Chapter 116: What other interests do you have?

Chapter 116: What Other Interests Do You Have?
In the evening, in front of the townhouse in the outskirts of London, Superintendent Clemens, who had a scab on the right side of his face, stood outside the carved iron gate in the drizzle, carrying gifts.

Although this wasn’t the first time he had come to this place, it was still the first time he had felt so nervous.

He lost his smile to the servant watching the door and spoke, “Do you remember me?”

The servant took a careful look at him and nodded with a smile, “Of course, Superintendent Clemens. Did you happen to be passing by today, or did you come specifically to visit His Excellency the Viscount? I seem to recall that His Excellency the Viscount did not inform me that you would be paying a visit today.”

Clemens reluctantly smiled, then drew his wallet from his pocket and pulled out a ticket to hand it over along with the gift.

“I know that Viscount Palmerston has always been a worrier, but I would still be grateful if you would go and inform him now that I have something urgent that I need to see him in person.”

The servant accepted the gift, tucked the ticket into his pocket, and nodded slightly, “Please wait a moment.”

Clemens looked at the servant’s back as he left and let out a slight breath.

He fished out his pipe from his pocket and wanted to take a few puffs, but when he opened the matchbox, he realized that the matches inside were already exhausted.

He pinched the matchbox, closed his eyes hard, looked up against the drizzle, and cursed in a low voice through clenched teeth, “Bad luck!”

He felt a little cold from head to toe, and he didn’t know if this was a symptom of blood loss or due to his awful mood.

But fortunately, the servant didn’t let him stand in the rain and wait for too long, and soon, the servant’s voice rang in his ears.

“Mr. Clemens, His Excellency the Viscount has an invitation.”

Clemens opened his eyes and forced a smile as he rushed at the servant and asked, “How is His Excellency the Viscount in a good mood right now?”

The servant smiled slightly and said, “He’s been in a good mood for the past two days, which should be due to the fact that for His Excellency the Viscount, most of the things are going very well.”

Clemens felt relieved in his heart as he nodded, and then walked towards the parlor under the servant’s guidance.

The living room still had the same decorations, and the only difference from the last time might be that the specimen of a deer’s head placed on the wall of the living room had been replaced with a picture frame.

What was framed in the frame was not a high-grade oil painting, but a satirical cartoon cut from a newspaper.

The cartoon was not drawn with great skill, but the content of the display was evocative.

It was a boundless railroad track that ran all the way to the sky, and on the railroad track was the Duke of Wellington riding on the locomotive and the coffin in the carriage with the name ‘William Huskisson’ written on it.

And at the bottom of the cartoon, its title – Duke of Wellington’s Expedited Delivery to God – was also noted.

This, I’m afraid, is the greatest likelihood that Palmerston has been in a good mood lately, and a major reason why Clemens had to pay him a visit today.

Clemens stared at the caricature until Palmerston’s voice sounded behind him.

“This drawing technique is very crude, but I also have to admit that it is often only through the use of such a simple and easy-to-understand form that the public’s not-so-developed brains can be rattled, and by the way, their rich and somewhat extreme feelings can be provoked.”

Palmerston, dressed in formal attire and bow tie, glanced at the clock on the wall, he took off his hat and placed it on the coffee table, then his body sank downward and leaned against the sofa, “Feel free to sit down, if you have something to say, just say it quickly, I’ve got to go to the banquet in a while.”

Clemens sat upright on the sofa, he smiled and asked tentatively, “It seems that you already know about the incident at the opening ceremony of the Manchester-Liverpool railroad.”

Palmerston nodded as he lifted his teacup and said, “With all the news flying around, I couldn’t have known even if I didn’t want to. It’s unfortunate for Mr. Huskisson, and while I can’t speak fondly of him, it’s true that an outstanding talent didn’t deserve such an end.”

When Clemens heard this, he opened his mouth slightly, hesitated for half a day, and finally spoke stiffly, “I …… actually intentionally didn’t remind Mr. Huskisson of this, and when I say it back, his death and I are also somewhat related. I know that you have been very worried about the Huskissonites returning to the Duke of Wellington’s command, so ……”

Palmerston sniffed and opened his mouth to interrupt, “Clemens, do you know what you’re saying? Mr. Huskisson’s death was an accident, and at most, the railroad company and Scotland Yard work dereliction of duty, what does this have to do with me? Are you trying to say that I deliberately planned the murder of a Leader of the House of Commons and former Secretary of State?”

“No, no, no.” Clemens hastened to deny it, “Of course it has nothing to do with you, you have always had a good reputation. It’s just that I’ve run into a little problem, so ……”

Palmerston stared at him for half a second, before nodding slightly as he reprimanded.

“If you have a problem you can just say the problem, why are you pulling other things? Clemens, being so motherly is not like you at all. Do you know why I used to like to use you when I was in the War Department? It’s because you’re a person who talks about things, treats all orders with determination, and doesn’t have any other superfluous thoughts.” Sweat broke out on Clemens’ forehead as he spoke, “That’s right, it’s my fault, please forgive me.”

Palmerston averted his eyes from his face as he leaned back on the couch and sipped his tea gently, “Well, say the question.”

Clemens gathered enough courage as he spoke, “To tell you the truth, in order to fulfill your account before, I might have pushed Fred a little bit, and he submitted some of my matters to Scotland Yard in a whistle-blowing letter. Director Rowan was furious because of the train accident and this whistleblower letter, so he is now forcing me to leave my job voluntarily.”

Palmerston sniffed and took a deep breath as he rubbed his face and opened his mouth to ask, “Clemens, I’m not volunteering to mention Fred, and you actually have the nerve to do so? I asked you to make sure Fred got that Frenchman back to Paris safely, where have you been with your efforts?”

“I ……”

Clemens sweated, “Your Excellency the Viscount, this matter is complicated. I had intended to supervise the matter myself, but you don’t know that I was suddenly and temporarily assigned to Manchester the night before the operation to take charge of the opening ceremony, and besides, even if I didn’t get Fred’s affairs in order, at least I made some effort in Mr. Huskisson’s case ……”

Palmerston grunted as he slapped the coffee table, and he pointed at Clemens with righteousness, “If you really had something to do with Mr. Huskisson’s death, then I suggest that you turn yourself in to Scotland Yard as soon as possible. The life of a prominent politician is no child’s play!”

“Then the matter of Fred ……”

“What does Fred’s business have to do with me?” Palmerston asked with a smile, “Clemens, have you forgotten what I told you the last time the two of us met? There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Do I have any interest in Fred’s affairs?”

“But you asked me before to see to it that Fred put that Frenchman ……”

“Whoa! Did he? Why don’t I remember this happening? Clemens, you’re the Superintendent of Scotland Yard, then you should know that in all cases it’s all about evidence. Besides, did Fred ship the Frenchman back? He didn’t even ship the man back, he died on the high seas himself, are you going to drag his body out to court?”

“I ……”

Clemens’ clenched fists suddenly tightened when he heard this, “So you’re not willing to step in and bail me out?”

Palmerston asked, “Not just for me, but for everyone, the only measure of whether or not to bail someone out is their importance, not what they have tried to do but failed to do. Clemens, if you want to protect yourself, the best thing you can do is to increase your value.

Besides, I can’t get my hands on Scotland Yard, and don’t you forget that while I still have a number of old acquaintances in the Tory party, in the final analysis I’m now a Whig MP in opposition.”

Clemens heard this and understood Palmerston’s attitude.

He didn’t want to split hairs with the other party any more, but simply stood up and took his leave of Palmerston.

“Then, goodbye, His Excellency the Viscount. I wish you a good time at the banquet tonight.”

Clemens turned around and was just about to go out the door when he realized that Palmerston’s hand was on his shoulder.

Palmerston smiled and paced in front of him, “Taylor, don’t be angry yet. When something happens, someone has to come out and take the blame. I’m afraid there won’t be a good ending if you’re going to stand firm with Director Rowan. A superintendent of Scotland Yard is just a superintendent, there’s nothing worth keeping.

You go home and recuperate for a while, as short as a few months or as long as a year, and I promise, when the Whigs go up, I’ll still honor my earlier promise and transfer you to the General Ordnance Bureau. A good rest and recuperation during this time, and thinking about what you’ve gained and lost during your time at Scotland Yard, will help you in the future.”

Clemens sniffed, turned around and asked, “Are you serious in what you say? What other interests do you have in me?”

Palmerston smiled and said, “It’s not much of an interest, it’s just a bit of insignificant old feelings. After all, back then, in the matter of Peterloo, you were at least considered to have made an effort on my behalf. It’s not that you’re incapable, it’s just that your work still lacks a bit of thoroughness, so I’m sure I’ll be able to use you again in the future.”

Hearing this, Clemens was silent for a moment before finally nodding slowly.

“Good, I trust you. This time, count on Rowan to win me a round, and I will submit my resignation letter to him.”

Palmerston heard this and slowly shook his head, “How could Rowan win you a round? Even if you resign, the vacant position won’t fall into the hands of his underlings!”

“What do you mean?”

Palmerston picked up the newspaper from the table and flung it into Clemens’ hand.

He spoke flatly, “The one who has made the most noise this time is a crony that Peel has cultivated all the way up. He’s using the same tactics as he did, just like I cultivated you back then.”

(End of chapter)