Chapter 13 13 Red and black plaid pullover

When Mrs. Sanborn returned, they were all seated for lunch.What she brought was not good news.Miss Temple remained unconscious and unable to move for several days. After the announcement, Mrs. Sanborn brought the subject back to reality.She took out the train timetable and gave it to passengers who wanted to go back to London, and proposed plans for the next day to those who wanted to continue traveling. At the same time, she listed several short-distance itineraries for everyone to divide into several groups and take a taxi to visit in the afternoon. As soon as they walked out of the dining room, Professor Wang Sitai took Miss Marple aside.

Do you want to rest this afternoon?If you don't rest, I'll be here for you in an hour.There is a very interesting church here, you might want to visit it That would be wonderful, said Miss Marple. Miss Marple was sitting quietly beside the car that came to pick her up.Professor Wang Sidai arrived on time as agreed. I think you'll like that church, and there's a very pretty little village there, too," he explained.It doesn't make sense to miss out on the opportunity to enjoy local scenery. You are very kind, said Miss Marple, looking at him with a tinge of uneasiness all the while.What a thought, she said.Just uh, I hate to say it seems heartless to set it up like this, but oh well, you know what I mean anyway.

My dear Miss Marple, Miss Temple is not your old friend or anything.Although she was indeed regretful that she had an accident. Well, went on Miss Marple, it's very kind of you. Professor Wang Sidai opened the car door for her, and she got in.She thought, this car should be rented.It is really thoughtful to take an old lady to visit the nearby scenery. Professor Wang Sidai can take a young, lively, and of course more beautiful person to play.As the car drove through the village, Miss Marple looked at him thoughtfully once or twice.He didn't look at her, his eyes just looked out of the window.

When the car left the village behind and drove onto a second-class country road that circled the mountainside, he turned his head and said to her: We are not going to a church. No, said Miss Marple.I guess not. Yes, I think you can see it too. May I ask, where are we going? Go to a hospital in Cary Town. Ah, the hospital where Miss Temple lives? Although it is a question, it is obviously too much to ask. That's right, he said.After seeing her, Mrs. Sanborn brought me a letter from the hospital.I just got off the phone with them. Is she okay? No, the situation is not good. I see.At least I think I don't understand, said Miss Marple.

It was questionable whether she would recover, but there was nothing they could do to help.She may never regain her sanity, and on the other hand, she has moments of sanity. Then why did you take me to see her?You know, I'm not her friend.It was during this trip that I met her for the first time. Yes I know.I took you to see her because she asked about you when she woke up one time. That's right, said Miss Marple.Strange, how could she ask me?How could she think I was useful or able to do anything for her?She is a very perceptive woman.You know, strong-minded, brilliant woman.She is the headmaster of Farrow's original girls' school, and her status in the educational circle is very high.

I guess it's one of the best girls' schools, right? That's right.She was a remarkable woman, very learned herself, especially good at mathematics.But she is also an all-rounder, we should call her an educator.She is enthusiastic about education, thinks about the path suitable for girls, and knows how to encourage them.Oh, and many other achievements.It would be a pity and a cruelty if she died, said Miss Marple.It's like wasting a precious life.Although she has stepped down as headmaster, she still wields great influence.She paused for this accident.Maybe you don't want to discuss this matter?

I think we'd better discuss it.The accident was caused by a large rock rolling down the mountain.This sort of thing has happened before, but usually only once in a while.But after the incident, someone came to tell me something, Professor Wang Sidai said. Someone came to tell you about the accident?who is it? It was the two young men, Joanna.Crawford and Emlyn.Pais. what did they say Joanna told me she thought there were people on the mountainside at the time.The hill was quite high, and she and Pais were on the main trail below, climbing up a winding and rugged path.As she turned a corner, she saw clearly below the skyline the figure of a man or woman pushing a large boulder.The big rock wobbled, and then began to roll. It rolled slowly at first, then accelerated, and fell straight down.Miss Temple, who was on the main path below, had just come to the place where the boulder had fallen, when she was struck squarely.If this was a deliberate conspiracy, of course it might fail, because the stone would probably pass her by, but the plan worked.If this was really a deliberate plan to attack Miss Temple who was walking below, I can only say that the plan was too successful.

