Chapter 15 Chapter Fourteen

Susie will never forget that bumpy ride.Arriving in London in the morning, they made their way to Euston without stopping.The weather was extremely hot in those few days. Even in the early morning, there was still no trace of wind on the street, and it was shrouded in a layer of sultry heat.The train to the north was so crowded that it was impossible to breathe.Her head ached, but she had to look happy to ease Arthur's growing unease.Dr. Bojoy sat across from her.The doctor was very tired. He couldn't lift his eyelids after a night of sleepless nights, and deep wrinkles were carved on his face.Then they changed trains a few more times, and finally came to Wenning.Susie thought that this small northern village would be very cool, but found that it was extremely hot here, and even the plants in the ground were sunburned and withered.They were so tired that they could hardly move their feet, and they shuffled from the small railway station to the hotel.

Arthur had wired a reservation in London, and the landlady of the hotel was waiting for them.She recognized Arthur.He couldn't wait to ask the proprietress if any major incidents had happened since he left, but he restrained himself and exchanged warm greetings with her. "Mrs. Smithers, what's new since I'm gone?" he said aloud. "Of course, something serious has happened, sir," she said gravely. He began to tremble, but finally managed to control his voice with all his might. "Could it be that the big landlord hanged himself?" He said jokingly.

"No, sir, the poor lady is dead." Arthur didn't answer.His whole body seemed to be petrified, his eyes widened in terror. "Poor!" Susie forced herself to speak. "Is it—suddenly?" The landlady was glad to have someone to talk to about it, and turned to Susie cheerfully, not paying any attention to Arthur's distress. "Yes, ma'am. No one expected it. She died very suddenly and was cremated just this morning." "What was the cause of death?" asked Susie, keeping his eyes on Arthur. "It's said to be a heart attack," said the landlady. "Poor thing! But it's a relief to her."

"Mrs. Smithers, bring us something to eat! We're exhausted and need something to eat at once." "Yes, miss. I'll get it now." The landlady walked away quickly, and Susie locked the door immediately.She grabbed Arthur's arm. "Arthur, Arthur." She thought he was going to break down.She cast a painful glance at Dr. Bojoy, who stood by and was of no help. "You couldn't do anything even here. You heard the woman say that if Marguerite died of a heart attack, your suspicions were unfounded." Arthur pushed her away in an almost violent act.

"For God's sake, talk to us!" Susie yelled. His silence frightened her more than his collapse.Dr. Bojoy walked slowly towards him. "Don't be too brave, my friend. You won't suffer so much if you're willing to show some vulnerability." "For God's sake leave me alone!" cried Arthur hoarsely. They stepped back a few steps, watching him in silence.Susie heard the sound of her mistress passing the parlour, carrying tea, and got up and opened the door.The landlady brought some refreshments, and was about to leave when Arthur called to her. "How do you know Mrs. Hadow died of a heart attack?" he asked abruptly.

His voice was harsh and serious, and there was a hint of rudeness in his tone.The poor woman looked at him in surprise. "Dr. Richardson told me." "He's her doctor?" "Yes, sir. Mr. Hadow has had him many times, all for his wife." "Where does this Dr. Richardson live?" "What's the matter with you, sir? He lives in a white house near the station." She didn't understand why Arthur was asking these questions. "Did Mr. Hadow attend the funeral?" "Of course, sir. He was very upset." "Okay, let's go."

Susie poured a cup of tea and handed it to Arthur.To her surprise, he drank all his tea and ate a few slices of bread and butter.She can't understand him.All the painful tension and uneasiness on his face was gone, replaced by firm determination.Finally, he spoke. "I'm going to the doctor. Margaret's heart is as good as mine." "what are you going to do?" "do what?" He turned to her with a strangely ferocious expression. "I'm going to put a hanging rope around his neck. If the law can't help me, I will kill him with my own hands."

"God, my friend, you're crazy!" Dr. Bojoy stepped forward excitedly. Arthur stretched out his hands angrily, as if he didn't want him to come any closer.His brow furrowed even tighter. "Leave me alone please! I can't cry now. I've been in excruciating pain for months and I can't cry because Marguerite died, my heart is dry But I know she didn't die of natural causes. As long as that beast lives, I'll never be at peace." Arthur stretched out his hands and clenched his jaw, praying that one day he would be able to use them to clamp the man's neck, watching the plump face turn light gray and then dark purple.

