Chapter 574 Farewell
Ethereal music accompanied by the choir’s chanting began.
Bishop Jonathan Crownz, whom Tom Hagen had mentioned as the one presiding over the ceremony, slowly walked to the altar with a retinue of co-celebrants.
Clergy members often looked most “divine” during various celebrations and ceremonies, and the Bishop was no exception, adorned with a miter, stole, chasuble, and crozier, truly appearing as a representative sent by the Holy Spirit to the world.
If one disregarded the intricate details, the Bishop’s farewell ceremony was, in terms of procedure, largely similar to that of ordinary believers.
The officiant led everyone in prayer, scripture readings, and hymns, followed by Father Tyrrell giving a eulogy as a representative, recounting Bishop Corleone’s life, his excellent qualities, and his journey of faith.
Afterward, the officiant would lead another prayer, wishing for the departed Bishop Corleone and seeking the Holy Spirit’s solace and guidance for everyone.
It must be said, the Holy Spirit Church certainly had a way with stirring emotions.
In the solemn and reverent atmosphere, this sequence of events even moved Wayne’s thoughts, bringing him into a state of remembrance and longing, and many ladies and misses in the prayer hall were already sobbing.
When the officiant, holding a golden censer, completed the blessings and farewells around Bishop Corleone’s remains, Bishop Corleone’s ring of authority was solemnly chiseled with a triangular mark and publicly destroyed.
The shroud was formally closed in the coffin, and the intertwined strips on the coffin lid were sealed with golden sealing wax, bearing the Holy Spirit emblem, marking the end of the farewell ceremony.
The casket was jointly lifted by guards amidst a grand procession, led by solemn monks, and slowly carried out of the Cathedral surrounded by the crowd, to receive the final gaze and farewells of numerous believers outside.
The procession had a pre-arranged route. After leaving the prayer hall, the church’s clergy members still needed to escort the casket through the streets of Richmond for a while, but the route’s end was actually in the cemetery behind the Cathedral, where it would finally be buried next to the graves of past bishops.
Since the distance was not too far, and the road conditions outside did not allow for vehicle traffic at this time,
believers attending the farewell ceremony in the Cathedral, regardless of their wealth or status, all had to walk to await the final burial, after which the entire funeral would conclude.
Wayne and Inessa followed the crowd, surrounding the casket as it exited the prayer hall, watching the procession temporarily move away, and then followed the flow of people towards the cemetery.
The three generations of the Beaton Family were originally walking towards the front of the crowd, but at this moment, “Papa Biddle” stopped outside the flow of people. Only when Wayne approached did he resume walking, and lowered his voice: “What exactly happened last night?”
At this time, the crowd was bustling with Richmond’s various dignitaries, so Wayne kept his explanation brief: “We just happened to encounter a group of slave thieves, so we, along with the stewards and overseers, sent them to the Police Station.”
Papa Biddle then asked, “I heard the Police Chief say that according to the statement you signed and confirmed, they were from the Underground Railroad?”
Wayne quickly explained, “That’s what the two slaves said. But they did find ‘tickets’ for the Underground Railroad on them, I just confirmed the facts I saw.”
“Underground Railroad?! Those scoundrels are committing crimes again?!”
A gentleman nearby directly shouted, this term seemed to genuinely have a great impact in the South, and many eyes in the crowd turned towards them at the sound.
Wayne did not recognize this person, but Papa Biddle clearly knew him and responded briefly: “Slaves escaped from one of my Plantations last night, and now it’s suspected that they were responsible.”
Like a stone thrown into water, the gentlemen and ladies around, who had already begun to pay attention to them, were quickly drawn into the ripple of this topic.
Questions like “How many ran away?”, “Were they caught?”, “Were there any inside collaborators?” suddenly came pouring in, and as they found Wayne a bit unfamiliar, their gazes focused on Papa Biddle.
“Thank you for your concern. The slaves have been caught and failed to escape successfully.”
“Currently, I know of two escaped slaves in total, one of whom is a mixed-race female slave.”
“That’s still unclear for now, I’m still looking into the situation.”
Those who could appear in the crowd at this moment, while still differing in wealth and status, generally speaking, their per capita wealth should not be below Wayne’s. Papa Biddle, who instantly became the focus, had no choice but to respond to their questions in turn, according to social etiquette.
Many other questions arose from this, and seeing some people moving closer, wanting to speak directly with Papa Biddle, Wayne and Inessa, as the involved parties, could only silently shut their mouths, exchange glances, and then quietly give up their positions.
Then the crowd, which had originally been immersed in a sorrowful and silent keynote, gradually filled with constant whispers as they moved.
It wasn't exactly “lively,” but at least it was at the level of “before the professors enter the classroom” at an academy.
…
In the afternoon, after silently watching the casket being interred, the formal funeral procedures were all completed, and the atmosphere became relatively less solemn.
People could take flowers in turn to the grave for “memorials” in a secular sense, while those “waiting” and those who had “completed their farewells” could seek guidance from the clergy or chat with each other.
If it were an ordinary person’s funeral, this part would generally be used for people to comfort the family and prepare for farewells.
But the Bishop’s passing was considered “blessed,” and the church’s clergy did not need people to comfort them, so people could gradually begin to leave in batches.
Wayne and Inessa now saw Miss Olivia again, in a conservative black dress, with a group of ladies and wives, but they were too far away to do more than wave from a distance, with no opportunity to talk.
Papa Biddle’s socializing continued, and he did not come over to ask further questions. Instead, his son, Victor Beaton, approached: “What are your plans after the funeral?”
Wayne spoke honestly, “Our Detective Agency now has two offices, responsible for the security of the steam train route. After the funeral, some Agents might have to go there. I still need to continue my studies, so I will leave some staff in Richmond to promote some cheap meat in the Dock Area. I expect to be traveling back and forth between Richmond and Georgeberg then.”
Victor Beaton was slightly puzzled: “Protecting the steam train route and promoting food? Aren’t you rushing to hunt down wild Extraordinary Persons?”
So that’s what he wanted to ask…
According to what Bishop Corleone had revealed at the “small meeting” at the time, Virginia needed to conduct an internal Cleanup in advance and accumulate strength to deal with some Extraordinary Persons who might infiltrate from the Old Continent.
But for Wayne, the priority of things was now a bit different. For example, once Father Tyrrell officially became Bishop, Wayne couldn’t be sure whether the Detective Agency would eventually become one of the “cleaned up.”
For now, it was certainly safe; at least Father Tyrrell had provided a list and still needed the Detective Agency to solve cases.
However, “once the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked” is not a new thing. Compared to a possible “promotion and raise,” ensuring that he wouldn’t suffer losses was definitely more important.
“Our Detective Agency currently has limited personnel, and some things can only be done step by step. For now, the priority is to ensure normal operations.” Wayne, in turn, began to probe for information, “What are your plans recently?”
The other party did not conceal it: “The militia commander has authorized me to go to various counties in Virginia to participate in inspecting the training situation of the local militia. If anything is found, I will gradually carry out the cleanup.”
It’s convenient when people with connections do things, but unfortunately, this path is not open to everyone.
Wayne wasn’t too envious, “Then I wish you a smooth operation and that your wishes come true.”
“You too.”
After the two parted, Victor Beaton recalled Wayne’s attitude and couldn’t help but ponder, “The Dock Area…”
