The Shadow of Great Britain

205: Chapter 141 Utopia (4K4) 205: Chapter 141 Utopia (4K4) “Alan Pinkerton?”

Arthur stared at the somewhat stubborn kid in front of him, as if he had thought of something, and half-jokingly said, “Nice name, but I thought someone with the surname Pinkerton would prefer catching criminals rather than becoming one.”

To his surprise, upon hearing this, Pinkerton’s eyes widened slightly, perhaps because the cold night wind had chilled him for too long, his lips were a bit pale: “Do you know my father?”

“Your father?” Arthur pondered the phrase and asked, “Is your father a policeman, or perhaps a Thief Catcher?”

Pinkerton nodded: “He is a policeman in Glasgow.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur breathed a sigh of relief, “That makes things easier.

I was wondering what to do with you afterwards, since you are an unsupported outsider.

According to the regulations, even if I don’t send you to the Magistrates’ Court, I would have to transfer you to the Poorhouse.

But even the Poorhouse, in its current state, would mostly end up deporting you.

After all, the poorhouses in every parish of London are already operating over capacity, and the locals are unwilling to even spare a penny more for the Poor Relief Tax.”

Now that I know your father is a legitimate policeman, things will be easier to handle.

A Glasgow Pinkerton officer, right?

I will find someone to get in touch.”

Just as Pinkerton heard Arthur was going to send him back and was about to object,

before he could speak, the door of the tavern was pushed open again.

There was a jingle of bells, and two familiar faces walked in.

It was none other than the journalists, Dickens and Officer Tom, who had applied to Scotland Yard for a half-day investigative journalism permit for Tower Hamlets.

Seeing them, Arthur smiled and waved a greeting: “Charles, Tom, how was your day?”

Seeing Arthur, Tom asked in surprise, “Arthur, what are you doing here so late?”

Arthur merely leaned on the counter and tilted his head toward Pinkerton, “For a little devil who made it all the way from Scotland to London on his own.

Meet the son of the Glasgow Pinkerton officer, who just recently managed to pick Eld’s purse right under my nose.”

Tom, hearing this, looked exhausted: “So, are you planning to throw him in jail?”

Arthur sipped his coffee: “You know, as a graduate of the University of London, from a utilitarian law enforcement perspective, the reason we put people in jail is not out of personal fancy or anything, but to prevent them from making the same mistakes in the future.

This kid’s situation is somewhat special, and I think if we want to keep him from continuing his activities in London, the best way is to send him back to his father.

Tom, you’re due for a trip on official business tomorrow, and you haven’t had a vacation in a long while.

Take your wife and Adam with you, and while you’re at it, take this kid to Glasgow and personally hand him over to Officer Pinkerton.

And when you get back, remember to claim your travel expenses from the office.”

Relieved by this, Tom replied with a smile, “Alright, I’ll take him with me now, and we’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

Arthur nodded, “I knew it, you’re the right man for such matters.”

With that, Officer Tom went up to Pinkerton and said something to him.

At first, Pinkerton was reluctant to go, but after some coaxing by Tom, he finally reluctantly left the tavern with Officer Tom.

Dickens watched the two leave the tavern, then found a seat next to Arthur.

He held his head down with his cup in his hands, hesitated for a long time, and finally mustered the courage to ask, “Arthur, I…

I’ve actually had some questions I wanted to ask you, of course, you can choose not to answer if it’s not convenient.”

Seeing his demeanor, Arthur just smiled, “What you want to ask about is probably about Hyde Park, right?”

At the mention of the place, Dickens couldn’t help but turn to look at him: “You…

how did you know?”

Arthur merely pinched his chin: “Because in my experience, the only thing that would make you so hesitant to ask about is probably that incident.”

Dickens gave a wry smile and nodded, “I thought you might be sensitive about such topics.”

“Indeed, I am quite sensitive, but what’s done is done.

Pretending like nothing happened by closing my eyes, wouldn’t that be worse?

At least admitting it leaves a chance for explanation, which is better than the alternative of nothing but guilt.

But it’s only because you, Charles, are willing to hear me out due to our familiarity.

Generally, others are too lazy to listen to my explanations, so I don’t bother explaining.”

When Dickens heard this, he felt the heavy atmosphere lighten considerably.

He exhaled sharply and his face brightened with a smile: “That’s true.

It’s because I know you well that I knew there had to be a reason behind it.

At least you definitely didn’t instigate it, did I guess right?”

Arthur, hearing this, just shook his head: “You actually guessed wrong.

I was the one who initiated it.

I worried about how things might escalate, eventually forcing the Guard Cavalry to intervene.

Compared to dealing with the Cavalry’s sabres, I thought it better to let them take a few hits with batons, or maybe spend a few days in jail.”

“This…” Dickens hesitated: “But what’s your view on the reforms of Parliament?

Aren’t you in support of them?”