Chapter 2 2. Dorotai Circus

Located in one of the most rugged parts of the picturesque department of Orne, not far from Domfron, the estate was called the Robery estate until the eighteenth century.Once upon a time, it was called the Manor of Chaney, after the village that adjoined it. The large square in the village is actually an extension of the manor compound.Since the gate was always open, the two sides were brought together, and an open space was artificially built on the former ditch, and the steep walls on the left and right could go down to the bottom of the ditch.Two parapets surrounded the circular courtyard, which extended to the manor buildings, and contained a beautiful old fountain, decorated with dolphins and mermaids, and a sundial on a crude rockery.

The Dorotai Circus led the way through the village with music, that is to say, with Castor and Pollux blowing their trumpets at the top of their lungs, out of tune.Saint-Quentin wore a black satin jacket, and carried on his shoulders a three-pronged rake, which would have terrified wild animals, and a program card announcing the three o'clock show. Dorothy stood on the roof of the caravan, holding the reins in her hand, looking majestic as if she were driving a royal carriage. The square was crowded with more than a dozen carriages, and those who came to the meeting were busy setting up tents, or setting up various amusement facilities, swing stands, wooden horses and so on.

The circus did not do much preparation.The female manager went straight to the village government to apply for a performance visa, Saint-Quentin unsaddled the one-eyed magpie, and the two young musicians changed their careers and became cooks. The captain has been sleeping. Near noon, crowds began to pour in from the villages in all directions.Saint-Quentin, Castor, and Pollux doze beside the caravan.After eating, Dorothei left again. She went all the way to the valley, checked the holes under the stone slabs, and then mingled with the peasants from the four villages, wandered around the gardens, and went wherever she could.

"How is it?" asked Saint-Quentin when she returned, "how is the investigation going? . . . " She seemed worried, and explained slowly: "This manor belongs to the Chaney-Robley family, and no one has lived in it for a long time. The last heir in the family, Count Octave, is about forty years old. Married a very rich woman twelve years ago. After the war, the Earl and Countess rebuilt and remodeled the castle, modernizing it. Yesterday they had many guests to celebrate the housewarming, and the guests left in the evening. Today is for the Public occupancy." "Have you learned nothing about the name Robleigh?"

"Nothing. I never understood why my father said that name." "So we can leave as soon as the show is over?" Saint-Quentin asked, impatient to leave the place. "I don't know... Let's talk about it later... I found something strange..." "Is it about your father?" "It doesn't matter..." she hesitated and said, "No...it doesn't matter...but I really want to find out. Where there is darkness, there might be something hidden...I think..." She thought for a long time, and finally, looking straight at Saint-Quentin, she said very seriously: "Listen to me, you believe me, don't you? You know, in essence, I am a very A reasonable person... a very cautious person. You know, I have a certain instinct... I can see things that other people often don't see... I have a clear sense that I have to stay."

"Because of the name Robery?" "Yes, and also for other reasons, which may compel me to adapt, to take some unexpected...dangerous decisions...St. Quentin, you must be with me at that time...and be brave." "Tell me, Dorothy. What's the matter?" "Nothing... nothing... just one word... the man in the coat who pointed a gun at you this morning is here too." "Huh? What did you say? He's here? Did you see him? With the police?" She smiled. "Not yet. It's quite possible, though. Where did you keep your earrings?" "I put it in a small cardboard box, covered it with a rubber band, and stuffed it under the rattan basket."

"Okay. As soon as the show is over, you put it in the rhododendron bed between the warehouse and the gate." "Did they find the earring missing?" "Not yet," said Dorothy firmly. "According to what you said, I think the safe should be in the small living room of the Countess de Chany. However, I heard the Countess's maids chatting, and they didn't say anything was missing." She added: "Look, the manor is at the shooting range. Is that the fair lady with the fair hair?" "Yes. I recognize her." "According to the servants, she was a very kind woman, generous, and always ready for the poor. People around her liked her much more than her husband, as if he was not very pleasant."

"Which one is her husband? There are three men there." "The fattest one, in gray, with a big belly. Look, that's the one holding the gun. The two next to the countess are their distant relatives. The tall man with the gray beard that grows to the tortoiseshell Beside the spectacles, it has been a month since I came to the castle. The younger one, in the woolen hunting jacket and leggings, arrived yesterday." "As if they both knew you?" "Yes, we talked. The bearded man is quite affable." Saint-Quentin made an angry gesture, but she stopped him immediately: "Calm down, Saint-Quentin. Let's go. The battle has begun."

