Chapter 8 Chapter 7: The Little Pig Who Stayed at Home

People like Polo don't ignore details. His visit to Meredy had been carefully planned, and he was already certain that Meredy and Philip had completely different personalities.The policy of quick fixes will not work for him, and he must take the time to take it step by step. Poirot knew there was only one way to break through his defenses: he had to approach Meridy with proper identification, and social and educational credentials, not professional credentials.Fortunately, Polo has made many friends from all over the world because of his professional relationship.Devon is no exception.So here he found two of Merrady's friends, and when he visited the latter he brought two letters of introduction, one from Mary.From Mrs Lytengau (a widow of aristocrats of limited means, the most aloof of people), and one from a retired admiral who has settled here for four generations.

Meredy received Poirot with some bewilderment. Just as he felt recently, the world has really changed too much.But having said that, a private detective is still a private detective. For that kind of person, if you have any privacy, you must be more vigilant.But Mary.Mrs. Li Teng Gao wrote: "Polo is an old friend I value very much, please help me as much as possible, okay?" And Mary is definitely not the kind of person who would mess around with a private detective. Admiral Cronshaw also wrote: "A very nice fellow, with great integrity. I would be very grateful if I could help you as much as I can. He is also a very interesting man, and has many good stories to tell."

And now, here is this man standing here, a very hopeless man, with wrong clothes and buttoned shoes!Plus the unbelievable moustache!Not at all like the people Meredy usually hangs out with, it doesn't look like he's ever hunted, or shot, or the noble game.What a foreigner! Polo looked at the master in front of him with interest, knowing what was going on in his mind. He was more and more amusing as the train brought him to this western county.Now, he can finally see with his own eyes the scene of those things that happened many years ago. It was at that place --- Hanks Manor --- two little brothers who lived there, once went to Audbury to play and play, and spent their childhood with little Anya and a little girl named Kai Ruolin.It was from this same place that Meredy traveled to Audbury on the morning of the murder.

That was all sixteen years ago.At this moment, Poirot looked amusedly at the man in front of him who greeted him politely but somewhat uneasy. Meredy was pretty much what he had imagined, outwardly like every other English gentleman with limited means and a love of the open air. An old Harris coat, the weather-beaten face of a middle-aged man with a cheerful expression, slightly dull blue eyes, half of his frail lips covered by a rather scattered beard, his attitude hesitated, his thoughts Obviously very leisurely, as if the pace of his life has slowed down over the years, but his brother has accelerated instead.

Poirot guessed right, there is no rush to be with this kind of person, the leisurely life in the English countryside has already taken root in his bones. Poirot felt that, according to Mr. Jonathan, the difference between their brothers was only a few years, but he was much older than his brother seemed. Poirot has always been very proud that he knows how to handle the "student bow tie", but this is not the time to show the British style, no, it must look like a foreigner. "Of course, these foreigners don't know much about etiquette, and sometimes they shake hands at breakfast, but he's still a really noble guy..."

Poirot tries to conform himself to this image.The two men sat talking discreetly about Mary.Lady Lyttongall and Admiral Cronshaw.Mention some others as well.Fortunately, Polo also knew someone's cousin, met someone's sister-in-law, and so on.He found that the other party's eyes gradually softened. Finally, Poirot speaks skillfully of the purpose of his visit.He was quick to get the other side to hold back, this book, God, was bound to be written, and Miss Currell--she's Miss Limaqian at the moment--was anxious to make him a right and wise editor .Unfortunately, the facts are well known, but with a little work, sensitive issues that can easily hurt people can be avoided.

Poirot murmured that in the past he had also carefully avoided certain infamous passages in a memoir. Meridy blushed angrily, and even his hands trembled a little as he filled his pipe. He said in a slightly stammering voice: "It's too cruel for them to turn over old accounts like this. It's been sixteen years, can't they Let go?" Poirot shrugged and said: "I agree with you, but what can you do? It is a matter of circumstances, and anyone is free to restate an established crime and criticize it." "But I think it's shameful." Poiro murmured, "God—we don't live in an elegant age...Mr. Black, if you knew that I used to make some unpleasant books... How should I put it? Calm down, you will be surprised. I just want to try my best to save Miss Currel's feelings about this matter."

Meredith murmured, "Little Carla! It's the kid! It's grown up, it's unbelievable." "I know, time flies, doesn't it?" Meredith sighed and said, "Time flies by so fast!" Poirot said: "If you have read Miss Currel's letter, you will know that she is very eager to know every detail of that tragic past." Meridy said a little angrily, "Why? Why bring it up again? Wouldn't it be nice to just forget about it?" "Mr. Black, you say that because you know the past too well. But don't forget, Miss Currell doesn't know anything, or what she knows is only official reports."

