Chapter 8 chapter eight

one It was several days before "Mrs. Brunken" and "Mr. Meadows" could converse together. Some of these days are busy enough.The dead woman was identified as Vanda Polanska, a Polish refugee.She had come to England not long after the war broke out.Her life experience is not very clear to everyone, but she seems to often receive money from unknown sources.From this, it can be imagined that she may be a spy of the enemy. "Then, as usual, this road is blocked again." Tang Mi said pessimistically. Qiu Peng nodded. "Yes. They're closed at both ends, don't you think? No papers, no traces, no one knows who she's been dealing with."

"Damn, they are so capable." At the same time, he added: "Qiupeng, you know, I don't think the situation is very good." Qiu Peng felt the same way.The recent news is really not reassuring. It seems doubtful whether the French army is retreating, and the population is retreating from Dunkirk.The fall of Paris was obviously only a few days away.Everyone found that to resist the huge German mechanized troops, British equipment and materials were not enough to cope.Hence, the general mood is depressed. Tang Mi said: "Is this because of our usual muddled and slow relationship? Or is there some conspiracy behind it?"

"I think there must be a conspiracy, but they can't prove it." "Yes, our enemies are too smart, how can they prove it." "Our intelligence department is currently searching everywhere for conspirators." "Yes, we're looking for people who can be seen on the outside. However, I don't think we've found the brains behind the scenes. We have to find the people behind the scenes, the organization and the well-thought-out plan. We have a slow-moving People tend to be narrow-minded and argue against each other, and at the same time, they are too slow to discover the target of the enemy's plan, and their plan is to take advantage of our weakness."

"That's what we came here for. However, we haven't had any results yet," Thupoong said. "We don't have any achievements." Tang Mi reminded her. "Yes. We noticed Karl De Nemo and Vanda Polanska, pawns." "Do you think they work together?" "I think it must be." Qiu Peng thought for a while and said. "Remember, I saw them talking together." "Then, the kidnapping of Betty must have been directed by Karl Denimo behind the scenes." "I suppose so." "But why?" "I don't know," Qiu Peng said, "This is what I've been thinking about all the time, but I can't figure out why."

"Why just kidnap this child? Who are the Spurrows? They don't have any money, so it's not for ransom. Neither of them hold government jobs." "Tang Mi, I know this, this is simply incomprehensible." "What does Mrs. Spurrow think of herself?" "That woman has no brains," Qiu Peng said disdainfully. "She doesn't have any brains at all, she just says that's what a damn German would do." "Stupid!" Tang Mi said. "The Germans are very capable. If they send a spy to kidnap a doll, there must be a reason for it."

"You know, I have a feeling," Qiu Peng said. "Mrs. Spurrow can think of a reason if she uses her head. There must be something in her—something, perhaps, which has fallen into her hands by accident. Perhaps she doesn't know what it is." what." "Be quiet and wait for instructions." These were the words of the note found on the floor of Mrs. Spurrow's bedroom.Now Tang Mi said it again. "Damn it! There are articles in it." "Of course there are articles. There must be articles. I can only think of one explanation: Mrs. Spurrow, perhaps, or her husband, was entrusted with keeping a thing. The person entrusted them with keeping it." , perhaps because they are very ordinary people. No one would doubt that 'the thing' is in their place."

"That's one possible thought." "I know—but, this kind of thinking sounds like a spy story. Somehow, it doesn't feel like it's true." "Have you advised Mrs. Spurrow to use her head a little?" "I told her, but she really doesn't care about it. All she cares about is getting Betty back, and at the same time, because she killed someone, she's going into hysterics." "Women are really funny," Tang Mi said thoughtfully. "Take this woman as an example. When she went out to look for the child that day, she seemed to be a goddess of nemesis. As long as Betty was brought back, even if there was a team, she would kill them without a care. But later , after her shot hit the woman's vitals, she collapsed, and suddenly became nervous about this matter."

