Transcription
Chapter 44
Maximilian was a happy man. Monster Nortier had just sent for him, and he was in such a hurry to learn the reason that, trusting his own legs more than those of a cab horse, he sent out for the Foberg. Say an honorary on foot, with poor Bearwall following his rapid pace as best he could. Maximilian was 30 years old. Berwar was 60.
Maximilian was intoxicated with love. Berwar was exhausted by the heat. Maximilian was not even out of breath when they arrived for Levlen's wings, but Bearwa, who had not been in love for many long years, was bathed in perspiration. The old servant let Maximilian in through a private door, and before long, the rustling of a dress announced Valentine's arrival. She was strikingly beautiful in her morning clothes. Maximilian was so enchanted by the sight of her that he would have been glad to do without speaking to Nordier, but the old man soon rolled into the room in his wheelchair.
Nortier acknowledged with a benevolent look Maximilian's effusive thanks for the marvelous intervention which had saved Valentine and himself from despair. Then he looked at Valentine, who was sitting timidly in a corner. "Do you want me to say everything you told me to?" she asked. "Yes," signaled Nortier.
"Maximilian, my grandfather has told me many things in the last three days," said Valentine. "He sent for you today so that I could repeat them to you. Since he has chosen me for his interpreter, I will tell them to you exactly as he wishes."
"I'm listening impatiently," said Maximilian. Valentine had lowered her eyes, which filled him with hope, for she was weak only when she was happy.
"My grandfather wants to leave this house," she said. "Berwar is going to find him a suitable apartment. If my father gives me permission to go and live with my grandfather, I'll leave immediately. If he does not, I'll wait till I'm of age, which will be 18 months from now. Then I'll be free. I'll have an independent fortune, and and that's Maximilian, and with my grandfather's permission, I'll keep the promise I've made you." These last words were spoken so softly that Maximilian would not have heard them if it had not been for the extreme attention with which he was listening.
"Have I expressed your thoughts correctly, grandfather?" asked Valentine. "Yes," signaled the old man.
"Oh!" cried Maximilian, attempted to kneel before Nortier, before God, and before Valentine as before an angel. "What have I done in my life to deserve such happiness?"
Narutier looked at the two young lovers with deep affection. Bearwa, who had been standing in the background, smiled as he wiped away the large drops of perspiration which continued to stream down his bald forehead.
"Oh, how hot!" poor old Bearwise said Valentine. "That's because I was running so fast, mad puzzle. It's a Bearwhile, but I must admit, monster morale was running even faster than I was."
Nortier turned his eyes toward a tray on which there was a pitcher of lemonade and a glass. Mortier himself had drunk some of the lemonade half an hour earlier.
"Have some of that lemonade, Bearwall," said Valentine. "I see you're looking at it longingly."
"To tell you the truth, mademoiselle, I'm dying of thirst," reply Bearwall. "And I'd be glad to toast to your health with a glass of hot lemonade."
"Drink some of it, then. Then I'll come back after a while." The wall carried out the tray, and as soon as he was in the hall, he emptied the glass which Valentine had filled for him.
Valentine and Maximilian were saying goodbye to each other when they heard the bell ring on Villaforce's staircase. This was a signal for a visit. Valentine looked at the clock. "It's noon," she said, "and today is Saturday, so it must be the doctor."
"Shall Maximilian leave, grandfather?" "Yes," there wa call.
"Valentine, come in here, please," the old servant's voice was heard replying. "I'm coming, mademoiselle."
"But why?" "We'll show you the door sometime, to Maximilian." Just then, their wall entered.
"Who rang?" I asked Valentine. "And Dr. D'Avney," said Bearwhile, staggering.
"What's the matter with you, Bearwall?" asked Valentine. Berward did not answer. He looked at his master with frightened eyes and put out his hand for something with which to steady himself.
"He's going to fall!" cried Maximilian. Berwar's trembling became more violent, and the twitching of his his facial muscles announced the onslaught of an intense nervous attack. He took a few steps toward More Tyr. "Oh, my God!" he gasped. "What's the matter with me? I'm in pain! My eyes are cranked him! My head feels as if it's on fire! Oh, don't touch me, don't touch me!" His eyes took on a wild expression, and his head fell backward while the rest of his body stiffened.
"Doctor, do you have me?" Dr. D'Abney cried Valentine. "Come in here quickly, help!"