Meridy cringed. "Yes, I forgot, poor child, she's in such a pitiful position. First the facts, then the debilitating and pitiless trial reports." Polo said: "Facts, there is absolutely no way to judge by a legal text alone. What is not mentioned above is the important thing. Emotions, feelings, the personality of the actors who performed the scene, discretionary circumstances, etc. Wait……" As soon as he stopped, Meredy said impatiently like an actor whose turn it was to read his lines: "A discretionary situation! Yes! That's it. If there is a so-called discretionary situation, it is the situation in this case. Anya is My old friend --- his family and my family are old friends, but I must admit, his behavior is a bit unscrupulous. Of course, he is an artist, as if that can explain everything. But in fact he did cause a lot of special Questions and events. No proper gentleman would want to be in that position."

Poirot said: "It's interesting to hear you say that. The situation confuses me a lot. A well-bred, humane man would never cause such things." Blake's thin, hesitant face suddenly came alive, and he said: "Yes, but the problem is that Anya has never been an ordinary person. You know, he is a painter, and he always puts his paintings first-- -Sometimes the way is really special! I don't understand these so-called artists myself---I never understood. The reason why I know Anya is because I have known him since I was a child. The people he associates with me. Like people. In a way, Anja is the archetypal artist, as long as it's about art, he doesn't follow the rules. You know, he's not an amateur painter, but a first-rate painter. Someone It may be true to say that he is a genius, but it also makes him a person who I think is unbalanced. When he paints, he doesn't care about anything, and nothing can stop him. It's like sleepwalking, and his energy is completely focused on Paint it. He won't leave the canvas until the painting is finished, and return to his normal life." He looked at Polo questioningly, and the latter nodded.

"I know you understand, and I think that's what caused this particular situation. He fell in love with the girl, wanted to leave his wife and daughter, and marry her. But he had already started painting her, hoping to paint that picture After all, apart from that painting, he doesn't pay attention to anything, and he doesn't care about anything. So he didn't expect that it would be difficult for two women to get along in that situation. " "Don't they understand what he's thinking?" "Oh, no, in a way, I think Aisha probably understands that she is fascinated by his paintings. But of course, she is in a very difficult situation. As for Kai Ruolin..." He didn't go on, and Poirot said: "As for Caroline—that's true." Meredith said with some difficulty: "Caroline—well, I've always liked her. There was a time when I wanted to marry her, but that soon faded away, but I've always been willing to do it for her— -- potency." Polo nodded thoughtfully. From this sentence, it can be seen that the man in front of him is very typical, the kind of man who is willing to dedicate himself to his romantic and noble love at any time.He is willing to be loyal to his idol forever, but does not ask for any reward.Yes, very typical indeed. So Polo chose the words carefully and said: "For her, you must really hate this... attitude?" "Yes, that's right. To be honest, I even blamed Anya for it." "when?" "It was just... the day before it happened. You know, they all came to my place for tea, and I took Anja aside and told him about it. I remember even saying that it was a big deal for them both. unfair." "Oh, you say that?" "Yes, but I don't think he understood what I meant." "Maybe." "I told him that if he did that, he would force Kai Ruolin to a dead end. If he really wanted to marry that girl, he shouldn't let her stay at home and show off to Kai Ruolin. That would be an unbearable insult." Polo asked curiously, "How did he answer?" Meredith said in disgust: "He said: 'Caroline must be patient.'" Poirot raised his eyebrows. "I don't seem to have any sympathy." "I think he is too hateful, so I can't help but get angry. I said that because he doesn't love his wife, he