People flocked behind the improvised wooden huts to watch the master of the castle, whose skills were well known.He fired twelve rounds, forming a circle in the center of the paper target, to a round of applause.The earl pretended to be modest and said: "No, no... It wasn't a good shot. No single shot hit the black spot on the bull's-eye." "I'm rusty with marksmanship," said a voice beside him. Dorothey had crept into the front row quietly, and she said this in an expert tone, which aroused a lot of laughter.The bearded gentleman introduced the count and countess: "The manager of the circus, Mademoiselle Dorothy."

Countess Octave welcomed her.The count jokingly said, "Miss is judging as a circus manager, right?" "As an amateur." "Ah! Miss also shoots?" "Have a chance and play." "A jaguar?" "No, it's just a pot for a pipe." "Miss didn't miss the time?" "Never." "Needless to say, it must be a one-in-a-million gun." "Not at all. A good marksman can use any kind of gun...a gun that has been eliminated like this will do." She picked up a broken gun, asked for six bullets, and then pointed at the target paper that had been punched by Count de Chagny.

The first shot hit the black dot.The second bullet hit the black circle, and the third shot hit the black spot. The count was stunned. "Amazing! . . . She doesn't even have to aim . . . What do you think, de Estreche?" The man Dorothy called the bearded gentleman was very excited, and he shouted: "Unprecedented! Unbelievable! Miss, you will have a bright future..." She didn't answer, and with the three remaining rounds, she broke two pipes and knocked off an eggshell bouncing above the water column. Then, pushing aside those who cheered her, she announced loudly to the stunned crowd: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to announce that the circus of the Dorotai continues. Dance shows and demonstrations of strength, skill and balance on the ground and in the air, on foot and on horseback. Fireworks, boat races, car racing, bullfights, train pulling, you name it. Ladies and gentlemen, the show begins." After speaking, Dorotai displayed her dexterity, boldness and enthusiasm.Saint-Quentin drew a wide circle in front of the door of the caravan, inserted some small iron bars, and circled a space with a rope.The performance venue was surrounded by chairs for the owner of the manor, and other people were stacked on top of each other. Some stood on benches, some stood on ladders, and some stood on anything they could stand on. Dorothy began to perform.The first is tightrope walking, which is stretched between two pillars.She jumped up high, like a badminton. After it landed on the racket, it bounced higher than before.She lay on the wire, swaying from side to side like in a hammock, walking forward, backward, or turning to salute the audience on either side.Then she jumped off the tightrope and started dancing. This is a hodgepodge of various dances, you can't see any trace of deliberate carving, all movements, all postures seem to be unintentional, a series of sudden inspiration creations.She was a dancer in London, a Spaniard with castanets, a Russian pirouette, or dancing with Saint-Quentin, a bar girl doing wild slow-tempo tangos. Each time, just a small movement, such as slightly moving the hood or changing the way the hat is worn, will transform her from head to toe into a Spanish, Russian, British or Argentinian.Moreover, it always makes people feel extremely elegant and charming, with a harmonious and healthy youthful atmosphere, which is both open and self-loving, both cheerful and restrained. Castor and Pollux tapped their fingers against an old drum to create a muffled accompaniment.The audience just watched and enjoyed the performance, no one talked or yelled, and they were all overwhelmed by the rich and unpredictable dance moves.You thought she was just a little girl twirling on her tiptoes, but she suddenly turned into a lady in a long gown, holding a fan and dancing minuet.she is a childIs it a woman?Under fifteen, or over twenty? Her dancing stopped abruptly, and to applause from the audience, she jumped onto the roof of the caravan and, with a firm gesture, silenced everyone: "Quiet! Our captain has been woken up." Behind the handlebar-like position, there's a long, narrow basket in the shape of a sentry box with a closed door.Lifting one end of the basket, she opened the lid halfway, and exclaimed, "Well, Captain Montforgon, how's your sleep? Well, it's time to fuck, we're late. Fine, Captain!" She opened the basket and stood it up, and the audience saw a seven or eight-year-old child inside, as if lying in a comfortable cradle.The child had blond curly hair, flushed cheeks, yawned with his mouth wide open, and stretched out his hand to Dorothei half awake.Dorothy took him in her arms and kissed him lightly. "The Baron de Saint-Quentin," she cried, "I entrust you with the captain. Is his cake ready? Well, the show will go on, and Captain Montforgon will perform military