Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Killing two birds with one stone

Half an hour later, Earl Atticus and Captain Spard set foot on the path between the right bank of the Nez River and the sanatorium. Beech trees more than a century old were planted beside the road.They had just said good-bye to the superintendent of the sanitarium--the superintendent honored their visit, and they thanked the superintendent for his hospitality.Count Atticus showed his generous nature by donating over a hundred dollars to the staff of the sanatorium.How could one doubt his motives?This is a very noble foreigner, if nobility is measured by generosity. Walking out of the fence gate of the sanatorium on the hillside, Earl Atticus and Captain Spard walked around the fence, which was high enough to dispel all attempts to climb over it.The count was pensive, and his companion waited, as usual, for him to speak first.

When the earl's sight touched the building No. 17 towering above the top of the wall, he stopped and said to the captain: "Do you have a good idea of ​​the terrain around you?..." he asked. "Yes, Monsieur Earl," replied Captain Spade, emphasizing his title. "Is nothing missing?..." "You know all you need to know. The building is behind this fence, and it's easy to get into. If you haven't changed your plans..." "I haven't changed, Spud." "Don't care about Thomas Roche's mental state?..." "It doesn't matter, if we can take him away..."

"This is my business. As soon as it gets dark, I will enter the compound of the nursing home, and then enter the garden next to Building No. 17, without anyone noticing..." "Enter through the gate at the gate? . . . " "No... from here!" "However, there is a wall here. After you climb over it, how can you climb out with Thomas Roche again? In case this lunatic shouts...in case he resists and struggles...in case his guard calls the police..." "You don't have to worry... we just need to go in through this door." Captain Spade pointed to a narrow door a few paces away, built into the middle of the fence, perhaps for the staff of the sanitarium to come in and out when their work required them to go to the banks of the Nez.

"We can get into the sanitarium from there without using a ladder," said Captain Spade. "This door is locked..." "It will open." "Is there no latch in there? . . . " "I pushed it away when we were walking around the garden, and the dean saw nothing..." Count Atticus came up to the door and said: "How do you open it?" "It has a key," said Spade. He took out the key, and when he pulled the bolt out of the crosshead of the lock, he took the key out of the way. "No one can do better than you. Spud," said the count, "it seems that the kidnapping of Thomas Roche will not encounter too many difficulties. Let us go back to the sailboat. About eight o'clock, God When it's dark, a boat will take you and five people to shore..."

"Okay...five," said Captain Spade. "Even if the orderly finds out, five is enough. Maybe he should be killed. . . . " "Get rid of him..." said Count Atticus, "that's fine... if it's absolutely necessary... but it's better to subdue this Guyton and bring him aboard the Aiba. Who knows Has he learned part of Thomas Roche's secrets?..." "It should be." "Also, Thomas Roche is used to him, and I don't want to change his habits." After Earl Atticus finished speaking, he smiled meaningfully, and Captain Spard immediately understood the role of the nursing home's nurses in the future.

In this way, the plan to hijack Thomas and Guyton was confirmed, and it seemed that there was a great chance of success.Unless, during the remaining two hours of the day, the key to the gate was found to be missing and the bolt was drawn, Captain Spade and his men could enter the Sanitarium with certainty. It must also be observed that, apart from Thomas Roche's special surveillance, the sanatorium did not take such measures with other patients.They lived in a small building on the higher ground of the sanatorium or in rooms in the main building.From this point of view, it is impossible for Thomas Roche and his guard Guyton, who are alone in a corner, to resist effectively, or even call for help. They will become the victims of Captain Spard's kidnapping for the benefit of Earl Atticus.

The count and the captain made their way to a small quay where a boat from the Alba was waiting for them.The sailboat was moored on the water four hundred meters away, the sails were squeezed into the light yellow sleeves, and one end of the beam was evenly tilted, which was the customary practice on yachts.No flag was hoisted at the bow.Only a light red swallowtail flag on the top of the mainmast fluttered in the wind under the fading zephyr from the east. Count Atticus and Captain Spard boarded the skiff.All four paddled together, and after a while, they came to the sailboat, climbed up the side ladder, and boarded the boat.

Count Atticus immediately returned to his cabin at the stern, while Captain Spard went forward to give his final orders. Walking to the side of the forecastle, he leaned over the starboard bulwark and looked at an object floating in the water a few meters away. It was a small buoy that rose and fell with the murmur of the Nez at low tide. It was getting dark.The Nez River winds and turns, and the city of New Bern on the left bank begins to be hazy, gradually melting into the dark night.There was still a flaming red cloud in the western sky, silhouetted against the dark outlines of the houses.The sky in the east is cloudy and misty, and the twilight is heavy.However, don't worry about rain because these clouds are high in the sky.

Towards seven o'clock the houses of New Bern were lighted and twinkling, while the lower fires were curved and reflected in the river, blown by the softer and softer evening wind. Swaying and dancing.Fishing boats slowly upstream.Perched in the coves of the port, some boats loosened their sails, chasing the last breeze, while others moved forward with the help of oars, and the dull and rhythmic sound of oars drifted into the distance.Sparks flickered as the two steamboats passed by, a black smoke curled up from the two funnels, powerful oars beat the water, and the machinery heaved up and down below decks roared like a sea monster.

