Shadow of great britain

The law is like a spider web. Big flies tear the web to pieces, but small flies are caught.

——Montesquieu, "The Spirit of the Laws"

"Have you made peace with that little girl named Clara?"

"It's not settled. She has no say in this kind of business. But she is willing to introduce me to Gwawei. Maybe this gangster leader will be willing to let me try the water. Of course, based on my experience of these gangsters, I understand that if our first deal is successful, they will jump out and ask for money. But if the police find out about our first deal, we will have to bear the consequences of going to jail. "

In a small cafe in the Saint-Germain district, Arthur and Vidocq each had a brief exchange on the progress of their work.

As soon as Arthur was released from prison yesterday, he was brought to Gwawe by Clara.

However, the leader of the criminal organization is not very concerned about Arthur's big plan.

There are many people in Paris who make a living through fraud, but most of them are limited to petty theft. Moreover, those scammers mainly work alone and do not form an effective fraud system.

The reason is very simple.

Because of the fraud business, once it becomes big, it is easy to be targeted by the Paris Police Department. Or, to be more precise, they will be targeted by the security department and eventually, after being tricked, fall into the hands of François Vidocq, the living king of the Paris underworld.

If Vidocq was still working in the Security Department, Gervai would definitely not dare to have the idea of ​​​​flexing his muscles in the fraud industry chain.

But unfortunately, Vidocq has resigned from the security department. Although Aral, who succeeded the head of the security department, is also a veteran in the Paris police for many years, the Grand Paris Police Department still has the same problem as Scotland Yard.

The Metropolitan Police has now been given the prefix of 'Royal', but in the six months since they received this award, their work in crime investigation has been a mess.

Arthur's sudden departure put the entire Scotland Yard criminal investigation system into a state of total collapse. Although many departments and anti-crime mechanisms he established are still functioning on the surface, these people are all fighting on their own.

However, this cannot be blamed on the conscientious police officers, because when Sir Arthur Hastings was still there, the heads of these departments all reported to him. In Arthur Hastings's day, these departments often resorted to means beyond their responsibilities to get the job done.

Although it sounds ironic, the reality is that efficiency and compliance are innate antonyms. If you're going for efficiency, it's hard to be legally compliant. If you want to be legal and compliant, you can't do it efficiently.

The two years Arthur Hastings was in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department and the Police Intelligence Bureau were a period of wild growth for these two departments, and their work was often recognized from higher levels. The price is that these people did a lot of dishonorable things.

Arthur's sudden departure also put many precious information and conventional investigation methods left behind during this period in a rather embarrassing situation. Previous experiences cannot be followed, and many criminal materials cannot be brought to the table for further use due to legality issues.

And because of the negative reputation brought to Scotland Yard during the period of parliamentary reform, the Fleet Street media has increasingly focused on the police agency.

It is understandable, then, that Scotland Yard's anti-crime efforts are in general collapse.

However, fortunately, although Arthur is gone, he still left a valuable legacy for Scotland Yard - his old subordinates.

In the spirit of 'there are always more solutions than difficulties', the old Hastings team headed by Ridley King quickly found many possible solutions after in-depth research on the relevant legal documents that Arthur left for them. Continue to make fuss about the gray area. After months of back and forth, Scotland Yard's anti-crime unit is back on track.

But the Grand Paris Police Department obviously did not have such good luck as Scotland Yard. Not only did they lay off workers, they also cut off major arteries. What is more serious is that they not only forced Vidoc to retire, but also liquidated the security guards under Vidoc who had criminal records. The capable officers of the department.

Because of this, people like Gwavi have been living a particularly fruitful life recently, so much so that they have developed some ambition to enter unexplored areas.

"What we need to do now is to give Gervai confidence, do something in Paris first, and make him realize that there is a lot of potential in this field."

Arthur stirred the teacup and spoon: "Have you contacted the Paris Police Department? How do you plan to set up a trap for him?"

Vidoc held his pipe and lowered the brim of his hat, and leaned forward: "I admit that I had this idea before, but what they did in the detective agency that day and what they did before going to jail made me change my mind a little bit. ”

"Change your mind." Arthur picked up the tea cup and thought about it: "Are you worried that the Paris Police Department will take advantage of it?"

"That's right!"

Vidocq snapped his fingers: "It's easy to talk to smart people. Brother, we both thought of going together. Paris Police Chief Rissouquet gave the top priority to catching assassins, but this does not mean that the gang below also I think so. They are more willing to fight with me than with the royalists.

