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Chapter 5 Muddy Water
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The secretary of the late Sir Charles Moon smiled irresolutely1 when he recognised Dan. That young gentleman, who thought Penn a weak-kneed idiot, had never taken much notice of him, and but for the fact that he was perfumed with the unusual scent2 would not have spoken to him now. But as he looked at the lank3 creature with his yellow face, and scanty4 moustache, he guessed that he was exactly the effeminate sort of person who would use perfume. What he wished to know was why he affected5 this particular kind of fragrance6, and whence he obtained it. To gain the information he pretended a friendliness7 for the man he was far from feeling. Dan, strong, virile8, and self-confident, was not altogether just to Penn, who was not responsible for his pallid9 looks and weak character. But Halliday was not a perfect individual by any means, and had yet to learn that the weak are meant to be protected and helped instead of being despised.

“You here, Mr. Penn?” said Dan, thus formal to mark the difference between them.

“Yes,” replied the man in his faint, hesitating voice, and, as they moved out of the crowd, Halliday smelt10 the weird11 perfume more strongly than ever shaken from Penn’s clothes by his movements. “I stopped to look at the accident.”

“A very ordinary one,” rejoined Halliday, with a shrug12. “By the way, I have not seen you since the funeral of Sir Charles. What are you doing now, if I may ask?”

“I am secretary to Lord Curberry.”

“Oh!” The reply gave Dan something of a shock, for he did not expect at the moment to hear his rival’s name. But then the whole incident of meeting Penn and smelling the incriminating perfume was strange. Monsieur Chance had proved himself to be an actuality instead of the mythical13 personage Dan had believed him to be. It was certainly odd that the meeting had taken place, and odder still that Penn should prove to be the servant of Curberry.

As Halliday said nothing more than “Oh!” the other man stroked his moustache and explained. “Sir John got me the post, Mr. Halliday,” he said with his shifty eyes anywhere but on Dan’s inquiring face. “I was quite stranded14 after Sir Charles’s unexpected death, and did not know where to turn for employment. As I support a widowed mother, the situation was rather serious, so I took my courage in my hands and went to Sir John. He was good enough to recommend me to Lord Curberry, and I have been with his lordship for a month, more or less.”

“I congratulate you, Mr. Penn, and Lord Curberry also. Sir Charles always said you were an excellent secretary.” Dan stopped as Penn bowed his acknowledgements to the compliment, and cast a keen side glance at the man. They were walking through Trafalgar Square by this time; passing under the shadow of Nelson’s Column. “Do you know what I was thinking of when behind you in the crowd yonder, Mr. Penn?” he asked abruptly15, and it must be confessed rather undiplomatically, if he wished to get at the truth.

“No,” said the secretary, with simplicity16 and manifest surprise. “No, Mr. Halliday, how can I guess your thoughts?”

“I was thinking of the murder of your late employer,” said Dan straightly.

Penn blinked and shivered. “It’s a horrible subject to think about,” he remarked in a low voice. “I can scarcely get it out of my own thoughts. I suppose the sight of me reminded you of the crime, Mr. Halliday?”

“Scarcely, since I was behind you and did not recognise you until you turned,” replied Dan, calmly, and the other appeared to be surprised.

“Then how —” he began, only to be cut short.

“It’s that scent.”

“Scent!” echoed Penn nervously17 but manifestly still surprised. “I don’t understand what you mean, Mr. Halliday. I like scent, and use much of it.”

Dan’s lip curled. “So I perceive. But where did you get the particular scent you are using now, may I ask?”

Something in his tone annoyed the secretary, for he drew himself up and halted. “I don’t know why you should criticise18 my tastes, Mr. Halliday.”

“I’m not criticising them, and don’t jump down my throat. But you reek19 of some strange perfume, which I last smelt —” He paused.

“You cannot have smelt it anywhere,” said Penn indifferently.

“What do you mean by that exactly?” asked Dan with considerable sharpness.

Penn resumed his walk and drew his light eyebrows20 together. “I am willing to explain as soon as you tell me why you speak of the scent.”

“Hang it, man!” rejoined Halliday, dropping into step, “any one would notice the scent and speak of it since it is so strong.”

“Oh”— Penn’s brow cleared —“I understand now. You have taken a fancy to the scent and wish me to get you some.”

Halliday was about to make an indignant denial, when he suddenly changed his mind, seeing a chance of learning something. “Well, can you get me some?”

