Chapter 6 Chapter Six

Mr. Sandu of Keshinuo Law Firm is packing up, ready to end the day's work.He began to repeat the struggle in his heart before leaving get off work every day: Should he take the bus home at 4:55 or 5:15? This is almost the only issue Mr. Sandow needs to debate.There are only two types of clients in Keshinuo Law Firm: one is the lawyer who has already solved the problem and told them in a positive tone, and the other is the one who has no problem at all. The Georgian building, tucked away in the shade of trees, is never too busy for unexpected events to arrive.Even learning that a client died did not cause any surprise: the fact that the client died was expected, their wills were already in place, and everything was done as usual.

Family Lawyers - That's the job of Koshino Lawyers.They are responsible for keeping the will and keeping it secret, but there is no guarantee that the problem will be solved. That was why Mr. Sandow was at a loss for what was about to happen. "Arthur, is that all for today?" he asked the clerk after seeing off the guests. "There is another guest waiting, young Monsieur Assybert." "Asybe? Recht's?" "Yes, sir." "Oh, very well, Arthur, would you please make a pot of tea?" "Yes, sir." Arthur turned to the visitor: "Come in, sir." The young man entered.

"Ah, Simon, good boy," said Mr. Sandow, shaking hands with him. "It's a pleasure to see you. Did you come to me on business, or were you just—" His voice gradually became uncertain, and then his eyes widened, and the hand that was stretched out to pull the chair stopped in mid-air. "My God," he said, "you're not Simon." "You're right, I'm not Simon." "But—but you are indeed from the Asybe family." "If you really think so, my affairs will be easier." "Is that so? I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. I don't know any other cousins ​​in the Asybe family."

"As far as I know, not really." "No? So, sorry, which room are you from?" "I'm Bert." Mr. Sandow's tiny mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. Now he is no longer a person who works leisurely in the shade of a tree, but a very sad and troubled little lawyer. For a long time he looked intently at the pale eyes of the Asyby family, not knowing what to say. "I think we'd better sit down, both of us," he said at last.He pointed to the chairs for guests, and sat in his own chair, heaving a sigh of relief as if he had finally found a harbor where he could dock in the vast ocean.

"Now, let's get this straight," he said. "The one and only Bert died when he was thirteen, about—let me see, about eight years ago, so it must have been." "How do you think he's dead?" "He committed suicide and left a suicide note." "Then it says he's going to kill himself?" "I'm afraid I don't remember the words on it." "I don't remember much either. But I can tell you the gist of it, which was: 'I can't take it anymore. Please don't be mad at me. "'"That's right, that's right, that's the general idea. "

"Where in these sentences is there any mention of suicide?" "But it clearly meant that he was going to kill himself--everyone who saw it would naturally think so. And the note was found by the cliff, in the boy's coat." "There is a path next to that cliff, which is a shortcut to the port." "Port? You mean—" "That note is a note from running away from home, not a suicide note." "But—but what about the coat?" "You can't leave the note in the sun, can you? The best place is the pocket of your coat." "Are you serious about telling me that you are Bert? And you never killed yourself?"

The young boy looked straight at him and said, "Didn't you mistook me for my brother when I came in just now?" "Yeah. They're twin brothers. Not exactly the same, but of course they're—" Mr. Sandow said here, and suddenly realized: "My God, I really thought you were Simon, really." He stood for a while, helplessly dazed.While he was in a daze, Arthur came in with tea. "Do you have tea?" asked Mr Sandow.When he asked this question, it was just a reflexive question when he saw the tea. "Thank you," said the young man, "I don't add sugar."

"I'm sure you understand," Mr. Sandow said half pleadingly, "that such an important matter should be investigated first. You must understand that one cannot just accept what you say." "I don't expect you to accept it right away." "Very well. You're sensible. After a while, it's likely that you'll all be celebrating your return, but we'll all have to be sensible now. You understand. Some milk?" "thanks." "For example, you say that you ran away from home and went to the sea. I accept that." "yes."

"Which ship did you take?" "Ira Jones. She's at the harbor in West Township." "Of course you sneaked in." "yes." "Where did that ship take you?" Mr. Sandow asked, taking notes, and now he was beginning to feel more at ease.It was the most difficult situation he had ever encountered, and it made it impossible even to catch the five-fifteen. "St. Helena of Qianna Island." "Did anyone spot you on the boat?" "No." "You landed on St. Helez undetected." "right." "and then? "

"I took the boat to St. Milo again." "Sneaked onto the boat again?" "No. I bought a ticket." "Do you remember the name of that ship?" "No, it's just an ordinary ferry." "I see. Then what?" "I take a car. A big car seems to be more enjoyable than the Reichetts' van, but I never get a chance to take a ride." "Van. Ah, I remember," Mr. Sandow said, writing down: "Remember the family car." Then he asked: "And then?" "Let me see. I worked for a while as a parking clerk at a hotel in a place called Villendian."

