Poirot: Evil in the Sun

Elena. Mrs Marshall is the most attractive guest of the Pirate Flag Hotel. Among the many suitors, she soon met the handsome Patrick? Redfern is inseparable Mrs. Redfern was sad and angry about it, but Mr. Marshall kept a straight face. The drama had just begun, but Elena disappeared until people found her beautiful body abandoned on the sunless beach, leaving a terrible handprint on her neck. ...

1782, when Captain Roger Omlin built a house for himself on an island outside Ledby Bay, everyone thought this man was very strange. A rich man like him should live in a lush, elegant and sturdy luxury mansion-it seems that he should be accompanied by a gurgling stream and a vast pasture.

But Captain Omlin loves the sea most, so he built his house on a promontory-of course, it must be very strong, because there is a sea breeze blowing here, seagulls soar, and every time the tide rises, they will be separated from the land.

He is not married, and the sea is his wife, from the beginning to the end. After his death, the house and island belonged to a distant relative of his. This gentleman and his descendants seldom think of this legacy. Their land is getting less and less, and their children and grandchildren are getting poorer and poorer.

1922, going to the seaside for holiday became popular, and people began to think that the seaside from Devon to Conwill was not so hot in summer. Arthur Omlin found his Georgian-style house very big and difficult to sell, but the small industry left by Captain Roger, who made a living by sailing, was quite profitable.

So he rebuilt a solid house, added some facilities and built a cement causeway between the island and the land; The island is paved with paths and plank roads extending in all directions, and two tennis courts and a large terrace are opened. Below the terrace is a small bay, where rafts float and a platform is set up. After everything was ready, the Pirate Flag Hotel made a grand appearance at Pirate Island in Ledby Bay. From June to September (plus the short holidays around Easter), the Pirate Flag Hotel is always full, even the attic is occupied. 1934, Pirate Flag Hotel was expanded and renovated again, adding a cocktail bar, a larger restaurant and several bathrooms, and the room rate was also increased.

Word of mouth says, "Have you ever been to Ledby Bay? There is a pirate flag hotel there, which is very good. On a small island, the environment is very comfortable, there are no day-trip tourists and no noisy tour buses. The food there is also very good. I really should go and play. " This reputation has really attracted many guests.

Now there is a very important person (at least he thinks so) staying at the Pirate Flag Hotel, hercule poirot. He wore an eye-catching white suit, a Panama hat down to his eyes, and two carefully trimmed moustaches. He leaned back in the fashionable beach chair and looked around the beach. The steps of the hotel can lead directly to the beach. There are buoys, canvas rubber boats, all kinds of balls and rubber toys floating on the sea. You can also see a long springboard with three floating platforms built far or near the shore.

Those who relax by the sea, some swim in the water, some lie on the beach in the sun, and some carefully apply sunscreen.

The large terrace overlooks the beach, where guests who are not going to get into the water sit and chat. They chatted casually, talked about the seascape in front of them, talked about the news in the morning paper, and talked about other topics that could be remembered.

On Poirot's left, someone has been talking in a dull and boring voice. That's Mrs Gardner. Her mouth is busy talking, her hands are not idle, and she keeps knitting. Next to her husband, odell Gardner, lying on a canvas chair, his hat buckled on his face, occasionally popping out a few words to deal with his wife.

On Poirot's right sat Miss Brewster. She looks like an athlete, with gray hair and a lovely weather-beaten face, but she is not polite when expressing her opinions. The way she spoke to Mrs Gardner sounded like a sheepdog interrupting the barking of a German puppy with a short roar. Mrs Gardner said, "So I explained to Mr Gardner why I did it. I told him, just look around and want to see a place carefully. However, anyway, we have visited all parts of Britain, and now I just want to go to a quiet seaside to relax. I told you, didn't I? Odell? Stay relaxed. That's what I said, isn't it, odell? I think what I want is to stay relaxed. Is that what I said, odell? "

Mr. Gardner muttered under his hat, "Yes, dear."

Mrs. Gardner, keep trying. "So, I mentioned this matter to Mr. kelso of Cook Travel Agency-this gentleman arranged a trip for us, and he helped us a lot in all aspects. Without him, I really don't know how we should arrange these travel affairs! Well, as I said just now, I told Mr. kelso my idea, and he recommended this place to us, saying that there is no place that meets our needs better than this. He told me that this place is picturesque, far away from the crowd, comfortable and unique from any angle. Of course, Mr. Gardner also wants to express his views. He is concerned about the sanitary facilities here, because-you may not believe it, Mr Poirot. Mr Gardner has a sister who used to stay in a hotel. She was told that this is a very advanced place, in the middle of a swamp in a wildlife sanctuary. Believe it or not, there was only an open-air shed as a toilet! It's the kind of toilet that is made by digging a hole and scattering some soil. So Mr. Gardner will certainly doubt these isolated places, won't he, odell? "

"ah? Yes, dear. " Mr. Gardner said.