“No,” said Penn coolly; “I cannot. This is a particular perfume which comes from the Island of Sumatra. I have a cousin there who knows that I like perfumes, and he sent me a single bottle.”

“Can’t I buy it anywhere?”

“No, it is not to be obtained in England,” said Penn curtly21.

“In that case,” said Halliday slowly, “it is strange that I should have smelt the same perfume on the clothes of Sir Charles after his death.”

“Did you?” Penn looked surprised. “That is impossible. Why, Sir Charles detested22 scents23, and I never dared to use this one until I left him for the night.”

“You used it on the night of the murder?”

“Of course. I used it every night when I left Sir Charles. On that evening he sent me away with my usual batch24 of letters, and was going down to the House later. I would not have seen him until the next morning, so I took the opportunity to indulge in this taste.”

“Then how did Sir Charles’s clothes become impregnated with it?”

“I am unable to say. Why do you ask? Surely”— Penn turned an alarmed face towards the speaker, and looked yellower than ever —“surely you do not suspect me of keeping back anything from the police likely to lead to the detection of the assassin.”

“Ask yourself, Mr. Penn,” said Dan coldly. “I and Inspector25 Tenson and Mr. Durwin smelt this particular perfume on the clothes of the dead man, and I do not mind telling you that the police consider it to be something of a clue.”

“A clue to what? To me? It must be, since I alone possess this scent. I certainly came into the library when summoned by Mr. Durwin, and I helped to look after Sir Charles. As I was strongly perfumed with the scent it is not impossible that my employer’s clothes took what, doubtless, you will call the taint26. I think,” ended Penn in a dignified27 manner, “that such is the proper explanation. You have found a mare’s nest, Mr. Halliday.”

“Upon my word, I believe I have,” said Dan, quite good-humouredly, “but you must forgive me, Mr. Penn. Inspector Tenson agreed with me that the fly and the scent were clues.”

“About the fly I know nothing,” said the secretary positively28, “but this scent is not to be had in England, and Sir Charles’s clothes could only have gathered the fragrance from mine. If Inspector Tenson suspects me —”

“No, no, no!” interrrupted Halliday quickly. “I assure you that he does not.”

“He would if you told him of our meeting,” retorted Penn as they passed into Piccadilly Circus, “and as I don’t like even a suspicion to rest on me, Mr. Halliday — for my good name is my fortune — I shall go and see him and explain the whole circumstance. Indeed, if he wishes it, I shall give him the bottle which my cousin posted to me from Sumatra, and never shall I use the scent again. I do not like these injurious suspicions.”

“Don’t make a mountain out of a mole-hill,” said Dan, drily; “if I have hurt your feelings, I apologise.”

“I accept your apology only on condition that you accept my explanation.”

Dan inwardly chuckled29 at Penn’s dignity, but replied readily enough. “Oh, yes, for if I did not accept your explanation I should not make any apology. You are probably right since the scent must have got on to Sir Charles’s clothes from your own. The clue — as we took it to be-has ended in smoke.”

“But don’t you think that I should see Inspector Tenson and explain?”

“There is no need,” Dan assured him, soothingly30. “If the Inspector says anything about the scent, I shall explain; and, after all, it was I who suggested the perfume as a clue.”

“Would you like what is left of the bottle?” asked Penn, pacified31 by the very frank apology of the other.

“No, thanks, I never use perfumes. I hate them.”

“So did Sir Charles,” mused32 Penn, and eyeing Dan with a lack-lustre gaze. “I wonder he did not suspect me of liking33 them. If he had come upon me scented34 in this manner, he would have kicked me out.”

“It is to be hoped Lord Curberry has not the same dislike,” said Dan, who having learned all he wished, desired to escape from such boring society.

“No, he has not,” said Penn with great simplicity; “he is very kind to me. I suppose he will marry Miss Moon.”

“Then you suppose wrong. He will not,” snapped Halliday roughly.

“He loves her devotedly35,” insisted the secretary, and with a glint of malice36 in his pale-coloured eyes.

“Good day,” rejoined Dan shortly, as he did not wish to argue the matter. He turned into Regent Street — for by this time they had crossed the Circus — when Penn ran after him and seized his arm.

“Is there any chance of the woman who killed Sir Charles being found?”

“No,” replied Dan, halting for a moment. “Why?”

“Because Sir Charles was good to me, and I should like his death to be avenged37. That is only natural. Surely the police will search.”

