american tragedy

Chapter 95 (1)
Chapter 246 (1)
Well planned, they went to Caohu in two carriages the next morning.But when he arrived, he was surprised to find that there were more inhabitants than he had expected.The liveliness here worried him.Because in his imagination, he thought this place was as desolate as Great Berton.Once here, however, it was obvious to both of them that this was a summer resort and the meeting place of a small religious order, the Winebrenners of Pennsylvania, and that Also found the church.There are many villages from the station all the way to the lake.Roberta immediately cried out:

"Oh, look, it's so beautiful? Why can't we invite the pastor of the church over there to marry us?"

Clyde was surprised and embarrassed by this accident, and he said at once, "Of course, I'll go and have a look." But he was thinking of how to coax her.He had to register first, and then take her on a boat trip, and it would take a long time.Or, if I could find a remote place... But it's impossible, there are too many people here.The lake wasn't big enough, and perhaps not deep enough.The lake is black, as black as tar.The east and north sides are lined with tall and dark pine trees. To him, they look like countless heavily armed and heavily guarded sergeants, or even terrifying monsters, holding dense forest-like swords and halberds. It made him very gloomy, suspicious, and inexplicably weird.But there are still too many people, there are more than ten people on the lake.

Fate is incredible!

This disaster.

But another voice sounded softly in my ear: It is impossible to go from here to Three Mile Bay through the woods.There's still thirty miles south of here.Oh, and it wasn't a desolate lake here, either, perhaps the members of the sect were always watching.No, he had to say... had to say... But what could he say? Said he asked and couldn't get a certificate here? Or that the priest wasn't there, or that there was a need for identification and he didn't have one, or ...or, ah, say whatever you want, as long as it reassures Roberta, until that time tomorrow morning.At that time, cars from the south will be able to drive from here to Great Berton and Sharon, where they can of course be married.

Why is she so persistent? If he wasn't forced, he wouldn't have the patience to run around with her.Hours, minutes, endless crosses of conscience.If only he could get rid of her! Oh, Sandra, Sandra, if only you could help me.Then you don’t have to lie anymore, you don’t have to suffer like this, you don’t have to suffer all kinds of hardships.

But now, on the contrary, he has to tell more lies.I searched for the lotus for a long time aimlessly and troublesomely.This, together with his restlessness, bored Roberta as much as he did.

As they rowed, she thought, why is he so indifferent to the marriage? It could have been arranged in advance, and the trip could have been as wonderful as a dream, and it should have been, as long as ...as long as he could get everything set up in Utiga, the way she wanted it to be.However, waiting like this, hiding like this, just like Clyde, so uncertain and indecisive.To be honest, she has already begun to doubt his intentions again. Is he really wanting to marry her as he promised? Tomorrow, at most, the day after tomorrow, she will understand.That being the case, what is there to worry about now?

Then, at noon next day they reached Ken Lodge and Great Burton.Clyde got off at Ken Lodge and accompanied Roberta to the waiting bus.As for him, since the camera and lunch snacks from the boat were in the suitcase, he had to take it with him, because they were going to have lunch on the lake.But when he got to the bus, he found that the driver was just the guide he had met last time in Great Berton, which made him panic.What if the guide had seen him and remembered him? Couldn't he at least have thought of the Finch Rays' nice little car? Bettina and Stuart in the front, himself and Sandra in the back, Grant and the huh Leigh Baggott was talking to him outside.

The cold sweat that had been enough to show his panic and fear for weeks immediately flowed from his face and hands.What on earth was he thinking? Like, from Lycurgus to Utiga, he forgot to put on his cap, or at least took it out of his suitcase before he bought a new one; or, He hadn't bought a straw hat before going to Utiga.

However, thank God, the guide didn't even know him! Instead, he just asked him curiously, treating him as a complete stranger: "Going to Great Patton? First time?" Clyde sighed. He took a deep breath, but still answered with a trembling voice: "Yes."

Then, he asked in a panic: "Are there many people there today?" As soon as he said it, he felt that he was going crazy for asking.The question is, why single this one? God, can he never stop this stupid self-destructive mistake?

He was so disturbed that he scarcely heard the guide's answer; and when he did, it seemed to come from a great distance. "Not many. From my perspective, there were only seven to eighty people. On the fourth day, there were more than 80 people, but most of them left yesterday."

