Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen Without a Priest

This morning, there were not many people on the beach.Greg was the same old man, yelling and laughing and splashing in the water, Lucky lying face down on the sand, his tanned, tanned back showing, his blond hair falling over his shoulders.The Hillingdons were nowhere to be seen.Ms. Caspialo, accompanied by various gentlemen, lay on her back, speaking cheerful Spanish in a rough voice.Some French and Italian children were laughing by the water.Gannon and his sister, Miss Priscott, watched the fun from their beach deck chairs.Gannon presses the brim of his hat over his eyes, as if going to sleep.There happened to be an extra chair next to Miss Prescott, so Miss Marple went over and sat down.

"Oh, that's too bad," she said with a sigh. "That's right," said Miss Prescott. This is their sympathy for the violent death incident. "That poor girl," said Miss Marple. "It's pathetic," Gannon said. "It's miserable." "For a while," said Miss Prescott, "we really wanted to go away, Geralmy and I. Then I thought, never mind. I don't think that would be justifiable to the Kendals. At any rate, this It's not the fault of either of them, this kind of thing can happen anywhere." "The line between life and death is hard to draw," Gannon said solemnly.

"You know," said Miss Prescott, "they took the hotel with great expectations. All their capital has been put into it." "A very nice girl," said Miss Marple, "but she seems to be in a bad mood lately." "Very flustered," echoed Miss Prescott. "Of course her family—" She shook her head. "Jiang An, I think you—" Gannon stopped her gently, "Sometimes, many things should not—" "Everybody knows that," said Miss Prescott. "They lived in our neighborhood. A great aunt—what a strange thing—and an uncle who put all his clothes on in the underground station. Stripped. At the Green Park stop, I think."

"Jiao An, this kind of thing is not allowed to be said." "It's a pity," said Miss Marple, shaking her head, "but it's a common mental illness. I remember a very respectable old clergyman who had it when we worked for the American Relief Society. Someone called his wife and she came right away, hailed a taxi, took him home, wrapped him in a blanket." "Of course, Molly's parents were normal," said Miss Prescott. "She never got along with her mother, but how many girls do get along with their mother now?" "It's a pity," said Miss Marple, shaking her head again: "Actually, young girls really need their mothers to teach them the principles of life and affairs."

"Isn't it," said Miss Prescott solemnly, "you know that? Molly had a boyfriend, which seemed rather inappropriate. " "That's the usual thing," said Miss Marple. "Of course their family disapproved. She didn't tell them herself. They heard about it from an outsider. Of course, her mother asked her to bring her home to show them. It is said that the girl refused. It's too embarrassing. I was forced to take them to their house and show them to everyone like a horse." Miss Marple sighed. "It takes some skill to deal with young people."

she murmured. "Anyway, it turned out they didn't allow her to see him again." "It won't work now," said Miss Marple. "Girls have jobs, and there's nothing to stop them from getting to know anyone." "At last, at last," continued Miss Prescott, "she got to know Tim Kendall, and the other man slowly withdrew. You don't know how relieved the family is." "I hope they don't make it too obvious," said Miss Marple, "that often makes girls less connected with the family." "Yes, not bad at all."

"It reminds me of—" Miss Marple mumbled, and her thoughts turned to the past.She once met a young man at a game of croquet.He's so nice -- he's almost celebrity-like in his optimism.He is also greeted unexpectedly by her father.He was well-matched and had no partner, and was invited to be a guest at home more than once, and as a result, Miss Marple found him to be such a dull, boring person, boring to death. Seeing that Gannon seemed to be in a deep sleep, Miss Marple decided that she might as well inquire about what she couldn't help. "Of course you know the place well," she said softly. "You've been here for years, haven't you?"

"Yeah, last year and that one three years ago. We liked St. Annori very much. The tourists here are very nice.Unlike those who are rich and like to show off," "Then you must know the two couples Hillingdon and Dyson very well! " "Yes, very clear." Miss Marple cleared her throat and said in a low voice: "Major Belgrave told me a very special story." "He has a lot of stories. Of course, he has been to a lot of places and knowledge. It seems that he has been to Africa, India, and even China." "Well," said Miss Marple, "but I don't mean anecdotes of that sort.

This story is about—a man I just mentioned. " "Oh!" replied Miss Prescott.There seems to be overtones in the tone. "Indeed, think about it now—" Miss Marple said, slowly shifting her gaze to Lucky who was lying on the beach and drying his back. "She's so beautifully tanned, isn't she?" said Miss Marple. "And that blonde hair, so pretty, almost the same color as Molly Kendall, isn't it?" "Only one difference," said Miss Prescott, "Molly's is natural, luckily it's dyed from a medicine bottle!" "Really, Jiao An," Gannon suddenly woke up, and said unhappily, "Don't you think it's not kind to say that?"

"There's nothing unkind about that," said Miss Prescott sharply. "I'm just stating a fact." "I think it's beautiful," Gannon said. "Of course. Why else would she be dyed. I'll bet you, Geramy dear, a woman can't be fooled. Can't I?" She gave Miss Marple a begging look. "Well, I think—" Miss Marple said: "Of course, I don't have as much experience as you do—but, I think—yes, it must not be natural. Every five or six days the roots appear —" She looked at Miss Prescott, and the two exchanged a woman's eyes, and nodded at the same time knowingly.

Gannon seemed to have fallen asleep again. "Major Belgrave told me a curious story," said Miss Marple in a low voice, "and it was—I can't quite make it out. I'm a little hard of hearing sometimes. He seemed to say, Or an allusion to—" She paused. "I know what you mean. There was a lot of talk at that time—" "Are you saying you're—" "When Mr. Dyson's first wife died, she died very suddenly. In fact, everyone thought she was too sentimental—excessive depression. Therefore, it is inevitable that people would be surprised if she had that disease and died suddenly. Small talk." "At the time, was there any—trouble?" "The doctor is a bit confused. He's a young man with little experience, and I think he's the kind of doctor who gives every patient a shot of antibiotics. You know, the kind of doctor who doesn't really examine patients well He doesn't care about the patient's illness. Just pour a few medicines from the medicine bottle to the patient. If the illness is not good, he will change to another medicine. Indeed, I believe he is also a little puzzled, but it seems that she also had stomach problems before. At least, that's what her husband said, and there's no reason to think anything wrong with her death." "But she didn't think herself—" "Although I've always been very enlightened, you know that people can't help guessing. In addition to the various theories that everyone spread—" "Jiaoan!" Gannon sat up.He seemed angry. "I don't like it—I really don't like hearing such malicious gossip from you. We've always been against it. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and, more importantly, insult Don't think! This motto should be kept in mind by every Christian, man or woman." The two women sat without daring to make a sound.They were trained.Because of their upbringing, they accept criticism from men.But in their hearts, they all felt frustrated, resentful and unwilling.Miss Prescott glanced at her brother with evident displeasure.Miss Marple took out the wool and stared.Fortunately, their chance came. "Uncle," called a weak voice.It was a little French girl who used to play by the water.She came stealthily and stood beside Gannon Prescott's chair. "Uncle," she called again timidly. "Eh? What's the matter, dear? What's the matter, little sister?" The child told him that there was a rubber tire and that it was her or her children's turn to play.Gannon Prescott was very fond of children, especially little girls.He also likes to persuade children to fight.At this time, he stood up and walked towards the water's edge with the little girl.Miss Marple and Miss Prescott each breathed a sigh of relief, and their heads came together again. "Geramy was right, of course, in objecting to gossip," said Miss Prescott; "but we must not be completely deaf to other people's rumours. Besides, as I said just now, at that time. a lot of." "Oh?" Miss Marple urged her on in her tone. "This young woman, she was still Miss Greytrix at that time, I can't remember her original name now, she is Mrs. Dyson's cousin, and she also took care of her illness and gave her medicine." She paused deliberately for a moment. "Of course, as far as I know," said Miss Prescott, in a low voice, "Dyson was having an unusual affair with Miss Glatrix at that time. Many people noticed it. I mean, it It's the kind of thing you can tell right away in a place like this. And then it's rumored that Edward Hillingdon got something for her from the dispensary." "Oh, and Wendvard Hillingdon is involved too?" "Well, of course, he's crazy about her. Everyone knows that. Luckily— That's Miss Glatrix--put them both against each other.Greg Dyson and Edward Hillingdon.But I have to admit that she has always been a very beautiful woman."It's just that time has become a bit unforgiving." Miss Marple replied. "That is to say, but her looks and make-up are still good. Certainly not as glamorous as when she was a poor cousin. She seems to have been loyal to her ailing cousin, but you see, it turns out That's right." "And what about the pharmacist—how did it get out?" "Well, not in Jamestown. That's what they did in Martinique. I think the French seem to be much looser about drug control than we are.As soon as the pharmacist told others, the story spread.You know this kind of thing travels thousands of miles at once. " Miss Marple knew all too well. "He seemed to say that Colonel Shillingen asked