Shadow of great britain

In the evening, in front of a townhouse on the outskirts of London, Superintendent Clemens, with a scab on the right side of his face, stood outside the carved iron gate in the drizzle, carrying a gift.

Although this was not the first time he had come to this place, it was the first time he felt so nervous.

He smiled apologetically at the doorkeeper and said, "Do you still remember me?"

The servant looked at him carefully, nodded with a smile and said: "Of course, Superintendent Clemens. Did you happen to be passing by today, or did you come to visit His Excellency the Viscount? I remember that the Viscount didn't notify me that you would be visiting today. visit."

Clemens smiled reluctantly, then took out his wallet from his pocket, took out a note and handed it over with the gift.

"I know that Viscount Palmerston has always been a hard worker, but I still ask you to tell him now that I have something important that I need to see him for an interview."

The servant accepted the gift, stuffed the note into his pocket, and nodded slightly: "Please wait a moment."

Clemens looked at the servant's leaving figure and let out a breath.

He took out his pipe from his pocket and wanted to take a few puffs, but when he opened the matchbox, he found that the matches inside had been exhausted.

He pinched the matchbox, closed his eyes hard, raised his head against the drizzle, gritted his teeth and cursed in a low voice: "Bad luck!"

He felt a little cold from head to toe, and he didn't know if this was a symptom of excessive blood loss or because of his terrible mood.

Fortunately, the servant didn't let him stand in the rain for too long. Soon, the servant's voice sounded in his ears.

"Mr. Clemens, Your Excellency the Viscount invites you."

Clemens opened his eyes and asked the servant with a forced smile: "How is your mood now, Your Majesty the Viscount?"

The servant smiled slightly and said: "He has been in a good mood these past two days. This should be because most things are going very smoothly for His Excellency the Viscount."

Clemens felt relieved, nodded, and then walked towards the living room under the leadership of the servant.

The decorations in the living room are still the same. Compared with last time, the only difference may be that the stuffed deer head placed on the wall of the living room has been replaced by a picture frame.

What was framed in the frame was not a high-end oil painting, but a satirical cartoon cut from a newspaper.

The painting skills of the comics are not very good, but the content shown is memorable.

It was an endless railway track that stretched all the way to the sky, and running on the railway track was the Duke of Wellington riding on the locomotive and a coffin with the name 'William Huskisson' written on it in the carriage.

At the bottom of the comic, its title is also noted - The Duke of Wellington's Express Delivery to God.

This is probably the biggest possibility that Palmerston is in a good mood recently, and it is also an important reason why Clemens had to visit him today.

Clemens stared at the cartoon in fascination until Palmerston's voice sounded behind him.

"This kind of painting technique is very crude, but I have to admit that often only by using this simple and easy-to-understand form can we tease the public's less developed brains and arouse their rich and somewhat extreme emotions."

Palmerston, who was wearing a formal suit and a bow tie, glanced at the clock on the wall. He took off his hat and put it on the coffee table. Then he sank down and leaned on the sofa: "Sit down wherever you want. If you have anything to do, just tell me." , I have to go to the banquet later."

Clemens sat upright on the sofa. He smiled and asked tentatively: "It seems that you already know about the opening ceremony of the Manchester-Liverpool Railway."

Palmerston picked up the tea cup and nodded: "There are all kinds of news flying all over the sky. Even if I don't want to know, I can't do it. Mr. Huskisson is really unfortunate. Although I don't like him, but an outstanding talent really shouldn't To get this ending.”

When Clemens heard this, he opened his mouth slightly, hesitated for a long time, and finally bit the bullet and said: "I...actually I didn't remind Mr. Huskisson on purpose. Speaking of which, his death and I also have something to do with it. I know that you have been worried about the Huskisson faction returning to the Duke of Wellington's command, so..."

Hearing this, Palmerston interrupted him: "Clemens, do you know what you are talking about? Mr. Huskisson's death was an accident. At most, including the railway company and Scotland Yard work, My dereliction of duty, what does this have to do with me? Are you trying to say that I deliberately planned and murdered a leader of the House of Commons and a former minister of state?"

"No, no, no." Clemens quickly denied: "Of course this has nothing to do with you. You have always had a good reputation. It's just that I ran into a little problem, so..."

Palmerston stared at him for a long time, then nodded slightly and scolded.