"I'll go to that stupid doctor first, and then I'll go to Shane." "We have to go with you," Susie said. "You needn't worry," he said, "I won't take any action until I find that the law has nothing against him." "I'm going with you no matter what." "up to you." Susie went out and rented a carriage.As Arthur could not wait a moment, she ordered the carriage to go directly to Margaret's doctor to fetch them back.After making arrangements, they immediately walked to the doctor's house on foot. Dr. Richardson was fifty-five, a short man with piercing blue eyes and a handsome beard that was almost white.He spoke with a distinct Staffordshire accent.There was something of a peasant in him, and something of a well-to-do businessman, and at first sight he did not give the impression of being very intelligent.

Arthur and his two friends were shown into the consulting room, and after a short while the doctor entered.He was wearing a flannel coat and was carrying a racket. "Sorry to keep you waiting. My wife invited some female friends over for tea and I happened to be playing golf." His words and manner stimulated Arthur's nerves. "I just heard that Mrs. Hadow has passed away. I am her guardian and an old friend. I came here to ask you to tell me something about the situation." His attitude was much more reckless than usual. Dr. Richardson gave him an instant suspicious look, which he did not know how to cleverly conceal.

"I don't know why you don't go to her husband. Mr. Hadow will be willing to tell you everything." "I came to you as a colleague." Arthur said, "I work at St. Luke's Hospital." He pointed to the business card in Dr. Richardson's hand, "This is my friend Dr. Bojoy, he is An expert on Maltese fever, I thought you might have heard of him." "I read your article in the British Medical Journal," said the country doctor. There was a peculiar hostility in Dr. Richardson's demeanor.He hated those London doctors who looked down on ordinary doctors, and was more than happy to take this opportunity to laugh at their omniscient pretensions.He was ready to fight them. "Mr. Borden, what can I do for you?" "I would be most obliged if you would tell me the exact cause of Mrs. Hadow's death." "It's simple, endocarditis." "Can you tell me how long after you've been there she died?" "I don't like being cross-examined," Dr. Richardson exclaimed suddenly, with instant determination and anger. "You're just a surgeon, and I daresay you don't know much about heart disease. It's A very simple case, I did everything I could, and I have nothing to say." Arthur ignored his outburst. "How many times have you seen her?" "Honestly, sir, I don't understand your attitude. I don't think you have any right to interrogate me." "An autopsy done?" "Of course not. In the first place it is not necessary, because the cause of death is very clear. In the second place, you must know, the family is very opposed to such things. You gentlemen in Harley Street cannot understand private doctors. We have no time for it." Performing an autopsy to satisfy an unnecessary curiosity." Arthur was silent for a while.It was evident that the little man saw nothing unusual in Marguerite's death, but his stupidity was as hopeless as his stubbornness.He has been setting things up for Arthur, and there are many motives for this, the main one is that it would be bad if people found out that he had given the death certificate hastily.He must have been willing to do anything to cover up the scandal. "Dr. Richardson, I think I will tell you frankly that I am not satisfied with your answer. I cannot believe that the lady died of natural causes." Arthur had to say. "Nonsense!" exclaimed Richardson angrily. "I've been a doctor for thirty-five years and would risk my reputation on this." "I say that for a reason." "Then please tell me, what do you think the cause of death is?" asked the doctor. "I do not know yet." "To tell you the truth, I think you're really crazy. Really, sir, you're so childish. You tell me you're a surgeon, and you're from some famous..." "I never said that." "Anyway, you've read papers and published articles before the academic community, but look at you, you're like a Staffordshire farmer who thinks someone's poisoning him because of a stomachache. You're probably an admired I am a surgeon, but in this matter, I dare say I am better than you, and you don't understand anything at all." "I wish to obtain permission to exhume the remains. There are steps necessary for this, Dr. Richardson, and I think it is worth your while to help me in every possible way." "I will not do such a thing. I think you are very rude, sir. There is no need for exhumation, and I will do my best to prevent it. I can tell you that I am chairman of the magistrates' board, My opinion carries