The Shadow of Great Britain

288: Chapter 190: London-Paris Espionage Axis (5K4)_2 288: Chapter 190: London-Paris Espionage Axis (5K4)_2 Vakul, swollen and bruised from being beaten on the ground, suddenly spoke, “Mr.

Dumas, don’t be angry.

Didn’t you hear the musical at the theater today?

Jesus was sold for just thirty silver coins, yet a single British Pound contains about seven to eight grams of gold; this price is already not low.”

Coconut Tree also spoke while covering his swollen eye, “That’s right, a Republican in Paris couldn’t even sell for thirty silver coins, the prices set by the Security Department are quite low indeed.”

Upon hearing this, Victor quickly spoke up, “Mr.

Hasting, we won’t quote such a low price, and I don’t want to hide it from you.

Mr.

Dumas’ worth is as high as sixty thousand Francs.

Once I return to Paris and obtain the funds, I can immediately mail you a bank draft, and you can choose the bank.

What do you think?”

When Arthur heard this, he just smiled and shook his head, “Mr.

Victor, you might have misunderstood my intention.

Although I’m short on money, I’m not desperate enough to trade Alexander’s head.

I’ve mentioned before that we’re setting up a literary magazine, and for a magazine, a good reputation represents sales.”

“If news broke out now that I conspired with the French government to kill Alexander, guess how much of the five thousand British Pounds invested by my partners and I could be recouped?”

Upon hearing this, Vakul couldn’t help but exclaim, “Five thousand pounds?

That’s a hundred thousand Francs.”

Victor also clicked his tongue as he heard this, giving a bitter laugh as he advised, “Listen to my advice, don’t start any business once you have money, or you’ll end like me.

After I resigned from the Paris police headquarters, I had already saved up more than a hundred thousand Francs, but then I went and started a factory.

Well, you see, now I have to come back to work again.”

Arthur, leaning against the wall, said, “So, you see, I’m not in such a hurry for money anymore.

So, we can put aside Alexander’s matter for now.

Losing him, not only would my job be gone, but my magazine would be doomed too.

Conversely, why don’t we discuss something else…

would you like something to drink, Mr.

Victor?”

Upon hearing this, Victor instantly grasped the meaning in Arthur’s words; he glanced around at his men, took a puff of his cigarette and leisurely exhaled.

Behind the smoke curtain was Victor’s brilliant smile.

He stepped forward, threw an arm around Arthur’s shoulder, “Brother, I knew we always had something to discuss.

It’s not all about violence in the underworld; instead, it’s about personal connections.

It’s only through cooperation that we can achieve mutual benefits.”

Arthur also nodded with a smile, “Mr.

Victor, next time you better have a chat with me before taking any action, although I’m educated, I didn’t graduate from Cambridge or Oxford.

We University of London graduates aren’t that rigid.”

Victor burst out laughing upon hearing this, “That’s my oversight, alas!

It’s my ignorance of British universities.

Now it seems that the University of London represents the pinnacle of British education.”

Amidst the astonished gazes of those present, he and Arthur walked along the alley into the back door of a pub, shoulder to shoulder, chatting amicably as if they were long-lost friends who completely masked their violent encounter just moments ago.

The two found a secluded spot in the pub and sat down.

Even before Arthur could ask a question, Victor started speaking, “You wanted to ask me about Ambassador Talleyrand, didn’t you?”

Arthur didn’t conceal the fact, “I run a department similar to the Security Department, but it’s temporary.

If I want to make it permanent, I have to produce some results.

After all, unlike in France, here you need the approval of Parliament and the Cabinet to set up a new agency.

I must present something substantial.”

Victor sprawled back in the chair, arm casually draped over the back, completely ignoring the propriety of a lady as he blew smoke rings, “I do have the material, but I’m not sure how solid it is.

Ambassador Talleyrand is an old fox.

Whatever Paris communicates to him, whatever orders are issued, not a word will he reveal.

Those of us who work under him can hardly read his mind.”

If it had been before Arthur knew about the trouble in Poland, he certainly wouldn’t have been satisfied with Victor’s response.

But now, with the other intelligence as support, all he needed was some symbolic stuff from Victor’s end.

After all, sometimes getting approval from the higher-ups doesn’t necessarily require actual achievements; what’s most important is letting them know you’re working on it.

In other words, you need to procure some proof that you really are working on something.

Arthur said, “French Embassy documents, whether useful or not, can you get me some?”

Arthur being so forthright, Victor responded just as candidly, “Real documents I won’t touch; the risk is too high.

If it ever gets discovered, it wouldn’t just be a problem of not being able to mix in Paris anymore.

I fear that by that day, I’d have to flee to London and seek your protection just as you did Mr.

Dumas.”

Arthur just laughed, “Sure thing!

Mr.

Victor, Scotland Yard would welcome a man of your talents.

I know in Paris, many criticize your background, saying a criminal shouldn’t lead the police.

But in Britain, Londoners don’t care about any criminal records; they rather enjoy talking about jail experiences as bragging rights in pubs.”

Arthur spoke without malice, but Victor took it to heart, half-joking, “Mr.

Hasting, I’ll remember your words.

But aren’t you worried that if I came over, I might steal your job?

You probably don’t know, but being ostracized was why I resigned from the Paris police headquarters.

Speaking of the reason for my resignation, it’s quite absurd.

Want to hear it?”