Chapter 9 Chapter nine

one "It seems exactly the same as before, doesn't it, ma'am?" Alberto smiled happily as he said this.When he was young, he was adventurous.I think it was this kind of spirit that made him associate with Tang Mi and his wife. They were young and adventurous at that time.Now, although he has reached middle age and gradually gained weight, he still maintains that adventurous spirit. "Do you remember how you met me in the first place?" Albert asked. "At that time, I was cleaning the copper plates on the doors and windows in a first-class apartment. Oh, do you think the doorman is bad? He, he's got my eye on me. Remember that lie you told me the other day? And about a rascal named Raddy, that was a big lie, too, but it turned out part of it It was real. From then on, I can say that there was no looking back. We did a lot of big things, and then we settled down."

Albert sighed.Therefore, Qiu Peng naturally thought of Mrs. Albert, so she greeted her. "Oh, my wife is nice. But, she said, she didn't like the Welsh very much, and she thought they should learn English. As for the air raids, well, they've had them twice. Field bombings, she said. The hole was big enough for a car, so let's find a safe place, right? She said she could move to Kensington. There, she wouldn't have to look at the sad trees all day long. , and there is clean bottled milk to drink.” "Albert," Qiu Peng suddenly felt distressed. "Now I want to drag you in again, I really don't know if I should."

"Madam, don't talk nonsense." Albert said: "Do you remember that I didn't want to join your organization? At that time, they were so arrogant to me! They didn't even look at me, they said: Wait until I grow up!" I'll tell you when I'm older. Actually, I was in great shape back then, and I was so desperate to give those damned Germans a hit. Excuse me for using bad words. Just tell me how to thwart their plans, how to sabotage I will follow their actions immediately. The fifth column, this is the enemy we are fighting against, the newspapers say so. But what happened to the other four columns? The newspapers did not say anything. All in all, I would like to To help you and Captain Bi Zhifu, no matter what you do, just give orders."

"Okay! Now, let me tell you what we want you to do." two "Do you have a deep friendship with Brechley?" Tang Mi got off the tee and watched with satisfaction as his ball jumped across the middle of the grass between the tee and the finish line.At this time, he asked. Lieutenant Colonel Haidak hit a good shot too.So when he put the bat on his shoulders, he looked smug.He replied, "Brecheley? Let me see, well, we've known each other for about nine months. He came last autumn." "A friend of your friend? I remember you said so." Tang Mi told a lie, trying to trap him.

"Really?" The lieutenant colonel showed a surprised look: "I probably never said that. Actually, I probably met in the club." "I think he is a somewhat mysterious figure?" "Mysterious person? Old Bu?" His tone showed disbelief very frankly. Tang Mi secretly sighed, he thought, he was probably thinking blindly. He hits another shot -- this time on top.Haidak had just hit an iron with a very clever, but the ball just missed the final area around the hole.When he got together with Tang Mi, he said: "Why on earth do you call Boo a mystery man? I should have said just now: he's a boring, boring character, typical of the Army. His ideas are a little sticky, and he lives in a very narrow circle. It's exactly Army life, a bit. It's not mysterious either!"

Tang Mi said vaguely: "Ah, this—I just heard someone say that, and I said that." Now, it's time for them to hole out.It turned out that the lieutenant colonel won. "Two games are over, we can play two more games." He said with satisfaction. So, he stopped thinking about the ball game in his heart, and returned to the topic just now.For Tang Mi, this was exactly what he wanted. "What mystery are you referring to?" asked the lieutenant colonel. Tang Mi shrugged his shoulders. "Ah, nothing, just about his situation, no one seems to know clearly."

"He lived in the middle counties before." "Oh, do you know for sure about that?" "That—oh, no! I don't know myself. Now, Meadows, what's your point? There's nothing wrong with Brechey? Is there?" "No, no, of course not!" Tang Mi quickly denied it.He had moved on to details, and now he was going to watch from the sidelines to see how Lieutenant Colonel Haidak evaded. "I've always felt he was a ridiculously standard character," Haidak said. "Exactly that, exactly that." "Ah, yes, I see what you mean. Maybe you think he's too much of a certain type, don't you?"

"I'm trying to tell the witness's story." Tang Mi thought. "Perhaps the old man will suddenly have a whim and say something worth noting." "Yes, I do understand what you mean," the lieutenant colonel continued thoughtfully. "I'm just now slowly remembering that, in fact, I haven't met a single person who knew Brechey before he came here. He doesn't have any old friends here, he doesn't have any at all." "Ah!" Tang Mi said—and then said: "Then, shall we play ball? Let's do more exercise. The weather is fine at night."

