Chapter 25 Chapter Twenty-Five

Just then, Maxim glanced at me.For the first time that night his eyes fell on me.From his eyes, I saw the message of farewell.It was as if he was leaning against the railing of the ship and I was standing on the pier beneath him.There were others patting him on the shoulder, and others patting me on the shoulder, but we didn't want to turn our heads to look at these people.Neither of us spoke, nor greeted each other, because the wind would have blown our voices away at such a distance.Before the ship leaves the pier, let me look him in the eyes, and let him look me in the eyes.At this moment, Favre, Mrs. Danvers, Colonel Julian, and Frank with the piece of paper in his hand were all forgotten by us.We stared at each other for two seconds, but this brief moment belongs to both of us, and no outsider can occupy it.Then, looking away, he held out his hand to Frank.

"Good job," he said. "His address?" Near the town of Barnet, north of London," said Frank, handing him the note. There was no telephone there, and we had no way of contacting him. " "Nice job, Crowley," said Colonel Julian. "Mrs. Danvers, thanks to you for providing clues. Can you help us analyze this matter now?" Mrs. Danvers shook her head. "Mrs. de Winter never had to see a doctor. Like all able-bodied people, she despised him. We had Dr. Phillips from Chris just once, and that was when she sprained her wrist." .I never heard her mention this Dr. Baker. She never mentioned that name in front of me."

"I can assure you it's a charlatan selling cream," Favere said. "It doesn't really matter what he does anyway. Danny wouldn't know about it if there was one. I mean, it must be some boring character who's got a new cosmetology, something that puts hair into Talk about colour, or whitening the skin, and Rebecca probably got the address from the barber that morning, and went to him after dinner out of curiosity." "No," Frank said. "I don't think you're right on that point. Baker is not a charlatan. The night porter at 0488 in the Museum Quarter told me he was a very famous gynecologist."

"Well," Colonel Julian tugged at his mustache. "Then she must be suffering from something. But it seems strange why she should keep it from everyone, not even from Mrs. Danvers." "She was so skinny," Feffer said. "I told her that and she just laughed it off and said it was just right for her. Maybe she, like all women, is on some weight-loss therapy.Maybe she went to this fellow Baker to get him to set up a diet. " "Do you think it possible, Mrs. Danvers?" asked Colonel Julian. Mrs. Danvers shook her head thoughtfully.She looked confused, and at this moment Baker suddenly appeared, as if she was confused. "I don't understand," she said. "I don't know what it is. Baker, a doctor called Baker. Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't she tell me? She told me everything."

"Perhaps she doesn't want you to worry," Colonel Julian said. "No doubt she made an appointment with him beforehand to see him then, and was going to tell you about it when she came back that evening." "And that note to Mr. Jack," Mrs. Danvers remembered suddenly. "The note to Mr. Jack said: "I have something to say, and I want to see you as soon as possible. 'Is she going to tell him too? " "Exactly," said Favere unhurriedly. "We forgot this note." He took another note from his pocket and read it aloud to those present: "I have something to tell you and I want to see you soon. Enter Rebecca."

"Of course, there seems to be no doubt about that," said Colonel Julian, turning to Maxim. "I'll bet a thousand pounds on it. She's going to tell Favell the outcome of her interview with this Dr. Baker." "I think you've got it right at last," said Favere. "This note and that appointment seem worthy of the caliber. But what is going on?That's what I want to know.What happened to her? " The truth of the matter was screaming at them, but they couldn't see it.They stood there one by one, you looked at me, I looked at you, not understanding what was going on.I didn't dare to glance at them, or move a muscle, for fear that I might make a fool of myself and let others see that I understood the bottom line of the matter.Maxim said nothing.He went back to the window, looking out at the garden now.The garden was dark and silent.The rain finally stopped, but the rain was still dripping down the wet leaves and along the gutters above the windows.

"It's easy to figure out," Frank said. "This is the doctor's present address. I shall write to ask him if he remembers seeing Mrs. de Winter once last year." "I don't know if he'll talk to you," Colonel Julian said. "It's an old and ingrained rule in the medical profession that all cases are kept private. If you really want to learn anything from him, the only way to do that is to have De Winter meet him in private and explain the situation to him. .Derwent, what do you think?" Derwent turned from the window. "Whatever you suggest, I'll be happy to do it," he said quietly.

