The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 891: Chapter 16: The Detective’s Forward Enemy

Croisseux-Percey Street in Paris, bustling and lively.

The bustling crowds weave through the narrow streets, clad in all manner of attire, from lavish silk to simple fabrics, from noble silk to commoner cloth, all dazzling with a unique brilliance.

In front of the shops, the vendors’ cries rise and fall, attracting passersby to linger.

Among the myriad of shops, the office building at number 12 Croisseux-Percey Street seems less conspicuous.

On the ground floor of number 21 are two companies: one is the Paris branch of some unknown jeweler’s bank, and the other is primarily engaged in shipping agent business.

Ascending the stairs to the second floor, one can see a copper plaque hanging on the door, with ’Breaux Detective Agency’ carved flamboyantly on it, accompanied by two striking portraits on either side.

The note below the left portrait reads — Former Great Paris Police Hall Security Department Director, French Detective, Crime Master — Francois Vidocq.

The note below the right portrait reads — Former Royal Greater London Police Department Assistant Police Director, Director of the London Police Intelligence Bureau, Founder of the London Police Academy, and Deputy Prosecutor of the London Regional Prosecutor’s Office, Fog City’s Nightwatchman — Sir Arthur Hastings.

Pushing open the frosted glass and oak door, the first thing that catches the eye is the huge bronze chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its intricate carvings casting mysterious shadows under the dim light, creating a solemn yet mysterious atmosphere.

The walls of the agency are covered with all sorts of maps, from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and all of France; you’ll even find an anatomical chart typically seen in a medical school, along with some hand-drawn sketches of famous French crimes.

In the center of the office hall stands a large heartwood desk, meticulously stacked with case files, police reports, unfinished puzzles, and various essential detective tools — magnifying glass, nose snuff bottle, smoking pipe, golden pocket watch, and miniature chemical reagent bottles.

The magnifying glass and chemical reagents are for case handling, while the nose snuff bottle, smoking pipe, and golden pocket watch are to enhance the professional aura, ensuring customers feel the price of 5 Francs per consultation is definitely worth the cost.

However, customers should not be intimidated by the professional aura of the Breaux Detective Agency.

Because as soon as you walk through the agency’s door, at the reception desk, you’ll see two young and beautiful French girls; one is responsible for warming the heart of every customer who has just suffered a significant financial loss with the most enthusiastic smile, while the other serves a cup of warm coffee and a slice of sickeningly sweet cream cake, elegantly plated with a silver fork.

But don’t blame me for not warning you, never think of getting handsy with them inside the agency, because the bulldog sleeping by their feet is no joke. Besides, you must be cautious of those three French brothers sitting on the sofa near the reception desk, who at a glance are tough to deal with.

There’s no need to elaborate on the appearance and physique of these three French brothers. Just like the ’Coconut Tree’ who once shared a bed with Mr. Eld Carter, these fellows have their own nicknames from the street, so one only needs their nicknames to discern their physical appearance.

These three gentlemen are: ’Tall Guy’, ’Cyclops’, and ’Pan’.

You ask, what is ’Pan’?

Pan is a deity in Ancient Greek mythology, a god of agriculture and herding; legend has it he’s half human, half goat, with a hairy body, long and pointed ears, and horns on his head. As Arthur would say, that kid looks quite like Agares.

But don’t let their unusual appearance deceive you; each of these gentlemen has remarkable skills.

Take ’Cyclops’, for example; reportedly, he has excellent eyesight. Before he lost sight in one eye, both eyes had a rating of 1.5, and now with one eye blind, the remaining eye rates 3.0. Anyone, as long as he’s seen them once, if they appear before him, he can spot them even across the street.

As for ’Tall Guy’, his height is not just for show, as introduced by Victor: this guy can stand on the ground and, without a ladder, see all situations inside people’s homes through the first-floor window. His feet get wet or catch a cold; it takes two weeks for the symptoms to travel from the soles to his body, and three weeks before he starts sneezing.

As for ’Pan’, just like a goat, he has a keen sense of smell for ’grass,’ quickly locating the true addresses of those lying deceivers.

These three gentlemen are tough, but they won’t cause trouble because, for better business operations, Victor established rules that require them to behave as elegantly as possible.

These rules include, but are not limited to:

1. Whoever enters an office must first remove their hat.

2. In the presence of ladies, do not pass non-urgent notes.

3. No chewing of tobacco during business hours; preferably spritz some perfume if possible.

4. Finally, and most importantly: No spitting on the ground, and absolutely no urination anywhere.

These regulations prove that the detectives under Victor’s leadership are indeed strictly disciplined and trained to the highest degree.