shadow of britain

Chapter 10 The Strongest Voice From Scotland Yard
As soon as Arthur's words came out of his mouth, the noisy courtroom immediately fell silent.

The trainee judge on the side asked the magistrate: "Sir, is this in compliance with the rules?"

The magistrate's face was dark, he was obviously very angry with Arthur, but at this time he had no mind to deal with these crap things.

"It's the adjournment time. Officer Arthur has his power to do what he wants. I can't shut him up."

Although the magistrate did not raise any objections, the members of the jury still had prejudices against Arthur's previous behavior. They preconceived that Arthur must have forced a confession from little Adam.

If not, why did Adam cry incoherently in fright?
Just as the men of the jury were about to go outside to get some air, and the ladies were busy comforting Xiao Ya, the little Adam who was the center of the vortex held back his tears and wanted to stay at the scene.

He said softly: "Sergeant Arthur is a good man."

Some of the ladies said angrily, "Adam, you don't have to be afraid. With us here, he wouldn't dare to do anything to you. You don't have to say these things against your will."

Mrs. Peel was also distressed and held his little hand: "With me here, none of them will touch you. Cry if you want to cry, tell all your grievances, and we will give you a fair referee .”

But little Adam held back his tears and shook his head and said: "No, I'm telling the truth. Officer Arthur is the second best person in my mind, second only to Officer Tom's wife. Officer Tom's wife made up for me He bought a lot of bad clothes and told me nice stories. Officer Arthur is the only person on the street who is willing to listen to me carefully. He even gave me some money and is my good friend.”

When the ladies heard this, one by one felt their heads were befuddled.

"my Lord!"

"What the hell is going on here?"

"But he clearly wanted to send you to the gallows just now, are you sure he is really your friend?"

The men were also a little puzzled when they heard this, and they asked Arthur.

"Officer, can you explain to us why you behave inconsistently?"

Arthur saw that everyone's eyes were focused on him, and the stone hanging in his heart finally fell steadily.

He stated frankly: "It is my duty as a public prosecutor and a policeman to prosecute the defendant. From the first day of the establishment of the Metropolitan Metropolitan Police, I have been told that my duty is to bring all criminals to justice." Law.

Little Adam did steal the umbrella, he never hid that from me, he was a very honest boy.From the first day I knew him, I always knew he was an honest and trustworthy kid.

We can chat without any scruples, exchange ideas with each other, talk about our troubles, and give advice on our own troubles.

Since he did commit the theft, when I appear in court as a public prosecutor, I cannot unconscionably deny his mistake and let him escape the punishment of the law.

Because that will not help him correct his behavior, it will only increase his evil behavior and breed his deeper evil thoughts.

But on the other hand, little Adam is also my good friend.

Therefore, when I left the prosecutor's seat, I had to consider his situation at this time.

Although he broke the law, I think the penalty for stealing a parasol is too heavy.

I need to save my friend, even if he committed a crime, but I hope he can give him a chance to correct.Instead of ending his life hastily at the age of nine.

I have to apologize to everyone for my behavior just now. Because of my personal reasons, I gave the jury and the judge a wrong impression, which affected your correct judgment.

For this, I am ashamed and very sorry. "

Arthur bowed slightly: "I'm sorry, everyone."

As soon as Arthur finished speaking, the tense atmosphere that was still permeating the court just now disappeared.

The gentlemen and ladies of the jury had recovered their composure, and even the justice of the peace was in no hurry to drink tea in the back hall.

The gentlemen smiled and waved their hands one by one: "We should apologize to you. I'm sorry, Mr. Police Officer, we misunderstood you before."

The ladies also blushed and apologized in embarrassment.

"I almost took you for a villain. My God! You are quite a gentleman."

"You certainly seem to be well-educated, well-spoken, and have a serious heart. We should give you a chance to speak."

"It's not your fault, Sergeant, it's that we didn't find out. I'm a short-tempered man, you know, mothers are like that."

The justice of the peace scratched his wig awkwardly.

"Arthur, you know I do have some opinions about Scotland Yard. But that's not about you. There are other legal concerns. I don't dislike you as a person, and I even have a little appreciation."

Arthur saw that the atmosphere at the scene had obviously improved, so he smiled and said, "Then can I start talking?"

"Of course, without a doubt."

"It's your right and no one can stop you."

Arthur picked up his uniform from the chair and asked, pointing to the police badge on it.

"As you can see, I am a Scotland Yard policeman.

I was lucky enough to start this job straight out of college.

I, too, had the misfortune of having been in this job right out of college.

Like all my colleagues, I was paid twelve shillings a week, fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, and patrolled more than fifteen miles.

I don't want to deceive you guys, the job is exhausting and unrespectable, but these aren't the hardest problems I've had at work.

I fully understand why the gentlemen and ladies present were so hostile to me at the beginning of the trial.

Because even in our daily work, we are faced with such malice, even more naked and more direct.

During the six months I worked at Scotland Yard, my district of Greenwich suffered a total of [-] assaults on the police.
But the irony is that there are less than thirty police officers in our local area.

I have many colleagues who joined me at the same time, but less than a third of them are still with me.