At eight o'clock Count Atticus came on deck, accompanied by a man of about fifty, to whom he said: "The time has come, Sokol..." "I'll inform Spard," Sokol said. The captain came up to him. "Ready to go," said Count Atticus. "We're ready." "Don't let anyone in the nursing home find out, and don't let them suspect that Thomas Roche and his nurses were brought to the 'Aiba'..." "Even if they came here to search, they wouldn't be found," Sokol added. He shrugged and smiled happily. "But it would be better not to arouse suspicion," said Count Atticus.

The boat is ready.Captain Spard and five sailors boarded the boat.Four oars.The fifth man, Bosun Effhonda, who was in charge of the course, came to the helm, with Captain Spud standing beside him. "Good luck, Spud," cried Sokol, laughing, "do it quietly, like a man in love stealing his beauty..." "Yes...unless Guyton..." "Rosh and Gaidon, both of them are needed." Earl Atticus said. "I understand!" Captain Spard replied. The skiff sailed away from the ship, and the sailors watched it until it disappeared into the gloom. It is worth mentioning that while waiting for the boat to return, the "Aiba" was not ready to sail.Perhaps, it didn't intend to leave New Bourne after kidnapping Rosh and Gaidon.Seriously, how does it even reach the high seas?There was not a breath of wind on the water, and it was half an hour before the waves began to sway a few nautical miles up the Nez.Therefore, the sailboat is in no hurry to set sail. The "Aiba" was moored more than 400 meters away from the river bank. It could have been closer to the river bank, and the water depth suitable for its docking could have been reduced by another fifteen to twenty feet, so that when the boat returned and approached the sailboat, It is easier for people on board to board the sailboat.But Count Atticus did not order it, and he had his reasons. The skiff landed within minutes without anyone noticing. The river bank was deserted, and the beech-covered path outside the sanatorium was equally deserted. The four-claw anchor was thrown onto the bank and firmly embedded in the ground.Captain Spade and four sailors disembarked, the bosun remained on board, and they disappeared into the gloom of the trees. At the foot of the wall, Captain Spard stopped, and the four sailors were distributed on both sides of the courtyard gate. Since he had been prepared, he had only to stick the key in the lock and push the door open, unless a servant from the sanitarium had already noticed that the inside latch was not as fast as usual and had bolted the door from the inside. Under such circumstances, even if the fence can be climbed, the kidnapping operation will undoubtedly be difficult. Captain Spud first put his ear to the door and listened. There was no sound in the yard, and no one was walking around Building 17.The leaves of the beech trees that covered the path were all motionless.The still night feels not a breath of breeze, and a suffocating silence hangs over the wilderness. Captain Spade took the key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock.With a twist of the deadbolt and a light push, the door opened from the outside to the inside. Everything was exactly as it had been when the earl and captain had left. After making sure that no one was around Building 17, Captain Spard went in, followed by the sailors. The door swung open with a mere push, and Captain Spard and the sailors passed swiftly across the compound. They came to a place where towering giant trees stood tall, and there were scattered bushes everywhere. It was very dim, and if it wasn't for a light in a window of Building 17, it would be really difficult for them to identify its location. . There is no doubt that the room where this window is located is the bedroom of Thomas Roche and his nurse Guedon, because Guedon watched his patients day and night.So Spade had expected him to be inside. The captain and four sailors crept toward the bedroom, careful not to kick a stone or snap a branch and expose them.When they came to Louying, they were about to pounce on the side door. The light in the house passed through the gap in the curtains, illuminating the window beside the door. But how could they get into Thomas Roche's bedroom if the door was closed?That's what Spade was thinking about.Since he had no key to open the door, it might be necessary to break a pane of the window, unscrew the long latch of the window, and rush into the house quickly to catch Thomas Roche by surprise and prevent him from calling for help.Indeed, what else is there to do? However, the use of force entails dangers.Captain Spade knows this well, for him, stratagem is often more effective than force.However, he has no choice.And, the most important thing is to rob Thomas Roche,—according to the intention of Earl Atticus, Guyton was only taken away by the sheep when possible—so, at all costs, to achieve the goal . Captain Spade came to the window, stood on tiptoe, and through a crack in the curtain he could see clearly the interior of the room.Guyton stayed by Thomas Roche's side, and his illness has been attacking since Earl Atticus left until now.Gaidon followed the instructions of the third person present and gave the patient the necessary special care. This person is a doctor in the nursing home. After Thomas fell ill, the dean sent him to Building No. 17 immediately. The doctor's presence obviously only made the situation more complicated and made the kidnapping more difficult. Thomas Roche hid neatly on a bench.At this moment, he looked very calm.Gradually the illness subsides, followed by hours of numbness and lethargy. The Doctor was about to leave when Captain Spard came near the window.Spade pricked up his ears and heard the doctor tell Guedon that Thomas Roche would not get sick again at night, and that he might not need another one. After speaking, the doctor came to the door, which was next to the window, and Captain Spard and his men were lying in ambush in front of the window.Fortunately, they huddled up in the bushes next to the building and hid themselves, otherwise they would definitely be discovered by the doctor and the nurse who was about to send the doctor out. When the doctor and orderly came out on the steps, Captain Spade made a sign, and the sailors parted, and he came to the foot of the wall. Fortunately, the lights were still on in the house, so they didn't need to light them, and they wouldn't be in danger of being exposed by the lights. When bidding farewell to Gaidon, the doctor stopped on the first stone steps and said: "This attack is the worst blow the patient has ever had! . . . It only takes two or three more such episodes, and what little sanity he has left will be gone!" "In that case," said Gaidon, "why didn't the abbot forbid the visitors to visit the building? . . . It was caused by a man named Count Atticus, who had a few words with Thomas Roche , he is in the present condition." "I will remind the dean to pay attention." The doctor replied. The doctor walked down the steps, and Guyton led him to the end of the slope, while the door of the house was always ajar. Captain Spade waited until they were twenty paces away, then rose, and the sailors gathered around him again. Should he use this divine opportunity to enter the house, subdue Thomas Roche in his half-sleeping state, and wait for Guyton to return before capturing him? ... But as soon as the caretaker finds out that Thomas Roche is missing, they will search, shout, and call the police...the doctor will come to help immediately...the nursing home staff will jump out of bed...Captain Spud may not have time to reach the fence The door, go through the door, close it again... However, he had no time to think about these people. There was a sound of footsteps on the sand, indicating that Gaidong was walking towards the small building.Better to catch him and gag him before he warns, so that he can't resist.Four sailors, even counting him, five men, were more than enough to subdue Guyton's resistance, and drag him out of the yard.As for the hijacking of Thomas Roche, there would be no trouble, because the poor lunatic would have no reaction to what was thrown at him. At this time, Gai Dong was going around the bushes and walking towards the stone steps.However, as soon as he stepped on the first stone step, four sailors rushed over and knocked him to the ground. Before he could scream, he was gagged, blindfolded, and his hands and feet were firmly grounded. Bound up, unable to move. Two sailors stayed behind to watch him while the captain and others entered the house. As expected by the captain, Thomas Roche was in a drowsy state, and no sound could wake him up from the numbness.He was lying on the bench with his eyes closed. If it wasn't for his heavy breathing, he would definitely be regarded as a dead body.It seemed unnecessary to tie his hands and feet and gag him.Two men holding him by the feet and one holding his head were enough to get him into the boat, where the bosun was waiting for them. These things are done in an instant. Captain Spade was the last to leave the house, carefully extinguishing the lights and closing the door.In this way, the kidnapping incident will only be discovered the next day, at the earliest in the early morning. In the same way Guyton would be lifted into the boat without difficulty.Two other sailors picked him up and walked across the garden, around the bushes, and up to the wall. This side of the sanatorium was still quiet, and the night was getting darker.I couldn't even see the lights in the buildings on the high slope behind the hill and other small buildings in the nursing home. Once at the door, Captain Spud had only to pull the door towards him to open it. The two sailors carrying the caretakers walked out the door first.Two other sailors holding Thomas Roche followed closely behind.Then Captain Spade also went out, and locked the door with the key, which he intended to cast into the Nez as soon as he boarded the Alba's boat. The road was deserted, and the river bank was equally silent. After walking twenty paces, they met Efhonda, the boatswain, sitting on the bank's bank waiting for them. Captain Spard and the sailors boarded the skiff, placing Thomas Roche and Guyton aft. "Cast the quad, hurry," Spade ordered the boatswain. Efhonda carried out his orders and was the last to board the ship. The four oars beat the water, and the skiff headed for the sailboat.The firelight on the masthead of the sailboat's fore-sail indicated its position, where it had just moored twenty minutes before. Two minutes later, the boat stopped beside the "Aiba". Count Atticus was leaning against the bulwarks beside the gangway ladder. "It's over, Spud? . . . " he asked. "It's done." "Both of them brought?..." "Two people...the caregiver and the caretaker!..." "Won't the people in the nursing home suspect us?..." "Won't." Guyton's ears were plugged and his eyes were blindfolded, so it was impossible for him to make out the voices of Count Atticus and Spard. Besides, neither he nor Thomas Roche were hoisted to the sailboat at once.Along the ship's wall, there was a slight grinding sound.Ge Dong has remained calm.Half an hour later, he felt lifted and then lowered into the cabin. Once the kidnapping was complete, all the Aiba had to do was leave its current mooring and sail down the river bend, across Lake Bomperico Sovender and into the deep sea.However, the people on board did not take any action to prepare to sail. Wouldn't it be too dangerous to stay here after Thomas and Guydon were kidnapped that night?Since the Alba was so close to the sanitarium it was likely to be suspected, then whether Earl Atticus hid his prisoners so well that they would not be searched by the New Bern police who came aboard found it? ... At any rate, an hour after the skiff returned, the sailboat was asleep with the exception of the crew on watch, who remained in the bow, the crew in their cabins, and Count Atticus, Sokol, and Spade in the In their respective rooms the galleon lay motionless in the quiet bay of the Nez.