Home Categories detective reasoning The Arabian Nights Murders

Chapter 14 Chapter Thirteen Eleven Points

It was past lunchtime when old Illingworth was dismissed, but all I wanted to do now was sit down, have my ears quiet, and collect my thoughts.I did, of course, utter a voluble and awe-inspiring whine about Illingworth, for I'm not a human being—cough! —and I believe in the principle of no courtesy to them.But I assured him--though I even terrified him into a Satanic silence--that he would have absolutely no trouble in the matter, and that the bits and pieces he'd given must be useful.In fact, in my opinion, those clues are useless at all!That's all I'm worried about.The situation is chaotic, and I am afraid that things cannot be wrapped up in paper and kept secret.So when Illingworth flipped over my wife's photo for the last time and strutted out of my office, I paced the room, kicking the furniture as usual to relax.Then, I slammed a few buttons hard.

At this moment, Pupkin, who had been listening with his big ears by the door—the adjutant I mentioned to you—entered. I said: "Sit down, brat. Leaving aside the stenographer's flamboyant stuff, tell me what we've got?" Frowning as usual, scratching the back of his head, he went on: "We've got a very different gentleman on our hands, sir, with a complex mix of movie stars and the thriller genre. I don't think at all times he's going to pretend he's the Mickey Mouse of the Security Service. I'm guessing this guy Really honest? He seems a little too honest to be fake, doesn't he?"

"No, I think he's an honest man. Of course, we still have to check. Let me think about it. Carruther's report mentioned that he asked the fingerprint identification team to search and collect fingerprints in the elevator. If Elin Voss was in the elevator - oops, I should have asked him if he didn't mind getting his fingerprints, if he had been in it, the comparison would have matched... damn, I should have -" "I've arranged the matter, sir," said Pupkin, who looked very much like a policeman, in a tone that was maddening. "He will be stopped when he goes downstairs. We can compare it with his fingerprints later."

"Great, great," I said. "Use your famous powers of imitation, show us a know-it-all, and tell us what else you can see from the Illingworth story." Don't even think about it, of course I don't see anything, but usually I ask Pupkin, because it makes me happy.At this moment, he took out his notebook and said immediately: "The main outline of the story is easy to understand. Little Wade, Butler, Holmes, Beckett, Poone, and two girls conspired to design Manlering, wanting to see him brag and exaggerate himself Whether they can stand the shock test of fright after their adventures. They must proceed cautiously, because Manlerin has really been in the East, must have some knowledge of Arabic, and will not easily fall into the trap full of loopholes. The key figure in the project, of course, is 'Dr. Illingworth', who has to do most of the outrageous dialogue—the question is, who will play that role? None of them are suitable for the role; the only one with Holmes, who was raised as an archaeologist, was dismissed because Mannlerin knew him and met him. We can deduce this and so on, and you understand the method. Little Wade has a gift for babbling and nonsense, and he also has some Illingworth's knowledge, but he had to play old Jay Wade, because he looked too much like his father, and he was the only one who could play old Wade without raising suspicions. The real one, but he should have seen Papa in the picture. Beckett speaks Arabic as well as Illingworth, but not in terms of literacy and bullshit. Butler has a good eloquence, but no archeology and no understanding Arabic.

"So they kicked the iron plate, they were out of luck, and then they thought they could call the casting agency and ask if they had someone who could play such a role. The full qualifications are to speak the language and understand historical sites..." I said: "That's a hell of an outrageous request for a casting agency. Anyway, we know the name of the agency (Brenner, remember right?), so we can call them." "I've taken care of that," Pupkin said, shaking his head like Jeeves, and produced another notebook. "The complete information on Raymond Pendro is here." He paused for a while, and looked at me unceremoniously. "By coincidence, I said, what a coincidence, they knew someone who was exactly what the client wanted."