The more Risokai thinks of me, the more uncomfortable it becomes for them. The better my firm does, the more it illustrates the incompetence of the Paris police department today, and that I am a thorn in their side. They have no idea how to get rid of the criminal organization in the dark, but how to get rid of me, they can give birth to ten thousand evil intentions. "

"So..." Arthur put down the teacup. He had already anticipated Vidocq's next move: "Are you going to bypass the police and go it alone?"

Vidocq did not answer directly, but asked with a smile: "Let's put ourselves in their shoes. Brother, if you were in their position, what would you do to bring me down?"

Arthur replied without thinking: "First cooperate with your work and find someone to defraud the bank to handle business. After you find the assassin, let the witness recant his confession and charge you with fraud. In this way, The assassin is found and you are in the cell, which is perfect."

Vidocq smiled and nodded: "You have already grasped the essence of it. I can guarantee that Alar and the others must think so too. Therefore, instead of making wedding clothes for them, it is better for us to find another way directly."

"What do you want to do?"

Vidocq crossed his legs and said: "To be honest, when I was in the security department, I had been tracking down a criminal gang called 'Duame'. This gang is engaged in the business of defrauding banks, and it is spread all over France. There are traces of them. Some time ago, when I was investigating a case, I captured a senior member of Duame. I promised him that if he cooperated with our work honestly, I would not hand him over. Paris Metropolitan Police."

"So, you are planning to fake it and make it real." Arthur raised his eyebrows: "Are you planning to fake it?"

"Is there anything wrong with this?" Vidoc laughed and said: "When the assassin is found out, we can also destroy a fraud gang, and then put this shit basin on Gwawe's head. If Victims of bank fraud come to the firm for help, and we can even earn a few more fees.”

"I have to admit, you Paris police have more fun than London."

After Arthur said this, he casually took out the check folder from his coat pocket, casually signed a line on it, then tore it off and pushed it in front of Vidocq.

Vidocq picked up the check and glanced at it: "But you didn't refuse, did you? Sir Arthur Hastings deposited three hundred pounds in our bank, a great favor. With your reputation as a sign, if Together with Mr. Dumas and Mr. Heine, we will surely attract many customers.”

Arthur picked up the check folder: "I hope the senior member of Duame you mentioned is skilled enough in business. Mr. Vidocq, if I lose these three hundred pounds, you must pay the full compensation."

"Of course." Vidoc stood up and wrapped himself in his coat: "Not only is the full settlement of the claim, the 10% interest is absolutely indispensable. I, François Vidoc, have unlimited joint and several liability for your certificate of deposit. responsibility."

Although the 300 pounds of property damage is painful for Arthur at this stage, it is not to the extent of breaking his muscles and bones. The reason why he said this was because he hoped that Vidocq could focus all his attention on this case.

After all, for a British diplomatic agent, if he could really dig out the real mastermind behind the assassination, this news alone would be enough for him to show up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, the source from which he obtained this information still needs to be processed using artistic techniques. This is also the reason why he paid Vidocq a check of 300 pounds.

After all, being implicated in a fraud case is not a good reputation, and the best way to clear yourself in a case is to disguise yourself as the victim. Although some people know that he is pretending, but just like Miss Clara taught him before, as long as no one dares to point it out, it will be fine.

A British diplomat was involved in a bank fraud case. It was never Arthur Hastings who had a headache, but the July Monarchy government that tried its best to maintain friendly relations with Britain.

Arthur put on his top hat and went out with his cane.

There is always a lot of moisture in the summer air, but it is always difficult for this level of moisture to stick to Sir Hastings' strong body. High-end clothing has always been of higher quality than the uniforms of Scotland Yard patrolmen. Although mud from the street will still splash all over him, the shirt underneath is always clean.

…

Not far from the cafe is a neoclassical mansion with two doors.

As an area where wealthy people gather in Paris, there is no shortage of such buildings in the Saint-Germain district.

The owners of these houses have only a few pitiful identities, either bankers, large mine owners, real estate developers, or upstarts who have just joined the National Assembly.

The owner of this house is named Draisaitl.

The atmosphere in the Draisaitl mansion today was obviously noisier than usual, but the reason for the noise was not that old Mr. Draisaitl was holding a blind date dance for his favorite little daughter in the house again, but that people from home I got a rare visitor who doesn't come often.

Like many banking families with footprints throughout Europe, the Draisaitl family's business is not limited to Paris.

Their footprints have spread all over France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Britain, but the Draisaitl family is not as lucky as the Rothschild family. Except for the good development of the main branch in Paris, the business development in other regions is not satisfactory.

Mr. Henry Draisaitl, who visited today, is the family's spokesman in Britain, although his business in London can only be classified as a small and medium-sized bank. But as a guest from London, the financial center of Europe, the brothers still gave him the respect he deserved.

