Viscount Palmerston had already signed the ’Quadruple Alliance Treaty’ between Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal on behalf of our country.

”If Not for Scotland Yard and Sir Arthur Hastings Meddling, We Might Have Four Queen Candidates by Now”

The vacancy of police positions at Kensington Palace has long been criticized, and the theft of the writing box is just a bell tolling amid a lengthy collapse. Thankfully, Her Highness’ seal was not applied to paper, the culprit didn’t leave a mark. This time, fortunately, Scotland Yard officers once again demonstrated to the public why they deserve their royal titles.

”Scotland Yard Couldn’t Stop Parliamentary Rhetoric, but They Stopped the Thief Stealing the Royal Writing Box”

If yesterday’s thief capture had been led by Parliament, we might still be debating the telegraph budget and ’what is a box’. Fortunately, in reality, someone acted faster than debate, that being Sir Arthur Hastings, the swift Officer Colley, and Officer Hoot.

”Members Arrive Half an Hour Late, Scotland Yard Just One Minute Late: The Difference Isn’t Just In Boots”

We’ve heard MPs question why Scotland Yard always steals the limelight, yet The Times reporter James Langworth pointed out: In yesterday’s King’s Cross Station operation, from the telegraph ringing to the successful arrest, Sir Arthur only took 12 minutes. Meanwhile, Parliamentary debates often start at 10 AM, yet still by afternoon haven’t figured out if Britain’s biggest crime group is the Picket Street gang or Westminster Palace.

”The Death at Cold Bath, Victory at King’s Cross: Belated Applause”

Yesterday’s successful capture wasn’t a ’stroke of genius by a detective,’ but an echo of a dead officer’s obsession. Chief Robert Cali, a maligned hero killed in the Cold Bath riot, had left a highly confidential list during his investigation into the Picket Street gang. The third person on the list, code-named ’Little Bobby,’ was the thief captured at King’s Cross Station yesterday. Scotland Yard hasn’t forgotten him, nor should we.

”Scotland Yard’s Badge Shines Brighter Today, Thanks to That Scrap Called Cali”

”You can kill a police officer, but you can’t erase his achievements.” This is a phrase Sir Arthur Hastings left at the precinct when interviewed by our publication yesterday. Perhaps this should be etched into all our consciences.

”Cali Lies Underground, but His Wounds Still Bleed”

Hero Catcher Officer Mike Colley: ”Chief Cali? He wasn’t the sharpest, but he was a good man, and unlike other old officers, he didn’t enjoy berating others. I made mistakes during my first two months, but he never scolded me once. On the day of the Cold Bath incident, he was originally scheduled to stay on duty, but in the end, he went to the riot site. I asked him why he changed his post, he said, ’Your baton is newly tempered, I’m not assured. Sir Arthur Hastings’ policy was never to allow rookies to face the frontline. To take my position, you still have a lot to learn.’ Do you think... this man was an idiot?”

”A Penny for a Pair of Shined Boots, Can’t Buy Back a Fallen Father”

Our reporter recently met an about eight-year-old boy on Lambeth Street, with a wooden expression, shabby clothes, squatting at the bridge-end offering shoe shines for one penny a pair. Upon confirmation, the child turned out to be the second son of Chief Robert Cali, a martyr from last year’s ’Cold Bath incident.’

After Officer Cali’s death, his widow Martha Cali moved with her two young children to a dilapidated rented house in the East District, subsisting on sewing and washing clothes for others. Her eldest son should have enrolled in a parish school this year but, unable to afford the fees, he ended up shining shoes on Lambeth Street.

Lower House Member Mr. Benjamin Disraeli sent a letter criticizing the Home Office, questioning why the department remained indifferent to the impoverished plight of a martyr officer’s family.