"Just trying to buy some time, right?" Favre said. "Twenty-four hours' delay is plenty of leeway, isn't it? By train, by ship, by plane?" I saw Mrs. Danvers's eyes jerk from Favere to Maxim's, and it dawned on me that Mrs. Danvers had no knowledge of Favere's accusation.At this moment, she finally began to understand. It could be seen in the expression on her face: first bewilderment, then surprise mingled with hatred, then certainty—it was all clearly etched on her face.Her long, thin hands gripped the skirt convulsively again; she stuck out her tongue and licked her lips.Her gaze was fixed on Maxim, and she never moved away.I thought, well, anyway, it's gotten to this point, and bad luck has come to us, and she can't do anything to us anymore.

Now, it doesn't matter what she says or does to us.The bad luck is over, she can't hurt us anymore.Maxim didn't notice her look, or else he did so quietly.He was talking to Colonel Julian now. "What do you suggest?" he said. "Should I leave tomorrow morning and drive to Barnet at this address? I can send a telegram to Baker and ask him to wait for me." "You can't let him go alone," Feiffer said with a chuckle. "I have a right to insist on that? I have no objection to letting him go with Sheriff Welch." I wish Mrs. Danvers would not stare so hard at Maxim.Frank noticed her now too.He looked at her bewildered and anxious.I saw him look again at the note in his hand with Dr. Baker's address on it, and then give Maxim a look.I believe he has begun to perceive the truth of the matter, and he feels a little bit guilty, because his face suddenly turned pale, and he put the note in his hand on the table.

"I don't think it's necessary to involve Sheriff Welch in this matter--not yet," said Colonel Julian. His tone was a bit strange, and he seemed more severe than before.I don't like the way he said the words "there's no need for that yet".Why did he have to add such a sentence?I think something is wrong. "Would you be satisfied if I went with Derwent and stayed behind him the whole time and sent him back afterward?" he said. Fevre looked from Maxim to Colonel Julian.The expression on his face was really unbearable, he was clearly calculating others, and there was a bit of smugness in those light blue eyes. "Okay," he said slowly.

"I think it might as well be so. But you don't object to me going with you, just to be on the safe side?" "No objection," said Colonel Julian. "Unfortunately, I think you have a right to ask that. But if you do come with us, I also have a right to ask you not to get drunk." "You don't have to worry about that," Favre said, a small smile creeping across his face. "I will be as clear-headed as the judge who convicted Maxim three months later. I think this Dr. Baker will give me evidence in this case in the end." He looked at the few of us here one by one, and then laughed.I think he finally understood what it meant to visit Dr. Baker this time. "Huh?" he asked, "What time do you leave tomorrow morning?" Colonel Julian looked at Maxim. "When is the earliest you can leave?" "You fix a time," said Maxim. "Nine o'clock?" "Just nine," said Maxim. "How do we know he's not going to sneak away in the middle of the night?" Favre said. "He just had to sneak around to the garage and get in his car." "Do you think my words are not credible?" said Maxim, turning to Colonel Julian.For the first time Colonel Julian looked embarrassed.I saw him glance at Frank.Maxim blushed, and the veins on his forehead were pulsating. "Mrs. Danvers," he said, "will you please come and lock the door yourself to-night, after Mrs. de Winter and I have gone to bed? Will you please call us again at seven o'clock tomorrow morning. " "Yes, sir," said Mrs. Danvers.Her eyes were still on Maxim, her hands were still clutching at her skirt. "Well, that's it," said Colonel Julian coldly. "I don't think there's anything else to talk about tonight. I'm due to be here at nine tomorrow morning. De Winter, can I give you a lift?" "Okay," said Maxim. "Let Favre follow us in his own car?" "Keep your tails tight, my dear fellows, and hold on tight," interjected Favere. Colonel Julian came up to me and shook my hand. "Good night," he said. "You know how much I sympathize with your situation, and I don't need to tell you that. Try to get your husband to go to bed early, tomorrow will be a hard day for him." He held my hand for a good minute, and then Turn around and walk away.Strange, why does he avoid my eyes and keep looking at my chin?It was Frank who opened the door for him as he walked out, and Favere leaned over, took cigarettes from the pack on the table, and filled himself a pack full. "Looks like you won't be keeping me for supper?" he said. No one said anything.He lit a cigarette and smoked like a puff. "Looks like a deserted night in a roadside tavern," he said. "The waitress at the hotel has a pair of squinting eyes. Oh, it's boring to pass an evening like this! It's all right, but I can look forward to tomorrow. Good night, Mrs. Danny, and don't forget to lock Mr. de Winter's door Come on!" He walked up to me and held out his hand. I hid my hands behind my back like a silly child.He smiled and bowed to me. "It's pretty outrageous, isn't it?" he said. "A nasty fellow like me, barging in on the house and spoiling your interest. Don't worry, it'll be exciting enough for the dirty tabloids to come out with anecdotes about your life; you'll see the headlines." Banner headline 'From Monte Carlo to Manderley. Life of a girl married to a murderer.' Good luck next time." He leisurely walked to the door and waved to Maxim by the window. "Bye, man," he said. "I wish you some sweet dreams. Lock up in your room and enjoy the night." He turned to me with a laugh, and walked out of the room, followed by Mrs. Danvers.Maxim and I were alone in the room.He was still standing at the window, not coming towards me.Jesper came running briskly down the hall towards me.It had been locked out all night, and now it ran towards me fawningly, and kept biting the hem of my skirt. "I'll go with you tomorrow morning," I said to Maxim. "Come with you to London." He didn't answer me right away, still looking out the window. "Okay," he said after a while, in a tone of no emotion. "We have to stand together through thick and thin." Frank entered the room and stood in the doorway with his hand on the door. "They're gone," he said. "Favre and Colonel Julian. I watched them go." "Got it, Frank," said Maxim. "Is there anything I can do?" Frank said. "Anything? Send a telegram to whom? Something to arrange? If there's anything I can do, I can stay up all night. I'll send that telegram to Baker, of course." "Don't worry," said Maxim, "there's nothing for you to do--not yet, and there may be many things that will depend on your strength--that's after tomorrow. We'll talk about them then. .Tonight, my husband and I want to be together. You understand, don't you?" "Yes," Frank said. "Of course." He waited a little longer, his hand still on the door, and said "good night" afterwards. "Good night," said Maxim. He left, closing the door behind him.Maxim came towards me while I was standing by the fireplace.I opened my arms to him and he threw himself on me like a child.I hugged him and hugged him tightly.For a while, neither of us spoke. I held him and comforted him like he was Jasper, like Jasper had somehow bruised himself and came to me to relieve him. "Driving," he said, "we can sit side by side." "Yes," I said. "Julian won't be offended," he said. "Yes," I said. "We've got another night tomorrow," he said. "They won't take immediate action. In twenty-four hours, maybe nothing will happen." "Yes," I said. "They're not as tight-lipped now," he said. "Prisoners are also allowed to see their families. And it takes a long time to settle a case like this. If possible, I'd try to get Hastings to do it. He's the best lawyer. Hastings or Bilkitt. ​​Hurt Stings used to know my father." "Oh," I said. "I have to tell him the truth," he said. "It'll be easier for them that way. They'll play it by ear." "Oh," I said. The door opened and Frith walked in.I pushed Maxim away, straightened up, and stood there perfectly, smoothing out my shaggy hair. "Ma'am, are you going to change clothes, or are you going to have dinner right away?" "No, Frith, we're not going to get dressed, not tonight," I said. "Yes, ma'am," he said. He left the door open.Robert came in and drew the curtains one by one.He straightened the cushions of the chairs, tidied up the sofa, and tidied up the books and newspapers on the table.He carried the whiskey and soda out of the room with the dirty ashtray.Every night I spent in Manderley, I saw him doing these things step by step like a ritual, but tonight his every move seemed to have a special meaning, and it seemed that these impressions would be etched forever In memory, so that one day many years later I can sigh: "I still remember this situation very clearly." At this moment, Frith came in to announce that dinner was ready. I remember every detail of that night: the cold chicken broth in the cup, the pomfret slices on the plate, and the fiery lamb chops. The sweet food made of caramel and the spicy taste of the sweet food are still fresh in my memory. There were several new candles in the silver candlesticks.White and thin candles are inserted high into the candlesticks.Here, too, the curtains were drawn, to the drab and dreary twilight outside.Sitting in a dining room without looking out over the lawn is strangely strange.It seems that autumn has arrived. As we sat drinking coffee in the library, the phone rang loudly.This time it was me who answered the call.I heard Beatrice's voice on the other end of the line. "Is that you?" she said. "I've been calling you guys all night. Both times the line was busy." "Sorry," I said. "I'm so sorry." "We saw today's evening paper about two hours ago," she said. "The jury's verdict surprised Giles and me. What did Maxim think?" "I see everyone is taken aback," I said. "But, my dear, what absurdity it is. How could Rebecca commit suicide? She is the last person in the world to go this way. There must be some confusion and error somewhere. " "I don't know," I said. "What did Maxim say? Where is he?" she asked. "We had a visitor just now," I said. "Colonel Julian, and some others. Maxim is tired. To-morrow we are going to London." "What are you going to do?" "It's about the jury's verdict. I can't tell you about it." "You have to find a way to get them to reverse this ruling," she said. "It's ridiculous, it's ridiculous. It's not good for Maximus to make such a commotion, it will damage his reputation." "Yes," I said. "Colonel Julian can always help?" she said. "He's a magistrate. What do magistrates do? Old man Horridge in Languo Town must have lost his head. What motive did she commit suicide? I've never heard such a nonsense in my life. It must be Taylor buckled it up. How could he tell if the holes in the boat were made on purpose or something? Giles said that those holes must have been planted on the reef." "They don't seem to think so," I said. "I wish I had been there," she said. "I'm going to speak anyway. No one, it seems, wanted to come forward. Did Maxim feel bad?" "He's tired," I said. "Mainly tiredness, nothing else." "I wish I could go to London to be with you too," she said. "But there's no way around it. Roger's got a fever of 103 degrees, poor kid; the nurse we've got is a complete idiot; Roger hates him. I can't take him off." "Of course not," I said. "Don't leave him alone." "Where are you going in London?" "I don't know," I said. "It's not settled yet." "Tell Maxim he must try to get them to get that ruling reversed. It's an insult to our family. I'm here to give it away and say that the ruling was too wicked.Rebecca would never kill herself.She's not that number, and I'd really like to write to the coroner myself! " "It's too late," I said. "Better let it be. It won't do any good." "This business made me very angry," she said. "Giles and I think that if the holes weren't made by the reef, they were most likely done deliberately by a bum." Maxim called out to me in the library, "Can't you get rid of her? What the hell is she talking about?" "Beatrice," I said anxiously, "I'll try to call you when I get to London." "Would it be useful for me to talk to Dick Godolphin?" she said. "He's an MP from you. I know him very well, much better than Maxim. He was a schoolmate of Giles' at Oxford. Ask Maxim if you want me to ring up Dick." , see if he can exert pressure to cancel that award, ask Maxim." "It's no use," I said. "It won't do any good. Beatrice, please don't act rashly. It will only make things worse and get out of hand. Rebecca may have some motives, but we have no way of knowing. Beatrice, please leave this matter alone. " Oh, thank God she's not with us today.Thank God for that at least.The phone buzzed.I heard Beatrice yelling, "Hey, hey, office, don't cut us off." Then there was a tick and the phone went silent. I staggered back to the library exhausted.After a few minutes, the phone rang again.I ignored it and let it ring continuously.I walked towards Maxim and sat down at his feet.The phone is still ringing.I didn't move.After a while, the ringing stopped silently, as if the caller hung up suddenly in a fit of anger.The clock on the mantelpiece struck ten.Maxim put his arms around me, lifted me gently, and pulled me to him.We put life and death behind us and kissed passionately, like a cheating couple who have never kissed before.