Chapter 3 Chapter two

Everyone was silent for a while. "That girl is the one sitting in the car parked outside the Franchise gate?" asked Robert. "yes." "I believe you brought her here on purpose." "That's right. When the girl recovered almost completely, she was persuaded to report the incident to the police. Her narrative was recorded on the spot by a stenographer, and later sorted out with a typewriter, and the girl was asked to sign for confirmation. There There are two points that helped r us in this transcript. They read: "'After driving us for a while, the car came across a bus that had Milford Township written on the front with a light on. miss it.No, I don't know where Milford is.No, I've never been there. '"That's one point. Another point:"'From a window in an attic I saw a high wall with a huge iron gate in the middle.The road is on the outside of the brick wall, because I saw the electric pole.

No, I can't see the traffic on the road because the fence is so high.Only occasionally the top of the truck can be seen.I can't see out from the iron gate either, because the gaps in the iron gate are filled with iron sheets.A driveway opened from the other end of the iron gate. It went straight at first, and then diverged into a Y shape. The two separated lines formed a circle and joined in front of the house. No, the middle part is not a garden, just a lawn c Yes.I think it's the lawn.No, I don't recall any low shrubs, just lawns and paths. "'Grant closed his blotter in which he quoted the above two points.

"As far as we know, and I believe the search was complete, there is no other house between Laborough and Milford Town other than the Franchise that matches the girl's description. Moreover, every house in the Franchise Part of it fits perfectly. When the girl saw the high wall and iron gate today, she was sure it was this place; but of course, she hadn't seen the situation on the iron gate.I first had to explain it to Miss Sharp and ask her permission to confront the girl.She very wisely requested the assistance of a lawyer. " "You can see why I need help so badly?" said Marion Sharp, turning to Robert.

"Can you imagine anything more absurd than this?" "That girl's statement is certainly the strangest combination of a bit of truth and nonsense. I understand that domestic servants are not easy to keep," said Robert, "but some people will use coercive methods, by detaining, beating, starving way to hire servants?" "Of course it's impossible for ordinary people," Grant agreed, watching Robert speak intently, without showing any signs of observing Marion.Sharp emoji signs. "But, believe me, in my first twelve months of service in the police force, I've lived through more than a dozen incredible, unimaginable stories. There is no limit to the indulgence of human behavior."

"I agree, but human indulgence can also be used to explain the girl's behavior. After all, she is the one who started the story. It was her who disappeared for a long time..." he asked. "One month," Grant replied. "A month long; and during this period, the daily domestic habits of Franchise were not different, as far as external observations were concerned. Also, didn't Miss Sharp provide an alibi, etc., excuse for the fact that it happened the day it happened?" "No," said Marion Sharp. "According to the Inspector, it was March 28th. It was a long time ago, and our schedule is not fixed. It is impossible for us to remember what we did that day, and it is impossible for others to remember seeing us."

"Where's your maid?" Robert suggested. "Households have amazing ways of keeping track of things." "We don't have maids," she said. "It's hard to keep them, the Franchise is so remote." Things seemed to be getting tricky, and Robert broke the ice in no time. "The girl—I don't know her name yet." "Elizabeth Kane: Everyone calls her Betty Kane." "Well, so; I think you told me. I'm sorry. Can we learn more about this girl? I think the police must have done some research on her before accepting her story. Why did she have a guardian, for instance? , not the parents?"

"She was an orphan left behind during the war. She was an only child who was evacuated to Ellsbury as a child and was assigned to live with the Wuyins. The Wuyins had a son who was four years older than her. About ten Two months later, her parents both passed away in an "accident". The Wuyin couple who received her wanted to have a daughter, and they also liked her very much, so they decided to adopt her. In fact, she has been Treating them as parents, because she has very little recollection of her biological parents." "I understand. And what about her own records?"

"Perfect. A fairly quiet girl. Not outstanding at school but doing well. Never got into any trouble, in or out of school. Teachers commented on her as 'very honest'." "When she finally got home, did she bear any of the beatings she mentioned?" "Well, yes; obviously, we're sure. Wu Yin's family doctor, who examined her the next morning, said she had been intensively beaten. In fact, when we questioned her, some of the bruises were still quite large. clearly identifiable." "Does she have a history of epileptic symptoms?" "No; we investigated this from the very beginning. I must say the Uyins are very cooperative on this point. They are heartbroken but still trying not to overprotect the girl and make matters worse or make the police Hands tied. Their handling of the incident is commendable."