Their wall turned around, staggered backwards, stumbles, and fell at Nortier's feet. Villiford, drawn by Valentine's cries, appeared in the doorway. Maximilian immediately concealed himself behind a curtain. Nortier was burning with impatience and terror, as his whole soul went out to the poor old man who was his friend rather than his servant. Their wall, with his face twitching, his eyes bloodshot, his neck bent backward, lay on the floor thrashing about him with his hands. His legs had become so stiff that they looked as though they would break before they would bend. Flecks of foam began to appear on his lips, and he panted painfully.
Villaforce stood looking at him for a moment in stupefication. He had not seen Maximilian. Then he turned and rushed out of the room again, shouting, "Doctor! Doctor! Come here!"
Madame de Villafore entered slowly. Her first glance was at Nortier, who, except for the emotion natural in such circumstances, appeared to be in normal health. Then she looked at the dying Bearwall.
"In the name of God, madam, where's the doctor?" said Valentine. "He's in Edward's room, examining him. He's a little sick today," replied Madame to Viliform. Then she left the room.
Maximilian came out from behind the curtain, where no one had noticed him in the midst of all the confusion. "Leave quickly, Maximilian," said Valentine, "and wait for me to send for you." She pressed her hand to his heart and left by way of a private corridor.
Just then, Villefort and the doctor came in through the opposite door. Berwall was beginning to come back to his senses. The first attack had passed. He gave a low moan and raised himself up on one knee. Villafor and Avenue carried him to a sofa.
"What do you describe, doctor?" asked Fellow for. "Bring me some water and ether."
"Do you have some in the house?" "Yes, and send for some oil of turpentine and some tartar."
"A medic, go," said Villaforge, "one of his servants. And now, I want everyone to leave the room."
"Shall I go too?" asked Valentine. "Timothy, yes, Madeline, especially you," replied the doctor curtly. Valentine looked at him in astonishment. "Kiss Snores here on the forehead and went out."
The doctor closed the door behind her with a somber air. "How do you feel now, Bearwa?" he asked. "A little better, sir."
"Can you drink this glass of water and ether?" "I'll try, but don't touch me."
"Why not?" "Because it seems to me that if you touch me, even with the tip of your finger, the attack would come back."
Drink Beware took the glass, approached his violet lips to it, and drank about half of its content.
"Did the attack seize you rapidly?" ask the doctor. "Like lightning."
"You felt nothing yesterday or the day before?" "No, nothing."
"What have you eaten today?" "I haven't eaten anything today. I drank a little of Monster or Nortier's lemonade, that's all." Their wah nodded.
"Tornort, who motionless in his wheelchair, was taking in the whole scene without losing a single movement or a single word. 'Or is that lemonade?' ask the doctor eagerly. 'In the pitcher downstairs, in the kitchen.'"
"And shall I go bring it to you, doctor?" ask Villafor. "No, stay here. I'll go to get it myself," replied Dr. D'Avni. He rushed out the door and down the servant staircase, where he almost knocked over Madame D'Avilafor, who was also going down to the kitchen. She screamed, but he paid no attention to her, obsessed by a single idea. He leaped down the last three or four steps, ran into the kitchen, and saw the pitcher still standing on the tray. It was three-quarters empty. He pounced on it like an eagle on its prey, ran back up the stairs, and entered Nortier's room out of breath.
Madame de Villifor walked slowly up the stairs leading to her own room. "Is this the pitcher that was here?" "Nasty Aveny, yes sir," replied Bearwall. "And is this the same lemonade you drank?" "I think so."
"How did it taste to you?" "A little bitter."
The doctor poured a few drops of it into the hollow of his hands, rinsed his mouth with it, as one does tasting wine, then spat it out into the fireplace. "It's the same, all right," he said.
"Did you drink some of it too, Monster Nortier?" "Yes," signal the old man. "And did you also notice a bitter taste?" "Yes."
"Oh, doctor!" cried Bearwhy. "It's coming back! Dear God, have pity on me! See if they're bringing me a medic," said the doctor to Villaphore. Illiford ran out of the room, crying, "The American! The medic! Have they bought it yet?" No one answered. A profound terror reigned over the entire house. Berwal was seized with an attack even more intense than the first one. The doctor, unable to give him any relief, left him and went over to Nortier.
"How do you feel?" he asked him in a low voice. "Do you feel well?" "Yes," signal Nortier.
"Did Bearwall make your lemonade today?" "Yes."
"Was it you who asked him to drink some of it?" "No."
"Was it Monster in Davilifor?" "No."
"Madame de Villefor?" "Valentine."
