Chapter 23 Section 23

The efficient secretary brought in Harold Crackenthorpe's usual afternoon tea. "Thank you, Miss Alice. I'm going home early today." "Mr. Crackenthorpe, you really shouldn't be at work today," said Miss Alice. "You still look bad." "I'm all right," said Harold Crackenthorpe.However, he did feel powerless.There is no doubt that he has had a bad day of late.But it's over now. How strange, he thought sullenly, that Alfred should have died while the old man had survived.However, what kind of person is he? —Seventy-three, or seventy-four?Has been ill for many years.If you thought anyone deserved to die, it was the old man.But otherwise, it was Alfred who died.As far as Harold knew, Alfred was a healthy and strong man.There is nothing wrong with him.

He leaned back in his chair and sighed.The secretary was right.He still feels physically unfit for work.But he wanted a cursory look at the current state of the business.The business situation is unstable.Such is the case!very unstable.He looked around at everything in the office—this luxuriously equipped office, the white shiny wooden furniture, and the modern chairs, all of which looked like business was booming enough, and this was also a good sign.Alfred was always wrong about this.If you look like your business is booming, most people think your business is booming.No rumors have spread about the stability of his business.However, sooner or later his business would collapse.This situation cannot be delayed any longer.Now, if it wasn't Alfred who died, but the old man—he really, really deserved to die.His own case could be said to thrive on arsenic poisoning!Yes, if his father were dead, then there would be nothing to worry about.

Still, the most important thing is not to look worried.Maintain the appearance of a thriving business.Don't be like poor Alfred.He always looked shabby and helpless.What he looks like is actually what he really is.He was one of those second-rate speculators who never ventured to make big money.Tossing around with a bunch of unreliable people, to doing questionable deals, never putting myself in a position to run a business responsibly, just spinning around on the fringes.How did he do that?It's just a short period of affluent life, and then it becomes a ragged situation.Alfred's vision is not wide enough.Generally speaking, you don't feel that Alfred's death is a loss.He hadn't been particularly fond of Alfred.Now that Alfred wasn't standing in his way, the money from that old miser his grandfather obviously increased.Now it is not divided into five parts, but four parts.This is much better.A small smile appeared on Harold's face.He got up, picked up his hat and coat, and left the office.Just take it easy for a day or two.He also felt that his physical strength was not strong enough.His car was waiting downstairs, and before long it was weaving through the busy London streets to his flat.

His valet Darwin opened the door for him. "The Countess has just arrived, sir," said he. Harold stared at him for a moment.Alice!God!Is Alice coming back today?He completely forgot about it.Good, luckily Darwin told him beforehand.It wouldn't look good if he got upstairs and saw her startled.Not that it matters, he thought.Neither he nor Alice had many illusions about their feelings for each other, and perhaps Alice liked him; he didn't know. In general, he was greatly disappointed in Alice.He hadn't been in love with her before, of course, but she was a pleasant woman, though not pretty.Her family and social connections undoubtedly served him well.Of course it might not be as useful as he imagined.Because, when he married Alice, he had considered the situation if he had children.That way, his boys can climb up to very good relatives.However, they have neither son nor daughter.It was just him and Alice now, growing old, with little to say to each other, and no special pleasure.

She spends a lot of time away from home with relatives and usually escapes the cold in the French resort of the Riviera.This kind of life suits her well.He wasn't worried either. He went upstairs now, into the drawing room, and greeted her politely. "My darling, you're back. I'm sorry I can't pick you up, but I'm in town and I can't be part of it. I'll be back as soon as I can. How's it going in San Rafael?" Alice told him about San Raphael.She was a thin woman with light-tan hair, an arched nose, and expressionless, hazel eyes.She talked in a low voice, very educated, but very monotonous.She said that the journey back was fine, except that the wind and waves were a bit stronger when crossing the English Channel.In the Straits of Dover, Customs was, as usual, intolerably troublesome.

"You should have come by air," Harold said; he always said that. "That's much easier." "Probably so. But I really don't like airplanes, never have. Flying makes you nervous." "It saves a lot of time," Harold said. Countess Alice said nothing.Probably because her problem with life is not saving time, but taking it up.She inquired politely about her husband's health. "I'm alarmed by Emma's telegram," she said. "I hear you're all sick." "Yes, yes," said Harold. "I read in the paper the other day," said Alice, "that forty people were poisoned by food in one hotel at the same time. I think the present method of freezing is too dangerous. Everyone freezes food for too long. "

"Maybe," Harold said. Should he mention the arsenic?He looked at Alice, and felt, not knowing why, that he could not do that.He felt that there was no room in Alice's world for arsenic poisoning.That's what you read in the papers.This has never happened to you or anyone in your family.But this happened at the Crackenthorpe house... He went back to his room and lay down for an hour or two, then dressed and ate his supper.At supper he chatted with his wife.Most of their conversation was the same as usual, mixed and very elegant.Relatives and friends in San Rafael were mentioned in the conversation.

