The Merchant of London Act 2 (The Merchant of London Act 2 ロンドンの証人 第二幕, The Merchant of London Act 2 Rondon no Shounin Dai Ni Maku) is the thirty-fourth chapter of the MORIARTY THE PATRIOT manga series.
Summary[]
William knows that Baxter has no intention of paying back the money, so he planned on using the trial to punish the latter. He claims to have a plan that will allow him to cut a pound of Baxter's flesh.
On the day of the trial, Baxter starts brazenly apologizing to William until chastised by the judge. The judge asks William if he really doesn't want a lawyer, and William confirms it.
Through the trial, William demands Baxter a reimbursement of £600, but Baxter's lawyer states that Baxter has zero assets so it is not possible for him to do so.
William then inquires about the house Baxter is currently residing in, which is worth at least £5,000. Baxter could sell it to get the money. However, Baxter claims that he's only borrowing that house from a friend, so he cannot sell it.
Next, William asks why Baxter will not sell the trading company he is operating to get the money. Baxter answers that the company is bankrupt and basically just a shell corporation now.
Upon finding out that Baxter has no way of reimbursing him, William says Baxter doesn't need to pay back the £600 anymore. Instead, he demands a pound of flesh be cut from Baxter as agreed in the contract. Baxter acquiesces.
Baxter's lawyer then intervenes. He agrees that William is allowed to cut a pound of Baxter's flesh, but no drop of blood is allowed to be shed as William does it, as it wasn't in the contract. Inwardly, Baxter thinks he has won, since you can't cut someone without also shedding blood, and William has already said Baxter doesn't have to pay him back anymore.
In response, William calls up a witness to the stands. It is a waiter named Bremner at a steakhouse Baxter frequents.
William asks Bremner if Baxter usually requests not to count the weight of the meat's blood for his order of half a pound of steak. Bremner replies that he's never had a customer say such a thing in his 20 years in the business.
From this, William explains that while it does indeed only state only a pound of flesh in the contract, Baxter himself must be aware that blood is also included in that pound of flesh. Baxter interjects, claiming it is a far-fetched argument, but the judge deems it reasonable.
And so William puts the knife close to Baxter. Backed into a corner, Baxter weakly admits that his whole testimony was a lie and he does own a house and a company. If William is willing to forgive him, he is willing to give William half of his fortune.
William demands all Baxter's fortune be given to him, and Baxter has no choice but to agree. William then informs the judge that they have reached a compromise, so he will now be withdrawing his charges.
Back in the present time, William and the others discuss how even if Milverton finds out about the orphanage from the judicial records, they have already taken measures to conceal where the Sister is now.
As it is evident that Milverton is targeting himself, William declares Milverton as an enemy that needs to be eliminated.
Meanwhile, Milverton is convinced that the young plaintiff in the judicial records has replaced the real William. From this, he surmises that the Moriarty bothers are rumored Lord of Crime, and sees them as his enemies.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- William James Moriarty
- Louis James Moriarty
- Viscount Baxter
- Albert James Moriarty
- James Bonde
- Sebastian Moran
- Fred Porlock
- Jack Renfield
- Charles Augustus Milverton
Gallery[]
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