"She was found not guilty by the coroner," Choupong said. "Certainly. Oh, I wouldn't take that risk of shooting." Qiu Peng said: "Maybe she didn't dare either. If she knew a little more, she wouldn't dare to take the risk. She was able to fire such a shot because she didn't know how difficult it was." Tang Mi nodded: "It's a very biblical situation," he said. "David and Goliath" Throw it away with a sling and hit the Philistine giant on the forehead. See the Old Testament of the Bible, 1 Samuel, Chapter 17, Verses 23-54.——Translator’s Note)

"Oh!" Qiu Peng said. "Ma'am, what is it?" "I don't know much either. When you mentioned that story, I suddenly had an idea, but now I forget it." "Thank you for your help!" Tang Mi said. "Don't be mean. Things like that happen sometimes." "You mean the gentleman who takes the plunge? Don't you?" "No. It's—oh, wait a minute, I think, what I just thought of, has something to do with King Solomon." "Is it cedar trees, temples, groups of wives and concubines?" "Stop talking," Qiu Peng said, covering his ears. "The more you say it, the more outrageous it is."

"Jews?" Tang Mi asked hopefully. "Israel?" However, Qiu Peng shook his head.After a minute or two, Tang Mi said, "Is it the late Vanda Polanska?" "Yes. When I first saw her, I had a vague feeling that I had seen her there." "Do you think you've seen her somewhere else?" "No, I do remember not seeing her." "Mrs. Pliner and Sheila are completely different types." "Ah, that's right. It's not them. You know, Tang Mi, I was just thinking about these two people." "Is there any purpose?"

"I'm not sure either. It's about that letter—it was found on the floor of Mrs. Spurrow's room when Betty was kidnapped." "How about it?" "She said it was thrown through the window with a stone wrapped in it. That's all nonsense. I think it was put on the ground for Mrs. Spurrow to find out. I think Mrs. Pliner put it there. " "Mrs. Pliner, Karl, Vanda Polanska—it was a three-man effort." "Yes. Mrs. Pliner came in at a critical moment and was determined not to call the police. Did you notice that? She took control of the situation at once." "So, she is still the M you picked?" "Yes. Don't you think so too?" "Probably yes." Tang Mi said slowly. "Why, Tang Mi, do you have any other ideas?" "Perhaps a bad idea." "tell me." "No, it's better not to say. I have no basis, not at all. But if my guess is right, we are not dealing with M, but with N." He secretly thought this way: "Brechley. I thought he was all right. Why not? He's a real guy--almost too real. Actually, he's the one who's going to call the police. Yes, but, He probably also knew that the child's mother disapproved. He was strong enough to persuade her to accept a contrary opinion—" From here, he recalled the frustrating question that has not yet been answered: "Why did you kidnap Betty?" two There is a car outside the door of Xiaoyao Hotel, with the words of the police station on it. Qiu Peng was preoccupied with his own thoughts and didn't pay much attention to this.She turned across the driveway, walked in the front door, and went straight upstairs to her own room. When she reached the door, she saw a tall man turning around from the window, she was startled and stopped in her tracks. "Oh!" Qiu Peng said. "Is it Shera?" The girl walked up to her.Qiupeng could see more clearly now, on a tragic, snow-white face, her eyes were even brighter. Sheila said, "You're back, I'm waiting for you." "What's the problem?" The girl's voice was calm, without emotion.she says: "They've got Karl under arrest." "The police?" "yes." "Oops!" Qiu Peng felt that it was difficult for him to cope with this situation.Although Xue La's voice was very calm, Qiu Peng would never be wrong about the mystery behind it. Whether they were complicit or not, the girl's passion for Karl Denimo was strong, and Thompson felt her heart ache, and felt pity for the unfortunate young woman. Sheila said, "What shall I do?" This simple, pitiful question caused Qiu Peng to retreat quickly, not knowing how to answer it.She said helplessly: "Ah, dear." When Shera spoke, her voice was like the lament of a harp: "They took him away and I never saw him again." She said aloud again: "What should I do? What should I do?" She knelt by the bed and burst into tears. Qiu Peng stroked her brown hair.Presently she said in a weak voice: "Maybe—maybe not. Maybe they're just trying to discipline him. Actually, you know, he's a foreigner after all, and our enemy." "That's not what they said. They're searching his room right now." Qiu Peng said slowly: "This—if they don't find anything—" "Of course they'll find nothing. What will they find?" "I don't know, I thought you would know." "I?" Her air of humiliation and astonishment was too real to be fake.If Qiu Peng had suspected that Xue La was also involved in the incident, her doubts would be wiped out in this instant.She now thinks: That girl really doesn't know, and has never known. Qiu Peng said: "If he is innocent—" Sheila cut her off. "What difference does that make? The police will plant it." Qiu Peng said sternly: "Nonsense, boy, there will never be such a thing." "The British police can do anything, that's what my mother said." "Your mother might say so, but she's wrong. Take my word for it, it never happened." Sheila watched her for a minute or two with a half-suspicious air. "All right. I'll believe you if you say so." Qiu Peng felt very uncomfortable.She suddenly said: "Shera, you trust people too much. It may be unwise for you to trust Karl." "Are you against him too? I thought you liked him, and he thought so too." Young people are really inspiring.They will believe that you really like them.But it was true, she liked Karl, she did like Karl. She said wistfully: "Listen to me, Sheila. Like it or not, it has nothing to do with the facts. Britain and Germany are at war. We serve our country in many ways. One of them is to gather intelligence and work in the rear. It is a kind of bravery. work, because, if it fails—then—" She paused. "It's over." Sheila said, "You think Karl—" "Perhaps serving his country that way? That's a possibility, isn't it?" "No," Sheila said. "You know, his mission may have been to come to England as a refugee, appear to be a fierce anti-Nazi on the surface, and then, secretly gather information." Sheila said calmly: "It can't be true. I know what Carl is like. I can read his mind and his feelings. He loves science most, he loves work, he loves scientific truth and knowledge best. He is very fond of the British Government. Grateful, because the British government let him study and work here. Sometimes, when he hears people use cruel words to call the Germans, he feels very embarrassed when he thinks that he is a German. However, he is always against the Nazi Party. Yes, he opposed what the Nazis stood for - the denial of liberty." Qiu Peng said, "Of course he would say that." Sheila looked at her reproachfully. "So, you thought he was a spy?" "I thought it was—" Qiu Peng said hesitantly, "a possibility." Sheila walked to the door. "That's right. I'm so sorry I shouldn't have come to ask you for help." "But, boy, how do you think I can help you?" "You know a lot of people. Some of your sons are in the Army and some in the Navy, and they know powerful men. I've heard you say that several times. I thought, maybe you could ask them--help. " Qiu Peng thought of the fictional characters: Douglas, Raymond, and Cyril. "I'm afraid," she said. "They can't help much." Shera raised her head and said excitedly: "Then there's no hope for us. They'll take him away and put him in a cell. Someday at daybreak they'll stand him against a wall and shoot him. That's what happens." She went out and closed the door behind me. "Oh, damn it, damn it, damn the Irishman!" Qiu Peng said angrily with mixed feelings for a moment. "Why do they twist the facts so much that you don't know where you stand? If Karl De Nemo was a spy, he would have deserved to be shot. I must insist on this idea. Girls with accents fascinate me, thinking it's a tragedy of heroes and martyrs." She remembered a famous actress who said a line "The knight running to the sea": "What they are going to live is a wonderful, quiet life..." happy! ...the emotion of the line is truly mesmerizing... She thought, "I wish it wasn't true... I wish it wasn't true..." However, since she understood her mission, how could she doubt it? three At the end of the old pier the fisherman cast his line into the water and reeled it carefully. "I'm afraid there is no doubt, no doubt at all," he said. "You know," said Tang Mi, "I'm sorry about this. He's—this—he's a good young man." "Yes, man, people with this kind of mission are usually like this. People who volunteer to work in enemy countries, but they are not shit in the country. You should understand this. People who take on such missions are all Courageous. But, as a matter of fact, the thing has been confirmed." "You mean, there's no question at all?" "There is no doubt at all. We found in his chemical formula a list of factory workers he was going to approach, who might have sympathized with the Nazis. We also found a very clever sabotage plan and a chemical Drug production method. If this drug is applied to fertilizer, it can damage food on a large scale. This is the secret discovered by Master Carl." Tang Mi secretly cursed Qiu Peng.For this was what he had promised to say to her, but he was a little reluctant to say it: "I think these things may also be planted by others." Old Mr. Grant smiled, a slightly mischievous smile. "Ah," he said. "It's Madam Madam's meaning again, there is no doubt about it." "This--well--this--is exactly what she meant." "He's a rather handsome boy," said old Mr. Grant with indulgence. He then went on to say: "No, when I really think about it, I think we can't take her advice. You know, he has a secret ink, which is a good, unquestionable test. If it's planted, it's It would be obvious, but it really isn't. It's not a washstand 'take it when you need it' potion, in fact, this ink is very cleverly designed. I've only met someone with this once before One way, that's with the buttons on the vest—you know, the buttons soaked in the secret ink. When the guy wants to use them, he soaks the buttons in water. Karl Denimo is not With the buttons, he is using the laces. Very clever!" "Ah," Tang Mi's heart skipped a beat.He suddenly had a vague idea... Qiu Peng's brain came faster than him.As soon as he reported his conversation with Grant, she immediately caught one of the most remarkable facts. "Shoelaces? Tang Mi, that's right." "what?" "Betty, you idiot! Do you remember that ridiculous thing she did in my room? Didn't she soak my shoelaces in water once? But of course it was because she saw Karl did this before, she was just imitating him. He was afraid that she could talk, so he made an arrangement with the woman and kidnapped the child." Tang Mi said: "Then, now I have figured it out." "Yes. It is very fortunate that things are slowly coming together. Now, you can stop thinking about it and move forward with your work." "We need to move forward." Qiu Peng nodded. Times are indeed very bleak.France suddenly and unexpectedly ceased resistance, Confused and frustrated the French people. No one dares to predict the outcome of the French Navy. Now the coastal areas of France are completely under the control of the Germans, and it is not a distant speculation that the German army may invade. Tommy said: "Carl Denimo is only a link in the chain, and Mrs. Pliner is the root of all this activity." "Yes, we have to get the upper hand on her, but it won't be easy." "Yes. After all, if she's the brains behind all this activity, we can't possibly hope it's going to be easy." "M is Mrs. Pliner?" Tang Mi guessed that she must be.He said slowly: "Do you really think the girl wasn't involved?" "I'm sure of that." Tang Mi sighed. "Well. You should know that. She's had bad luck, though. One, the boyfriend she loves is arrested. Two, her mother is such a character. So what hope is left of her?" ?dont you agree?" "Yes. But suppose we guess wrong—what if M or N were someone else?" Qiu Peng said quite calmly: "It turns out that you are still talking about her over and over again. Do you believe that this is not a subjective idea?" "What is your intention?" "Sheila, Plina. I mean her." "Qiupeng, aren't you a little ridiculous?" "I'm not being ridiculous. She has already lied to you, Tang Mi! It's like lying to others!" Tang Mi said angrily: "It's not like that, it's just because I have my own opinion." "Appreciate further details." "I thought, let's keep it a secret for a while, and see which of us is right." "Well, I thought we should all go out and track Mrs. Pliner, see where she goes, who she meets--check everything out. There's always a connection somewhere. You'd better Fortunately, I will send Albert to keep an eye on her this afternoon." "You can send him. I'm busy." "What? What are you going to do?" Tang Mi said, "I'm going to play golf."