him to dispense a medicine he didn't know what it was called. You know, read it to people as it was written on the paper. Anyway, the rumor spread." "But I don't understand how Colonel Shillingon could—" said Miss Marple, frowning inexplicably. "I think he was just being used as a puppet. Anyway, Greg remarried in an unreasonably short period of time. Like less than a month." The two looked at each other. "No one really suspects it?" asked Miss Marple. "Oh, no, it's just—er, rumours. Of course, it might all be groundless." "Major Belgrave doesn't think it's that simple." "Did he tell you that?" "I wasn't paying attention," replied Miss Marple frankly. "I just don't know if he ever—er—told you the same thing." "He did point it out to me one day," said Miss Prescott. "Really? Did he really point her out?" "Yes. In fact, I thought at first he meant Mrs. Hillingdon. He gasped and laughed and said: 'Look at that woman over there.In my opinion, she's the one who killed the man and got away with it. 'Of course I was taken aback.I say: ’ Don’t be joking, Major Balgrave,’ he said: ‘Yes, yes, my dear lady, let me joke. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Dyson and Mrs. Hillingdon were sitting near us at that time, and I was afraid they would hear.But he giggled and said, "I'm not afraid to go to a reception and someone will make me a drink."So much like having dinner with the couple in the bathroom corpse case. '" "What a wonderful thing," said Miss Marple; "has he ever mentioned a-- photo? " "I don't remember...was it a newspaper clipping?" Miss Marple was about to speak, but closed her mouth again.For a moment, a shadow covered the sun.Evelyn Hillingden came lightly beside them. "Morning," she said. "I was wondering where you have been." Miss Prescott said with a smile on her upturned face. "I went shopping in Jamestown." "Oh." Miss Prescott looked around vaguely, and Evelyn Hillingdon said, "Oh, I didn't ask Edward to accompany me. Men hate shopping." "Did you find anything new?" "Not for that kind of stuff. I'm going to the pharmacy." She smiled slightly, nodded slightly, and walked towards the beach. "Very nice, Mr. and Mrs. Hillingdon," said Miss Prescott; "only, she's a very difficult person, don't you see? I mean, she's always been very nice, But there’s just no way to get to know her better.” Miss Marple nodded thoughtfully. "Never could tell what was going on in her mind," said Miss Prescott. "Perhaps that's all right," said Miss Marple. "What did you say?" "Oh, nothing, I just feel like maybe her mind is going to be messed up." "Oh," said Miss Prescott, puzzled, "I see what you mean." Changing the subject a little, she added: "I hear they have a nice house in Hamsh, and a son—or both—just up—perhaps a kid—just up Winchester School." "Are you familiar with Hamsh?" "Not familiar, not familiar at all, I only heard that their home is very close to Alton." "Well," continued Miss Marple after a pause, "and where do the Dysons live?" "California," said Miss Prescott, "that means when they were at home, the couple traveled a lot." "We know very little about the people we meet on our travels," said Miss Marple. "I mean—how should I put it—do you think we only know what they want us to know?" .For example, you don't know if the Dysons actually live in California." Miss Prescott looked astonished. "I dare say Mr. Dyson certainly mentioned it." "Yes, exactly. That's what I mean. The Hillingdons may be in the same situation. I mean, when you say they live in Hamsh, you're just repeating what they say, aren't you?" A look of alarm crept into Miss Prescott's face. "You mean they don't live in Hamsh?" "No, no, absolutely not that." She explained: "Yes, I tell you I live in St. Mary Mead, a place I bet you haven't heard of. However, if you are not surprised, do you yourself never know? " Miss Prescott would have liked to tell Miss Marple that she didn't care where she lived.Anyway, it's somewhere in the south of England. "Oh, I understand what you mean now," she said hesitantly, "but it's impossible to be too cautious and serious about everything when traveling alone." "That's not what I meant," said Miss Marple. In Miss Marple's mind, there were many strange thoughts. She asked herself, did she really know that Gannon Prescott and Miss Prescott were the real Gannon Prescott? and Miss Prescott?That's exactly what they said.There is no evidence to refute it.Wouldn't everything be so much simpler if everyone wore dog tags around their necks, dressed appropriately, and had appropriate conversations?But if there is motivation... Miss Marple knew her parson quite well, but the Priscotts were Northerners.It seems to be the town of Durham, right?Of course she would not suspect that they were not the Prescott brothers and sisters, but in the end, it was still the same sentence—— A man believes what others tell him. Perhaps, this is something to be wary of.Maybe... She shook her head puzzled.