Did they see a man or a woman?asked Miss Marple. Unfortunately, Joanna.Crawford couldn't tell.Whether male or female, this person is wearing jeans or trousers, and a very eye-catching jumper with red and black checks on his upper body.The man turned and ran away, disappearing almost immediately.She thought it might be a man, but she wasn't sure. So does she think, or do you think, that the accident was deliberate, designed to kill Miss Temple? The more she thought about it, the more she felt so.The young man agreed. You don't know who that man is? Not at all.They don't know either.That person may be a member of the group that went hiking together that afternoon, or it may be a stranger, but knowing that the car will stop here, he chose this place to attack one of the passengers.It might be the violence of a young man who loves to hate; but it could also be her enemy.

It seemed too dramatic to say she had an enemy in the shadows, said Miss Marple. Yes, it is.Who would want to kill a retired, respected headmistress?We have to find out the answer to this question.Maybe Miss Temple can tell us, though that's unlikely.Perhaps she recognized the figure above her, or knew of someone who wanted to kill her for a particular reason. It seemed impossible. I agree with you, said Professor Wang Sidai.It seemed impossible for her to be attacked by others.But when you think about it, a principal knows a lot of people.Let's just say she's dealt with a lot of things.

You mean, she's dealt with a lot of girl stuff. Yes, I mean exactly that.Girls and their families Headmasters have to know a lot of things like which girl is falling in love, and their parents usually don't know anything.You know, this kind of thing has happened, and it's very common, especially in the last ten or twenty years.I heard that girls are very precocious now.Although this is true physiologically, in a deep sense, they seem to be late bloomers.They still retain their childishness; they like to wear childish clothes and like to be like children; they also have disheveled hair, and wearing miniskirts represents their admiration for childishness.Their pajamas look like doll clothes, and their gym shorts and sneakers are childlike.They don't want to grow up and take on the responsibilities of adults, but at the same time, they are like children, hoping that others will treat them as adults, hoping to do what adults can do as they please.Sometimes tragedy just happens, or with dire consequences.

