Chapter 10 Chapter Ten "Blue Express"

"dad!" Ms. Kettering was taken aback.She can't control her too fragile nerves.Wearing an expensive fur coat and an expensive Chinese hat, she walked up and down the crowded platform.In any case, she never thought that her father would suddenly appear in front of her. "You seem startled, Ruth." "I didn't expect you to come, Dad. You said goodbye to me yesterday, and you told me that you won't come to see me off today because you have a meeting." "Oh, so it is," said von Arden. "You are more important than any meeting in the world."

"Dad, it's very kind of you. It's a pity you can't come with me." "I intend to go with you and make you happy." Although the father's confession to his daughter was a joke, Ruth believed it and blushed immediately.She felt that this kind of confession from her father was terrible to her.She smiled nervously, feigning disbelief. "I thought what you said was true," she said. "Are you glad I'm going?" "Of course," she replied, but it didn't sound like she meant it. "I am very glad to hear that answer from you," said von Alding.

"But, father, you will go to Paris next month, and you cannot do without work before then. You will not go with me." "It's different, it's different!" Von Alding sighed. "Now you can go to your seat." Ruth Kettering glanced around.At the door of the sleeping car stood a tall woman in black, Ruth's maid. "I have put your little bag on your seat, my lord." "Thanks, Masson. Now you better go see where your seat is?" "Yes, ma'am." The maid left, and Von Alden accompanied Ruth to the carriage.He put a stack of newspapers and magazines on the table next to her seat.There was already a woman sitting in the seat opposite.The Yankee glanced at the lady.Her blue eyes made a deep impression on him.The Yankee talked to his daughter a few more words and looked at his watch.

"Looks like I should get off the train. The train is about to leave. Good-bye, boy, don't worry, I'll take care of everything." "dad!" Von Alding turned suddenly.Ruth's cry, rarely heard before, was chilling.This sound is almost the same as shouting "Help".She involuntarily made a gesture to throw herself at von Arden, but she restrained herself immediately. "See you next month," he said cheerfully. A minute later the train moved. Ruth sat motionless, trying to control the involuntary tears that flowed down her face.She suddenly felt that she was so lonely.She really wanted to jump off the moment the train started, but it was too late.She, usually such a confident and calm person, felt like a fallen leaf blowing in the autumn wind for the first time in her life.What would her father do if he knew she was upset?

Nonsense, total nonsense!For the first time in her life, she endured the fiddling with her emotions, and did something she knew was stupid on impulse.As von Alden's daughter, she knew very well that her move was purely stupid.But as his daughter, she also has another characteristic: like him, as long as there is an idea in her head, she must realize it.She had developed this character from an early age. It's a foregone conclusion.It's irreparable. She looked around and saw her traveling companion on the opposite side.She seemed to feel that the lady opposite had completely guessed her mood.From the eyes of the other party, she could see that she seemed to understand and sympathize with her.But that's just a fleeting impression.Because of this, the facial expressions of both women were nonchalant again, and Ms. Kettering picked up a magazine.Caterina Gray faces out the window.

But Ruth could not concentrate her thoughts on the content of the reading.Ominous thoughts tormented her.What a fool she is!But so what, it's too late... is it really too late?What would happen if someone talked to her and persuaded her now?Her fears grew heavier and heavier. She glanced furtively at the lady sitting opposite.Yes, it seemed easy to talk to this woman.But it's a little thoughtless, how can you just pour out your inner secrets to a stranger!This idea is really ridiculous.At last she finally thought everything out.Who has given her happiness in her life?Why not try this bliss...?

No one will know about it. The train was speeding towards Dover.On the ferry across the English Channel, she quickly found a reserved berth, and soon went to eat in the dining car.When she saw that the lady sitting opposite was the one she met on the train, she was a little surprised, and both ladies would smile heartily. "What a coincidence!" said Miss Kettering. "Yeah, what a coincidence." Caterina also said with a smile. The waiters are busy serving dishes.By the time the first course was finished, the two ladies were chatting like old friends. "I'm very glad to be going south in the sunny season," said Kaitlyn. "Are you familiar with the Riviera?"

