Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty

The car drove up the road up the hill and stopped in front of a rock-paneled door.There were four cars in all.In the first car were a French minister and an American ambassador.The second was the British consul, a MP and the police chief.The third was two former members of the Royal Society and two journalists.Everyone else in the three cars is an essential escort.Inside the fourth car were unfamiliar figures but well-known figures in their industry, including Colonel LeBlanc and Mr. Jessop.The driver in a neat uniform opened the door, saluted and took the VIP out of the car. The French minister murmured gloomily: "Hope you don't come into contact with any kind of contagion."

An escort immediately said in a reassuring tone: "No, Mr. Minister, all precautions have been taken, and a considerable distance should be kept from the patient during the inspection." The aged and worried minister was relieved.The American ambassador said a few words, saying that these patients should now have a better understanding and treatment. After the door opened, a group of people stood there to welcome them, including the dark and stocky dean, the big, yellow-haired deputy dean, two well-known doctors and a famous chemist.The welcome ceremony was French, warm and lengthy.

"I sincerely hope that dear Monsieur Aristides will not miss his appointment due to ill health," the French minister said. The deputy dean said: "Mr. Aristides arrived by plane from Spain yesterday and is waiting inside. Your Excellency, please allow me to lead the way." Everyone filed in after him.The minister, somewhat worried, peered through the heavily built railing to his right.Lepers lined up far away from the railing for inspection.The Minister looked relieved that his views on leprosy were still at a medieval level. In a modernly appointed lounge, Aristides awaited his guests.Everyone bows, greets, and introduces each other.Negro waiters in white robes and turbans served aperitifs.

A younger reporter said: "Sir, you have a treasure here." Aristides made an oriental gesture and said: "I am proud of this place. You can say that this is my last work! My last gift to mankind, no expense spared." A doctor on the owner's side said enthusiastically: "Well, this place is really a dream for professionals! We have good conditions in the United States. But since I came here...we have achieved results! Sir, we It really got results." His warm words were infectious. The American ambassador said politely to Aristides: "We should be grateful for your private enterprise for the happiness of mankind."

Aristides replied modestly: "God is merciful to us." The little old man curled up in the chair looked like a yellow toad.The MP whispered to the old and deaf R.S. that the fellow had said something very amusing and contradictory.He then said in a low voice: "This old rascal probably ruined four million lives. He has earned so much money and doesn't know how to spend it. He grabs it with one hand and throws it out with the other." The elderly judge replied: "I really don't know how much results have been achieved by spending so much money. Many great inventions that benefit mankind have been made with very simple instruments."

When the greetings were over and the aperitif thirsty, Aristides said: "It is my great honor to welcome you with a simple dinner. Since the doctor has restricted my diet, I have invited Dr. van Heidem to represent me. Master, you can take a tour after the banquet." The affable Dr. Van Heidem escorted the guests into the dining room.After a two-hour flight and an hour in the car, everyone was hungry.The food was well prepared, and the Minister spoke highly of it. "Fresh vegetables and fruit are flown here twice a week. Meat and frozen chicken are also arranged. In addition, we have a large number of freezing facilities. Science must satisfy people's appetites," Van Heidem said.

Accompanied by the finest wines during the meal, Turkish coffee is served after the meal, and then the visit begins.The two-hour visit is rich in content.When it was over, the French minister was delighted.He was dazzled by the bright laboratories and the dazzling white corridors that seemed endless. What made him even more dizzy was the large amount of scientific materials handed to him. Although the minister had little interest in the material, others made more in-depth investigations.Such as showing curiosity about the living conditions of the personnel and some other details.Van Heydem tried to show that he was willing to show the guests everything they wanted to see.Leblanc and Jessop, the former with the Minister, the latter with the British Consul.When returning to the foyer, they walked behind everyone.Jessop pulled out an old-fashioned ticking watch to check the time.

LeBlanc muttered excitedly, "There's no clue here." Jessop said, "Not at all." LeBlanc said: "My dear, if we get it wrong, disaster will happen! How many weeks it took us to arrange all this, for me, it will ruin my future." "We haven't failed yet. Our friends are still here, I'm sure," Jessop said. "But there's no sign of them." "Of course there will be no traces. They will not be allowed to show their traces here. For such an official visit, everything must be properly arranged." "Then how do we find evidence? Let me tell you, you can't convince people without evidence. The people who came here didn't really believe that there was a ghost in this place. The minister, the American ambassador, and the British consul... they all said they were like Ali There's no doubting a man like Steedes."