"But Mr. kelso immediately assured us that let's just rest assured. He said that the sanitary facilities here are absolutely up-to-date and the food level is first-class. He is absolutely right. What I like best is that it gives people a sense of closeness, if you know what I mean. In this small place, it is easy for us to get together and chat, and everyone knows each other well.

"If there is anything wrong with the British, it is that they always like to distance themselves from you before they get to know you. They must have a cold relationship with you for a year or two before they start to be friendly, and they are friendlier than anyone else. Mr Kelso said there were many extraordinary people here, and I think he was right. For example, Mr Poirot, you and Miss Darnley. Oh, I'm so glad when I know who you are, don't you think, odell? "

"Yes, dear."

"Ha!" Miss Brewster couldn't hold back any longer and interjected, "What a big surprise, Mr. Poirot?"

Hercule poirot raised his hand to express his opposition, which was only out of courtesy, and did not affect Mrs Gardner's going on like no one's watching.

"You know, Mr Poirot, I heard a lot about you from cornelia Robson. She is ... Mr. Gardner and I met her in Bartonhof in May. Of course, cornelia told us all the Egyptian cases, that is, the murder of Linnaeus ridgway. She said you were great. I've been looking forward to meeting you, haven't I, odell? "

"Yes, dear."

"I'm also looking forward to meeting Miss Darnley. I like shopping in shops in Rosemond. There is no doubt that she is the boss of Rosemond, isn't she? I think she really knows how to dress up, and she is very good at matching. She looks very beautiful. I bought the suit I wore last night in her shop. I think she is a lovely woman in every way. "

Major Barry, sitting on the other side of Miss Brewster, kept staring at those beautiful swimsuits without restraint, when he muttered, "She looks like an elegant woman."

Mrs. Gardner was busy shuttling the knitting needles in her hand while talking. "To tell you the truth, Mr. Poirot, meeting you here really gave me an idea-not to say that I'm not excited to meet you, because I'm really excited, and Mr. Gardner knows it-but I still can't help but think that the reason why you are here, uh, even for professional reasons, do you understand what I mean? Gee, I'm just too sensitive. Mr Gardner will tell you how sensitive I am. I can't stand being involved in any crime. You know-"

Mr. Gardner cleared his throat and said, "You know, Mr. Poirot, Mrs. Gardner is very sensitive."

Hercule poirot waved in the air. "Then you can relax, madam. The purpose of my coming here is exactly the same as yours-relaxation and vacation. I never thought about solving the case. "

Miss Brewster added stiffly, "There are no bodies on Pirate Island."

Hercule poirot said, "Oh, that's not true." He pointed to the beach below and said, "Look at them, lying there in rows. What do they look like? Like men and women? They seem to have no personality at all, just some-human bodies! "

Major Barry said admiringly, "It looks good. Some girls are beautiful, but some are thin. "

Poirot said loudly, "Yes, but what's the point?" What's the mystery? For me, I am old and received an old-fashioned education. When I was young, it would be nice to see a woman's ankle and glance at a lace petticoat, but how tempting it was! The gentle curve of the calf-knee garter-"

"How naughty! How naughty! " Major Barry said hoarsely.

"The clothes we are wearing now are much simpler and more practical," said Miss Brewster.

"Ah, yes, Mr Poirot," said Mrs Gardner. "In my opinion, you know, the lifestyle of boys and girls is much more natural and healthy now. They are also very casual together. They-er, they-"Mrs Gardner blushed slightly because she is a very decent lady. "They think it's normal, it's no big deal, you know what I mean?"

"Of course I understand," Poirot said, "but it's really not good."

"Not so good?" Mrs Gardner asked in surprise.

"Where there is any romantic mood-also lost that kind of mystery! Everything is so step by step, nothing new! " He waved to the rows of people lying below. "It reminds me of the morgue in Paris. Too much like it. "

"Monsieur Poirot!" Mrs Gardner was very angry.

"Human bodies-lined up like this-are like meat on a butcher's chopping block!"

"But, Monsieur Poirot, it's too sensational for you to say so?"

Hercule poirot admitted: "Maybe, this is a bit too much."

