Chapter 22 Chapter 22 The Last Day

"Night and morning is the last day," said Miss Marple to herself. After that, she also felt a little confused, so she sat upright on the chair.It was unbelievable that she hit a ton, because the percussion band was playing.Miss Marple thought: Anyone who can fall asleep while the band is playing shows that she's used to it!What was she talking to herself just now?She misquoted again.The last day?It only affects the first day.But this is not the first day.But it's probably not the last day. She straightened herself up again.In fact, she may be too tired.All this worrying, this feeling of being so useless... She remembered, uncomfortably, that Molly's half-closed eyelids were sneaking at her slyly.What the hell is going on in that girl's head?Miss Marple thought how different everything had been at first.Tim and Molly, such a natural and happy young couple, and the Hillingdons are also so pleasant, so well-educated, and they are what people often say "good people".Happy, extroverted Greg Dyson, blunt, beaming, shrieking and laughing lucky, so happy with himself and the world...

The foursome got along so well.Gannon Prescott, the gentle, kind, wonderful man.Joanne Prescott was a bit bitter, but she was also a good woman, and good women are bound to be distracted by gossip.They can't be ignorant, they have to know when two plus two equals four, and if possible, it's best to make it five!Such women are harmless.Although they like talking tongues, they are also very eager to help others when they encounter difficulties.That was a character, Mr. Rifle, a man of character, and a man who will never be forgotten.Miss Marple thought, however, that she knew another side of Mr. Raifel.

The doctors had given up hope in him long ago, as he had often said himself; but this time, she felt that they were quite sure of their opinion.Mr. Raifel also knew that his big day was just around the corner. Knowing this so well, was it possible for him to do something about it? Miss Marple thought about this question for a while. She thinks it might be important. What the hell is he talking about.A little too loud, a little too sure?Miss Marple was very good at intonation.In her whole life, she has heard a lot. Mr. Rifle must have told her something that wasn't true. Miss Marple looked around.The breath of the night, the soft scent of flowers, the faint light on the table, the beautiful costumes on the ladies, Evelyn's evening dress with sapphire blue and white flowers, white butterfly wings swaying on Lucky's shoulders, and golden hair shining Glow, everyone seems to be infinitely happier and full of energy tonight.

Even Tim Kendall smiled.He also said as he passed her table: "I can't thank you enough for your trouble. Molly is almost fully recovered, and the doctor says she will be able to walk around tomorrow." Miss Marple smiled at him, and said that was very good news.However, she found that it took so much effort to laugh.There is absolutely nothing to say, she is tired... She stood up and walked slowly back to her cabin.She really wanted to think about it again, to ponder it over, to try to remember it, to try to sum up all kinds of facts, words and looks, but she couldn't do anything.The tired mind is rebelling.It's saying, "Sleep! You must sleep!"

Miss Marple took off her clothes, lay down on the bed, read a few lines from the book of poems beside the bed, and then put out the lamp.In the dark, she prayed a few words.Many things cannot be done by one person.Always need help. "No accident tonight." She murmured hoping. Miss Marple woke up suddenly and sat up in bed.Her heart was beating violently.She turned on the light and looked at the small clock beside the bed.At two o'clock in the morning, there was unusual movement outside the window.She got out of bed, put on her nightgown and slippers, wrapped a woolen kerchief around her head, and went out to investigate.Someone was walking around with a torch.She saw that Gannon Prescott was there, and went to meet him.

"what happened?" "Oh, Miss Marple? Mrs. Kendal. Her husband woke up and found her slipping out of bed. We're looking for her." After speaking, he rushed over again.Miss Marple walked slowly behind him.Where will Molly go?Why?She planned this intentionally, and slipped away when everyone relaxed her guard and her husband was asleep, right?Miss Marple thought it possible.But why?what is the reason?Did she really have another man, as Esther Walders strongly suggested?If so, who is the man?Or is there another more sinister reason? Miss Marple walked on, looking around and peeking under the bushes.Suddenly, someone whispered: "Here...here..."

The call came from the hotel.Miss Marple believed it must be from near the stream that ran to the sea, and she took courage to go in that direction. Not as many people came out to help with the search as she had imagined at first.Most of the people are probably still sleeping in the log cabin.She saw a few people standing on the bank of the stream.Someone squeezed past her and almost pushed her to the ground.It's Tim Kendall.A minute or two later she heard him call, "Molly! God, Molly!" It was a while before Miss Marple arrived at the little group.There were two Cuban waiters, Evelyn Shillingden, and two native girls.They move out of the way to let Tim pass.He was stooping down when Miss Marple arrived.