Did you think of something?Marple asked. No, no actually not.I was just thinking, uh, I might as well say, a few possibilities crossed my mind.I don't believe Elizabeth.Temple had a personal enemy, an enemy who was ruthless enough to wait for an opportunity to take her life.I mean he looked at Miss Marple.Would you like to share your opinion? Talk about a possibility?Well, I think I see what you mean.You think that Miss Temple knows some inside information or facts which, if known, would be harmful or even dangerous to someone. That's right, that's what I thought _. If so, said Miss Marple.That would mean that someone in our tour group knew Miss Temple or who she was, just because Miss Temple couldn't remember or even recognize that person after all these years.So we have to go back and think about our companions, don't we?She paused.You mentioned that jumper, you said it was red and black checked? Oh yes, that jumper. He looked at her curiously.Does it remind you of something? The color is very striking, said Miss Marple.I inferred this from your words.It was impossible not to notice, which is why Joanna paid special attention to it. That's right.So what does it make you think of? Flags fluttering, Miss Marple said thoughtfully.Represents something that is seen, remembered, observed, and recognized. so what?Professor Wang Sidai looked at her with encouraging eyes and asked. When you see someone from a distance rather than up close, the first thing you describe is their clothes, not their face, the way they walk, their hands or their feet.You'd describe a crimson round hat, a purple cape, a fancy leather jacket, or an eye-catching red and black plaid jumper.These things are very recognizable and very eye-catching.If you see that person, take off the suit, throw it away or wrap it up and send it somewhere say a hundred miles away or throw it in the city dumpster or burn it, Shredded, destroyed, and put on plain and unassuming clothes, then she or he will not be suspected, or even looked at or associated with.So, the man must have been wearing a red and black plaid jumper on purpose.The man was hoping that people would go out of their way to find that red and black plaid jumper, when in fact you'd never see him in that dress again. Your opinion is very correct, said Professor Wang Sidai.As I told you, he went on: Fallowville Girls' School is not far from here, only sixteen miles, I think, so here is Elizabeth.Temple's territory, she knows it very well, and is quite familiar with the local residents. That's right.So the range of possibilities expands, Miss Marple said.I agree with you, she said right away: That is, the attacker is more likely to be a man than a woman.If the stone had been prepared in advance, its rolling route was quite precise, and precision comparison is a man's trait.Anyway, it could have been someone in our car, or someone who lived in the neighbourhood, perhaps a former student of hers, who saw Miss Temple in the street.Because it was a long time ago, Temple may not recognize this person, but this girl or woman recognizes her because the headmaster in her sixties and she will not change much when she is fifty, and she can easily recognize her.It was a danger for a woman to recognize her as her former headmaster, and to know that he knew secrets against her, and she sighed.I'm not familiar with this area at all.Are you familiar? I am not familiar with it either, said Professor Wang Sidai.I can't say I personally know this place well.However, I do know something that happened here, and that's exactly what you told me.If I hadn't known you and learned about those things, I'm afraid I would be even more at a loss than I am now.And what are you doing here?You don't know either.You are here on instruction.Your coming here, your participation in this trip, and our meeting were all carefully arranged by Mr. Raphael.We have also stopped or passed by other places, but staying here for a few nights is out of special arrangements.Is there a reason why you were entertained by some old friends who wouldn't turn down any of his requests? "He wanted me to know some facts which I must know," replied Miss Marple. Is it about a series of murders that happened many years ago?Professor Wang Sidai seemed suspicious.There was nothing extraordinary about those murders.The same thing happens in many places in England and Wales.It always seemed to happen in succession; first a girl was found murdered, then another not far away, and then a similar case perhaps twenty miles away, in exactly the same way.Of the two girls reported missing in Jocelyn St. Marys, one of them, the girl we've been talking about, was found far away six months later and was last seen by with Mike.rafael together What about the other one? It's a girl named Nora.Brod's girl.She is not the kind of good girl who doesn't have a boyfriend. I'm afraid there are a lot of boyfriends.Her body was never found.Maybe it will be found one day. There are also examples that were not found until twenty years later.After Wang Sidai finished speaking, his tone slowed down.arrive.This is the town of Cary, and this is the hospital. Wang Sidai took Miss Marple into the hospital.Apparently someone was waiting for him, and he was led into a small room where a woman at a desk stood up. Oh, she said.Hello, Professor Wang Sidai.Uh, this is, uh, her tone was a little hesitant. This is Jane.Miss Marple, said Professor Wang Sitai.I mentioned it to Sister Buck on the phone. Oh yes, Sister Buck said she would come with you. How is Miss Temple? Still about the same, I'm afraid there isn't much progress to report to you.She got up and left her seat.I'll take you to Sister Buck. Sister Barker is a slender woman, her voice is low and decisive, and her dark gray eyes are used to looking at you and then moving away immediately, making you feel that you have been examined and a judgment has been made in a very short period of time. I don't know what your request is, Professor Wang Sidai said. Oh, I'd better tell Miss Marple about the arrangement we just made.Miss Marple, I have to make it clear that this Miss Temple is still in a coma, with occasional brief moments of lucidity.When she woke up she seemed to be able to recognize her surroundings and say a word or two, but no one could stimulate her.It takes a lot of patience.I think Professor Wang Sitai has told you that once she regained consciousness, she said your name very clearly: Jane.Miss Marple, went on: I want to talk to her, Jane.Miss Marple.After she finished speaking, she fell into a coma again.The doctor thought we had better contact the passengers on the tour bus, so Professor Wang Sidai came to us, explained to us, and said that he would bring you here.What we want you to do, is to sit in Miss Temple's private sick-room, and take notes of what she says, should she come to her senses.I'm afraid things aren't looking good for her.Since you're not her next of kin, you're probably less upset, I guess I'll just