drills." Captain Montforgon is a circus buffoon.He was wearing an old American GI uniform, the jacket dragged to the ground, and the trousers were twisted into a ball and rolled up to the knees. Such a suit made it very difficult for him to move around.Captain Montforgon's burlesque performance consists of tumbling somersaults one after another, and his indifferent expression after standing up.When he introduced the one-eyed magpie to the audience with a whip in one hand, a cake in the other, and a face full of jam, there was a burst of laughter. "Change legs," he ordered the horse. "Walk around... polka. Stand still, Duan Magpie (he can't pronounce the word 'eye'). Now, do the Spanish steps. Well, Duan Magpie, very good." The one-eyed magpie was promoted to one of the circus performers, proudly circling the ring, ignoring the captain's orders, while the captain himself stumbled, fell and got up again, picking up his cake, regardless. The horse couldn't listen anymore.Dorothei burst out laughing at the comical sight of the little guy ignoring anyone else, and the horse kept turning in circles, and her laughter spread to the audience, multiplying their enjoyment.You can see that although this kind of performance is like this every day, the little girl is always so happy and her mood is always so high. "Excellent! Captain..." she cheered him up loudly, "very well!... Captain, we will now go around the scene and perform the scene of the robbery of women. Baron de Saint-Quentin, you will play the odious robber. " The nasty robber hugged her, screamed, put her on the horse's back and tied her with a rope, and then he jumped on the horse himself. Under the heavy burden, the one-eyed magpie walked slowly forward. The Baron Saint-Quentin yelled desperately: "Run! Run!" Meanwhile, the Captain calmly loads his toy gun and takes aim at the hideous kidnapper. There was a snap.St. Quentin rolled off his horse, and the girl was so grateful that she kept kissing her savior. In addition, there are performances with Castor and Pollux.All shows are deliberately exaggerated.All programs bring entertaining or compelling stories to the stage in true comic style, displaying a rich imagination, spontaneous observations, and extreme vividness and humor. "Captain Montforgon, take your bags and ask for money from everyone. Castor and Pollux, beat the drums louder to the accompaniment of the rolling gold coins. Baron de Saint-Quentin, beware of pickpockets !" The captain dragged a large bag through the crowd, and the people put coins and dirty, wrinkled notes into the bag.On the roof of the caravan, Dorotai said his farewell words to the crowd: "Thank you, thank you, fellow villagers, and residents! We are about to leave this generous place reluctantly. Before leaving, we must tell Everyone, Mademoiselle Dorothet (she said with a bow) is not just a circus master and a first-rate performer. Mademoiselle Dorothet (she bows again) has also proved that she has a good eye and a superhuman sense Palm prints, cards, coffee grounds, handwriting or astrology, etc., she knows everything. She can clear the fog and answer questions. With her magic stick, she can probe the underground springs, especially in the most difficult to detect Under the rocks of ancient castles, in unknown dungeons, unimaginable treasures are found. It will be of great benefit to you if you understand what I say! I hope to have the opportunity to repay you.” She left quickly Get off the roof.The three kids are already packing up props. Saint-Quentin came up to her. "Let's go, eh! Come on! Those policemen are staring at me." She replied, "Haven't you heard my speech?" "How about it?" "How? Well! Someone will come to ask for advice in a moment. Dorothea, the discerning seer... ah, customers are coming... a gentleman, and a man in tweed... a man in tweed Very likable. Courteous, a pair of real leather leggings. A typical country gentleman." The bearded gentleman looked prim.He said a lot of nasty compliments to the girl, and looked at her with eyes that made people feel uncomfortable.He introduced himself as "Maxime de Estreche", then introduced his companion "Raoul Davernoy", and finally invited Dorothee on behalf of the Countess of Octave. Have refreshments together. "Just me?" "Of course not," said Raoul Darvernoy hastily, bowing humbly. "My cousin would like to congratulate each of your friends. Is it settled, madam?" Dorothy agreed.Said she changed her clothes and went to the castle. "No, there's no need to change clothes!" de Estreche exclaimed. "That's enough for now... This dress, which is a little bare-chested, fits you perfectly. You're pretty enough now!" Dorothey blushed, and responded unceremoniously: "Sir, please don't say compliments." "It's not a compliment, madam," he said sneeringly, "it's a natural compliment to beauty." After speaking, he took Raoul Davernoy away. "Saint Quentin," Dorothy said in a low voice as he watched them leave, "you have to be careful with this man." "why?" "He's the man in