"I thought it was my turn to play this admirably sensible and cooperative role to close this investigation." Marion Sharp said. "Put yourself in my shoes, Miss Sharp. The girl not only gave a description of the house in which the lien was lodged, but described with uncommon accuracy the two women who lived in it. A thin, elderly woman A man with soft gray hair, without a hat, dressed in black; another woman, much younger, tall, thin, dark-skinned, like a gypsy, also without a hat, with a bright silk scarf around her neck ,,"'"Well, yes. I can't argue with that, and I can understand your position.

Now, I think we'd better let that girl in. , but before I do that, I'm going to say... "The door swung open without a sound. Old Mrs. Sharp appeared behind it. The strands of gray hair that surrounded her face were neatly pushed up to one side from napping on the pillow, making her look more witch-like than usual. She entered the living room and looked around at the scene with a malicious look. "Ha!" she said, her voice croaking like a hen. "Three strange men!" "Let me introduce them, Mother," said Marion.The other three men all stood up. "This is Mr. Blair, from the law firm of Brad Happer; the office is in that beautiful building in High Street."

When Robert saluted, the old lady looked at him intently with those piercing seagull eyes. "The roof needs to be retiled," she said. The words were good, but far from the greeting he expected. Later, however, he took comfort in the fact that her greeting to Grant was more out of the ordinary.She was not surprised or excited at the presence of the Inspector of Scotland Yard in her drawing room on such a spring afternoon, but said in her dry voice, "You shouldn't be sitting in that chair; you're too heavy." When her daughter went on to introduce her to the local police detective, she gave him just one look, then looked up and turned away with obvious disdain.And Harlem, judging from the expression on his face, was strangely disturbed. Grant looked at Miss Sharp questioningly. "I'll tell her," she said. "Mother, the Inspector wants us to meet a young girl waiting in the car outside. She had been missing from her home in Ellsbury for a month and when she returned home in a badly beaten condition Arrived home, said to have been forcibly detained by some who wanted her to be a maid; when she refused, was locked up, beaten and starved. She also described the place and people in detail, and you and I fit those descriptions Words, and our house. She said she was locked up in our attic with the round window." "What an engrossing story," said the old lady, sitting regally on a sofa. "What did we beat her with?" "A dog whip as far as I know." "Do we have one of those dog whips?" "I think we have one of those dog leashes that can be used as whips if necessary. But the point is, the Inspector wants us to meet the girl and see if she can make sure we've kept her people." "Do you have any objections, Mrs. Sharp?" asked Grant. "On the contrary, Inspector, I can't wait to see the girl. I assure you, it won't be every afternoon that I am like this, a dull old crone before I go to bed, and wake up as a monster full of energy." "Then, if you don't mind, I'll take..." Hallam gestured that he could go and bring the girl in, but Grant shook his head.Obviously he wanted to see the girl's reaction after entering the iron gate. As the detective stepped out of the living room, Marion Sharp explained to her mother why Blair was there. "It's a shame he's come here in such a short time," she added, at the end; and once again Robert felt a pair of bright, cold, old eyes on him.As far as he was concerned, old Mrs. Sharp was capable of beating up to seven different people any day of the week, from breakfast to lunch. "I sympathize with you, Mr. Blair," she said, without any compassion in her tone. "Why, Mrs. Sharp?" "I suppose the case involving Birdmore Hospital is not one you are familiar with." "Broadmoor Hospital!" "Actually, I think these kinds of cases are quite challenging." Robert shot back, rejecting her verbal taunt. This gesture elicited a sliver of respect from her with a subtle smile on the corner of her mouth.Robert felt strangely that she seemed to be beginning to like him.However, even if this was the case, she did not reveal any clues in her words. Her hoarse voice said bitterly: "Yeah, I guess the incidents in Milford were not only few, but also pretty bland. My daughter just had to chase a gutta-percha rolling around the golf course." Made of—" (Gum from Malayan subtropical trees, dried like rubber, is used as raw material.) "Mother, it's not made of gutta-percha for a long time." Her daughter interrupted. "As far as I'm concerned, though, the town of Milford doesn't offer any cases for entertainment at all. I've got to do weeding, which is the legal sadistic equivalent of drowning fleas. You Drown the fleas too, Mr Blair?" "No, I strangle 'em. One of my sisters used to crush 'em on a bar of soap." "Soap?" old Mrs. Sharp asked with interest. "I know she slapped them on the soft side of the soap and pressed them hard." "How interesting. I haven't heard of this technique. I should try it next time." On the other end, he heard Marianne befriending the snubbed detective. "You hit the ball very well, detective." He was well aware that these irrelevant and incoherent discussions would soon be over.It's like you know that the dream is almost over, and you will wake up and return to the real world at any time. Reality arrives with the return of