Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Eight

It was Thursday, and Uncle Charlie was sailing back on Sunday, and the celebration of the bar mitzvah would follow, which was obviously inevitable.Bolai followed Bicui to the hall of Reichett's home, feeling very upset. "Can I go to Xishi Town?" he asked Bitui. "It's all right. You should be out and about. Simon hasn't been seen all day." So he took the bus to Xishi Town, where he waited until the time for Mr. Mai from the newspaper office to drink coffee.He walked into the Xishi Times and asked to see their files.The porter never saw him, and took him to the basement where the archives were kept.Bolai read the relevant documents carefully again, but still couldn't find any clues.

Maybe something could be found in the full official report? He stepped out of the newspaper office and looked in the phone book for Officer Small's number.He asked Police Officer Small on the phone, where can I find the investigation report on his disappearance eight years ago? Can he have a look? Was it really necessary to read the report? With Small's recommendation over the phone, he went to see a good-natured-looking police officer.The officer seated him in a leather chair, offered him a cigarette, and handed him a report on Bert's disappearance eight years earlier, in the pose of a magician grabbing a rabbit out of a top hat. hand.

He carefully read the report from beginning to end several times, and found that it did not have any further clues except that it was more detailed than the "Western Times". He thanked the policeman and offered him a cigarette from his pack, and walked out with as much evidence as he had walked in.He walked to the harbor and leaned against the stone wall, looking westward at the bluff. In any case, he had one opinion which was quite certain and which no one could change--Simon Assube was at Carlisle on the day it happened.The blacksmith who told him this had no reason to lie, and he told Bolai it without feeling the slightest importance in what he said.Simon spent most of his time near Mr. Pibbon the blacksmith, and if he left, it would not be long enough to give the impression that he was around Mr. Pibbon all afternoon.

Bert Asuber must have been killed between the last time Abel the shepherd saw him and six o'clock in the afternoon, the hour when the blacksmith drove Simon home for supper. But what about the coat? If he infers, the note must have been written by Simon, but since he had not left Carlisle all afternoon, how did the coat and the note be placed on the cliff? On the other side? He kept thinking hard and didn't wake up until two o'clock in the afternoon, and walked slowly to a small restaurant by the port for dinner.There wasn't much to eat in this little restaurant, but it didn't bother him at all—in fact, he didn't touch anything on his plate from the time the waiter brought his lunch until the bill was brought to him. .

He went back to Leicester, but instead of going into the house, he went directly to the stables to find a horse that had not been shown at Burnon.Except for Arthur the groom, there was no one else in the stable.Arthur reported to him that all the horses sent to the Burnnon show had returned safely, except that Buster was showing signs of overtiredness. "Take him out just like that, sir?" Arthur asked Polly politely, and Polly replied yes. He rode this horse along the same route as he had ridden Tipper the day before, but it didn't feel the same pleasure as before, and everything became dull, even disgusting.Life becomes very meaningless.

He dismounted, sat down where he had sat a month before, and looked out over the verdant valley.A month ago, this place had been like paradise to him, and even the stupid girl who came to talk to him out of the blue didn't turn him off. He still remembered how the girl's eyes almost popped out when she found out that he was not Simon. She would go there then, obviously to see Simon, since this was his favorite place to come and play with the horses.because of him…… Bolai's body suddenly shook, and he twitched the bit in the mouth of the horse beside him, causing the horse to raise its head in fright.

because of him…… He recalled the girl's words that day in his mind, and then he slowly stood up, staring at the valley for a long, long time... Now, he knew what Simon did back then.He had also found answers to some questions that had been troubling him for a long time.He understood why Simon was so terrified that Bert had indeed returned. He mounted his horse and went back to the stable.A large dark cloud came from the northwest, and soon it began to rain.He found a piece of paper in the saddle room and hurriedly wrote: "I'm out to dinner, don't wait for me. Please leave the front door unlocked. Don't worry if I'm late." He folded the paper and put it in an envelope. , write Beetui's name, and ask Arthur to hand it to Beetui when he passes by their door.

He took a coat from the back of the saddle-room door, and rushed out into the rain, away from Lychter.He knew the truth now, but what would be his next move? He walked aimlessly, unable to think of anything but the question in his mind waiting for an answer.He went to the blacksmith's shop, where Mr. Pibbon was still at work, and greeted him, and talked a little about what he was doing, and about the change of the weather, and so on; Fighting with that idea in your mind and not being able to concentrate very much. He took the path that led to Tambi, through the wet grass to the top of the beech hill.He walked up and down among the thick trunks, distracted and unable to make up his mind.

How cruel would he be to Beatrix if he revealed it? And Eileen? The whole Reichett family? Hasn't he done enough harm to the Reichetts? What's wrong with Simon taking over the Reichetts as everyone has expected them to do for eight years? There is only one person, and that is Bert. If Simon really accepts legal sanctions for killing Bert, what a terrible thing it will be for the entire Asybe family, what a heavy blow! In fact, he can let it go.He could have deployed a fake suicide and walked away.Anyway, Simon had deployed a false suicide eight years ago, and the police investigation had also been muddled.If a boy of thirteen can do it, what can't he do?

He could really just walk away and everything would go back to how it was a month ago. However, how to explain to Bert? As a kind and soft-hearted person like Bert, he would never want others to destroy the original peace and tranquility of his family in order to help him get justice--Bert would not be willing. What about Simon? Is this really what Simon expected: he will not take any action? Is Simon just enjoying the Reichett family business for the rest of his life? It's the Assyrian family.If Simon is punished by law, then the Reichett family business may fall into the hands of others.

But what's the point of stabilizing a family by murder? What good is it to their family? Wasn't it the reason he'd come all the way to Rechte, all the way? ? Didn't he go around half the world just to meet that Lodin on the street? He also said that this was an arrangement of fate.But he never thought of such an important fate at that time.Now, he really has reached the most critical moment. What should he do? Who can advise him? Who can help him decide? It is really unfair if he has to bear such a heavy burden alone.He doesn't have that kind of wisdom, that kind of experience, to deal with such a major event. "I'm just revenge," he once told Simon, and he didn't just say it casually.But when he said that, he didn't have a weapon in his hands to actually retaliate. What should he do? Call the police tonight? Or tomorrow? Do nothing and let the Asybe family wait for Uncle Charlie to come back and celebrate his coming-of-age ceremony? What should he do? That night, it was very late , George Peck was sitting alone in his study, reading a history book, but his mind still returned to reality from time to time, listening to the sound of rain on the window.At this moment, the patter of rain seemed to be mingled with the sound of beating on the window, and Reverend Peck went to the front door.It was not unusual for him to have people knocking on his door in the middle of the night. Through the light in the front hall, he saw the faces of the Asybe family.But he could not tell which one it was, for his face was almost hidden by the wet hat. "Pastor, can I come in and talk to you?" "It's you, Bert, of course. Come in." Bolai stood on the doorstep, the rain dripping from his coat. "I'm too wet," he said vaguely. The pastor looked down and saw that the boy's trousers were all wet, and his shoes looked as if they had been fished out of the water.The rain continued to flow down the brim of his hat and onto his cheeks. "Take off your coat and put it there." The pastor said kindly to him, "I'll give you a dry one when you go back." He found a large towel from the closet and gave it to Bolai: " Dry your hair quickly." Bo Lai obediently and hurriedly followed suit like a child.The priest went to the kitchen again and brought out a kettle. "Come on in," he said to Beau again, "just throw the towel over your coat." He led Bolai to the study room and put the teapot on a small electric stove: "The water will boil soon. I often make tea for myself like this when I stay up late at night. Tell me, what do you want to tell me tonight?" Talk about what?" "The Story of the Pit of Dothan." (According to the Old Testament, Joseph's elder brother, out of jealousy, took the opportunity to push him into the pit in Dothan, intending to murder him, and then sold him to an Egyptian merchant . "what? " "Sorry, I'm in a mess right now. Do you have anything to drink?" The pastor originally wanted to mix whiskey in the wine for Bo Lai to drink, but after hearing what he said, he simply poured the whiskey into the glass and let Bo Lai drink it directly. "Thank you. I'm sorry to bother you so late. But I really have something very important to tell you. I hope you don't mind." "Don't be so polite. Would you like some whiskey?" "No thanks." "Then I'll get you a pair of dry shoes." "Oh, no, no, I'm used to wearing wet shoes. Pastor, I need your advice on something very important. But, may I make a confession to you before I begin, but don't feel that you must what to do for me." "Of course you say anything, I will take it as a confession." "Okay. First of all I must confess to you that I am not Bert Ashby." "I know," answered the pastor calmly, which left Bolly dumbfounded with astonishment. "You mean—you mean you always knew I wasn't Bert Ashby?" "I always thought you weren't." "why? " "Acquaintance with a person, in addition to physical appearance, there should be other factors. For example, that person's personality, temperament, feeling, etc. When I first saw you, I was almost sure that I used to I haven't seen you. You don't have any familiar temperament in you, although your appearance does resemble Bert in many ways." "But you never exposed it." "What do you think I should do? Your lawyers, your family, and your friends have accepted you and welcomed you back. I have no concrete evidence, other than my own feelings, that you are not Not Bert. What would it do to the whole thing if I just told everybody that you weren't Bert? But I secretly thought that even if I didn't say it, the truth would come out before long. " "You mean I will be found out sooner or later?" "No. I believe that in your personality, it won't be long before you tire of the life you've chosen. From the fact that you came to me tonight, I know that my guess is right. " "But the purpose of my coming tonight is not just to admit my identity." "real? " "I told you just now that I was admitting my identity just to give you an idea of ​​what I'm about to tell you. I wish I was sane. I walked up and down all night trying to It’s just trying to figure it out.” "Maybe, if you can tell me your real identity first, it can help me get a clear idea." "I—I met a woman in America. She used to live in Carlisle. She thought—she thought I looked like the Asybes. Maybe I could pretend to be Bert—" "And when you inherit the family business, she can get a piece of it?" "yes." "All I can say is that this woman really deserves the tutoring fee. She must be an excellent trainer—I've never seen one so successful. So you're American, too?" "No," Beau replied, and the priest smiled at his emphasis on the word.Bolai continued: "I grew up in an orphanage. Someone picked me up at the gate of the orphanage." Bolai briefly described his growth process to the pastor. "I've heard the name of your orphanage," the pastor said to Bo after hearing it, "This can answer a little question in my heart: 'Why do you have such a good education? ... After finishing speaking, he helped Bo to pour Tea, with a little whiskey, said to Bo: "Would you like something more filling than a biscuit? No? Well, have some oatmeal cake, it will be more satisfying." " "I must tell you this first, because I am going to tell you one of my great discoveries. Bert did not kill himself, he was murdered." After listening to the pastor, he slowly put the teacup in his hand on the table. This was the first time he was dumbfounded. "Murder? Who killed him?" "His brother." "You mean Simon?" "That's right." "But Bert! Then—by the way, what's your name?" "You forget that no one has ever given me a name. Everyone calls me Bolai, and it's a mistake." "But—my dear friend, it's impossible. What makes you say that?" "Simon told me that himself." "Simon told you himself?" "He also boasted to me without shame. He also said that there was nothing I could do about it, because if I told it, it would be tantamount to betraying myself. The first time he saw me, he Know I'm not Burt.' "Under what circumstances did you make these unusual remarks?" "Last night, in Bull's bar. But it didn't happen suddenly. I suspected Simon a long time ago, but I questioned him about it last night because he also said he knew I wasn't Bert , when I questioned him, he laughed and then boasted that he killed Bert." "I think the context of your conversation explains everything." "You think we were drunk then?" "Not necessarily. Maybe I should say that you were too excited at that time. You questioned Simon, and with Simon's personality, of course he would follow the trend and provide you with the answer you wanted." "Do you really think I'm that stupid?" Bolai asked quietly. "I always thought you were very smart, so I was surprised that you had such an idea." "Then you can believe me this time. I don't believe it because Simon said so. Bert didn't commit suicide. Simon killed him. I even know how he killed him." So Bolai told the priest what he had found. "However, Bolai, so far, you have not found any definite evidence. What you told me is only a theory. I must admit that your hypothesis is somewhat reasonable. However, after all, what you mentioned There is no concrete evidence." "If I go to the police, I will be able to find evidence with the assistance of the police. But this is not what I want to know. What I want to ask you is-let's say, are we going to let the past be the past ?” He told the pastor about the conflict in his heart. But to Bolai's surprise, although the pastor didn't quite believe Bolai's theory, when it came to the issue of justice and indulgence, his position was very clear-if it was really a murder, then the public Righteousness must be implemented, otherwise it will be lawless. The pastor still believes that Bolly has no reason to accuse Simon of Bert's murder. The pastor believes that Bolai must first assume that Simon murdered Bert, and then imagine some questions to entice Simon to answer.With his reckless character, Simon boasted and said that he killed Bert; based on Simon's words, after a period of piecing together, Bolai finally came up with a set of murder theories that fit his assumptions. "You think I've been walking up and down for so many hours in the pouring rain just because of this little joke from Simon? You think I'm coming to you tonight to admit that I'm not Bert just because This little joke?" The priest listened and remained silent. "Priest, please tell me, were you not surprised when you heard that Bert committed suicide?" "Very unexpected." "Do you know anyone who isn't surprised?" "I don't know. Suicide is an unexpected thing." "I surrender." The pastor thought for a moment and said, "I finally understand what you mean by 'the Pit of Dothan'. You will quote such allusions, which shows that the education you received in the orphanage is not bad. " "The education in that orphanage is very biblical, if that's what you think is good education. I believe Simon is very familiar with this biblical story." "I suppose so. But how did you come up with the allusion?" "It is said that when he just heard the news that Bert was coming back, he was in a daze. Although he denied it repeatedly, he must still be very scared in his heart. Because who knows if a miracle will happen and the victim will return safely. What? He must have been terrified that a miracle would happen to Bert. I could understand that, because the first day I got to his house, when he first saw me, I felt his whole body tense up. , full of fear, but after he took a closer look at me and knew that I was not Bert, I could also feel his suddenly relaxed expression." He drank the tea in his cup and looked at the pastor questioningly. By this time he was feeling better, although the matter had not been resolved. "Simon played tricks on me too. When I first got to Lychet, he let me ride out on Tipper, but he didn't tell me that Tipper would throw people off his back, but At that time, I just thought he was trying to play tricks on me. There is another one, that is, at the Burnon exhibition yesterday, he deliberately loosened the belly belt of Cheron, who I was going to ride to the competition, but at that time I only thought It was just a prank on him, anyway, everyone knows that he often plays pranks." The pastor stared at Beau with deep eyes and said, "I'm not trying to defend Simon—in fact, I don't appreciate his personality. But then again, he is often selfish and tricky. Killing his own twin brother must be another matter. And, after all, Simon didn't point out when he saw you that he didn't believe you were his brother." "His reasons are the same as yours." "I understand. If he denies it, it will only make people think he is unbalanced." The pastor agreed. "Also, since he killed one without any difficulty, he can certainly kill the second with great confidence." "Bolai, I hope this is just your imagination." "Then you must also admire my imagination very much." When Bolai bid farewell to the pastor at two o'clock in the middle of the night, the pastor's exhortation to him was still: "If you look back on the past honestly and severely, you will find that many things were very detailed at the beginning, and then the more you think about it, the more you think about it. It seems to make more sense, when in fact the whole thing is just something you made up out of thin air." But until two o'clock in the middle of the night, when Bo Lai was about to leave, this statement was still not accepted by Bo Lai. The pastor stayed in Bolai to stay overnight, but Bolai would rather borrow a raincoat and a flashlight from the pastor, and grope home alone in the night when the heavy rain was still pouring. "I hope you can come back to me before you make any decisions," the pastor urged him.But the pastor had helped him in at least one direction.He has answered Bo's many lingering questions: If they had to choose between mercy and justice, surely they should choose justice. He found that the door of Recht's house was not locked, and there was a note left by Beetui on the table in the hall: " There is hot soup on the electric stove in the kitchen. Beside it was a silver goblet set in ebony, with a card on it, in Eileen's handwriting: "My boy, you forgot this!" He put out the light and crept into the quiet house and into his room in the nursery.Someone put a hot water bottle under his bed.Before his head touched the pillow, he was already sound asleep.