I responded with some more nasty words. "It's such a coincidence. In this way, the torrential rivers converge in one place, and the astronomical and astronomical phenomena intertwine in one place? Pupkin, I don't like this idea." "Still the same, I quite like it myself. Let's get to the heart of the matter—forgive me for letting you get to the heart of the matter. Branner Agency specializes in special programs for private parties. If you Want to get a dance orchestra for your daughter's dinner party, or a dozen showgirls for a bachelor party, or need a soprano singer or even a troupe of circus performers for sideshows, just One phone call away and they accommodate your needs."

He opened his notebook. "Raymond Pandro, 32 years old, was born in Iraq. His father is British and his mother is Persian; he is quite familiar with the customs and customs of the UK. He is not highly educated, but he is very talented. He only came from Baghdad 4 months ago. to England." "Wow!" "Yes, sir. I spoke to a guy at the Agency who seemed to have a thorn in his back at first, but is much more relieved now. I spoke to him 10 minutes ago and got some useful information. Pandro Told him that he (I mean Pandro) was the son of an English aristocrat, and that when he came of age—the depravity of adults is notorious and visible—he enrolled at the British School when the British Empire came to power over the Dominion in 1919 , and then acted as a tour guide for tourists—a tour guide, mind you—to take them to places of interest. He went to Paris when he was 21; Dating partner. He seems to have gotten into some trouble, and according to him, a woman has made baseless accusations against him of trying to blackmail him."

"My God, Pupkin, that's the kind of thing I worry about." Now, my faithful hound looked at me as if trying to figure out what was on my mind, but he just hissed and went on talking. "Then he came to London but returned to Baghdad where he was born after 4 years. That's about it. One more thing, since he came back here 4 months ago, he has been poor. Invited him to sing and act There are not many opportunities. However, when Wade and his team called the agency yesterday to ask if there was anyone who could meet their needs, they naturally thought of Pandro." "Who called?"

"Butler. He's offering 20 to the guy who's got the role because the actor has to cram and get into the situation; he didn't call until noon. He told them to call the man at two o'clock in the afternoon. I met him at the bar to discuss the details. When Carruther suddenly mentioned to the group last night that a man named Raymond Pendlow had been killed, it was no wonder that name did not elicit any reaction from them. They had never heard of that name; Or rather, most of them have never heard of it.” "Hey, you scumbag," I yelled at him, "are you referring to old Jay Wade's daughter?"

Pupkin said: "Well, well, sir, I'm not necessarily implying anything. I'm just outlining the possibilities. My inference is this: "Pandro's got a deal to play the part, so a lot of things make sense. His fake beard, dyed gray and black; he's going to play Dr. Illingworth, and Butler and Jerry Way De seems to be strongly advocating that to play a scholar one must wear a beard. His glasses are topped with black ribbons; this makes him look very scholarly, like our friend Dr. Phil. The top silk hat and evening gown he wore as a professional dance partner, and if you remember, Carruther found the Paris trademark inside. All the clues fit, even those crazy and weird little ghosts— —Ah, it's not so crazy, I mean one of them. Don't get mad, sir!

