The Fox of France

Chapter 246: Chronicles of France (3)

"Keep an eye on him, but don't make it obvious," the policeman instructed before leaving. He then walked out the door and headed to the next inn.

After a busy morning, young policeman Vebitzki finally returned to the police station. As per the routine, he reported the situation to Chief Armand.

"Chief, here is the information on the new guests at various inns today," Vebitzki handed over his record book to Armand.

"Is there anyone noteworthy?" Armand took the record book, placed it aside, and asked.

"There's one Englishman named Collier who checked in at the inn near the Fifth Factory. You know, that factory belongs to the Northern Industrial Company, and it produces all sorts of vital things. Some foreigners have always been interested in its secrets."

"I'm well aware of that. Deputy Chief Olivier caught an Austrian spy attempting to steal secrets from there, which is how he became the vice-chief, right?"

"Exactly. Deputy Chief Olivier has been trying to convince his superiors to let him return in his capacity as vice-chief and continue investigating that case. He claims there were loose ends from the last operation. Deputy Chief Olivier isn't getting any younger, and he's less than two years away from retirement. Still, he's pushing hard. Does he hope to become the chief?"

"Becoming the chief? That's highly unlikely. Not to mention, he's nearly retiring, and becoming chief is not solely about solving cases," Armand shrugged. "I think he's aiming for a two-rank salary increase before retiring, reaching the pinnacle of a vice-chief's pay. Then he can enjoy his retirement with a handsome pension."

Going from vice-chief to chief is as challenging as Madame Dubarry (King Louis XV's mistress) trying to become queen. But getting a salary bump of two ranks only requires cracking a few cases."

As he spoke, Chief Armand flipped through the record book. He quickly found Feigin's entry, widened his eyes, shook his head, and said, "He's openly registered his nationality and hasn't even bothered with fake identification. This shouldn't be a significant issue, but we'll keep an eye on him. Even if we catch an inept thief, it's still an accomplishment."

Just then, an undercover old man entered.

"Deputy Chief Olivier, you're here again?" Armand quickly stood up.

"Well, this place feels like home to me. The police station is too boring. Today, when I was coming here, I spotted an old thief. Absolutely an old thief; I could tell at a glance. He was near the Fifth Factory, chatting with the workers. I didn't want to arouse suspicion, so I didn't tail him. Can you show me yesterday's inn registrations?"

Deputy Chief Olivier naturally spotted Feigin's entry.

"Well, this is interesting," Deputy Chief Olivier said, pointing at Feigin's record with his finger. "An openly staying Englishman right next to the Fifth Factory, not hiding his identity. Armand, do you think there might be a large group, and this Englishman...?"

Deputy Chief Olivier continued, "This Englishman is likely a decoy operating openly to draw our attention, while others hide in the shadows. If that's the case, we'll be quite busy. Armand..."

Deputy Chief Olivier glanced at Armand, and when he saw that Armand seemed more energized, he added, "Armand, you know, I'm about to retire."

That statement immediately had an effect. Armand was instantly motivated.

"Chief, should we arrest the Englishman and question him thoroughly?"

"No need, but we should keep an eye on him. Just assign two rookies. I met that old thief, and I believe he might be a key figure. Tomorrow, Vebitzki, you'll tail the Englishman. Armand, put on plainclothes and come with me to find the old thief."

The next afternoon, Feigin returned to the inn. He had spent the entire day exploring, and he had seen quite a lot. In general, France was no paradise. While the workers here lived slightly better than their English counterparts, their lives only allowed them to fill their bellies somewhat. Compared to before the revolution, their lives had improved significantly, but they still couldn't withstand any shocks. Sudden illnesses, injuries, or disabilities could ruin them.

"If I had joined the army and gone to war back then, maybe things would be different," Feigin and many other workers mentioned this. "Being a soldier in a war doesn't necessarily mean death for many. You receive decent pay, and there are plenty of benefits after retiring. For example, you can purchase land from the state at a low cost. With land, who would want to work in a factory?"