They rode over there, and then separated, ready to fight down.When they met again on the grass, Haidak said suddenly: "Tell me what you've heard said of him." "No, nothing." "You needn't be so careful with me, Meadows. I've heard all sorts of rumours. Do you understand? I've been reported for everything. I'm known to be interested in such matters. What you just said, What do you mean? You said that Brechelle was not what he appeared to be." "That's just an association." "What kind of man do you think he is? A German barbarian? Nonsense! He's just like you and me. He's an Englishman through and through."

"Ah, yes. I'm sure he's all right." "That's not true! He's been clamoring for the government to discipline those foreigners more. You see how fiercely he objected to that young German boy. He was quite right in objecting, too. I heard the chief of police say informally: They've found enough evidence. Carl Denimo can hang himself a dozen times. He has a plan to poison the tap water of the country, and he's actually working on a poison gas. —in one of our factories. Lord, how short-sighted our people are! First of all, why do we let this kid study in that factory? They believe in everything, and our government is like that. As long as a young lad came to England before the war broke out, and complained a little about how he was persecuted in his own country. So they all closed their eyes and kept nothing secret from him. As stupid as that guy named He En!"

Tang Mi had no intention of asking the lieutenant colonel to continue talking about that proud incident.So he deliberately didn't hit the ball into the hole. "Damn it!" cried Hydak.He hit the ball carefully.The ball slowly rolled into the hole. "I won a hole! You played poorly today. What were we talking about?" Tang Mi said affirmatively: "Speaking of Brechelle is a perfectly fine character." "Of course, of course! But now, I don't understand--I've heard some ridiculous things said about him--and at the time I didn't care!" Speaking of this, two other people suddenly greeted them.The four of them went back to the club, had a few drinks, and then the Colonel, looking at his watch, said it was time for him and Meadows to go.Tang Mi has accepted the lieutenant colonel's invitation to have dinner at his house. "Smugglers' resting place" is still in good order.Serving them was a tall middle-aged manservant, his movements were skilled and he seemed very expert.It is quite unusual to have such attentive servants outside of London. When the servant left the restaurant, Tang Mi mentioned this matter. "Yes, it is very lucky to be able to hire Apodo." "How did you get hired?" "Actually, he applied for the job after seeing an advertisement in the newspaper. He has the best certificates, and he is obviously better than the other applicants. At the same time, the salary he asked for is also very low, so I decided to hire him on the spot gone." Tang Mi laughed loudly and said: "Because of the war, we really can't enjoy the service like a restaurant. The good waiters in the past can be said to be foreigners. It seems that the British do this kind of thing, after all, it's not natural." "It's kind of subservient, and that's why. It's always unnatural for tough British guys to bow." When they were sitting outside sipping coffee, Tang Mi asked gently: "What were you going to talk about on the golf course? It was about Brechey--it's ridiculous to hear people talk about him." "Look, what's that? Say, do you see it? There's a light over the sea. Where's my telescope?" Tang Mi sighed, his star luck is not good.The lieutenant colonel made a fuss and ran inside, then hurried out again.He scanned the boundary between sea and sky with the telescope.While giving an overview of the enemy's entire signaling scheme, pointing out where along the coast they might send signals, evidence for these signals appears to be non-existent.Then, he said that the enemy may have the hope of successful aggression in the near future. Hearing this kind of news, it really makes people feel that the future is bleak. "No organization, no proper coordination. Meadows, you're the LDV yourself, and you can see what's going on. If it's led by this fellow Andrew—" He didn't know how many times he had said this.This was Lieutenant Colonel Haidak's favorite complaint.According to his tone, he should be the one calling the shots, and he would be willing to replace him if he could. Whiskey and rum were brought in by the footman, while the lieutenant-colonel was still giving his opinion. "We still have spies sabotaging our operations. They've ruined us. It's the same in the last war—all dressed as barbers, waiters—" Tang Mi leaned back, and at the same time caught a glimpse of Apodo's profile, the footman walked with skillful footwork.Seeing this situation, Tang Mi couldn't help thinking: waiter?From the way that guy looks, it would be easier to call him Fritz—(It’s a standard name for a German——Translator’s Note) rather than Apodo..." Ah, why not?Yes, the guy speaks excellent English, but so do many Germans.They have served in British restaurants for many years and have already mastered English.At the same time, racial types are not dissimilar.For example, blond hair and blue eyes—often, the shape of the head can reveal a person's nationality.Yes, the shape of the head—where, then, had