Chapter 22 Chapter 21 Personal Prejudice

That's right, I'm talking about dreams. Dreams are the products of the brain's idle time, and the raw materials are nothing but fantasies. For a moment I just sat there, letting the boundless fear rage in my mind.Then my skepticism overcame my superstition, and I looked up and said. "You said that you had this dream the night before the actual homicide, right?" He bowed his head. "It's a warning," he declared. "However, you don't seem to have taken that dream as an early warning." "No, I often have nightmares. When I found Mr. Leavenworth's body the next day, I didn't think too much about strange things."

"No wonder you behaved strangely during the interrogation." "Ah, sir," he replied, with a slow, sad smile, "nobody knows I'm in pain, because I try not to say much about things I don't understand, whether it's my dreams, my murders, It’s still the way to commit crimes.” "So, do you think your dream predicted the method of committing the crime and the facts of the crime?" "yes." "It's a pity that your dream didn't give any further instructions. Even if it didn't tell us how the murderer entered the heavily guarded house, at least it should tell us where the murderer escaped from."

His face flushed. "That would be great," he echoed, "and, I can also know where Hannah is going, and why a strange gentleman is able to do such a murderous thing." Seeing him becoming irritable, I also stopped my mocking tone. "Why do you say you are a stranger?" I asked. "Are you familiar with the people who came to visit? So familiar that you can tell who is a stranger and who is an acquaintance?" "I know the faces of their friends well, and Henry Claflin was not one of them, but—" "Have you ever left home with Mr. Leavenworth—" I interrupted him, "to the country, say, or traveled with him?"

"No." The negative tone was a bit forced. "However, I guess he must have a habit of traveling far away from home, doesn't he?" "certainly." "Could you please tell me where he and the ladies were last July?" "Yes. They went to—the famous hotel, you should know. Ah," he exclaimed, seeing the change in my face, "do you think he might have met there lost them?" I looked at him for a while, then got up and stood with him too, and said. "Mr. Harwell, you are hiding something. You know more than that about this man. What are you hiding?"

It seemed to surprise him that I said so, but he answered anyway. "I've told you everything I know about this man, but—" a blush flashed across his face, "but if you're interested in pursuing this—" He stopped, with a look on his face. With a questioning expression. "I am determined to find out all about Henry Claflin," I answered firmly. "Since you say so," said he, "I will tell you one more thing. Henry Claflin wrote a letter to Mr. Leavenworth a few days before the murder, and I have reason to believe that This letter has had a big impact on this family." The secretary folded her arms and stood quietly waiting for my next question.

"How do you know?" I asked. "I opened it by accident. I'm used to reading Mr. Leavenworth's business letters, and this one came from a stranger, and it wasn't marked as personal." "Did you see Claflin's name?" "Yes, the full name is Henry Rich Claflin." "Did you read the letter?" My voice was trembling. The secretary didn't answer. "Mr. Harwell," I reiterated, "don't put on airs at this time. Have you read the letter?" "Yes, but quickly, and with a bad conscience." "Do you remember what you probably wrote?"

"Complaining to Mr. Leavenworth about one of his nieces for being unkind. That's all I remember." "Which niece?" "No name is mentioned in it." "However, according to your inference—" "No, sir, I didn't. I forced myself to forget the whole thing." "But you also said that the letter had an effect on the whole family?" "Looking back now, you can see the impact. Because they all became different." "Mr. Harwell," I continued with a heavy tone, "you were once asked whether any of Mr. Leavenworth's letters had any connection with the murder. How to explain?"

"Mr. Raymond, you are a gentleman with chivalry towards ladies. Do you think you can say it at that time?"—even if I thought it was possible in my heart, I was not prepared to go along with—" Can you tell that a letter of complaint was received by Nevin about the conduct of one of Mr Leavenworth's nieces, which was then considered suspicious by the coroner's jury?" I shook my head, I have to admit, this is really hard to do. "What reason should I have for deciding whether that letter was of any importance? I don't know Henry Rich Claflin." "But you seem to think he wrote the letter. I remember you hesitated a moment before answering."