doesn't care about her pain, but what about that girl? Doesn't he understand that she is also in trouble? Then he replied that Elsa had to be patient too! Then he said: 'Meredy, you don't seem to understand, this painting I am painting now is my best work so far. Tell you, this is really a A good picture, two jealous, quarrelsome women, absolutely can't stop me from drawing--yes, absolutely can't stop.' It's no use talking to him. I said he seems to have no rules at all, and Tell him that painting isn't everything. He cuts me off right away and says, 'Ah, but to me it is.' I'm still pissed off, saying how disgraceful his treatment of Caroline is. He lives with him Poor enough. He said he knew and was sorry. Sorry! Fuck him! He said, 'Mai, I know you don't believe it, but it's true. I made Caroline miserable, but she I've been trying to bear it. I think he knows what she's going to be like, because I've told her I'm a selfish, rotten fellow.' That's when I told him very seriously, He shouldn't have ruined his marriage, he should have thought about the kids and everything else. I said I understand that girls like Aisha do attract men, but even for her, it shouldn't ruin everything. She's too young Now, I may accept it blindly now, but I will regret it later. I asked him if he couldn't pull himself together, end everything, and go back to his wife?" "How did he say?" "He just looked embarrassed, patted me on the shoulder and said, 'Mike, you're a nice guy, but you're too sentimental. When it's all cleared up, you'll know I didn't do anything wrong,'" Blake said. I said: 'I don't believe that anymore.' He just smiled, and I said it's better to hide it from Caroline until he finishes the painting. He said it wasn't his fault, it was Elsa who insisted Tell the truth. I asked him why? He said she wanted to speak clearly and not keep it in her heart. Of course, in a way, she was right. No matter how wrong her behavior was, she At least be willing to be honest." "A lot of grief is caused by honesty," Poirot said.Meredy looked at him suspiciously, not understanding what Poirot meant.Meredith sighed, "During that time, we were all very unhappy." "The only one who doesn't seem to be affected is Anya," said Poirot. "You know why? Because he's such an egoist, I still remember him smiling at me as he left and saying, 'Don't worry, Mike, everything will be fine.'" "There's no cure An optimist." Polo murmured."He's the kind of guy who doesn't value women very much," Meridy said. "I should have told him that Caroline was desperate." "She told you?" "I didn't say it, but I always remember the expression on her face that afternoon, it was pale and desperate, she talked and laughed loudly, but her eyes were shining with deep pain, it was the most touching thing I have ever seen stuff. She's really a gentle, gentle person." Polo watched him silently for a while.Obviously, he didn't think there was anything wrong with saying that about a woman who deliberately killed her husband the next day. Meridy had now overcome his previous skepticism and reservations, and went on.Poirot had a knack for listening attentively, and for a man like Meredy, it was a great relief to pour out the past.Now, it's not so much talking to guests as talking to yourself. "I think I should have been suspicious at the time. It was Caroline who first turned the topic to my little hobby. I admit, I am very passionate about herbs. You know, British herbal medicine is a very interesting science. Well. There are many plants that are officially used as medicine, but many of them are not mentioned in the official pharmacopoeia. It is amazing how some simple herbs can work wonders. Most of the time, you don’t need to call a doctor The French know it well, and some of their herbs are really first-rate." He was already talking. "Dandelion, for example, is a magical thing, and the juice from roses - I read a book the other day, and it's all the rage in medicine again. Oh, yes, I must admit , I get a lot of fun from making herbs --- picking herbs at the right time, drying, soaking, etc. I am also a bit superstitious, and sometimes I gather herbs on the days of the full moon or other ancient legends. I also Remember, the