he seen a head like that lately? Although he was thinking about things in his heart, he was still chatting up Haidak out of momentary pleasure, trying to make his words match what the other party said. "So many damn forms to fill out, no use at all, Meadows, this string of questions is boring—" Tang Mi said: "I know. It's like—'Your name? What's your first name? Please answer below, is it N or M?'" There was a sudden crash, the sound of a cup and a basin falling.It turned out that something went wrong with the standard servant Apodo, and a glass of mint wine spilled on Tang Mi's cuff and hands. The servant stammered: "sorry sir." Haidak said furiously: "You bloody idiot, what the hell are you doing?" His face was usually red, but now it was purple with anger.Tang Mi thought: "When it comes to the temper of the army, it pales in comparison with the navy." At this time, Haidake was still cursing.Apodo humbly apologized repeatedly. Tang Mi felt sorry for the servant, but suddenly, the lieutenant colonel seemed to be under the influence of some spell, and his anger suddenly subsided, and now he returned to his usual enthusiastic attitude. "Come wash it up. It's a nasty thing. It's mint wine." Tang Mi followed him inside, and soon came to the luxurious bathroom with countless "exquisite appliances", and he carefully washed off the sticky rum stains.The lieutenant colonel shouted from the bathroom in the gap, and he seemed ashamed to hear his tone. "I'm afraid I lost my temper just now. Poor Meadows. He knows I always speak too much when I'm angry." Tang Mi turned from the washbasin to wipe his hands.He didn't notice that a piece of soap slipped to the floor.His feet were on it.At the same time, the oilcloth spread on the ground was also wiped very smooth. So, in the blink of an eye, Tang Mi danced a frantic ballet.It was too late, but soon, he stretched out his arms, and suddenly slid to the other side of the bathroom. One arm hit the faucet on the right hand at the end of the tub, and the other arm hit the edge of a small closet. Well, this presumptuous gesture would not have been possible if it hadn't caused such a disaster as just now. His foot slid too, hitting the panel at the end of the tub hard. Then, the incredible thing happened.The panel on the tub wall slid down and touched a hinge hidden in the wall, in a barely visible alcove.What was hidden in that alcove, he had no doubt, was a radio transmitter. At this time, the voice of the lieutenant colonel next door stopped.He suddenly appeared at the door.So Tang Mi had an idea, and the doubts in his heart were now resolved. Had he been blind until now?The cheerful, rosy face—the face of the "earnest Englishman"—turned out to be a mask.It turned out to be the face of a bad-tempered, airy Prussian officer.Why hasn't he seen it all this time?Of course, the incident that happened by chance just now undoubtedly helped him a lot.Because, because of this, he recalled another thing.He had seen a irascible Prussian officer before, scolding his subordinates with all the brutality of a Prussian nobleman.Didn't Haidak suddenly scold his subordinates that night? It all fit—uncannily.How brilliant is that double deceit!First of all, the enemy sent He En, a spy, to set up the venue and hire foreign workers, deliberately drawing everyone's attention to himself.Then, they continued to implement their second step plan: a bold British naval officer, Lieutenant Colonel Haidake, suddenly appeared, and they deliberately asked him to expose He En's secret.Later, the Englishman bought that place and told everyone how he broke it.He talked and talked, and everyone found it annoying.This situation is so logical.So, M sat firmly at the designated place.It is easiest for him to communicate with the sea here, and he has that radio transmitter.Moreover, the intelligence personnel he arranged at the Xiaoyao Hotel are very close at hand. N can carry out the orders of Germany at any time. Tang Mi couldn't but secretly admire the enemy's plan.How smart it all is deployed.He himself never doubted Haidak at all, he always thought Haidak was a person with no problems.It was only a completely unexpected accident that exposed the diorama. In just a few seconds, Tang Mi thought of all this, he knew very well that he was already in danger, and he also understood that this was bound to happen sooner or later.I hope that playing the honest, stupid Englishman can keep them out of it. Tang Mi turned to face Haidak, and pretended to be very natural, laughing loudly.He hoped his laughter didn't sound far-fetched. "Oh! When I come to your place, I always encounter amazing things. Is this He En's exquisite gadget again? You didn't let me see this last time!" Haidak stood there motionless, his huge body stood there, blocking the doorway, looking a little nervous. "I'm no match for him," Tang Mi thought to himself. "And that damned manservant." Hydak stood there as if turned to stone.However, it was only for a moment, and then, he showed a relaxed look, laughed and said: "Meadows, you're so funny! You just slid across the floor like a ballet! It's a once-in-a-lifetime shot. Dry your hands and come into the other room." Tang Mi followed him out of the bathroom, and at the same time, every muscle in his body was tense and vigilant.Now that he has discovered