Chapter 20 Chapter 19 New Doubts

We didn't talk any more after that because Dr. Rayleigh came in.He joked that he "wiped out" most of his patients. He sat down with Poirot to discuss a somewhat medical matter.They discussed a man who wrote an anonymous letter, what was his mental state.The doctor cited cases he had encountered during his practice.Poirot also told him various examples encountered in his own experience. "This situation is not as simple as it seems." He ended their discussion. "There's a desire to gain power and a strong sense of inferiority." Dr. Rayleigh nodded. "That's why you tend to find the writer of the anonymous letter the least suspicious person in the place. A quiet, obviously timid, harmless character--extremely docile in appearance, Full of Christian humility - but with a terrible flame of rage burning in his bones."

Poirot said thoughtfully, "Do you think Mrs. Leidner might have an inferiority complex?" Dr. Rayleigh giggled, knocking the ashes out of his pipe. "She's the last person I like to describe as that in the world. She's not emotionally repressed at all. Vitality, vibrancy, some vibrancy—that's what she wants—and she has it!" "Do you think it was possible, psychologically speaking, for her to write those anonymous letters?" "Yes, I think so; but if she does, it's because of that instinct to dramatize herself. Mrs. Leidner is a bit of a movie star in her private life! She must be a central figure—in In the spotlight. Governed by the law of opposites, she finally married Dr. Leidner—probably the most timid and modest man I ever knew. He adored her—but Her husband's admiration for her is not enough to satisfy her. She also wants to be the persecuted heroine."

"Actually," Poirot said with a smile, "you don't believe what he said. You think she wrote those letters and doesn't remember them?" "No, I don't believe it, and I didn't express it to his face. You'd be ashamed to tell a man who has just lost his wife that his wife is a shameless pushy person. And you'd be ashamed to tell him Said she was driving him almost insane in order to satisfy her thrill-loving mind. In fact, it's not safe to tell a man what his wife really is. Strange, I trust most women. I can rest assured Tell them about their husbands; tell them their husband is a scum, a liar, a drug addict, a liar, and a scum, and they'll accept it without batting an eyelash , and their feelings about the damn thing won't be hurt. Women are great realists."

"Frankly, Dr. Rayleigh, what is your exact opinion of Mrs. Leidner?" Dr. Rayleigh leaned back in his chair and smoked his pipe slowly. "Frankly—it's hard to say! I don't know her well enough. She has magic—a lot of magic. Brain, compassion. What else. She has none of the usual unpleasant vices. She Not lewd, lazy, not even particularly vain. I've always thought (but I can't prove it) that she's a big liar. What I don't know (and what I want to know) is whether she's lying to herself, or just To others. I have a preference for liars myself. A woman who doesn't lie is an unimaginative, unsympathetic woman, and I don't think she's really a man-chasing woman - she just likes to 'use my Bow and arrow 'shot the man game, if you let my daughter talk about it—"

"We already have the honor," said Poirot with a slight smile. "Well," said Dr. Rayleigh, "she didn't waste a lot of time. She's slandered her thoroughly, I think. The younger generation has no feeling for the dead. All young people are pretentious these days, really. It's a pity that they look down on the old doctrines and go about making their own set of stricter laws. If Mrs. Leidner had half a dozen love affairs, Sheila might agree with her, saying she 'lived Lived abundantly', or she 'followed her natural instincts,' what she didn't understand was that what Mrs. Leidner was doing was exactly a certain type—her type. Cat and mouse hide-and-seek Time is to obey its own nature. She was born that way. Men are not children, they don't need protection, they must know women as cunning as cats - and faithful puppies, wait and adore them till death women, and women who like to dominate their husbands, chatter like birds all the time - and women of all kinds! Life is a battlefield, not a picnic! I hope Sheila will just get rid of it. Her proud temper, admitting that she hated Mrs. Leidner for purely personal reasons. Sheila was probably the only young girl in the place, so it was natural for her to have the young lads here at her disposal; Of course she was angry at breaking her down within her sphere of influence, because she seemed to her to be a woman in her midlife, and had already had two husbands. Sheila was a good child, healthy and rather pretty, of course. The opposite sex is attractive. But Mrs. Leidner is a remarkable figure in that respect. She has just the right kind of bewildering, bewitching magic—she's a 'ruthless witch'."