"Yes." D'Abney went over to Bearwall and asked, "Who made the lemonade?" "I did."
"Did you bring it to Monster Nortier as soon as you made it?" "No, it was called away, so I left it in the pantry."
"Who brought it here then?" "Mademoiselle Valentine."
The doctor struck his forehead and murmured, "Oh, my God, my God."
"Doctor! Doctor!" cried Bearwah, who felt the third attack coming on. "I'm choking! Oh, my heart! My head! Will I suffer long, doctor?"
"No, no, my friend, your suffering will be over soon."
"I understand!" cried the wretched Bearwall. "God have mercy on me!" He fell back with a loud cry as though he had been struck by lightning. The doctor felt his heart and said to Villaphore, "Go down to the kitchen and bring me some syrup of violets." Villifor went out and returned a moment later.
"Is he still unconscious?" he asked. "He's dead," replied the doctor.
Villaforce stepped back, gripped his head between his hands, and said with unfeigned pity, "Dead? So soon?"
"Yes, it was quick, wasn't it?" "So the doctor, but that shouldn't surprise you. When Sermon Adams, the Saint Moran, also died suddenly."
"People died quickly in your house, Monster Devilfor."
"What?" cried Viliform, horror and consternation. "Are you still possessed with that terrible idea?"
"It has never left me for a moment," replied the doctor gravely. "And I'll prove to you that I'm not mistaken this time. Listen to me carefully, Monster Villafor." Vilifor trembled convulsively.
"There's a poison which kills almost without leaving a trace," continued the doctor. "I have studied that poison and I'm thoroughly acquainted with its effects. I recognize them just now, and poor Bearwall, and I recognize them in Medium to St. There is a way to determine the presence of that poison. It turns red litmus paper blue and turns syrup of violets green. We have no litmus paper here, but we do have the syrup of violets. I asked you to bring me."
Watch the doctor slowly poured a few drops of lemonade into the cup containing the syrup of violets. The syrup took on a cloudy bluish color at first, then gradually changed to green. The experiment left no room for doubt.
"Poor Bearwall was poisoned with Bruce sign," said Dr. D'Avni. "I am now ready to answer for that fact before God and before men."
Philip Force think helplessly into a chair without saying a word, apparently as lifeless as Berwar's body. The doctor soon brought him back to his senses.
"Oh, death is in my house!" cried Villafor. "Murder is in your house," replied the doctor.
"Do you think the poison was intended for that poor servant?"
"Nortier drank some of the lemonade in the natural course of things. Bearwall drank some only by accident, and although it was Bearawah who died, it was Nortier who was meant to die."
"But then why is my father still alive?"
"As I told you that night in the garden, after the death of Madam to St. Moran, his body has become accustomed to that very poison, so that a dose that was insignificant to him was fatal to Bearwall. No one, not even the murderer, knows I've been treating Monster Nortier's paralysis with Bruce on. Now let's follow the murderer's actions. First, he kills Most Surges Saint Moran, then Madame de Saint-Marin, a double inheritance to receive. Monster Northear had disinherited his family and left his fortune to the poor. He was spared, but as soon as he changed his will, he became the next victim. The new will was made only a day before yesterday, so as you can see, no time was lost."
"Oh, have mercy on my daughter, Monster!" "Do you have me? I'm red, Villafor." "Uh, you've named her yourself, you, her own father. Have mercy on Valentine."
"Listen to me, it's impossible. I'd rather accuse myself than her."
"No mercy. The crime is flagrant. Your daughter packed the medicine that was sent to Monster to St., and he died. She prepared Madame to save Moron's beverages, and she died. She brought the pitcher of lemonade to Monster North here, and he escaped only by a miracle."
"Listen to me!" cried Villafor. "Pity me! Help me!"
"No, my daughter is not guilty. I will not drag my daughter to the hangman with my own hands. The very thought of it makes me want to tear my heart out. And what if you were mistaken, doctor? What if it were someone else other than my daughter? What if I were to come to you to someday, pale as a ghost, and say to you, 'Murder!' or 'You killed my daughter!'"
"Very well," said the doctor after a moment of silence. "I'll wait."
Villafor looked at him as if he had difficulty in believing his own ears.
"But continue," the doctor, in a slow and solemn tone, "if someone else in your house falls ill, or if you yourself should be stricken, do not call me, for I will never come here again. I'm willing to share your terrible secret with you, but I'm not willing to have shame and remorse grow in my conscience as crime and grief are going to grow in your house. Goodbye, Monster Davila IV."