The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 590 - 298 The Duality of the Cholera Nightwatchman_2

According to the law, he would have to pay a fine of 30 pounds for each illegal corpse, and given the large number of bodies, he might even have to spend a few more years in prison. After that, his sentence wouldn’t be over because he certainly wouldn’t be able to pay the full fine to the court, so as soon as he walked out of the criminal court, he would be transferred to a debtor’s prison.

Arthur couldn’t help frowning at the thought.

Seeing his expression, the Red Devil, holding a goblet, teased him by placing a hand on his shoulder, "Arthur, what’s wrong? Haven’t you always been an advocate for thorough investigations in such cases? Or are you considering letting him off the hook now that it suits your interests? Oh, or should I put it more elegantly—perhaps you’ve developed a fondness for talent, as I regard you."

Arthur knocked his pipe to shake out the ash and laughed at himself, "Agares, there’s no need to be so sarcastic. I’ve never been a messenger of justice; in most cases, I’m just a lapdog of the law. What I am considering now is whether to bite Hadcassle or not."

"Oh... my dear Arthur, why do you belittle yourself?"

Agares beamed, "Since you have to be a dog anyway, why not be mine? Being a dog for the law is not as comfortable as being the Devil’s dog."

"Is that so?" Arthur took a puff of his pipe: "To be your dog would make me even worse than Eld. At least he has the luxury of being the ladies’ dog, and what’s more, he is free-roaming."

Agares simply curled his lip, "Oh, come on, I was just joking. But you really have changed, become smarter, because it’s been a long time since I’ve heard you preach about the justice of the law. It seems that studying at the University of London did help you, as you finally began to understand that law and morality are two different things."

"Indeed!"

Arthur let out a puff of smoke: "Lectures on Jurisprudence by Professor Austin were of great help to me. Law is law, morality is morality. Not all who break the law are immoral, and not all who are immoral break the law. I used to think Professor Austin was talking nonsense, which is why I often argued with him in class at university."

"But after working at Scotland Yard for so long, I looked back and found that he was entirely correct. The essence of the law is its coerciveness. As long as you can send someone to Australia, lock them up in prison, or hang them from a gallows, even if you decree baldness a crime, that absurd rule can still be law."

"And what Professor Austin studies is the law itself, without considering whether it’s moral or not. He only cares about the established facts. It is because the professors at the University of London uphold a practical and utilitarian attitude that many people think them as cold as unevolved beasts."

"But in reality, they are not ignorant of morality or principles. In fact, many of the concepts that fit basic morality were proposed by them. However, from an academic standpoint, in a society where boundaries are consistently being crossed, it is not wise to continue to study those non-existent ideals."

The Red Devil took a sip of his drink, "Do you think Hadcassle has crossed the line?"

Arthur shrugged, "I don’t know, the concept of a line is different for everyone. But I do know one thing: for most people in Britain today, whether it’s the high standards of the religious community, laypeople, or the British medical community itself, Hadcassle has indeed crossed the line.

"If The Lancet knew he used illegal corpses for his paper, not to mention publishing it, they would blow the whistle. Mr. Thomas Wakley, the founder of The Lancet, personally led the investigation of the London Burking case and detests behavior that shames the entire medical community."

At these words, the Red Devil just shook his head and, holding his goblet, asked, "Arthur, what are you talking about? I’m not talking about the public in Britain. I’m asking about you, where exactly is your line? Professor Austin is right, the essence of law is its coerciveness. And now, that coerciveness is in your hands."

Arthur sat silently on the sofa for a long while before rising and opening the door to the drawing-room.

Upon seeing him come out, the servant guarding the door asked anxiously, "Mr. Hastings, you..."

Arthur raised his hand to stop him: "Where is the pharmacist’s apprentice who came with Mr. Hadcassle just now?"

"I’m here." Standing in the hallway with his bag slung over his shoulder, Snow raised his hand: "Sir, do you need me for something?"

Arthur motioned for him to come in, "Come here, I have some questions for you."

Snow followed Arthur into the drawing-room, nervously sitting down on the sofa, and from his expression, it was clear that the young man was quite unsettled by what he had just witnessed.

Seeing this, Arthur simply reassured him, "Don’t worry, whatever the outcome, this has nothing to do with you. Even if Hadcassle loses his medical license over this, it won’t affect your future. All you need to do is tell me what you’ve seen and heard."

Although Arthur said this, the young lad from York country, just like Arthur, had never seen such a scene before.