"Stay calm, LeBron, stay calm. I'm telling you we're not defeated yet." LeBlanc shrugged his shoulders and said, "You are optimistic, my friend!" He turned and talked to a neatly dressed young man with a round face in his entourage, and then turned back to ask Jessop anxiously. said, "Why are you laughing?" "I am delighted that science has advanced, and this calculator has been improved to be exact." "I'm not a scientist." "Me neither, but this very sensitive radiation detector tells me that our friend is here. The building is intentionally designed like a maze, with all the corridors and rooms alike, so it's confusing to know where you are , nor can the floor plan of the building be conceived. There is still a part of the place that we have not shown."

"Do you speculate that your friends are here because of the radioactive display?" "that is." "Have you discovered that lady's pearl again?" "Yes, you could say, we're still playing hide and seek. But the signal here isn't as obvious as a pearl on a necklace or a hand painted with phosphorous. People can't see the mark, but they can feel it... through this Radiation detectors..." "But, my God, is that enough?" Jessop said: "Should be enough, but the worrying thing is..." LeBlanc went on for him: "You mean that the men who came didn't really believe it. They didn't believe it much from the beginning, yes, that's right. Even your English consul is a cautious man, Your government is in debt to Aristides in many respects. As for our French government," he continued with a shrug, "that Monsieur minister is hard to convince."