"Molly..." He knelt down slowly.Miss Marple had a clear view of the woman's body, lying in the stream, her face submerged in the water, her fair hair falling over her shoulders in a pale green embroidered shawl.Lying among the leaves and weeds on the stream, almost in a scene from "Hamlet," Molly was like dead Ophelia. Tim was about to reach out to touch her when the quiet, common-sense Miss Marple took over and said in a stern, formidable voice: "Don't touch her, Mr. Kendall, and nobody touch her." Tim looked up suspiciously. "But—how can I—it's Molly—I must—"

Evelyn Hillingdon stroked his shoulder. "She's dead, Tim. I didn't touch her, but I took her pulse." "Dead?" Tim said incredulously. "Dead? You mean she—died in the water?" "I think so. It depends." "But for what?" the young man cracked his voice, "Why? She was so happy asking questions tonight. She also talked to me about what we should do tomorrow. Why did she want to die again? Why did she sneak out —running here to dive in the middle of the night? What’s wrong with her—what’s the pain—why didn’t she tell me?” "I don't know, dear," said Evelyn pitifully, "and I don't know either."

Miss Marple: "Someone better get Dr. Graham quickly. The police have to be called too." "Police?" Tim said with a wry smile, "What's the use of that?" "The police must be notified in the event of suicide," said Miss Marple. Tim stood up slowly. "I'll send for Dr. Graham," she said bitterly. "Perhaps—at this point—he can—do something about it." He staggered and walked towards the hotel. Evelyn Hillingdon stood side by side with Miss Marple looking at the dead girl. Evelyn shook her head and said, "It's too late. She's cold. She's been dead for at least an hour—maybe longer. How miserable. The couple was always so happy. I think she's been mentally ill." unbalanced."

"No," said Miss Marple. "I don't think she's out of balance." Evelyn looked at her in surprise. "How do you say that?" The moon, hiding behind the clouds, poked its head out at this time.A piece of silver light fell on Molly's loose hair... Miss Marple gave a sharp exclamation.She knelt down and reached out to touch the golden hair.She said to Evelyn in the same tone: "I think," she said, "we've got to find out," and Wenvelyn Shillingen stared at her in disbelief. "But you told Tim not to touch her yourself?" "I know. But there was no moonlight then. I didn't see—" She pointed with her finger.Then, she gently grabbed the hair and parted it with one hand, revealing the roots of the hair... Evelyn screamed. "Lucky." After a while, she repeated: "It's not Molly...it's luck." Miss Marple nodded. "They both have pretty much the same hair color - it's just that her hair is a little darker at the roots because it's been dyed." "But why is she wearing Molly's shawl?" "She liked the shawl very much. I heard her say she was looking for one too. And she did." "It turns out that we were--bluffed..." When she saw Miss Marple staring at her, she shut her mouth. "Someone," said Miss Marple, "go and tell her husband." After waiting for a while, Evelyn said, "Okay, let me go." She turned and walked out through the palm trees. Miss Marple stood motionless for a moment, then turning her head slightly, said: "Well, Colonel Hillindon?" Edward Hillingdon came out from the bushes behind her and stood by her side. "You know I stand behind?" "I see your shadow," said Miss Marple. They stood for a while without humming. He said a little to himself: "So, in the end, she finally met her luck..." "The way I see it, you're glad she's dead?" "Are you terrified? Well, I don't deny it. I'm glad she's dead." "Death can often solve many problems." Edward Hillingdon turned his head slowly.Miss Marple stared at him calmly and steadily. "If you want to—" He took a step closer to her. There was sinisterness in his tone. Miss Marple said calmly: "Your wife and Mr. Dyson will be here in a moment. Or Mr. Kendall will be here with Dr. Graham." Edward Hillingdon relaxed.He turned and looked down at the dead woman. Miss Marple slipped away quietly.Before long, her steps became faster and faster. When she was almost in front of her cabin, she stopped.That was where she sat talking to Balgrave that day.Right here, he was looking for the little photo of the murderer in his wallet... She remembered how he looked up, and suddenly his face went purple and pseudo... "so ugly," as Ms. Caspialo put it, "his ghostly eye." ghost eyes...eyes...eyes...