Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Bullets

The answer to the question fell into the sea, but Dr. Phil also grasped some revelations.Before Rimbaud figured out the situation, the matter had come to an end.Since the doctor's speech seemed extremely careless, and Rimbaud himself didn't have much memory of the name "Dreyman", he didn't pay attention to Rosette's reaction at all.He just wondered why Mangan, who was always good at talking and laughing, suddenly became so hesitant and timid, even talking like an idiot.Mangan had never spoken so dullly before, not even in gibberish.but now…… "You bastard!" cried Rosette Grimaud, at the top of her lungs.

Her screams were as piercing as chalk scraping across a blackboard.Rimbaud turned around quickly, and he saw the girl grinned, her cheekbones seemed to become even higher, and a blazing flame burst out of her eyes.But this is only a fleeting impression.She flew past Dr. Fell angrily, her mink coat spread like wings and disappeared into the corridor behind her, Mangan followed her closely, and then the door was quickly slammed shut.Not long after, Mangan walked in again, said "uh...sorry" to everyone, and quickly closed the door again.At that time, he stood at the door with an unnatural posture, with his back bent, his head drooping, his wrinkled forehead and gloomy eyes full of worry; he opened his hands with the palms down, as if to comfort someone The audience even said the phrase "Uh... sorry" before closing the door and leaving.

Dr. Phil was indifferent to the situation before him. "Like a father like a daughter, Hadley," he gasped, shaking his head slowly, "well, that's it. She's about to lose control under the intense emotional pressure; Put in the dynamite pack; just the slightest bit wrong and the trigger goes off, and then—well, I'm afraid she's frightened to the core, but maybe she has her reasons, and I doubt she knows much." "Oh, yeah, she's a foreigner after all. But that's beside the point. I said," Hadley said in a slightly caustic tone, "you're always like those stunt rifle shooters who like to do amazing things , you’d be happy if someone dropped the cigarette out of their mouth in fright, what does this have to do with Dreyman?”

Dr. Phil seemed troubled. "Wait, wait... Hadley, what do you think of her? What do you think of Mangan?" He turned to Rimbaud. "I'm a little confused. I have an impression, I got it from you, that Mangan is a wild Irishman, the type I know and like." "He is," said Rimbaud, "do you agree?" "As far as I'm concerned about her," said Hadley, "I think she could dissect her father's life with peace of mind when she's sitting here (she's got a really good head, by the way); At one point, I bet she was crying and running hysterically because she felt she didn't respect her father enough. Basically she was perfectly normal, physically and mentally, but there was a devil inside of her, Phil, and she was Spiritually and intellectually, she needs a guide. She and Mangan, either Mangan has enough wisdom to give her a blow, or simply accept her opinion in the University of London debate, so that the two can truly connect with each other. "

"Since you became the chief of the criminal department," Dr. Phil said, squinting at him, "I've been surprised and saddened to find you more and more hideous. Listen, you old pervert, are you serious? Believe the nonsense you say—what murderer sneaks inside and waits out the blizzard?" Hadley grinned indulgently. "It's not a bad idea so far," he said, "unless I have a better idea. It's got them on their minds. Always make a witness believe something. I believe their statements . . . and we'll Don't worry about finding some footprints on the roof. We'll talk about that later. What happened to Dryman?"

"At first there was a strange statement of Mrs. Dumer's which had always puzzled me. Its content was so strange that it attracted attention. It was not a thoughtful speech; when she cried out the words , was already very hysterical, she couldn't understand why the murderer would pull such a stupid trick. She said at the time, if you want to kill someone, 'You won't be like old Drayman, in Guy Fawkes Celebrate by wearing colorful masks with the children at night.' I filed the monster Guy Fawkes in my head, wondering what it meant. Then, inadvertently, while talking to Rosette, I mentioned Pettis with a line—'Dressing up as Guy Fawkes for November 5th?' Did you notice her look, Hadley? That line gave her something It was a hint, but she was amazed at the same time. She didn't say anything, she just thought to herself. She hated the person she was thinking of. But who is that person?"