“They are searching, Mr. Penn, and can discover nothing.”

“Perhaps Lord Curberry may hunt for this woman. I shall ask him to, and as he loves Miss Moon so devotedly, he will try and learn the truth.”

Irritated by this speech — for Penn knew all about the rivalry38 — Dan became scarlet39. “I shall discover the truth. Lord Curberry need not trouble himself.”

“If you discover the truth —” began Penn, and hesitated.

“Well?” asked Halliday sharply.

“I think Lord Curberry will certainly marry Miss Moon.”

“What do you mean by that?” demanded Dan, but Penn gave no answer. Shaking his head significantly, he stepped back, and in one moment was lost in the midst of the crowd which thronged40 the corner. Halliday would have followed, for the man’s last observation seemed to hint that he knew more about the truth than he was disposed to admit; but many people came between him and the secretary, so it was impossible to get hold of him again. Dan was forced to walk on alone and he walked on pondering deeply.

Did Penn know the truth? It seemed impossible that he should know it. The evidence of the typewriting girl went to show that he had not left his private room all the evening until summoned by Durwin when the death was discovered. What Penn said about the perfume appeared to be reasonable enough, as he certainly had handled the body, and if reeking41 of the scent — as he was reeking on this very day — it was not surprising that the odour should communicate itself to the dress clothes of the dead man. Some odours cling very powerfully, and endure for a considerable time. This Sumatra scent assuredly had done so, for it was quite three hours after the death that Dan himself had seen the corpse42, and even then he had smelt the perfume. However, on the face of it, Halliday saw no reason to doubt Penn’s statement, and quite understood how he became, through Sir John’s mediation43, the secretary of Lord Curberry. Only the last speech of the secretary was strange. Why should he say that, if the truth were discovered by Dan, Curberry would marry the girl, when, on the discovery of the truth — so far as Dan could see — the marriage of himself to Lillian depended? Dan could find no answer to this question, and had half a mind to follow Penn to his new employer’s house, so as to force an explanation. But as he knew Curberry did not like him, he decided44 to let matters stand as they were, and only reveal what he had heard to Laurance.

For the next four or five days, young Halliday went about his business in a quiet, determined45 manner, and thought as little as possible of Lillian. He did not even write or call to see her, since he wished to give up his whole attention to discovering the truth about Moon’s death. If he thought of love and Lillian, he certainly could not concentrate his mind on the necessary search. And such attention was very necessary, if he intended to marry the girl. He became certain that in some way Sir John intended to trick him, but if he found out the false Mrs. Brown, and solved the mystery, Sir John would be forced out of sheer justice to sanction the marriage. It was heroical of Halliday to turn his thoughts from his beloved and it was no easy task to one so deeply in love as he was. But he saw the need of it, and manfully set himself to endure present pain for future joy. Whether Lillian saw things in the same light, or resented his neglect, he did not know, as he had no word from her; neither came there any letter from Mrs. Bolstreath. Dan had certainly been pushed out of the girl’s life by her astute46 uncle; but it was his own common sense that kept him out of it; for the time being — be it understood. Love demands its martyrs47 and Halliday had become one for Love’s sake. By doing so, although he knew it not, he was displaying more real love towards her than he had ever done in his life before.

Meanwhile, Laurance lost no time in publishing his letter, which dealt with the mystery of Moon’s death. As “The Moment”, including its extra letter-writing sheet, had a large circulation, and as it was a season devoid48 of news, the letter caused great discussions. It was sufficiently49 alarming to those who loved law and order, since it boldly announced that a gang of criminals existed which coldly and cautiously and deliberately50 employed its members to put people to death. The letter called attention to the fly — and that an artificial one — on Sir Charles’s neck near the poisoned wound, and declared that such was the sign-manual of the accursed society. No mention was made of the scent, since Dan had explained what Penn had said to Laurance, and Laurance had accepted the explanation as valid51. But there was quite enough in the letter to startle the most dull, especially when the writer called attention to the happening of various mysterious murders, and suggested that such were the work of this misguided set of people who constituted the unknown gang. Finally, Freddy ended his letter by saying that Moon had knowledge of the gang, and had sent for a Scotland Yard official — name not given — to explain the whole matter, when he met with his death. It was a fact, therefore, that the false Mrs. Brown was an emissary of the gang who had been detailed52 to murder Sir Charles and had performed her vile53 errand only too well. A postscript54 to the epistle invited discussion, and particularly called upon any person who knew of an artificial fly being found on a corpse to give evidence.