"Perhaps you remember the name of the hotel?" "Duffin's Hotel. From there I crossed the country to Harvard. I toiled on a steamer at Harvard." "What's the name? Do you remember?" "I'll never forget! Her name was Barfulo. I was a handyman when I went. Until I landed in Tambico, Mexico. You want me to write where I've been in America?" " "That's great. This is—oh, you have your own pen. Might as well just list the place here. Thank you. When you came back to England—" "On the 2nd of last month. I took the Fred Ferrell, a passenger this time. When I disembarked, I rented a room in London, where I have been staying. I will write you the address, and you will want to Check out that place." "Yes. Thank you. Yes." Mr. Sandow had the strange feeling that it was the young man - even though he was now under scrutiny - who was in charge of the situation, not him as a lawyer.He concentrated again. "Have you tried to contact your—I mean Ms. Asybe?" "No. Any questions?" "I mean--" "I haven't been in touch with any of the family. I think coming to you is the best way." "Very clever, very clever." Mr. Sandu was forced to submissive again. "I should hurry up and contact Ms. Asybe and tell her that you came to see me." "Please tell her that I am still alive." "Yes, I will." Is the young man taunting him? Probably not. "Will you always live at this address now?" "Yes, I will always live there." The young man stood up, taking the initiative again. "If the investigation turns out to be true," Mr Sandow said, trying to be serious, "I will be the first to welcome you back to England and your home, although you left without saying goodbye to the sadness of everyone involved. Extremely. I think it is very unreasonable that you have not been in touch with your family. " "Maybe I really wish I were dead." "died!?" "Anyway, you always thought I didn't play by the rules, didn't you?" "Is that right? " "You thought on the day of the olympia, I cried because I was scared, didn't you?" "Olympia?" "You know, not really. That's because those horses are so beautiful." "Olympia! You mean...but it was...do you remember?" "Mr. Sandu, I hope that after you investigate my identity, you can let me know." "What? Yes, yes, of course." God, even he himself had long since forgotten about the kid's party at the race meeting.Maybe he was too focused.If this young man—Lechter's master—god! "I hope you don't think—" he murmured. But the young man was gone, leaving him with calm determination and a slight nod to Arthur. Mr. Sandow sat down in the inner office and stroked his brow. At this time, Bolai was already walking on the street, shocked by his excitement.He originally thought he would be nervous and a little guilty, but that was not the case at all.It was the most exciting thing he'd ever done—like tightrope walking.He sat there weaving lies, but was not at all confused by his own lies.It was so exciting. This is the reason why criminals often steal or rob for extortion even though they don't lack for anything. This almost suffocating feeling is very stimulating, and you feel that you have really done something amazing-this feeling is unconsciously addictive. This was really beyond his expectation. He went to drink tea as Lodin had instructed, but he could not eat it.He felt that he had eaten and drank enough.Never had an experience satisfied him like this.Usually after doing something exciting, he would feel very hungry, but now he just sat there, staring at the food in front of him, staring in contentment.He was so full of light that there was no room for food. No one followed him to the restaurant.No one seemed to be interested in him either. He paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant.With no one following him and the whole road full of hurrying passers-by, he made a phone call on Victoria Street. "How is it?" Lodin asked. "How is it going?" "awesome." "did you drink? " "No. What's the matter?" "This is the first time I've heard you use superlatives." "I'm just happy." "God, you must be really happy. Are you showing it?" "Show it?" "Has the expression on your poker face changed?" "How should I know? Don't you want to know what happened this afternoon?" "I already know the important part." "What is it?" "You were not arrested." "Do you expect me to be caught?" "It's always possible. But, with our combined intelligence, I don't think that's going to happen." "Thanks." "What was the old gentleman's reaction?" "He did it right." "Everything requires proof?" "yes." "What was his first reaction when he saw you?" "He thought I was Simon." He heard Lodin's smug laugh. "Did you find a way to mention the party he gave the kids after the Olympia?" "Have." "Jesus, don't just answer me in one word. You don't need to squeeze in this, do you?" "No. It fit neatly into our conversation." "He's surprised you remember this?" "I'm afraid it made him stunned for a while." "But still can't convince him completely that you are Bert?" "I didn't wait to see his reaction. I just walked away." "You mean, that's your closing speech? Boy, do I take my hat off to you. You're such a genius. After two weeks with you, I thought I'd gotten to know you, but no You still have performances beyond my expectations!" "I am surprised even by