Hadley glanced across the room. "Yes, I do. I see she's implying someone she suspects or wants us to suspect, and that's why I asked her directly who she was referring to. In fact, she reminded me of some guy in the house .But to be honest," he wiped his forehead with his hand, "because I met such a weird family, I thought at one point that she was implying my own mother." "She didn't mention the character Dreyman casually. 'You haven't met Annie—or Mr. Dreyman, think about it', the most important message is hidden in this postscript..." Phil The Doctor walked around the typing table and stared at the glass of milk in disgust. "We'll have to wake him out of bed. He's of great interest to me. Is Derryman, this old friend and diner of Grimaud, this sleeping pill-loving, November 5th horror mask, what is he?" Who the hell? What role does he play in this family? What the hell is he doing here?"

"You mean—some kind of blackmail?" "Nonsense! You boy. Have you ever heard that the principal is a blackmailer? No way, because they are afraid of being found out. Of course people in education make mistakes, and I know my sins well." ; but this circumstance will never produce blackmailers... No, it is very likely that Grimaud's kindness and softness have allowed him to live in, but..." His voice stopped, as if a cold wind poured into his throat.The door leading to the small attic staircase and the roof opened and closed, and it was Mills who had entered.His lips were blue with cold, and a thick woolen scarf was wrapped around his neck; but his expression looked warm, with a look of contentment on his face.After grabbing the glass and gulping down the milk (his head thrown back expressionlessly, reminiscent of a stuntman swallowing a sword), he puts his hand into the fireplace to warm himself, and then gushes:

"Gentlemen, I took a good position on the trap door leading to the roof and watched your detective go about his business. He slipped and fell several times, but... excuse me! Don't you have any assignments for me, Or help with some drawing or something? Oh, yes, I'm very eager to help, but I'm afraid I've forgotten—" "Go and wake Mr. Dreyman," said the Chief Criminal, "and splash him with water if necessary. Then... aha, Pettis! If Mr. Pettis is still there, tell him I want See him. What did Sergeant Betts find up there?" Betts answered the question himself.He had the look of a skier; panting and trembling, he slapped snow off his coat as he walked toward the fireplace.

"Sir," he declared, "I assure you, there isn't even a trace of a bird on the roof. I've searched every area and found nothing." He took off his soaked gloves . "I tied a rope to the chimney so I could go down the gutter. There's nothing around the edge of the eaves, nothing around the chimney, nothing anywhere. If anyone gets on the roof tonight, he It must be lighter than air. Now I'm going downstairs to see the backyard..." "But—" Hadley bellowed. "That's right," said Dr. Fell. "We'd better go downstairs now and see how your men are doing in the other rooms. If the trusty Preston—"