"No, it's my first time there." "How is this possible!" "Do you travel to the South every year?" "Almost so, London in January and February is quite a nuisance." "I've always lived in the country. There's very little sunshine in winter." "Why did you suddenly decide to go on a trip?" "Money," said Caterina, "I have been an adopted daughter for ten years, and the money I have earned is only enough to buy a pair of cotton shoes for the winter. Now I have suddenly received a lot of money. Of course, in your case It's not going to happen."

"Why do you think so?" Caterina smiled. "I don't know myself! Somehow I feel that you are rich. Of course I may be wrong." "No," said Ruth, "you're not wrong." She suddenly became serious. "If I allow you, what is your impression of me?" "I……" "Please be frank. I am very interested in it. When I first saw you on the London platform, it seemed to me that you read into my inner world." "Thank God, I'm not a fortune teller," Caterina said with a smile. "Nevertheless, I sincerely beg you to tell me your impression of me."

She spoke with such sincerity and sincerity that Caterina had to answer her question. "I want to tell you, but don't think I'm being rude. I get the impression that you're very empty inside." "You're right. Exactly. I'm in a bad mood. I want to talk to you. May I?" "It's none of my business," Caterina thought, but she replied politely: "of course can." Ruth finished her coffee, stood up, ignored Caterina's coffee, and said: "Go, go to my box." In an adjoining box connected by a door to Mrs. Kettering's box, sat the maid clutching a small leather bag stamped R.K. on it.Ms. Kettering closed the door and sat down on a pillow.Caterina sat beside her.

