shadow of britain

Chapter 113 The Unlucky Former Minister of State
In the officer's dining room in Portsmouth Harbor, Arthur had a delicacy that he had heard of many times but was the first time he had seen it.

The dish looked like freshly baked toast with a golden crust, but it was when Arthur sliced ​​open his crust with a knife that he discovered what was inside.

The 'toasted bread' is divided into three layers, the outermost layer is the mushroom puree mixed with foie gras brushed with egg liquid, the second layer is a layer of dark red prosciutto that has been marinated for just the right time, and the middle part is Soft and juicy premium filet mignon.

Because this dish is the favorite of the Duke of Wellington, it naturally got an apt name in the British restaurant-Steak Wellington.

Arthur cut a piece of steak, brought it to his mouth with a fork and chewed it twice.

Elder, who was sitting by the side, raised his eyebrows and asked, "How does it taste?"

Arthur put down his fork and nodded, "It's hard to believe that this is actually a British dish. You know, the chefs in most commoner restaurants in London can't even cook a simple vegetable soup well."

After saying that, Arthur also cut off a part of the steak and put it on the empty dinner plate next to him, and placed it on the window sill.

Darwin who was sitting opposite saw him, and couldn't help asking curiously, "What are you doing?"

Arthur pretended to draw a cross on his chest: "Charles, you know, I am a devout Catholic fundamentalist. According to the teachings I believe in, good things should be shared. I hope to make Parks The gulls of Mouth share this surprise with me."

Darwin scratched his head in bewilderment. As a pastor who graduated from the Divinity School of Cambridge University, he had always been skeptical of the Catholic fundamentalism that Arthur spoke of, because those dogmas and guidelines sounded like Arthur’s current creation. of.

Darwin insinuated with concern: "Arthur, are you sure you really believe in the right thing? You must not join the wrong church or go on some evil path."

Arthur nodded slightly: "Don't worry, Charles, I didn't join any church at all. I haven't met a priest or pastor who I am convinced so far, but well, I think you are pretty good. In this way, When you finish sailing around the globe, find a church to be the pastor, and give me a baptism when you're not busy."

Darwin couldn't help feeling a little moved when he heard the words: "Arthur, you actually believe in me so much that you are even willing to convert to the state religion with my help. I...I really don't know how to evaluate you. Arthur, you are really my good brother .”

Arthur picked up the tablecloth on the table and wiped his mouth. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Of course, Charles, you don't have to be polite to me. Everyone is a good brother. Even if you have a sudden whim and declare that you don't believe in religion, I still support you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a raven with red eyes whistled past the window, stretched out its claws, grabbed the steak on the dinner plate and swung away.

When Elder saw it, he couldn't help but whistled: "Oh! It seems that the seagulls are unlucky today, and all the steaks fell into the crow's mouth."

Arthur glanced at him, and said calmly, "Elder, I'll bet you a penny, if the steak doesn't fall into the crow's mouth, it's likely to be stuffed into the devil's stomach."

"You're joking again."

While stirring the black teacup with a spoon, Elder asked, "By the way, how did you get General Codlington to value you so much today? Look at his appearance today, with an old face full of smiles. It’s like bootskin that’s been worn for more than ten years, as if I wish I could marry my granddaughter to you. If I didn’t know his identity, I would have thought he was a mental patient who escaped from the Bethlem Royal Hospital.”

While cutting the steak, Arthur said, "It's no big deal, I just published a paper at the Royal Society. Coincidentally, that paper was co-signed by Michael Faraday, so General Codrington mistook me In the field of electromagnetism, he has attainments comparable to that of Mr. Faraday."

Elder frowned when he heard that, and he pondered: "Does General Codlington like things in the field of science? Then... Arthur, see if you can..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw Arthur raise his palm to signal him to stop.

Arthur said: "With my scientific level, it's okay to teach you to deceive a girl who is not deeply involved in the world. But if you want to use it to deceive General Codrington, I'm afraid he will stuff you into the barrel of the Conqueror Besides, if you really want to do some scientific research and write a few shocking papers, there is obviously someone here who is more suitable than me to teach you."

"Who?"

Arthur pointed to Darwin on the opposite side, and he said to Elder: "If you can hug Charles' thigh, I guarantee that you will immediately replace your uncle as the most promising person in the Carter family."