"Finally, if Illingworth heard correctly, Pandello must have arrived at the museum about 10 minutes later than Illingworth. Someone killed him between then and 11 o'clock. Having said that, I No need to point out to you that it is very unlikely, though possible, that an outsider has sneaked in and done this. Right now, all the actors are with us—all under your eyes. You What do you think?" I have to admit that Pupkin was right.I thought over what he had said for a moment, and then went to the window to look out over the Thames.Then I asked him is there anything else?some. Putin continued: "With Illingworth's remarks, most of the strange things that Carruther encountered last night have now been reasonably explained. Most of them! We can connect the whole story together. However, there are still a few Arguments are inexplicable. Some of them may be important, some of them are not. You'll have to catch those little bastards for a reprimand; including, of course, that faithful Poon, who may be your number one The chief witness at the front, because he was at the door all night, and from his position he had a good view of the hall. So, some of these points you can get right away, and some of them may be tricky. Tricks. "Just after they took back the real Illingworth from Sergeant Hoskins, last night the gang turned off the lights, evacuated the museum at breakneck speed, and did one thing: they agreed together that whatever happened Denies going to the museum last night about anything. It's Illingworth they're worried about; they're spoofing at old Jay Wade's baby museum, and they locked Illingworth in the elevator, and they want him to Wouldn't tell Old Jay--they thought Butler might be able to keep Illingworth subdued. They didn't know, however, that there had been a murder, except for two. Butler, and the other is the murderer; as far as I know, Butler might be the murderer. As for the others—well, I'm afraid I doubt it, too." Pupkin's tone was smug. I said: "You take me for a fool? Of course they don't know. Otherwise Poon wouldn't have danced in the dark with glee and chanted the crowd Dead. You're right. Poon loved the girl dearly, and was equally loyal to the rest. But—" "But, as you say," interposed Pupkin smartly, "now that the murder has come to light, they must talk about it. So I suggest that you focus on these few points. As I said, Some of these points may be easily followed. I have made a list of the points which Dr. Illingworth's story fails to explain. I have your copy ready, too." He pushed the copy across the table, "I can come and review it now, if you will allow me. The content is divided into two parts, the first part of the main points is related to the practical aspects, and the second part is related to the theoretical aspects. Please bear with me Continue to narrate: first part: 1. How did the soot footprints inside the museum's main entrance, the unrecognizable stains Carruther found on the ground, come from? Note: The soles of the deceased's shoes were covered in soot, so the footprints must have been left by him.Where on earth had he been before he stepped foot in a museum to leave his footprints on the white marble floor? 2. What happened to the note found in Mannlerin's pocket and typed 'Dear G, there must be a dead body - a real dead body', etc.? Note: Written on Holmes' typewriter. According to Manlenin, he found this note in Holmes' apartment. It is completely inconsistent with the pseudo-"murder" theory recognized by Illingworth. 3. A large piece of coal found by Carruther was thrown on the wall of the market display room for no reason.How is this going? Note: Illingworth did not mention this matter, and no one else mentioned it, so it seems that this matter has nothing to do with the murder case.The most suitable candidates for cross-examination are Poon, whose position can be seen across the Great Hall, and Beckett, who happens to be in the fair room at 10:35 (around) when Dr. Illingworth arrives at the museum. 4. What kind of strange experience did the black fake mustache have? Note: This mustache to be worn by Beckett, according to Holmes, was placed somewhere on the stairs of the hall along with the dagger early last night by Holmes.It and the dagger seem to disappear together.Beckett later found it on the grounds of the museum; we don't know where it went next, but Carruther found it in the locked glass display case where the dagger had been.What does this mean?Poon, who is on duty there, can be questioned. 5. Everyone left the museum at some point after 11 o'clock, but why did Miriam Wade return to the museum later? Note: Miriam Wade returned to the rear wall gate shortly after Carruther discovered the body at 12:25.The door is locked, but she has the key.She mistook Caruther for Ronald Holmes and said: 'I see you have a light here, but I don't think you should be here.I thought you had gone back to your apartment; I was just going there.What's not--? 'Where was she during that period of time?Why return to the scene? 