Chapter 2 footprints in the jungle

The most glamorous place in Peninsular Malaysia is Tanah Mora.The place is surrounded by the sea, and the sand is covered with casuarina trees.The government offices are still in the old Rad Hess Street where the Dutch occupied the land, and on the hill there are the gray ruins of a fort destroyed by the Portuguese.Tanamora has a long history, and Chinese merchants built many intricate houses here, which are right by the sea.So, in the evenings, when the weather cools down, they sit on the verandahs of their homes, where many families have settled for three centuries, enjoying the sea breeze.Many of them have long forgotten their own language and communicate with each other in Malay or English mixed with other languages.People's imagination can always be aroused here, because the past of the Malay Federation exists only in the memory of the ancestors of the living.

Tanamora was once the busiest commercial center in the Middle East: the harbor was packed with ships, and it was here that the clippers and galleons set off for the China Sea.But now, it has fallen silent.Like other cities that once occupied a prominent place in human history, but now can only live by reminiscing about their lost glory, Tanamora has its own unique pathos and romance.This is a sleepy town, but strangers who come here will lose their original passion; unconsciously, the relaxed and lazy lifestyle here will be integrated into their blood.Successive rubber booms failed to bring prosperity here, and the subsequent recession accelerated the decline of the town.

The European Quarter is very quiet, well decorated and clean.The houses of the white people--government employees and business agents--arranged pleasant and spacious bungalows among the cinnamon bushes around a huge playing field; Care, like a lawn outside a church, is, in fact, something quiet, beautiful and secluded in this corner of Tanamora that might remind you of places in Canterbury. The club faces the sea and is a spacious but old building; it has a neglected feel which invades its tranquility when you step inside.The feeling here is that it is closed for changes or repairs and you have made a rash decision to step into this inhospitable place.In the morning, you might spot a few cultivators coming to do business, and they always have a cocktail before leaving.In the late afternoon, you might spot a lady or two furtively flipping through back issues of the Illustrated London News.In the evening, a few men might wander in and sit down in the pool room, watching others play and sipping Soukas.And come Wednesday, it's going to be a lot more alive.On that day there would be a gramophone playing music in the great room upstairs, and people would come from the surrounding countryside to dance.Sometimes dozens of people are present, and it is even possible to organize two tables of bridge.

It was one of these days that I met the Cartwrights.I was hanging out with a guy named Gase--he was the head of the police department.I was sitting in the pool room when he came in and asked me if I would play bridge.The Cartwrights, who are farmers by trade, came to Tanamora on Wednesday to have some fun for their daughter.They were good people, said Gass, quiet and unostentatious, and good bridge players.I followed Gass to the card room, and he introduced me to the family.They were already seated at a table, and Mrs. Cartwright was shuffling the cards.The way she shuffled the cards looked professional, which encouraged me a bit.Holding half of the cards in one hand—her hands looked large and powerful—she intertwined the two halves expertly, and with a few clicks, the cards snapped neatly into one.

This looks like a trick.Anyone who plays poker knows that it takes constant practice to achieve this perfect state.I know very well that anyone who can shuffle cards so skillfully must have a sincere love for cards. "Do you mind if I go to bed with my husband?" Mrs. Cartwright asked. "It's no fun for us to win each other's money." "Of course I wouldn't mind." We settled that, and then Gus and I sat down. Mrs. Cartwright played a trump card quickly and skillfully, while chatting with Guss about local affairs.She looks like a curmudgeon, but is actually very good-natured.

She is a woman in her fifties (but Oriental women are easy to look old, and it is not easy to guess their age), her white hair is messy; A strand of hair from the forehead was brushed back.One couldn't help but wonder why she didn't need a barrette or two, but rather put up with the trouble.She had large blue eyes, but she looked pale and tired; her face was lined and sallow.It was her mouth, I think, that gave me the ironic quality of being mean and forgiving.This woman has a clear consciousness and is not afraid to express her thoughts.She's a gossip player (some people get annoyed by this, but it doesn't spoil my fun at all, because I don't think people should act like they're at a funeral when they play), and pretty soon, I It turned out that she was a good joker.Her words were often ironic, yet funny, and only a fool would find them offensive.From time to time she makes some scathing comments.If you're lucky enough to throw her into an embarrassing situation with a tactful response, a sneer will come out of her large, thin mouth and a twinkle in her eye.

I feel she is a pleasant person.I like her bluntness, I like her quick wit, I like her untouched face.I've never met a woman who cared so little about her appearance.Not only is her hair messy, but her whole body looks so sloppy.She wore a high-necked silk shirt, but for the sake of appearance, she left the top button unbuttoned, revealing her thin and gaunt neck; the shirt was wrinkled and not very clean, because she always It's because he keeps smoking and makes himself full of dust.When she stood up to talk to someone, I noticed that the hem of her blue blouse was even more uneven and needed to be smoothed out; besides, she was wearing a pair of heavy, low-heeled boots.But none of that matters.Everything she wears suits her.

Also, playing cards with her is fun.She always played quickly, without hesitation, and she not only knew the game of bridge well, but had a talent for it.Of course she knew Guth's routine, but I was a stranger, she didn't know me at first, but soon, she seemed to see through me.The cooperation between her and her husband is amazing.He was wise and cautious, and she knew it, so she was not afraid of daring risks, and her superb skills were double guaranteed.Gase is a blindly optimistic player, always thinking that his opponent has no awareness of taking advantage of his mistakes, and our combination can't play against the Cartwrights.We were losing all the time and there was nothing we could do - except smile and act like we were having fun.

"I don't know what's wrong with this card," Gass finally said whiningly. "Even though we had a good hand, we still lost." "You do lose all the time, and there's nothing we can do about it," replied Mrs. Cartwright, looking into Garth's face with her pale blue eyes, "it's just your bad luck, as simple as that. " Gase began to elaborate on the loss this misfortune had caused us, but Mrs. Cartwright nonetheless deftly dealt out the good cards to keep the game going.Mr. Cartwright checked the time. "Let's just play the last game, honey," he said.

"Oh, is that so?" She glanced at her watch, and stopped a waiter who just passed by the room, "Oh, Mr. Brun, if you are going upstairs, please tell Oliver that we I'll be gone in a few minutes." Then she turned to me, "We'll need an hour to get home, and poor Theo has to be up at the crack of dawn." "Oh, by the way, we only come once a week," said Mr. Cartwright. "It's the only chance Oliver has for pleasure and indulgence." I get the feeling that Mr. Cartwright looks tired and worn out.He was of medium height, bald, with a shiny head, a stubbled gray beard, and gold-rimmed spectacles.He was wearing white canvas trousers and a black and white tie.He was a rather tidy-looking man, and you could tell he put a lot more thought into his clothes than his messy wife.He seldom speaks, yet clearly enjoys his wife's snarky humor, and occasionally delivers a good riposte.They are clearly a very good pair of friends.It's delightful to see them at their age, who have obviously lived together for many years, still be so connected and tolerant of each other.

We were quickly wrapping up our last hand and ordering a final bitter gin when we saw Oliver come down the stairs. Mrs. Cartwright looked lovingly at her daughter. "My dear, it's almost eight-thirty. We won't have dinner until ten." "I curse our dinner," said Oliver cheerfully. "Let her have one last dance before we go," suggested Mr. Cartwright. "No, you must have a good night's rest." Mr. Cartwright looked at Oliver and smiled. "My dear, since your mother has made up her mind, we must obey without objection." "She's such a determined woman," Oliver said, lovingly fondling his mother's wrinkled face. Mr. Cartwright patted his daughter's hand lightly and kissed it. Oliver is not very beautiful, but the overall feeling is very good.I think she's about nineteen or twenty, still plump for her age, and if she'd been a little thinner, she'd be more attractive.She was not so like her mother, but more like her father; she had his dark eyes and aquiline nose, and his good-natured expression.It was obvious that Oliver was looking strong and healthy.Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were bright, and she had the vitality that her father had once had.She was a very typical British girl, with high spirits, a passion for enjoying life, and a good temper. After we parted, Gus and I started walking to his house. "What do you think of the Cartwrights?" he asked me. "I like them. In a place like this, they should be considered a unique family." "I'd like them to come more often. They lead a very peaceful life." "It must have been boring for the girl. The parents seemed content with each other's company." "Yes, it was a very successful marriage." "Oliver looks a lot like her father, doesn't he?" Gus gave me a sideways look. "Mr. Cartwright was not Oliver's father. Mrs. Cartwright was a widow when they married. Oliver was not born until four months after her father's death." "what!" I draw out my voice to express my surprise, interest and curiosity.However, Gus said nothing more, and we walked all the way back in silence.There was a boy waiting at the door when we entered.After a last glass of gin we sat down to dinner. In the beginning, Gass was particularly talkative.One of Gass's duties was to see through the smuggling activities that had grown lately due to rubber production constraints.That day, they intercepted two smuggling boats, and Gase was complacent about it.Confiscated rubber fills the police station and will soon be incinerated.He fell silent, however, and we finished our meal in silence.The servants brought in coffee and brandy, and we lit our chegars.Gus leaned back deeply in his chair.He looked at me thoughtfully, then at his brandy.The boys left the room, and now we were alone in the room. "I've known Mrs. Cartwright for more than twenty years," he said slowly. "In her youth she was not as bad as she seems now. She was not always very neat, but in her youth the untidyness was Not that important, but attractive. She was married to a guy called Bronson, Reggie Bronson. Police station in Alor Lipis. Back then, the place was much smaller than it is now, the whole community probably had no more than twenty people, but they had a nice club where we had a really good time. I still I remember the first time I met Mrs. Cartwright. It was like yesterday. There were no carriages back then, and she and Bronson were just riding bicycles. Of course, she didn’t look as determined as she