Jessop said: "Let's not trust the government. The government and the diplomats are tied, but we need to get them. Because only they have authority. If it comes to trust, I put my trust in others." "My friend, in whom do you place your trust?" Jessop's stern face broke into a smile. He said: "There are also members of the press. Journalists are the most sensitive to news. They are not willing to cover up. They are always ready to believe news that is difficult to believe. I also pin my hopes on another one, that is, the deaf old man. " "Ah, I know the man you are referring to is the one who seems to be half-human." "Yes, he is deaf, feeble, and half-blind, but he is interested in the truth. He was former Minister of Justice, and although he is deaf and blind and weather-worn, his mind is as sharp as ever, and he has The sensitivity of a great jurist, who understands that things are suspicious and understands that some people are covering up. He will listen and will listen to the evidence that people present." They are now back in the lounge, where they are serving tea and wine again.The minister repeatedly congratulated Aristides, and the American ambassador added a few words.Then the Minister looked around and said in a slightly strained voice: "Gentlemen, it is time now to say goodbye to our hospitable hosts. We have seen everything here..." He emphasized the last words meaningfully. "Everything here is excellent, first-class building and equipment indeed. We are very grateful to the host for his hospitality and congratulate him on all the achievements here, so I say it's time for us to say goodbye, okay?" The words are perfectly conventional, as is the attitude.It is also polite to look around.In fact, there is something in these words, and the subtext is: "Gentlemen, you have seen that there is nothing to doubt or fear here. Now everyone can rest assured and can leave here without conscience." In the silence, someone spoke.This was Mr. Jessop's calm, polite manner.Cultured British accent.He said to the French minister in authentic French tuned in English: "Sir, please allow me to ask our hospitable host to do me a favor." "Of course, of course, Mr. Jessop." Jessop spoke gravely to Dr. van Heidem, pretending not to look at Mr. Aristides. He said: "We are here to see many of you, it is indeed a bit dazzled. I have an old friend here, before we leave, can you arrange a meeting with him for us." Dr. Van Heydem said politely and in surprise: "You have a friend?" Jessop said: "Yes, actually two friends, one woman, Mrs Betterton; Olive Betterton. As far as I know her husband, Thomas Betterton, works here and he Worked at Harwell and before that in America. I would love to have a few words with the couple before I leave." Dr. van Heydem's response was impeccable.He opened his eyes politely, then frowned in bewilderment: "Betterton, Mrs. Betterton, no, I'm afraid we don't have that name here." Jessop said: "There is also an American, Andrew Peters, who seems to study chemistry, isn't that right, sir?" He turned to ask the American ambassador respectfully. The American ambassador was a quick-witted, middle-aged man with keen blue eyes.He is not only a diplomat, but also a man of character.He looked at Jessop and was silent for a full minute before saying, "Yes. That's right, Andrew Peters. I'd like to see him too." Van Heydem looked more surprised, but still polite.Jessop cast a quick glance at Aristides.The yellow face was calm, unsurprised, not surprised or disturbed, just disinterested. "Andrew Peters? No, sir, you are mistaken. We don't have such a name here. I'm afraid I haven't even heard of it." Jessop said, "Then you've heard the name Thomas Betterton, haven't you?" Van Heidem hesitated for a second.He turned his head slightly towards the old man in the chair, but then turned it back again. "Thomas Betterton, why, yes, I think . . . " A reporter took the opportunity to say quickly: "Thomas Betterton is a headliner. His disappearance was a headline six months ago, and all the papers in Europe ran the headlines. The police are looking for him everywhere. Yours Does that mean he's been here all this time?" "No," said Haydem sharply. "I'm afraid someone is lying to you, perhaps a hoax. You have seen the whole staff of this place today. You have seen everything." Jessop said calmly, "No, not all of them." He went on, "There's a young man named Erickson, and Dr. Louis Barron, and possibly Mrs. Calvin Baker." "Oh!" Van Heydem seemed inspired. "These people all died in that plane crash in Morocco. Now that I think about it, at least I remember both Eriksson and Dr. Louis Baron were killed in that accident, and France suffered a great loss A man like Dr. Louis Baron is irreparable." He shook his head and added: "I don't know anything about Mrs. Calvin Baker, but I remember an English or American woman who was also on this plane." On the plane, it may have been Mrs Betterton as you said, it's a real misfortune." Then he asked Jessop with an inquiring look: "Sir, I don't know why you think these people are here, is it?" Isn't it possible that Dr. Barron once in North Africa suggested that he wished to visit this place? That might have caused some illusion." Jessop said, "Are you saying I'm wrong? None of these people are here?" "My dear sir, how can they be here when they all died in the plane crash? As far as I know, the bodies have been found." "The bodies found were charred and illegible." Jessop emphasized the last words deliberately. There was a slight movement behind him, and then a thin, clear, faint voice said: "I understand that you can't quite identify the body. Is it?" Lord Alverstock sat forward. , listening with his hands on his ears.Under his bushy brows, two shrewd little eyes watched Jessop. Jessop said: "Cannot be formally identified, my lord. I have reason to believe that these men are alive." "Believe it?" There was displeasure in Lord Alverstock's high-pitched voice. "I should say I have proof they're alive." "Evidence? What kind of evidence? Mr. Jessop." "Mrs Betterton wore a fake pearl necklace when she left Fez for Marrakech. A pearl was found half a mile from where the plane crashed and burned." "Can you say with certainty that the pearl you found was the pearl in the necklace that Mrs Betterton was wearing?" "I can be sure, because each pearl on the necklace has a mark, which is invisible to the naked eye and can only be identified under a magnifying glass with a deep depth." "Who made the mark?" "I did, Lord Alverstock, in the presence of my colleague, M. Leblanc." "You made the mark, why did you make the mark on the pearl?" "My lord, because I have reason to believe that Mrs. Betterton will lead me to her husband who needs to be arrested, Thomas Betterton," continued Jessop, "and two of the same pearls were found later, They were all found on the way from the place where the plane crashed to the leprosy hospital. After investigation at the place where the pearls were found, people saw a group of six people whose appearance they described was roughly the same as the six people who died in the so-called plane crash. ...one of the six travelers had a glove painted with phosphorous that glows at night. The glove was seen on a car that brought travelers here." "That's very unusual," said