At this moment the door to the corridor opened, and Sergeant Preston appeared in a huff, as if summoned by a court.He looked at Betts, then walked over to Hadley. "It took me a little longer, sir," he reported, "because we had to get the bookcases out and push them back in. Turns out, nothing! No secret entrances. Chimney walls It's solid and has no gaps, can't hide anything weird; the flue of the chimney is only about two or three inches wide, and it goes straight up...Any other instructions? Brothers have it all done." "Any fingerprints?" "Plenty, but it's a pity—sir, did you lift and lower the window? Did you touch the glass on the top edge of the frame? I got your fingerprints." "I'm usually careful about things like this," Hadley snapped. "What else?" "There are no other fingerprints on the glass. The wood of the windows, both frame and sill, is varnished so smooth and clean that any glove stains on them are as sure as prints. In fact Nothing, not even a small stain. If someone walked out of the window, he must have taken a few steps back, and then jumped out of the window with his head forward, so as not to touch anything." "That's enough, thank you," said Hadley, "and stand by downstairs. Betts, work in the backyard. . . . No, wait . . . wait, Mr. Mills. Mr. S—if he's still around. I want to talk to you again?" "It appears," said Mills in a sharp voice after the two officers had departed, "that my story has aroused your suspicions again. I assure you that I am telling the truth. This is where I sat , see for yourself." Hadley opened the door.Before them was a high dark corridor thirty feet from the door at the end; that door was now visible in the light of the archway below. "Must be right?" murmured Hadley. "Did he never go into the house at all, or what? Someone might have played a bunch of tricks over the door; I've heard of such things." .I don’t think the woman is going to play tricks, put on a mask on her own, or—no, you see them standing together, after all…fuck!” "There's nothing you call 'strange tricks' here," Mills said, even though he wanted to help, but he couldn't hide his distaste for the three words. "I clearly saw the three of them standing apart. Dumo The lady stood just before the door, slightly to the right; the tall man stood on the left, and Grimaud was between them. The tall man did enter the room; he closed the door, and was never seen again. Came out. The whole thing wasn't done in dim light, and besides, the man's stature was enormous, and there was no way I could have mistaken it." "Hadley, I don't see any need to question his statement," Dr. Fell said. "Let's leave the door alone." He turned around. "What do you know about Dreyman?" Mills' eyes were narrowed, and his voice was rigid and cautious. "Honestly, sir, he was a cause for considerable curiosity. Well, but I knew very little about the man. I had heard several times that he had been here for several years before I came here. He was forced to Leaving school because his eyes are almost gone. Although he has been treated, he still can't see very well, but you can't tell from the way his... er, eyes look. Later, he came to seek Ge Liang Professor Mo's assistance." "Has he done anything for Professor Grimaud?" Mr. Secretary frowned. "I don't know. I hear they met in Paris, where he was doing his research. That's all I know. Once, though, Professor Grimaud—let's put it this way—had a drink." ’ And then,” said Mills in a haughty smile from the corners of his closed mouth; The kindest man in the world. Of course, in that case..." Mills had a jerky habit of standing with one foot in front of the other, rocking, tapping the heel of the front shoe against the tip of the back shoe.This eccentric movement, coupled with his small size and shaggy hair, is simply a caricatured version of Swinburne (Swinburne, 1837-1909, British poet and critic).Dr. Phil looked at him curiously, but he only said: "Is that so? Then why don't you like him?" "It doesn't matter if you like it or not. I just think he has nothing to do all day." "That's why Mademoiselle Grimaud dislikes him, isn't it?" "Miss Grimaud doesn't like him?" Mills asked, his eyes widening and then shrinking again. "Well, I've guessed it. I can see it, but I can't be sure." "Well. Why is he so enthusiastic about Guy Fawkes Night?" "Guy Fo—ah!" Mills was stunned, suddenly speechless, and then let out a shallow laugh, "I see! I didn't understand just now. He likes children very much, and he had two children himself. , but all dead—falling off the roof, I think, for years. That’s the tragedy we have to turn a blind eye to as we build a bigger, grander, grander future.” He said Dr. Fell was sullen at the sight, but the secretary went on, "His wife died shortly thereafter, and then his eyesight faded... He liked to help the children prepare their games. Although in a way In fact, his mental condition is not normal, but he can still maintain a little innocence." His lips parted again. "The moment he looks forward to the most seems to be the coming of the celebration on November 5th, which happens to be the birthday of one of his dead sons. He saves money all year long to buy lanterns and fancy costumes, and then puts together a A Guy Fawkes parade—” There was an urgent knock on the door, and Officer Preston followed. "Sir, there is no one downstairs," he reported. "The gentleman you want to see must have left... There is a guy from the nursing home who brought you this thing." He reached out and handed out an envelope, and a square cardboard box that looked like a jewel case.Hadley tore the envelope, opened the letter, scanned it quickly, and cursed. "He's dead," Hadley swore, "without a word. . . Here, take a look!" Rimbaud stood behind. He looked over Dr. Phil's shoulder and saw the following: Dear Director Hadley: Poor Grimaud died at eleven-thirty.I'll bring the bullet over to you.As I expected, it was a .38 caliber bullet.I tried to get in touch with your police surgeon, but he was out on other cases, so I sent it straight to you. He was lucid just moments before he died.He said a few things, which I and the two nurses can testify to; but he got off a bit, so I had to listen with all my attention.I know him very well, but I didn't even know he had a brother. First he said that he wished to tell me about it; then he said the following: "My brother did it, I never thought he'd shoot. God only knows how he got away. One moment he's there, the next he's not. Get a pen and paper, hurry up I have to tell you who my brother is before you think I'm talking nonsense." He yelled loudly, but forced out the last pool of blood, and then passed away before he could say anything else. I obey your order and keep the body in its original state.Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. Dr EH Peterson They looked at each other.Mysteries seem to take shape, facts are established, eyewitnesses speak with certainty; but the terror of the illusory man lingers on the scene.After a while of silence, the criminal director said solemnly: "'Only God knows,'" Hadley repeated the letter. "'How he got away.'"