is now. She wanted to Much thinner, with a nice complexion, and beautiful eyes, you know, blue eyes, and a lot of black hair. If she took a little care of her grooming, she might be very attractive. At that time, She seemed to be the most beautiful woman out there." I began to try to imagine what Mrs. Cartwright was then—no, Mrs. Bronson—from what she looked like now, and from Gass's not very vivid description.What would that strong, buxom woman at the bridge table have looked like in her youth?What would she look like when she was happier, more graceful, and more mobile?Today, her chin is sharp and her nose looks resolute, but that's how she should have been in her youth: she must have had attractive rosy skin, and her hair, not carefully combed, would have been brown and very dense.At that time, she must have been wearing a long dress with a tight belt and a beautiful hat.Or, do Malayan women still wear sun hats like those in the illustrated magazines of old? "I haven't seen her in -- oh, nearly twenty years," Gass continued. "I know she lives somewhere in FMS, and I'm surprised that after I took the job , actually ran into her at the club as I used to do at Seratan. Of course, she is older now and has changed so much that I almost don't know her anymore. When I saw that she had a grown daughter, I It took me by surprise, and it made me realize how time has passed; when I first met her, I was a young lad, and now, my God, I'm retiring in two or three years. It's kind of overwhelming, Isn't it?" There was a sad smile on Gase's ugly face, and he looked at me with a little resentment, as if I had the ability to help him restore the passage of time. "I'm not a child anymore either," I replied. "You don't spend your whole life in the East. People age faster here." However, I don't want Gass to make a tirade about old age. "When you saw Mrs. Cartwright again, did you recognize her?" I asked. "Well, it seems specious. When I first caught sight of her, I thought I knew her, but I couldn't say her name. I thought it was something I saw on the boat when I was on vacation, only in person woman. But when she spoke, I recognized her instantly. I recognized the light in her eyes and the clarity of her voice. Her voice at the time seemed to mean: Boy, you are such a fool, but But it’s not a bad guy, I kind of like you.” "It's amazing that you can hear these things in your voice." I said with a smile. "In that club, she came up to me and shook my hand. 'How's it going, Colonel Gase? Do you remember me?' she said. "'of course I remember.' "'We haven't seen each other for a long time. We're not getting any younger. Have you seen Theo?'" For a split second, I didn't realize who she was talking about.I guess I looked pretty stupid then, because she gave me a sudden grin—a playful grin I'm familiar with—and explained it to me. "'You know, I married Theo. It seemed like the best thing I ever did. I was lonely and he needed me.' "'I heard you married him,' said I, 'and I think you must be very happy.' "'Oh, yes. Theo is a perfect lover. He'll be here in a minute. He'll be delighted to see you.' "I doubt it. I guess I'm the last person Theo wants to see. I don't think she's really happy to see me either. But women are interesting things." "Why doesn't she want to see you?" I asked. "I'll get to that in a minute," Gase said, "and then Theo showed up. I don't know why I called him Theo, I used to call him Cartwright. Theo was a shocker. Man. You've seen him now, and I remember him as a young man with curly hair, so fresh, so neat. He's always been so clean and tidy, and he's in great shape and has been taking care of it, Seems like he's been doing a lot of exercise for a long time. Looking back, he wasn't ugly then, and, you know, graceful, supple. So when I saw this hunched, haggard, and not low-key When I was old, I couldn't believe my eyes. He seemed happy to see me, or at least expressed his interest; So I didn't expect his performance at that time. "'You must be surprised to see us here all of a sudden, don't you?' he asked me. "'Well, I had no idea where you were. ' "'We have been a little concerned about your whereabouts. We have always seen your name in the papers from time to time. You must come and see where we live someday. We have lived here for many years, I think, in We will still be living here until we return permanently. Have you ever returned to Alor Lipis?" "'No, I haven't been back,' I said. "'It's a nice place, though small. I hear it's