"Anyway," Mrs Gardner wove more and more vigorously, "I agree with you on one thing. Girls lying in the sun like this will grow hair on their hands and legs. That's what I told Irene-she's my daughter, Mr Poirot-and I said, Irene, if you lie in the sun like that, you'll get hairy all over. Hair will grow on your hands, legs and breasts. What have you become? That's what I told her, isn't it, odell? "

"Yes, dear." Mr. Gardner said.

Everyone stopped talking, probably wondering what Irene would look like if she had long hair all over her body. Mrs Gardner rolled up her knitwear and said, "Now I think-"

"What's the matter, dear?" Mr. Gardner said. He struggled to get up from the sofa, picked up Mrs Gardner's knitwear and books, and then asked, "Would you like to have a drink with us? Miss Brewster? "

"Not now, thanks."

Mr. and Mrs. Gardner walked to the hotel. Miss Brewster said, "American husbands are so nice."

Reverend Stephen Ryan sat in Gardner's chair when he came out of space. Mr. Ryan is in his fifties, tall and vigorous, with a bronzed face, dark gray flannel pants and a look of vacation, which is quite eye-catching. He said enthusiastically, "This is a wonderful place. I wandered from Rydbaby Bay to Harford and came back from the cliff. "

"It's hot enough for a walk today." Major Barry said. He never walks.

"Good exercise." Miss Brewster said, "I haven't rowed yet. Nothing can exercise abdominal muscles better than rowing. " Hercule poirot couldn't help looking at the fat on his belly in regret. Miss Brewster noticed his eyes and said kindly, "Mr Poirot, if you row a boat every day, your stomach will soon disappear."

"Thank you, Miss, I don't like boats."

"You mean the boat?"

"Ships of all sizes are the same!" He closed his eyes and trembled. "It's really uncomfortable to stagger at sea."

"God bless, the sea is calm today, like a pond."

Poirot undoubtedly replied: "where is the truly calm ocean under the sun?" There will always be waves, there will always be waves. "

"If you ask my opinion," said Major Barry, "nine times out of ten people get seasick because of psychological effects."

"This," said the priest with a smile, "was said by a man who used to manage the ocean-wasn't it, Major?"

"I only fainted once-when crossing the English-French Channel. Ignore it, that's my countermeasure. "

"seasickness is really strange." Miss Brewster mused, "Why do some people get dizzy and others don't?" How unfair it is, and it has nothing to do with a person's usual physical condition. Some patients are not seasick. Someone told me that it has something to do with a person's spine. So is acrophobia. I'm not very good at this, but Mrs. Redfern is more afraid of heights than I am. The other day, on the cliff path to Harford, she was dizzy and hugged me tightly. She told me that once, she was walking on the steps outside the Catholic church in Milan, and she couldn't get there halfway, which put her in a dilemma. I didn't think of this at all when I climbed up, but it made her miserable when I came down. "

"Then she'd better not take the stairs in Elf Bay, which is steep." Ryan said.

Miss Brewster made a face. "I dare not go myself, which is more suitable for young people. The Cowen boys and the Masterman children ran up and down with joy. "

Lan said, "Mrs Redfern is here. She just finished swimming. "

Miss Brewster said, "Mr Poirot should appreciate her. She doesn't like basking in the sun."

Young Lady Redfern took off her rubber swimming cap and shook her head. She has light blond hair, pale skin color, which matches her hair color, and her legs and arms are white. Major Barry gave a quick laugh and said, "Compared with those people, she looks a little half-baked, doesn't she?"

Christine Redfern, wearing a long bathrobe, walked up the steps from the beach and came to them. She has a dignified face, but she feels a little sad and has long hands and feet. She smiled at them, sat down beside them and wrapped her bathrobe tighter. Miss Brewster said, "Mr Poirot admires you very much. He doesn't like those sunbathers and says they are like meat on the butcher's chopping block. "

Christine Redfern gave an unhappy smile. "I wish I could sunbathe, but my skin won't turn brown, it will only turn red, and then I will have a terrible rash on my arm."

"It's better than Mao Mao on Mrs Gardner's Irene's arm," said Miss Brewster. Seeing Christine's questioning eyes, she continued: "Mrs. Gardner has been in a high mood this morning and has never stopped talking." Is it? Odell? "Yes, dear," she paused, and then said, "but, Mr Poirot, I want you to Doby her a little, why not? Why don't you tell her that you are here to investigate a terrible murder, and that the murderer is a psychopath and has been confirmed to be staying in this hotel? "

Hercule poirot sighed and said, "I'm afraid she will really believe me."

Major Barry giggled and said, "She must believe it."

