June 25th.
To-day as I came out of the work-people's entrance to Dunsany's at noon Jumbo passed by on the sidewalk. He tipped me a scarcely perceptible wink1, and kept on, as I was with my fellow-workmen. I suppose that he wished to catch me in the act, so to speak. In other words he wants to have it understood between us that he knows I work there. It is a step towards more confidential2 communications.
We met as usual to-night at the Turtle Bay Café, but something had happened in the meantime, because Jumbo was glum3 and sour. I made believe not to notice it. After he had a drink or two he volunteered the reason.
"A fellow broke into my rooms to-day, a sneak4 thief," he said.
"No! What did you do to him?" said I.
"Oh, I half killed him and let him go. He didn't get anything."
This was obviously no explanation of his worried air. I continued to question him about the affair with a friend's natural curiosity, but he suddenly became suspicious, so I let it drop. I do not know if this has anything to do with your other activities, but I give it for what it's worth.
Later in the evening when Jumbo's good-humour was somewhat restored, he referred to our noon meeting in a facetious5 way.
"Thought you said you were out of a job," he said.
I made believe to be somewhat confused. "Ahh, I wasn't going to tell everything I knew to a stranger," I said.
He made haste to commend me. He affected6 a certain admiration7 of my astuteness8. "You're a deep one, English! I bet you could teach me a trick or two!"
Have I mentioned that "English" is becoming my monaker?
By this time it is thoroughly9 understood between Jumbo and I that we are both "good sports," i.e., dependably crooked11. It saves a lot of bluffing12 on both sides.
Jumbo asked me what my job was at Dunsany's. I explained how I handled all the stuff that was sent in to be reset13, my particular job being to remove the jewels from their old settings before handing them on to the expert craftsmen14.
"What a chance!" said Jumbo wistfully. "But I suppose they have you watched."
"Oh, yes," I said, and I went on to explain all the precautions against theft and loss, "but, of course——" Here I made believe to be overtaken by caution.
Jumbo's little eyes glistened15. "Of course what?" he demanded.
I tried to turn the subject which only increased his eagerness. He kept after me.
"If a man knew the trick of making paste diamonds," I suggested, "and could substitute one occasionally——! Of course he'd have to make them himself. It wouldn't be safe to buy them."
Jumbo whistled softly. "Can you make them?" he asked.
I confessed that I could.
"But wouldn't the fellows get on to you, I mean the experts you hand the jewels on to?"
As I have already told you, Jumbo knows next to nothing about diamonds, so I felt safe enough in my romancing. "Not likely," I said. "The paste jewels are first rate imitations at first. It's only after a while that they lose their lustre16. Of course if I was found out, I'd pass the buck17 to the fellow who gave them to me. After the new work is returned to the customer there's no danger until the work has to be cleaned or repaired."
"How could a fellow keep all the different sizes and cuttings handy in his pocket?" Jumbo asked.
"In his pocket!" I said scornfully. "He'd be spotted18 the first day! You make the job last over night, see? Weigh, measure and test the stone you want, and bring the phony stone to match it next morning."
Jumbo was breathing hard in his excitement. I suppose he saw an endless vista19 of profits, the risk all mine. "But ain't the stones all cut different?" he asked.
"Say, you want to know as much as I do," I said sarcastically20.
He fawned21 on me. "You're dead right, 'boe. That's your private affair."
After we had another drink or two I made believe to drop my guard completely. I left out the ifs and the coulds and admitted that my game at Dunsany's was as I had described it. To prove it I brought out a couple of beautiful unset diamonds, which completed the conquest of Jumbo.
"It's a cinch! a cinch!" he cried. "A couple of good men could make fifty thousand a year easy and safe. Fifty thousand after the commission was taken out."
"What commission?" I demanded.
"Thirty-three and a third per cent to them that disposes of the stones," said Jumbo evasively.
I thought it wiser not to question Jumbo any farther in that direction at present.
Jumbo went on enthusiastically. "You and me'll be pardners! This is our little private graft22. We won't let anybody else in, see? You on the inside, me out, we were made for each other!"
The coyer I made out to be, the more friendly was Jumbo.
Finally, coming down to practical matters, he asked me what the stones were worth. I told him the market value.
"Of course I can't get anything like near that," he said. "But I'll make the best dicker I can. I'll let you know before I close with them."
After some more persuasion23 I finally handed over the stones. I knew he wouldn't play me false as long as he thought there were larger gains in prospect24.
We haggled25 for an hour over the division of the profits. I passionately26 refused to consider fifty-fifty, since the work and the risk were all mine. Half a dozen times the budding partnership27 seemed about to end. We finally agreed on sixty and forty. By holding out as I did, I believe I have lulled28 Jumbo's suspicions forever.
The compact was cemented with a drink.
We talked on about diamonds, and I saw a new idea form and grow in Jumbo's little swimming eyes. Studying me speculatively29, he put me through a lengthy30 cross-examination concerning my knowledge of precious stones.
"You're one of these here experts yourself, ain't you?" he said at last.
I modestly accepted the designation.
"What did you leave England for?" he asked suddenly.
"What's past is past," I said scowling31.
"Sure," he said hastily. "I don't want to pry32 into your affairs."
He changed the subject, but I could see him still chewing over the same idea, whatever it was.
We were sitting as usual at one of the little tables down the side of the bar-room. Jumbo excused himself for a few minutes. When he came back he talked about one thing and another, but it was manifestly to gain time. He glanced at the door from time to time. I wondered what was saving for me.
At about ten o'clock, a man came into the place alone, and went to the bar without, apparently33, looking at us.
"Why there's Foxy!" cried Jumbo in great surprise.