myself. If it comforts you." "You mean no harm in saying that, do you?" "No, I just think it's incredible, very good." "Okay, you have succeeded in the first step. For the next period of time, we'd better not see each other for a while. It's an honor to meet you, my good buddies. Every time I hear Keyou Garden in the future, I will definitely think of you Come on. Of course I look forward to getting to know you better in the future. But in the meantime, don't call me unless you've been cornered. I've told you all I can say. Now you have to Going it alone." Lodin is right.The information he provided was really great.In the past two whole weeks, from early morning to seven o'clock in the evening, rain or shine, they sat in the Keyou Garden, rehearsing the life of the Reichett and Carlisle families, and reviewing the life of the Asybe family and Redding. The history of Han's house and everything about the land he hadn't seen yet.That's exciting too.He has always been "very good at taking exams" in people's minds. Every time he takes an exam, he always looks like an addict who is about to "satisfy".The past fourteen days in Keyou Garden have been a great opportunity to enjoy yourself. In fact, the past few days have been a tightrope walk, especially this afternoon. "Which hand do you bowl with?" "Go to the barn by the side door." "Do you sing?" "Can you play the piano?" "Who lives in the little house in Carlyle?" "You What color is mother's hair?" "What else does your father do to make money besides real estate?" "What's the name of his business?" "What's your favorite food?" "The owner of the candy store in the village What's their name?" "Which row of seats do the Ryazubets sit in the church?" "Go from the great drawing room in Carlyle to the small room where the food is stored." "What's the name of the butler?" "You know how to ride?" Bicycle?” “Looking down from the south end of the attic, what can I see?” That was how Lodin kept bombarding him with questions throughout the day, and deftly avoided getting bogged down by them. It's fun at first, and then it gets more and more exciting. It was Lodin's idea to meet in Keyou Garden. "Forgive me for being corny, but your every move after coming to London will be the target of their thorough investigation. So you can't come and live with me like I said before. You can't even be seen by anyone we know People saw me with me. I can't go to where you live. You must stay like this, no one has ever seen you." So they came up with the idea of ​​meeting in Keyou Garden. As Lodin said, this is a good place to retreat and defend, and to advance and attack.There is nowhere in London anymore where you can see someone approaching from afar without you being noticed.At the same time, there is no other place in London that offers so many places to meet, such undisturbed tranquility, as Keyo Gardens. Therefore, each morning they came here by different entrances, met at different places, and walked to different regions.For two weeks, Lodin directed him with photographs, maps, plans, drawings, and penciled diagrams.He started with a one-inch aerial view of Carlisle and its surroundings, followed by a larger area, and then a floor plan of the entire house, as if viewed from an airplane.In addition, he showed him the distribution of the whole country, and then explained the location of the fields and gardens in detail, and then explained the details of the house, so that he had a clear concept of the whole background and made the details to be introduced next. .This kind of teaching is methodical and careful, and Bo Lai likes it very much. However, the most important part is still provided by the photos.Strangely, it was not his "twin brother" who attracted his attention the most.Of course, this boy named Simon was exactly like him. Looking at the photo of someone who looked like him made him feel very embarrassed.But it wasn't Simon who interested him most, but the boy who didn't have time to grow up—the boy he was about to replace.He had an indescribably strange identification with Bert.He should be filled with guilt when he thinks of Bert.But his only real feeling was that of participation, almost of fellowship. After the phone call, he walked across the Victoria Street Plaza and wondered why he had brought up Bert crying at the Olympia party.Lodin just told him that Bert cried for no reason at that time (he was only seven years old) and Mr. Sandow was so upset that he never took the children out again.Lodin told him about it so that he could use it in due course.What was the reason for him to tell Mr. Sandu that he cried because he saw the beautiful horses? Maybe this was really the reason for Bert to cry? Who knows? Anyway, it’s gone now went.Whether he wants it or not.The obstinate voice that had been urging him in his darkened room had at last triumphed and won its place.All he could do now was: mount and fight, and hope to win.At least this is a very thrilling, exciting and unique game, and what is even more exciting is this new mental adventure and battle. It was an adventure for his immortal soul, the orphanage would say. But he can't control so much now. He could not go to Recht as a swindler, nor as a supplicant, he insisted on going as a trespasser.