getting better. But I've never been back.' "'It wasn't a memorable place for us,' said Mrs. Cartwright. "I asked them if they wanted a drink, and then called the waiter. I think you've noticed that Mrs. Cartwright is a drinker. I'm not saying she can't live without it, but she does drink like a man." Same. I couldn't help but look at them curiously. They looked like they were very happy, and I later found out, they lived a very rich life. They really fit each other. You know, seeing two married It's a joy that long-lost people are still most content in each other's company. Their marriage is clearly a success. They both love Oliver dearly and are proud of her, Theo especially." "Does he love her even though she's only his stepdaughter?" I asked. "Even though she's only his stepdaughter," Gass replied, "you'd think Oliver would take his last name, but she doesn't. Of course she calls him father, and he's the only father she's ever known, Yet as she writes, the General Signature: Oliver Bronson." "By the way, what does Bronson look like?" "Bronson? He was a tall guy, very sincere, with a loud voice, a roaring laugh, and a strong build. He had a red face and red hair. Now that I think about it, I've never seen a guy like that." He was such a sweaty guy. The sweat was pouring out of him all the time, and every time he played tennis, he would come to the court with a towel.” "It seems he is not a very attractive man." "He's a good-looking lad. He's always been in great shape -- he's been into working out. You know, he's got pretty much nothing to talk about other than rubber, games, tennis, golf and shooting, I think. He won't read a book all year. He's your typical public school kid. When I first met him, he was about thirty-five, but he had the look of an eighteen-year-old. Heart. You know, a lot of people seem to stop growing up when they come to the East." I did grow up again.The worst part of traveling is seeing bald, stocky, middle-aged gentlemen who talk and act like students.You might think that they don't have anything on their minds because they've just crossed the Suez Canal for the first time.Despite being married, with kids, and perhaps running a large business, they continue to see life through the eyes of a sixth grader. "But he's not stupid," Gase continued. "He knows his business very well. He runs it exceptionally well, and he knows how to manipulate workers. Can't help liking him. He's generous with money and often doing good. That's the first impression of Cartwright." "Did Mrs. Cartwright get on well with Reggie Bronson?" "Oh, I think so. I'm pretty sure they get along very well. Bronson has a good temper, and she has a pleasant personality. You know, she's very straight. Even now, she gets caught up in things Great fun, but it's often the stinging jokes. She was married to Bronson when she was very young, and it was an innocent and happy affair. She was always in high spirits and loved to have a good time She never cared what she said, but generally it was the words of her character, I think you can see what I mean; she was always so open and forthright and careless, So people didn't mind much what she said to them. Everyone thought it was a pleasure to get along with her. "Their property is five miles from Alor Lipis. They have a horse-drawn carriage, and they drive five miles every evening. Of course, it is a small community, and the residents are mostly men, and the women are about 100. Six. Bronson is a gift from God to the world. As soon as they got there, they started to fix things. We had a very good time at the club together. I think about them a lot, generally speaking, The time I was stationed there was the happiest time of my life. Twenty years ago, between 6:00 and 8:30 every night, the club in Alor Lipis was a vibrant place, just like you can in Aden Or as seen in Yokohama. "One day Mrs. Bronson told them that a friend was coming to stay with them for a while. A few days later they brought Cartwright. He was an old friend of Bronson's, whom they had known at school Well, like in Marlborough or something, they came East on the same ship in the first place. Then the rubber industry went bad, and a lot of people lost their jobs because of it, and Cartwright was one of them. He was out of work a lot It's been half a year, and there is nothing to rely on. At that time, the salary of growers was much lower than it is now, and few people in this industry have any savings for a rainy day. Cartwright went to Singapore. You know, When the economy is bad, they all go to Singapore. It was bad back then, and I've seen it; I know farmers who sleep on the street because they can't afford boarding. I know they often stop some Strangers who appeared to be 'European' and asked for a dollar for a meal. I think Cartwright's life must have sucked back then. "Finally, he wrote to Bronson asking if there was anything he could do for him. Bronson then invited him to come and live with them until things got better, at least to provide him with free board and lodging. Cartwright So took the opportunity, but Bronson had to send him travel expenses. By the time Cartwright got to Alor Lipis, he was almost broke. Bronson had a little money, I think about a year It looked like two or three hundred, although his salary was also reduced, but at least he kept his job, so the situation was better than most growers. After Cartwright arrived at Bronson's house, Mrs. Bronson told him that he could use this place as a Make it your own home and live as long as you want.” "She's such a nice person, isn't she?" I remarked. "Very kind." Gase lit another chegar.The silence between us intensified.On this hot night, it seems that we are the only ones left in the whole world. God knows how far the distance between people is.Gus didn't speak for a long time, so I had to force myself to say something. "What was Cartwright then?" I asked. "Younger, of course, and you told me he was handsome, but what was he like?" "Oh, to tell you the truth, I didn't pay much attention to him. He was very pleasant and unassuming. I think you have noticed that he is very quiet now; however, he was not very angry then. But he Definitely not the annoying kind. He loves to read and plays the piano well. You don't hate being around him, and he's definitely not someone who likes to offend, but you probably don't pay much attention either. He. He can dance very well, which is very popular with women; he can also play billiards very well, and he is not bad at tennis. but everyone loves him. Of course we all feel sorry for him, the way people feel sorry for down and out men, but we can't do anything about it, we just accept him and forget that he's not Always belonged there. He always came to the club with Mrs. Bronson and bought his own drinks like everyone else, I guess Bronson gave him some money for overhead and he was always very polite. I Didn't know him very well, because he really didn't impress me; in the East, we always meet a lot of people like that, and he was just like everyone else, nothing special. He tried his best Looking for something to do, but he was not having much luck. However, in fact, there was no work at that time, and at times, he looked very depressed about it. He lived with the Bronsons for more than a year. I remember He once said to me: 'After all, I can't stay with them all my life. They are too good to me, but there should be a limit to everything.' "'I think the Bronsons must have enjoyed your company.' I said, 'The rubber business is not a pleasant one, and your presence must have made some precious difference in their lives.'" Gus stopped again and looked at me quietly, hesitantly. "What's wrong?" I asked. "I think I failed to tell you the story," he said. "I feel like I'm talking gibberish. I'm not a novelist. I'm a policeman. I'm just telling you the facts of what I saw at the time." .From my point of view, any situation is important, I mean, it is beneficial to recognize who they are." "Of course. If you have something to say, just say it." "I think of a person, a woman, I think a doctor's wife, asking Mrs. Bronson if she ever got bored with a stranger in the house. You know, in a place like Alor Lipis, you can say Not many people talk, and if you don't talk about your neighbourhood, there's hardly anything to talk about. "'Oh no,' she said, 'Theo's no burden.' However, she turned to her husband, who was grimacing, 'We'd all love him to live with us, wouldn't we?' "'He's a really nice guy,' Bronson said. "'What does he do all day?' "'Oh, I don't know, either,' said Mrs. Bronson. 'He sometimes goes with Reggie on estate tours, and occasionally shoots. Talks to me sometimes.' "'He was always happy to be of help,' says Bronson. 