Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

"Well, man, I think I've got it this time." "What did you say, Victoria?" "I think I got caught this time. Probably rich. A lot of money." "Let me tell you, woman, be careful not to get yourself involved. I think it's up to me to find out first." Victoria laughed, laughing out loud. "You'll see," she said, "I'll do it this way. Big money, man, I tell you, big money. I saw it, and I guessed it. I got it right. " Then there was another burst of crisp laughter in the dark night. "Evelyn..." "Ok?"

Evelyn Hillingdon answered mechanically, without interest.Eyes were not on her husband. "Evelyn, I think we're done with this and going back home to England, do you mind?" She is combing her short, black hair.At this moment her hands dropped abruptly.She turned to him. "You mean—but we've only just arrived. We haven't been on these islands for three weeks." "I know. But—do you care?" Her eyes searched his gaze suspiciously. "Are you really going back to England? Are you going home?" "yes." "Leave—lucky." He averted her eyes.

"I think you've known for a long time—I haven't broken up with her." "I know it well," "but you never said anything." "What's there to say? We figured this out years ago. Neither of us wanted to break up, so we agreed to keep the water in the water—but keep it safe in front of people." Without waiting for him She opened her mouth and said, "But why did you decide to go back to England now?" "Because I'm about to collapse. I can't hold it anymore. Evelyn, I can't help it." The silent Edward Hillingden suddenly seemed to be a different person.His hands were trembling and he was swallowing saliva, and his calm and expressionless face seemed distorted by pain.

"God knows, Edward, what's the matter with you?" "It's nothing, I'm just going to get out—" "You fell madly in love with luck, and now you've cooled down, isn't that the case?" "Yes. I don't think I'll ever get your heart back." "Why, why bring that up now! We're going to find out what upsets you so much, Edward." "I'm not particularly upset about anything." "Why not. Why?" "Can't you see it?" "I can't see it," Evelyn said, "let's make it clear. You've got a woman; and besides, it's not the first time.

Now it's broken in two, or is it still in tangle?Maybe she still won't let you go? Yes or no?Does Greg know?That's what I want to know. " "I don't know," said Edward. "He never mentioned it. He's always been kind." "Men are sometimes so dull that you can't figure it out," Evelyn said deeply, "or else—maybe Greg has a new love himself!" "He's worked your brains, hasn't he?" Edward said, "You answer me— I know he has-" "Oh, of course," Evelyn said casually, "but who's not thinking about him? It's Greg's nature. I don't think it's anything to be surprised about, it's just Greg's pretentiousness It's just a performance."

"Do you like him, Evelyn? Tell me the truth." "Greg? I like him a lot—he's an interesting guy. He's a good friend." "Is that all? I wish I could take your word for it." "I really can't figure out what this has to do with you?" Evelyn said coldly. "I guess I brought it on myself." Evelyn went to the window, looked out on the front porch, and came back. "I want you to tell me what's on your mind, Edward." "I already told you." "I don't quite believe it." "I don't think you understand: a kind of madness that is very short-lived, but after it passes, it can give people a very special feeling."

"I guess I could try it anyway. But what worries me is that luck seems to be holding you tight, not like a past mistress, but like a gnawing tigress. You must tell me the truth." , Edward. Only in this way, I will stand by your side." Edward said in a muffled voice, "If I don't get away from her quickly—me, I'll kill her." "Kill Lucky? Why?" "Because she forced me to do something..." "What did she tell you to do?" "I helped her kill a—" The words finally came out.There was a sudden silence.Evelyn stared at him.

"Do you know what you're talking about?" "Yes. But I didn't know it when I did it. She told me to get her a thing--in the drug store. I really didn't know--no idea what she wanted it for; she told me to copy it for her." I got a prescription..." "when did it happen?" "Four years ago, when we were in Martinique. At that time, Mrs. Gregor—" "Gregor's other wife. Gail? You mean luck poisoned her?" "Yes—I helped too. I found out later—" Evelyn cut him off. "When you know what happened to the accident. Lucky told you that you copied the prescription and you bought the medicine. Both of you have a share? Isn't that so?"

"Yes. She said she did it out of compassion, because Gail couldn't bear the pain—she begged luck to find her some relief." "Oh, relief! I see. You believed her?" Edward Hillingdon was silent for a moment, then said: "No--I didn't really believe it in my heart. I listened to her because I wanted to believe--because I was crazy about her." "Later, after she married Greg, did you still believe what she said?" "Back then I had forced myself to believe it." "And Greg, how much does he know about this?" "I don't know at all."

"This is too hard for me to believe!" Edward Hillingdon yelled: "Evelyn, I've got to get rid of all this! That woman is still laughing at me about that. She knows I don't have any feelings for her at all, feelings?— I hated her already. But she made me think we were inseparable because we did that together." Evelyn paced back and forth in the room for a while, then stopped to look him squarely and said: "Edward, all your troubles are that you are almost inexplicably weak, and you are too easy to be instigated. That sinister woman has spotted your weakness of guilt and made you available to her. I can tell you in the words of the Bible , the guilt in your heart should be the good guilt - not murder, you cheated with Lucky is the real reason you feel guilty, and she used her murder plan to stretch out her cat's claws to catch you to death Damn, makes you feel like she's guilty. You don't."

"Evelyn..." He moved closer to her. She took a few steps back—following him deeply with her eyes. "Is it true what you say, Edward? Or have you made it up?" "Evelyn! Why would I do this?" "How do I know," said Evelyn slowly, "maybe it's because I find it too hard to trust anyone. Or because—oh! I don't know! Anyway, I can't tell what's true and what's true. It's fake." "Let's throw it all away and go back to England." "Yes, it will. But not now." "why not?" "We've got to act like nothing's going on--at least for the time being. It's important. Do you understand, Edward? Don't let luck know what we're planning."