something, he must find a way to leave safely anyway.Could he fool Haidak?Hearing Haidak's tone of speech, it was quite natural. Haidak hooked Tang Mi's shoulder with one arm and led him to the living room. His arm hooked his shoulder like this, maybe it was a casual and unintentional movement, maybe it was intentional, and it was hard to fathom.He turned around and closed the door, then said to Tang Mi: "Hey, man! I have something to tell you." His words were friendly and natural—just a little embarrassed, he gestured for Tang Mi to sit down. "It's kind of hard to explain, really, it's kind of hard to explain. Although, I just want to talk to you a little confidant, nothing else, but you have to keep a secret. Meadows, do you understand?" ?” Tang Mi tried his best to appear extremely interested. Haidak sat down, and at the same time, very confidentially, pulled the chair closer. "Meadows, the thing is like this, you must never tell others: I am a staff member of the Intelligence Department, MI42B.X. This is the department I work for, have you heard of it?" Tang Mi shook his head, pretending to be eager to know more. "Well, it's very secret. My job is an inside job. Do you understand that we spread some kind of information from here, but if this matter is leaked, it will be terrible, you Understand?" "Of course, of course!" said Mr. Meadows. "Very interesting! Of course! You can trust me, I will never reveal a word." "Yes, it's absolutely important, it's very confidential." "I know very well. Your work must be exciting, then, and it is exciting enough. I should like to know more, but perhaps I shouldn't ask?" "No, no. You know, it's very secret." "Ah, yes, I see. I'm so sorry, it was such an unexpected thing—" Tang Mi thought: "Could he be deceived by me? Maybe he can't imagine that I'm specifically looking for this kind of news?" He finds this an unbelievable discovery.Then, he thought again: A person must never be complacent, and many people will collapse because they are too complacent.Lieutenant Colonel Haidak is a smart man, but also an arrogant man.This poor Meadows is a stupid Englishman, the kind of man who will believe anything.I hope Haidak still thinks that way about himself. Tang Mi continued to talk, deliberately expressing that he was very interested and curious about this matter.He knew he shouldn't ask more questions, but he asked Haidak: His work must be very dangerous, right?Has he been to Germany before?ever worked there? When Lieutenant Colonel Haidak replied, his attitude was mild enough.He is now a full British naval officer, the Prussian officer no longer exists.However, Tang Mi is now looking at him from a new angle.He thought, how could he be deceived by him?From the shape of his head and the line of his mouth, there is nothing British about him. Mr. Meadows was soon on his feet, and this was an important test. Will he get through it safely? "It's time for me to go. It's late. I'm really sorry, but trust me, I won't say a word." (“The time to escape is now, or there is no escape. Will he let me go? I have to be prepared. It would be better to punch him in the mouth.”) Mr. Meadows, talking kindly and showing great excitement, walked slowly towards the door sideways. He's in the hall now... has opened the door... He caught a glimpse of Apodo putting the cups and bowls for breakfast on the tray through the door opening on his right hand, ready to use them tomorrow morning. ("The bloody fool would have let him go!") He and Haydack were standing on the porch talking, and they made an appointment to play golf together next Saturday. Tang Mi thought coldly: "My friend, there will be no next Saturday." At this time, I heard voices on the road outside.Two of them had just returned from playing on the headland.These two people, Tang Mi and Haidake, are nodding acquaintances.Tang Mi greeted them, they stopped, and he, Haidake and these two people stood at the gate and talked a few words.Then, Tang Mi waved goodbye to his host cordially, and left with those two people. He actually escaped. Haidak, fool!He actually let him lie. He heard Hydak come back into the room and close the door, and went down cheerfully with his two newfound friends. They chat casually: It looks like the weather is about to change. Old Monroe's ball is not good. The one named Ashlei refused to join the Civil Defense Volunteer Army. He said the Volunteer Army was not good.Young Marsh, the golf-course assistant, was an opponent of the war, and he would not join.I wonder if Mr. Meadows thinks this matter should be referred to the committee?The night before last, Southampton had suffered a terrible bombing by the enemy and suffered great losses.Regarding Spain, what is Mr. Meadows' opinion?Has their attitude towards England changed, of course, since the collapse of France— Tang Mi was very happy, wishing to shout out loudly!This kind of casual, normal conversation, how nice.These two people came at the right time, which can be said to be a clever arrangement of heaven. When he arrived at the gate of Xiaoyao Hotel, he said goodbye to the two people, then turned and walked into the gate. He whistled softly and walked down the driveway. He had just sauntered round the dark bend beside the flower when something heavy fell on his head.He fell forward, his eyes were dark, and he fell unconscious.