'I had a high fever the other day, and he gladly took my job, so I stayed in bed all day.' " "Do the Bronsons have any kids?" I asked. "No," Gase replied, "I don't know why, they are clearly capable of raising children." Gus leaned back in his chair, then took off his glasses and started wiping them.The glasses were heavily prescribed and severely distorted his eyes.He might be a lot more handsome without those glasses.The clock on the wall was chirping in a strange, human way, like the clucking of an idiot child. "Bronson was killed," Gass said suddenly. "Killed?" "Yes, murder. I'll never forget that night. We were playing tennis, Mrs. Bronson and the doctor's wife, Theo Cartwright and I, and then we played bridge. Cartwright was playing tennis Lost a lot of games, so when we sat down at the bridge table Mrs Bronson said to him: 'Oh, Theo, if you were as bad at bridge as you were at tennis we might lose our shirts gone.' "We had just had a drink, but she called the waiter and ordered some more. "'Drink it,' she said to him. "Bronson didn't come that day, he went to Kabulon to get money to pay the labourers, and planned to join us with the club when things were over. Nearby, but Cabron was a more commercially valuable place, so Bronson deposited his money there. "'When Reggie gets back, we can join in,' said Mrs. Bronson. "'He's late, isn't he?' said the doctor's wife. "'Yes, it was very late. He said he was too late to play tennis, but he could come back to play cards. I suspect he didn't just come back after finishing his business, but went to the club in Cabron, and is drinking there now. , the rascal.' "'Oh, he can drink a lot and not get drunk,' I said with a smile. "'You know, he's getting fatter. He should be careful.' "We were sitting in the card room, and we could hear people talking and laughing in the pool room. They seemed to be very happy. It was almost Christmas, and we were all more indulgent than usual. The night of Christmas Eve will be There is a dance. "I think in hindsight that when we sat down, the doctor's wife asked Mrs. Bronson if she was tired. "'No,' she said, 'how can I be tired?' "I don't know why she blushed. "'I thought the tennis game was too much for you,' said the doctor's wife. "'Oh, no,' replied Mrs. Bronson suddenly and casually. I think she felt as if she didn't want to continue the discussion. "I didn't know what that meant at the time, in fact, I only recalled it later. "We played three or four hands, and Mr. Bronson hadn't turned up yet. "'I wonder if something has happened to him,' said his wife, 'and I can't think of any reason for him not coming back so late.' "Cartwright is usually quiet, but this night, he hardly spoke at all. I thought he might be tired, so I asked him what he had been up to that day. "'Not doing much,' he said, 'after lunch, I went out and shot pigeons.' "'How's your luck?' I asked. "'Oh, not bad, I got half a dozen pigeons. They're scary guys.' "And then he went on to say: 'Reggie hasn't come in so late, I think he probably doesn't think it's interesting to come here. I guess he's probably showered and fallen asleep in his chair.' "'It is indeed a long way from Cabron to here,' said the doctor's wife. "'He didn't take the road,' explained Mrs. Bronson, 'he took the short cut out of the woods.' "'Can he handle that bike?' I asked. "'Oh yes, that's a nice car. Save yourself a few miles.' "We were about to play the next game when a waiter came and told me there was a police officer outside who wanted to talk to me. "'What does he want?' I asked. "The boy replied that he didn't know, but he had brought two more people. "'Damn it,' I said, 'if he bothers me for no reason, I'm going to send him to hell.' "I told the boy I'd be right there and we finished the hand. Then I got up. "'I'll be right back,' I said. 'Help me deal the cards, will you?' I added to Cartwright. "I went out and found the officer waiting for me on the steps with two Malays. I asked him what he wanted to do. So he told me that the two Malays came to the police station to report that they found a白人一动不动地躺在通往卡布隆的丛林里。你可以想象我当时有多么震惊。我立刻便想到了布朗森。 “'死了吗？'我叫道。 “'是的，是受到了枪击。直接击中头部。一个红头发的白人。' “于是我便知道一定是雷吉·布朗森，事实也确实如此，一个熟悉他地产的人说，那人就是那地产的主人。这真是可怕的一击。而布朗森夫人那时仍在棋牌室里不耐烦地等着我回去下注。有那么一段时间，我完全不知道该做些什么。我感觉世界完全颠覆了。要毫无预兆地告诉她这个可怕的消息以及意外的打击是件很骇人的事情，但我发现自己完全想不出什么可以缓和这一打击的办法。我让那警官和两个小工先等着，然后转身返回了俱乐部。我试着让自己振作起来。当我回到棋牌室时，布朗森夫人说：'你离开得太久了。'随后，她看了我一眼。'是有什么重要的事情吗？'我看到她握紧了拳头，脸色变得煞白。你可能会认为她对邪恶有种莫名的预感。 “'有件可怕的事情发生了，'我说，我的喉咙几乎都闭了起来，因此即便是自己听起来，我的声音也是沙哑而怪诞的，'出了点儿意外，你的丈夫受伤了。' “她大大地喘了口气，并不完全像是尖叫，让我突然想起了丝绸被截为两半的声音。 “'受伤了？' “她跳了起来，眼睛盯着卡特莱特。而卡特莱特此时则是一脸惨白，他更深地陷入到椅子里，突然变得像死人一样。 “'恐怕是伤得非常非常重。'我补充道。 “我知道我必须告诉她真相，并且是马上告诉她，但我无法做到。 “'他还——'她的嘴唇不住地颤抖，以至于说出的话很是含糊，'他还——有意识吗？' “我盯着她看了一会儿，没有回答，仿佛有千磅的重量正压在我身上。 “'不，我恐怕他已经没有意识了。' “布朗森夫人盯着我，似乎想要将我看穿一般。 “'他死了吗？' “我想，我唯一能做的事情便是将事情挑明，并想办法应对。 “'是的，他们发现他的时候，他已经死了。' “布朗森夫人跌坐到椅子里，爆发似的哭了起来。 “'我的天啊！'她喃喃道，'我的天啊！' “医生的夫人走向她，伸出手将她抱住。布朗森夫人双手掩面，歇斯底里地擦拭着眼泪。而卡特莱特只是铁青着脸，默默地坐着，他张着嘴，看着布朗森夫人。你要是看到当时那场景，可能会以为他变作石头了。 “'哦，亲爱的，亲爱的，'医生的妻子说，'你必须要试着振作起来。'然后，她转向我，'给她弄杯水来，并通知哈里过来吧。' “哈里是她丈夫，那时正在玩台球。我去了台球室，将新近发生的一切告诉了他。 “'该死的一杯水，'他说，'她现在需要的是白兰地。' “我们给她带来了白兰地，并强迫她喝了下去，她才开始慢慢地恢复了平静。过了好一会儿，那医生的妻子才得以将她带去洗手间帮她洗了个脸。我已经想好了现在该怎么做才好。我发现卡特莱特的用处不大，他也被击垮了。我可以理解，这对他而言也是沉重的一击，不管怎样，布朗森是他最好的朋友，并且为他做了一切。 “'我看你最好还是来点儿白兰地吧，那能让你感觉好些。'我对他说。 “他努力想要说点儿什么。 “'你知道，这真是太打击人了，'他说，'我……我没有……'他停了下来，似乎在思考什么。他仍是吓得一脸苍白的样子，他拿出烟来，并点燃了火柴，但他的手一直在抖，因此好长时间都没能将那烟给点上。 “'好的，我会喝点儿白兰地的。' “'孩子，'我叫道，然后对他说，'你现在情况怎样？可以送布朗森夫人回家吗？' “'是的，我可以的。'他回答说。 “'这很好。医生先生和我将会同小工和警察们一起去现场看看。' “'你可以把他送回家来吗？'卡特莱特问。 “'我想他应该被直接送到太平间才是。'我还没来得及回答，医生便先开口说话了，'我还需要对尸体做个检查。' “布朗森夫人回来时，我惊奇地发现她比先前镇静多了，随后，我告诉了他我的相关建议。医生的老婆是个好心人，她提出愿陪布朗森夫人回去并在她家留宿，但布朗森夫人并没有接受。她说她已经没事了，而当医生的夫人再次坚持时——你知道人们想要帮助陷入困境之人时的那种强迫感——她几乎是很残酷地回绝了她。 “'不，不，我必须要独处，'她说，'我真的必须独处。并且家里还有西奥在的。' “于是他们便上了马车。西奥在前面骑马，他们就这样离开了。在他们走后不久，我们也启程了，我和医生走前面，那警官和小工则紧跟在我们后面。我已托人将消息告知警局，并再派两个人到事发现场与我会合。我们很快便赶上了布朗森夫人和卡特莱特。 “'你们还好吧？'我问。 “'是的，很好。'卡特莱特回答说。 “好长一会儿，医生和我只是默默地前进着，我们也都受到了深深的震撼。并且我也很担心。我还必须要找出凶手来，这并不是件容易的事。 “'你觉得这会是抢劫的暴徒干的吗？'医生终于打破了沉默。 “他就像是能看穿我在想些什么。 “'我并不怀疑这点。'我回答说，'他们知道他要去卡布隆取工人的工资，于是便埋伏在路旁等他回来。当然，他真不该在很多人都知道他会带着钱的时候取道丛林。' “'他多年来一直是这么干的。'医生说，'并且他也不是唯一喜欢取道丛林的人。' “'我知道。问题在于，我们要怎样才能找到谋杀他的人。' “'你不觉得最早发现他尸体的两个小工有些嫌疑吗？' “'不，他们没那胆量。这倒像是中国佬才会干的事，我不相信马来人会做这种事。他们太胆小了。当然，我们也会注意他们。我们很快就能看到他们是否有很多钱可以挥霍的。' “'这可真是难为了布朗森太太，'医生说，'无论何时，这都是一种沉重的打击，并且她已经怀上孩子了。' “'我还不知道这点。'我插嘴道。 “'出于某些原因，她希望这件事情不要泄露出去。我觉得在这个问题上她真有意思。' “于是，我突然想起了布朗森夫人和医生妻子间的谈话，明白了为什么那好心的女人会如此强调让布朗森夫人不要过于劳累。 “'她在结婚后这么多年才怀上小孩，也真是件怪事。' “'你知道，这也是有可能的。但这可真是吓到了她。当我告诉她让她觉得虚弱就是这原因时，她竟哭了起来。我想她应该是高兴过度了。她告诉我说，布朗森不喜欢孩子，他完全不想要孩子。她让我保证不要将这事泄露出去，她想自己慢慢找机会告诉布朗森。' “我沉思了一会儿。 “'他是那种活泼又诚恳的汉子，我觉得他应该是强烈地渴望有个孩子才是。' “'这些事也很难说。有的人很自私，就是不愿意麻烦。' “'好吧，那布朗森夫人告诉他时，他是什么反应呢？他有表示强烈的反对吗？' “'我不知道她有没有告诉他。她可以等的时间其实也不多，如果我没看错的话，五个月之内，她应该就要生了。' “'真是可怜的人，'我说，'你知道，我觉得他听到这消息一定会很高兴的。' “我们又一路无语，一直到了去卡布隆的捷径与大道的分叉处。我们在这里等了一会儿，等着那警官和两个小工赶上来。两个小工举着灯走在前面，我们则尾随其后。这是一条很宽敞的道，足够一个小型马车队通过，在公路建成以前，这里曾是连接卡布隆和亚罗立卑的大道。地面很结实，在这上面步行会是个不错的选择。地面上有很多沙子，有的地方还有很明显的自行车印。这就是布朗森去往卡布隆的行迹。 “我想我们大约列队往前走了二十分钟，突然，小工大叫一声，停了下来。这场面出现得如此突然，他们也因此震惊了。通过小工们手上那微弱的灯光，我们看到了躺在道路中间的布朗森。他是从自行车上跌落的，以一个难看的姿势躺在地上。我惊得说不出话来，我想那医生也是。然而尽管我们很安静，丛林里的喧嚣声却是震耳欲聋，那些蝉和牛蛙似乎很想要把死者唤醒。即使在平日里，这丛林里的各种噪音也是很恐怖的，因为那是个你原以为会万籁俱寂的时刻，这就会对你产生些奇怪的影响，那不断的、无形的喧嚣总会打动你的神经。它围绕着你，将你卷入其中。然而却仍是一样的恐怖。那可怜的人就那么躺在地上，然而丛林里那些生生不息的生物仍继续着它们的漠然与凶残。 “他是脸朝下躺着的。那警官和两个小工转头看着我，似乎在等我的指示行事。那时我还很年轻，当时几乎是被吓惨了。虽然我没有看到他的脸，但我知道那就是布朗森。然而我还是觉得我应该将尸体转过身来，进行进一步的确认。我想，当时我们恐怕受到了很大的惊吓；你知道，我一直很讨厌触碰死人的尸体。我现在常常需要做这事，但仍会感觉有些恶心。 “'没错，确实是布朗森。'我说。 “那医生——确实，有他在真是我的一大幸事——那医生弯下身去，将尸体的头转了过来。警官于是将灯照准了死者的脸。 “'天哪！他的半个脑袋都被打掉了。'我叫道。 “'是的。' “医生直直地站着，并用路旁一棵树上的树叶擦拭了自己的手。 “'他已经完全没救了吗？'我问。 “'哦，是的。他应该是当场便毙命了。射击他的人应该是在很近的距离内干的。' “'你看他死了大概有多久？' “'哦，我不知道，应该是几个小时吧。' “'我猜他应该是五点左右经过这里的，如果他是想六点赶到俱乐部玩牌的话。' “'倒是一点儿挣扎的痕迹也没有。'医生说。 “'不，肯定不会有的。他中枪时正骑在自行车上。' “我盯着那尸体看了一会儿，忍不住想起从前那个爱讲话、大嗓门而又热忱友好的布朗森。 “'你还记得他应该是带着小工们的工资吧。'医生说。 “'是啊，我们最好搜一搜。' “'我们要把他整个转过来吗？' “'等等。让我先看看地面。' “我接过灯，尽量仔细地看了看。在布朗森倒下的地方，地面上有践踏和模糊的痕迹，有我们的脚印，也有找到他们的小工的脚印。我走了两三步，然后看到了很清晰的车轮印。他一直是平稳地直线行驶的。我又走到了他倒下的地点，再到倒下之前的地方，然后，我在车印两旁发现了重重的靴印。很显然，他在那里停了下来，并且双脚着地，随后他又试着出发，从车印上可以看出，那时这车有出现左右摇晃。再后来，他便倒下了。 “'现在我们来搜一搜吧。'我说。 “医生和警官将尸体翻了过来，一个小工则把那自行车拖到了一边。他们让布朗森正面朝天地躺着。我猜他应该有些钞票，有些银币。银币应该在挂在自行车上的一个袋子里，但我扫了一眼，并未发现。而纸币应放在他的钱夹里，应该是厚厚的一沓才对。我搜遍了他的全身，然而却一无所获；然后我翻开他的口袋，几乎都是空的，除了裤子右边的口袋里有些零钞。 “'他是不是总爱随身带一块表？'医生问。 “'是的，他通常都会带着。' “我记得在他外套翻领的纽扣孔上有条链子，装手帕的口袋里有表和一些印章什么的。然而手表和链子却不见了。 “'现在似乎已没有疑问了，是吧？'我说。 “很显然，他是被一些知道他会携带重金的强盗袭击了。在将其杀害以后，他们抢走了他的一切。我突然想起那证明他曾停了一会儿的脚印。我似乎看见了当时的情形。有人以某种借口拦下了他，随后，在他又开始启程时，另一个人从丛林里溜出来，在他身后给了他两枪管的子弹。 “'好吧，'医生说，'我希望能抓住他们，并且，真希望能看到他们被绞死。' “当然，接下来就是一些讯问。布朗森夫人给了一些线索，但她却没能给出什么我们尚未清楚的信息。布朗森是在十一点左右离家的，他决定去卡布隆用午餐，并在下午五点至六点间回来。他叫布朗森太太不要等他，他说，他把钱放到安全的地方后就会去俱乐部找她。卡特莱特也证实了这点。他和布朗森夫人一起用了午饭，之后，他抽了点儿烟，然后便出去打鸽子去了。他得手了五只鸽子，然后回家洗澡，换衣服，随后便到俱乐部打网球。他就是在距布朗森遇害地点不远的地方打鸽子的，但他没有听见枪声。这当然并不意味着什么，有那些蝉和牛蛙的干扰，还有丛林里的各种噪音，他什么也没听见实属常事。此外，布朗森遇害时，卡特莱特说不定已经回家了。我们探寻了布朗森的行踪。他在卡布隆一家俱乐部用了午餐，并刚好赶在银行关门前去取了钱，然后他返回俱乐部，又喝了一杯，然后骑车离开。他乘渡船过了河，船夫很清楚地记得他曾经过那里，并且肯定当时没有其他骑自行车的人。这就说明，凶手并没有跟踪他，而是在丛林里等着他。他在主路上走了几英里，然后便走上了通往家里的那条捷径。 “看起来，他似乎是被熟知他习惯的人所杀，因此，嫌疑无疑便落到了他地产上的那些小工头上。我们仔细地调查了他们——非常仔细，但却没有任何线索能表明他们和此事有牵连。事实上，他们都能给出合理的不在场的描述及证明，而那些没有证人的，在我看来也并没有多少可疑之处。亚罗立卑有好些不规矩的中国人，我也调查了他们。但我也并不认为这事是那些中国人干的，我总觉得中国人习惯用左轮手枪，而不是散弹猎枪。总之，从他们身上也是一无所获。因此，我们开始悬赏一千美元，奖励那些能为我们提供线索的人。我想，应该有很多人会愿意做点儿同时能领取一笔赏金的公共服务。然而我也知道，告密者通常也不愿冒险，在确认他们的安全得到保证之前，他们是什么也不会说的。因此，我一直耐心地等待着。