"There's a package for you in the hall, a small one," said Alice. "Really? I didn't notice." "It's a really strange thing, but I've been told that a murdered woman was found in a warehouse or something. I think she said it was at the Chateau de Rosezin. I think it must be another one. Losaijin Villa." "No," Harold said. "No, it's not. In fact, it's in our warehouse." "Really, Harald? A murdered woman was found in the warehouse at Loserzine. You never mentioned it to me." "This—I haven't had much time, actually," said Harald, "and it's been a very unpleasant business. Of course it has nothing to do with us. The paper is full of speculation and busy. Of course." We have to deal with police questioning, et cetera."

"Very nasty," said Alice. "Have they found out who did it?" she added, somewhat perfunctorily, to express her interest. "Not yet," Harold said. "What kind of woman is she?" "Who knows. French, it seems." "Ah, the Frenchman," said Alice.Apart from social class differences, her tone was not unlike that of Inspector Bacon. "It's a headache for all of you," she said. They came out of the dining room and went to the small study opposite, where they often went in and sat when there were no guests.Harald was tired now, and he thought: I'm going upstairs to bed.

He picked up the small package from the little table.That small package, sealed tightly with wax paint, was wrapped very carefully, without any ambiguity at all.Harold sat down in his usual chair by the fire and tore the parcel open. Inside was a small box of pills, with a label on the box, It said, "Take two pills a night," and there was a letterhead on Brahamton Pharmacy's letterhead, and it read: "Dr. Quinpo's order." Harold Crackenthorpe frowned.He opened the box and looked at the pills.Yes, those pills seemed to be the same ones he was taking.But, didn't Dr. Kunpo really say that he didn't need to take any more? "You don't need these pills now." That's what Dr. Kunpo said.

"What's that, dear?" said Alice. "You seem very worried." "Oh, it's just some pills. I used to take them at night, but I think the doctor said they don't have to." his wife said gently. "Maybe he said don't forget to take your pills." "I think maybe he said that," said Harald uncertainly. He looked across at her.She was looking at him too.For just a minute or two he wondered what on earth she was thinking--he was not often wondered about Alice.Her eyes were like the windows of an empty house.What did Alice think of him?How do you feel about him?Did she ever love him?he thought so.Did she marry him because he was doing well in London and was tired of her own poverty?On the whole, then, she had done well after marrying him.She has a car and a house in London.She traveled when she wanted to, and could buy expensive clothes, but God only knows what those clothes looked like to Alice.Yes, on the whole she had a good life.I don't know if she thinks so.Of course, she didn't really like him, but he didn't really like her either.They had nothing in common, nothing to talk about, nothing to remember together.It would be nice if they had kids.However, they have no children.It's strange that their family has no children except Aidi's boy.little love brother.She was a stupid girl, such a hasty and muddled war marriage.However, he had warned her. He once said: "It's really good that you marry such a young driver with such a drive. Such a young man has charm, courage and such characteristics. But, that kind of person is not very good in ordinary times. Maybe he can hardly support you. Woolen cloth." Ai Di said, what does that matter?She loves Brian, and Brian loves her.He might die soon.So, why shouldn't they have a happy life?They were in danger of being bombed at any moment, so what was the use of always looking into the future?Moreover, Ai Di said that the future doesn't matter much after all, because one day, they will inherit all of their grandfather's money. Harold sat there restless.Really, his grandfather's will was unfair!They all seemed to be hanging on a rope.This will pleases no one, neither the grandchildren nor their father pale with grief.The old man was determined not to die.That's why he's trying to take care of his body.However, he must die soon.Indeed, indeed, he must die soon.Otherwise—the thought brought all Harold's worries to his mind, making him feel sad, tired, and dizzy. Alice was still watching him.He can feel it.Those gray, thoughtful eyes made him a little uneasy. "I think I'm going to sleep," he said. "It's my first day out in London." "Yes," said Alice, "I think it's a good idea. I'm sure the doctor will put you at ease at first." "Doctors will tell you that." "Then, dear, don't forget to take your pills," said Alice.She picked up the box and handed it to him. He bade her good night and went upstairs.Yes, he needs those pills.If you stop taking it too early, probably something is wrong.He took two tablets and swallowed them with a glass of water.