In two days the sheet was filled with letters from various people, and the matter was much discussed. Some of the writers laughed at the idea of such a society existing in a civilised country such as England was, while others expressed alarm and asked what the police were doing not to arrest the criminals. These last scribes evidently entirely55 forgot that no one knew where the central quarters of the gang were, and that the letter of Mr. Laurance was an attempt to root out the heart of the mystery. Those who appeared in print and aided the circulation of “The Moment” by buying their own lucubrations certainly did not help much. The generality of the letters were discursive56 and ornate, wandering very much from the point, and giving no positive information such as would assist Freddy’s purpose. But three or four epistles drew attention to certain mysterious crimes, the perpetrators of which had never been brought to justice, and who were not even known. There was the case of a young girl found dead on the Brighton railway line near Redhill, and who must have been thrown out of the train. Then someone wrote about a miser57 in the East End who had been strangled, and another person recalled the drowning of a well-known philanthropist in the Serpentine58. A verdict of suicide had been brought in as regards this last victim, but the writer of the letter positively asserted that the philanthropist had not the slightest intention of making away with himself. Finally came a batch of letters concerning children who had been murdered.

But only in one case did it appear that any fly was seen on the victim, and that was when a schoolmistress was stabbed to the heart while in bed and asleep. The assassin had entered and escaped by the window, and the victim’s mother — who wrote the letter drawing attention to this case — had found the fly on her daughter’s cheek. She had thought nothing of it at the time, and had brushed away the insect. But after the mention of the fly on Sir Charles Moon’s neck, she remembered the incident. Also it turned out that the schoolmistress, had she lived, would have inherited a large sum of money. It was this last circumstance that suggested the intervention59 of the gang to murder the girl so that someone else might inherit. But all the letters dealing60 with the various cases were vague, and no enlightening details could be given. All that could be said was that there were many unusual deaths, the mystery of which could not be solved. Laurance, reading the letters during the week of their appearance, felt sure that the gang existed, but he was more or less alone in his opinion. Even Dan was doubtful.

“It seems such a large order for a number of people to band themselves together in order to murder on this comprehensive scale,” he objected; “and I don’t quite see the object. Many of the victims mentioned in these letters are poor.”

“You seem to have changed your mind about the matter,” said Laurance drily, “for when my letter appeared you were assured that there was such a gang.”

“Only because of Sir Charles’s remarks to Durwin.”

“It was a pity Sir Charles was not more explicit,” retorted Freddy crossly.

“He had no time to be explicit,” said Dan, patiently, “since he died before he could explain. But let us admit, for the sake of argument, that such a gang exists. Why should the members murder poor people?”

“Folks have been murdered by way of revenge, as well as for money. And let me remind you, Dan, that four or five of these victims mentioned in the letters had money, or were about to inherit money. I am quite convinced,” said Laurance, striking the table, “that there is such an association.”

“An association for what?”

“You are very dull. To get undesirable61 people out of the way. Remember, in the reign62 of Louis XIV, there were dozens of poisoners in Paris who undertook to kill people when engaged to do so. The reason was for revenge, or desire for money, or — or — or for other reasons,” ended Laurance vaguely63.

“Hum!” Dan stroked his chin, “it may be as you say. Certainly Sir Charles was got rid of, because he knew too much.”

“About this gang,” insisted Laurance, “since he was to see Durwin about the same. I am certain that such an association exists.”

“You said that before,” Halliday reminded him.

“And I say it again. At all events there is one thing certain — that we have learned from these letters of many mysterious crimes.”

“But only in one case was the fly discovered,” objected Dan again.

“That is not to be wondered at,” replied the journalist; “the wonder is that such a small insect should be noticed at all. No one would ever think of connecting a fly, whether dead or alive, with the death. The mother of the schoolmistress did not, until your experience with regard to Moon was quoted in my letter. The fly business is quite ridiculous.”

“And perhaps means nothing.”

“Oh, I think it does, seeing that in Moon’s case the fly was artificial. Probably in the case of the schoolmistress it was artificial also, only the mother who noticed it did not make an examination. Why should she? I wonder the gang don’t have a better trade-mark.”

“Perhaps the gang may think it would be spotted64 if it did.”

“Then why have any trade-mark at all,” answered Laurance, sensibly. “If there is to be a sign, there should be some sensible one. If the fly was stamped on the skin, as the purple fern was stamped, there would be some sense in the matter. But a fly, artificial or not, is —” Freddy spread out his hands, for words entirely failed him.

“Well,” said Dan after a pause, “I don’t know what to say, since everything is so vague. However, I shall assume that such a gang exists, and shall do my best to help you to bring about its destruction, as that means my marriage to Lillian. To help, I must have money, so the sooner we get north and engage one of Vincent’s machines with all the latest improvements, the better shall I be pleased.” He moved towards the door, as they were in Laurance’s rooms when this conversation took place, and there he halted. “I think, Freddy, you will have a chance of proving in your own person, as to the truth of your supposition regarding this gang!”

“What do you mean?” asked Laurance somewhat startled.

“Well,” murmured Dan, “the gang know you started the hunt for its destruction, as I expect the members read the papers. If that is the case you will be a source of danger, such as Sir Charles was and —”

“I’ll look after myself,” interrupted Laurance grimly.

“Well, if you don’t, and the worst comes,” said Dan agreeably, “I shall carefully examine your corpse for the celebrated65 fly.”

“I’ll look after myself,” said Laurance again, “and if you think I am going to give up doing business through fear of death, you are much mistaken. If I can find the gang and exterminate66 them, I’ll get a much larger salary, and so will be able to marry Mildred.”

“Oh, that’s her name is it! Mildred Vincent! Is she pretty?”

“You might not think so since Miss Moon is your ideal,” said Freddy, with a blush. “Mildred is dark and tall, and well-proportioned — none of your skimpy women, old man.”

“Lillian isn’t skimpy,” cried Halliday indignantly.

“I never said she was. Let us call her fairy-like.”

“That’s better. And your Mildred?”

“You’ll see her when we go north the day after tomorrow.”

“Good!” Dan nodded thankfully, “we go to Vincent the day after tomorrow?”

“Yes. Meet me at a quarter to twelve at St. Pancras Station; the train leaves at mid-day and we change for Beswick about four o’clock. I expect we’ll arrive — all going well — at Sheepeak about six.”

“Good! But why shouldn’t all go well?” inquired Dan, after a pause.

Laurance chuckled. “According to you, the gang will hunt me down, and as you are in my company — well!” he chuckled again.

“Oh, I don’t care a cent for the gang, no more than yourself,” retorted Dan with a shrug. “I’m not even going to think of the beasts. We go north to get the machine which will enable me to win this two thousand. And then —”

“And then?” echoed Laurance with a grin.

“Then I shall discover the truth, crush the gang, and marry Lillian.”

