The Shadow of Great Britain

105: Chapter 65: The Beagle Sets Sail!

105: Chapter 65: The Beagle Sets Sail!

“Arthur?

Is it really you?”

Eld stared at Arthur, suddenly as if he remembered something.

He rummaged in his pocket for a while and then casually said, “I almost forgot to give this to you.

Here, the list of merchant ships that have left London for North America and France in the past few weeks that you wanted, I went through a lot of trouble to get it together for you.”

Arthur originally just wanted to catch a ship to go to sea, but unexpectedly he also received an unexpected bonus from Eld.

He quickly skimmed through the list of merchant ships, turning the handwritten document Eld gave him to yesterday’s departure lineup.

Although there were many merchant ships departing from London daily, the only one that met the time and route requirements was the ‘Black Thorn’, which departed last night at 10:30 PM, with a route from London, Britain to Calais, France—Santo Domingo in the West Indies—Boston, United States.

Arthur quickly glanced at his watch, which showed it was 4:55 AM.

Nearly six and a half hours had passed since Fred had departed.

He quickly asked, “How long does it take for a normal merchant ship to go from London to Calais?”

Eld scratched his head: “From London to Calais, you should take the route along the Thames River through Dartford, Margate, and then Dover before crossing the Dover Strait.

Considering the recent monsoon factors, it probably takes about a day for a normal merchant ship to reach France.”

Arthur pressed on, “And the Beagle?”

Upon hearing Arthur ask about the Beagle, Eld became animated and started explaining, “Now you’re asking the right person!

Ever since the Beagle was refurbished, under full sail and wind, it can reach a top speed of 12 knots.

If we’re going to Calais, we only need half a day to get there.”

Hearing this, Arthur could no longer care about anything else, and dragging Eld by the collar, he pulled him up the gangplank onto the ship.

Eld was startled by Arthur’s sudden action and shouted, “Arthur, have you gone mad?

What are you doing?”

“There’s no time to explain, is Colonel Fitzroy here?

I must see him immediately!”

“What’s the matter?

You don’t want to work at Scotland Yard anymore?

But hasn’t Colonel Fitzroy already rejected you?

We’ve got Charles for the naturalist now, but if it really won’t work, I’ll ask for you, we’re still short of someone to maintain the instruments on board.”

Before Eld could finish speaking, he saw Colonel Fitzroy emerge from the cabin below.

He hitched up his trousers and looked up to see Arthur.

Fitzroy pointed at him and said, “Oh!

I remember you, young man, that lad who once served in the Army.”

Arthur came up to the Colonel, saluted, and said, “Colonel Sir!

I have an urgent matter to report to you!”

Fitzroy froze and said, “What is it?

I’m a Navy Captain, I don’t deal with Army matters.”

Arthur said, “This matter isn’t about the Navy or the Army.

I’ve just received intelligence that a merchant ship carrying a member guilty of treason is on its way to France, and our orders from above are to intercept that ship at all costs.

But reassigning ships takes time, so I remembered that Eld was supposed to go out to sea for training today.

That’s why I came to the dock to try my luck, and I really ran into you.

Please, order the training exercise to be changed to pursuing the ‘Black Thorn’ merchant ship immediately.”

Fitzroy’s expression turned solemn upon hearing this: “Young man, did you bring the Navy Department’s orders?”

Arthur shook his head: “Due to the sudden occurrence, the orders from the Navy Department are still pending.”

Upon hearing this, Fitzroy shook his head and said, “Sorry, without written documentation from the Navy Department, I have no authority to change the training schedule.

Young man, you have served in the Army, you should know that soldiers must obey orders.

Moreover, the Beagle’s situation is very special; we only follow the direct command of the Navy headquarters, even other Fleet Commanders have no right to dispatch us.”

Arthur’s heart sank upon hearing this, just as he was thinking of a way to bypass Fitzroy.

The unreliable Eld seized the opportunity to speak first, “Colonel, have you forgotten?

The First Lord of the Admiralty, Thomas Hardy!”

Reminded by him, Fitzroy suddenly recalled Arthur’s profound and unfathomable background.

After all, this young man could make the First Lord of the Admiralty, Thomas Hardy, issue an order personally amidst his busy schedule not to employ him.

Although he strongly denied any blood relation with Marquis Hastings, Colonel Fitzroy did not believe it.

Besides, how bad could the family background be of someone who is friends with Eld?

Thinking of this, Colonel Fitzroy couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Such a young man, he wouldn’t be idly trying to amuse me for no reason, right?

Moreover, if what this young man said was true and the Beagle had not obeyed the command,

though technically he wouldn’t be responsible, such a performance of delaying military opportunity would definitely catch the eye of Admiral Thomas Hardy.

If he was looked down upon by Admiral Hardy, who controlled the life and death of Royal Navy officers, then he might never have the chance to be promoted to general in his lifetime.

Besides, he would be offending a whole group of members from the Hastings family.

And the bunch of departments involved in this matter might also hold a grudge against him because of it.

But if he listened to what this young man had said…

Even if this young man named Arthur was lying, it really wasn’t a big deal; it could be considered a temporary change to the training exercise route.

As long as no one let the cat out of the bag and the Navy Department headquarters were unaware, everyone would proceed as usual, and all would be well and happy.

Plus, even if someone did spill the beans, the Navy Department would at most charge him with the crime of bringing people on board without authorization and fine him a month’s salary.

But even if he was fined a month’s salary, wouldn’t he still receive an apology from Marquis Hastings?

Given Admiral Hardy’s special order last time for Arthur not to board the ship, Marquis Hastings must have a close relationship with Admiral Hardy.

If so, if he took the blame for the good-for-nothing young master of the Hastings family, wouldn’t Mr.

Marquis have to say a few good words for him in front of Admiral Hardy?

Colonel Fitzroy didn’t realize it at first, but upon reflection, he felt his thoughts were clear, and his breathing became much smoother.

After all, it was just a trip to sea accompanying young Mr.

Hastings—what’s the big deal?

Thinking of this, Colonel Fitzroy immediately felt that he had no reason to refuse; this was simply a gift from heaven, a guaranteed no-loss deal!

The colonel couldn’t help but puff out his chest, his face also beaming with confidence.

What does it mean to use the Royal Navy’s ship for one’s connections!

He affectionately patted Arthur on the shoulder and then hastily shouted to the sailors, almost as if he was afraid they would change their mind.

“All hands, listen to my command, stop loading supplies immediately, weigh anchor and set sail!

By the order of the Navy Department, the Beagle will temporarily change its course, full speed ahead towards the ‘Black Thorn’ merchant ship!”