Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 326 Paris in a frenzy, London in a frenzy

Lionel reluctantly opened the door himself and found that the visitor was Anatole France.

The writer's face flushed with a sense of mission: "Leon, it's great that you're home!"

Lionel shook hands with him: "Tipo, please come in! What's been going on these past few days?"

It's as if half the writers of Paris have been swept into my home. (Anatole France's real name was Thibaut François)
Anatole France strode into the living room, his voice brimming with excitement: "It's the wind of the times, Lionel, it's the wind of the Republic!"

I guess you've been busy with scripts and the comedy theater renovation lately, and may not have been paying much attention to the commotion in the newspapers?

Lionel invited Anatole France to sit down and poured him a cup of coffee: "Indeed, I've been dealing with a backlog of things since I returned from Russia."

I did read the newspaper, but what you're saying is...?

Anatole France's voice rose eight octaves: "Hugo! Mr. Victor Hugo! The 26th of this month is his 80th birthday!"

The Republic will hold an unprecedentedly grand celebration parade for him! All of Paris, no, all of France, is preparing for it.

Lionel paused for a moment, then realized that he had been so busy lately that he had indeed forgotten about the matter.

This celebration for Hugo was indeed unprecedented in history, representing the highest honor a 19th-century writer could receive.

He nodded: "I remember now, that's right. The government seems to want to make this event a grand affair."

Anatole France's tone became even more fervent: "Not just seemingly, but certainly! This is not merely a birthday gift for a great writer, but a display of the spirit of the Republic!"
It is a declaration to the monarchists, to the Church, and to all the ghosts of the old era: France has her new, secular saints!

He paused, then continued, "Bazir, Jannin, Cutler Mendes, Gustav... a total of more than thirty young writers have joined forces!"

They will be at the very front of the parade on the 26th! Holding blue and white bouquets, they will be singing a new version of the poem "Homage to Hugo"!
Mendes has also written a new children's poem, "To My Grandfather," which a little boy will recite under Mr. Hugo's window...

He described the upcoming grand occasion at length, his eyes shining: "Lional, we need you, the Republic needs you!"

We hope you can stand at the front of the march with Jeanning, Cutler Mendes, and the others!

Let your image and your voice enhance this magnificent celebration!

Lionel listened quietly, his face expressionless.

After Anatole France finished speaking, he remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Tipo, thank you for your kind invitation and that of your friends."

Mr. Hugo is a literary giant worthy of respect, and he also generously helped me when I was penniless.

Anatole France smiled expectantly, but Lionel's next words froze his smile.

"However, please forgive me, I do not wish to participate in events like this one where someone is canonized during their lifetime."

Anatole France asked in astonishment, "Why...why? This is a tribute to literature, a promotion of republican ideals!"

Lionel shook his head: "I understand your intentions, and I know that this is an event for the Republicans to unite the people's beliefs."

But to replace the worship of religious saints with the secular veneration of a literary giant; to replace church rituals and prayers with processions, flower offerings, and recitations…

This sounds too much like the Republic is desperately searching for a new faith to replace the church—we just announced the dissolution of the 'Jesus Church' last year, didn't we?

I support some of the republican policies, but I don't think literature should be so directly tied to the political carriage, even if the carriage is flying the flag of the 'Republic'.

Therefore, I will express my congratulations and respect to Mr. Hugo in a private capacity, but I will not participate in this public march.

Anatole France's enthusiasm quickly faded, replaced by deep disappointment and bewilderment.

He opened his mouth as if to refute, but seeing Lionel's gaze, he swallowed his words.

He stood up, picked up his hat, and his tone became somewhat stiff: "I understand... Lionel."

"It's a pity you can't share this honor with us. Excuse me." Lionel also stood up and saw him to the door: "Thank you for visiting, Tipo."

Anatole France said nothing more, nodded, turned and walked away quickly, his back looking somewhat lonely.

Lionel closed the door and let out a soft breath.

He did not disrespect Hugo, nor did he disagree with republican ideals; he simply instinctively remained wary of such grand narratives that deified the individual.

He knew that fanaticism, no matter how noble the cause, often harbored danger.

In the following days, Hugo's 80th birthday celebrations indeed became the undisputed "main theme" of Paris, and even the whole of France.

Newspapers published related reports and commentaries almost daily, and the media machine was operating at full capacity, pushing public expectations to their peak.

The Ministry of Public Education and Fine Arts took the lead in announcing that all elementary schools nationwide would have a day off on the day of the celebration so that children could also participate in this grand event.

This move is widely interpreted as the republic cultivating its citizens' identification with republican values ​​from a young age.

The happiest person was, of course, Petty, since he could have an extra day off.

However, she was also selected for the school's parade and would pass under Hugo's window.

It feels like we've had a holiday, but then again, it doesn't really feel like we've had one...

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Just as France was caught up in the frenzy of celebrating a great man's birthday, across the Channel, a similar frenzy was about to sweep through London.

However, the Londoners' fervor stemmed from a magazine.

February 15, 1881, London.

Before the morning mist had been completely dispelled by the rising sun, long, winding queues had already formed in front of bookstores and newsstands.

The air was thick with the tension of waiting, even more intense than when "A Study in Scarlet" was serialized.

"They're here! They're here!" The newsboy's clear shouts pierced the chilly air, and the crowd stirred.

Bundles of brand-new "Good Words" magazines were unloaded and quickly placed on the counter.

The coins clinked against the counter, and magazines, fresh with the scent of ink, were eagerly taken away.

Almost the instant they got their hands on the magazine, people couldn't wait to flip through it—ah, The Sign of Four!
A new adventure has begun.

In the reading room of a gentlemen's club in the St. James district, several members who arrived early each had a copy of "Good Words" and were immersed in the world constructed by Lionel.

The room was unusually quiet, with only the rustling of pages turning and the occasional suppressed gasp or knowing chuckle.

An elderly gentleman with graying temples whispered to his neighbor, “Look, our Mr. Holmes is starting to ‘torture’ poor Watson again.”

"To deduce what its owner went through simply from the wear and tear on a gold coin..."

My neighbor pointed to a passage in the magazine: "The key is, he writes convincingly! Look at this description of the smells in London's docklands...it's so accurate!"
I was just there last week, and this is exactly what it tastes like! Compared to those imposters who just make detectives shoot women, this is the real 'Sherlock Holmes'!

Similar discussions were taking place in countless corners of London, and the opening of The Sign of Four once again successfully captured the hearts of all readers.

Mysterious commissions, relics from the East, eerie wooden legs... Lionel's skill in creating suspense is becoming increasingly refined, leaving readers eager for more.

This fervent trend even reached the highest levels of imperial power!

(End of this chapter)