A FAMILY SECRET
Eric Stone lived in Westminster with his aunt, for he had no mother or father. He belonged to a Westminster Pack, but he spent all his holidays at his grandfather’s house—a lovely old castle in Wales. Its weather-beaten walls reached out very near to the craggy cliffs, where the sea dashed up, white and foamy1. Of course Eric longed for his holidays, and one day it struck him how jolly it would be to take three of the other Cubs2 with him. So he got leave from his grandfather, Sir David Stone, and then he invited the boys. He did not choose the ones he liked best, but the three chaps who would be likely to have the dullest holiday, and no fun at Christmas. That is how Donald Ford4, number six of the Whites, came to have the strange adventure this story is about.
81
. . . . . . . .
It was Christmas Eve. The four Cubs had decorated the castle with holly5 and mistletoe. Now they were curled up on the great bearskin rug in the hall, before a blazing log fire. The dark winter afternoon had closed in, but the lamps were not yet lighted. Everything looked very mysterious; the fire-light danced in the dark corners, gleaming on the shining suits of armour6 and oak-panelled walls.
82
“Tell us a ghost story,” said one of the Cubs. So Eric told them all the stories he knew about the castle, and the knights7 who had lived in it hundreds of years ago. “And now,” he said, “I’ll tell you something which is not just a story, but is quite true. Somewhere in this castle there is a secret room. You know in olden days people used to hide in secret rooms, away from their enemies. Well, there’s one here, and it was always kept very secret: only the head of the family knew where it was. It opened by a spring, hidden in the oak panelling. But now nobody knows where it is; the secret has been quite lost for four hundred years, because they found it was very, very unlucky for any one to open the door or go in; it always meant a tragedy, or great shame on the family. I should love to find the room and so would grandfather. Of course it’s all rot about its being unlucky.”
“Oh,” cried the Cubs, “how awfully8 exciting! Do let’s hunt for it.”
“Yes,” agreed Eric, “we will, to-morrow. There’s one side of the castle we don’t use, because it is unsafe and may fall to ruins any day. The servants say that’s where the secret room is. They wouldn’t go there after dark for anything. In fact they say they hear footsteps there in the night.”
83
At this moment there were steps in the hall and voices, and Eric’s grandfather came in accompanied by his adopted son, William Mendel, a gloomy-looking man. Sir David Stone was a tall, soldierly looking old man, and devoted9 to Eric, for Eric’s father (his only son) had been killed in the War. William Mendel was the son of a very old friend of his, who had died when William was quite a boy. Eric and the Cubs disliked “Uncle William,” for he never lost an opportunity of snubbing them. They called him “the Professor” behind his back. He had rather long black hair, and a sullen10, yellowish face. He wore large, round spectacles, and stooped badly. He had a nasty habit of peering about him in a suspicious manner.
“Hullo, kiddies!” said old Sir David, “what are you all doing in the dark?”
“I’ve been telling them about the secret room, grandfather,” said Eric; “to-morrow we are going to have a hunt for it.”
Sir David laughed. “All right,” he said, “and a golden sovereign for the one who finds it—that’s a bargain.”
84
The Cubs were delighted.
But Uncle William was looking very cross. “I shouldn’t have thought you would have wanted to find the secret room, Eric,” he said with a sneer11. “You know it is haunted, and brings trouble to whoever finds it.”
Old Sir David turned in surprise. “My dear William,” he said, “you don’t mean to say you believe in that old wives’ tale?”
William Mendel laughed an ugly laugh. “Do you take me for a fool, father?” he said. “I was only trying to frighten the children from going to the left wing of the castle. You know how exceedingly dangerous it is.”
“I don’t believe it’s dangerous,” said Sir David.
“Well, sir,” retorted William, “there will be an accident one day if you let people walk about in those rickety passages.”
Sir David shrugged12 his shoulders. It was not the first argument he had had with his adopted son about the left wing of the castle.
85
The Cubs were full of ideas about the secret room, and how to find it and earn the sovereign, as they went to bed that night.
