Chapter 3 3 Miss Marple's exploration

Miss Marple read the letter three times in a row, then put it aside, and frowned slightly, thinking about the meaning of the letter. Her first thought was that she lacked any definite clues abnormally.Could she get more clues from Mr. Brocho?She almost certainly doesn't.This is inconsistent with Mr. Rafael's calculations.However, if she knew nothing about this matter, how could Mr. Rafael expect her to think of ways and take action?This is quite intriguing.After a few minutes of thinking, she concluded that this was a deliberate arrangement by Mr. Raphael.She thought of him she had known during those few days together, his bad manners, his bad temper, his occasional wisdom and humor.He was fond of teasing, she thought, and this letter was bound to frustrate Mr. Brottrey's curious nature, which was exactly what he wanted.

But the letter gave no clue as to what he wanted her to do.The letter was of little help to her.Mr. Raphael obviously didn't intend to let it help her, she thought.How can he describe him with her?other calculations.Then again, it was impossible for her to start doing anything in such a daze.It's like a crossword puzzle with no clues.It is reasonable to say that there should be a reminder.She had to know what to do, where to go, and whether she could solve a problem simply by putting down her needle, concentrating, and sitting in an armchair.Or did Mr. Raphael want her to fly or ship to the West Indies, South America, or somewhere else?If she can't figure it out on her own, she needs to get clear instructions.Did he think she was intelligent enough to make assumptions, ask questions, and get answers?No, she doesn't believe it.

If he really thought so, Miss Marple exclaimed.He's just an old fool.I mean, he was a dork when he was alive. But she didn't think Mr. Raphael was an old fool. I'll be instructed, said Miss Marple.But what kind of instructions?When can I get it? It occurred to her then that she had undoubtedly accepted the order.She spoke loudly into the air again: I believe in eternal life, said Miss Marple.Mr. Rafael, I'm not sure where you are now, but I have no doubt that you must be by my side now.I will do my best to fulfill your last wish. Three days later, Miss Marple wrote a letter to Mr. Brotree.The letter was short, but to the point.

Dear Mr. Brotree: Having considered your offer, I hereby inform you that I have decided to accept the offer made to me by the late Mr. Raphael.I will do my best to fulfill his last wish, although I am not at all sure whether I will succeed.Really, I really don't see the possibility of success.I got no instructions from that letter, nor was I told in any way (I think the term is concise enough) before.If you have other material with clear instructions on hand, I think you'd be happy to send it to me, but since you haven't, that's not the case. I think Mr. Raphael was still conscious when he died, right?I think there are a few questions worth asking.In his last days, was there something (whether business or personal) that he felt passionate about?Has he ever mentioned to you his resentment or resentment because something was clearly injustice to him?If so, I must ask you to tell me.Has anyone among his relatives or friends recently been the victim of some unfair deal, or something of the sort?

I'm sure you understand why I'm asking this.In fact, even Mr. Raphael himself expected me to ask this question. Mr. Brotry showed the letter to Mr. Schuster, and Schuster, who was leaning on his chair, blew a whistle. She's ready to take on this errand, isn't she?What an energetic old lady.He went on to ask: I think she should know what's going on, right? Evidently not, Mr. Brotley said. Wish we knew, Mr. Schuster said.He's an odd guy. A difficult man to get to know, Mr. Brotley said. I have no clue, Mr. Schuster said.And you? Me too, Mr. Brotley finished, adding: I think he's trying to keep me out of it.

But in this way, things will be even more difficult.I don't think at all that an old country lady can read a dead man's mind and know what kind of whims he has.Don't you think he deliberately led her astray so that she could be fooled?Just kidding, maybe he thinks she thinks she is a master at solving rural intractable diseases, so he plans to teach her a lesson No, Mr. Brotley said.I don't think so, Rafael is not this kind of person. Sometimes he can be mischievous enough, Mr. Schuster said. True, but he's not a guy and I think he's serious about it.Something is bothering him. I'm sure there must be something that's worrying him.

He didn't tell you what happened?Not even the slightest hint? No. Then how could he have expected Mr. Schuster to stop suddenly. He couldn't really expect to get anything, Mr. Brotley said.I mean, how could she figure it out? If you ask me, it's his prank. Twenty thousand pounds is a lot of money. really.But what if he knew she couldn't do it? No, Mr. Brotley said.He can't be that outrageous.He must have thought she might have a clue or something. So what should we do? Wait, Mr. Brotley said.Waiting to see what happens next.In any case, things are going to go a little bit.

Did you get some unopened instructions? My dear Schuster, said Mr. Brotley.I am a lawyer, and Mr. Raphael undoubtedly has confidence in my personality and professional ethics.Those sealed instructions can only be made public under certain conditions, and none of those conditions have been met so far. And never will, Mr. Schuster said. This conversation ends here. Mr. Brocho and Mr. Schuster were fortunate enough to be able to devote themselves to their business.Miss Marple was not so lucky.In addition to knitting and meditating, she also went out for a walk, and sometimes she was exhorted by Cherie.

You know what the doctors say.You can't be too exhausted. I walked very slowly, said Miss Marple.And I did nothing.I mean, I didn't dig or weed.I'm just uh, step by step, thinking about things. What's the matter?Cheryl asked with interest. If only I knew. After Miss Marple finished speaking, she asked Cherry to bring a scarf, because it was cold outside. I really want to know what's making her fidget, Cherry said, placing a plate of Chinese rice and braised kidney in front of her husband.Chinese dinner, she said. Her husband nodded approvingly. Your craft is getting better and better.

I worry about her, Cherry said.I'm worried because she has something to worry about.She received a letter, and it was the letter that disturbed her. She needs to sit still, Cherry's husband said.Sit quietly and relax; go to the library to borrow some new books, and find some friends to visit her. She was thinking about something, Cherry said.It's like making a plan, thinking about how to go about it.I think so. She said nothing more, and brought in the coffee tray beside Miss Marple. Do you know a woman who lives in a new house nearby?Her name is Hastings, Miss Marple asked.She lives with a woman called Miss Barrett (I think so)