"If you have a question, just ask it directly. Why talk about other things? Clemens, you are so mother-in-law, but you are not like you at all. Do you know why I liked to use you when I was in the War Department? It’s because you are a person who deals with matters as they arise and resolutely implements all orders without any other unnecessary thoughts.”

Clemens was sweating on his forehead, and he said: "Yes, this is my fault, please forgive me."

Palmerston moved his eyes away from his face. He leaned on the sofa and took a sip of tea: "Okay, let's talk about the problem."

Clemens plucked up the courage and said, "To be honest, in order to complete your explanation, I may have pushed Fred a little bit hastily. He wrote some of my things into a report letter and handed it to Scotland Yard. . Director Luo Wan was furious because of the train accident and this report letter, so he is now forcing me to resign voluntarily."

After hearing this, Palmerston took a deep breath, rubbed his face, and asked: "Clemens, I didn't take the initiative to mention Fred, but you still have the nerve to mention it? I asked you to ensure that Fred To transport the Frenchman safely back to Paris, where have all your efforts gone?"

"I……"

Clemens was sweating profusely: "Your Excellency, this matter is very complicated. I originally planned to supervise this matter personally, but you don't know that I was suddenly assigned to Manchester to take charge of the opening ceremony the night before the operation. Besides, Even if I didn't solve Fred's matter, at least I still made some efforts on Mr. Huskisson's matter..."

Palmerston slapped the coffee table and snorted. He pointed at Clemens and said righteously: "If you are really involved in Mr. Huskisson's death, then I suggest that you surrender to Scotland Yard as soon as possible. The life of an outstanding politician is no child’s play!”

"What about Fred..."

"What does Fred's matter have to do with me?" Palmerston asked with a smile: "Clemens, have you forgotten what I said to you the last time we met? There is no forever Friends have only eternal interests. Do I have any interests in Fred's matter?"

"But you asked me to make sure Fred gets that Frenchman..."

"Oh! Really? Why don't I remember this? Clemens, you are the superintendent of Scotland Yard, so you should know that evidence is required in all cases. Besides, Fred transported the Frenchman Have you gone back? He didn’t even transport anyone back, and he himself died on the high seas. Do you plan to drag his body out and take it to court?”

"I……"

When Clemens heard this, his clenched fists suddenly tightened: "So, you are not willing to come forward to protect me?"

Palmerston asked: "Not just for me, but for everyone, the only criterion for whether or not to save a person is his importance, not what he tried to do but failed to do. Things. Clemens, if you want to protect yourself, the best way is to increase your own value.

Besides, I can't get involved in Scotland Yard matters. Don't forget, although I still have many old acquaintances in the Tory Party, after all, I am now an opposition Whig MP. "

When Clemens heard this, he also understood Palmerston's attitude.

He didn't want to argue with the other party anymore, but stood up and said goodbye to Palmerston.

"Well, goodbye, Your Excellency, Viscount. I hope you have a good time at the banquet tonight."

Clemens turned around and was about to go out, when he found Palmerston's hand on his shoulder.

Palmerston walked up to him with a smile: "Taylor, please don't be angry first. If something happens, someone has to take responsibility. If you want to have a fight with Director Rowan, I'm afraid you won't be able to do it." What kind of happy ending will there be? Just a Scotland Yard superintendent, nothing worth remembering.

You go home and recuperate for a while, which can be as short as a few months or as long as a year. I promise that when the Whigs come up, I will still fulfill my previous promise and transfer you to the Ordnance Directorate. During this time, you should cultivate yourself and think about the gains and losses during your time at Scotland Yard. It will be helpful for your future development. "

Upon hearing this, Clemens turned around and asked, "Are you serious about what you said? What other interests do you have in me?"

Palmerston smiled and said: "It's not really a benefit, it's just a trivial old feeling. After all, you helped me in the matter of Peterloo. You're not incompetent, you're just doing things. It still lacks a little thoroughness, so I will definitely need you in the future."

When Clemens heard this, he was silent for a moment, and finally nodded slowly.

"Okay, I believe you. This time, if Luo Wan beats me, I will submit my resignation letter to him."

After hearing this, Palmerston slowly shook his head: "How could Rowan beat you? Even if you resign, the vacant position will not fall into the hands of his subordinates!"

"What do you mean?"

Palmerston took the newspaper from the table and threw it into Clemens's hand.

He said calmly: "The one who is most in the limelight this time is the confidant that Pierre has cultivated along the way. He also uses the same method, just like I cultivated you back then."