They drove along the wet yellow road, the pine trees on both sides were silent.How peaceful! Although it was noon, the pine forest was gloomy, and the depths were purple and gray.If it slipped away by night or day, where would anyone see it? From the depths of the forest came the cry of a strange bird, and a finch sang softly on a distant twig, and its sweet song echoed in the silvery shadows .As the lumbering covered bus drove over creeks and streams and rough wooden bridges, Roberta said of the clear waters: "Isn't it charming there? You hear the sound of the water like silver bells." Clyde. Oh, how fresh the air is here!"

But she was about to die.

very pitiful.

But what if there are a lot of people in Great Biton, where there are houses and yachts for rent? Or what if the people over there are scattered on the lake, and they are all fishermen, scattered in various places. What if they scattered and were alone, and couldn't find a place to hide everywhere? He didn't think about it, how strange it was.Maybe this lake is not as desolate as he imagined, maybe it is not so desolate today, just like the grass lake, what should we do?

Ah, then run away, run away, and nothing else.I can't stand the tension.Hell, he'd rather die if he kept thinking about it.

How on earth could he think of finding his way out by such absurd, vicious plots? Killing people and then running away, or killing people and then pretending they were both drowned.And he, the real murderer, escaped and lived his happy life. What a terrible plan! But, what else can we do? What else can we do? Isn’t it just for this thing that he came from afar? Make him regret it now? Backtrack?

At this moment, Roberta beside him always thought that she was going to be married soon, and of course it would be nothing else in the morning; it was just a side pleasure to admire the lake he so often mentioned.He always talked about it as if it was more important and more interesting than anything in their lives.

But the guide said again: "I think you intend to stay here. I saw you left the lady's box over there." He nodded to Clyde.

"No, we're leaving to-night to catch the eight-ten. Are you seeing people there?"

"of course."

"I heard that you are going to give it away. The people at Caohu Lake said it."

But why did he add a word about Grass Lake? It showed that he and Roberta had been there before they came here.But the fool also mentioned "this lady's suitcase"! And said to stay at Ken Lodge.The devil! Why did he mind his own business? Why did he conclude that he and Roberta were not married? There was only one with him, so why did he ask the question? How strange! How shameless! How could he know? Guess Arrived or what? But what does it matter if she's married or not? If she's not picked up, "married or not married" makes any difference? Doesn't it? If she's picked up and it turns out she's not married, Wouldn't it be more proof that she went away with someone? Of course! So why worry now?

Roberta asked, "Are there any other hotels or places to stay on the lake other than the one we're going to?"

"No more, madam. There was a large group of young men and women camping on the east bank yesterday. About a mile from the hotel, I think, but I don't know if they're there now. I didn't see a single one today."

A lot of young men and women! My God! Maybe they're out on the lake, all of them, rowing, or sailing, or something? And he's here with her.Maybe there are people from Lake No. 12, like when he came two weeks ago with Sandra, Harriet, Stuart, Bettina, some of them were Cranston, Harriet's, Fern Friends of the Qiley family, or others, came here to play; and they must remember him.Also, there must be a way to the east of the lake, and with these circumstances, and the fact that others were there, his trip might be wasted.What a ridiculous plan! This kind of ignorant plan, he should have spent more time and found a farther lake area, and he should have known what to do, just because he has been tortured these days, Just don't know how to plan.Up to now, we can only talk about it after seeing it.If there are many people, some idea must be made to paddle out to a really deserted place.Or else, just turn around and go back to Grass Lake or something.So what on earth would he do, if there were a lot of people here?

Just then, the long path, lined with green trees on both sides, came to an end at last, leading to the meadow he remembered now, and the lake was visible.I saw the small hotel facing the deep blue water of Great Biton, and the pillared corridor in the hotel.And the low, red-tiled boat shed on the right side of the lake, which he had seen on his last visit, made Roberta exclaim: "Oh, it's so beautiful, it's so beautiful." Great." Clyde was looking at the dark and gloomy island in the distance, which was to the south.I also saw that there were only a few people there, and there was no one on the lake."Yeah, really," he exclaimed in a flustered voice, though his throat seemed to be choked when he said it.

The hotel owner came over.The man was of medium height, with a flushed face and broad shoulders.He said in a tone of attracting business: "How many days?"

Clyde was very disgusted with this new situation. After he gave the guide a dollar, he said coldly: "No, no, we only play for one afternoon and we are leaving tonight."

"Stay here for dinner, then? The train doesn't leave until fifteen past eight."

"Ah, I want... Yes, of course, since this is the case, we want it."...Because, Roberta, who is on her honeymoon, is on the day before her wedding, and it is a trip of this nature. eat here.All in all, the pudgy fool was a nuisance.

"Well, then, I'll carry the suitcases. You might as well register. Maybe your wife needs a break."

(End of this chapter)