Chapter 12 Chapter Eleven: A Description of Julius

Tuppence was well dressed and punctual for her "afternoon outing".Albert was away temporarily, so Tuppence went to the stationery store to find out that she really had no letters.She checked the matter out and went to the Ritz Hotel.Upon inquiry, she learned that Zhang Mi had not returned yet.Although such a reply had been expected by her, it dashed her hopes. She decided to ask Mr. Carter for help, tell him when and where Tommy started his tracking, and asked Mr. Carter to try to find Tommy's trace.The idea of ​​asking Mr. Carter's help revived Tuppence's lively spirits, and she asked Julius Hersheimmer.The reply she received was to the effect that Julius had returned about half an hour before, but had gone out again immediately.

Tuppence's spirits rose.It was lucky to see Julius, and maybe he could figure out a way to find out what was going on with Tommy.She wrote a note to Mr. Carter in Julius' living room.Just as I was about to write the address on the envelope, the door suddenly opened. Julius opened his mouth and said, "What the hell—" But he stopped himself suddenly, "I'm sorry, Miss Tuppence. That's what the fool in the office down below said, Mr. Beresford is no longer here— He hasn't been here since Wednesday, has he?" Tuppence nodded. "You don't know where he is?" he asked softly.

"Me? How should I know? Although I telegraphed him yesterday morning, I haven't heard from him at all." "I suppose your telegram was not opened in the office." "So where is he?" "I don't know. I expect you might know." "I tell you, I haven't heard from him at all since I parted with him at the train station on Wednesday." "Which train station?" "Waterloo. Your London South Weston Road." "Waterloo Station?" Tuppence frowned. "Well, yes. Didn't he tell you?" Tuppence replied impatiently: "I didn't see him either. Started at Waterloo. What did you do there?"

"He called me. On the phone he told me to get moving, move fast. Said he was following two bad guys." "Ah:" said Tuppence, her eyes widening, "I see. Go on." "I rushed over right away. Beresford was there. He pointed out the two rascals. I'm in charge of the big one, the guy you frightened. Tommy slipped a train ticket into my hand and told I'm going to get in the car. He's following another bad guy." Julius paused. "I think with complete confidence that he wants to know all the circumstances." Tuppence said firmly, "Don't walk up and down, Julius. It makes me dizzy. Sit in that easy chair, try not to sell about it, and tell me all about it."

Mr. Hersheimmer obeyed her. He said, "Of course, where do I start?" "Where you left off just now is in Waterloo." Julius began to narrate: "Well, as soon as I stepped into one of your lovely old-fashioned first-class carriages in England, the train started to move. The first thing I knew was that a conductor came up and told me very politely No smoking in the car. I handed him the half-dollar and that settled the matter. Down the aisle I checked the next passenger car. Whittington was there. I saw that hideous fellow, with that fat, well-kept face, and thought of poor little Jane in his clutches, and it drove me mad, too bad I didn't have a gun with me.Otherwise, I'm going to fix him up.

"We arrived in Bournemouth without incident. Whittington asked for a taxi and said the name of the hotel. I did the same and within three minutes our car was on our way. He rented a room and I rented a room too.So far things have been smooth sailing.He never thought that someone would follow him.Well, he sat in the lounge in the hotel reading newspapers and all that until dinner time, and he didn't rush to dinner. "I started thinking there was nothing else to do and he was just out on a trip for health reasons. But I remember, even though it was a fancy hotel, he didn't change for dinner, which he probably would have done after dinner for what he had to do Things go out.

"Sure enough, about nine o'clock, he went out. A ride across town--it's a very pretty place, by the way, and I think when I find Jane I'll take her there for a while-- —then he paid the car and sent the car away. Walked along the pine forest at the top of the cliff, and you know I was there. We walked, about half an hour. Disappearing behind us, at last we came to a house, which seemed to be the last of a group of villas. It was a large house, with a large area surrounded by pine forests. "It was a pretty dark night, and the driveway leading up to the house was as dark as it was. I could hear him walking ahead, though I couldn't see him. I had to walk carefully in case he noticed someone following him .I turned the corner just in time to see him ring the doorbell and come into the house. I just stayed where I was.It started to rain and soon I was almost drenched and it was freezing cold.

"Whittington didn't come out again, and after a while I got a little uneasy and started wandering around quietly. All the windows on the ground floor were shut, but upstairs (it's a two-storey house) , I noticed there was a light in one of the windows and the curtains were not drawn. "Well, there just happened to be a tree growing opposite the window. It was about thirty feet from the house, and I had the idea that if I climbed up there, I might be able to see what was going on in the house. Of course, I know There was no reason why Whittington should be in this room and not the other—indeed, there was not much reason why he should be in one of the anterooms downstairs. But I think, I've troubled myself. Standing in the rain with so much energy for so long, doing something is better than doing nothing. So I started climbing trees.

"It wasn't that easy. The rain made the branches very slippery and I only had one foothold when I climbed the tree, but little by little I managed to climb up until I was at the same level as the window. "However I was disappointed. My position was too far to the left. All I could see was the interior passage. All I could see were a few curtains, and a yard of wallpaper. Well, it's of no use to me, and just as I'm about to give up and climb down the tree in humiliation, someone walks inside and casts a shadow on the little bit of wallpaper I can see - lord, that's exactly Whittington!

"At this point, my blood boils. I must take a look into the room. Now it's up to me to figure out what's going on. I noticed a very long branch on the big tree sticking out to the right. If only I could Moving half the distance along it, the problem would be solved. But I was not sure whether the branch would bear my weight. I made up my mind to take the risk, and so I set to work. I was very cautious, inch by inch Climbing forward. The branches rattled and swayed from side to side, when it was impossible to think about falling, and finally I climbed safely to the desired position.

"The room is of medium size and furnished in a completely hygienic manner. There was a square table in the center of the room with a lamp on it, and it was Whittington who sat facing me at the table.He was speaking to a woman dressed like a hospital nurse.She was sitting with her back to me so I couldn't see her face.Although the shades were drawn, the windows themselves were closed, so I could not hear a word of their speech.It seemed that Whittington kept talking and the nurse was just listening.Now she nodded, and now she shook her head, as if she were answering a question.It seemed Whittington spoke with force—once or twice he banged his fist on the table.By this time the rain had stopped, and the sky suddenly cleared up, which is what the weather looks like. "Soon he seemed to be finishing his sentence. He stood up, and so did the nurse. He looked towards the window and asked something—I guess he asked if the rain had stopped. Anyway, she went straight across the room and out Look. Just then, the moon came out from behind the clouds. I was afraid of being seen by this woman, because I was completely under the moon. I managed to step back a little. The sudden movement of my body was too much for the old branch. Crash With a sound, the branch was broken, and I was thrown down!" Tuppence said in a low voice: "Oh, Julius, what a thrill! go on. " "Oh, luckily for me, I landed on some soft ground - but I couldn't move for a while, really. The next thing I knew I was lying in bed with a nurse on one side of the bed (not the Whittington nurse though) and a little guy with a black beard in gold-rimmed glasses on the other Man, is a typical doctor.He rubbed his hands together and raised his eyebrows as I looked at him.He said: 'Ah: look at our young friend regaining consciousness.best.best. '" I did the old trick a little bit, asking 'what's going on?' and 'where am I?' But I know pretty well what the answer is. My brain isn't old.' I guess that's about it for now "Ms. Nurse," said the little man. The nurse walked out of the room with a well-trained brisk step. But as she walked out the door, I caught the very curious look in her eyes when she looked at me. "That look in her eyes gave me an idea. 'Hey, Doctor,' I said, trying to sit up in bed, but as I did so, I felt a sharp pain in my right foot.' Slight A sprain,' explained the doctor. 'It's not a serious problem, and you'll be able to move about in two or three days.'" At this point Tuppence interposed, "I noticed that you walk with a slight limp." Julius nodded and continued. "'What happened?' I asked again. He replied dryly, 'You fell and knocked off a lot of branches from the tree and fell in a new flowerbed I made.' "I like this man, he looks sense of humor.I'm sure he's at least straight to the point.I said, 'Of course, doctor, I'm very sorry for the damage to the tree, and I think I'll pay for all the new flowers.Still, maybe you're wondering, what am I doing in your garden? ’ He replied: ‘I think it really needs an explanation. Well, first of all, I don't follow fools. '" He smiled, 'My first thought. But I quickly changed my mind. By the way, you're American, right?' I told him my name, 'What about you?' 'I'm Dr. Hall. Here, you know, is my private sanitarium.' "I don't know, and I don't want him to know.I just appreciate the information given.I like this guy, I think he's straightforward, but I'm not going to tell him the whole story.First, he probably won't believe it. "All of a sudden I made up my mind and said, 'Oh, Doctor, I think I'm a big fool, but I thank you for letting me know that what I'm doing isn't Bill Sikes' business.' Then I Continued muttering about a girl. I made a fuss about some strict guardian, had a nervous breakdown, and finally explained that I seemed to recognize her among the patients in the sanitarium, so I came out at night This trip is risky. ①Bill Sykes: A ferocious thief in the middle and lower classes of Dickens's novel "Oliver Twist" - Annotation. "I think that's the kind of thing he wants to hear. When I finished, he kindly said, 'What a romantic story.' And I said, 'Well, doc, are you going to be honest with me? ?Is there a young girl named Jane Finn in your place now, or ever in your place?' He repeated the name as he thought about it. He said: 'Jane Finn? No one.'" I looked very annoyed, and I guess I had an annoyed look on my face too. 'Are you sure? ''Very sure, Mr. Hersheimmer.It's an unusual name, and it's impossible for me to forget it. ' "Well, that's absolutely true. But that leaves me open. I kind of wish my search was over. I finally said, 'That's what it is. Now, there's another thing. I hold on to the goddamn twig, I thought I recognized an old friend of mine, talking to one of your nurses.' I deliberately did not mention names, as Whittington might of course use a different address there, but the doctor answered immediately "Maybe, Mr. Whittington?" I said, "That's the man. What's he doing here? Won't tell me he's crazy?" Dr. Hall laughed. 'No, he's here to see a nurse, Miss Edith, his niece. ' I said aloud: 'Ah, that's really unexpected!is he still here "No, he's going back to town almost immediately." I cried out suddenly: "What a pity! But maybe I can talk to his niece—Miss Nurse Edith, that's how you said her name." , right?'" But the doctor shook his head. 'I'm afraid that's not the case either, Miss Edith also left with a sick person tonight. ' I said, 'Looks like I'm out of luck.Do you have his address in town?I think I'll visit him when I go back. "I don't know his address. I can write to Miss Edith for his address if you want. 'I thank him,' don't say who wants his address, I want to give him a little Surprise.’ “That’s all I’ve done so far.Of course, if the girl was indeed Whittington's niece, she would be very astute not to fall into the trap, but it was worth trying.The next thing I did was to wire Mr. Beresford where I was, I was in bed with a sprained foot, and to come over if he wasn't busy.I have to be careful about what I have to say.However, I haven't heard from him and my foot is almost on the mend.Just a slight sprain, not a real sprain.So today I said goodbye to the little doctor and told him to send me a message if he got a letter from Nurse Edith and came back to town. Oops: Miss Tuppence, why are you so pale? " "It's about Tommy," said Tuppence. "What could have happened to him?" "Come on, I think he's all right. Why should he be? Listen, he's following a foreign-looking guy. Maybe they've gone abroad—to Poland or something?" Tuppence shook her head. "He can't go abroad without a passport and stuff. Besides, I've seen that man, Boris or something. He dined with Mrs. Vandermeyer last night." "Which one is too big?" "I forgot, of course, you don't know everything." "I'm listening," said Julius, suddenly using his favorite expression. "let me know." Then Tuppence related what had happened during the past two days.Julius was astonished and fell in admiration. "Well done: it makes me so happy that you're going to be a servant!" Then he said gravely: "But listen to me, I don't like it, Miss Tuppence, I really don't. You As bold as anyone else, but I want you to back out immediately. We're up against these scoundrels who would kill a girl as brutally as a man any day." "Do you think I'm frightened?" said Tuppence angrily, bravely ignoring Mrs. Vandermeyer's cruel gaze. "I've said it before, you're very gutsy, but that doesn't change the fact." "Oh, I'm so sick of it!" said Tuppence impatiently. "Let us consider what may have happened to Tommy. I have written to Mr. Carter about it," added she, and addressed Julius The main content of the letter is introduced. Julius nodded heavily. "I think it's good that things are still as they are at this point. But we have to act." "What can we do?" asked Tuppence.Her spirits rose again. "I think we'd better track down Boris. You say he's been where you work. Is he likely to go again?" "He might go again, but I can't be sure." "I see. Well, I thought, I'd better get a sedan, a first-class sedan, dressed like a coachman and wait outside. If Boris comes, you signal and I'll follow him. The idea how?" "Great, but he might not be here for a few weeks." "We'll have to try our luck. I'm glad you like the plan." He stood up. "Where are you going?" "Going for a car, of course," replied Julius, looking very surprised. "What kind of car would you like? I think you'd like to go for a drive before we're done." "Ah," said Tuppence softly, "I do like Rolls-Royce, but—" Julius agreed.He said, "Sure, it's up to you. I'm going to buy one right now." cried Tuppence: "But you can't buy it right away. People wait a long time sometimes." "Little Julius doesn't have to wait," Mr. Hersheimmer said firmly. "Don't you have any worries. I'll be back by car in half an hour." Tuppence stood up. "You're very good, Julius. But I can't help feeling that this is a desperate project. I really do pin my hopes on Mr. Carter." "And I shouldn't." "why?" "Just an idea of ​​mine." "Ah, but he's got to do his best. There's no one else. By the way, I forgot to tell you a curious thing that happened this morning." She related her accidental encounter with Sir James Peel Edgerton.Julius was intrigued. "What do you think the man meant?" he asked. "I don't quite understand," said Tuppence thoughtfully, "but I think he's trying to warn me in a lawyer's ambiguous, legal, unbiased way." "Why did he do that?" "I don't know," admitted Tuppence, "but he seems amiable and very intelligent. I wouldn't mind going to him and telling him all about it." To her surprise, Julius rejected the idea very strongly. He said: "Listen, we don't want any lawyers involved in this. That guy 'can't help us with anything." "Well, I'm sure he can," repeated Tuppence stubbornly. "Don't think so. Good-bye. I'll be back in half an hour." Thirty-five minutes later, Julius returned.He took Tuppence by the arm and walked with her to the window. "The car is there." "Ah!" said Tuppence, looking down at a very large car, with a tone of respect in her voice. "She's the lead car in the car race, I can tell you that," Julius said smugly. "How did you get this car?" asked Tuppence, breathlessly. "She is being sent to the home of some dignitary." "yes?" "I went to his house and I said I figured a car like that was worth twenty thousand dollars," Julius said. "And then I said, if he backs out, it's worth about fifty thousand dollars to me." "Really?" said Tuppence, ecstatically delighted. "Yes," replied Julius, "he got out of the way, and that's what happened."