Lord Alverstock in his dry, trial tone. Aristides moved in the big chair, blinked and asked, "Where were the last traces of these travelers found?" "On an abandoned airfield, sir." He suggested the location. "That's hundreds of miles from here," said Mr. Aristides. "Even if your interesting conjecture is correct, namely that a plane crash was faked for some need, the passengers Already flew to a destination from that abandoned airport. That airport is hundreds of miles from here, and I really can't believe what basis you have for thinking those passengers are with us. Why are they here?" "There are good reasons, sir. One of our reconnaissance planes picked up a signal, and this Monsieur LeBlanc received it. This signal with an identifying code at the beginning tells us that these missing people are in your leper In the hospital." Mr. Aristides said: "Oh! It's amazing, it's amazing! In my opinion, there must be someone trying to deceive you. These people are not here at all." He said calmly and firmly: "If you want, please Random searches." Jessop said: "If you do a superficial search, you won't find anything. I'm going to propose a starting point for the search." "Ok, where to start?" "The corridor that turns left at the end of the fourth corridor in the second laboratory." Van Heidem gave such a jerk that the two cups fell to the floor and broke.Jessop looked at him with a smile. Jessop said, "You see, Doctor, we're well informed!" Van Heidem shrieked: "That's absurd, absurd! You think we're detaining them against their will, and I categorically deny that." "It looks like we've hit a dead end," said the French minister uncomfortably. Mr. Aristides said kindly, "It's an interesting theory, but only a theory." He looked at his watch and said, "Gentlemen. Please forgive me. I advise you to get out of here now. From here to the airport." There's still a long way to go, and if you miss your plane, it will cause panic." Both LeBron and Jessop felt it was time for a showdown.Aristides was exerting all his personal influence.He estimated that these people would not dare to violate his will.If they persisted, it would mean openly opposing him.He analyzed that the French minister was eager to surrender according to the instructions above.The chief of police is completely on the side of the minister.The U.S. ambassador was not satisfied, but diplomatic considerations would not hold out.The British consul had to keep up with the two men mentioned above. The two reporters—Aristides thought about the reporters.Their asking price may be high, but he thinks they can be bought, and if they can't be bought, he will have another way to deal with it. As for Jessop and LeBlanc, they know the truth, but they can do nothing without official support.His eyes met at last the old, blinded eyes like his own, the calm, serious eyes.He knew that this person couldn't be bribed, but in the end...Suddenly, a calm, clear voice that seemed to come from afar interrupted his train of thought. The voice said, "I mean, it's inappropriate for us to rush out of here. Because, this case needs further investigation. Since someone has made a serious accusation, I don't think it can be left alone. It must be dealt with fairly and given every opportunity." Come to refute." "It's everyone's responsibility to present the evidence," Aristides said. "It's a false accusation, but there's no evidence to back it up," he said with a graceful gesture to everyone in the room. "It can be confirmed!" Dr. van Heidem turned around in surprise.A Moroccan servant came forward. He was tall, wearing a embroidered white robe and a Muslim white turban on his head. His face was dark and shiny. What made everyone dumbfounded was the pure American accent from the other side of the Atlantic coming out of his thick black lips. He said: "Not unverifiable. You can hear my testimony now. These gentlemen have just denied that the following are here, they are: Andrew Peters, Tokiel Erickson, the Bettertons , and Dr. Louis Barron. It would be a lie to say that they are not here. They are all here. I speak for them." He turned to the American ambassador and said, "Sir, you probably don't recognize me now, but I am Andrew. Peters."' A very faint hiss came from Aristides' lips, and he leaned back in his chair, his face expressionless. Peters said: "There are many people hidden here: Schwarz from Munich, Needham, British scientists Jeffreys and Davidson, Paul Wade from the United States, Italians Ricochetti and Bian Ka, and Murchison. They're all in this building. There's a series of enclosures here. It's invisible to the naked eye. A whole set of secret laboratories built into the rock." "God bless me!" cried the American ambassador suddenly.He scrutinized the apparently respectable African, then he laughed and said, "Even now I can't say I recognize you." "That's because of the paraffin on the lips, sir, not to mention the black dye on the face." "If you were Peters, what's your FBI code name?" "Eight one three four seven one, sir." "Yes," said the ambassador, "what is your other name written in?" "B.A.P.G, sir!" The ambassador nodded and said, "This is Peters." He looked at the French minister. The minister hesitated, then cleared his throat."You're claiming that these people are being held here without their consent?" he told Peters. "Some are voluntary, Your Excellency, and some are not." "In this case, everyone's dictation must be left. Yes, it must be recorded," the minister said. He watched the chief of police, and the chief of police stepped forward. Aristides raised his hand and said, "Wait a moment, please. It appears," he said in a soft but clear tone, "that someone is misusing my reputation here." Mu swept to the dean with an intolerant expression.He said to them: "Gentlemen, I have never been clear about what you have done out of your passion for science. My funding of this place is solely for the sake of scientific interest. I have no part in making policy and putting it into practice. Mr. Dean, I advise you that if these charges are based on facts, then these illegally detained persons should be released immediately." "But, sir, it's impossible. It's..." "Any experiment of this kind must cease," said Aristides. Looking around his guests with a calm, financier's eye, he said, "I need not assure you, gentlemen, that if there is any illegal Things have nothing to do with me." This is tantamount to an order.The reason why people understand it this way is entirely due to his wealth, power and influence.The world-famous Mr. Aristides would not be involved.But even if he didn't take any damage, it's still a failure.This prevents him from achieving his purpose and making huge profits in the think tank association he runs.Mr. Aristides has never been indifferent to failure.It happened at times in his career, and he was able to recognize these failures with a philosophical mind and then bounce back. He made an oriental gesture and said, "I will not interfere in this matter." The chief of police came alive.He's got the cue now, he understands what's being told and he's ready to give it his all."No obstruction is allowed. My duty is to conduct a full search," he said. Van Heidem stepped forward with a pale face and said, "If you come with me, I will show you our spare room."