"That's right, but if the same question is asked me again, I don't have to hesitate any longer." Once the words were finished, we both remained silent, and I walked up and down the room two or three times. "That's really weird," I said, laughing, trying to get rid of the ecstasy of his words, but without success. He bowed his head in agreement. "I know, I'm practical in broad daylight myself, and I know as well as you that it's counterintuitive to make such a weak allegation based on a secretary's dream. And I'm just a hard-working, hard-working That is why I am silent. But, Mr. Raymond," his slender hand fell nervously on my arm, almost shockingly, "if the murderer of Mr. Leavenworth can be made to The murderer confessed to committing the crime, believe me, he must be the one who appeared in my dream."

I took a deep breath.Immediately, I also believed his narrative.At this moment, a mixture of relief and heartache went through my body, because I thought that Eleanor might be cleared of the suspicion, only to get a new humiliation and sink into the abyss of pain. "He's at large now," the secretary continued, as if talking to himself, "and he even dared to enter the haunted house that he violated. But the law is open, and sooner or later there will be clues exposed, and you will get a keen premonition, just like mine Premonition also has its meaning. The voice of 'Truman, Truman, Truman' is not just a meaningless discourse made by the brain when it is excited, but the voice itself represents justice, hoping that people will notice the real guilt people."

I looked at him confused.Did he know the police were on the trail of Claflin?Judging from his expression, he didn't know, but I could feel that he wanted to know. "You're sure," I said, "but you'll be disappointed. As far as we know, Mr. Claflin is a respectable man." He took his hat from the table. "I don't mean to accuse him, and I don't even want to mention his name again. Mr. Raymond, I am not stupid. It was unfortunate to reveal the secret of my heart to you last night, so I will explain to you clearly why." .I believe you will keep my words confidential, and I hope you can understand my words and deeds under the current circumstances." He held out his hand. "of course." I shake hands with him.Then, on a sudden impulse, I wanted to test the veracity of his statement, asking him if he could prove that the moment of the dream was before, not after, the murder. "I have no way of proving it, sir. I know myself that the dream occurred on the night before Mr. Leavenworth's death, but I cannot prove it." "And didn't you mention it to anyone else the next morning?" "Oh, no, sir. It never occurred to me." "However, that dream must have had an effect on you, preventing you from working—" "Nothing can affect the mood of my work." His answer has a sarcastic tone. "I believe you," because I thought of his hard work the past few days, "but there must be at least some sign of your unpleasant experience the night before. Can't you remember if someone said you How do you look?" "Mr. Leavenworth probably said it. It's unlikely anyone else noticed." His tone was sentimental, and mine softened. "I won't go over tonight, Mr. Harwell. I don't know when I'll go again. I have some private matters to attend to, and I can't meet Miss Leavenworth. Without my assistance, I hope you can continue to work , unless you can bring the work here—” "I can." "Then I'll be waiting for you tomorrow night." "Okay, sir." Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something. "Sir," he said, "we don't like to get back on the subject, but I'm curious about the character, can you tell me what you know about him? You believe he's a worthy man. Mr. Raymond ,do you know him?" "I know his name and where he lives." "Where does he live?" "London. He's English." "Ah!" He said to himself, his tone was a little strange. "What's wrong?" He bit his lip and looked down, then looked up, finally locked his eyes on my eyes, and said emphatically, "It's just an exclamation, sir, I was taken aback." "surprised?" "That's right. You said he was English. Mr. Leavenworth has nothing more than an English dislike. It is one of his most obvious eccentricities. If he could help himself, he would never wish to be introduced to him." know." Now it is my turn to meditate. "Did you know?" went on the secretary, "Mr. Leavenworth always takes his personal prejudices to the extreme. He hates the English almost madly. If he had known that the letter I just mentioned was written by an Englishman." I doubt he would ever take it apart. He used to say he would rather see his daughters die than see one of them marry an Englishman." His words made me turn my head away quickly, trying to hide my reaction. "If you think I'm exaggerating," said he, "ask Mr. Willey." "No," I responded, "I have no reason to think you're talking nonsense." "This Englishman we do not know, Mr. Leavenworth must have reason to hate him," continued the secretary. "He spent some time in Liverpool in his early years, and of course he had many opportunities to study the behavior of the local people." The secretary turned around, as if about to leave. Now, however, it was my turn to ask him to stay. "Mr. Harwell, please forgive me. You have been closely associated with Mr. Leavenworth for some time. Do you think that if his niece wishes to marry an English gentleman, his prejudices will be enough to make him firmly oppose the marriage?" "I believe it will." I back up.I've got all the information I want, and there's no need to continue the conversation.

---

Notes: