Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Another Victim

"No," said Roger, "I don't think so. There are plenty of other places where he could have been treated. It's really important to get Henry's consent." "Do you think it will be difficult to get his consent?" asked Frankie. "I'm afraid there may be difficulties. You heard him say it that night. On the other hand, it would have been very different if we had met him just when he was in remorse. Ah, here comes Sylvia." Mrs. Bassington-French came out of the house, looked about her, saw Roger and Frankie, and came across the lawn towards them.

They could see that she was worried and tense. "Roger," said Sylvia, "I've been looking for you everywhere." When Frankie made the gesture to leave them, she said immediately, "No, dear, don't go, keep it secret." What's the use? Anyway, I think you know all you need to know. You've been suspicious of this for a long time, haven't you?" Frankie nodded. "I've been kept in the dark," complained Sylvia, "you both understand what I never suspected. I wonder why Henry's attitude toward us all has become so bad. He The change in the situation made me very unhappy, but I didn't suspect the reason at all."

She paused for a moment, then continued with a slight change in tone: "As soon as Dr. Nicholson told me the truth, I went straight to Henry. I just left him." She stopped, swallowing her sobs. "Roger, things are getting better. Henry has agreed. To-morrow he will go to Grange Hall and entrust himself to Dr. Nicholson." "Ah! No..." Roger and Frankie cried in unison.Sylvia stared at them both in surprise. Roger said awkwardly: "You know, Sylvia, I've been thinking about this matter carefully. Anyway, I don't think it's a good way to go to the Grange Mansion."

"Do you think he can fight drug addiction on his own?" Sylvia's question was full of doubts. "No, I don't think so. But there are other places, less well established and not so near. I'm convinced it would be a mistake to stay in this area." "I believe that too." Frankie came forward to relieve him. "Oh: I don't agree," said Sylvia. "I can't bear him to go elsewhere. Besides, Dr. Nicholson is a kind and understanding man. I should be glad to have Henry under his care." " "I thought you didn't like Dr. Nicholson, Sylvia," said Roger.

"I've changed my mind," she said bluntly. "There was no one who was kinder and kinder than him this afternoon. All the stupid prejudices I had against him have completely disappeared." The conversation was cold for a while, and the situation was very embarrassing.Neither Roger nor Sylvia knew what to say next. "Poor Henry," said Sylvia, "he's broken. He's very disturbed by what I've learned about him. For me and Tommy he's promised to fight the terrible cancer, but he says I'm not. The concept of addiction. Although Dr. Nicholson explained it well, I still lack this concept. Dr. Nicholson puts it this way: Addiction becomes an obsession Behaving irresponsibly. Alas, Roger, drug addiction is terrible: Dr Nicholson is really kind and I can trust him."

"I still think it's best to..." Roger was interrupted. Sylvia said to him angrily: "I don't understand you, Roger. Why have you changed your mind? Half an hour ago you were all in favor of Henry going to Grange Hall." "Well... I've... I've given it a second thought, because..." Sylvia interrupted him again: "Anyway, I've made up my mind. Henry will go to Grange Qiu residence, don't go anywhere else." They faced her in silence, and Roger said afterwards: "Well, I think I'll call Dr. Nicholson. He's home now. I want to... talk to him about something."

Before Sylvia could answer, he turned around and walked quickly into the house.Two women stood there watching him go in. "I don't understand Roger," said Sylvia impatiently. "A quarter of an hour ago he was actively urging me to arrange for Henry to go to the Grange." Her tone was clearly angry. "But," said Frankie, "I agree with him. I'm sure I've read somewhere that people should always seek medical treatment away from their homes." "I think it's just nonsense," said Sylvia. Frankie is caught between a rock and a hard place.Sylvia's unexpected obstinacy made things difficult, and she seemed to have become as violent as Dr. Nicholson had been, which she had previously repelled.It was difficult to know what arguments to use to convince her.Frankie considers telling Sylvia the whole truth, but will Sylvia believe it?Even Roger was noncommittal about the speculation of Dr. Nicholson's guilt.Then, it was discovered that Sylvia was partial to Dr. Nicholson, and telling her probably had no effect.She might even tell the doctor what she heard.It must be difficult.

As twilight gathers, a plane flies low in the sky, and the huge roar of the plane's engine fills the sky.Sylvia and Frankie stared up at the plane, thankful that it was there, because they didn't know what to say next.This gave Frankie time to gather her thoughts and Sylvia time to recover from her rage. The plane disappeared above the woods, and the roar faded away in the distance.Sylvia turned suddenly to face Frankie. "Things are too bad," she said despondently, "you all seem to be trying to send Henry away from me." "No, no," said Frankie, "that's not the case at all."

She considered it for a moment before saying, "I just think he deserves the best care possible. And I really think Dr. Nicholson is a bit...well, a bit deceitful." "I don't believe it," said Sylvia. "I think he's a smart guy, just the kind of guy Henry needs." She looked at Frankie defiantly.Frankie marveled at how quickly Dr. Nicholson had gained control of Sylvia, and all of Sylvia's past mistrust of the doctor seemed to have evaporated. Frankie didn't know what to say or do next, and fell into silence again.At this moment, Roger came out of the house again, looking a little out of breath.

"Nicholson is still out," he said. "I left a message." "I don't understand why you are in such a hurry to see Dr. Nicholson," said Sylvia. "The plan you proposed is all arranged, and Henry has agreed to it." "In this matter, I think I have a few words to say, Sylvia," Roger said softly, "I am Henry's brother after all." "The plan was proposed by you yourself." Sylvia was still stubborn. "Yes, but I later heard something about Nicholson." "What's the matter? Alas: I don't believe you." Sylvia bit her lip tightly, turned and rushed into the house.

Roger watched Frankie. "It's a little difficult," he said. "It is indeed very difficult." "Once Sylvia makes up her mind, she can be as stubborn as a devil." "What do we do next?" They sat back in their garden chairs and considered the matter carefully.Roger agrees with Frankie that it would be a mistake to tell Sylvia the whole situation.In his opinion, the best course of action was to speak to the doctor about the matter. "But what exactly are you going to say?" "I know I can't say much about her, but I can hint a lot. Anyway, I'm with you on this one, Henry can't go to Grange House. Even if we do let things go, we have to stop it." Henry going there." "We'd be showing off if we did that," Frankie warned. "I see. That's why we've got to try something else first. Damn Sylvia, why is she so stubborn all of a sudden." "It shows the man's strength," said Frankie. "True. You know, it makes me believe those things more, and with or without evidence, you might be right about him anyway. What's that voice?" They both jumped up. "Like a gunshot," said Frankie, "from inside the house." They looked at each other and hurried towards the building.They entered through the French doors in the living room and walked into the hall.Sylvia stood there, her face pale. "Did you hear that?" she said. "It was a gunshot . . . from Henry's study." She swayed and Roger put his arms around her to steady her.Frankie went to the study door and turned the handle. "The door is locked," said Frankie. "Go to the window," said Roger. He settled Sylvia, who was in a semi-conscious state, on the sofa chair beside him, and rushed out of the living room.Frankie followed.They walked around the house before arriving at the study.The windows were closed, and they put their faces against the glass to peer inside. The sun was setting and the light was not too bright, but they could still see clearly. Henry Bassington-French was sprawled on the desk, with a bullet wound clearly visible on the temple, and a revolver had fallen from his hand on the floor. "He shot himself," said Frankie. "How terrible:" "Stand back," said Roger, "and I'll smash the window." He wrapped his coat around his hands, and struck the pane, and the glass was smashed to pieces. Roger sorted out the pieces carefully, and jumped in with Frankie.At this moment, Sylvia and Dr. Nicholson hurried along the balcony. "Here's the doctor," said Sylvia. "He's just arrived. What's the matter with Henry?" Then she let out a cry as soon as she saw Henry's body flung on the table. Roger quickly jumped out of the window again, and Dr. Nicholson hugged Sylvia tightly with both arms. "Get her off," said the doctor curtly, "and take care of her. If she wants brandy, give her some. All you can do is keep her from seeing anything." After he finished speaking, he walked out of the window and was with Frankie. He shook his head slowly. "It's a tragedy, poor guy. He doesn't feel like he can be fearless. Too bad, too bad." He bent down, then stood up again. "It can't be helped. He must have died on the spot. I wonder if he wrote something first. People who kill themselves often do that." Frankie stepped forward beside them.A few lines were scrawled on a piece of paper, apparently recent, lying at Henry's elbow.Written enough to make it clear: I think this is the best way out.The deadly vice with which I now wrestle has taken hold of me.I wish the best for Sylvia and Tommy.God bless you both, my dear.forgive me…… Frankie felt a lump in her throat. "We're not to touch anything," said Dr. Nicholson. "There's an autopsy, of course. We've got to call the police." Following Nicholson's signal, Frankie walked towards the study door, but she stopped. "The key is not in the lock," she said. "No? Perhaps in his pocket." He leaned over and searched carefully, and drew a key from the dead man's coat pocket. He put the key in the lock and turned it, and the door opened.They went out of the study to the hall together.Dr. Nicholson walked straight to the phone. Frankie's knees were shaking, and she felt a sudden nausea.