"I am very hesitant now, and I can't get anyone's advice. I fell in love with someone. I love him especially. We were childhood sweethearts since we were young, but we were cruelly separated. Now we have found each other's address." "What about the future?" "We see each other often, and you may think badly of me, but you don't know the inside story. My husband is very disgraceful, and he disgraces me." "I'm very sorry." What else could she say? "There's only one thing that hurts me: I've been hiding from my father. The gentleman who said goodbye to me at the train station. He advocated a divorce from my husband, but he didn't know that I was dating another man. .He must think I'm a big fool." "But isn't that a silly thing?" Ruth Kettering looked at her hands nervously. "I can't go back." "why?" "It's all done, or he'll be heartbroken." "I don't think so," said Caterina monotonously. "One's heart is not so fragile." "He will think that I am a weak-willed man without courage." "What you have done seems to me neither thoughtful nor wise," said Caterina. "I think you may know it yourself." Ruth covered her face with her hands. "I don't know! I don't know! The whole trip I felt like something was going to happen, something was going to happen to me." She squeezed Caterina's hand convulsively. "You must think that I cannot understand why I am talking to you about these things. But I will tell you that something very terrible is going to happen." "Don't think so," Caterina said. "You must try to control yourself. You can telegraph your father from Paris. He will come to you at once." Ruth's face brightened. "Yes, I can telegraph. I love my old father. I didn't realize until today how much I love him." She stood up and wiped away her tears. "I'm a bit confused. Thank you very, very much for talking to me." She stood up. "I feel so much better now, I don't even understand myself, I would be that stupid." Caterina also stood up. "I'm so glad you're feeling better," she said in the most worldly tone she could.All she knew was that after a person had made such a confession, there was another unspeakable sense of shame.She said goodbye to Ruth and went back to her box. At this time, Caitlin's maid also left the box.She looked at the direction Katerina was walking in such a panic that Katerina couldn't help but look back.There was little reason for the maid's panic, for the carriage was empty.Caterina went on to her box in the other car.When she walked to the last box of that car, she saw a woman's face, and then slammed the door of the box.It was an unforgettable, dark, pretty face, and she was charming, but a little queerly dressed.Caterina thought she had seen her somewhere. "I will do a good thing if I stop her from this ridiculous adventure," thought Caterina, sitting in her box. "But who knows? This woman gave me the impression of being a cold, selfish person almost all her life. It would be better for such a person if she suddenly developed a strong desire for someone. Besides, I hope I Never see her again. In any case, I have no interest in seeing her again." Lying on the pillow, she suddenly felt weak all over.The train was approaching Paris, and Caterina was bored by its slow detour around the city.Glad the train stopped at Gare de Lyon for a few minutes so I could go outside for a walk and get some fresh air.The cold air made her feel comfortable, for it was too stuffy in the train.It was great that her new girlfriend had ordered lunch on the train; otherwise, it would have been terrible to meet this woman in a fur coat in the dining car and eat face to face with her. The train moved again.It's meal time.Caterina was in the dining car immediately.This time, sitting opposite her was a little old man with a skull like an egg.A small goatee beard, which shows that he is not British.Caterina brought a book from the box.She found the little old man looking curiously at the title of her book. "It seems that this lady is reading a detective novel. Do you like reading this kind of reading?" "Yes, I find it mysterious," Caterina replied. The little old man nodded, as if he understood the hobby perfectly.This person has a strange figure, his head is slightly askew, like a canary bird. "I heard that the circulation of this kind of book is very large. Why? Miss, may I ask why?" Caterina became more and more interested. "Maybe because this kind of book creates a fantasy and reflects this fantasy in life, and there may be something like this fantasy in life." Caterina said. The little old man nodded solemnly. "Actually, some things may be true." "Of course, this kind of thing rarely happens in life. It's a well-known fact." "On the contrary, madam. I can tell you. I'm one of those things. It happens a lot." Caterina gave him a quick, interested look. "Who would have predicted, maybe one day you will be involved in a case." The little old man continued. "Many things in life happen by chance." "I'm sure," said Caterina, "but I'll never experience it." The little old man bowed to her. "Would you like to experience it?" This question startled Caterina, her heart pounded and her chest heaved. "It may be an imagination," said the little old man. "But I always feel as though you were going to be at the center of some monstrous case. Well, madam, I have experience in this matter, and I feel that if one thinks about something eagerly, it is would come at him. Who knew?" He gave a funny tilt of his head. "It's also possible that there's more to what you're going through than you like." "Is this a prophecy?" Katerina asked, standing up with a smile on her face. The little old man shook his head. "I never make any predictions," he said solemnly, "but I must say that I am always right. I never brag. Good night, miss, and I hope you rest well." Caterina returned to her box, recalling what the little old man said, a smile flashed across her face.When she walked past her girlfriend's box, she saw the flight attendant making the bed.The lady in the fur coat looked out of the window. The box next door was empty, and the bedding and travel bags were piled up on the seat.The maid was not there.Caterina returned to her box, the lights being turned off at half past nine because she was tired. When she woke up suddenly, she had no idea how long the train had been traveling.She looked at her watch, which must have stopped.The feeling of uneasiness is getting heavier and heavier.At last she put on her shawl and went out of the box.The whole train seemed to be immersed in dreamland.She opened the window and breathed in the fresh air outside.But still can't get rid of that kind of fear.Finally, she decided to go to the rear of the carriage to ask the steward to find out the exact time.However, no one was there.She hesitated for a while, then decided to go to the next carriage.She saw half-lights flickering all over the aisle of the carriage, and to her surprise, beside her girlfriend's box stood a man with his hand on the doorknob.Did she make a mistake?This is another box, right?He stood there for a while, his back to Caterina.He seemed to hesitate a little, then turned around.A sense of destiny made her recognize him, the man who had met twice.Once at the Savoy Hotel and once at Corak Travel.He opened the door and walked into the box, closing the door behind him. Caterina wonders: Is he the man the woman in the fur coat is after? But she immediately denied her own idea, she must have misread the box, it was not her new girlfriend's box at all.She returned to her compartment.Five minutes later the train slowed down.One could clearly hear the brakes of the train.At this moment the train entered Gare de Lyon.