tell the truth.Doctors said she was rapidly deteriorating and would probably die without regaining consciousness.There is nothing we can do about concussions.It was important to hear what she had to say, but the doctor thought it best not to let her see too many people around if she came to.If Miss Marble doesn't mind sitting alone in the ward, we'll also have a nurse in the room, sitting out of the way, in other words patients won't see her from the bed and she won't unless needed move.The nurse would sit in the corner of the room, covered by a screen.She added: We also have a police officer there, ready to take notes.The doctor thought it best not to let Miss Temple see him either.Just be alone, and with someone she wants to see, so that it doesn't alarm her or make her forget what she wanted to say to you.I hope this request doesn't bother you too much, does it? Oh no, said Miss Marple.I am more than happy to cooperate.I keep a small notebook and a small, unobtrusive pen with me.No matter what she said, I can still remember it for a short time, so there is no need to appear to record it.You can trust my memory and I'm not deaf I'm really not deaf at all.My hearing isn't as good as it used to be, but if I'm sitting on the edge of the bed, I can hear every word she says, even a whisper.I'm used to working with patients.When I was young, I was often with patients. Sister Barker glanced at Miss Marple again with lightning-like eyes.This time she nodded slightly, expressing her satisfaction. That would be great, she said.If you are willing to help us, we must trust you.If Professor Wang Sidai is willing to sit in the waiting room downstairs, we can ask him to come up whenever necessary.Now, Miss Marple, please follow me. Miss Marble followed the head nurse into a small but elegant single ward along the corridor.In this semi-dark room with half-drawn curtains, Elizabeth.Temple lay like a statue in his hospital bed.But she didn't seem to be asleep at all; her breathing was uneven, with occasional light gasps.Sister Barker stooped over the patient, beckoned Miss Marple to sit in a chair by the bed, and walked across the room to the door.A young man came out from behind the screen with a notebook. Doctor's permission, Mr. Rickett, said Sister Barker. The nurse also appeared, who had been sitting in the corner of the room until now. Call me if you need anything, Nurse Amore.Nurse Buck said.Whatever Miss Marple needs, please do it. Miss Marple unbuttoned her coat.It was very warm in the room, the nurse came over and took the overcoat, and sat down again.Miss Marple also sat down in the chair.Just like she was looking at Elizabeth with contemplation on the tour bus.Like Temple, she looks at her now and thinks, what a beautiful haircut she has.Her gray hair was brushed back, and with that face, it looked like a hat.A beautiful woman, a wonderful woman.Yes, it is a great pity, Miss Marple thought, if the world did not have Elizabeth.That's a terrific pity, Temple. Miss Marple put the cushions on the back of the chair, moved the chair a little further, and began to sit and wait.Is this waiting for nothing, or something will come out of the waiting, she doesn't know.time has passed.Ten minutes, twenty minutes, half an hour, thirty-five minutes, and then an unexpected sound came suddenly.The voice was deep and clear, slightly hoarse, completely different from the hollow echo of the past: Miss Marple. Elizabeth.Temple's eyes were open, looking at Miss Marple.That look seemed to be completely awake.She was scrutinizing the woman sitting by the bed, without any excitement or surprise, her eyes were like scrutiny, sober scrutiny.Then she spoke again and said: Miss Marple.You are Jane.Miss Marple? Yes, said Miss Marple.I am Jane.Marble. Henry often mentions you.He said a lot about you. The sound stopped.Miss Marple asked in a questioning tone: Henry? Henry.Kershrin, an old friend of mine, for many years. He's an old friend of mine too, said Miss Marple.It was Henry.Kershrin. She recalled many years ago with Henry.How long Sir Kershling had known each other, what he had said to her then, how he had asked her for help, and how she had asked his help.An old friend of many years. I remember your name.As soon as I saw that name on the passenger list, I knew it must be you.You might be able to help.Yes, if Henry was still around, he would definitely say the same thing.You might be able to help.It's important, very important, to find out the truth, even though it's been many years, a long, long time. Her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes were half-closed.The nurse stood up and walked over, picked up a glass of water and sent it to Elizabeth.Temple lips.Miss Temple took a sip and nodded slightly as if to back off.The nurse put down the cup and returned to her seat. If I could help, I would, said Miss Marple.She asked no more questions. Miss Temple said: Well. After a minute or two she said again: Well. She lay with her eyes closed for two or three minutes.She may have fallen asleep, or she may have fallen into a coma.Suddenly, she opened her eyes again. Which one is it?she says.Which of them?I must know.Do you know what I'm talking about? I think I know.It was the dead girl Nora.Broad? Elizabeth.Temple frowned immediately. no no.It was another girl, called Viloetti.hunt. After a moment's pause, she added: Jane.Marple, you are very old.Older than when he talked about you.But you're old, you can still find out the truth, can't you? Her voice rose, appearing more insistent. You can do it, right?Say you can do it.My time is running out, I know it myself, I know it well.It was one of them, but which one?You go find it.Henry would say, you can do it.Maybe it's dangerous for you, but you'll find out, won't you? With God help me I'll find it out, said Miss Marple. It's a vow. ah. She closed her eyes, then opened them again.Her lips were parted, as if trying to force a smile. The big stone that fell from the sky was the stone of death. Who pushed that rock down? have no idea.No matter who it is, it only needs Microlotty.Find out the truth about what happened to Viloty.The name Verity means truth. Miss Marple watched the body on the bed relax slowly.Then came a faint whisper: Goodbye.please do your best Her whole body relaxed and her eyes closed.The nurse came to the bed again, this time taking her pulse, and nodding to Miss Marple.Miss Marple rose obediently and followed her out of the room. She used a lot of strength to hold on just now, the nurse said.I'm afraid she won't regain consciousness for a long time.Maybe never.Hope you gain something. I don't think I've gained anything, said Miss Marple.But who knows? Is there any gain?When they stepped out of the hospital and walked towards the car, Professor Wang Sidai asked. A name, said Miss Marple, Microlotty.Is this the girl's name? That's right.Micro Lotte.hunt. An hour and a half later, Elizabeth.Temple passed away.She never regained consciousness before she died.