The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 830: After revision: Chapter 384 Performing Miracles, Scotland Yard’s Genes (6K)_2

There was no clock in the church, but they felt as if everything was counting down. The ticking sound echoed in their minds, as if each stroke of Turner’s brush would pull a long-dead friend from their memories.

Dickens, sitting on the pew, could no longer bear the scene. He stood up and said to his friends beside him, “It’s too stuffy in here. Why don’t we go out for a walk?”

Great Dumas took a deep breath, stood up, and said, “Let’s go out for a smoke. By the way, Louis, did you find out about the honor bestowed upon Arthur by Scotland Yard?”

Louis stood up and nodded, “Lord Luo Wan has already gone to see Viscount Melbourne. He told me that the Home Office has agreed to the request. The list has now been handed to His Majesty the King. If he agrees to make an exception for Arthur and hold the ceremony on a day other than the New Year or his birthday, then everything will be a success.”

Great Dumas exhaled deeply and said, “I hope the King understands the situation. Precedents, records, and historical documents were made to be broken.”

Dickens spoke, “Don’t worry, we still have Benjamin. He said that even if things don’t look optimistic, he will speak for Arthur in Parliament. He has been busy these days going through various records and documents, seeking support within the Tory Party for Scotland Yard. According to him, granting honors on other days, though not common, is far from unheard of. Henry III often granted honors on the battlefield, and there wasn’t even a Parliament then. Since Benjamin says it’s okay, it must be okay. We should trust him; after all, he is a member of Parliament.”

Great Dumas took out his pipe and made a joke with a heavy heart, “Yes! A member of Parliament! This is probably the highest a member of Parliament stands in our minds.”

Just as they were about to leave the church, leaving it to Turner’s brush for a solo, they noticed that Tennyson had not followed them. Great Dumas couldn’t help but ask, “Alfred, aren’t you coming with us?”

Tennyson’s voice was hoarse, sounding raspy, “No, Alexander, thank you for your kind offer, but I don’t smoke. I just want to sit here, looking at Arthur, because… it will be hard to have such an opportunity again in the future.”

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but glance back at the oak coffin before sighing in unison.

They quietly walked out of the church, not because they thought they would have many chances to see their friend again in the future, but because they felt they did not have the courage to face death like Tennyson.

As Great Dumas stepped out the door and just struck a match, he saw at the corner outside the church, the strange Priest from Oxford standing under the shade of a tree talking to a lady in black veils.

Although the Priest repeatedly emphasized that he was Arthur’s friend, Great Dumas never believed that Arthur would befriend a Priest who graduated from Oriel College at Oxford. If it weren’t for Tom and Tony reassuring him, he would never have allowed such an odd fellow to preside over Arthur’s funeral.

He was already suspicious of the Priest’s identity, and now, seeing this strange scene further deepened the Frenchman’s doubts. He put down his pipe and decided to sneak closer to eavesdrop.

Louis and Dickens noticed his inappropriate action and immediately called out to stop him, “Alexander, what are you doing?”

Great Dumas just glared, “Are you guys really okay with leaving Arthur’s body in the hands of an Oxford Priest? Even Eld wouldn’t pull such a stunt.”

With that, he quickly sneaked behind a bush to hide his hefty figure, pricking up his ears to listen to the conversation.

Although he had only temporarily served with the Police Intelligence Department, the usually straightforward Great Dumas had learned a few eavesdropping tricks from that nefarious institution.

Newman pressed a hand to the Gospel on his chest, kindly asking, “Madam, are you really not going to go in and see him one last time? I remember you said earlier that you were close to Mr. Hastings. You should know, this might be the last chance.”

“I…”

Fiona looked very hesitant, clutching her lace gloves, not daring to look the Priest in the eye for fear of exposing her sins before the holy man.

“Thank you, Mr. Newman, but… I think I’ll stay here. Just seeing him from a distance is enough for me.”

Newman softly inquired, “Are you worried that you cannot handle the emotional impact? If that’s the case, I understand. I experienced something similar that night. But, if you don’t go now, you will regret it in the future. You will miss a beautiful memory. Although the soul is no longer there, at least now you can see the body one last time.”

Upon hearing this, Fiona looked up at Newman, but under his kind gaze, her head lowered further, as if she wanted to bury herself in the ground.

She was silent for a long time before tremblingly speaking, “Sir, I am a prostitute.”

This sentence seemed to drain all the strength from her body. Fiona could no longer hold back her tears and grievances, covering her face as she cried, “Although I usually go to church, today is different. I know I shouldn’t be here. I committed a sin, and by showing up here, I am tainting him with my wickedness.”