Chapter 7 you are the murderer

A strange event happened in La Trouble, which caused a sensation in this little-known and secluded town.The people there used to pray to the gods, begging the gods to punish the murderer.Finally, a miracle happened to them.Is this miracle given by God?Let's not be light. The incident happened in the summer of a certain year.Mr. Barnabas Shuttleworth had lived in La Thorborough for countless years.He is a rich and admired elder in the town.One Saturday morning, Mr. Shuttleworth left home on horseback and headed for P City. The city of P is 15 miles from the town of La Trouble.He intended to return to the town that evening.Two hours passed.Mr. Shuttleworth's horse galloped back alone.Mr. Shuttleworth and the two sacks full of gold coins he had taken with him were missing.The horse had been seriously injured and was covered in mud.

This sudden accident naturally aroused the incomparable surprise and uneasiness of the residents of the small town.On Sunday morning Mr. Shuttleworth was still nowhere to be seen, and no news was heard from him.His relatives and friends decided to go out to look for it. The leader who finally decided to go out and search was, of course, Mr. Charles Goodfellow, Mr. Shuttleworth's close friend.The townsmen called him "Old Charles Goodfellow," for he was a true Goodfellow (meaning "good fellow").He was honest and honest, with a pleasant smile and a good heart; his sonorous voice, his eyes were bright, and he appeared frank and sincere, without the slightest affectation.Although Mr. Goodfellow had only been settled in La Thorborough for six or seven months, he was extremely agreeable, and loved and respected.Of course, the meaning of his name also has a certain fueling effect.Mr. Shuttleworth was especially fond of him, and was most favored.The two gentlemen were neighbors again, and it didn't take long for them to become close friends.Old Charles Goodfellow was not a rich man, and he was quite frugal at ordinary times, paying attention to saving money.This may be part of the reason why Mr. Shuttleworth so often offered to invite Mr. Goodfellow as his guest.Mr. Goodfellow was going to serve three or four times a day, and often dined at Mr. Shuttleworth's at noon.During the banquet, the two toasted each other, persuaded them to drink freely, and enjoyed all the delicacies.Margaux was one of Charles Sr.'s favorite wines.

One day, after drinking Marcox, I saw Mr. Shuttleworth, in a state of drunkenness, punch Mr. Goodfellow in the back, and say: "Charles , you are very kind; and it is one of the great joys of life that we meet by chance and fall in love with each other. You are fond of Margaux wines, and I will order a large case of famous Margaux wines for you myself, and One of the most expensive on the market! You don't have to utter any modest words, it's settled. You wait, but it's going to take a month or two before the wine arrives here." The kindness and generosity of Mr. Shuttleworth to his friend Mr. Goodfellow, who is in need, is truly unprecedented and unheard of.

On Sunday morning there was still no news from Mr. Shuttleworth.Old Mr. Charles Goodfellow frowned, worried and unwilling to eat, almost to the point of a nervous breakdown, and all thoughts were terrified.He had already learned that the two purses on the horse's back were unaccounted for; the horse had two bullet holes in its chest—the bullet went in at one end and flew out at the other.But this failed to kill the horse instantly. "Let us wait patiently. Mr. Shuttleworth will come back, God bless him!" Mr. Goodfellow was convinced of this from the beginning. Mr. Pennyfeather, Mr. Shuttleworth's young nephew, however, strenuously objected to waiting.Thus, old Mr. Charles Goodfellow, without insisting, consented to set off at once to search.

Mr. Pennyfeather and old Mr. Shuttleworth had lived together for many years.Mr. Pennyfeather is dissolute and uninhibited, often gathering people to play cards, drinking and making troubles, and picking quarrels and troubles.Because he is the nephew of Mr. Shuttleworth, the relatives in the neighborhood have to give him three points and dare not mess with him.When Mr. Pennyfeather proposed "to find the body", everyone could only obey.At this moment, old Mr. Charles Goodfellow asked a thought-provoking question: "How did you know that your uncle must be dead, Mr. Pennyfeather? It seems that you How much is known about my uncle's accident!" Well, how could Mr. Pennyfeather conclude that his uncle was dead? "Everyone was chatting softly.

As Mr. Pennyfeather silenced and ignored Mr. Goodfellow's questions, abusive chatter began between the two men.People don't care about this quarrel at all.Because they were originally enemies, but this time they met again on a narrow road.Always a loner, Pennyfeather hated the deep friendship between Mr. Shuttleworth and Mr. Goodfellow.In a previous quarrel, Pennyfeather punched Goodfellow to the ground.After Goodfellow got up from the ground, he patted off the dust on his body, and just said: "I will always remember this punch. It is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge!" However, people know that Goodfellow Mr. is a magnanimous man with extraordinary knowledge.