Some of them left because the salary was too little and the work intensity was too high.

But mostly, it's because we don't feel any respect at all at work, and we even feel like we're more guilty than criminals.

People all over the world are full of hostility towards us, trying to make trouble for us anytime and anywhere.

But I don't blame those people any more than I blame the ladies and gentlemen who are here today.

Because if a man is likely to send me to the gallows at any time, then I probably won't give him any kindness.

But is it true that all cops want to hang criminals?

The example of little Adam is here today, and I do not wish to hang him, but my duty does not allow it.

Take a look at our legal terms.

Destruction of roads, death penalty.

Cut down trees, death penalty.

Stealing envelopes, death penalty.

Salvage shipwreck relics, death penalty.

Going out with blackface at night is the death penalty.

Theft of items worth more than five shillings is punishable by death.

Unmarried mothers who conceal miscarriages are still punished by death.

If I expand on our death penalty regulations, I probably won't be able to finish it until dark.

I am not alone in discovering this strange phenomenon, Lord Samuel Romilly raised the need for reform of our penal laws in Parliament as early as 1808, but unfortunately his efforts did not work.

In 1808 we instituted over 160 capital punishments, and after more than 20 years of work we have now added over 70.

But has the rapid increase in the number of executions effectively improved the law and order environment?

Unfortunately, I have to report another set of data to you.

In 1805, there were 4605 ​​arrests for criminal offenses in England and Wales alone.

And last year, last year!
Gentlemen,
Ladies,
Do you think that number has decreased?
No!

of course not!

Last year we saw a staggering [-] criminal cases in England and Wales, a sixfold increase!
That is to say, the increase in the death penalty has not only failed to help us improve the environment, but also caused the crime rate to skyrocket.

Of course, I do not mean that I am in favor of the abolition of the death penalty, but I hope that petty crimes can be measured with a more appropriate scale.

I don't understand our society, I don't understand why theft of five shillings is punishable by death.

And in 1825, we had more than 70 banks fail, and countless depositors lost their savings as a result.

Those bank partners stole far more than five shillings, yet I have not seen any of them hanged on the gallows.

I don't understand, I don't understand this society.

I don't know what I am doing this job for. I am clearly enforcing the law and obeying my duties, but I always feel like I am committing a crime!
I don't fucking understand, and no one told me, why the hell is that!
Why should my friend die for five shillings, while someone who caused five million pounds of damage is still alive and well!

When I entered the job, I often recited the "Police Instructions", which told me there.

The police should always keep in good touch with the public and respect the historical tradition of 'the police are the public and the public is the police'.

But now, the public tells me I'm not one of them.

And I am obviously a policeman, but I always want to make speeches that are inconsistent with my duties.

I've been confused by this until I read a bulletin some time ago.

It is also because of it!

I just decided to be in this position today!

I keep this message to myself, and I want to share it with you all.

No one is self-contained,

isolated island,
Every human being is part of a vast continent.

If a wave washes away a rock,
Europe is less.

Like a cape missing a corner,
Like losing a piece of your friend's or your own territory.

Every death is my sorrow,
Because I am a member of the human race.

Therefore,
Don’t ask for whom the bell tolls,

It sings for you!

thank you all,

Thank you for being willing to listen to this innocuous nonsense from a soon-to-be patrolling police officer.

Because this will probably be the last time I will appear before the Magistrates Court.

Thanks,

Thank you so much. "

Arthur's chest heaved and heaved heavily, and his white shirt was soaked in sweat, reflecting his broad and broad chest.

Although he knew that his emotions would definitely be agitated by the speech, he was surprised by this level.

There was silence in the courtroom, and the focus of everyone's eyes fell on his face.

But after a brief silence, sparse applause began to resound in the courtroom.

Immediately afterwards, everyone stood up from their seats.

Soon, the applause gathered together and exploded in the magistrate's court like lightning and thunder.

Accompanied by cheers and applause, Officer Tom knelt down in front of Arthur while holding Arthur's thigh in tears.

"Arthur, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Why did we lose such a brilliant colleague as you? I don't understand, I really don't understand..."

"Good job, Officer Arthur!"

"That's great! Why don't you fine five million pounds, but insist on five shillings! I can't figure it out!"

"This law should have been changed a long time ago. I don't agree to hang Adam! This is irresponsible for public life!"

Even the magistrate couldn't help giving Arthur an appreciative look, and he clapped his hands and said to everyone.

"Please allow me to re-introduce you, the best policeman in Great Britain, the role model for the public, and the strongest voice from Scotland Yard, Sergeant Arthur Hastings!"

But after Arthur heard this sentence, he was slightly taken aback for a moment, and then slowly lowered his head.

"Constable Arthur Hastings?"

He stroked the police badge on the uniform in front of him, showing a bit of a bitter smile.

"Sorry, not anymore."

At the moment when everyone was jubilant, a gentleman wearing a black top hat sitting in the gallery suddenly hooked his hands at the servant beside him.

He lowered his voice and ordered: "You go to Scotland Yard immediately, I need to get the personal information of this police officer Arthur Hastings immediately."

The servant bowed slightly: "Follow your orders, Sir Peel."

(End of this chapter)