as much weight as any expert on Harley Street." He angrily walked to the door and opened it.Susie and Dr. Bojoy went out, Arthur following them, staring thoughtfully at the ground.Dr. Richardson slammed the street door shut. Dr. Bojoy took Arthur's arm. "My friend, you must be sensible," he said. "From the doctor's point of view, he has all the reasons. Your claim is completely unfounded. You cannot be excavated on the basis of an unfounded suspicion." Licensing of corpses." Arthur didn't answer.The carriage is waiting for them. "Why did you go to Hadow?" continued the doctor. "You'd be as clueless with him as you were with Richardson." "I've made up my mind to meet him for a while," said Arthur immediately, "but there's no need for you two to come with me." "If you're going, we'll go with you," said Susie. Arthur jumped into the buggy without a word, and Susie sat beside him.Dr. Bojoy shrugged and climbed into the back seat.Arthur whipped his horse, and at a trot it was soon through the three miles of barren heath between Wenning and Shane. When they reached the gate of the manor, the gatekeeper happened to be standing inside the gate.She opened a door and waited for her child to go back, but the child was playing happily in the road and didn't want to go in at all.Arthur jumped out of the carriage. "I want to see Mr. Haddo," he said. "Mr. Hadow is not here," she replied curtly. She hurriedly closed the door, but Arthur had already stepped in. "Absurd! I have a very important business with him." "Mr Hadow ordered no one to come in." "That's not okay, I'm going in anyway." At that moment Susie and Dr. Bojoy approached.They gave the little boy a shilling to watch the carriage. "Hey! Get out!" the woman yelled, "No matter what you say, you can't come in." She pushed the door hard, but Arthur's foot was stuck in the door, rendering her helpless.Arthur didn't listen to her angry advice at all, and forced his way in.He walked down the driveway.The porter walked with him, spitting insults.Since the gate was unguarded, others entered without difficulty. "You can knock on the door, but you won't see Mr. Hadow." The woman shouted angrily, "I will be fired because of you!" Susie sees Haddo's house.This is an old Elizabethan building, very beautiful, but in many places dilapidated and in dire need of restoration.The house looked very desolate, as if it had been unoccupied for a long time.The garden around the house was barren, and the street they were walking on now was overgrown with weeds.There are fallen trees everywhere, lying in all directions, showing how negligent the owner is.Arthur walked to the door and rang the bell, only to hear a hollow thump behind the door, as if no one lived there at all.A man answered the door.Arthur was prepared to be rejected again, so he pushed the door open as soon as it opened.The man was very angry, and the shrew at the side—his wife—twittered and told him how the three strangers broke in. "You can't see the squire. You'd better go away. He's in the attic, and no one will disturb him." The man shoved Arthur. "Go! Or I'll call the police." "Don't be a fool," said Arthur, "I must see Mr. Hadow today." The butler and his wife swore.Arthur listened in silence while Susie and Dr. Bojoy stood aside awkwardly, not knowing what to do.At this moment, there was a sudden sound from the armrest, everyone was startled, and the two servants immediately fell silent. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Oliver Hadow stood motionless behind them.Susie was startled, not expecting him to appear so suddenly and so quietly.Dr. Bojoy hadn't seen him for some time, so he was surprised to see the change in his body.He has put on a lot of weight, and his obesity has become a disease.His body was huge, and his chin was covered with thick layers of flesh, which looked as if it had been stretched open by fat.His cheeks were swollen and his eyes were squeezed into slits.When he looks at you, a staring gaze emerges between the swollen upper and lower eyelids.Ugly fat has become his only appearance.His ears were horribly swollen, their lobes puffed out, and very fat.The large, bright scarlet mouth remained slightly open—obviously, he was not breathing well.He was much balder than before, leaving only a crescent of hair across the back of his head between his ears.That smooth, glistening scalp looked downright terrifying.His belly was so massive that it resembled a giant beer barrel when he stood upright.His hands were red, soft, and wet, repulsive.He was sweating profusely, with bean-sized beads of sweat on his forehead and clean-shaven upper lip. They looked at each other in silence for a moment, then Hador turned to his servants. "Go ahead," he said. The two servants were scared out of their wits and hurried