Chapter 4 Chapter Four

one Just before dinner, when Qiu Peng approached the lounge of Xiaoyao Hotel, the only person in it was the great Mrs. O'Rourke, who was sitting at the window, like a huge Bodhisattva. She was very kind and enthusiastically greeted Qiu Peng. "Oh, isn't that Mrs. Brunken? It's a pleasure for you, like me, to come down here and sit for a while before you eat in the dining-room. It's a nice room when the weather is fine. Close the doors and windows Turn them all on, and you won't feel the smell of cooking fumes. All places of this kind have this smell, which is really annoying. Especially when onions or cabbages are burning on the fire. Mrs. Brunken, sit here, Tell me, what are you doing today in such a fine weather? Do you like Lehanton?"

Mrs. O'Rourke had a fascination with the choppong, and she was a bit like the ogre she remembered from her childhood.Her size, her deep voice, her unabashed beard, her dark blue, bright eyes, and she gave the impression of being far above average.All of this makes people feel that she is indeed like the monster in her childhood imagination. Qiu Peng replied that she thought she would like this place very much and be very happy. "I mean," she added in a melancholy tone. "Like me, worrying all the time in my heart, it's the same everywhere." "Oh, don't worry," Mrs. O'Rourke reassured her. "Your good boys will come back safely. There is no doubt about it. I remember you said that one of them is in the Air Force?"

"Yes, that's Raymond." "Is he in France now? Or in England?" "He's in Egypt at the moment, but according to his last letter—in fact, he didn't say it, strictly speaking, but in a private code. Do you understand what I mean? I thought we It's the right thing to do, don't you think?" Mrs. O'Rourke immediately replied: "I thought it was right, it was the privilege of being a mother." "Yeah, you see, I feel like I have to know he's there." Mrs. O'Rourke nodded her bodhisattva head. "I sympathize with you. If I had a son in a foreign country, I'd scam the mail censor the same way, I would. And what about the other kid? The one in the Navy?"

Qiu Peng then told the heroic story of Douglas very readily. "Do you understand," she said. "I just feel overwhelmed without my three sons around. They've never left me at the same time before, they've all been so good to me, I actually feel like they've treated me more like a friend." Having said that, she smiled a little embarrassedly. "I sometimes have to scold them to get them away from me." (Qiupeng thinks: "When I say this, I look like a nasty woman!") She continued aloud: "I really didn't know what to do, or where to go. My lease on my London house was full, and I thought it would be unwise to renew it. So I thought: If only I could get somewhere quiet and Where the train goes—”

She stopped here. The Buddha nodded again. "I quite agree with you. London is uninhabitable at present. Oh, it's dreary there! I've lived there for years. I'm an antiques dealer, you know, and my shop is in Conaby Street, Chase." , you might know? The sign on the door is Katie Curley. I have very nice stuff, mostly glassware, beautiful chandeliers, chandeliers, fun bowls, etc. There are also Foreign glassware. And little furniture—not big, period pieces—mostly mahogany and oak. Ah, beautiful stuff. And, I've had it too. Some good customers. But when the war broke out, it all went to the West. Fortunately, I have gone out of business, and the loss is very small."

A faint memory suddenly flashed in Qiu Peng's heart.There is a shop in London that is so full of glassware that it is difficult to walk around.Inside was a large, aggressive woman with a loud, eloquent voice.Yes, She has been to that store. Mrs. O'Rourke went on: "I'm not always a complainer--unlike some of the guests here. Mr. Carlyle, for instance, always wears a scarf, a shawl, and complains every day that his business is going down, and of course it's going to go down, There's a war going on. And his wife, who can't even curse a goose. And that little woman, Mrs. Spurrow, who's always fussing about her husband."

"Is he at the front?" "He doesn't. He's just a little clerk in an insurance company. He's so scared of air raids that he sent his wife here when the war started. But as far as the kids are concerned, I think it's right." Yes. What a lovely little thing! But what about Mrs. Spurrow? Her husband visits her whenever he can, and she still worries. . . . She keeps saying Assyria must miss her. But I can Assyria doesn't think much of her, I tell you—he probably has other business to do." Qiu Peng said in a low voice: "I really feel sorry for these mothers. If you let the children leave you, you'll miss them. If you go with them, and leave your husband at home, you're too hard on your husband."

"Ah, yes! Two expenses are very expensive." Qiu Peng said: "This place seems fair." "Yes, I can say you get your money's worth here. Mrs. Pliner runs a good business, but she's a queer person." Qiu Peng asked: "In which respect?" Orlok's too-big eyes sparkled and said: "You may say that I'm a talkative person, but it's true. I'm interested in all people, and I always try to sit here as often as I can. I can sit here and see who goes in, who goes out, and who From the terrace, you can see what's going on in the garden too. What were we talking about?—Oh, yes, Mrs. Pliner, it's strange to talk about her. I think she's a woman who's been through a lot, or else, I may have guessed wrong."

"Do you really think so?" "Yes. She's got a lot of mystery. I asked her, 'Are you from that part of Ireland?' Do you believe it? And she kept it from me, saying she wasn't Irish at all." "Did you think she was Irish?" "She's Irish, of course, and I know our country well enough to point out who's from that county. But look! she says: 'I'm an Englishman, and my husband's a Spaniard.—'" At this time, Mrs. Spruo came in, followed by Tang Mi.Mrs. O'Rourke broke off abruptly. Qiu Peng immediately pretended to be very lively.

"Good night, Mr. Meadows. You are in good spirits to-night!" "Nothing else, I have plenty of exercise, and that's my secret. Play golf in the morning and walk on the seaside road in the afternoon." Mrs. Spurrow said: "I took Beibei to play on the beach this afternoon. She wanted to have bubbles in the sea, but I really felt that the water was a bit cold. I was helping her build a castle, and the dog took my fur work and couldn't pull the wool out. Know how many yards. It's hard to mend those stitches. I beat it so badly." "Mrs. Brunken, your hat is pretty well knitted." Mrs. O'Rourke's attention suddenly turned to Qiu Peng. "How fast you knit. Seems like Miss Minton said you were inexperienced at knitting."

Qiu Peng's face was a little red.Mrs. O'Rourke's eyes are very strong.So she pretended to be a little angry and said: "I do knit quite a lot, and I've told Miss Minton. But she probably likes to teach." Everyone agreed with her statement and laughed for a while.A few minutes later, the rest of the people had arrived, and the bell rang for dinner. During the dinner, everyone's topic turned to the most interesting espionage issue.So, some old spy stories have been fried again.For example: the priest with thick arms landed with a parachute, and what he said after landing did not sound like what a priest should say; the Australian cook hid a radio in the chimney of her bedroom... The people present called their seventh aunt All the stories Auntie Eight told me were brought out.This can easily be linked to the fifth column.This led to the fascists, and everyone scolded the British fascists; and then the Communist Party, the peace treaty, and those who advocated anti-war and refused to fight against the enemy.This is a perfectly normal conversation, one that can be heard every day.However, Qiu Peng pays special attention to their facial expressions and attitudes when they talk, trying to capture some expressions or conversations that are enough to reveal the secret.But, nothing.Only Mrs. Pliner did not join in their conversation, but that might be explained by her habit of reticence.There she sat, with her stubborn brown face, taut and sullen. Karl De Nemo was out tonight, so they could talk freely. At the end of the meal, Sheila spoke only once. Mrs. Spurrow had just said in her thin, flute voice: "I think the biggest mistake the Germans made during the Great War was shooting Nurse Gavill. It caused a lot of outrage and everyone was against them." It was at this moment that Sheila raised her head and said aggressively in her youthful voice, "Why shouldn't you shoot her? She's a spy, isn't she?" "Oh, no, she's not a spy." "She helped the British escape - in a hostile country, it's the same. Why shouldn't she be shot?" "Ah, but, to shoot a woman—and a nurse." Sheila stood up. "I thought Germany was right," she said. She went out through the window into the garden. After-meal fruits include some unripe bananas and some stale oranges.These fruits have been on the table for a while now.However, everyone stood up and moved to the lounge to drink coffee. Only Tang Mi walked to the garden alone, leaving his business alone.He found Shera leaning against the low wall of the gallery, gazing out to sea.He walks over to her. Judging from her shortness of breath, he knew that she must have something very troublesome.He offered her a cigarette, which she accepted. He said: "The night is beautiful." The young lady replied in a low, tense voice: "may be……" Tang Mi looked at her uncertainly.He suddenly felt the girl's charm and vitality.There was an impassioned energy about her, a force that made one obsessed.He thought: She is the kind of girl a man can easily fall in love with when he sees her. He said, "You mean: if there hadn't been a war?" "I don't mean that at all. I hate this war." "That's the way we all are." "It's not all like me. I hate that war cry, I hate the smug attitude, I hate that nasty patriotism." "Patriotism?" Tang Mi was taken aback. "Yes. I hate patriotism. Do you understand? Everyone is shouting: country, country, country! Sell your country, die for your country, serve your country. Why is one's country so important?" Tang Mi just said: "I don't know, it's just the fact." "I thought nationalism was unimportant, ah, you probably thought it was important. You went abroad and went to the territories of the British Empire to do business. When you came back, your skin was tanned and you couldn't stop talking about Indian natives , and ask for Indian wine." Tang Mi said gently: "Honey, I hope I'm not so bad." "I'm exaggerating a bit—but you should know what I mean. You have faith in the British Empire, and—and—have faith in the folly of dying for your country." "My country," Tang Mi said coldly, "doesn't seem to be particularly eager for me to die for it." "Yes, but you want to die for your country. How stupid! Nothing in the world is worth sacrificing your life. It's all an idea—an empty talk—an exaggerated madness! My country, in my heart, is nothing No place." "One day in the future," Tang Mi said. "You will find it strange that your country has a place in your heart." "No, no. I've had enough—I've seen—" She could not go on—then, suddenly and impulsively, she asked: "Do you know who my father is?" "I don't know." Her words aroused Tang Mi's interest. "His name was Patrick McGuire - a man who followed Coxman during the Great War. He was later charged with treason. Died in vain, for what? For a belief - he was with other Irishmen Together, the thoughts became violent. Why didn't he stay at home quietly and mind his own business? He was a martyr in the eyes of some, but a traitor in the eyes of others. I thought he It's just—stupid!" Tang Mi could feel that the smoldering resistance in her heart was about to be vented, so he said: "It turns out that you grew up in this kind of shadow." "Yes, my mother changed her name once. We lived in Spain for a few years and she always said my father was half-Spanish. Everywhere we went we told lies. We've been all over the continent, And then finally came here and opened this dorm. I think that’s the worst thing we’ve done.” Tang Mi asked: "What does your mother think of your—situation?" "You mean—about my father's death?" Sheila frowned and remained silent for a moment, not knowing how to answer.Then, she said slowly: "I still don't fully understand...she never mentioned it afterward. It's not easy to see what's on my mother's mind." Tang Mi nodded thoughtfully. Sheila suddenly said: "I—I don't know why I'm telling you this, I'm so excited, where did it start?" "It was started by Edith Gavill." "Oh, yes! Patriotism. I said I hated it." "Did you forget what Nurse Gavial said?" "What words?" "Do you know what she said before she died?" He recited Gavial's words. "Just being patriotic is not enough... There must be no hatred in my heart." "Oh!" She stood there sadly and paused for a while. Then she turned quickly and went into the shadow of the garden. two "Qiupeng, look, everything fits together." Qiu Peng thought and nodded.There was no one on the beach at this time.She leaned against the breakwater by herself, and Tang Mi was sitting on the breakwater above.Sitting in this position, anyone who comes to this seaside recreation ground can have a panoramic view.He had found out quite exactly where everyone was this morning.Therefore, he is not waiting for someone.However, no matter what, his meeting with Qiu Peng today, on the surface, completely revealed the appearance of meeting by chance.On the female side, she looks very happy; on the male side, she looks slightly surprised. Qiu Peng said: "Mrs. Pliner?" "Yes, she is M, not N. All conditions are met." Qiu Peng thought again and nodded. "By the way. She's Irish--that's what Mrs. O'Rourke found out--and she doesn't admit it herself. She's been around Europe a lot. She changed her name to Pliner, Came here to set up a boarding house. It's a good disguise - it's full of orgasms, but it's not dangerous. Her husband was shot for treason - that's ample proof that she's here in the fifth Motives for the column. Yes, it fits the facts. Do you think that girl is involved?" Tang Mi finally said: "Absolutely not. Otherwise she wouldn't have told me all this secret. You know, I think it's kind of mean to lie to them like that." Qiu Peng nodded very understandingly. "Yes, we sometimes feel that way. In a way, the job is kind of mean." "But in order to accomplish the mission, it is necessary." "Ah, of course." Tang Mi's face was a little hot, he said: "I don't like lying any more than you—" Qiu Peng interrupted him. "I don't give a damn about lying. To be honest, sometimes I am quite proud of my lies if they are clever. The fact is that it frustrates me sometimes when I forget to lie, which is to use my true colors Appear, but, this will work." She paused, and then said: "This is what happened to you last night-with that girl, the real you, caused a reaction in her. You feel Sad, that's why." "Qiupeng, I think what you said is right." "I know I can't be wrong. Because, so am I—I mean the young German." Tang Mi said: "What do you think of him?" Qiu Peng immediately said: "I can tell you I didn't think he was involved in this kind of activity." "Grant thought he was involved." "It's your Mr. Grant again!" Qiu Peng's tone changed.She giggled. "When you told him about my situation, he didn't know what kind of expression he had on his face. If I saw it, I would enjoy it." "In any case, he has officially apologized to me, and now you have officially assumed the task, there is no objection." Qiu Peng nodded, but she looked a little lost in thought. she says: "Do you remember when the war was over—when we hunted down Mr. Brown? What a fun mission! We were so excited! Do you remember?" Tang Mi nodded, and his face immediately beamed with joy. "Why don't you remember?" "Tang Mi—why do you feel different now!" He considered her words for a moment, and his calm, ugly face showed a serious expression.Then he said: "I think—it's really a matter of age." Qiu Peng hurriedly said: "Don't you think—we're getting old?" "No, I'm sure we're not that old. It's just - this time - it won't be as much fun as last time. But other than that, it's the same. This is the second time we've both been in combat, and this time it feels different .” "I know! At the same time, we see how sad this war is! What a waste! How horrible! It's all too young to think of it." "By the way. During the last war, I was sometimes afraid, and once or twice went to the chase and nearly killed me. But there's a happy side to it, too." Qiu Peng said: "I think Derek feels like that right now." "Madam, it's better not to think of him." Tang Mi advised her. "You're right." Qiu Peng gritted his teeth. "Since we have a mission, we have to do it. Let's talk about our mission. Do you think Mrs. Pliner is the person we are looking for?" "The least we can say is that she behaves suspiciously. You don't think there is anyone else particularly noteworthy, Qiu Peng, do you?" Qiu Peng thought about it. "No more. The first thing I did when I came here was to judge and evaluate them all. It can also be said to estimate various possibilities. It is impossible for some of them to have any problems." "Who is it like? Can you go into more detail?" "It's—such as Miss Minton, the 'proper' English spinster, Mrs. Spurrow and her little Betty, and Mrs. Carlyle, who has no brains." "Yes, however, people sometimes play dumb." "Ah, yes. But it's hard to play the old fussy old maid and the young mother who's devoted to the children, and if you're not careful, you can go too far and give yourself away. Meanwhile, as far as Mrs. Spurrow is concerned, And that kid." "I think," Tang Mi said. "Even an intelligence officer can have children." "But it won't be brought to work," Choupong said. "You can't bring up children in this kind of work. Tang Mi, I absolutely believe in this. I have a deep experience that you can't have children in this kind of work." "Okay, I withdraw the previous agreement," Tang Mi said. "Mrs. Spurrow and Miss Minton, you don't need to talk about it. But, Mrs. Carlyle, I don't dare to say anything about this person." "Yes. She may be a noteworthy character, because she is really too much. From the looks of it, she seems to be a stupid woman. In fact, there are not many stupid women like this." "I often notice this fact: if a woman becomes a good wife and mother, her intelligence will definitely weaken." Tang Mi said in a low voice. "Where did you discover this great truth?" Qiu Peng asked. "Qiupeng, it's not from you. You are not as attentive as she is in serving your husband." "As far as men are concerned," Qiu Peng said thoughtfully. "When you're sick, you don't have to trouble your wife too much." So Tang Mi changed the subject and began to examine other possibilities. "Carlyle," Tang Mi said while thinking. "Carlyle may be a little suspicious." "Yes, possibly. And Mrs. O'Rourke." "What do you think of her?" "Not quite sure. She's disturbing, kind of intimidating, you know what I mean?" "Yeah, I think I see what you mean. But, I thought it was just a chicken-hunting attitude. She's that kind of woman." Qiu Peng said slowly: "She—pays attention to everything." She recalled what Mrs. O'Rourke had said about her knitting. "And Major Brechelle," Tang Mi said. "I don't think I've spoken much to him. You should know him better, no doubt." "I thought he was just a really old-fashioned soldier, and I did." "Not bad at all." Qiu Peng's words were not so much an answer to his words as an instinctive response to his emphatic voice. "The worst thing about this kind of thing is to distort the facts. He is obviously an ordinary character, but we have to distort the facts and force him to meet the terrible conditions in our mind." Tang Mi said: "I have done several experiments on Major Brechelle." "What kind of experiment? I'm going to do some experiments, too." "This—it's just some very common little trick. Asking him about dates and places." "Don't speak so generally, but in detail, okay?" "Well. For example, we were talking about wild geese hunting. He mentioned the place of Fayum in Egypt. He said: On a certain year and a certain month, he hunted wild geese there. It was fun. Another time, he I also mentioned other aspects of Egypt. I mentioned the mummies. I asked him: Has he seen the mummy of Tutankhamen, the king of Egypt in the 14th century? Then I asked him: When did he go to Egypt? Then, I will check his answer to see if there are any flaws. Or when it comes to the ships on the P..O. The name of the ship, for example: The ship of XX is quite comfortable. I asked him if he had been on it? He may have mentioned a certain voyage. I will check it later. It doesn’t matter what I asked. If you want, I won’t let him be particularly wary of me after hearing it. If I ask, just check his words to see if they are true.” "So, up to now, he hasn't made a mistake?" "One time is not bad. But, I tell you, Chuppong, it's a good experiment." "Yes. But 'if' he were N, he would have made his words just right on purpose." "Ah, yes, the main outlines may well be made up. But when it comes to insignificant details, it's hard not to get it wrong. And, liars, who occasionally show that they remember too much, are better than a Real people remember a lot. If you ask an ordinary person whether it was in 1926 or 1927 when he went hunting? He may not immediately remember it. You have to think about it before you can say it.” "So up to now, you haven't found anything suspicious about Major Brechelle, have you?" "His reactions were all very normal." "Then the result is—no." "Not bad at all." "Now," Qiu Peng said. "I'll tell you some of my thoughts." So she went on. three Mrs Brunken stopped at the post office on her way home.She bought some stamps.When he came out, he walked into a public phone booth.She called a number there, asked "Mr. Farip" to answer the phone, and then had a short conversation with him. When she came out, she smiled and walked slowly towards home, halfway Also bought some wool. That afternoon, the wind was blowing and the weather was clear. Qiu Peng walked vigorously, but now he had to restrain himself and walk leisurely, trying to fit the role of Mrs. Brunken in his mind.Mrs Brunken did nothing but knitting (and not very well) and writing letters to her son.She was always writing letters to her son, and liked to throw half-written letters around. Qiu Peng slowly climbed up the mountain and walked towards Xiaoyao Hotel.Because this road does not lead to the other side of the mountain (the end of the road is a place called "Smuggler's Rest", which is now the residence of Lieutenant Colonel Haidak).Therefore, there are not many vehicles coming and going-only some merchants' delivery vans pass by every morning.As for the houses that Qiupeng passed by, she looked at the names of the houses one by one, which was very interesting.For example, there is a house called "Good View" (actually, the name is not true. Because from that house only a small glimpse of the sea can be seen, and the front view is completely blocked by the big Victorian house opposite.) The next house is called "Kara "It", the second one is called Xuelei Tower.Further down is "Sea View" (which is a fitting name); there is "Kleiburg" (which is a bit of an exaggeration, because it is only a small house), and "Trolawney", which is a house that can be compared with The big house that the Happy Hotel competes with. The last is the large, chestnut-colored hotel run by Mrs. Pliner. As soon as Qiu Peng approached the Xiaoyao Hotel, he noticed a woman at the gate, peeping in, looking nervous and vigilant. It can be said that Qiupeng subconsciously lightened his steps and carefully touched the ground with his toes. When Qiu Peng approached her, the woman heard the sound and turned around.When she turned around, she was taken aback. The woman was tall and tall, and she was dressed in poor, even inferior clothing, but her face was unusual.She was not young—perhaps between forty and fifty—but there was a striking difference in her face and dress.With blond hair and broad cheekbones, she must have been beautiful back then. In fact, she still has the charm now.Just for a moment, Qiu Peng felt that the woman's face was familiar, but this feeling was fleeting.This, she thought, was a face not easily forgotten. The woman was obviously surprised, and the flash of panic in her eyes did not disappear just because she saw Qiu Peng. (Is there something strange about it?) Qiu Peng said: "Excuse me, are you looking for someone?" The woman spoke slowly, with a foreign accent.The pronunciation of each word is very careful, as if it is endorsed. "Is this - the house the Xiaoyao Hotel?" "Yes, I live here. Do you want to see someone?" The woman looked a bit hesitant, and then she said: "Please—tell me. There's a Mr. Rosenstein here, isn't there?" "Mr. Luxenstein?" Qiu Peng shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. Perhaps there used to be a man of that name who has moved away. Shall I ask for you?" However, the woman quickly made a gesture of rejection, and she said: "No, no! I'm in the wrong place, excuse me." So, she turned around quickly and went down the mountain quickly. Qiu Peng stood there, watching her back intently.For some reason, Qiu Peng felt suspicious.She sensed a striking difference in the woman's attitude and words.Qiu Peng thought that the so-called "Mr. Luxenstein" was just a fabrication. She thought that the woman thought of a name after she asked her, and used it to prevaricate her. Qiu Peng hesitated for a moment, then set off to chase her.What force prompted her to track down that woman?I can't name it, so I can only say it's an inexplicable "premonition". However, she stopped shortly after.If you chase her, it will be a bit obvious, and it will attract people's special attention to yourself.When she was talking to that woman, she was obviously about to enter the Xiaoyao Hotel; if she tried to chase her again, it would arouse people's suspicions!Oh, it turns out that Mrs. Brunken is not what she appears to be.That is to say: if this strange woman had been a part of the enemy's scheme, she would have suspected herself. Can't do that!The role of Mrs. Brunken, however, must be played. Qiupeng turned his head and walked up the mountain again.She walked into the Xiaoyao Hotel and paused in the lobby, which seemed to be empty, which is a common phenomenon in the afternoon.At this time, Betty was taking a nap, and the others were either taking a nap or had already gone out. Standing in the dark hallway, she recalled her recent encounter.At this time, a faint voice reached her eardrum.This was a voice she was very familiar with - a very slight "ding ling"! Xiaoyao Hotel's phone is in the lobby.The sound that Qiu Peng heard was the sound made when the receiver on the extension was picked up or put down.That extension went to Mrs. Pliner's bedroom. If it was Tang Mi, he might hesitate.Qiu Peng did not hesitate for a minute.Gently and carefully, she picked up the receiver and put it to her ear. Someone is on the extension, it's a man's voice.Qiu Peng heard the inside say: "—everything is going well, then, according to the scheduled plan, it will be on the 4th." A woman's voice: "Oh, go ahead." Dingling!The receiver is back in place. Qiu Peng frowned and stood there.Was that Mrs. Pliner's voice?It's hard to say just based on those few words. It would be nice if there were more words.Of course, this could also be a very ordinary conversation.Indeed, there was nothing unusual about what she heard. The light in the room dimmed, and there was a figure blocking the door.Qiu Peng was startled, and quickly put the receiver on. Mrs. Pliner said: "It's such a fine afternoon. Are you going out, Mrs. Brunken? Or have you just come back?" It turned out that it was not Mrs. Pliner who had called in her room just now.Qiupeng murmured something about going for a walk, how refreshing it was, and then walked up the stairs. Mrs. Pliner came from the hall and followed her upstairs. She seemed to be bigger than usual today, and Qiu Peng felt that she was a strong woman with extraordinary arms. she says: "I have to go get changed," and then hurried upstairs.She bumped into Mrs. O'Rourke as she turned the landing on the stairs.The man's bulk blocked the way above the stairs. "Oh, dear! Mrs. Brunken, you seem to be in a hurry!" She didn't step aside, but stood condescendingly and smiled at Qiu Peng. There was something frightening about Mrs. O'Rourke's smile, which was always the case when she laughed. So Qiupeng suddenly felt terrible for no reason. The big Irishwoman, with her deep voice and smiling face, barred her way above; Mrs Priner below, approaching. Qiu Peng looked back and saw that the expression on Mrs. Pliner's upturned face was indeed threatening?Is this just her wild thinking?She thought: Absurd!What an absurd idea!In broad daylight, in this ordinary boarding house by the sea, there would be no problem at all.However, the house is so quiet now that there is no sound at all.Now, she was alone, caught between the two of them.There was indeed something odd about Mrs. O'Rourke's smile.Qiu Peng thought wildly: "She is like a cat catching mice." Suddenly, the tense situation was broken, and on the top of the platform, a child rushed down, screaming happily all the way.It turned out to be Xiao Baidi, wearing a shirt and shorts, screaming happily all the way.She ran past Mrs. O'Rourke and into the arms of Qiu Peng. The atmosphere changes.O'Rourke is now a nice big guy.she yelled: "Oh, baby! It's grown so big." Mrs. Pliner below has turned around to the door leading to the kitchen. Qiu Peng took Betty's hand, walked past Mrs. O'Rourke, ran down the aisle, and ran to the door of Spruce.Meanwhile Mrs. Spurrow was waiting to teach her truant daughter a lesson. Qiu Peng went in with the child. There was a sense of family in it, which made Qiu Peng feel strangely relieved.The children's clothes were scattered here and there, and there were woolen toys, and a crib with painted rails; the framed picture on the chest of drawers contained a very shy and somewhat ugly picture of Spruo; Mrs. Puro grumbled and cursed at the laundromat. She said the price was too high, and at the same time she thought Mrs. Pliner didn't allow guests to use the iron. All these situations are normal, reassuring, and ordinary. But—just now—it was different on the stairs. "It's all about nerves," Qiu Peng thought. “只不过是神经的关系！” 但是，是神经的关系吗？刚才确实有人在普林纳太太房里打电话的呀。会是欧罗克太太吗？要是有人到她那里打电话，实在是一件很奇怪的事。当然啦，在那里打出去，宾馆其他的人准保听不见。 秋蓬想：电话里的谈话，时间一定非常短，只是短短的交谈数语而已。 “一切进行顺利。照预定计划，在四号。” 这也许毫无意义——也许意义重大。 四号。是日期吗？是指——譬如说，一月里的第四天吗？或是——第四号的码头呢？这就不可能断定了。 也可能是指“第四号”。在上次大战期间，曾有人企图炸毁那座桥。 会有什么重要意义吗？ 当然，也很可能是打电话，确定一个普通的约会。普林纳太太也许对欧罗克太太说，她要打电话的时候，随时都可以到她房里打。 那么，方才在楼梯上的气氛，那紧张的一刹那，也可能都是由于她的神经过度紧张的关系。 ... 那安静的宾馆——令人感觉到可能有什么险恶的事或者有什么不幸的事要发生。 “布仑肯太太呀，你要抓紧事实。”秋蓬严厉地说。“然后，你可以继续工作了。”