the overcoat who almost shot you over this morning." Saint-Quentin swayed as if he had been shot. "Are you sure?" "It's about the same. The walking posture is exactly the same, and the right leg is not flexible." He muttered, "Did he recognize me?" "I think so. When I saw you jumping around in the performance just now, I must have thought of the black shadow performing acrobatics on the cliff. He thought of you from me who pressed the big stone slab on his head. This is this afternoon , I can see it from his eyes and posture. Just look at the way he talks to me... just look at his mocking way." St. Quentin was very angry: "Then we are not leaving! How dare you stay!" "I dare." "Where is that person?" "He doesn't know that I have recognized him, as long as he doesn't know..." "What is your intention to...?" "My intentions are clear. I'm going to tell their fortunes, tease them, surprise them." "What purpose?" "Let them talk." "Say what?" "Tell me what I need to know." "What's the matter?" "Then I don't know. They'll have to tell me." "What if they find something is missing? What if they ask?" "St. Quentin, take the captain's wooden gun and stand guard in front of the caravan. If a policeman comes by, brother, shoot!" After dressing up, she took Saint-Quentin towards the castle, asking him what happened last night.Behind them came Castor and Pollux, and after that the captain, pulling a toy wagon full of small packages on a rope. They were warmly welcomed in the great drawing room of the castle.The countess, as Dorothet said, was a very amiable, very beautiful person.She stuffed the children's pockets with sweets, and she was even more considerate to the girls.The girl also behaved very naturally in front of the masters, not much different from that in the caravan.A large black shawl covered her skirt and bodice, and a belt was tied around her waist.She has an easy manner, a pleasant voice, and a decent conversation, with an occasional phrase or two of jargon adding to her humor.Her joyful mood, and the wisdom in her bright eyes, all this amazed the Countess, and the three men present were also overwhelmed by it. "Miss," exclaimed de Estreche, "you can foretell the future, and I'm not bad at all, and I'm sure you have a bright future. Oh! If you can trust me, let me show you If you go to Paris! I have connections up and down there, and I guarantee you will be very popular." She shook her head and said, "I don't need anyone." "Miss," he said, "it must be admitted that you have no affection for me." "There is no question of liking or bad liking. I don't know you." "If you knew me, you would trust me." "I do not believe." "why?" She held his hand, turned her palm up, looked down at his palm carefully, and said, "Debauchery...greedy...without conscience..." "Miss, I want to protest! I have no conscience, are you talking about me? I always do things seriously!" "However, your palm prints show just the opposite, sir." "Does it say I'm out of luck?" "No luck." "Why! Will I never get rich in my life?" "I'm afraid so." "Damn! . . . Where is my life? Is my life long?" "Not too long." "Is it a painful death?" "Pain for a few seconds." "So he died by accident?" "yes." "What kind of accident?" She pointed with her finger and said, "Look here, the base of your index finger." "How about it?" "There's a gallows here." Everyone laughed.D'Estrèche laughed, and the Count Octave applauded. "Very well, madam. You have a good eye for putting this licentious thing to the gallows. So, I will also be straightforward..." He glanced at his wife and continued: "So, I also want to tell you directly..." "The reason why you asked me to come here." Dorothy finished what he wanted to say slyly. The Count argued: "Miss, that is not the case at all. We have invited you here only to see you." "It's also to try my skills as a witch." The Countess Octave interrupted: "Well, yes, madam, those last words of yours have aroused our curiosity. Of course, I must say that we do not believe much in these things, or mainly out of Out of curiosity, we would like to ask you a few questions." "Since you don't believe my gadgets, put them aside, but I will try to satisfy your curiosity." "In what way?" "Think carefully about what you said, and I'll make a decision." "What!" said the countess. "Aren't you going to do induced actions? Don't you use hypnosis?" "No, ma'am, at least not for the time being. As for the future, let's talk about it at that time." Dorothet, leaving Saint-Quentin with her, sent the children out to play, and then she sat down and said: "Go ahead, madam." "That's it? Are there no rules?" "No." "Miss, it is like this." The countess said, her tone very casual, as if a little insincere: "It is so. Miss, you talk about unknown dungeons, ancient rocks, buried riches. After all, there are already several The history of the century is probably also the place where countless romantic and tragic events took place. Could it be that a certain owner of the manor accidentally left some rare