加勒比海之谜(英文版)-第11部分

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Victoria　stepped　out　of　the　bushes　on　to　the　path。

〃Mr。　Dyson；　please？〃

〃Yes。　What　is　it？〃

Ashamed　of　being　startled；　he　spoke　with　a　touch　of　impatience。

〃I　brought　you　this；　sir。〃　She　held　out　her　hand。　In　it　was　a　bottle　of　tablets。　〃This　belongs　to　you；　doesn't　it？　Yes？〃

〃Oh；　my　bottle　of　Serenite　tablets。　Yes；　of　course。　Where　did　you　find　it？〃

〃I　found　it　where　it　had　been　put。　In　the　gentleman's　room。〃

〃What　do　you　meanin　the　gentleman's　room？〃

〃The　gentleman　who　is　dead；〃　she　added　gravely。　〃I　do　not　think　he　sleeps　very　well　in　his　grave。〃

〃Why　the　devil　not？〃　asked　Dyson。

Victoria　stood　looking　at　him。

〃I　still　don't　know　what　you're　talking　about。　You　mean　you　found　this　bottle　of　tablets　in　Major　Palgrave's　bungalow？〃

〃That　is　right；　yes。　After　the　doctor　and　the　Jamestown　people　go　away；　they　give　me　all　the　things　in　his　bathroom　to　throw　away。　The　toothpaste　and　the　lotions；　and　all　the　other　thingsincluding　this。〃

〃Well；　why　didn't　you　throw　it　away？〃

〃Because　these　are　yours。　You　missed　them。　You　remember；　you　asked　about　them？〃

〃Yeswellyes；　I　did。　II　thought　I'd　just　mislaid　them。〃

〃No；　you　did　not　mislay　them。　They　were　taken　from　your　bungalow　and　put　in　Major　Palgrave's　bungalow。〃

〃How　do　you　know？〃　He　spoke　roughly。

〃I　know　I　saw。〃　She　smiled　at　him　in　a　sudden　flash　of　white　teeth。　〃Someone　put　them　in　the　dead　gentleman's　room。　Now　I　give　them　back　to　you。〃

〃Herewait。　What　do　you　mean？　Whatwho　did　you　see？〃

She　hurried　away；　back　into　the　darkness　of　the　bushes。　Greg　made　as　to　move　after　her　and　then　stopped。　He　stood　stroking　his　chin。

〃What's　the　matter；　Greg？　Seen　a　ghost？〃　asked　Mrs。　Dyson；　as　she　came　along　the　path　from　their　bungalow。　〃Thought　I　had　for　a　minute　or　two。〃

〃Who　was　that　you　were　talking　to？〃

〃The　coloured　girl　who　does　our　place。　Victoria；　her　name　is；　isn't　it？〃

〃What　did　she　want？　Making　a　pass　at　you？〃

〃Don't　be　stupid。　Lucky。　That　girl's　got　some　idiotic　idea　into　her　head。〃

〃Idea　about　what？〃

〃You　remember　I　couldn't　find　my　Serenite　the　other　day？〃

〃You　said　you　couldn't。〃

〃What　do　you　mean　'I　said　I　couldn't'？〃

〃Oh；　for　heck's　sake；　have　you　got　to　take　me　up　on　everything？〃

〃I'm　sorry；〃　said　Greg。　〃Everybody　goes　about　being　so　damn　mysterious。〃

He　held　out　his　hand　with　the　bottle　in　it。

〃That　girl　brought　them　back　to　me。〃

〃Had　she　pinched　them？〃

〃No。　Shefound　them　somewhere　I　think。〃

〃Well；　what　of　it？　What's　the　mystery　about？〃

〃Oh　nothing；〃　said　Greg。　〃She　just　riled　me；　that's　all。〃

〃Look　here；　Greg；　what　is　this　stuff　all　about？　e　along　and　have　a　drink　before　dinner。〃



II



Molly　had　gone　down　to　the　beach。　She　pulled　out　one　of　the　old　basket　chairs；　one　of　the　more　rickety　ones　that　were　seldom　used。　She　sat　in　it　for　a　while　looking　at　the　sea；　then　suddenly　she　dropped　her　head　in　her　hands　and　burst　into　tears。　She　sat　there　sobbing　unrestrainedly　for　some　time。　Then　she　heard　a　rustle　by　her　and　glanced　up　sharply　to　see　Mrs。　Hillingdon　looking　down　at　her。

〃Hallo；　Evelyn；　I　didn't　hear　you。　II'm　sorry。〃

〃What's　the　matter；　child？〃　said　Evelyn。　〃Something　gone　wrong？〃　She　pulled　another　chair　forward　and　sat　down。　〃Tell　me。〃

〃There's　nothing　wrong；〃　said　Molly。　〃Nothing　at　all。〃

〃Of　course　there　is。　You　wouldn't　sit　and　cry　here　for　nothing。　Can't　you　tell　me？　Is　itsome　trouble　between　you　and　Tim？〃

〃Oh　no！〃

〃I'm　glad　of　that。　You　always　look　so　happy　together。〃

〃Not　more　than　you　do；〃　said　Molly。　〃Tim　and　I　always　think　how　wonderful　it　would　be　for　the　children　you　know；〃　she　said。　〃Children　whom　we're　both　very　fond　of。　They're　at　school　in　England。　We　didn't　want　to　break　up　the　home。　And　then　of　course；　Lucky　didn't　want　a　divorce　either。　Greg's　a　very　rich　man。　His　first　wife　left　a　lot　of　money。　So　we　agreed　to　live　and　let　live。　Edward　and　Lucky　in　happy　immorality；　Greg　in　blissful　ignorance；　and　Edward　and　I　just　good　friends。〃　She　spoke　with　scalding　bitterness。

〃Howhow　can　you　bear　it？〃

〃One　gets　used　to　anything。　But　sometimes〃

〃Yes？〃　said　Molly。

〃Sometimes　I'd　like　to　kill　that　woman。〃

The　passion　behind　her　voice　startled　Molly。

〃Don't　let's　talk　any　more　about　me；〃　said　Evelyn。　〃Let's　talk　about　you。　I　want　to　know　what's　the　matter。〃

Molly　was　silent　for　some　moments　and　than　she　said；　〃It's　onlyit's　only　that　I　think　there's　something　wrong　about　me。〃

〃Wrong？　What　do　you　mean？〃

Molly　shook　her　head　unhappily。　〃I'm　frightened；〃　she　said。　〃I'm　terribly　frightened。〃

〃Frightened　of　what？〃

〃Everything；〃　said　Molly。　〃It'sgrowing　on　me。　Voices　in　the　bushes；　footstepsor　things　that　people　say。　As　though　someone　were　watching　me　all　the　time；　spying　on　me。　Somebody　hates　me。　That's　what　I　keep　feeling。　Somebody　hates　me。〃

〃My　dear　child；〃　Evelyn　was　shocked　and　startled。　〃How　long　has　this　been　going　on？〃

〃I　don't　know。　It　cameit　started　by　degrees。　And　there　have　been　other　things　too。〃

〃What　sort　of　things？〃

〃There　are　times；〃　said　Molly　slowly；　〃that　I　can't　account　for；　that　I　can't　remember。〃

〃Do　you　mean　you　have　blackoutsthat　sort　of　thing？〃

〃I　suppose　so。　I　mean　sometimes　it'soh；　say　it's　five　o'clockand　I　can't　remember　anything　since　about　half　past　one　or　two。〃

〃Oh　my　dear；　but　that's　just　that　you've　been　asleep。　Had　a　doze。〃

〃No；〃　said　Molly；　〃it's　not　like　that　at　all。　Because　you　see；　at　the　end　of　the　time　it's　not　as　though　I'd　just　dozed　off。　I'm　in　a　different　place。　Sometimes　I'm　wearing　different　clothes　and　sometimes　I　seem　to　have　been　doing　thingseven　saying　things　to　people；　talking　to　someone；　and　not　remembering　that　I've　done　so。〃