In this way, therefore, the muddy water was stirred up.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 irresolutely bd48a0849e0a868390b09177fd05c8ef     
adv.优柔寡断地
参考例句:
  • He followed irresolutely for a little distance, half a pace behind her. 他犹豫地跟了短短的一段距离,落在她身后半步路。 来自英汉文学
  • She arose and stood irresolutely at the foot of the stairs. 她起身来到楼梯脚下,犹豫不定地站在那里。 来自飘(部分)
2 scent WThzs     
n.气味,香味,香水,线索,嗅觉;v.嗅,发觉
参考例句:
  • The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
  • The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。
3 lank f9hzd     
adj.瘦削的;稀疏的
参考例句:
  • He rose to lank height and grasped Billy McMahan's hand.他瘦削的身躯站了起来,紧紧地握住比利·麦默恩的手。
  • The old man has lank hair.那位老人头发稀疏
4 scanty ZDPzx     
adj.缺乏的,仅有的,节省的,狭小的,不够的
参考例句:
  • There is scanty evidence to support their accusations.他们的指控证据不足。
  • The rainfall was rather scanty this month.这个月的雨量不足。
5 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
6 fragrance 66ryn     
n.芬芳,香味,香气
参考例句:
  • The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。
  • The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。
7 friendliness nsHz8c     
n.友谊,亲切,亲密
参考例句:
  • Behind the mask of friendliness,I know he really dislikes me.在友善的面具后面,我知道他其实并不喜欢我。
  • His manner was a blend of friendliness and respect.他的态度友善且毕恭毕敬。
8 virile JUrzR     
adj.男性的;有男性生殖力的;有男子气概的;强有力的
参考例句:
  • She loved the virile young swimmer.她爱上了那个有男子气概的年轻游泳运动员。
  • He wanted his sons to become strong,virile,and athletic like himself.他希望他的儿子们能长得像他一样强壮、阳刚而又健美。
9 pallid qSFzw     
adj.苍白的,呆板的
参考例句:
  • The moon drifted from behind the clouds and exposed the pallid face.月亮从云朵后面钻出来,照着尸体那张苍白的脸。
  • His dry pallid face often looked gaunt.他那张干瘪苍白的脸常常显得憔悴。
10 smelt tiuzKF     
v.熔解,熔炼;n.银白鱼,胡瓜鱼
参考例句:
  • Tin is a comparatively easy metal to smelt.锡是比较容易熔化的金属。
  • Darby was looking for a way to improve iron when he hit upon the idea of smelting it with coke instead of charcoal.达比一直在寻找改善铁质的方法,他猛然想到可以不用木炭熔炼,而改用焦炭。
11 weird bghw8     
adj.古怪的,离奇的;怪诞的,神秘而可怕的
参考例句:
  • From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来,他好像有点怪。
  • His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。
12 shrug Ry3w5     
v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等)
参考例句:
  • With a shrug,he went out of the room.他耸一下肩,走出了房间。
  • I admire the way she is able to shrug off unfair criticism.我很佩服她能对错误的批评意见不予理会。
13 mythical 4FrxJ     
adj.神话的;虚构的;想像的
参考例句:
  • Undeniably,he is a man of mythical status.不可否认,他是一个神话般的人物。
  • Their wealth is merely mythical.他们的财富完全是虚构的。
14 stranded thfz18     
a.搁浅的,进退两难的
参考例句:
  • He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里, 身无分文,一筹莫展。
  • I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市,既没有钱,又没有朋友。
15 abruptly iINyJ     
adv.突然地,出其不意地
参考例句:
  • He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
  • I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。
16 simplicity Vryyv     
n.简单,简易;朴素;直率,单纯
参考例句:
  • She dressed with elegant simplicity.她穿着朴素高雅。
  • The beauty of this plan is its simplicity.简明扼要是这个计划的一大特点。
17 nervously tn6zFp     
adv.神情激动地,不安地
参考例句:
  • He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇,努力忍着不哭出来。
  • He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。
18 criticise criticise     
v.批评,评论;非难
参考例句:
  • Right and left have much cause to criticise government.左翼和右翼有很多理由批评政府。
  • It is not your place to criticise or suggest improvements!提出批评或给予改进建议并不是你的责任!
19 reek 8tcyP     
v.发出臭气;n.恶臭
参考例句:
  • Where there's reek,there's heat.哪里有恶臭,哪里必发热。
  • That reek is from the fox.那股恶臭是狐狸发出的。
20 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
21 curtly 4vMzJh     
adv.简短地
参考例句:
  • He nodded curtly and walked away. 他匆忙点了一下头就走了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The request was curtly refused. 这个请求被毫不客气地拒绝了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
22 detested e34cc9ea05a83243e2c1ed4bd90db391     
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • They detested each other on sight. 他们互相看着就不顺眼。
  • The freethinker hated the formalist; the lover of liberty detested the disciplinarian. 自由思想者总是不喜欢拘泥形式者,爱好自由者总是憎恶清规戒律者。 来自辞典例句
23 scents 9d41e056b814c700bf06c9870b09a332     
n.香水( scent的名词复数 );气味;(动物的)臭迹;(尤指狗的)嗅觉
参考例句:
  • The air was fragrant with scents from the sea and the hills. 空气中荡漾着山和海的芬芳气息。
  • The winds came down with scents of the grass and wild flowers. 微风送来阵阵青草和野花的香气。 来自《简明英汉词典》
24 batch HQgyz     
n.一批(组,群);一批生产量
参考例句:
  • The first batch of cakes was burnt.第一炉蛋糕烤焦了。
  • I have a batch of letters to answer.我有一批信要回复。
25 inspector q6kxH     
n.检查员,监察员,视察员
参考例句:
  • The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
  • The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。
26 taint MIdzu     
n.污点;感染;腐坏;v.使感染;污染
参考例句:
  • Everything possible should be done to free them from the economic taint.应尽可能把他们从经济的腐蚀中解脱出来。
  • Moral taint has spread among young people.道德的败坏在年轻人之间蔓延。
27 dignified NuZzfb     
a.可敬的,高贵的
参考例句:
  • Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中,他始终沉默以保持尊严。
  • He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
28 positively vPTxw     
adv.明确地,断然,坚决地;实在,确实
参考例句:
  • She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
  • The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。
29 chuckled 8ce1383c838073977a08258a1f3e30f8     
轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
  • She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
30 soothingly soothingly     
adv.抚慰地,安慰地;镇痛地
参考例句:
  • The mother talked soothingly to her child. 母亲对自己的孩子安慰地说。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He continued to talk quietly and soothingly to the girl until her frightened grip on his arm was relaxed. 他继续柔声安慰那姑娘,她那因恐惧而紧抓住他的手终于放松了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
31 pacified eba3332d17ba74e9c360cbf02b8c9729     
使(某人)安静( pacify的过去式和过去分词 ); 息怒; 抚慰; 在(有战争的地区、国家等)实现和平
参考例句:
  • The baby could not be pacified. 怎么也止不住婴儿的哭声。
  • She shrieked again, refusing to be pacified. 她又尖叫了,无法使她平静下来。
32 mused 0affe9d5c3a243690cca6d4248d41a85     
v.沉思,冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 );沉思自语说(某事)
参考例句:
  • \"I wonder if I shall ever see them again, \"he mused. “我不知道是否还可以再见到他们,”他沉思自问。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • \"Where are we going from here?\" mused one of Rutherford's guests. 卢瑟福的一位客人忍不住说道:‘我们这是在干什么?” 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史
33 liking mpXzQ5     
n.爱好;嗜好;喜欢
参考例句:
  • The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
  • I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。
34 scented a9a354f474773c4ff42b74dd1903063d     
adj.有香味的;洒香水的;有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I let my lungs fill with the scented air. 我呼吸着芬芳的空气。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The police dog scented about till he found the trail. 警犬嗅来嗅去,终于找到了踪迹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
35 devotedly 62e53aa5b947a277a45237c526c87437     
专心地; 恩爱地; 忠实地; 一心一意地
参考例句:
  • He loved his wife devotedly. 他真诚地爱他的妻子。
  • Millions of fans follow the TV soap operas devotedly. 千百万观众非常着迷地收看这部电视连续剧。
36 malice P8LzW     
n.恶意,怨恨,蓄意;[律]预谋
参考例句:
  • I detected a suggestion of malice in his remarks.我觉察出他说的话略带恶意。
  • There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits.他的许多肖像画中都透着一股强烈的怨恨。
37 avenged 8b22eed1219df9af89cbe4206361ac5e     
v.为…复仇,报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 );为…报复
参考例句:
  • She avenged her mother's death upon the Nazi soldiers. 她惩处了纳粹士兵以报杀母之仇。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The Indians avenged the burning of their village on〔upon〕 the settlers. 印第安人因为村庄被焚毁向拓居者们进行报复。 来自《简明英汉词典》
38 rivalry tXExd     
n.竞争,竞赛,对抗
参考例句:
  • The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
  • He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。
39 scarlet zD8zv     
n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的
参考例句:
  • The scarlet leaves of the maples contrast well with the dark green of the pines.深红的枫叶和暗绿的松树形成了明显的对比。
  • The glowing clouds are growing slowly pale,scarlet,bright red,and then light red.天空的霞光渐渐地淡下去了,深红的颜色变成了绯红,绯红又变为浅红。
40 thronged bf76b78f908dbd232106a640231da5ed     
v.成群,挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Mourners thronged to the funeral. 吊唁者蜂拥着前来参加葬礼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The department store was thronged with people. 百货商店挤满了人。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
41 reeking 31102d5a8b9377cf0b0942c887792736     
v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 );散发臭气;发出难闻的气味 (of sth);明显带有(令人不快或生疑的跡象)
参考例句:
  • I won't have you reeking with sweat in my bed! 我就不许你混身臭汗,臭烘烘的上我的炕! 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
  • This is a novel reeking with sentimentalism. 这是一本充满着感伤主义的小说。 来自辞典例句
42 corpse JYiz4     
n.尸体,死尸
参考例句:
  • What she saw was just an unfeeling corpse.她见到的只是一具全无感觉的尸体。
  • The corpse was preserved from decay by embalming.尸体用香料涂抹以防腐烂。
43 mediation 5Cxxl     
n.调解
参考例句:
  • The dispute was settled by mediation of the third country. 这场争端通过第三国的斡旋而得以解决。
  • The dispute was settled by mediation. 经调解使争端得以解决。
44 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
45 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
46 astute Av7zT     
adj.机敏的,精明的
参考例句:
  • A good leader must be an astute judge of ability.一个优秀的领导人必须善于识别人的能力。
  • The criminal was very astute and well matched the detective in intelligence.这个罪犯非常狡猾,足以对付侦探的机智。
47 martyrs d8bbee63cb93081c5677dc671dc968fc     
n.martyr的复数形式;烈士( martyr的名词复数 );殉道者;殉教者;乞怜者(向人诉苦以博取同情)
参考例句:
  • the early Christian martyrs 早期基督教殉道者
  • They paid their respects to the revolutionary martyrs. 他们向革命烈士致哀。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
48 devoid dZzzx     
adj.全无的,缺乏的
参考例句:
  • He is completely devoid of humour.他十分缺乏幽默。
  • The house is totally devoid of furniture.这所房子里什么家具都没有。
49 sufficiently 0htzMB     
adv.足够地,充分地
参考例句:
  • It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
  • The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。
50 deliberately Gulzvq     
adv.审慎地;蓄意地;故意地
参考例句:
  • The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
  • They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。
51 valid eiCwm     
adj.有确实根据的;有效的;正当的,合法的
参考例句:
  • His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
  • Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗?
52 detailed xuNzms     
adj.详细的,详尽的,极注意细节的,完全的
参考例句:
  • He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
  • A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。
53 vile YLWz0     
adj.卑鄙的,可耻的,邪恶的;坏透的
参考例句:
  • Who could have carried out such a vile attack?会是谁发起这么卑鄙的攻击呢?
  • Her talk was full of vile curses.她的话里充满着恶毒的咒骂。
54 postscript gPhxp     
n.附言,又及;(正文后的)补充说明
参考例句:
  • There was the usual romantic postscript at the end of his letter.他的信末又是一贯的浪漫附言。
  • She mentioned in a postscript to her letter that the parcel had arrived.她在信末附笔中说包裹已寄到。
55 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
56 discursive LtExz     
adj.离题的,无层次的
参考例句:
  • His own toast was discursive and overlong,though rather touching.他自己的祝酒词虽然也颇为动人,但是比较松散而冗长。
  • They complained that my writing was becoming too discursive.他们抱怨我的文章变得太散漫。
57 miser p19yi     
n.守财奴,吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly)
参考例句:
  • The miser doesn't like to part with his money.守财奴舍不得花他的钱。
  • The demon of greed ruined the miser's happiness.贪得无厌的恶习毁掉了那个守财奴的幸福。
58 serpentine MEgzx     
adj.蜿蜒的,弯曲的
参考例句:
  • One part of the Serpentine is kept for swimmers.蜿蜒河的一段划为游泳区。
  • Tremolite laths and serpentine minerals are present in places.有的地方出现透闪石板条及蛇纹石。
59 intervention e5sxZ     
n.介入,干涉,干预
参考例句:
  • The government's intervention in this dispute will not help.政府对这场争论的干预不会起作用。
  • Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention.许多人觉得他会反对外来干预。
60 dealing NvjzWP     
n.经商方法,待人态度
参考例句:
  • This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
  • His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
61 undesirable zp0yb     
adj.不受欢迎的,不良的,不合意的,讨厌的;n.不受欢迎的人,不良分子
参考例句:
  • They are the undesirable elements among the employees.他们是雇员中的不良分子。
  • Certain chemicals can induce undesirable changes in the nervous system.有些化学物质能在神经系统中引起不良变化。
62 reign pBbzx     
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势
参考例句:
  • The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
  • The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。
63 vaguely BfuzOy     
adv.含糊地,暖昧地
参考例句:
  • He had talked vaguely of going to work abroad.他含糊其词地说了到国外工作的事。
  • He looked vaguely before him with unseeing eyes.他迷迷糊糊的望着前面,对一切都视而不见。
64 spotted 7FEyj     
adj.有斑点的,斑纹的,弄污了的
参考例句:
  • The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
  • Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。
65 celebrated iwLzpz     
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的
参考例句:
  • He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
  • The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。
66 exterminate nmUxU     
v.扑灭,消灭,根绝
参考例句:
  • Some people exterminate garden insects by spraying poison on the plants.有些人在植物上喷撒毒剂以杀死花园内的昆虫。
  • Woodpeckers can exterminate insect pests hiding in trees.啄木鸟能消灭躲在树里的害虫。


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