When Elder heard this, he first glanced at Darwin with disdain, and then at Dickens beside him with even more disdain.

He asked carelessly, "Which Charles are you talking about?"

Arthur spread his hands at Elder, then leaned on the back of the chair and said, "Which one can you hug, I think both of them are fine."

When the two Charles heard this, they almost replied in unison: "Arthur, you really flattered me. Compared with you, I still need to learn a lot."

When Arthur heard this, he raised his eyebrows and said to Elder: "Hey, Elder, take a good look. This is why they can become big shots. They are very humble while studying hard."

Having said that, Arthur turned his head to Dickens and asked, "Charles, you said earlier that there was a problem with the opening ceremony, what happened?"

Hearing this, Dickens put down the knife and fork in his hand, and let out a sigh of relief: "Arthur, you don't know, it's a good thing you didn't take charge of the security work for the opening ceremony today, otherwise the black pot must be pinned on your head. "

Hearing this, Darwin couldn't help asking, "Did the train derail?"

Dickens shook his head. "It's worse than that."

Elder squeezed his chin and said, "The Duke of Wellington who participated in the ceremony cheated?"

Dickens hesitated for a moment: "It does have something to do with the Duke of Wellington."

Elder took a breath: "The Duke of Wellington will not have an affair with the former Secretary of State William Huskisson who attended the ceremony, right?"

Arthur couldn't stand it any longer: "I don't think that kind of relationship exists between the two of them. If they were really that good, there would be no need for the Duke of Wellington to go to find Mr. Huskisson through the traffic opening ceremony." Reconciled."

Dickens sighed: "That's right. The two of them originally wanted to take this opportunity to announce to the outside world that the Huskisson faction would return to the Tory camp.

The development of the matter was also very smooth. The two nobles boarded the first train together. The Duke of Wellington was also very excited by the amazing speed of the 'Northumberland' train.

I heard from my colleagues who went to report that Mr. Huskisson was very excited about the successful opening of the railway, and Mr. Duke shouted excitedly on the train, "This speed is really incredible." "This thing flies like a cannonball." Just as fast'' and just a little slower than the French''. "

Elder couldn't help covering his mouth when he heard the words: "Isn't this very good? It sounds like the atmosphere of the opening ceremony is very active!"

Dickens nodded and said: "If things develop according to this trend, it will indeed be a very perfect opening ceremony. But I never expected that after the train arrived at the station, the Duke of Wellington was standing on the carriage with the train. Talk to Mr. Huskisson next.

But at this moment, the "Rocket" train, which departed late, arrived suddenly, and Mr. Huskisson was standing on the rails at this time.He saw the 'Rocket' coming towards him, and he collapsed to the ground in fright.

Although the 'Rocket' braked very hard, it was inevitable that Mr. Huskisson was knocked into the air for more than ten meters. "

Arthur couldn't help taking a deep breath when he heard this: "What happened to Mr. Huskisson?"

Dickens sighed, "Don't mention it. Although Mr. Huskisson was carried on the train and sent to a nearby hospital as quickly as possible, he died of bleeding a few hours later.

Those Huskisson MPs were furious because of this, and some of them wondered if Mr. Huskisson's death was a conspiracy.

They questioned why none of the policemen in charge of security and the engineers who designed the railway reminded Mr. Huskisson not to stand on the railway tracks, and no one informed him that there was a train coming behind him.

The Duke of Wellington is already very busy because of this matter. Scotland Yard and the railway company have also launched an investigation into Mr. Huskisson's death under the pressure of the Huskisson faction.

So, Arthur, you are really very lucky today.When I heard the news, I thought you were screwed.I later found out that the person in charge of Scotland Yard, who was in charge of security at the venue, had been temporarily replaced, which is thankful. "

When Arthur heard this, he suddenly looked up at the coastline outside the window, and he asked a question.

"Who is the supreme commander of Scotland Yard's team responsible for the security work of the opening ceremony today?"

Hearing this, Dickens took out his notes from his bag, and after turning over a few pages, he answered with certainty.

"Ah! We found it. Superintendent Taylor Clemens is in charge of today's opening of Scotland Yard."

(End of this chapter)