other day I talked to a guest specifically about the drug that is a forgotten drug. I believe that it is not recorded in the modern pharmacopoeia, but I have proved that it is very effective for whooping cough and asthma, and about that..." "You talked so much that afternoon?" "Yes, I showed them around and explained to them the various medicines - valerian and the way it attracts cats - just one sniff is enough for cats! Later they asked about scopolamine and belladonna , they are very interested.” "They? Who are they?" Meredy looked surprised, as if he had forgotten that the person he was speaking to was not there. "Oh, let me think about it, there are Philip, Anya, Kai Ruolin, Angela, and Aisha." "It's these people?" "Yes, I think so, I'm sure." Blake looked at him curiously: "Who else should it be?" "I think the governess may be..." "Oh, I see, she wasn't there that afternoon. I've forgotten her last name now. She's a nice woman, and works hard. I think Angela does worry her." "why?" "Oh, she's a good kid, just a bit too wild. She's playing with this and that all the time. Once when Anya was concentrating on drawing, she put a slug or something on his back, and he was really angry Smoke from the seven orifices, and scolded her from head to toe. So he insisted on sending her to school." "Send her to school?" "Yeah, I'm not saying he doesn't like her, I just think she's too much sometimes. And I think—I've always thought..." "what?" "He was a little jealous of her. You know, Kai Ruolin is very nice to Angela. In a way, she regards Angela as more important than him, so Anya is very upset. Of course there is a reason for that." I don’t want to talk too much about the reason, but---” Polo interrupted, “Is it because Kai Ruolin made the child disabled, so you blame yourself deeply?” Blake shouted: "Oh, you also know? I didn't want to mention it, it's all over. Well, you're right, I think she was so nice to Angela because of that incident. She seems to feel that no matter what she does, she can't make up for her guilt." Polo nodded thoughtfully, and then asked, "What about Angela? Will she hate her sister for this?" "No, don't think so far. Angela likes Kai Ruolin very much. I believe she has never thought about that old thing. It's just that Kai Ruolin has never been able to forgive herself." "Does Angela like going to boarding school?" "I don't like it. She is very angry with Anya, and Kai Ruolin is also on her side, but Anya has already made up her mind. Apart from being a little grumpy, Anya is very approachable in many ways, but when he gets angry, everyone will Had to give in, Kai Ruolin and Angela had to listen to him in the end." "Then when is she going to leave?" "Autumn—I remember they packed her things. I think if it wasn't for that tragedy, she'd be leaving in a few days. They were talking about packing for him that morning." Poirot said: "And what about the governess?" "What do you mean?" "How does she feel? As soon as Angela leaves, she loses a job, doesn't she?" "Yeah, I think, in a way. Little Kara took lessons from him, too, but Kara was... how old was she? Six or so. She had her own nurses, and they didn't keep her just for her." Next Miss William. By the way, her surname is William. It's really interesting, sometimes I suddenly think of something." "Yeah, you're thinking about everything in the past again, aren't you? The past is coming back to your mind one by one, what those people said, what actions they did, what expressions on their faces, etc." Meridy said slowly: "Yes, but...you know, there is still a little distance, and there may be a lot of omissions. For example, I remember that I was very shocked when I heard that Anya was leaving Kai Ruolin, but I couldn't remember it was him. It was Elsa who told me. I remember fighting with Elsa about it, I mean, I wanted to tell her it sucks, and she just smiled at me with her usual grim look Said, I am too old-fashioned. Yes, I am very old-fashioned, but I still feel that I am right, Anya has a wife and children, and he should be with them. " "But Miss Gray thinks your ideas are outdated?" "Yes, but don't forget that sixteen years ago, ordinary people didn't take divorce as seriously as they do now. But