Among the compliments and fake smiles of all the relatives, it was Miss Emily Dressette who showed the most positive attitude.

She was busy around her old uncle, using the words she learned from books to flatter the old man, acting coquettishly at him, and praying to him in a gentle tone. Although my uncle is old, he is far from being an old fool.

Of course he understands why this girl is so diligent. She wants to marry a noble from a prominent family. And when it comes to nobles, which country in Europe has a longer history than the British nobles?

The old uncle with gray temples begged for mercy: "My dear Emily, okay, my uncle cannot withstand your torture at this age."

Miss Dresser grabbed her uncle's arm and said coquettishly: "So, did you bring me any gifts when you came from London this time?"

The old uncle saw through her little thoughts at a glance. He waved to the manservant behind him, and the man immediately took out a full small handbag.

"I know you like to collect business cards. You fall asleep counting the titles on your business cards better than counting sheep."

The old uncle patted the small bag and said, "Just to satisfy your hobby, before I left London, I specially sorted out the business cards I received in the past few years. It is filled with business cards of outstanding people in London. All of them are outstanding figures of this era, and some of them have even conducted study tours on the European continent. Maybe they are in Paris right now.”

The old uncle's gift obviously touched Emily's heart, and she kissed the old man's forehead happily: "You are really an angel. Although you are older now, you still know how to please the girls. "

The old man greeted Emily to sit down with satisfaction. Just as she said, this old man was indeed a master at teasing girls.

He seemed to want to tease this little girl who was most loved by the family elders. Instead of handing the purse to Emily, he took out the business cards one after another, covered them with two fingers, and then wrote the letters on the cards. It was revealed bit by bit, like guessing a riddle.

As a result, the fire in Emily's heart became even hotter.

"First of all, Lionel Rothschild, I believe you have heard your father say how outstanding he is. But unfortunately, this young man is not a nobleman, and the Rothschild family has never been with Marriage from outside."

"Then there is William Gladstone. This young man who graduated from Oxford University was just elected as a member of Parliament this year. He is a rising star in British politics and the right-hand man of the Duke of Newcastle. His father is the largest shipowner in Liverpool and is very powerful in the local area. . Although he is not a noble now, I think he will be in the future."

"This is Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, another Jew and the most promising young man in British politics at present..."

One after another, important names in the UK flashed in front of Emily's eyes. There was a smile on her face, and her face was red and full of life. She only felt that compared with these characters, the blind dates introduced to her by her father were simply stepped on in the mud.

Suddenly, a new name occupied her eyes.

The initial letter is A. As the old uncle's fingernails moved a little bit, the whole word Arthur finally appeared.

Arthur!

It's him?

Emily's heart was beating so fast that she even stopped breathing.

The old uncle also noticed the change in the little girl. He held out his thumb with a smile on his face: "Emily, your father said that you have the ability to sense outstanding people. I didn't believe it before, but now I really admire it. You are in awe. You can identify the most famous and respectable person among these business cards at a glance.”

Emily blushed and encouraged her old uncle: "You clearly know what I'm thinking, why do you torture me like this?"

The old uncle laughed heartily. He opened his fingers to reveal the entire contents of the business card, and cheered and recited the long list of titles on it: "Arthur Wellesley! The Majesty of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland." Duke of Wrenton, Prince of Waterloo of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Duke Rodrigo of the Kingdom of Spain, Duke Victoria of the Kingdom of Portugal, Chief Constable of England, Chief Lord of Hampton County, Lord Commander of the Tower of London, St. James's Park and Hyde Park. Ranger, Knight of the Garter, Knight of the Golden Fleece and..."

Unexpectedly, before the old uncle finished reading, Emily said angrily and frustrated: "You are simply making fun of me. Although I am just a girl, I don't need a business card to get to know the Duke of Wellington." ”

The old uncle rubbed his nose and apologized with a smile: "Oh, dear, I'm sorry, it seems that you don't like an older person like me. But you are right, for young girls, we old bones are really Not very attractive.”

The old uncle was not discouraged and took out another business card. This business card also started with A, but Emily could no longer feel any excitement. She was only angry now.

But in an instant, her anger was thrown out of the sky.

Because the business card revealed the full name of this young talent - Arthur Hastings.

The old uncle turned over the card without even looking at it. He took it for granted that the little girl would not be interested in this former celebrity who had already passed his prime.

But before he could put Arthur's card at the end, Emily's hand pressed his index finger: "Uncle, why don't you take a look at this one?"

"This one?"

The old uncle was stunned for a moment, but in a moment he was like a fox that found a hen in the farmhouse: "Oh, Emily, that person is not a nobleman, and he has not done any noble work. You will not be interested in him."