I interrupted a little incident just now, and now it is time to return to the main text.After everyone's discussion, Mr. Pennyfeather finally proposed that the search work should be carried out in all directions.A large stretch of fields and woods stretches for nearly fifteen miles between La Trouble and the city.Mr. Pennyfeather persisted in searching every lot in between. Mr. Goodfellow, however, took a different view.He was perhaps more brilliant and wily than young Mr. Pennyfeather.He argued in a resolute and honest voice: "It seems unnecessary. Mr. Shuttleworth is galloping to P. How can he go so far off the road? We should carefully Search both sides of the road, especially among bushes, woods and weeds. Do you think this would be more appropriate?" The overwhelming majority was in favor of this.Thus began their search, led by Mr. Charles Goodfellow.They were not looking in areas far off the road.Goodfellow led people to find many dark corners and rugged trails.They searched for four days, but found nothing.

When I say "nothing" I mean that Mr. Shuttleworth himself or his remains were never found, but they did find some signs of a struggle.They searched along the tracks of the horses, about four miles east of La Trouble, and after several roundabouts, they finally reached a sewage pond.There were obvious traces of fighting there, and the traces stretched all the way into the pond.Tools were then brought in and the ponds were drained.At the bottom of the pond they found a black silk waistcoat.Although the vest was bloodstained and tattered, it was not difficult for those present to recognize that it belonged to Mr. Pennyfeather.He also wore it on Saturday, the day his uncle rode to P City.But after that, he was never seen wearing that vest again.The situation at this time was extremely unfavorable to Pennyfeather. He was tongue-tied and at a loss, his face pale and gloomy.His only two or three friends also turned their backs to him dismissively.However, Mr. Goodfellow approached him and stood in front of him.

"We should not jump to any hasty conclusions," said Mr. Goodfellow. "You are well aware that I have long since dismissed the unsavory incident between me and Mr. Pennyfeather. From the bottom of my heart I I deeply forgive him. Now I am sure that Mr. Pennyfeather will explain this discovery under the pond. Of course I should help him to make it clear. He is my poor friend Sartre Mr. Alworth's nephew and only relative. From his uncle's standpoint. I should help him settle the matter now." Every word Mr. Goodfellow said reflected his kindness, friendliness, and frankness.However, in his speech he also mentioned repeatedly that Pennyfeather was the sole heir to all the estates of Mr. Shuttleworth.

People who were there at the time realized it immediately.If Mr. Shuttleworth is indeed dead, then Pennyfeather is a legitimate heir to all the old man's money!At this time, people involuntarily tied up Pennyfeather and took him to the town.On the way back to town, Mr. Goodfellow seemed to pick up another object on the side of the road. He glanced at it and stuffed it quickly into his pocket.His actions were still seen by others.Under the unanimous request, he had no choice but to take it out.It turned out to be a Spanish pocket knife.In La Thorbere.Only Pennyfeather has this knife, and the initials DP marking his name are still clearly engraved on the handle!

The truth has come out.Pennyfeather murdered his uncle!Its evil purpose is of course to seize the inheritance as soon as possible.At this time, no one is willing to search further.An hour later, Pennyfeather was escorted to the court in La Thorborough. The judge asked Pennyfeather: "Where were you the morning your uncle disappeared, Mr. Pennyfeather?" "I was hunting in the woods," Pennyfeather replied without thinking.His unabashed answer surprised people. "Did you have a gun with you?" "Of course I did. I brought my own shotgun." "Which wood did you hunt in?" "Just a few miles off the road to P City..." Pennyfeather's stated location was indeed very close to the cesspool.The judge then asked Mr Goodfellow to describe the discovery of the vest and the knife.Mr. Goodfellow wept sadly.He gave a sad and mournful account of the incident, and went on: "I have long since disregarded Mr. Pennyfeather's personal enmity with me, and have forgiven him. If the court requires me to give further evidence, I can still testify ..." Mr. Goodfellow took out his handkerchief sadly and wiped his tears, "It really broke my heart!" Mr. Goodfellow's words froze.It was a moment before he was able to go on, "Last Friday I dined with Mr. Shuttleworth as usual. Mr. Pennyfeather was there. Mr. Shuttleworth said to his nephew, He was going to P City the next morning, and he was carrying two leather bags of coins to be deposited in the Agricultural Bank. Then, Mr. Shuttleworth said to his nephew, "Nephew, after my death , you won't get any of my inheritance! Did you hear me? I'll give none of it! I'm going to make a new will.'" "Is that true, Mr. Pennyfeather?" asked the judge. "Yes, indeed." The young man's blunt answer surprised the spectators again. At this moment, news came that Mr. Shuttleworth's horse had died of serious wounds.Mr. Goodfellow dissected the horse and found a bullet in its chest.This bullet is large in size and is used to shoot giant beasts.The police then checked all the shotguns in the town and found that the bullet was only suitable for Mr. Pennyfeather's shotgun.The situation seems to have become clear.Pennyfeather was put in jail, awaiting the day of sentencing for the murderer.Mr. Goodfellow begged, tearfully, that the court would grant young Pennyfeather his freedom, on his own account.The results were of course to no avail. A month later, Pennyfeather was escorted to P City. The P city court officially announced: "Pennifeather is guilty of murder and will be hanged." Pennyfeather, who is in prison, is waiting for the day of hanging. "You—the murderer!" One sunny day, Mr. Goodfellow unexpectedly and excitedly received a letter from a brewing company in W City.The letter reads as follows: Dear Mr. Charles Goodfellow: About a month ago we received an order letter from Mr. Barnabas Shuttleworth asking us to send you a large case of premium Margaux.We are happy to inform you.We have loaded and shipped a large case of fine Margaux.The box will arrive at your residence shortly after you receive this letter.Please convey our sincerest regards to Mr. Shuttleworth.We are willing to serve you forever. Yours sincerely, Hogarth Frogs Boggs and all colleagues in the company, on June 21, in W City. Note: There are 60 bottles of refined Marcox wine in the box. Mr. Goodfellow, who had been abstinent since Shuttleworth's death, now considered, after his ordeal, a gift from God.Of course he was very excited about it.Goodfellow immediately invited his neighbors, friends and relatives to come to him the next evening for a drink.He did not mention who gave the wine, but only mentioned that he ordered it himself. At about 6 o'clock in the evening of the next day, Mr. Goodfellow's room was full of guests and friends, and the dinner was about to be held.I was also among the crowd.The decorations in the hall are gorgeous and colorful, and the dishes on the banquet table are rich and fragrant.Everyone admired it.However, the boxes of high-end Marcox wine did not arrive until 8 o'clock.As soon as the wine box arrived, the guests moved together to get the heavy and heavy box.I also joined the ranks of moving boxes.The big box was quickly moved into the banquet hall.Prior to this, Mr. Goodfellow had already drunk the guests with other good wines, and about 90% of them were drunk.At this time, his face was already flushed, his mouth was full of alcohol, he spoke tremblingly, and he staggered when he walked.As soon as the wine box entered the hall, he sat down with his legs spread out, and announced loudly: "Everyone, be quiet, be quiet! My refined high-grade Margaux has arrived in the hall of our house!" Then, he put some opened The box tool was handed over to me.Of course I obliged.I used the hammer head and pliers to gently and slowly knock off the iron nails on the box cover... At this moment, the lid of the box suddenly flew far away.A dead man covered in blood and mud jumped out of the box.The dead man was instantly recognized as poor Mr. Shuttleworth!The deceased sat with his back against the edge of the box, just opposite Mr. Goodfellow.A burst of bloody smell that touched the nose permeated the air.The hall was suddenly filled with smoke, and the lights became dimmed, and the surroundings were deadly silent.People panicked, full of doubts, and looked at each other.The hall that used to be full of laughter and chatter, full of glasses and wine, suddenly looked horrible and miserable, and the ghosts wept and the gods were frightened.The mournful eyes of the deceased were fixed on Mr. Goodfellow.Then, the victim began to speak, the words were full of blood and tears, full of melancholy, but the voice was clear and clear, deep and slow, as if it came from a distant place. "You——are the murderer! I want you to pay with your life!" After finishing his words, the deceased fell down on the edge of the big box. It's hard for me to describe the scene at that time.Immediately after the deceased finished speaking and fell down, the hall was filled with voices and chaos, and the guests all fled out of the door and jumped out of the window like crazy.Some people fainted immediately due to excessive fright.But not long after, people's emotions began to return to normal again, and their