II
AN ENEMY AT HAND
Christmas had passed, one long succession of delights, starting with a most generous Santa Claus and ending with a New Year’s party. Never had the four Cubs had such a Christmas! But during all this time they had forgotten the secret room. It was not until ten days later that the intended search took place. Tired and disappointed, the Cubs had come down to tea, and it was then that Uncle William had made his bright suggestion.
“There’s something more worth hunting for in this neighbourhood than an old secret room,” he said, “and you Cubs are just the people to find it.”
“What’s that, sir?” asked the Cubs, eagerly.
86
“Why, a German spy!” said Uncle William, with a grin. “And if you catch him I will give you each a golden sovereign—that’s a bargain!” The Cubs were thrilled.
“We’ll go out and look for him first thing to-morrow morning,” said Eric, cheerfully. But his grandfather was looking very grave.
“It is really a very serious matter,” he said, turning to William Mendel. “They say there’s an enemy submarine in the Irish Sea. Another liner was sunk this morning, only a few miles from here. That’s the eighth ship they’ve got near here in the last few weeks. I was speaking to the police, this morning, who say they suspect a base somewhere, at which this boat gets its supply of petrol. Otherwise it could not possibly remain so long in enemy waters. But it must be an extraordinarily14 clever arrangement, when one considers how well the coast is guarded. I don’t know what can have led them to suspect the spy’s presence in this neighbourhood.”
87
“No,” said William Mendel, “That’s what struck me. There would seem to be no hiding-place for him. And as to a base for providing a submarine with petrol about these rocky shores—well, that’s out of the question.”
“Quite,” agreed Sir David, “quite.”
But the spy had given the Cubs an object in life—they were hot on his tracks.
. . . . . . . .
Donald Ford, the Cub3 who had asked Eric to tell them ghost stories on Christmas Eve, had not given up hope of finding the secret room. In fact, while the others were full of the spy, he still thought most of the secret room. He was not a very strong boy, and often, when the others went out in the frosty air, dashing over the bleak15, stony16 hill through a long afternoon, he would choose to stay in, and sit by the log fire, dreaming, or reading tales of the good old days of knights and dragons and tournaments. It was on an afternoon like this that he discovered the old library.
88
Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling, row upon row. Old brown leather bindings they had, and gold lettering. They smelt17 very ancient, and were very, very dusty. But Donald loved to take them down, and sit on the floor, looking at their quaint18 pictures. And it was one day, sitting here in the library, that he made a very wonderful discovery which led to the strange adventure that befell him.
He had found an old book full of pictures of knights and ladies and people going hawking19, dressed in curious, old-fashioned clothes. On the fly-leaf of the book was written in a big, childish hand, “Eric Stone, His Booke, 1640.”
Donald turned the old musty pages with interest. So this book had belonged to a boy just about three hundred years ago. As he turned the pages a yellowish paper fluttered from between them, and fell on to the floor. Donald picked it up and examined it. It was covered with writing in the same round hand as there was on the fly-leaf. And this is what he read:
89
“I, Eric Stone, have found and discovered a most strange thing. But for fear of the ancient curse which brings dreadful mishap20 I have not told any person. I will write it here for him to read, who doth find this book. I have found the Secret Room. It is on the oak gallery, in the left wing of the Castle. The manner of the hiding of the spring is this. The oak panel is carved and ornamented21 with roses. The twenty-seventh rose from the end of the passage contains a hidden spring. If the rose be pushed upwards22 it will slide up, and also four inches of the panel. Below this lies a picture, engraven upon steel, of a horse’s head. If his right eye be pressed the spring will be released, and a panel of the wall will slide away. The room is empty.”
Donald’s heart beat fast as he read this message, come down to him through the ages from another boy. So he had the clue to the secret! He determined23 to lose no time in making the mysterious discovery, and ran quickly up the stairs.
90
Pushing open a heavy baize door, he found himself in the deserted24 left wing of the castle. The long corridors were bare and uncarpeted. Mounting a creaking staircase, he found himself in the Oak Gallery. He felt terribly alone and just a wee bit frightened; but, repeating the Second Cub Law to himself, he ran to the end of the passage. He was breathless with excitement. “One—two—three—four—five—” he counted the carved roses, “25—26—27—” Here he paused and, following the instructions on the paper, shoved the rose upwards. It moved away easily, and, sure enough, revealed a metal plate engraved25 with a horse’s head! With a trembling finger Donald pressed the great round eye of the horse. Instantly a wide piece of the oak panel slipped away, and, looking through the opening, Donald saw before him a dim-lit room. He was half afraid, but remembering he was a Cub he braced26 himself and entered.
91
He found himself in a long and very narrow room. But it was not empty as it had been when, three hundred years ago, another little boy had stood in that same doorway27 and looked in. From floor to ceiling the room was piled high with petrol cans, small tanks, and barrels. In one corner of the room a small door stood open.
Thoughts whirled through Donald’s brain. He had come on more than an old, dead secret, here! Peering down through the little door into the darkness he could just make out a flight of steps leading down in the form of a spiral staircase, in the thickness of the wall.
III
“A PRIVATE CONVERSATION”
That little, low door; the dusty steps leading down into the unknown darkness; the strange, musty smell—all this was too much for Donald. If only Eric his Sixer were there, he would not be afraid. But alone!—no, he dared not venture down. Turning round, he let himself out of the secret room, and carefully closed the panel. Standing28 on the bare, deserted landing, he looked about him. Was he dreaming? Had he somehow walked into a fairy tale? The oak-panelled wall showed no signs, now, of the secret lying behind it. Suddenly Donald felt a great longing29 to see the other Cubs. Turning round, he ran as fast as he could along the passages, and down the stairs. Once through the green baize door that separated the left wing from the rest of the castle all was familiar and reassuring30. His footsteps no longer echoed as he ran; in fact, you could not hear them as he stepped on the thick, soft carpet. It was warm, here, and he could hear the friendly crackle of the great log fire down in the hall. And then—welcome sound!—the front door opened and the Cubs came in, talking cheerfully of their game out on the hills. Tea in the old dining-room was a noisy meal: but Donald did not join in the noise. He was thinking of the extraordinary thing he had discovered.
As soon as tea was over he called his Sixer aside.
93
“I say,” he whispered, “I want to speak to you privately31—very privately.”
“Right-o!” said Eric, “come on—we’ll go into the library, no one will hear us there.”
And so, squatting32 on the floor, among the ancient books, Donald told his friend the story of his strange discovery.
Eric’s eyes grew bright, and his face flushed with excitement as he heard all Donald had to tell. Here, at last, was a real adventure! It had always been knights, or princes in fairy tales, or boys who ran away and went to sea, who had splendid things like that happen to them. But at last the chance had come his way!
94
. . . . . . . .
The next morning the two boys, white with excitement, stole along the quiet passages of the left wing, hand in hand. They both carried candles. Donald was armed with a stout33 stick, but his Sixer had insisted on bringing his air-gun and an old dagger34 out of the armoury. “There’ll be some dirty work if we meet the spy!” said Eric (remembering how he had heard his soldier cousin talk). “I say, have you got the coil of rope all right? We’ll set on him and take him prisoner. Then he’ll be tried, and shot at the Tower of London, I expect. And we shall be the chief witnesses.” He breathed hard through his clenched35 teeth: the fighting blood of the Stones was up.
At last they came to the gallery where the walls were made of dark oak, carved with a pattern of roses. Together the boys counted the roses in a whisper, till they came to the twenty-seventh. Then Donald worked the hidden spring, and the two Cubs stepped through the opening in the wall, into the secret room. Closing the panel again from the inside, they looked about them. The cans and barrels were piled up to the very ceiling. “It’s petrol, right enough,” said Eric, examining the tins. “And a good many hundred gallons, too. Not much ‘1640’ about this! Oh, the beasts! Fancy using Stone Castle as their base!” He gripped his dagger fiercely, and looked about him. “Come on,” he whispered a moment later, as, having lighted his candle, he stepped through the low, dark archway, and started to walk carefully down the spiral staircase.
95
It was giddy work, this progress round and round and down, in the flickering36 yellow light of the candles. The boys’ shadows looked like strange, black monsters on the walls. At last they reached level ground, and a long, dark passage opened before them. It smelt damp and earthy; great drops of mildew37 stood on the stone walls. With their hearts thumping38 with excitement the Cubs stepped forward.
They had walked what seemed to them some three or four hundred yards, when Eric suddenly called, “Stop—look out!” The passage had ended abruptly39 in another spiral staircase. Walking very carefully, the Cubs began to descend40. Down, down, down they wound in the darkness, till they began to get giddy. Then, once more, they were on the level.
96
“Another passage!” said Donald. “Oh, Eric, I’m jolly glad I didn’t go without you!”
“Buck up,” said his Sixer, cheerfully.
“What if we are outnumbered?” suggested Donald.
“Oh, we’ll ... we’ll ... we’ll DO OUR BEST!” ended Eric, with a happy thought.
An icy blast was blowing up the passage, and it felt very damp. There was a soft, whispering sound ahead.
“It’s the sea!” said Eric. “Come on.”
They walked on for about ten yards, then turned a sharp corner. “Daylight!” whispered the boys in one breath, drawing back into cover. Sure enough, the light of day was streaming through a great jagged hole, far above. There was no sound, save the murmur41 of the sea, so the Cubs crept on, round the bend.
97
They were in a large cave, dimly lighted from the hole in the wall, above them. They were standing on what seemed like a small quay42. Before them, black water moved softly, making a gurgling, sucking sound, as it gushed43 forth44 and drew back through a long, low opening in the further wall of the cave.
“We come right down to the sea, below the cliff,” said Eric. “This must be one of the old smugglers’ caves. It’s full of water because the shore, down here, is never quite out of the water, you know.”
The boys stole forward to the edge of the quay and peered down into the black water, a foot or two below them.
98
“Look!” whispered Donald, suddenly, pointing downward. Moored45 to an iron ring on the quay was a curious looking object. “It’s just like a submarine,” said Eric, “only much, much too small. But I say,” he added, bending over the boat, “it is a submarine—a tiny one! Now, I see it all! They put heaps of petrol in this, and just one or perhaps two men to work it; and then, when the tide is up, they dive, and get out of the cave by that opening, ahead. The German submarine comes up as near as it dares, and, at dead of night, this little boat gives it as much petrol as it wants. By Jove—we have found something!”
IV
FOOTSTEPS
As the two boys stood on the quay, looking down into the dark waters, a faint sound reached their ears. “Hush!” whispered Donald quickly, “let’s blow out our candles and take cover.”
“Don’t blow them out,” said Eric, “it would leave a smell—pinch the wicks.”
In a moment the boys were in total darkness, save for the faint glimmer46 of daylight from the hole in the wall of the cave above their heads. Moving very softly, they crept behind a projecting rock, and squatted47 down, listening breathlessly.
“‘It’s just like a submarine,’ said Eric, ‘only much too small. But I say,’ he added, bending over the boat, ‘it is a submarine—a tiny one!’”
99
Soft footsteps were descending48 the spiral staircase. It must be the spy! What sort of man would he be? Would he carry a revolver? What would he do to the Cubs if he saw them? Perhaps he would throw them into the black water. Or possibly he might force them to go down into the little submarine and take them out to the U-boat, and deport49 them to Germany. Wild thoughts flew through their minds, and they wished themselves a thousand miles away. Meanwhile, the footsteps were coming quickly along the short passage. The Cubs held their breath, their hearts beating wildly. A yellow beam of light fell on the quay, and in another moment a man stepped up to the water’s edge. The Cubs could see him through a crack in the rocks. As he turned round they saw his face, and Eric caught his breath in a gasp50 of surprise. It was William Mendel!
100
Opening the conning51 tower of the tiny submarine, he stepped down into it. “Shall we shut him in?” whispered Donald, under his breath. Eric shook his head. William Mendel had begun hammering, and making curious noises, inside the boat. It was safe to whisper without being heard. “If Uncle William is the spy,” said Eric, “there’s no need to take him prisoner, and risk getting taken ourselves. If he doesn’t know he’s been discovered, he will go on staying quite happily in the Castle. All we have to do is to get back, tell grandfather the whole story, and have him arrested. All the same I would love to take the old beast prisoner myself! But we shall be serving our country better by having him taken by the police, and made sure of. Think, if he knocked us down and managed to escape!”
The traitor52 sounded very busy in the boat. He had started the engine. “He’s overhauling53 his engines,” whispered Eric. “We better take this chance of getting out.” Very softly the two Cubs crept from their hiding place, back along the passage, and up the winding54 stairs. With a sigh of relief they emerged from the secret room, at last, and closed the sliding panel behind them.
V
JENKINS
“Now, what shall we do?” said Donald.
Eric was deep in thought. “I was going to say—‘Let’s go to grandfather’s study’—but it’s just struck me that Uncle William (ugh! the beastly traitor!) is sure not to be working alone. He must have a fellow spy helping55 him. I am not sure that we ought not to find out who it is before we speak to grandfather. He’s sure to get the wind up frightfully, and so will the police, and, of course, the fellow spy will just bunk56, with all the plans.”
“Yes,” said Donald, “and—I believe I know who the other spy is.”
“Who?” said Eric, turning on his companion.
“Jenkins,” said Donald.
102
“By Jove, I believe you are right,” said Eric. “Jenkins—Uncle William’s servant. I always hated that sneaking57 Jenkins, with his prying58 ways and long nose. All the servants hate him, too. And now I come to think of it, he was always having long, private talks with Uncle William. Let’s get after him.”
The two boys crept downstairs, and through a door in the hall into the servants’ quarters. Whom should they run into but Jenkins, himself—Jenkins, in a bowler59 hat, carrying a little black bag.
“Where are you going?” asked Eric.
“To London, Master Eric,” said Jenkins, with his most innocent air.
“Why?”
“On business for Mr. Mendel. I mustn’t stop, sir, or I shall miss my train.” He pushed past the boys towards the door.
Eric was in despair—what should he do? “Mr. Mendel’s business,” in London was sure to be spy work. And if Jenkins went to London, to-day, he might hear of his master’s capture and never come back. Suddenly an idea came to him. He stepped forwards between Jenkins and the door.
103
“You’re not go to London, Jenkins,” he said, “my grandfather would not wish you to go.”
Jenkins flushed an angry red, and was about to push Eric aside, when old Briggs the butler came along the passage.
“Briggs,” called Eric, “Jenkins says he’s going to London. But whatever happens he mustn’t go. My grandfather would be awfully angry if he heard Jenkins was out of the house. I can’t explain why, but you’ll know soon. Will you take him into the pantry and keep him there till grandfather sends for him?”
Now Briggs hated Jenkins, and so he was very glad to do anything to annoy him. Besides, he could see that Eric was in earnest. Taking Jenkins by the arm, he led him into the pantry. The footman was in there, cleaning silver, Eric was glad to see. Jenkins had gone perfectly60 white, and his knees knocked together as he walked. Suddenly Eric snatched the little black bag from his hands. Jenkins tried to keep hold of it, but Eric was too quick for him.
104
“Don’t leave him alone for a minute, will you, Briggs?” said Eric.
“No, sir, I will not,” said Briggs. He pushed Jenkins into a chair, where he sat looking like a rat in a trap. He knew he was found out, and that escape was impossible.
VI
HANDS UP, JENKINS
“Now for grandfather’s study,” said Eric.
He led the way along a passage, and knocked on the study door.
“Come in,” said Sir David.
The two boys entered, looking very serious. They sat down on two chairs, opposite Sir David, and first Donald told the story of the finding of the secret room and then Eric went on to describe how they had seen the spy. At first old Sir David could not believe his ears: but at last when he understood that it was really his adopted son who was doing this awful thing, it was terrible to see his grief. Then Eric told of the meeting with Jenkins.