这赏金让我的警员们精神大振，我知道，他们一定会想尽办法，让罪犯能够被绳之于法。在这种情况下，他们能做的事情往往比我要多。 “然而奇怪的是，之后仍是一点儿动静也没有，这赏金似乎没有诱惑到任何人。于是，我把网撒得更大了一点儿。事发点的路旁有两三个小村庄，我猜想凶手会不会来自那里。我去见了他们的首领，然而仍是一无所获。并不是他们不愿意告诉我什么，而是我也确定，他们没什么可告诉我的东西。我同那些坏家伙谈了话，但他们显然和那桩谋杀案一点儿关系也没有。事情仍是毫无进展。 “'很好，老兄，'在返回亚罗立卑时，我对自己说，'不急，那绞刑架上的绳索反正是不会腐烂的。' “这些坏蛋抢走了大量的钱，而那些钱总是要花的。我觉得我很了解那些当地人的性情，那些钱对他们而言绝对是种极大的诱惑。马来人喜好挥霍无度，是一个好赌的族群，中国人也是一群赌徒；过不了多久，就会有人露财了，那时，我就能找到那些钱的出处了。我精心准备了一些问题，认为足以让那些家伙产生对神的敬畏，接下来，只要我能够胜任自己的本职工作，便能让他们如实招供。 “现在唯一的问题便是坐下来等待，等到风头过去，凶手们认为人们已忘了这件事为止。这些轻易得来的钱会让那些人的手越来越痒，最终，他们将无法抵制这样的诱惑。我可以去做其他的事情，但我不会放松警惕，总有一天，那个水落石出的日子一定会到来的。 “卡特莱特把布朗森夫人带去了新加坡。布朗森就职的公司问他能否接替布朗森的位置，但他很自然地拒绝了。于是，公司便找了其他人。四个月后，奥利弗在新加坡降生了，几个月后，在布朗森去世刚满一年的样子，卡特莱特和布朗森太太结婚了。我感到很是惊讶，但仔细想一想，又不得不承认这确实是很正常的事。布朗森去世后，布朗森太太从卡特莱特身上学到了很多东西，并且一直是他在打理她家中的一切事务。她一定很孤独，非常失落，我敢说，她一定很感激他的友善，卡特莱特确实表现得像个大好人；而对于他，我觉得他一定是很同情布朗森太太，这对一个女人而言是件很恐怖的事情，她没有地方可去了，他们一起经历了那么多，自然会产生出感情。他们完全有理由结婚，这对他们两人来讲都是件好事。 “看起来，谋杀布朗森的人似乎永远也找不出来了，因为我的计划毫无成效，这一带并没出现比从前更为奢侈的人，一个有这么多钱却仍能克制自己不瞎花的人，一定有着极强的自制力，是个超人。一年过去了，这事渐渐被人们淡忘。居然有人能如此谨慎，竟在一年后都未曾使用那钱。于是我开始想，杀害布朗森的人可能是一群游荡的中国人，也许他们在得手后逃到了新加坡，去那里也许能捉住他们。然而最终我又放弃了。如果你总是去想着它们，就是这些犯罪活动，那些强盗犯下的罪，捉到他们的机会仍是很小。因为他们并没有留下任何线索，如果被捕了，只能是出于他们自己的疏忽。这和出于激情或是报复的犯罪不同，那种情况下，你还能猜到哪些人会有犯案动机。 “没有必要为某些失败而发脾气，我尽力提醒自己别再去想这件事。没有人喜欢被打败，但既然已经受到了挫折，就应该尽量勇敢地去面对。接着，我们捉住了一个试图典当布朗森表的中国人。 “我说过，布朗森的表和链子不见了，当然，布朗森夫人给了我们足够详尽的描述。这是块半双盖表，是本森出品的，另外还有一条金链子、三四个印章和一个外国式样的钱夹。那典当商是个聪明人，当那中国人拿出表时，他一眼就认出了那是布朗森的表。他找了个借口拖住那中国人，并派人找来了警察。那人于是立刻被捕了，很快又被送到我这里。我跟他打了招呼，像是对着失散已久的兄弟那样。在我的一生中，我从未因见到一个人而如此高兴过。你知道，我对那些罪犯没有感觉，我为他们感到遗憾，因为他们玩游戏的对手是手拿王牌的人；但当我捉到那些罪犯时，我总是有一种强烈的满足感，像是在玩牌时赢得了非常漂亮的一局那样。这谜底终于就要被揭开了，因为即使不是这个中国人干的，我们也能通过他寻到凶手的踪迹。我将希望都投射到他身上。 “我让他讲讲那表的来历。他说他是从一个不认识的人手上买的。这线索太过单薄了。我简单向他介绍了一下目前的情况，并告诉他，他可能被指控谋杀。我想要吓唬他，并且也成功了。于是，他承认这手表是他捡到的。 “'捡到的？'我问，'这可真有趣，在哪里捡到的？' “他的回答可让我吃了一惊。他说他是在丛林里捡到的。我笑他，问他是否觉得表有可能是长在丛林里的。然后他说，在他从卡布隆前往亚罗立卑的路上，他发现了一个闪闪的东西，走近一看，原来就是这表。这真是奇怪。为什么他要说他是在那里捡到的？如果不是真的，那就是他太狡猾了。我问他，那链子和印章在哪里，他立刻便交出了它们。我确实吓到了他，那时他一脸苍白，并不住地颤抖。他是个八字脚的小家伙，如果我看不出他不可能是凶手，那我还真是个傻子。然而他的恐惧似乎暗示着他还知道些什么。 “我问他是何时捡到那表的。 “'昨天。'他说。 “我问他在卡布隆通往亚罗立卑的捷径上做什么。他说他在新加坡工作，因为父亲生病所以回来，并且决定回到亚罗立卑工作。他父亲的一位朋友，一位做生意的木匠，给了他一份工作。他告诉了我他在新加坡时一起工作的工友的名字，以及他在亚罗立卑的新雇主的名字。他所说的一切都貌似很合理，并且很容易证实，不像是假的。当然，我想到，如果他真是在丛林里捡到了那表，那它应该在那里躺了一年多了，它不可能还有良好的状况。我试着想要打开那块表，然而却失败了。来到警局的典当商在另一间房里等着。幸运的是，他刚好也是个钟表匠。我把他叫来，让他看看那表。在打开那表后，他嘘了一声，那东西已经布满了尘土。 “'这表不行了。'他一边说着，一边摇头，'它的指针现在已经不走动了。' “我问他为什么会出现这种状况，他回答说，这是长期受潮的缘故。我将那人关到一个小房间里，派人去找他的雇主，然后我往卡布隆和新加坡各发了一封电报。在我等待的那段时间里，我尽量试着把这些事情理清。我倾向于相信这人所讲的故事，他的恐惧可能来自自己捡了东西后试图将它卖掉。只有很单纯的人在警察面前才会害怕。我不知道在人们眼里，警察意味着什么，但和警察一起时，他们总是很紧张。但如果他真是在他所说的地方捡到那表的，一定是有人将它扔在那里的。这倒是件有趣的事。就算凶手们认为拥有这表是件危险的事，他们更可能做的也是将其放入熔金炉里化掉，这对任何一个当地人而言都是件很容易的事。而那链子则极为普通，他们根本不必害怕警察会因此找上门来。这个国家的每一家珠宝店都有那样的链子。当然，也可能是他们在急急忙忙离开丛林时不慎将其掉落，而又不敢回去寻它。但我又觉得这也不太可能：马来人喜欢把他们的东西装进自己的纱笼里，中国人的大衣上也有口袋。此外，他们进出丛林那时刻也不存在需要匆忙的问题，他们也许是在那里等着，然后当场便分了赃物。 “不久，我派出去调查情况的警员回来了，并报告说那人所言确实属实，一小时内，我便得到了来自卡布隆的回复。警察见到了他的父亲，老人告诉他儿子去了亚罗立卑，打算在一个木匠那里寻份工作。现在，他所说的一切似乎都是真的。我又将他叫了出来，告诉他我将把他带到他发现那表的地方，并让他告诉我确切的发现地。尽管完全没有必要，我还是给他戴上了手铐，并交给一个警察，此外还带了几个人。我们驾车到了小路与大道的分叉，然后下车步行。走了不到五码路，就在布朗森遇害的地方，那中国人停了下来。 “'就在这里。'他说。 “他指向丛林里，我们便跟着他一路走去。走了约十码路，他用手指着两个大卵石形成的一个裂缝，告诉我们他就是在那里找到那表的。这是个很不明显之处，如果他真的在那里发现了那表，那么，似乎是有人刻意藏在那里的。” 盖斯停了下来，若有所思地看着我。 “你觉得接下来会怎样？”他问。 “我不知道。”我回答说。 “好吧，我告诉你我的想法。我想，如果表在那里的话，钱也应该在那里。我们很有必要仔细看一看。当然，要在丛林中找东西，无异于在客厅里的干草堆中寻一根针以作消遣。我自己可做不了这个。我放了那中国人，让他跟我一起找，我想要尽量得到更多的帮助。我也让手下的三个人跟着一起找，然后自己便带头开始行动起来。我们组成了一字形的队伍——我们有五个人，我们沿着道路开始找，在布朗森遇害的前后五十码内。于是我们步行着开始在一百码的地上找寻起来。我们在落叶和灌木丛中仔细找着，我们在大卵石和树洞中找着。我知道这样做很愚蠢，因为能找到的几率可能只有千分之一。我唯一的希望便是杀人犯当时是惊慌失措，因此可能匆忙地藏匿那些东西，他可能会选择最早出现的明显匿藏地。他藏那表的地点便显然说明了这点。我将搜索限制在如此范围之内的唯一理由便是在路旁找到的那表，那么，想摆脱掉这些东西的人一定也是想快点儿摆脱它们。 “我们继续搜寻着。我开始变得又累又生气。我们都像猪一样，热得浑身是汗。我感到尤其渴，而这渴是任何饮料都解不了的。最终，我得出结论说，我们必须放弃这活儿了，至少那天是不行了，但突然，那眼睛很尖的年轻中国人大叫了一声。他弯下腰，在一棵树的蜿蜒的树根里拖出了一团肮脏、腐坏且黏糊糊的东西。这是个在雨中遭洗礼了一年的袖珍笔记本，天知道被蚂蚁、甲虫还是其他什么东西咬过，那东西整个都湿透了，并发出了难闻的味道。然而那的确是布朗森的笔记本，里面夹着已不成形，并且已成糊状的纸状遗留物——那就是他从卡布隆银行取回的新加坡的支票。丢失的银币尚未找到，但我一点儿也不想再费心了。因为我突然发现了一个重要事实：谋杀布朗森的人并没有从中得到利益上的好处。 “你还记得我告诉过你自行车轮胎两侧有布朗森的脚印吗？他可能在那里停下来，并和某人讲过话。他的体重不轻，因此地上的脚印非常明显。他并不是停下来后即刻又再启程的，而是至少停了一两分钟。我猜他可能是停下来同一个马来人或是中国人讲话，但我越是这么想，便越觉得不可能。他为什么会停下来？他想要回家，虽然他是个很和蔼的家伙，但显然不是对当地人极其亲切的人。他与他们的关系都是主人和仆人的关系。那些脚印一直困扰着我。现在，事实再一次闪过我的脑海。谋杀布朗森的人显然不是为了图财，而且，如果他有停下来同他讲话，那么这人只能是他的朋友。我终于猜到了那凶手是谁。” 我一直觉得侦探故事是所有小说中最有趣并且情节设计最为精妙的一种，并且一直为自己不能写出这类小说而感到遗憾，但我读过很多类似的小说，于是，我一向自信自己很少在谜底揭开之前还没解决那些谜团的。现在，我也已经预见到了盖斯想要说什么，但当他最终揭露出这谜底时，我不得不承认，不管怎样，自己真是大大地吃了一惊。 “他在丛林里碰见的人是卡特莱特。卡特莱特当时在打鸽子。他停下来问他在做什么，当他再次起身准备回家时，卡特莱特举起枪，将两枪管的子弹打入了布朗森的脑袋。卡特莱特拿走了布朗森的钱和表，以便让现场看起来像是抢劫杀人的样子，然后匆忙地将它们藏到丛林里，然后沿着小路边上一直往大路走去，回到了布朗森家中，换了网球服，并同布朗森夫人一起来到了俱乐部。 “我想起了那天他玩网球时的糟糕表现，并且，当我更温和地将这消息告知布朗森太太，说她丈夫受伤时，她那完全崩溃的样子，我当时说布朗森只是受伤了，但并没有死。如果