out of the house.He watched them leave the room with a numb smile on his face.Then he took a step towards the visitors.His demeanor still exuded the arrogance and refinement to which he had grown accustomed. "My friends, is there anything I can do for you?" "I'm here for Margaret's death," said Arthur.Hadow slowly looked from Arthur to Dr. Bojoy, then from the doctor to Susie, and finally settled on Susie's hat.Susie knew he must be thinking how to laugh at the hat, and was very uncomfortable about it. "I don't think this is the time to soothe my grief," he said at last. "If you are here to soothe me, I would venture to advise you to use the postal service." Arthur frowned. "Why didn't you tell me she was sick?" he asked. "My friend, though you find it strange, it never occurs to me that my wife's health has anything to do with you." A smile flickered across Haddo's lips, but his eyes were still stern and frightening.Arthur watched him silently. "I have every reason to believe that you killed her," he said. Hadow's expression remained unchanged. "Have you communicated your suspicions to the police?" "That's what I intend." "Let me ask rudely, why do you make such a judgment?" "I saw Margaret three weeks ago and she told me her life was in danger." "Poor Margaret! She's such a fantasist! But I think that's what brought us together." "You bloody scoundrel!" cried Arthur. "My dear friend, please watch your words. It is all right that you like insults, but this is not the occasion for you to abuse your poor taste. You frightened Miss Boyd." He turned to her, proudly He waved his fat hands, "Please forgive me for not treating you well according to Shane's hospitality. I am still immersed in sadness and cannot engage in frivolous entertainment." He bowed low to her, sarcastically in his manner, and looked at Arthur again. "If nothing else, please allow me to be alone with the memory of my wife in silence. The gatekeeper will give you the exact address of the police officer in the village." Arthur didn't answer.He stared at the sky, as if flipping through the memories in his mind.Then he turned around suddenly and walked towards the door.Susie and Dr. Bojoy were taken aback, not knowing what to do.Seeing them so embarrassed, Hado's small eyes sparkled. "I always thought your friend behaved very badly," he whispered. Susie was baffled, but after hearing Hadow's words, her face turned red.Dr. Bojoy took off his hat in embarrassment.They walked out, both of them could feel Hador's mocking gaze behind them.When they reached the gate, they breathed a sigh of relief.Arthur was waiting for them at the door. "I'm sorry," he said, "but I forgot about you for a while." The carriage drove slowly towards the small hotel. "What are you going to do now?" Susie asked. Arthur didn't answer for a long time, and Susie thought he didn't hear what he said.But eventually, he broke the silence. "I don't think the ordinary way would work. I realized that there was no way he could have aroused public censure, since I was the only one who thought Marguerite's death had been untimely. I couldn't expect anyone else to notice it." "After all, it's not impossible to die from a heart attack." Arthur stared at Susie for a long time, seeming to consider her words carefully. "Perhaps there is a way to determine that," he replied thoughtfully, as if talking to himself. "any solution?" Arthur didn't answer.Arriving at the door of the hotel, Arthur reined in his horse. "Can you go in first by yourself? I want to walk alone," he said. Susie looked at him worriedly. "You don't do stupid things, do you?" "Until it is established that Margaret was brutally murdered, I will not do anything." He turned and strode away.It was getting late, and the landlady had left a light meal in the small drawing room.Since the food was cold, there was no need to wait for Arthur to come back to eat together, so they ate again without saying a word.When the meal was over, the doctor smoked a cigarette while Susie sat by the open window, looking at the stars.Susie thinks of Margaret, of her beauty and charming frankness, of her depravity and eventual tragic end.Susie began to cry quietly.Now she knew that none of this was the poor girl's fault.A tragic fate befell her, and she was as defenseless as Phaedra, the daughter of Minos in ancient legends, or Mirra with her beautiful long hair.Hours passed, and Arthur hadn't returned.Susie's mind was full of Arthur.She was extremely anxious and very disturbed inside. It was late at night, and Arthur finally walked in.He took off his hat, sat down, and stared at Dr. Bojoy for a long moment in silence. "What's the matter, my friend?" asked the doctor. "Do you remember telling us about an experience you had in Alexandria?" he said, hesitating in his