Inspector Grant.Grant came in first, so that he could check the expressions of everyone in the room, and then he held the door and ushered in a policewoman and girl. Marion Sharp stood up slowly, as if determined to face reality, while her mother continued to sit in the chair like a spectator, her back straight and straight as she had been used to since childhood, her hands Lay quietly on your lap. Even if her hair is disheveled, it doesn't detract from the majesty she is the mistress of the place. The girl was wearing her school uniform and childish low-heeled black school shoes; she looked younger than Blair expected.She is not tall and not pretty. She had, however, an arresting—how should I put it—aura.The eyes are dark blue, set apart in a heart-shaped face.The hair is mouse brown, showing a beautiful arc on the forehead.Under the cheekbones on both cheeks, there is a shallow dimple, which is like an elegant doll, which is cute and cute.Her lower lip is full, her mouth is a little too small, and her ears are too small and too close to the top of her head. On the whole, she is a very ordinary girl, not the kind you will pay special attention to; nor the kind who will become the heroine in any occasion. Robert wondered what she would look like in other clothes. The girl's eyes fell on the old woman, and then on to Marianne.The eyes were neither surprised nor pleased, but seemed not very interested. "Yes, those are the women," she said. "Are you sure?" Grant asked.Then emphatically: "You know, this is a very serious indictment." "Of course I'm sure. How can I be sure?" "These are the two women who forced you to stay, took your clothes, threatened you to make sheets, and beat you?" "Yes, that's them." "Incredible liar," said old Mrs. Sharp, in a tone of commentary: what an incredible portrait. "You say we'll take you to the kitchen for coffee?" Marianne said. "yes." "Can you describe the kitchen?" "I didn't pay much attention to it. It's a big kitchen, though, with a flagstone floor, I suppose. And a string of bells. "What's the stove like?" "I didn't pay attention to the stove, but the old woman's coffee pot was bluish-white enamel with dark blue sides and a lot of scratches on the bottom." "I doubt there's a single kitchen in England that doesn't have a pot like that," said Marion. "There are three of us." "Is this girl still a virgin?" asked the old Mrs. Sharp, as if she was making social greetings to others in a nonchalant tone: Is this from Chanel? The girl's face flushed instantly, and he subconsciously thought there would be a protest from the old lady's daughter: "Well, mother!" He suspected that the daughter's silence was a sign of agreement, or that she had been with Mrs. Sharp for too long and had become accustomed to any abruptness. Grant said that had nothing to do with the facts in a coldly reproachful tone. "You think so?" said the old woman. "If I had been missing from home for a month, that would have been the first thing my mother would have asked. Regardless, now that this girl has identified us, what are you going to do? Arrest us?" "No. There are still many things to do to get to that stage. I have to take Miss Keen to the kitchen and attic for further confirmation. If everything is confirmed, I will report the process to my superior, and he will hold a meeting to decide what to do. What steps." "I see. A very convincing procedure, Inspector." She stood up slowly. "So, if you don't mind, I'm going to resume my interrupted nap." "But wouldn't you like to be there and watch Miss Kean examine—listen to her..." said Grant, surprised for the first time in his usual composure. "Well, dear, no." She frowned lightly and smoothed the long black dress on her body. "It has been possible to split atoms that cannot be seen," she criticized petulantly, "but no one has yet made fabric that does not crease. I have not the slightest doubt," she went on, "that Miss En will confirm the attic. In fact, I'd be very surprised if she couldn't." She started to walk towards the door of the living room, also in the direction of the girl; the girl's eyes flickered for the first time. There was a line of alertness on her face.The policewoman took a step forward guardingly.Old Mrs. Sharp continued her slow pace until she was a yard away from the girl, and they came face to face.She paused for a full five seconds, examining the girl's face with interest. "For two people connected by assault, we don't have a good impression of each other," she concluded. "I hope I know more about you before this is over, Miss Kean." She turned to Robert and saluted. "Goodbye, Mr. Blair. I hope you will continue to find us challenging." Then, ignoring everyone else, walk out the door that Hallam had opened for her. After she left, the atmosphere in the drawing room fell visibly quiet, and Robert had a reluctant admiration for her, an interest like that of a heroine with a lawless character. "You have no objection to letting Miss Kean see the relevant parts of the house, Miss Sharp?" asked Grant. "Of course not. But before we proceed, I want to finish what I left off when you brought Miss Ken in. I'm glad Miss Ken was there to hear it. Well, as far as I know I have never seen this girl before, and I have not driven her anywhere. I or my mother have never brought her into this house, nor has she been left here. I hope this is Completely understood." "Very well, Miss Sharp. That means you utterly disagree with all the girl's statements." "Against the whole thing. Now, do you want to see the kitchen?"