eyes shot at Goodfellow angrily. Mr. Goodfellow, trembling all over, with quivering lips, sat frozen in his chair like a statue.His panicked eyes seemed to have seen clearly the cancer hidden in the depths of his sinful heart.Suddenly, his eyes seemed to shine brightly, he jumped out of the chair, and threw himself at the dead body of Mr. Shuttleworth lying beside the box, confessing his sins to the dead.All the guests in the hall were listening to the murderer's confession.Goodfellow explained the entire process of murder... The following is the main content of Goodfellow's confession: On that Saturday morning, Mr. Goodfellow set off on his own horse, right behind Mr. Shuttleworth.Near the cesspool in the woods, his bullet hit Mr. Shuttleworth's mount, and he killed him by striking Mr. Shuttleworth over the head with the butt of his rifle.He then took two leather pouches of coins which Mr. Shuttleworth was carrying.Mr. Shuttleworth's horse was dying, and Goodfellow dragged it into the bushes, assuming it was going to die.He then placed Mr. Shuttleworth's body upon his horses, and removed it to a grove quite some distance from the road, where it was concealed.That same night, he stole Mr. Pennyfeather's waistcoat, Spanish knife and a large bullet.He immediately put the vest and the Spanish knife in a place where they could be easily found. Later, he used the machine of dissecting the dead horse and pretended to find a bullet, so as to confuse the public and achieve the purpose of concealing the crime and killing people with the knife. By the time Goodfellow's confession came to a close, he was limp, his eyes were blind, and his voice was hoarse and weak.He struggled tremblingly to stand up, stretched out his hands and rushed towards the wall.However, one staggered and fell to the ground, what a pity! As I said at the outset of this story, it was a curious event which stirred up the little town of La Trouble.So far, people there still think it is a miracle!Mr. Goodfellow's confession in the presence of the slain came at just the right time, and it saved Mr. Pennyfeather from going to the gallows. The "resurrection" of the dead What the readers are wondering now is whether Mr. Shuttleworth really came back to life after being killed, returned to the world, and got into the wine box, so as to use the banquet to expose the murderer?Of course this is not the case, and it can never be the case!The person who arranged this incident was none other than myself. I knew very well that Mr. Goodfellow was never going to let Pennyfeather's blow go and let it go.I happened to be there during that quarrel.I still remember Mr. Goodfellow's vicious look and gnashing of teeth as he rose from the ground.I thought to myself that he would never forgive Mr. Pennyfeather.Others think Mr. Goodfellow good and honest, but I don't think so.I think he will have his revenge one day. In the process of searching for the missing person, Mr. Goodfellow found so many "criminal evidence", especially the large bullet taken out from the chest of the dead horse, which made me even more suspicious.As mentioned above, the bullet enters from one end of the chest of the mount and flies out from the other.However, Goodfellow actually found another bullet from the horse's chest during the autopsy!Where did this bullet come from?There can be no doubt that Mr. Goodfellow must have done it separately.I spent almost two weeks thereafter searching everywhere for Mr. Shuttleworth's body.Of course, I will not search near the road, but in a remote place far from the road.I finally found the body in a dry well in a grove. The following arrangement is of course clear.I recalled the promise Mr. Shuttleworth had made to Goodfellow to present him with a large case of fine Margaux of the famous brand.Late one night I carried Mr. Shuttleworth's body back to a shed in the garden.I then purposely purchased a solid wire spring about a foot long.I fastened one end of the spring to the neck of the corpse, then put the corpse into the wine tank, and curled the corpse.At this time, the spring tied to the corpse also curled up.The curled body was already higher than the lid of the wine tank.Due to the strong elasticity of the spring, it took me a lot of effort to press the lid tightly against the wine box.My body then sat on the lid of the box, and nailed several iron nails around the lid.Regarding what will happen in the future, I firmly believe that as long as the lid of the wine box is lifted, due to the strong elastic force of the spring, the lid will fly far away, and the corpse will inevitably jump out of the box. I took the box out of town, and from there delivered it to Mr. Charles Goodfellow.I also wrote a letter to Goodfellow on behalf of the brewer.I secretly ordered my servants to bring the box to Goodfellow's mansion at about eight o'clock when Goodfellow was giving a great dinner...   Mr. Shuttleworth's voice, "You are a murderer! I want your life!" Of course, it did not come from the mouth of the dead, but I imitated Mr. Shuttleworth's voice after countless days of repeated practice.The fright, uneasiness, and confusion in the hall at that time, coupled with the fact that Goodfellow was drunk and possessed of evil spirits, and my close proximity to the dead man, made the imitation unprecedentedly successful.All those present at the time firmly believed that these were the words spoken by the deceased himself.The bloody smell emanating from the hall is a potion that I put in the wine box in advance that can emit a bloody smell.As for the puffs of smoke that filled the air, it was caused by me secretly throwing the lit cigarette on a smoking object that had been placed under the table in advance. I wasn't surprised when Goodfellow confessed his crimes, because I expected that.But I didn't expect him to die instantly. Mr. Pennyfeather returned to La Thorborough.He was acquitted of all charges and restored to all liberty.He had inherited all of Mr. Barnabas Shuttleworth's fortune, for Mr. Shuttleworth had never had time to make a new will.The young Mr. Pennyfeather woke up from this unfortunate incident. He determined to change his past mistakes, start a new life, and lived a peaceful life ever since.