In addition to lamenting not enlisting in the army during wartime, most people had another aspiration.

"I heard that now, ships to the New World can sail freely. Going to the New World is also a good option. Isn't it just farming? I've heard that over there, it's relatively easy to obtain land of your own. Once I've earned enough money at the factory, I'll go to the New World and become a happy farmer."

Furthermore, Feigin noticed that he was being tracked. The one following him was an expert, tracing him from the Saint-Antoine district to a neighboring wealthy area, employing various tricks. He even approached a policeman, feigning panic, and said, "Officer, I believe someone's been tailing me, all the way from the XX Bank's entrance to here..." It was through such clever tactics that he shook off the pursuer. Encountering a master tracker in such a poor district was no ordinary occurrence.

Typically, these skilled trackers were either police or members of criminal organizations. In terms of numbers, the police were more prevalent. However, there were some distinctions in their tracking methods. For instance, gang members usually wouldn't venture outside their territory. Saint-Antoine district and the adjacent wealthy district clearly didn't belong to the same gang's territory. So Feigin speculated that the one following him was likely a policeman.

Though Saint-Antoine district had its own police presence (which was already better than London), the number of police officers couldn't compare to other areas. The likelihood of encountering an expert was naturally lower. It seemed odd that he was being watched by the police right after arriving in Paris.

"Perhaps there's a major case here, and I just happened to walk into it," Feigin thought as he returned to his inn.

As he entered the inn, Feigin saw the innkeeper leading a French policeman towards him.

"Mr. Collier, isn't it?" asked the young policeman Vebitzki.

"Yes. Is there something you need?" Feigin was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected to encounter a policeman in a rundown inn in a poverty-stricken district.

"It's like this," Vebitzki explained, pulling out an identification card, "We routinely check the information of guests here. What brings you to Paris?"

"It seems like there's a big case going on," Feigin thought. He replied, "I have a friend who came to France a few years ago. I heard he's in Paris now, so I came here to find him."

"What's his name? Do you have his address?" Vebitzki asked, jotting down notes.

"Jacques Goren," Feigin answered with some irrelevant but realistic details, "But I've only heard that he was seen in the Saint-Antoine district of Paris. I don't know his exact address."

"Paris is a vast city, not easy to find someone. Did you come all the way here just on a rumor?" Vebitzki inquired.

"Of course not. I'm just passing through. In a few days, I'll be heading south," Feigin replied.

"Do you have any specific business in the south? Ah, you don't have to answer that question."

"Oh, it's no secret. Just some business. But I can't disclose the details," Feigin responded.

"One last question. When do you plan to leave Paris?" Vebitzki asked.

"The day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll inquire and try to find my friend, then I'll leave the day after," Feigin replied. Honestly, he didn't want to be inexplicably pulled into any major cases.

"Alright, thank you for your cooperation. I hope I didn't disturb you too much." Vebitzki put away his notebook and left.

Once Vebitzki left, he ran into Deputy Chief Olivier, disguised as an old worker.

"Vebitzki, what does that Englishman you just saw look like?" Deputy Chief Olivier inquired.

Vebitzki proceeded to describe Feigin's appearance and attire in detail.

"Damn! That's the old thief I saw yesterday! What on earth is this guy up to?" Deputy Chief Olivier exclaimed.

"Do you want us to arrest him immediately?" Vebitzki suggested.

"No need, keep watching him. This time, I'll do it myself. He's definitely up to something!" Deputy Chief Olivier declared.

Having lost the old thief the previous day due to his conspicuous worker's outfit, Deputy Chief Olivier felt a deep sense of shame. He was determined to uncover this guy's plot.

However, the following day, he realized that all of his earlier assumptions might have been wrong.

Early the next morning, the old thief left as usual. This cunning character went straight to the wealthy district, where Deputy Chief Olivier, dressed in attire suitable for anywhere, quietly followed Feigin.

Feigin, on the other hand, didn't engage in cat-and-mouse games with Deputy Chief Olivier today. After exploring the wealthy district's conditions, he headed directly to the Ministry of Truth.

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