Emily Brewster said, "Impossible. Even a person like Mrs. Gardner, I don't think she will believe that murder will happen in such a place. This is not the kind of place where bodies will appear. "

Hercule poirot moved in his chair and objected, "Why not, miss? Why isn't there a so-called' corpse' in this place of Pirate Island? "

Miss Brewster said, "I don't know why, I just think that some places are less likely to have a murder than others, and this place is not that kind of place …" She couldn't go on, as if she couldn't find the right words to express herself.

"It's very romantic here." Hercule poirot agreed. "It's quiet here, the sun is shining and the sea is blue. But you forget, Miss Brewster, there are evil things everywhere in the sun. "

The priest moved in his chair and leaned forward, his blue eyes shining with interest. Miss Brewster shrugged her shoulders. "oh! Of course I understand this, but anyway-"

"But anyway, don't you think it's like a place where crime will happen? You forgot one thing, miss. "

"I suppose you mean human nature?"

"It is a human factor, and it is always inseparable from human factors. But I'm not talking about human nature. I want to point out to you that everyone who comes here is on vacation. "

Emily Brewster looked at him in surprise. "Then I don't understand."

Hercule poirot gave her a friendly smile and made an emphatic gesture. "So to speak, suppose you have an enemy. If you go to his residence, his office, or look for him in the street, you must have a reason, right? You have to be clear about what you want to do, right? But at the seaside, don't bother. Why did you come to Ridby Bay? Needless to say, it's August-August. Everyone will go to the seaside for their holiday. So you see, you are here, Mr. Ryan is here, Major Barry is here, and Mrs. Redfern and her husband are here. This is natural, because it is very common for English people to come to the seaside in August. "

"Well," admitted Miss Brewster, "that's a great idea. But what about the gardener? They are Americans. "

Poirot smiled. "As Mrs Gardner told us, she also felt the need to find a place to relax. Moreover, since you are "playing" in Britain, you must stay at the seaside for one or two nights-even if there is no other meaning, just to show that you are a very classy tourist. She likes to observe others very much. "

Mrs. Redfern whispered, "I think you like to observe others, too."

"Madam, frankly speaking, I have."

She said thoughtfully, "You see-a lot of things."

After a silence, Stephen Lane cleared his throat and said uneasily, "Mr. Poirot, I think what you just said is very interesting." You said that evil things were happening everywhere in the sun, which sounded like quoting Ecclesiastes. "He paused, and then quoted those words," yes, people's sons are also full of evil in their hearts. As long as they are alive, their hearts are full of madness. " "His face shone with almost fanatical brilliance. "I'm glad to hear the news. Now no one believes that there is evil, but at best, they just regard it as the antonym of good. Everyone says that evil is made by people without brains-those uncivilized people deserve more sympathy than blame. But, Mr Poirot, evil is real! It did happen! I believe in evil just as I believe in good! It does exist! Powerful! Run all over the world! " He stopped, gasped, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and suddenly looked apologetic. "Sorry, I digress."

Poirot said quietly, "I know what you mean. I agree with you to some extent. Evil does run rampant in the world and people can understand it. "

Major Barry cleared his throat. "Speaking of such a thing, when I was in India-"

Major Barry has lived in the Pirate Flag Hotel for a long time, so that people around him are very wary of him, and everyone is in the habit of interrupting his story in India at any time. At this moment, Miss Brewster and Mrs. Redfern suddenly spoke at the same time.

"Is that your husband swimming over there, Mrs Redfern? He swims so powerfully that he is really a good swimmer. "

Mrs. Redfern shouted, "Look! That ship is lovely, with red sails. Is this Mr. Blatter's boat? Right? " A ship with red sails is crossing the end of the bay.

Major Barry muttered, "Fantasy, use red sails." However, his attempt to relive the story of that year was ignored.

Hercule poirot looked at the young man who had just come ashore from the water with an appreciative expression. Patrick Redfern is really a good mannequin, with strong bronzed skin, wide shoulders and thin waist, full of fun-seeking breath-an innate simplicity, which makes him loved by all women and most men. He stood there shaking the water on his body and waved happily to say hello to his wife. She waved and shouted, "Come here, Pat."

"coming."

He walked to the other side of the beach first, ready to get the towel put there. Just then, a woman passed them from the hotel and walked to the beach. She came like a famous actress, and she walked as if she knew. She walked slowly, as if she had long been accustomed to the warm attention caused by her appearance. She is tall and graceful, wearing a simple white backless swimsuit, and every inch of her skin is light bronze, which is very uniform and beautiful. She is as perfect as a statue, and her red hair is thick and curly, hanging down her neck. Her face is as cold as a woman in her thirties, but it gives people a youthful feeling-full of vitality and spring breeze. She walked quietly like a China person, her dark blue eyes narrowed slightly upward, and she wore a China jadeite cardboard hat on her head. This special charm dwarfs all other women on the beach. Needless to say, all the men present are betting on her, without exception.