Evelyn　looked　shocked。　〃But；　Molly；　my　dear；　if　this　is　so；　then　you　ought　to　see　a　doctor。〃

〃I　won't　see　a　doctor！　I　don't　want　to。　I　wouldn't　go　near　a　doctor。〃

Evelyn　looked　sharply　down　into　her　face；　then　she　took　the　girl's　hand　in　hers。　〃You　may　be　frightening　yourself　for　nothing；　Molly。　You　know　there　are　all　kinds　of　nervous　disorders　that　aren't　really　serious　at　all。　A　doctor　would　soon　reassure　you。〃

〃He　mightn't。　He　might　say　that　there　was　something　really　wrong　with　me。〃

〃Why　should　there　be　anything　wrong　with　you？〃

〃Because〃　Molly　spoke　and　then　was　silent。　〃no　reason；　I　suppose；〃　she　said。

〃Couldn't　your　familyhaven't　you　any　family　any　mother　or　sisters　or　someone　who　could　e　out　here？〃

〃I　don't　get　on　with　my　mother。　I　never　have。　I've　got　sisters。　They're　married　but　I　supposeI　suppose　they　could　e　if　I　wanted　them。　But　I　don't　want　them。　I　don't　want　anyoneanyone　except　Tim。〃

〃Does　Tim　know　about　this？　Have　you　told　him？〃

〃Not　really；〃　said　Molly。　〃But　he's　anxious　about　me　and　he　watches　me。　It's　as　though　he　were　trying　toto　help　me　or　to　shield　me。　But　if　he　does　that　it　means　I　want　shielding；　doesn't　it？〃

〃I　think　a　lot　of　it　may　be　imagination　but　I　still　think　you　ought　to　see　a　doctor。〃

〃Old　Dr。　Graham？　He　wouldn't　be　any　good。〃

〃There　are　other　doctors　on　the　island。〃

〃It's　all　right；　really；〃　said　Molly。　〃I　just　mustn't　think　of　it。　I　expect；　as　you　say；　it's　all　imagination。　Good　gracious；　it's　getting　frightfully　late。　I　ought　to　be　on　duty　now　in　the　dining　room。　II　must　go　back。〃

She　looked　sharply　and　almost　offensively　at　Evelyn　Hillingdon；　and　then　hurried　off。

Evelyn　stared　after　her。



Chapter　12

OLD　SINS　CAST　LONG　SHADOWS



〃I　think　as　I　am　on　to　something；　man。〃

〃What's　that　you　say；　Victoria？〃

〃I　think　I'm　on　to　something。　It　may　mean　money。　Big　money。〃

〃Now　look；　girl；　you　be　careful；　you'll　not　tangle　yourself　up　in　something。　Maybe　I'd　better　tackle　what　it　is。〃

Victoria　laughed；　a　deep　rich　chuckle。　〃You　wait　and　see；〃　she　said。　〃I　know　how　to　play　this　hand。　It's　money；　man；　it's　big　money。　Something　I　see；　and　something　I　guess。　I　think　I　guess　right。〃

And　again　the　soft　rich　chuckle　rolled　out　on　the　night。



II



〃Evelyn。。。〃

〃Yes？〃

Evelyn　Hillingdon　spoke　mechanically；　without　interest。　She　did　not　look　at　her　husband。

〃Evelyn；　would　you　mind　if　we　chucked　all　this　and　went　home　to　England？〃

She　had　been　bing　her　short　dark　hair。　Now　her　hands　came　down　from　her　head　sharply。　She　turned　towards　him。

〃You　mean　But　we've　only　just　e。　We've　not　been　out　here　in　the　islands　for　more　than　three　weeks。〃

〃I　know。　Butwould　you　mind？〃

Her　eyes　searched　him　incredulously。　〃You　really　want　to　go　back　to　England。　Back　home？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃LeavingLucky。〃

He　winced。

〃You've　known　all　the　time；　I　suppose；　thatthat　it　was　still　going　on？〃

〃Pretty　well。　Yes。〃

〃You've　never　said　anything。〃

〃Why　should　I？　We　had　the　whole　thing　out　years　ago。　Neither　of　us　wanted　to　make　a　break。　So　we　agreed　to　go　our　separate　waysbut　keep　up　the　show　in　public。〃

Then　she　added　before　he　could　speak；　〃But　why　are　you　so　set　on　going　back　to　England　now？〃

〃Because　I'm　at　breaking　point。　I　can't　stick　it　any　longer；　Evelyn。　I　can't。〃　The　quiet　Edward　Hillingdon　was　transformed。　His　hands　shook；　he　swallowed；　his　calm　unemotional　face　seemed　distorted　by　pain。

〃For　God's　sake；　Edward；　what's　the　matter？〃

〃Nothing's　the　matter　except　that　I　want　to　get　out　of　here〃

〃You　fell　wildly　in　love　with　Lucky。　And　now　you've　got　over　it。　Is　that　what　you're　telling　me？〃

〃Yes。　I　don't　suppose　you'll　ever　feel　the　same。〃

〃Oh　let's　not　go　into　that　now！　I　want　to　understand　what's　upsetting　you　so　much；　Edward。〃

〃I'm　not　particularly　upset。〃

〃But　you　are。　Why？〃

〃Isn't　it　obvious？〃

〃No；　it　isn't；〃　said　Evelyn。　〃Let's　put　it　in　plain　concrete　terms。　You've　had　an　affair　with　a　woman。　That　happens　often　enough。　And　now　it's　over。　Or　isn't　it　over？　Perhaps　it　isn't　over　on　her　side。　Is　that　it？　Does　Greg　know　about　it？　I've　often　wondered。〃

〃I　don't　know；〃　said　Edward。　〃He's　never　said　anything。　He　always　seems　friendly　enough。〃

〃Men　can　be　extraordinarily　obtuse；〃　said　Evelyn　thoughtfully。　〃Or　else　Perhaps　Greg　has　got　an　outside　interest　of　his　own！〃

〃He's　made　passes　at　you；　hasn't　he？〃　said　Edward。　〃Answer　meI　know　he　has〃

〃Oh　yes；〃　said　Evelyn；　carelessly；　〃but　he　makes　passes　at　everybody。　That's　just　Greg。　It　doesn't　ever　really　mean　much。　I　imagine。　It's　just　part　of　the　Greg　heman　act。〃

〃Do　you　care　for　him；　Evelyn？　I'd　rather　know　the　truth。〃

〃Greg？　I'm　quite　fond　of　himhe　amuses　me。　He's　a　good　friend。〃

〃And　that's　all？　I　wish　I　could　believe　you。〃

〃I　can't　really　see　how　it　can　possibly　matter　to　you；〃　said　Evelyn　dryly。

〃I　suppose　I　deserve　that。〃

Evelyn　walked　to　the　window；　looked　out　across　the　veranda　and　came　back　again。　〃I　wish　you　would　tell　me　what's　really　upsetting　you；　Edward。〃

〃I've　told　you。〃

〃I　wonder。〃

〃You　can't　understand；　I　suppose；　how　extraordinary　a　temporary　madness　of　this　kind　can　seem　to　you　after　you've　got　over　it。〃

〃I　can　try；　I　suppose。　But　what's　worrying　me　now　is　that　Lucky　seems　to　have　got　some　kind　of　stranglehold　upon　you。　She's　not　just　a　discarded　mistress。　She's　a　tigress　with　claws。　You　must　tell　me　the　truth；　Edward。　It's　the　only　way　if　you　want　me　to　stand　by　you。〃

Edward　said　in　a　low　voice：　〃If　I　don't　get　away　from　her　soonI　shall　kill　her。〃

〃Kill　Lucky？　Why？