treasure you mentioned in a certain corner? If this is the case, let us It's good to know." Dorotai was silent for a long time, and then said: "The more people trust me, the more accurate my answer will be. If you have reservations, don't ask the question exactly..." "What reservation? Don't worry, miss..." The girl insisted: "Madame, you ask me questions as if out of a sudden curiosity, without any basis in fact. But you know as well as I do that excavations have been carried out in the castle." "It is quite possible," replied Count Octave, "but it was decades ago, in the lifetime of my father or grandfather." "It's very recent," said Dorothy firmly. "But we've only lived in the castle for a month!" "It's not a matter of a month, it's a few days... a few hours ago..." The countess quickly explained: "Miss, I can attest that we have not carried out any excavation work." "Then it's not you who are looking for jobs, it's someone else." "Who? Under what circumstances? Where?" After a while, Dorothet said: "Madame, please forgive me if I take care of things that I should not take care of. This is one of my shortcomings. Saint-Quentin often said to me: You just like to come here." to meddle in my own business, and make trouble for myself. However, when we got here, since there was an hour before the show, I went out for a walk. Some special places, and feel that there is a certain importance. Like... " The count and his guests looked at each other, obviously eager to hear what she had to say. She continued: "For example, when I was observing and admiring the ancient and beautiful fountain in the compound, I saw traces of digging around the fountain and under the marble pool for water storage. Is the exploration work fruitful? Then I don't know. I know. Anyway, the soil has been carefully covered back, but it can't be completely restored, and the ground can be seen to be slightly raised." The count and his guest looked at each other again with great astonishment. One of them objected: "Perhaps the pool was repaired? ... Or was the aqueduct built? ..." "No," said the countess in an indisputable tone, "we have not touched the pool. Miss, you probably have found traces of the same kind elsewhere, have you not?" "Yes," Dorothei said unabashedly, "the same work was carried out a little farther away, under the base of the sundial. There, someone also probed the rockery. An iron rod was Broke off. It's still there." "What is this for?" asked the Countess anxiously. "Why in those two places and not elsewhere? What are they looking for? What are they up to? Do you have a clue?" Dorothey responded immediately, speaking slowly, as if to emphasize that this was the point of her investigation: "The motive for the excavation is written on the marble base of the fountain. You can see the fountain from here, right?" The mermaids surround the carved pillars, don't they? There's something carved on one side of the capital...almost polished..." "We have never seen those words!" exclaimed the countess. "They do exist," said Dorothy affirmatively. "It's just that they've been eroded and blurred with the veins of the marble. But there's one word...a whole word...we can reassemble...and it's easy to read." "Which word is it?" "wealth." The word wealth echoed in the air for a long time, and the people present were so surprised that they could not speak.The count kept his eyes fixed on Dorothei, and repeated the word in a low voice, and Dorothee went on to say: "Yes, it is the word wealth. This word can also be seen on the pillars where the sun is placed." Yes. It's just more vague, can't read it, but can guess it. It is the word. Not a single letter is missing. There is no doubt." The count did not wait for her to finish, but he was out of the hall, and from the open window he was seen running towards the fountain.He looked there, then ran to the sundial, and hurried back again. "What the lady said is true. Someone has dug in those two places... I saw the word wealth at once. I really never paid attention to it. They can prove the motive of digging... Someone came I've looked for it...maybe I found it, maybe..." "Impossible," answered the girl calmly. "Why do you say it's impossible? Do you know what's going on?" She hesitated.Her eyes met those of de Estreche.Undoubtedly, he knew that he had been exposed, and he began to understand the girl's intentions.But, does she dare to persevere to the end, dare to fight against him?Also, what was the cause of this unexpected struggle? He challenged her with his eyes and repeated Madame de Chany's question. "Yes, why are you sure you haven't found anything?" Dorothy accepted the challenge without flinching: "Because the excavation is still going on. Because in the valley outside the manor wall, among the rubble rolled down from the cliff, there is an old stone slab. The word Wealth is also on the bottom of the slab. When the slab is removed, a newly dug hole can be found, and there are still footprints smoothed by hand to cover it."