105
“Ring the bell,” said Sir David. Donald did so. When the footman appeared, Sir David told him to bring Jenkins. A moment later Jenkins appeared, accompanied by Briggs who showed him in, and then retired61. Jenkins was as white as a sheet. His fingers twitched62, as he walked across the room. Eric was watching him narrowly. He saw him glance towards the long French window, which stood open, and then slip his right hand into his pocket.
106
“Sit down, Jenkins,” said Sir David. He took his eyes off the man, and turned to see if there was a chair at hand. Like a flash Jenkins seized this opportunity, and whipped a small revolver out of his pocket. But Eric was too quick for him. Like a panther he sprang upon him, dragging down his arm, and wrenched63 the pistol from him. “Here, grandfather, quick,” he said, thrusting the little weapon into his hands. Sir David raised the pistol and pointed13 it at Jenkins. “Hold your hands above your head, and sit down quietly,” he said. The man obeyed. “Now, Eric, ring the bell.” Eric did so. Briggs appeared, and looked somewhat surprised to see his master pointing a revolver at Jenkins. “Briggs,” said Sir David, “telephone at once for the police. And when Mr. Mendel comes in, ask him to come to my study at once. Don’t let him think there is anything unusual, but don’t let him out of your sight.”
“Very good, sir,” said Briggs, and retired.
Half an hour later the police arrived, and handcuffed Jenkins. They had not been there long before steps were heard approaching. They were William Mendel’s steps. “Well, father,” he said, as he came in, “there’s good news to-day—another of those beastly U-boats sunk—” Then he saw the police, and Jenkins in handcuffs. His sallow face went a death-like colour, and he seemed to crumple64 up.
107
“Yes, William,” said Sir David, “there is good news to-day. The men who give orders to the U-boats have been caught. I hope we shall now hear of no more tragedies in the Irish Sea. Will you please hold out your hands?” A constable65 had appeared, with a pair of handcuffs.
Enough had been found in the little black bag to convict Mendel, even without the Cub’s story.
. . . . . . . .
A few days later Eric and Donald received official thanks for having caught two most dangerous spies, and having discovered the base that was supplying two U-boats with petrol. Donald Ford had got his sovereign for finding the secret room, and the other Cubs each got one because it was two of their number that had found the German spies. But it was not William Mendel who gave them the sovereigns. He could not keep his bargain, because he was a prisoner in the Tower of London!
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
foamy
|
|
| adj.全是泡沫的，泡沫的，起泡沫的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
cubs
|
|
| n.幼小的兽，不懂规矩的年轻人( cub的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
cub
|
|
| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
Ford
|
|
| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
holly
|
|
| n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
armour
|
|
| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
knights
|
|
| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
awfully
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
extraordinarily
|
|
| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
bleak
|
|
| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
stony
|
|
| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
smelt
|
|
| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
hawking
|
|
| 利用鹰行猎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
mishap
|
|
| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
ornamented
|
|
| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
engraved
|
|
| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
braced
|
|
| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
reassuring
|
|
| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
privately
|
|
| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
squatting
|
|
| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
dagger
|
|
| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
flickering
|
|
| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
mildew
|
|
| n.发霉；v.（使）发霉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
thumping
|
|
| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
quay
|
|
| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
gushed
|
|
| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
moored
|
|
| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
glimmer
|
|
| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
squatted
|
|
| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
deport
|
|
| vt.驱逐出境 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
gasp
|
|
| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
conning
|
|
| v.诈骗，哄骗( con的现在分词 )；指挥操舵( conn的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
overhauling
|
|
| n.大修；拆修；卸修；翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
helping
|
|
| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
bunk
|
|
| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
sneaking
|
|
| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
prying
|
|
| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
bowler
|
|
| n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
twitched
|
|
| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
wrenched
|
|
| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
crumple
|
|
| v.把...弄皱，满是皱痕，压碎，崩溃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
constable
|
|
| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |