The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 527 - 275: Special Treatment for Sudden Serious Illness_3

Louis explained, "Strictly speaking, Lady Berkeley wasn’t recommended by Superintendent Hastings, but by Superintendent Mathewson from Scotland Yard."

Heine asked, "Why do you emphasize this point so particularly?"

With some helplessness, Louis said, "Because not everyone can accept Lady Berkeley’s services. Frankly speaking, Superintendent Mathewson is a veteran retired from Britain’s 58th Infantry Regiment ’Steelbacks’. The nickname of the regiment comes from the commander’s longstanding tradition of whipping; almost every soldier who served there has tasted the whip soaked in water.

And Superintendent Mathewson... well, how should I put it, although he has retired from the army, he still longs for that thrilling sensation he had while serving. Every time after Superintendent Mathewson visited Lady Berkeley, he would say he felt reinvigorated, as if he were twenty years younger. He felt like he was that twenty-year-old lad again, with a back covered in whip marks, even his work seemed more spirited."

"Oh..." Upon hearing this, Great Dumas raised an eyebrow and commented, "I see, after all the fuss, the service provided by Lady Berkeley is an ’English vice.’ Before I came to Britain, I heard the people here were all fond of it, and now I’ve seen it for myself. However, to let Lady Berkeley off just for the peculiar hobby of a Scotland Yard superintendent, it seems the level of favoritism and law-bending at Scotland Yard has risen a notch recently."

Arthur replied, "Alexander, if that’s what you think, then you’re mistaken. It’s not Superintendent Mathewson who influences Scotland Yard’s judgment; he doesn’t have that much clout. Legally speaking, in most cases, Lady Berkeley is only whipping or having her clients do the whipping. Yes, I mean actual whips, nothing else. If that’s all she did for business, it would not be illegal. Even if she wanted to do something else, she could easily obtain legal permits."

Perhaps it’s an issue with the British education system, but many of our influential figures went through a fair amount of corporal punishment at school, so a portion of them, like Superintendent Mathewson, have developed a fondness for the sensation. This is the main reason why Scotland Yard doesn’t bother Lady Berkeley, as her clientele includes far too many who have Scotland Yard by the scruff of the neck, including some members of the Royal family."

Moreover, the lady is not short of money. Last year she invented a device called ’Berkeley Horse,’ and she sold two thousand pounds worth in sales alone. Therefore, normally, Scotland Yard only shows her a bit more respect, given her wealth and influence."

Hearing this, Great Dumas couldn’t help but turn to Mr. Wheatstone, "Then, in my view, how about we arrange something fresh for Mr. Wheatstone today?"

All Arthur did was smile, "Why bother? It’s not only Lady Berkeley who can handle a whip in London; we also have professionals within the officers of Scotland Yard. It’s just that..."

Louis chuckled along, "Regrettably, though we’re not as skilled as Lady Berkeley, we’re fortunate to have Superintendent Mathewson. Not only does he enjoy being whipped, but he is also quite proficient at it. Although it’s been several years since he retired, he hasn’t lost the old trade skills that the 58th Regiment bequeathed him. Superintendent Mathewson often boasts that he could whip a donkey to death with just ten lashes."

Great Dumas shivered at these words, conjuring up the scene in his mind: a dim interrogation room, a brawny, bare-chested, strapping man, steam rising off his shoulders, and a whip dripping with water.

While he lamented the new material for his novels, Great Dumas couldn’t help but shudder twice himself.

Just as he was about to persuade Arthur to spend a bit of money on Mr. Wheatstone, he discovered Arthur was nowhere to be seen.

Then, a thunk resounded, the sound of an electrical switch being shut off.

The lightning in the laboratory vanished almost in an instant, and Arthur, with a pipe in his mouth, paced to a stop in front of the Faraday cage.

He glanced at Wheatstone, hiding in the cage, and with two fingers he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and tossed it onto the iron wall of the cage, which instantly set the handkerchief ablaze due to the high temperature maintained by constant electricity.

As the flame burned, Arthur’s voice followed.

"Charles, as a friend concerned for you, I now have two little suggestions for you to consider. freёnovelkiss.com

Firstly, you come out of the cage yourself, and I’ll take you to the hospital to see if you’re indeed manic. Although I don’t believe there’s any such thing as hysteria, if you really have some needs that you cannot resolve on your own, then next week at the Bluestocking Society meeting, I could take you along and introduce you to some educated and beautiful young ladies. After all, considering your current state, you can already converse normally in their presence."

Secondly, if you won’t come out, I’m going to arrest you on the spot for arson in the name of the Greater London Police Department. However, I’m lucky to inform you that thanks to Britain’s efforts throughout last year, under the newly passed "Physical Assault Law," only arson committed at key military industrial locations like the Royal Dockyards is subject to hanging. So, you needn’t worry about your neck being strung up on the gallows. Given that the only loss is a handkerchief, at most you’d be sentenced to three years of hard labor."

"Charles, consider it a favor for me, and please come out of the cage quickly. The Prosecution Office for the London area is about to be established, and I don’t want the first case I handle as a representative of the police to be convicting my most scientifically enlightened friend."