The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 934 - 32 Paris Conspiracy_2

Even if Hugo can’t change this little hobby of his, at least for the time being, he won’t blatantly spy on Vini and Lady Dovar’s ’battle’.

As a private detective, he and Victor can only do so much. After all, neither of them are policemen anymore and have no law enforcement power.

As for Vini, he can just find a random excuse to fob off, or pay someone to play the voyeur, and the case can be considered closed.

Arthur breathed a slight sigh of relief, intending to have a coffee to calm his nerves, but as his hand reached for the tray, he noticed a book placed nearby.

It was an old book with quite an archaic binding, looking rather aged, but the content would still be quite popular even 200 years later.

Because it’s the Marquis de Sade’s representative work, and the pioneering masterpiece of erotic literature—the "120 Days of Sodom" banned by the French Government for over a hundred years.

Victor also noticed this famous work; this Parisian sleuth hadn’t read it, but to a genuine French scoundrel, this book is almost as renowned as Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet".

Hugo also noticed where his guests’ gazes landed; he laughed and picked up the book to introduce it: "No need to say more, you surely want to borrow this book to read for a few days, right? After all, it’s an illegal publication, a strong banned material. France is such a strange country, pirated works are everywhere on the market, yet it always manages to catch all the books on the banned list. I had to work hard to get this book."

Upon hearing this, Arthur curiously asked: "So, does that mean it’s also hard to get a copy of ’The Red and the Black’ in France?"

"No, whether you can get ’The Red and the Black’ depends on which class you belong to."

Hugo spoke: "The public indeed has difficulty seeing this book on the market, but the gentlemen and ladies of high society are an exception. Recently, at banquets, I frequently hear people mention ’The Red and the Black’; they not only read the book but study it. Those officials ordering its ban privately recommend each other: ’Without reading ’The Red and the Black’, one cannot survive in politics.’"

Victor took off his hat and mocked: "Hypocrisy is their nature."

Arthur shook his head and said: "Mr. Victor, this is where you misunderstood. It’s not hypocrisy; the ban on ’The Red and the Black’ is because they don’t want ordinary people to see the book. Whether they read it themselves is another matter. To borrow a phrase from the officials, that is, if you don’t understand such things, you cannot survive in politics."

Victor jested: "Brother, I must admit, when catching criminals, you are not as good as me. But when it comes to social circles, I’m not as good as you. However, I always think you should heed my advice: you have no debts, don’t fight duels, spend leisure reading books, and even lack a minimum of mistresses! Nowadays customs have changed greatly; young people are brainwashed by those legal principles, Kant philosophy, and freedom thoughts. You have no Gemar, no Daisy, no creditors, nor knowledge of heraldry. But if you insist on this, my friend, you are not considered high society. You must know that if someone doesn’t do anything foolish in their youth, chances are they’ll do so in old age. So while you’re young, have fun more."

Arthur listened and humorously retorted: "Mr. Victor, you’re mistaken about me. I occasionally do foolish things, I once took a bullet under the Tower of London, and now I’m persuaded by friends to duel at the Paris Opera House with Liszt, the piano king. Ever since I left Britain, my life has become more and more insane; although I haven’t met the Pope, I might meet the Tsar and Metternich, tonight’s banquet I’m meeting Gizo, and some other day meet France’s Radical Party. Of course, these are just embellishments to daily life, let’s not forget, the British Government sent me to Hanover primarily to deal with local German police."

"Banquet?" Hugo asked: "The banquet you mentioned, isn’t it the one held at the Kaidao Sai Mansion?"

Arthur couldn’t help but ask: "You wouldn’t have been invited as well?"

Hugo nodded slightly and said: "Not only me, many people in the French literary circle were invited, and as far as I know, it seems many from the scientific community will also attend."

Upon hearing this, Arthur immediately felt something was amiss.

Previously, Earl of Dalmo only told him this was a banquet hosted by the British Embassy, but if it’s just that kind of scale, it definitely wouldn’t be able to invite so many famous figures.

Arthur couldn’t help but ask: "May I venture to ask, which unit sent you the invitation?"

Hugo unreservedly replied: "The invitation was sent from the Tuileries Palace."

The Tuileries Palace, the residence of the French Royal Family.

This name already tells the real mastermind behind this banquet, the self-proclaimed ’People’s King’—Louis Philippe, the highest authority in France.

Having united with the British Embassy and gathered various social elites from the Parisian upper circles, and coupled with some recent understandings, Arthur faintly grasped what this mastermind intended to play.

He is likely planning to announce at the banquet, via those social elites’ mouths, his decision to welcome Napoleon’s remains back.

As for why he invited personnel from the British Embassy, perhaps it’s because he considered the potential diplomatic ramifications, so he must connect with them. On the other hand, he can also take this opportunity to demonstrate to the French people that Louis Philippe isn’t concerned about potential discontent from Britain; even if the British intend to oppose, he would still resolutely welcome Napoleon back, welcoming the emperor many French people respect.

If Arthur guessed correctly, Louis would also appear at the banquet site. Whether he is willingly or feigns compliance, he will become the supporting cast for Louis Philippe’s brilliant and majestic decision.

Thinking about this, Arthur immediately realized the thorniness of the issue.

Because he knows his secretary’s temper, this young man possesses plenty of spirit; a person lacking such spirit wouldn’t have traveled to Italy to join the Charcoal Party uprising.

This noble Bonaparte, at present, hasn’t fully learned to conceal himself. Although Arthur previously explained the stakes to him, you can never expect a twenty-something lad to control his emotions in an almost humiliating public setting.

If Louis couldn’t hold back and caused a stir at the banquet in front of numerous Parisian social elites and British guests...

What kind of repercussions it would cause, Arthur couldn’t imagine.

Perhaps the Bonaparte Party might bow to him for his bravery, but for other factions, including the presently favorable British Government, fury is not a good label, easily reminding them of Louis’s uncle, Napoleon.

Arthur’s fingers tapped on the tea tray, he suddenly smiled, calmly picked up the tea cup and asked: "I heard Mr. Thiers and Mr. Gizo will also attend the banquet. During my university days, I specialized in history, the two contemporary French historians who impressed me the most are them. Among them, I’ve already met Mr. Thiers at the French Society before, but I’ve not had the chance to meet Mr. Gizo. Mr. Hugo, you excel at historical dramas, must have deep interactions with Gizo usually, would you mind introducing me to him then?"

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