Aisha is the kind of radical girl. She thinks that if two people are unhappy together, it's better to break up She said that Anya and Kai Ruolin have been arguing endlessly, and it is best not to let the child grow up in such a disharmonious atmosphere." "You disagree with her statement?" Meridy said slowly: "I always felt that she didn't really understand what she was talking about. She just repeated what she read in the book or heard from friends. It was strange to say that she was somewhat pitiful. So young , and so confident." After a pause, he continued, "Polo, youth has a very moving power." Polo looked at him amusedly, and said, "I understand what you mean..." Blake continued with a more self-talking attitude: "This is why I persuaded Currel. He is almost twenty years older than her, and it seems too unfair." Polo murmured: "Alas, when a person has already made up his mind, especially when it's about women, it's really hard to make him change his mind." "Exactly," said Meridy, his voice stinging. "Of course it's no good for me to interfere, but then again, I'm not a persuasive person. Never have been." Poirot glanced at him quickly, knowing that his bitter tone was due to his displeasure at his own lack of personality.He also admitted that Meredy was right. Meredy was not a persuasive man, and his kindness would be brushed aside without any weight.Basically, he is useless. Polo intentionally diverted from this painful topic, and said, "Is your herbal medicine laboratory still there?" "It's gone." Meredith's voice was very high-pitched, even a bit painful. He blushed and said, "I completely dismantled that thing. I really can't continue to make herbal medicine. After that happened, how could I still be in the mood?" What? You know, people might say it was all my fault." "No, no, Mr. Black, you think too much." "But can't you see, if I hadn't collected those goddamn pills and shown them off to get their attention . . . but it never occurred to me—never dreamed—that I Possibly—" "Yeah." "But I went wrong all the way, and made it worse, and smug about my little knowledge of myself. What a blind, stupid fool I was. I pointed out the methazine to them, and even took them to the study. , and read to them the passage in the Pharmacopoeia describing Socrates' death. That passage is so beautiful, and I have always liked it very much, but after that tragedy, I can't get it out of my mind." Poirot said: "Are there any fingerprints on the methamphetamine bottle?" "There are her fingerprints." "Caroline's?" "Yes." "No, I didn't touch the bottle, I just touched it with my finger." "But you must have touched it before?" "Oh, of course, but I usually wipe the bottles regularly--I never let the servants in--I probably just cleaned them four or five days ago, that one time." "You locked the door?" "of course." "When did Caroline take the methamphetamine from the bottle?" Meredith replied reluctantly, "She was the last to leave the room that afternoon, and I remember calling her when she hurried out, and she was a little flushed, and her eyes were wide open, looking very excited. Oh God, I can see her face now." Poirot said: "Did you speak to her that afternoon? I mean, did you speak to her about what happened between her and her husband?" Blake whispered slowly, "Not directly. As I said, she seemed disturbed. It was almost just the two of us, and I said to her, 'Honey, is there something wrong?' She Said: 'Everything is wrong...' If you could hear her desperate voice. Anya is Kai Ruolin's whole world, she said: 'Everything is over, and I am over, Mai Reddy.' That's exactly what she meant. Then she smiled and turned to the others, and suddenly became very wild, very unnaturally happy." Poirot nodded slowly, and said: "Yes, I understand- --that's the case..." Meridy suddenly knocked on the table with his fist, and raised his voice as if to shout: "I tell you, Mr. Polo --- Caroline said in court that she took the poison to commit suicide. I believe what she said is absolutely true." Truth! It never occurred to her to kill at the time, and I bet she never thought of it until later." Poirot said: "Are you sure she did think about killing afterward?" Blake opened his eyes and said, "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean—" Poirot said, "I mean, are you sure she really wanted to kill someone? Are you completely convinced that Caroline did it on purpose? " Meridy's breathing became rapid and he said, "But if it wasn't . . . you mean . . . it might have been some kind of accident?" "That's not necessarily the case." "That's a strange thing to say." "Really? You said that Kai Ruolin is an elegant person. Would an elegant person kill someone?" "She's very refined...but...you know, they still get very heated sometimes." "So, she may not be very elegant?" "But she really—well, it's hard to explain." "I try to understand as much as I can." "Caroline's mouth is fast and she talks passionately. She may say, 'I hate you, and it would be better if you were dead.' But that doesn't mean she'll actually do anything." "That is Say, Mrs. Currell murder is very out of her character?" "The way you explain things is very strange, Mr. Poirot. All I can say - yes - in my opinion, the matter It really doesn't fit her personality. I can only say that it's because the stimulation is too deep. She loves her husband deeply. In this situation, a woman may...kill someone." Polo nodded and said: " Yes, I agree..." "At first I was shocked, I thought that couldn't be true. It's not true either - I hope you get my meaning - the killer wasn't the real Caroline." "But you still think that, legally speaking, Kai Ruolin is indeed a murderer?" Meridy looked at him again and said, "My dear sir—if she's not the murderer—" "If she's not, how?" "I really can't think of any other possibility. Is it an accident? Absolutely impossible." "I also think it's absolutely impossible." "And I don't believe in suicide. The lawyer has to come up with this explanation, but everyone who knows Anya will never believe it." "exactly." "Then what's the chance?" Meredy asked. Polo said coldly, "It may be that another person killed Anya." "But this is so absurd!" "You think so?" "I'm sure I'm right. Besides her, who else would want to kill him? Who else might do it?" "You should know better than I do." "You don't really think—" "Probably not, but I think it's interesting to think about it. I hope you'll think it over and let me know what you think." Meredith looked at him silently for a moment, then dropped his eyes and thought for a minute or two, then shook his head and said, "I really can't think of any other possibility. If there is reason to suspect someone, I really want to believe that Caroline is innocent." I really hope she's not the murderer. I couldn't believe she killed him, but who else could it be? Philip? He's Anya's best friend. Aisha? That's ridiculous. I Myself? Do I look like a murderer? The venerable governess? Or the pair of devoted servants? Perhaps you mean the Angela child? No, Mr. Poirot, it cannot be anyone else, Except Anya's wife, no one could have killed him. However, he was the one who forced her to go this way. So in a way, he did commit suicide." "That is to say, although he didn't really kill himself, but it was the result of his own making?" "Yes, maybe this kind of view is too imaginative, but... anyway, you know, you will reap melons, and you will reap beans if you sow beans." "Mr. Black, have you ever thought that as long as you study the background of the victim, you can almost find out the motive of the murderer?" "No—well, I see what you mean," said Poirot. "You can't see the background of a crime unless you really know what the victim is like, can you? That's what I'm after— - Get to know Anya again, this is what you and Lingdi helped me get." Meredy ignored the point of his words, except for one thing.He said quickly: "Philip?" "yes." "Have you spoken to him?" "certainly." Meredith said sharply, "You should have come to me first." Poirot smiled and made a polite gesture, and said to him: "I know that elders and children are orderly, and I know that you are the eldest son, but you know that your younger brother lives closer to London, so it is easier to visit him first." Meridy still frowned, and moved the corner of his mouth uneasily, and said, "You should have come to me first." This time, Polo didn't answer.Meridy went on at once: "Philip is biased." "yes?" "In fact, his prejudice has always been very deep." He quickly glanced at Polo uneasily, "He must have made you prejudice against Kai Ruolin." "Does it matter? It's been so long?" Meredith sighed deeply, and said, "I know. I forgot that it was over, and so long ago, that Caroline could never be hurt again. But anyway, I don't want you to say goodbye to me." She had the wrong impression." "You think Brother Ling might have given me the wrong impression?" "Honestly, yes. You know, he's always been hostile to Caroline." "why?" The question seemed to irritate Blake, who said: "Why? How would I know why? Anyway, it's the way it is. Philip is always picking on her every chance he gets. I think he must have been very angry when Anya married her." Anya can be said to be his best friend, but after Anya got married, he ignored them for more than a year. Maybe it was because Anya was his best friend that he felt that any woman was not worthy of Anya. And he Maybe it feels like Caroline is going to ruin their friendship." "Is there any knot?" "No, of course not. Anya still likes Philip just the same, and also blames Philip for loving money and having vulgar hobbies. Philip doesn't care. He just smiled and said that it's a good thing that Anya has a respectable friend." "What's your brother's reaction to what happened to Aisha?" "It's really hard to say, his attitude is hard to define. I think he was probably very angry with Anya for pursuing that girl like a fool. He said more than once that this matter will definitely not end well, and Anya will definitely regret it Yes. But I also think that he is a little happy to see Kai Ruolin disappointed." Polo raised his eyebrows and said, "Does he really feel that way?" "Oh, don't get me wrong. All I can say is that I believe he feels it deep down, and I don't want to say much else. I don't know if he understands it himself. Philip and I have nothing Same place. But you know, there's always some kind of connection between people of the same blood, and brothers can always read each other's mind." "What happened after the tragedy?" Meridy shook his head, with a pained look on his face, and said: "Poor Philip, he's very sad, you know, he's always been very fond of Anya, I think he's a little hero-worshipping. Anya's As old as I was, and Philip was two years younger than me, he always looked up to Anya. Yes—it hit him hard, he—he hated Caroline." "So, at least he has no doubts?" Meridy said, "None of us doubted at all..." He was silent for a while, then said in a weak, angry, frank manner: "It's all over - forgotten - and now 'you' are here - bringing it all up again..." "It's not me, it's Caroline Correll." Meredy glared at him and said, "Caroline? What do you mean?" Polo stared at him and said, "Caroline Claire II." With a relaxed expression, Meredy said, "Oh, yes, it's the kid, little Carla, I... I misunderstood you just now." "You think I mean the original Caroline Collier? You think he won't—rest in peace?" Meridy shuddered. "Stop it, sir." "Did you know that she left a letter to her daughter before she died, saying she was innocent?" Meredith stared at him, and said in a tone of complete disbelief, "Kay Ruolin wrote that?" "Yes." Polo paused and said, "You find it very surprising?" "If you see her in court, you will be very surprised. She looks pitiful and helpless, and she doesn't even struggle." "Like a man who has lost a battle." "No, no, it's not like that. I think it's because I know she killed the one she loved." "You're not so sure now?" "She's not going to write that kind of stuff before she dies." Poirot suggested, "Maybe it's a white lie?" "Maybe," Meredy said suspiciously, "but it's not...it's not like Caroline..." Polo nodded, and Carla had said the same.Kara's memory may be just a child's stubborn memory, but Meredy knows Kai Ruolin very well.This is the first time that Polo has affirmed that Carla's ideas are trustworthy. Meredith looked at him and said slowly, "If...if Caroline is innocent...then this whole thing is just ridiculous! I don't see...there are other possible explanations... " Suddenly he said sharply to Poirot: "What do you think? What do you think?" Polo was silent for a while, and finally said: "So far, I haven't thought of anything, I only got some impressions, I know what kind of person Kai Ruolin is, what are the personalities of the other parties, what happened in those two days? What happened and so on. That's all I need. I want to carefully filter the situation one by one, and my brother promised to help me and write down what he remembered." Meridy said, raising his voice, "You won't get much from him. Philip is a busy man, and he forgets the thing once it's over. Maybe he'll get it all wrong." “当然免不了有点距离，这一点我可以了解。” “告诉你---”麦瑞迪忽然停下来，然后又微红着脸说：“要是你喜欢的话，我……我也一样可以写。