6. After she returned to the museum, why did she call Harriet Colton at the Holmes apartment when Carruther told her there was a murder at the scene — and covered her voice? Note: If she just wanted to inform, warn them that there was a murder, why didn't she just blurt it out to any of them without thinking?There seems to be no reason to do so. 7. (Last point) How does that cookbook relate to this case? Note: This is unnecessary. "I think," said Pupkin, prudently raising his face, "these are the points that need attention. Of course, the intention is only to make the story coherent and reasonable. By the way, I am missing an obvious problem. : It was about 10:45 when Pandro stepped into the museum, and it was about 11:00 when Butler found the body in the carriage. During these 15 minutes, what was everyone's whereabouts? You know, this form file It is only used to clear up doubts. However, I still sincerely suggest that once you find out the answers to these doubts, you will know the true face of the murderer." "You are so considerate!" I told him, even if I didn't conjure up this unique form document or regulation, of course I would understand the truth without him saying it.Pupkin, this guy, everything will be listed in his hands.what! "So," said I, "in this case, before we've questioned anybody, you've got a head start and you're ready to strike first." Then he said a bunch of nonsense, the content is nothing more than me, as a member of the police station, how can I not have a plan in mind.But I told him to shut up very rudely; I told him that if he had something else to suggest, please do so (as if I were prejudiced against him!).Well, here's the second part of his form - I'm trying to hold back my anger; even now, I'm still full of anger about to explode: the second part: 8. At five o'clock yesterday afternoon, Dr. Illingworth received a telegram from Geoffrey Wade.What is this telegram about? Note: This telegram from Southampton invites Illingworth to the Museum at 10:30 that evening, and that Geoffrey Wade will probably be able to return earlier.Apparently he didn't get what he wanted; where was he?What are the implications? 9. Why did Raymond Pandro arrive at the museum so late last night? Note: This point is critical, although not as prominent as the other arguments.Mannlenen, who was originally designed to play the role of being taken advantage of, was invited to arrive at the museum at 11 o'clock.It is conceivable that in order to inspect the venue and rehearse with others, Pandro must have been told to arrive much earlier.Even a 3-year-old child knows this.However, he didn't show up until 10:45, just 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.In fact, we know that Illingworth - who arrives first and is mistaken for Pandro - is long overdue in the eyes of both Poone and Jerry Wade. 10. In this group, who is a medical student, or has a special knowledge of anatomy or surgery? Note: The testimony of the branch medical examiner Dr. Marsden pointed out that the curved blade can stab through the heart. If it is not an astonishingly wrong hit, the murderer has medical knowledge. 11. (Last point) What was Miriam Wade doing in the cellar when Dr. Illingworth entered the museum? I interrupted him before he published a serious and trivial commentary.Speaking of these 11 points, 3 of them are directly referring to Miriam, which makes me very uncomfortable.Listen, I know this girl well; and if you want to know why, let me tell you the embarrassing truth: I'm her godfather.Pissing people off has always been Jay's forte, and he never tires of it.But I know that he has a weird mind and loves to joke, so I never care about him.As for the girl, she has the potential to be an exciting little hottie; in fact, I can't say she doesn't have that quality, and that's what I had in mind when I read Carruther's description That's it.However, it is absolutely impossible for her to get involved in an incident like this. Pupkin said: "They're all involved in this murder case. I have no charges against your goddaughter. I'm just asking; what was she doing in the cellar? I only bring it up because in this case the smell of soot It’s ubiquitous. Personally, I think that might be important.” "Yes, but what's the cellar about? Must the damned cellar have anything to do with her? Is there any evidence that she was in the cellar?" "You believe Illingworth's story, don't you, sir?" "Even if I believe it, so what?" "Excellent. His statement was - here it is in my notebook, and you can find it in the stenographer's report - he said that as he was going to the curator's office, he noticed The door was open, and a young lady in a red dress came in. Now look at Carruther's written report. That door leads to the cellar, and only to the cellar. So at that time She was in the cellar. That's the end of my proof. I didn't accuse the girl of any crime, and I didn't even say that it must have been a big deal; I just pointed out that she was in the cellar. It's time to decide It's time. What instructions do you want to give?" I really hated Pupkin's face. "As far as I'm concerned, I'll leave it to Headley," I said, "and let young Baez assist him. But from now on, and until I've sorted out some of the doubts, I'll take care of the case first." Take charge. Call old Jay Wade for me without any excuses. Get the hell out of here now." I'm busy with work, but all business has to be put aside for now.I sat down, my ears were deaf, and my mind kept thinking.No matter what I told Pupkin, you can see what's going on in this case.I am sure, from many indications which you have already perceived, that Miriam knew that fellow Pandlot; and I am so sure, by a little clue which Pupkin's high nose did not sniff out. , even