The Shadow of Great Britain

The rain pounded against the carriage windows, the glass blurring like a veil of mist. The carriage wheels rolled over cobblestones, emitting a wet, heavy friction sound.

Arthur leaned in the corner of the seat, his hand turning the newly purchased black ebony stick, looking absent-mindedly as he tapped the floor.

He turned his head and glanced at Richard Hoot beside him.

Hoot’s coat collar was still dotted with raindrops not yet shaken off, a habit formed from years of service in the Russian Military Police — always standing upright and holding his head high, even after hours. His posture was less about sitting, more like waiting for orders in a formation.

This man, who served for many years in the Russian Military Police, has now been mingling in the Foreign Office for a year and a half, and his identity and rank have significantly changed in the eyes of outsiders.

Though someone like Hoot, with his family background and network, typically faces difficulty entering the diplomatic circles. However, once he crossed that threshold, this newcomer, adept in Russian, French, German, and Polish, and profoundly knowledgeable about Russian affairs, was bound to draw attention within the department.

Just a month into joining the Foreign Office, he was specifically requested by the First-class Clerk in charge of Russian-Turkish affairs, Edmond Hammond, to handle translations of documents related to Russia and the Russian language.

After half a year, Hammond not only highly praised Hoot’s work in the annual report but also insisted at the Foreign Office’s civil service meeting to push for Hoot’s promotion — from a mere copyist to a Third-class Clerk. Upon completion of his promotion, Hammond immediately entrusted him with the responsibility of supervising Polish exiles residing in London.

Considering Hoot’s former role as a Russian Military Police Captain, the Foreign Office ranked him as one of the foremost professionals in monitoring and tracking Polish exiles and political prisoners.

More crucially, Edmond Hammond heard whisperings from somewhere that Richard Hoot was recommended to the Foreign Office by Sir Arthur Hastings.

It’s well-known that completing surveillance and tracking tasks in London invariably requires Scotland Yard’s assistance, and Sir Arthur Hastings’ relationship with Scotland Yard needs no explanation.

Pioneered by Sir Arthur Hastings, it was naturally his responsibility. Thus, how could Hoot not excel in monitoring the Poles?

Though it’s only a third of the year, there’s no doubt that Hoot’s work evaluation at the Foreign Office this year will be rated A.

Of course, having leveraged Sir Arthur’s influence, Hoot was obliged to reciprocate with some ”small tokens” of interest.

But everyone knows that Sir Arthur Hastings is always above the shady affairs in London’s official circles.

Besides, as the chairman of Imperial Publishing Company’s board, while not a middle-class income of forty thousand pounds, he’s far from lacking financially!

As for artful gifts, it seems the Sir has no discernible appreciation or special hobby in this regard.

While pretty ladies might be a potential opening, given the rumors surrounding him and Miss Flora Hastings, it’s wise to abstain from complicating his romantic matters for now.

Alas, weighing things back and forth, Hoot feels he might only offer those diplomatic documents he participated in drafting and translating, those closely related to the Foreign Secretary Viscount Palmeston’s Russian policy, to Sir Arthur as mealtime entertainment.

Though they are not valuable items, and Hoot’s summary of them is noticeably brief compared to the original documents, reading through still takes only a few minutes, but at least it provides some amusement.

Don’t you think it makes sense?

Life is really tough!

The raindrops continue to tick rhythmically, like fingers tapping the tempo of fate on the carriage top.

Hoot sat ramrod straight, completely unaware of the glance Arthur had cast his way earlier.

”Richard,” Arthur finally broke the silence, ”Recently, over at Palmeston, have there been any particular concerns regarding Her Majesty Victoria’s birthday?”

He asked casually, like inquiring about the newspaper contents delivered this morning, seemingly not expecting any unexpected answer.

However, Hoot almost instinctively turned his head the moment Arthur spoke, as though anticipating the question.

”As far as I know, the Minister hasn’t officially spoken nor convened a departmental discussion, but during a recent regular Foreign Office meeting, Viscount Palmeston mentioned that these days, we should assist the Lord Chamberlain in welcoming foreign guests.”

”Foreign guests?” Arthur pondered for a while; indeed, he didn’t find this reply surprising: ”Who are confirmed to attend the birthday with foreign emissaries?”

Hoot counted on his fingers: ”Prussian envoy Heinrich von Bilo, French envoy Baron De Basto, Austrian envoy Duke of Esthazy, Russian envoy Duke Di Borgo... Envoys from these major European countries will attend with their spouses. But, I think the foreign guests Viscount Palmeston mentioned might include not only the envoys but also Princess’ German relatives.”