我是说，你可以对照一下，不是吗？” 波罗温和地说：“那会对我非常有用，如果你愿意，真是太棒了！” “好，那我就写，我有几本旧日记。可是我线提醒你，”他有点尴尬地笑笑，“我在文学方面可不大行，连拼字都不大正确，你---你不介意吧？” “喔，我不要求文体，只要你把所记得的事直截了当地写下来就行了。每个人说了什么话，有什么表情，发生了些什么事。即使看起来跟谋杀案没关系也不要紧，因为多多少少都可以帮我了解当时的气氛。” “是的，我懂。要凭空想象一些你从来没见过的人和地方，一定很难。” Polo nodded. “我还想请教你一件事。奥得柏利离这儿很近，对不对？我们能不能过去看看---我想亲眼看看发生悲剧的现场。” 麦瑞迪缓缓说：“我马上就可以带你去，不过那儿当然改变了不少。” “没有再重建吗？” “没有，谢天谢地---还没糟到那种地步。不过现在已经变成招待所之类的地方，被某个社团买下来了。夏天有一群群的年轻人来住，所有的房间都被分割成小卧室，庭园也改变了很多。”“你恐怕要向我解释一下，我才能想象出当时的情景。” “我会尽力的，要是你能看到它从前的样子就好了。真是太可爱了。” 他带头穿过落地窗，走上一块草坡。“是谁把它卖掉的？” “代表那孩子执行遗嘱了人。柯雷尔把一切都留给她。他没立遗嘱，所以我想遗产当然应该由他妻，女平分，凯若琳的遗嘱把东西全都留给孩子了。” “没留东西给她妹妹？” “安姬拉的父亲留有遗产给她。” 波罗点点头，说：“我懂了。”然后他忽然喊道：“嘿，你到底带我到什么地方去？前面是海滩啊！” “喔，我得先向你解释一下地形，等一下你自己看看就明白了。有一条跟陆地相通的河，叫做骆驼河，看起来像河口愿意，可是不是---反正只是海就是了。从陆地到奥得柏利就要先走一段路，绕过小河。可是两栋屋子之间最近的通道，就是从小河的这一部分划过去，奥得柏利就在正对面---你看，就在那些树后面。” 这时他们已经到了一块小海滩，正对面有一块突出了陆地，树丛后面隐约可以看到一栋白屋子。海滩上系着两艘船，麦瑞迪在波罗略带笨拙的协助下，把其中一条拖下水。不一会，他们就滑到对岸了。“从前，我们都是走这条路，”麦瑞迪解释道：“除非有暴风雨或者下着雨，我们才坐车过去，可是那差不多远了三英里左右。”他把船停在另一边的一块石岸上，轻蔑地看了一眼那些新木屋和水泥阳台。“这全都是新的，以前是船库，没别的。从岸上走过去，就可以在那边的石头上做日光浴了。”他帮着客人下船，系牢船，带头走上一条斜径。“别以为会碰到什么人，”他回头说，“除了复活节之外，这里四月都不会有人。就算碰到人也不要紧，我跟邻居处得很好。今天阳光很好，出事的那天，天气也很棒，像七月，而不像九月。阳光很灿烂，不过有点凉风。”小径尽头是许多树和一大块石头，麦瑞迪用手指指指上面，说：“那就是他们说的贝特利园，我们现在差不多就在它下面。” 他们又走进树丛中，接着，小径又陡然急转，他们来到一栋高大围墙下的一道门。 小径仍然蜿蜒通往上面，但是麦瑞迪打开那道门，两人一起走进去。刚从耀眼的阳光下走进来，波罗觉得有点晕眩。贝特利园是块人工清理出来的高地，城垛上有座大炮。大体说来，它给人一种悬在海面上的感觉，上面和背面都有树，但是临海的那边却什么都没有，只看到下面那片耀眼的蓝色海面。 “很迷人的地方。”麦瑞迪说，又轻蔑地朝后面墙上一个小亭子似的东西点点头，“以前当然没这个，只有一个破棚子，安雅把作画的东西，一些罐装啤酒和几张折椅放在里面。还有一张长凳子和铁桌子，就是这些。不过还是没太大改变。” 他的声音很不稳定。 波罗说：“命案就是在这里发生的？” 麦瑞迪点点头。“长凳子在那边---靠在棚子上，他就倒在上面，有时候他画画的时候也坐在上面，好久好久都不动，然后又忽然跳起来，发疯似的在画布上画起来。” He paused. “所以，那天他才看起来很自然，就像靠在上面睡觉一样，可是他的眼睛张着，四肢都僵硬了，你知道，就像中风一样，一点都没有痛苦……我一直---我对这点一直觉得很高兴……” 波罗问了个他已经知道答案的问题：“是谁发现他的？” “是她，凯若琳，吃完午饭之后发现的。我想我和爱莎是最后看见他活着的人，那时候一定已经发作了，他---看起来好奇怪，我实在不想说，还是用写的吧，容易一点。” 他忽然转身走出贝特利园，波罗一言不发地跟着他走出去。两人沿着那条蜿蜒的小径走上去，走到较高的地方，又有一块小高原，栽满了树，也有一张长凳子和一张桌子。 麦瑞迪说：“这里没什么改变，不过这张椅子以前只在铁片上油漆过，坐起来硬了点，可是看起来很可爱。” 波罗表示同意他的看法。从树丛间望下去，可是看到贝特利园和河口。 “那天早上，我在这儿坐了好一会儿，”麦瑞迪解释道：“当时树没这么多，从这里可以清楚地看到贝特利园的城垛，你知道，就是爱莎摆姿势的地方，她坐在城垛上，扭着头。” 他肩膀轻轻抽动了一下。“真想不到树长得这么快！” 他喃喃道：“喔，我想我是老了。到上面屋子去吧。” 他们又沿着小径一直走到屋子旁边。那是一栋很好的乔治亚式的房子，附近一块绿色草地上，新建了五十个左右的小房间。“男孩子睡在这里，女孩子睡在屋里。” 麦瑞迪解释道：“我想这里没什么你要看的东西，房间全都被分割开了。这里本来有一间小暖房，后来这些人又改建了凉廊。喔，我想他们在这里度假一定很愉快，只可惜东西都不能保持原样了。”他忽然转身，又说：“我们从另外一条路下去，一切---你知道，一切都回到我脑海里，我觉得好像到处都有鬼魂。” 他们从一条较长，较曲折的路回到岸边，两人都没再说什么。本来很尊重他同伴的心情。又回到汉克斯庄园的时候，麦瑞迪忽然说：“我把那幅画买下了，你知道，就是安雅最后那幅画。我不能忍受它被卖给那些虎视眈眈，心地肮脏的畜生。那是幅好画。安雅说是他最好的作品，我想他说得没错。大体上已经完成了，不过，他还想花一两天润饰一下。你……你愿不愿意看看？”波罗说：“当然。” 麦瑞迪带他穿过大厅，从口袋拿出一把钥匙，打开一扇门，两人走进一间中等大小，满是灰尘的房间。百叶窗全都关上了，麦瑞迪走到窗边，打开百叶窗，有点困难地推开一扇窗，一股新鲜空气立刻一涌而进。麦瑞迪说：“嗯，这样好点。” 他站在窗边呼吸新鲜空气，波罗也走过来。不必问就知道这间屋子原来是做什么用的，架子上是空的，可是看得出摆过瓶子的痕迹。一边墙上有些废弃的化学设备和一个洗槽。房里到处是厚厚的灰尘。麦瑞迪看着窗外，说：“要回想其那一切很容易。站在这里，闻着茉莉香味---一直说---一直说---我真是个该死的傻瓜---一直滔滔不绝地谈我那些药！” 波罗心不在焉地伸手到窗外，摘下一片茉莉叶子。麦瑞迪坚定地蹋过地板，墙上有一幅画，上面盖着块满是灰尘的布，麦瑞迪用力扯下那块布。 波罗顿时停住了呼吸。到目前为止，他看过四幅安雅的画，两幅在奈特美术馆，一幅在伦敦一位商人那儿，另外一幅是静态的玫瑰。可是现在他眼前所看到的这幅画，是画家本身认为他自己的最佳杰作。波罗这才体会到他实在是个卓越的画家。 这幅画有一种老式的平滑表面，乍看之下像是一张海报，一个穿着鲜黄色衬衫和深蓝色款裤子的女孩，坐在艳阳下一道灰墙上，背景是澎湃汹涌的蔚蓝大海。可以说只是海报画的常有题材。 但是第一眼的印象只是骗人的，还有一种转变的意味藏在画中，光线耀眼明亮得惊人，而那个女孩---对了，是一种生命力，在她身上，包含着生命，青春，燃烧的活力，那张脸栩栩如生，还有那对眼睛…… 真是太鲜活了！那么强烈的生命力！那么动人的青春！那当然就是安雅在爱莎身上所看到的东西，使得他对那个文雅的人---他妻子---视而不见，听而不闻了。爱莎就是生命，爱莎就是青春！ 醒目，苗条，率直而又傲慢。她掉转着头，眼中露出胜利而傲慢的神色。看着你，凝视着你---等待着…… 波罗一摊手。说：“真了不起---是的，实在太了不起了---”麦瑞迪噎声说：“她那么年轻---”波罗点点头，心里想：“大多数人这么说的时候，指的是什么呢？'那么年轻'是指一种无邪，纯真，动人，而又无助的气质。可是青春却不是那样，青春是原始，强壮，力量---对了，还有残酷以及脆弱！” 他跟着主人走到门口，此刻，他对爱莎的兴趣更浓了，打算下一个去拜访她。这些年的岁月，对那个热情，胜利，而又率直的女孩，有了什么影响呢？他回头看看那幅画。 那双眼睛，凝视着他……凝视着他……仿佛在对他诉说什么？ 要是她没办法了解那对眼睛想诉说的是什么，那么眼睛的主人会不会告诉他呢？ 或者连她自己都不了解？那种傲慢，那种胜利的期望。 然后，死神却插进一脚，从那双迫切，紧握着的年轻手里，夺走了她的猎物…… 于是，那对热情，盼望的年轻眼睛中，就消失了光芒。爱莎的眼睛现在是什么样子呢？ 离开房间之前，他又回头看了最后一眼。 他想：“她实在太鲜活了。” 他觉得---有一点---害怕……