Chapter 15 Chapter Fourteen Investigation

Everything was neatly arranged, thanks to Sir James' skilful handling.To Tuppence, nothing was more surprising and puzzling. Doctors were quick to accept that Mrs. Vandermeyer had accidentally overdosed on chloral.He didn't think an autopsy was necessary.If there was an autopsy he would tell Sir James.He had heard that Mrs. Vandermeyer was going abroad, and that her servant had left.Sir James and his young friends were visiting her when she suddenly fell ill and fainted, and they did not want her to be left alone, so they stayed in the flat for the night.Did they know any of her relatives?do not know.

But Sir James sent the doctor to Mrs. Vandermeyer's solicitor.Soon, a nurse came to attend to the funeral, and the rest left the ominous building. "What now?" Julius asked, making a desperate gesture. "I think we'll go downstairs and get something to eat." Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully. He said softly, "No. There's still a chance that Dr. Hall might tell us—something." "Oops: I forgot about him." "The chance is slim, but it should not be overlooked. I think, I told you, that he is staying at the Metropole Hotel. I suggest we call on him as soon as possible. After a bath and breakfast, will you make sure?"

In the end it was arranged that Tuppence and Julius should go back to the Ritz Hotel and then drive to fetch Sir James. Everything went according to plan, and just after eleven o'clock they drove up to the Metropole Hotel. They asked for Dr. Hall, and a waiter went for him.After a few minutes, the little doctor came hurriedly towards them. "Dr. Hall, would you spare us a few minutes?" said Sir James cheerfully. "Let me introduce you to Miss Cowley, Mr. Hersheimmer, whom I believe you already know." The doctor gave Julius a mocking look as he shook hands. "Ah, yes, my young friend who fell from the tree! Is the ankle all right, eh?"

"I think it's over, thanks to your careful treatment, doctor." "And heart problems? Ha!" "Still looking for a cure," Julius replied simply. "Come on, can we speak to you in private?" asked Sir James. "Of course. I think there is a room here where no one will be disturbed." The doctor led the way, and the rest followed. They sat down, and the doctor looked at Sir James curiously. "Dr Hall, I am very anxious to find a certain young lady in order to obtain a statement from her. I have reason to believe that she was at one time in your nursing home in Bourthmouth, and I hope I have not crossed professional decorum by asking you about it. "

"I suppose it's about the testimony?" Sir James hesitated, then replied, "Yes." "I'll be happy to give you any information I can. What's the young lady's name? Mr. Hersheimmer asked me, I remember—" He turned slightly halfway to Julius . "The name," said Sir James bluntly, "is unimportant. She was probably sent to you under a false name. But I wonder if you know a Mrs. van der Meyer?" "Mrs. Vandermeyer, No. 20 South Audley Apartments? I know her a little." "Don't you know what happened?" "What do you mean?"

"You didn't know Mrs. Vandermeyer was dead?" "Ah! Oops! I never thought of that! When did it happen?" "She took an overdose of chloral last night." "Will it be?" "Accidentally, people think so. I don't want to say it myself. Anyway, she was found dead this morning." "Too tragic. A woman of singular beauty. I dare say she was a friend of yours, and you are familiar with the details." "I'm familiar with the details because—well, I was the one who found her dead." "Really." The doctor said in surprise.

"Yes," said Sir James, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "This is very sad news, but you will forgive me if I say that I do not understand what it has to do with what you are asking?" "In its relation to the matter, is it true that Mrs. van der Meyer placed a young relative of hers in your care?" Julius leaned forward eagerly. "That is the case," said the doctor quietly. "What's the name?" "Janet Vandermeyer. Mrs. Vandermeyer's niece, I think." "When did she come to see you?" "June or July, 1915, I think."

"Is she mentally ill?" "She's perfectly sane, that's all I'm going to say. I understand from Mrs. Vandermeyer that when the Luretania liner sank, the girl was with her on that ill-fated ship and that the girl suffered mentally as a result. Serious stimulus." "We're on the right track, I suppose?" Sir James looked around. "I said it before, I'm a fool!" said Julius. The doctor looked at them curiously. "You talked about wanting a statement from her," he said, "assuming she can't give it to you?" "What? You just said she was perfectly sane."

"She is sane. However, if you want to get a statement from her about any events before May 7, 1915, she will not be able to give it to you." They stared at the small man, transfixed.But he nodded triumphantly. "A pity," said he, "a pity, especially as I conjecture, Sir James, that the matter is very important, but, listen, she can't tell you anything." "But why, man? Damn it, why?" The little man turned his benevolent eyes to the emotional young American. "Because Janet Vandermeyer had a total memory loss:" "Why?" "Exactly, an interesting case, a very interesting case. Not very common, indeed, as you might imagine. There are a few very famous comparable cases, which I observed myself The first case of its kind, which I find fascinating." The little man exudes a complacency that delights in terror.

"She can't remember anything," said Sir James greedily. "Can't remember anything before May 7, 1915. After that, her memory is as good as yours or mine." "So, what's the first thing she remembers?" "It was landing with the survivors. Before that, everything was blank. She didn't know her name, or who she was, or where she was, and she couldn't even speak her native language." "Sure all of this is extraordinary?" interjected Julius. "No, my lord. In this case, quite normal, severe irritation of the nervous system, loss of memory at about the same time. Of course I am reminded of a specialist. There is a very good man in Paris-- Research - but Mrs. van der Meyer disagreed, as that might publicize the case."

"I can imagine she would disagree," said Sir James severely. "I agree with him that these cases often bring people into disrepute, and the girl is very young—nineteen, I think. It is a pity that her case will be talked about, and it may hurt her future. Furthermore, there is no specific treatment for such cases. Indeed, there is only waiting." "wait?" "Yes, sooner or later the memory comes back—as suddenly as it is lost. But nine times out of ten, the girl will forget the intervening period, and she will recover it at the moment when her memory was interrupted—the sinking of Lusitania. " "So, when do you expect this to happen?" The doctor shrugged. "Ah, I can't say, sometimes months, sometimes as long as it is known, as long as twenty years: sometimes another stimulus will have unexpected results. A stimulus will restore the memory lost by the previous stimulus." "Another thrill, huh?" Julius mused. "Indeed. There was a case like this in Colorado—" the little man drew out his voice gently and nonstop. Julius didn't seem to be listening; he was lost in thought, brow furrowed.Suddenly he awoke from his contemplation, and slammed his fist on the table with such force that the bang made everyone jump up, especially the doctor. "I get it: I thought, doctor, I'm going to use your medical opinion in my plan, hey, brief crossed the sea again, the same thing happened again, submarines, wrecks, people scrambling to get on lifeboats, etc. Wait. Wouldn't that have been a surprise success? Wouldn't it have given her subconscious ego a slam bang, or whatever, brought back the memory?" "Very interesting speculation, Mr. Hersheimmer. In my opinion, your speculation will succeed. Unfortunately, there is no chance of repeating the conditions you suggest." "Maybe not by nature, doctor. But I'm talking about art." "Art?" "What's the matter, yes. What's the trouble? The tenant ship—" "A passenger ship!" Dr. Hall muttered softly. "Hire some tourists, rent a submarine—that's the only difficulty. Governments tend to be conservative with their weapons of war, and they don't sell them lightly to the first comer. But I think that can be overcome. .Have you ever heard the word 'reverse', gentlemen? Well, it works every time. I reckon we don't need to actually fire torpedoes. If everyone gets up and yells that the ship is sinking, to a man like Jane Enough with this innocent young girl. There are many well-trained artists performing those hysterical tricks on deck as she is put on a buoy and rushed into the lifeboat. At that point she would be back at once again where she had been in May 1915.How about this rough outline? " Dr. Hall looked at Julius.Everything he couldn't express at that moment made sense in that glance, "No," said Julius to that look in Dr. Hall's, "I'm not crazy. Such a thing is entirely possible. Filming in the United States, this kind of thing is done every day.Haven't you seen trains collide on screen?What is the difference between buying a train and buying a ship?Once you get the props, you can act immediately! " Dr. Hall began to speak again. "But the fee, my dear sir." He raised his voice. "The fee! The fee is very expensive!" "I don't worry about money at all," Julius explained simply. Dr. Hall turned to Sir James with an entreaty.Sir James smiled slightly. "Mr. Hersheimmer is very rich--very rich indeed." The doctor looked at Julius again with new and subtle eyes.This is no longer some eccentric young man who once fell from a tree.His eyes showed respect for this truly rich man. "Excellent project, excellent," the doctor murmured, "Movies—of course! That's what you Americans call movie theaters. Interesting. I'm afraid our methods are a little behind the times. What do you really mean? To carry out this splendid plan of yours?" ①French: Movies.Annotation one by one. "You bet as much as I do." The doctor believed in him - a tribute to his nationality.Had an Englishman made such a suggestion, the doctor would have doubted his sanity. "I can't guarantee a cure," he noted, "and maybe I should make that clear." "Sure, it's all right," said Julius, "as long as you bring Jane out, and I'll do the rest." "simple?" "Miss Janet Vandermeyer. We can get to you right away and ask them to bring her, or I'll drive and bring her." The doctor froze. "Excuse me, Mr. Hersheimmer. I thought you would understand." "Understand what?" "That Miss Vandermeyer is no longer in my charge."