The Shadow of Great Britain

Home Office, London, White Hall

June 15, 1837

To: Members of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Police Commissioner Committee and all relevant officials at the London Metropolitan Police Headquarters

Subject: Regarding the temporary suspension of Chief Inspector Tom Flanders, head of the Scotland Yard Crime Archives, for investigation

By order of Home Secretary Lord John Russell, hereby formally declared:

Chief Inspector Tom Flanders, head of the Crime Archives at the London Metropolitan Police Headquarters, is suspected of violating internal regulations during archive management, and it has been decided to temporarily suspend him from today. This measure aims to ensure the subsequent investigation can proceed smoothly without interference, guaranteeing the fairness and rigor of the investigation process, and does not make any judgments about the officer’s character, loyalty, or professional reputation.

The relevant arrangements are specified as follows:

1. From the moment this notice is delivered, Chief Inspector Tom Flanders is to cease performing all duties; suspension does not constitute a determination of his conduct, and the final conclusion is subject to the investigation results.

2. All archives, registers, and circulation files originally managed by him must not be accessed, relocated, altered, or destroyed during the investigation unless necessary, in which case written permission from the Home Office must be obtained.

3. The daily management of the Crime Archives during the investigation will be directly overseen by Colonel Charles Rowan, member and Secretary-General of the Police Commissioner Committee, until Her Majesty’s Government issues further orders.

I urge all officials to proceed accordingly.

By order of the Home Secretary

Arthur Hastings

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Home Office

— ”British Home Office Records: HO 45/317 Volume”

The long table tightly arranged in front of the examiners’ seats made a slight noise.

The chair in the very center was silently pulled back by Chief Inspector Turner, the highest-ranking official on site, without any extra movement. He simply lowered his head slightly and stood steadfastly to the side, giving up the seat that symbolized a leading position.

The other examiners did not show any surprise; they only slightly turned their bodies, naturally making way for Arthur to enter.

Arthur did not show any courtesy; he merely lifted his chin slightly as a gesture of thanks.

As Arthur stepped into the path cleared by the examiners, the eyes of the trainees almost all focused on him, prompting them to straighten their backs and even shallow their breathing.

They tried to keep their eyes between the table and Arthur, not daring to raise their heads too much or display deliberate avoidance.

To the trainees, Sir Arthur Hastings was far from just a simple examiner.

This academy was named after him, the royal prefix of Scotland Yard was earned through his life-threatening efforts, and even 25% of their future salaries would come from Sir Arthur’s endeavors.

He was both Scotland Yard’s youngest legend and its most elderly one.

Because no one else could stand shoulder to shoulder with him on the throne of legends.

The trainees could clearly feel that his gaze did not sweep aimlessly across the classroom, but rather scrutinized them one by one as the reserves of Scotland Yard.

Some silently compared their answers in their minds, trying to recall if anything said earlier was less than appropriate.

Others suddenly realized that since this top official of the British police system had arrived, this was no longer a simple graduation exam; it had become an explanation, where they needed to explain to the man before them why they deserved to stay at Scotland Yard.

Alan Pinkerton stood in place, his shoulders and back straight as a ramrod.

He could feel Arthur passing in front of him, but the knight did not stop or even glance at him, which brought him both relief and disappointment.

Arthur stopped in front of the chair made available to him, reaching out to place his hat on the corner of the table.

The brim of the hat made a faint dull sound as it touched the tabletop, yet in the quiet classroom, it seemed exceptionally clear.

”At which part of the exam are we now?”

Chief Inspector Turner, seated on the left side, spoke: ”Sir, the oral assessment of ordinances has just reached halfway.”

Beside him, Police Superintendent Brenan added: ”Overall, the trainees’ performance is so far satisfactory, with some trainees’ results standing out... for example, Alan Pinkerton.”

Arthur flipped through the score sheet in front of him, glancing over it as he asked: ”Has Pinkerton’s assessment concluded?”

Chief Inspector Turner hesitated slightly, seemingly unsure of Arthur’s meaning, but quickly responded: ”Yes, sir. Alan Pinkerton’s oral assessment has just finished, and the record is completed.”

Arthur acknowledged with a slight sound, tapping his fingertips gently on the edge of the table: ”Then I’ll conduct a spot check on him; that’s not breaking the rules, is it?”

As this remark was made, there was no sound from the trainees’ side, but many unconsciously held their breath.

Chief Inspector Turner did not hesitate, even showing a faint smile, evidently having confidence in Pinkerton.

”Of course not, sir. The exam has yet to be concluded, and spot checks are within your authority.”

Police Superintendent Brenan nodded, casually sliding Pinkerton’s score sheet in front of Arthur.

Only then did Arthur raise his eyes, his gaze crossing over the examiner’s seats and settling among the trainees.

”Alan Pinkerton.”

Pinkerton’s heart leapt: ”Present, sir!”

Arthur stared at him for quite a while: ”What is a major crime?”

Pinkerton took a deep breath and answered: ”A major crime is a serious offense, encompassing murder and attempted murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery and attempted robbery, burglary and breaking-and-entering, theft of cattle, horses, and sheep, receiving stolen goods, embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds, arson of homes or outdoor buildings, haystacks or crops, nearly all forms of forgery and counterfeit currency, armed assault or assault with intent to rob, and so forth...”