The Shadow of Great Britain

339: Chapter 210: Old Paris (5K2) 339: Chapter 210: Old Paris (5K2) London, Tower Hamlets, pairs of cavalry boots stamped into the muddy puddles on the early morning streets, their disordered footfalls resounding like the drumbeats of a symphony orchestra.

Clothed in dark blue tailcoats and wearing black top hats, the Scotland Yard officers, all armed and ready, formed a cordon around a small building on the street, securing it tightly.

Many residents of the East End, still in their dreams, were jolted awake by this sudden tempestuous commotion, and the ladies who slept lightly tumbled out of bed, one by one, in their wrinkled nightgowns to peer out from their windows.

They either gasped with their hands over their mouths or could not help but shake their snoring husbands awake, shouting to them, “My God!

Dear, stop sleeping like a donkey, come see what’s happening outside!”

It was also quite easy to distinguish the leader among the well-dressed ranks of police officers.

He was a young man with an erect posture.

All the officers maintained a certain distance from him.

The morning mist wetted his eyebrows, hanging in thin droplets, but the young officer seemed not to care, simply brushing the dust off his coat, donning his pristine white gloves bit by bit, and finally clutching the police baton that hung at his waist.

Standing respectfully beside him was a slightly older young police chief, head slightly bowed, holding a thin booklet as if he were reporting something to his superior.

“Superintendent Hastings, as per your instructions, all available police force from Whitechapel station has been assembled.

Shall we proceed with a forced entry?”

Arthur glanced at Chief Jones, sweating on his forehead, and knew what he was worried about.

He pulled a document from his breast pocket and tossed it over, “According to intelligence from the London Police Intelligence Bureau, after the notorious slave trader Fred was hanged, a few of his followers are still secretly engaged in the slave trade.

This building is one of their occasional strongholds.

This morning, Scotland Yard applied to the local court for an arrest warrant for Fred’s fleeing followers.

It has been formally issued, and this arrest raid complies with the legal procedures of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the internal regulations of Scotland Yard.

Chief Jones, now, execute the order.”

Jones, startled by Arthur’s formal reply, trembled while taking the document, hastily clarifying, “Chief, it’s not that I don’t trust you; your orders are certainly in compliance.

But moving so many people all at once without the document, I’ll have trouble explaining to the higher-ups later.

You’ve been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department now; over here in Tower Hamlets, it won’t be as convenient as before for me to conduct business.”

Arthur rotated his slightly stiff wrist, “Jones, I know it’s tough for you, which is why I haven’t made things difficult for you.

However, I believe the difficulties of managing things here in Tower Hamlets will soon be resolved.

You should also be aware of the rumours spreading inside recently—that Police Superintendent Kline, who is in charge of Tower Hamlets, is about to be promoted…”

At these words, Jones immediately grasped Arthur’s implication.

His eyes widened slightly, and the corners of his mouth turned up.

“Ah…

I…

I did hear some rumors, but I don’t know who will take over his duties if Superintendent Kline is promoted.

Has Director Rowan or the other superintendents got anyone suitable in mind?”

Arthur didn’t respond but simply pulled out his pipe and put it in his mouth.

Before he could take out a match, Jones was already lighting it for him promptly.

Arthur took a puff of his pipe, removed his hat, and smoothed his hair, wet with droplets, “Everyone knows Tower Hamlets is different from other districts; it’s fraught with complex powers, and there are hordes of irate sailors disembarking from the docks of West India, hailing from all over the world.

Crime rates here are consistently the highest in London, which is why bringing in someone unfamiliar with local conditions from elsewhere will most likely not work.”

Jones smiled widely, “You are right; it has to be an old hand from Tower Hamlets.

Someone who knows how to manage local relationships, understand priorities, and handle the multitude of criminal groups that emerge every day.

If we don’t focus our efforts, where will we find the energy?

Moreover, with so many foreigners, how could you manage without knowing a few languages?

Look at me, just an ordinary police chief with no real education, even so, in recent times, I’ve forced myself to learn a few Russian phrases.”

Arthur nodded slightly at that, “Another thing is to see if this person can correctly execute orders from Scotland Yard, firmly upholding the legal tradition of Britain.

You must also be aware that in the last few days, due to MP Bernie Harrison’s case, we haven’t been spared from questioning by MPs.

They said that Scotland Yard is utterly lawless, treating the ‘Great Charter’ as if it were toilet paper.

Director Rowan emphasized this matter again at the senior police meeting.

As a police chief of Tower Hamlets, you must’ve received the circular issued by Scotland Yard, right?”

Jones quickly recalled the contents of that document upon hearing this.