Hercule poirot opened his eyes, his moustache quivering appreciatively. Major Barry sat up, his eyes bulging with excitement. On Poirot's left, Reverend Stephen Lane hissed and took a deep breath, stiff all over.

Major Barry muttered in a hoarse voice, "Elena Stewart (her name before she married Marshall)-I saw her starring Welcome before she left the stage. It is really worth seeing, isn't it? "

Christine Redfern said slowly and coldly, "She is very suitable-yes, but I think she looks more like a beast!" "

Emily Brewster suddenly said, "Mr Poirot, you just talked about evil. Now, in my opinion, that woman is the embodiment of evil! She is really a bad woman, and I happen to know her very well. "

Major Barry recalled: "I remember a girl with red hair in Simla, India, who was the wife of a junior officer." Can she make a splash there? I have to say, exactly! Men are driven crazy by her. Of course, all women want to gouge out her eyes! More than one family was disturbed by her. "He gave a gentle smile." Her husband is a very nice and quiet person. He worships her and wants to kiss the dust under her feet. He never turns a deaf ear or pretends to turn a deaf ear to what happened. "

Stephen Lane whispered emotionally, "This kind of woman is a scourge-it will threaten-"He stopped talking.

Elena Stewart has reached the water's edge. Two young people, not much older than the little boy, jumped up and ran to her. She stopped and smiled at them, but her eyes crossed them and looked at Patrick Redfern walking along the beach.

Hercule poirot felt as if he were looking at the pointer on the compass. Patrick Redfern was influenced by her charm, and his steps changed direction. The hands of a compass will obey the law of magnetism and will turn to the north anyway. Patrick's feet brought him to Elena Stewart.

She stood there and smiled at him, then walked slowly along the water's edge to the other side of the beach. Patrick Redfern walked side by side with her. She stretched herself beside a big stone, and Redfern sat on the pebble beside her.

Christine Redfern suddenly stood up and walked into the hotel.

After she left, everyone was silent for a while, and the atmosphere was awkward. Then Emily Brewster said, "It's terrible! She is a very nice little fellow. They have only been married for a year or two. "

"The girl I just talked about," said Major Barry, "is the one in Simla, India. It's a pity that she separated several happy couples. What did you say? "

"There is a kind of woman," said Miss Brewster, "who likes to destroy other people's families." She paused for a minute or two, then added, "Patrick Redfern is a fool."

Hercule poirot didn't say a word. He looked at the beach below, but didn't go to see Patrick Redfern and Elena Stewart.

Miss Brewster said, "Well, I'd better go boating first." With that, she got up and left the crowd.

Major Barry rolled his cooked gooseberry eyes and looked at Poirot curiously.

"Ah, Poirot," he said, "what are you thinking? You didn't say anything. What do you think of this leprechaun? Spicy enough? "

Poirot said, "Sort of."

"Come on, old man, I know exactly what you French are thinking."

Poirot said coldly, "I'm not French."

"All right, but don't lie to me that you never look at beautiful women! What do you think of her, huh? "

Hercule poirot said, "She is not young."

"What does this have to do? A woman's age is determined by her appearance! She looks good! "

Hercule poirot nodded and said, "Yes, she is beautiful, but in the final analysis, beauty is not important. It's not her beauty that makes everyone (except one person) look at her. "

"It's that charm," said the major. "What matters is that charm." Then he suddenly asked curiously, "What have you been looking at persistently?"

Hercule poirot replied, "I'm looking at the only exception. When she walked by, only the man didn't look up. "

Major Barry looked down his eyes and saw a man about forty years old. He has black hair and a quiet and cheerful face. He sat on the beach smoking a pipe and reading Time magazine.

"Ah, that man!" Major Barry said, "Young man, he is the husband, Marshall."

Hercule poirot said, "I know."

Major Barry smiled. As a bachelor, I have always had only three views on "husband"-"obstacle", "inconvenience" and "bodyguard" He said, "He seems like a nice guy, very quiet. I don't know if the Time magazine I ordered has come. " He got up and walked to the hotel.

Poirot's eyes slowly turned to Stephen Ryan's face. Stephen Lane is looking at Elena Marshall and Patrick Redfern. He suddenly turned to Poirot, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. He said, "That woman is simply the embodiment of evil. Do you have any questions? "

Poirot said slowly, "It's hard to say."

Stephen Lane said, "But as long as you are alive, can't you feel it?" You are surrounded by evil. "

Hercule poirot nodded slowly. . . . . . To be continued. . . .