tone. There was curiosity in his voice. "You told us that you invited a boy, and when that kid looked into the mirror, he saw things he couldn't possibly have known in advance." "I remember," said the doctor. "I actually wanted to laugh at you because I was convinced that kid was a liar." "so?" "I've been thinking about that story a lot lately. Some memories hidden deep in my mind were opened up, and I recalled a lot of strange things. Is that the boy looking into the ink?" "Yes." The doctor said softly. Arthur didn't answer.Susie and the doctor stared at him intently, wondering what he was thinking.The three fell into a deep silence. "I've only recently discovered that I have a superstitious side," said Arthur at last. "When I first discovered my superstitions, I struggled with them. I told myself that deep down in every human being There is something left over from the past—the superstitions that have blinded our fathers, and so those who do science should fight as hard as they can. But I can't fight it. Maybe my birth, my early days there, everyone thought it was very The experience of the mysterious East had an effect on me, though I didn't realize it myself. I was vaguely reminded of some mysterious event that I didn't know about. Then suddenly one day, a new window opened in my soul , I saw clearly what you said. I knew immediately that it was my own experience. I saw you holding my hand, pouring ink on the palm of my hand, and telling me to look in. I I felt a strange light, and I was very scared. Then I clearly saw an image in the mirror that was not there before. I saw people I had never seen before, and what they were doing. Under the compulsion of some inexplicable force , I opened my mouth and told you what I saw. Then the light gradually dimmed, and I was exhausted, as if I hadn’t eaten all day.” He walked to the open window and looked out.Neither Susie nor the doctor spoke.The expression on Arthur's face was very serious under the light.His breathing became rapid, and he seemed to be experiencing a very intense psychological struggle.Finally he turned and looked at them. "I must see Marguerite again," he said quickly, hoarsely. "Arthur! You're crazy!" Susie yelled. He walked up to Dr. Bojoy, put his hands on the doctor's shoulders, and stared into the doctor's eyes. "You are an expert in this field, and there is nothing in this science that you don't know, so I hope you will let me see her again." The doctor let out a cry of terror. "My dear friend, how can I do it? Although I have read many books on this subject, I have never practiced it. I just study these things for fun." "Do you think this is achievable?" "I do not understand what you mean." "I wish you could summon her so I could talk to her and maybe find out the truth." "Do you think I'm God? How could I possibly bring the dead back to life?" Arthur pushed the doctor down on the chair, and the doctor struggled to get up.Arthur's fingers gripped the old man's shoulder so tightly that the pain was almost unbearable. "You told us that Eliphas Levi summoned the undead. Do you believe that to be true?" "I don't know. I have no prejudice against this kind of thing. There are many things that can't be said well." "You have to believe and do what he did." "Arthur, you must be crazy." "I want you to go to the place where I saw her last. If her spirit can be recalled, it must be there. She sat there weeping. You know all the necessary rituals and spells." Then Susie stepped forward and put her hand on his arm.He looked at her, frowning. "Arthur, you know in your heart that this is impossible. You are making yourself guilty. And, even if you could indeed raise her from the grave, why not let her troubled soul rest in peace? " "If she died naturally, there is nothing we can do about her. But if she died violently, her soul may still be wandering in the world. I tell you, I must find out about this matter. I want to see her again , and then I knew what to do." "I can't do it! I can't do it!" said the doctor. "Then give me the book, and I will do it myself." "All my stuff isn't here." "Then please do help me," said Arthur. "And then, what do you have to worry about? We're just doing a ritual, and if nothing happens, it won't get any worse, but if it works Oh! For God's sake, help me! If you care about my well-being, please do this for me." He took a step back and looked earnestly at the doctor.The doctor stared fixedly at the ground. "This is so stupid," he muttered under his breath. He was deeply moved by Arthur's plea.Finally, he shrugged. "After all, it doesn't hurt if it's just a silly and ridiculous ritual." "Will you help me?" Arthur yelled. "If it makes you feel calm and content, I'm willing to do whatever it takes. But I warn you, be prepared to be disappointed."