The Shadow of Great Britain

254: 170 Tsarist Russia spies (4k4)_2 254: 170 Tsarist Russia spies (4k4)_2 After speaking, Arthur extended his pinky finger towards Pinkerton, who initially paused in confusion but then remembered the life stories of Arthur shared by Officer Tom in the past few days, and suddenly felt a surge of courage filling his fearful heart.

Pinkerton also extended his pinky and hooked it gently with Arthur’s, their thumbs pressing hard together.

In the innocent acts of children, this signified that their pact had been officially sealed.

Removing the new felt hat that Arthur had just purchased for him, Pinkerton’s face beamed with a smile, “Sir, I trust you.”

Upon hearing Arthur’s words, Eld couldn’t help but whistle and joked, “Arthur, the way you say it, even I am tempted.

Perhaps if I can’t make it someday, I’ll simply join you?

It’s a pity that you are a police officer at Scotland Yard, an officer the sailors of the Royal Navy dream of having.

If the Fleet Commander and the leaders of the Navy Department were as protective as you, even if we were to wage war against all the navies of Europe, we would be confident in winning.”

Arthur, just joking, replied, “Oh, come on, Eld, I may not understand the Royal Navy, but I know they aim to handle wars against four maritime powers at once.

If Scotland Yard had such strength, would I still worry about whether to sneak in through the ventilation ducts?

With a simple wave of my hand, General Cordington’s canon could level the Russian Embassy, and once the smoke clears, I could just waltz in through the front door to pick up the pieces.”

Eld shrugged, “If you’re willing to take the blame for General Cordington, he might actually agree to help you, considering the Ottoman Turkey’s fleet appears as fragile as paper before him.

Blasting open the Russian Embassy might be a trivial matter for him; you might as well ask General Cochrane, who’s out of work, considering his repeated schemes to attack enemies with bomb ships.

When it comes to explosives, he’s the real professional.”

Arthur just smiled and patted Pinkerton on the shoulder, patiently explaining, “The reason I brought you here today is to have you first observe the surrounding terrain.

I know you are a genuine ‘craftsman’.

Your skills are so refined that even old Eugene of St Giles praises them.

If not for this, I wouldn’t have thought of you for this task.

Of course, I didn’t bring you here to send you to your death.

The situation with the air vents is different from that with chimneys; there’s no fire pit below them, they should lead to a wooden blower designed to speed up air circulation.

However, I’m still unclear which room the blower is in, and how far it is from the bedroom where they might store the intelligence.

So today, your task is to crawl through the vent when I enter the embassy and figure out what’s outside.

I’ll try my best to distract the embassy staff, so you’ll have plenty of time to sort this out, take it slow, no rush.”

Even if you don’t gather valuable information, it’s not a big deal.

This mission is important but not crucial, so safety comes first.”

Arthur only left the car with Pinkerton once he was sure Pinkerton had understood his instructions.

He first surveyed the pedestrians around, then taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, he hoisted Pinkerton and leapt into the back door of the embassy.

Supporting the little devil’s bottom, he stepped on the window ledge, and after sending him into the air vent, he flipped out again.

Arthur lit his pipe outside the wall, puffing on it while watching Pinkerton’s bottom disappear into the distant end of the vent, and only when he could no longer see him did Arthur, feeling reassured, pick up the gramophone at his feet and walked to the embassy’s main entrance, smiling as he handed his card to the standing guard.

“Please inform Mrs.

Livingstone that Arthur Hastings has come to visit.”

The guard, carrying a musket, didn’t even glance at the card but stared at Arthur’s face for a while before bursting out laughing, “I never expected the Mr.

Hastings that Mrs.

Livingstone mentioned was actually you.

Please, come in.

The lady is hosting guests inside, and you should be able to meet her right away.”

Surprised that the guard recognized him, Arthur couldn’t help but ask curiously, “You are?”

The guard didn’t say much, just stood at attention and saluted, “The way you handled that murder and grave-robbing case was splendid, I am glad to have fought alongside you.

At the same time, please allow me to express my gratitude here, because my brother’s body was also once dug out by those ground rats, and you provided me with an opportunity for revenge.”

Arthur just smiled lightly, now recalling who the other person was, “I also appreciate your dedication, as far as I know, there isn’t a single coward in the Fifth Royal Guard Infantry, and indeed, the Wellington Guards are not renowned in vain.”

The guard smiled and stepped aside for Arthur, “Inspector Hastings, please proceed.”

Arthur nodded his acknowledgment and walked into the embassy, which actually resembled a luxurious private residence more than an embassy.

An external garden, accompanied by a pebble-laden walkway that was bordered on both sides by several marble statues as decorations.

However, some of these statues were completed, some were carved only halfway, and some seemed like they had just been started, merely outlined on the brick surface with a pencil.