though he mentions it when making the point.Why did she cover her voice and call Harriet Colton when she learned of the murder and saw Pandro's body? Well, I don't know the girl named Kelton.To be honest, I haven't seen Miriam for about three or four years since Miriam started to change into a girl who is dying to be born, and she puts on a bad face and scoffs at everything passed her.The only thing I can think of is that she is a bold person, and this case is an example.According to everyone, the girl Kelton was her close friend in the boudoir.For the past 18 months, she and Miriam have been overseas in less developed countries, and they took a boat back home together, so maybe she knows something inside.Pandro came to England from Baghdad four months ago.Miriam had returned to England from Baghdad a month ago, and had just set foot on the country when she was ordered by Old Jay to go to her aunt in Norfolk--the aunt was waiting on the boat for her to throw herself into the trap-until the old Jie came back to clean up the mess after returning home.When you've been away from your family and friends for almost two years, you don't do that without a good excuse.Finally, a newspaper clipping mentioning Miriam appeared in Pandro's pocket; Caruther also said that someone in the crowd obviously reacted to the name "Raymond Pandro", and that person was Harriet · Colton.When Miriam saw the body, she seemed to recognize the dead man's face, and her reaction was exactly the same as that of Kerton.From all these unverifiable and inhumane small signs, an astonishing discovery was born. I don't know much about women, and I've only been married to one woman, but all in all, the reason why people brag about how much they understand women is to create a warning motto for the world.But, two things are very clear to me: first, I have never met a woman who would like to wear a bowler hat, juggling, etc.; second, unless it is some extremely personal factor, Otherwise, I have never seen a woman who could hold back her screams.Last night Miriam had sneaked up to the telephone at the first opportunity, as soon as she had the chance.This is conceivable and a matter of course; however, if the reason for her trembling was simply because a corpse appeared, rather than that corpse having some special meaning, then she should have called Hom where the crowd gathered. to anyone who answered the phone: "We're in big trouble, everyone, be prepared and make up an emergency response; they've found a body here." However, it wasn't her first thought.No, it is not.Her first thought was to talk to Kerton in private, to remind him of something that no one else knew.And this matter must not be known by others.If she said on the phone, "I'm Miriam," she'd have to deliver the usual news first, which meant she wouldn't have time to get the special message out before Carruther caught her on the phone.What she wanted to say wasn't "here's a dead body and we're all screwed"; it was "Pandro is dead and everything you know must be kept secret".In her eyes, this trouble is more difficult.That's why she disguised her voice when she wanted to find Harriet. Got it, you little idiots?Although Pupkin smelled some clues, but an unbreakable fact has become clear: one thing is very important, in Miriam's mind, it is so important that it must be talked to Harriet before telling others. News of the homicide.There was one thing she had just learned, and that was the identity of the deceased.It meant that she, or Colton, or both of them, had dealt with Pandro. Don't you think the way she talks on the phone is an unbreakable proof?That is what I thought.Preoccupied with the identity of the deceased, Miriam appeared in a daze, and forgot the fact of the murder.This kind of behavior is probably the behavior of a woman who has committed the so-called "reckless" crime; but it will never be the behavior of a woman who committed a murder. Still, it was certainly an unpleasant case; and I didn't feel any better when they told me that old Jay Wade was on the line.I am determined to go all out and face the situation in front of me.I opened my mouth and said, "Hello, Jay!" and he growled, "Hello, Jay!" His high-pitched, hoarse, aggressive voice didn't tremble with the passing of the phone, you have to Hold the handset two feet away.Something is wrong.When I said, "You know why I'm calling," he reacted uncharacteristically: that is, when asked a related question in the past, he usually replied, "The weather is nice, don't you think so?" Pretending to have Alzheimer's and not knowing what it means until you say, "Hey, you goddamn old fool, wake yourself up with a hammer before you answer my questions." Responding in tone: "Ah, that's plausible!" Then he laughed, and immediately got to the point. Unexpectedly, this time, I heard him whisper: "Well. When the phone rang, I thought it was you," he paused for a long time, making me think the phone was disconnected. "This case is really uncomfortable, old He. Are you busy?" "It's been too busy." "Oh, I was just thinking, if you could come over to me at two o'clock, I'm in the museum now. Pandro's landlord contacted me, and she said she has a very important clue. Old He, the situation is very bad , really, really bad." This is the first time since I met him, I feel that he speaks old-fashioned.
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