Chapter 30 Chapter Twenty Nine

Again, I'm in Wilbraham Lane, heading west. I stopped in front of the iron gate of No. 19, and no one ran out screaming this time.Everything is so tidy, so peaceful. I went to the gate and rang the bell. Miss Millesn Pebmarsh came out and answered the door. "It's me, Colin Lamb," I said, "may I come in and talk to you?" "Of course" she let me into the living room first. "You seem to have been here a long time, Mr. Lamb. I know you have a connection with the local police—" "You're right. Really, I think you know pretty well who I am from the first time you spoke to me."' "I don't quite understand you."

"What a fool I am, Miss Pebmarsh. I came here to find you. I met you here on my first day—but I didn't know I had found you!" "Perhaps the murder distracted you." "As you said. I was too stupid to misread a piece of paper." "What do you mean by saying this?" "I'm just saying it's game over, Miss Pebmarsh. I've found out who is responsible for the planning. Those important records and memorandums are preserved by you in Braille. Information stolen by Rekin at Portbury Passed on to you, and from here to the destination by Ramsey. When needed, he came to your house from the garden at night. One day, he left a Czech coin in your garden - -"

"That was his oversight." "When people are inadvertent, your cover is good, you are blind, and in an academy serving disabled children, it is only natural that you have Braille children's books in your house - you have unusual Your intellect and personality, I don't know where the power that drives you comes from—" "I dedicate myself." "Yes, I suppose so." "Why are you telling me this? There seems to be an ulterior motive." I look at my watch. "You've got two hours, Miss Pebmarsh. In two hours, the Secret Service will be here to take care of everything—"

"I don't understand why you came here earlier than your people, as if you were warning me—" "I'm here to warn you. I came by myself, and I will stay here until our personnel arrive. The exception is you. If you choose to leave, there are still two hours." "Why? Why?" I said slowly. "Because I think you have a 1 in 10,000 chance to become my mother-in-law... Maybe I'm wrong." Neither she nor I spoke.Milesin Pebmarsh got up and went to the window. My eyes never left her.I have no illusions about Milesin Pebmarsh, I have no trust in her.She's blind, but even a blind woman can catch you if you're not paying attention.Her blindness did not handicap her, but it would have put her in danger if she had the chance.

She said quietly: "I'm not telling you right or wrong. What makes you think—so?" "Eye." "But our personalities are different." "Yes" she said almost defiantly. "For her. I did my best." "That's a matter of opinion. You've got to have a reason first." "As it should." "I disagree." Silence fell again.Then I asked, "Do you know who she was—that day?" "Until I heard her name... I kept her from knowing I existed - always." "You're not such a hard-hearted person."

"Stop talking nonsense." I look at my watch again. "Time goes on and on," I said. She came back from the window and went to the table. "I have a picture of her when she was a child..." I stood behind her as she opened the drawer.Not a pistol, but a deadly knife..." I put my hand close to hers and take it away. "I may be softhearted, but I'm not a fool," I said. She found a chair and sat down.There is no expression. "I don't want to take your favor. What's the use? I'll wait here—they come. There's always a chance—even in prison."

"You mean—religion indoctrination?" "If you like to say so." We sat there, enemies but understanding each other. "I've resigned," I told her, "and I'm going back to my old job—marine biology. There's a university in Australia offering me a teaching position." "I think you're wise to do it. You don't get what you want in this business. You're like Rosemary's father. He doesn't understand one of Lenin's golden words: Weakness of character leads to failure." I recall the words of Hercule Poirot. "I am content," I said, "to be a human being..."

We sat in silence, each thinking the other was wrong. Hakas wrote a long letter to Poirot Dear M. Poirot: We now have a few facts that you might be interested to hear. About two weeks ago.A Mr. Quentin Dougsling of Quebec left Canada for Europe.He has no relatives and no reason, and there is no certainty when he will return.The owner of a small restaurant in Brunn picked up his passport and handed it over to the police.So far no one has returned. Mr. Dougsling was a lifelong friend of the Montessau family in Quebec.The head of the family, Mr. Henry Montessault, died eighteen months ago, leaving a considerable fortune to his only surviving relation, his grand-niece Willie, of Portbury, England. Wife of Josiah Brand.Mrs. Bland and her Canadian family have not seen each other since they got married because they disapproved of her marriage.Mr. Dougsling once mentioned to a friend that he intended to visit the Bland family in England because he had always loved Willie very much.

The dead man who was originally thought to be Harley Casterton was actually Quentin Doguslin. In the corner of the yard where Brand had piled up building materials, we found a few planks hidden, though hastily painted over.However, after expert processing, the words 'Snowflake Laundry' can be clearly seen. I will not tell you the more detailed details, so as not to bore you.After the inspection, a warrant of arrest is considered for the arrest of Josiah Bland.As you surmise, Miss Martindale and Mrs. Bland are sisters, but though I agree with you that she is suspected of involvement in the crime, satisfactory evidence has yet to be obtained.Undoubtedly, she was a very intelligent woman.

Brand's first wife died as a result of enemy activity in France, and he married Cedar Martindale (who belonged to N.A.A.F.I) also in France, I Thought, obviously, that was certain, although many records were destroyed in that time. It was a great pleasure meeting you that day, and I must thank you for your guidance.Hope everything is going well with the build of your apartment in London. your sincere friend Another letter from Hardcastle to Poirot That Bland woman is broken!Confessed everything! ! !Blame everything on her sister and her husband.She "didn't understand what they were up to until later, when it was too late!" She thought they were just "to anesthetize. Lest he recognize that she was not the woman he wanted to visit!" It was possible!I am fully convinced that she is not the mastermind.

The people at Portobello Market have identified Miss Martindale as the "American" woman who bought the two clocks. Mrs. Mark Norton said now that she had seen Dougsling in Bland's van being driven through Bland's garage.Did she really see it? Our friend married that lady.If you ask me, I'd say he's crazy.Wish you all the best. Richard Hardcastle end of text

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