What?You mean the whole renovated and painted house at the head of the village?It wasn't long before the family moved in.I don't know what their last names are.Why are you asking this?Those people aren't very interesting, at least I don't think so. Are these two women related?asked Miss Marple. No, I think they are just friends. I wondered why Miss Marple stopped suddenly in the middle of her sentence. What do you want to know? Nothing, said Miss Marple, just wipe down my desk, will you?Get me another pen and paper, I want to write a letter. Who are you writing to?Cheryl asked out of natural curiosity. To a clergyman's sister, Miss Marple replied.The pastor's name was Bosca. That's the one you met on the West Indian islands, right?You pointed it out to me from the photobook. That's right. You are not in a bad mood, are you?How did you come up with the idea of ​​writing to a pastor? I'm in a very good mood, said Miss Marple.I'd love to find something to keep busy.And only Miss Boska can do this. Dear Miss Boska (Written by Miss Marple), I hope you have not forgotten me.If you remember, I met you and your brother on San Jano in the West Indies.I hope that my dear pastor is in good health, and that last year's cold winter weather did not cause him to suffer from excessive asthma. I am writing to ask if you could tell me Mrs. Walters Ethel.Walters' address. She is Mr. Raphael's secretary, and you may recall we met her in the Caribbean islands.She gave me the address once, but unfortunately I don't know where to put it.I rushed to write to her because she asked me some gardening questions that I couldn't answer her at the time. I heard a few days ago that she has remarried, but since it is so sound, I don't think it is reliable.Maybe you know more about her recent situation than I do. Hope this request doesn't bother you too much.Please send my regards to Brother Ling and wish you all the best. Jane.Sincerely, Marble Miss Marple felt better after sending this letter. At least, she said.I'm starting to take action.That's not to say I had high hopes, but maybe this letter will help. Miss Boska replied almost immediately.She was a very efficient woman, and not only wrote a delightful letter, but also included Mrs. Waters's address. I have never heard directly from Esther.I have heard nothing from Walters, but like you I have heard from a friend who saw her wedding notice.I believe her present husband's family name is either Alderson or Anderson.Her address is Winslow Cottage, near Alton, Hampshire.My brother sends you hello.Too bad we live so far away, in the north of England, and you live south of London.Hope we can meet again someday. Joan.Sincerely, Poska Winslow Cottage, near Alton, Miss Marple read and wrote down the address.Not far from here.Not far, really not far.I can I don't know how to go best?Probably get a car from Inky's.It's a bit extravagant, but if there are gains, it can be justified as a fee application in the future.But should I write to her in advance, or try my luck?I guess it's best to take your chances.Poor Yiser, she can't still remember me fondly. Miss Marple is immersed in a series of past events.Esther.It is likely that Waters was saved from murder by her actions on that Caribbean island.At least Miss Marple believed so, but Esther.Walters herself may not have believed it. She's a good woman, Miss Marple said to herself, and then in a soft tone: "very kind, so it's too easy to marry someone who isn't.In fact, she was the kind of person who would marry a murderer if she didn't take it seriously.I still think, continued the thoughtful Miss Marple in a lower voice, "I probably saved her life.Actually I'm pretty sure, but I don't think she thinks so.I'm afraid she hates me very much, so it's even more difficult to extract information from her.Having said that, there is no harm in trying.It's better than sitting here and waiting. Mr. Raphael wrote that letter to her, shouldn't he be teasing her?He is not a particularly kind person, and it is possible to play tricks on other people's feelings. At any rate, Miss Marple said, looking at the clock, she resolved to go to bed early.If a person thinks about a problem before going to sleep, ideas often flow.This time it may be so. Did you sleep well?Cherie asked as she put the morning tea on the table next to Miss Marple's elbow. I had a strange dream, replied Miss Marple. Is it a nightmare? No, no, definitely not a nightmare.I'm talking to someone I don't know very well, just casually chatting.Then I took a closer look and found that the person was not the person I was talking to just now at all, but another person.really weird. Let's wear Zhang Guanli, Que Li kindly explained. And it just made me think of something, said Miss Marple.Or let me think of someone I know.Please help me get a car from Inky, will you?Tell them to come here about eleven o'clock. Inge is a memory from Miss Marple's past.It was originally the name of the owner of a cab. After old Inge died, his son Inge Jr. inherited his father's business at the age of forty-four. Later, he bought two old cars and expanded his father's business into a taxi shop.After Yingqi passed away, the car dealership changed its owner, and then changed owners and changed its name continuously, such as Pip's dealership, James' dealership, Arthur's dealership and so on.But the old residents still call it Inge. Are you going to London? No, I'm not going to London.I'll probably go to Hasselmeer for lunch. what are you planning to do?Cherry looked at her suspiciously. To try your luck and meet someone, but it has to look exactly like a chance encounter, Miss Marple said.It's not easy, but I hope I can do it. At half past eleven, the taxi was already waiting outside.Miss Marple gave Cherry an instruction. Cherie, could you please dial this number?Asked if Mrs. Anderson was home.If Mrs. Anderson is on the phone, or she's coming to answer, say there's a Mr. Brotree who wants to speak to her; and you, Miss Marple said.It was Mr. Brotley's secretary.If she's not there, ask when she'll be home. What if she's home and I'm on the phone with her? Just ask her if I can arrange to meet her at Mr. Brotree's office in London one day next week.When she decides to tell you, you can write down the date and hang up. Thank you for thinking it out!What exactly is going on?why do you want me to do this Memory is a strange thing, said Miss Marple.Sometimes, even if a person hasn't heard someone's voice for more than a year, he will immediately think of him when he hears it. That lady with what's her name never heard my voice, did she? 'Yes,' said Miss Marple.That's why I asked you to make that call. Cherry did as she was instructed.She was told that Mrs. Anderson had gone shopping, but that she would be back for lunch and would be at home all afternoon. Oh, that would be much easier, said Miss Marple.Is Inge here?Ah, it has come.Good morning, Edward!She said to the driver at Arthur's (whose name was actually George): Now, I'm going to ask you to go to this place.I don't think the journey will take more than an hour and a half. The expedition begins here.