I couldn't help being startled, what he said really coincided with me. "Your daughter—I don't mean that lightly—maybe likes a young man there?" "Ah, I don't think so. She already has Emmott and Coleman, and she's flattering her for granted. I don't know which of the two she likes more, and the two Air Force boys. I Guess she treats her equally at the moment. Yes, I think what pissed her off so much was that the older beat the younger. Wait until one gets to my age to really appreciate a young schoolgirl's face, bright eyes, and strong But a woman in her thirties who can listen to a young man's conversation, and occasionally put in a few words to show what a fine young man she thinks the speaker is--such magic power is hardly a young man can. Resist. Sheila is a good-looking girl--but Mrs. Leidner is beautiful, with bright eyes and blonde hair. Yes, she is a great beauty."

Yes, I thought to myself, he was right.Beauty is an amazing quality.She is indeed beautiful, and her beauty is not the kind of beauty that makes people jealous - if you see such a beautiful woman, you just lean on the chair and secretly admire it.When I first met Mrs. Leidner, I felt that I would do anything for her! When I asked them to drive me back to Arimian Hills that night (Dr. Rayleigh asked me to stay for an early dinner), I still thought of a thing or two and felt uneasy.What Sela Riley told us, I couldn't believe it at the time.I totally took those words as venting of resentment and malice.

But it occurred to me that afternoon Mrs. Leidner insisted on going for a walk alone.I want to accompany her, but she refuses no matter what.Now I can't help thinking this way, does she really often go to tryst with Mr. Garley?It was strange, however, that she was always so reserved in conversation with him, since she mostly called everyone else by her Christian name. I remember him never seeming to look at her, and that may have been because he didn't like her, or the other way around. I shake my body a little.I feel like I'm all imagining here--thinking of all sorts of things--inspired by hearing a girl vent her resentment.It just goes to show how cruel and dangerous it is to say such things!

Mrs Leidner was nothing like that. Of course, she didn't like Sheila Riley.She spoke to Mr. Emmott at lunch that day—almost resentfully. Strange, the way he looked at her then.He looked at her like that, making it impossible for you to know what he was thinking.You never know what Mr. Emmott thinks.He was so silent, but very kind, he was a kind, reliable person. Now I think of Mr. Coleman, who is really the only stupid boy the world has ever seen. I was meditating on this, here we are.It was only nine o'clock and the gate was closed and barred. Abramhim came running with the big key and let me in.

Those of us at the Aremia Archaeological Site went to bed early, and the living room was already dark.There were lights in the drawing room, as well as lights in Dr. Leidner's office, but almost all the other windows were dark, and everyone must have gone to bed earlier than usual. As I passed the drawing room and returned to my room, I looked in and saw Mr. Garrett rolling up his sleeves and drawing up his large floor plan. I thought, looking at him like that, he seemed to be seriously ill.It made me sad to see him struggling so exhausted.I don't know what's wrong with Mr. Garrett--not from what he says, because he hardly says anything--not even the most common words--nor what he does, because, well, that doesn't matter either So many clues—but you couldn't help but notice him, and he seemed everywhere to be more important than anyone else.He's a big deal--don't know if you know what I mean.

He turned to look at me.He took the pipe out of his mouth and said, "Ah, Miss Nurse, are you back from Hassani?" "Yes, Mr. Garley. You haven't slept yet. You are still working at this late hour, and everyone else seems to be asleep." "I'd like to get on with something," he said. "I'm a little behind on work. Tomorrow I'll be at the dig site all day, and we're digging again." "Already started?" I asked, taken aback. He looked at me strangely. "That's the best, I think. That's my opinion to Leidner, who'll be in Harshani most of the day tomorrow; but the rest of us here will go on working; you know a situation like this, It's not easy to bear with everybody sitting there and you looking at me and I looking at you." He was right, of course, especially when everyone was so nervous, so jumpy. "Oh, of course, you're kind of right," I said, "if you have something to do, you can distract yourself from thinking about it." I knew the funeral was the day after tomorrow, He painted chimneys at his desk again.I don't know why, but I feel very sorry for him.I'm sure he won't be able to sleep tonight. "I wonder if you need some sleeping pills, Mr. Jaley?" I said hesitantly. He smiled and shook his head. "Miss Nurse, I will support you, Miss Nurse. Taking sleeping pills is a bad habit." "Well, good night, Mr. Garley," I said, "if I can help in any way—" "I don't think so, thank you, Miss Nurse, and good night." "I'm very sorry," I said.I think, I was a little too impulsive. "Sad?" he said with a look of surprise. "It's awful to be sorry for—for everyone, but especially for you." "For me? Why are you sad for me?" "This—you two are such good old friends." "I'm Leidner's old friend, I'm not her best friend." He spoke as if he really hated her, and I wish Miss Raleigh could hear him! "Then, good night." I said and hurried back to the room. In the room, before I undressed and went to bed, I fumbled around, washed some handkerchiefs and a pair of washable leather gloves, and wrote in my diary again.Then, before I actually start getting ready for bed, I look out the door again, and the drawing room lights are still on, as are the lights in the house to the south. I don't think Dr. Leidner is asleep and still working in his office.I wondered whether I should go over and say good night to him, and I was hesitant about that.Because I don't want to seem overly attentive.He may be busy and don't want to be disturbed, but at the end of the day, a feeling of unease drives me to walk over. After all, it doesn't hurt to do so. I just say good night, ask if he wants my help, and then leave It's ready. But Dr. Leidner wasn't there, the office itself was lit, and there was no one in it except Miss Johnson.She lay on the table and cried, as if her heart had been broken. The situation took me by surprise, she was such a calm, such a controlled person, it was pathetic to see her like this. "What's the matter, dear?" I cried.I hugged her and patted her. "Okay, okay. This is useless. Don't sit here and cry alone." She didn't answer, and I felt that she was in great pain and trembling with sobs. "Don't cry, honey, don't cry," I said, "be patient, I'll make you a cup of hot tea." She raised her head and said, "No, no, it's okay, Miss Nurse, I'm so stupid." "What's bothering you, dear?" I asked. She didn't answer right away, and later said, "It's all horrible." "Don't think about it now," I said to her, "the deal is done, it's irreversible, and it's useless to worry about it." She sat up straighter and started patting her hair. "I'm making a fool of myself," she said in her husky voice. "I've been cleaning this office and tidying it up, and I thought I'd better do something. Then it occurred to me, very sad—" "Yes, yes," I said hastily, "all you need now is a cup of hot tea and a kettle, and lie down on the bed to rest." In the end, she did as I wanted, and I ignored her protests. "Thank you, Miss Nurse." After I sent her to bed, she was sipping hot tea, and the kettle was also available.Then she said, "You're a really kind and intelligent fellow, and I don't often fool myself like that." "Ah, at a time like this, anyone could do that," I said, "one thing is annoying, plus another. Tension, horror, cops here, cops there, cops everywhere Ah, I'm feeling nervous myself." She said slowly, in a somewhat strange voice: "There is a point in what you just said there. It is irretrievable." She was silent for a moment, and then—I found it strange—she added: "She He was not a person who followed the rules when he was alive." I don't dispute that, though, and I've always felt that it's only natural that Miss Johnson and Mrs. Leidner don't get along very well. I wondered if Miss Johnson secretly felt that she was glad Mrs. Leidner was dead.Also, wondered if she felt ashamed at the thought. Wo Yue: "Go to sleep now, don't worry about anything." I just picked up a few things and tidyed up her room.Like socks on the back of a chair, suits on a hanger.There was a crumpled mass of paper on the floor, which must have fallen there from a pocket. I was fiddling with the paper to see if I could throw it away, when suddenly she gave me a big jump. "Give me that!" I gave her a little surprise, the sound of her barking was simply indescribable.She snatched it from me—took it, so to speak—and burned it on a candle until it was ashes. As said, I was taken aback - so just looked at her with wide eyes. I didn't have time to see what that piece of paper was - she got it so quickly, but it was strange that after the paper burned, it rolled up and blew towards me, so I saw that there was ink on it. Character. It wasn't until I went to bed that I realized why those words seemed so familiar. The words on that paper are the same as the handwriting on those anonymous love letters. That's why Miss Johnson's unbearable remorse led to that burst of emotion?Was she the one who wrote those anonymous letters all along?