He hailed his friend, and had him join us at our table. They overdid34 the casual meeting a little. I began to suspect that Jumbo had telephoned this man to come and join us, and I waited with no little curiosity to see what would come of it.
The newcomer was a man of Jumbo's age, but looking much younger because he was slender and well built. He was one of the plainest men I have ever seen but not in the sense of being repulsive35, just plain. He was a blonde with ashy, colourless hair, and features of the "hatchet36" type, that is to say sharp nose, narrow, retreating forehead, with the hair beginning some distance back. "Foxy" didn't seem to fit him very well, because he looked heavy-witted, stupid, but perhaps he can be sharp enough when he wants. He had a dull, verbose37 style of talk, and a conceited38 air like a third-rate actor.
Jumbo informed me with a scarcely concealed39 leer that Foxy was a "good fellow," in other words a crook10 like ourselves. Verily, words come to strange passes!
Presently we got to talking about diamonds again, and Jumbo in his character of the broker40, exhibited the two he had just obtained from me. He did not, however, in my hearing say where he had got them. A look at me was a sufficient hint to say nothing about our compact. Presently I began to realise that Foxy in his heavier way was putting me through a sharper examination than Jumbo's. My opinion of hatchet-face's cleverness went up several points.
This man exhibited a considerable theoretical knowledge of diamonds as of one who might have read up on the subject. For instance he knew the characteristics, the weight and the ownership of the world-famous stones. He had, however, nothing of the eye-to-eye knowledge of the experienced jeweller.
I apparently passed his examination satisfactorily. He glanced at Jumbo in a meaning way, and the latter said:
"Look ahere, English, you ought to be able to make a good thing on the side by appraising41 diamonds."
My heart jumped at the possibilities this opened up. Was I about to land the job of diamond expert to the gang? "The profession's overcrowded," I said carelessly.
"I could put you in the way of a job occasionally," said Jumbo. "Some fellows Foxy and me knows would be glad to pay for a little advice about buying and selling stones."
I began to hope that the end of our labours might be in sight. The next question dashed me a little.
"Have you ever heard of Mrs. —— ——?" Foxy asked.*
* He named one of the most prominent society women in New York.—B.E.
Of course I had, she is one of my best customers. I shook my head.
He gave me some details of her history which would have astonished Cora —— could she have heard them. "She has a fine string of sparklers," he remarked in conclusion.
"Has she?" I said innocently. I had sold them to her.
"She's at Newport now," said Foxy casually42.
"Hell! what's the use of beating round the bush!" said Jumbo in his hearty43 way. "Ain't we all friends together? It's worth a nice little sum to you, English, if you can find out and report if it's the genuine stones that she wears around town up there."
"But I can't leave my job," I objected.
"Sure, he can't leave his job," said Jumbo at once.
"He can go up on Saturday night's boat, and come back Sunday, can't he?" said Foxy.
The matter was so arranged. I suppose I am in for it next Saturday. Will you see that Mrs. —— is warned in some manner?
In the meantime I am to be taken to see the "friends" that buy and sell diamonds. Here's hoping that this may prove to be the grand headquarters of the gang.
When we left the place, Jumbo excusing himself, pulled Foxy aside, and held a brief, whispered consultation44 with him, which boded45 ill for somebody. Their faces were distorted with anger. Foxy took the west-bound cross-town car, and we walked over to the subway.
Jumbo anxious, I suppose, to make me feel that I had not been left out of anything, said: "Me and Frank had a little trouble to-day. There's a bull poking46 his nose into our private business."
Hoping to hear more, I heartily47 joined with him in consigning48 the whole race of "bulls" to perdition.
"Oh, this is only an amateur-like," said Jumbo. "He's running a little private graft of his own. He ain't dangerous. Me and Foxy's got it fixed49 to trim him nicely."
This was all I could get. I mention it, thinking that it may be of interest to you.
I suppose if either of my worthy50 friends ever suspected that I was not a "good fellow," my life would not be worth a jack-straw. The same menace lurks51 behind Jumbo's swimming pig-eyes, and Foxy's dull ones. But I am enjoying the spice of danger. The only thing that irks me are the tiresome52 hours at my work bench in Dunsany's. I'll be glad when the game becomes livelier. This is life!
J. M.
REPORT OF A. N.
June 25th.
K. Milbourne came out of his boarding-house at 9:20 to-night. Walked East to Seventh avenue, North on Seventh to Fifty-eighth street, and East to a resort near Third Avenue called "Under the Greenwood Tree." This is a saloon and restaurant with a large open air garden in the rear where a band plays.
I waited outside upwards53 of an hour. Then I went in to see if I had my man safe. I found there was a back entrance from the garden out to Fifty-ninth street, and he was gone. I'm sorry, but "accidents will happen!" I returned to the boarding-house. Milbourne came home at 11:35, and judging from the light in his room, went directly to bed.
A. N.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
confidential
|
|
| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
glum
|
|
| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
sneak
|
|
| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
facetious
|
|
| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
astuteness
|
|
| n.敏锐；精明；机敏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
crook
|
|
| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
crooked
|
|
| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
bluffing
|
|
| n. 威吓，唬人 动词bluff的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
reset
|
|
| v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
craftsmen
|
|
| n. 技工 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
glistened
|
|
| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
lustre
|
|
| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spotted
|
|
| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
sarcastically
|
|
| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
fawned
|
|
| v.（尤指狗等）跳过来往人身上蹭以示亲热( fawn的过去式和过去分词 )；巴结；讨好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
graft
|
|
| n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
persuasion
|
|
| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
haggled
|
|
| v.讨价还价( haggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
passionately
|
|
| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
partnership
|
|
| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
lulled
|
|
| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
speculatively
|
|
| adv.思考地，思索地；投机地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
lengthy
|
|
| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
scowling
|
|
| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
pry
|
|
| vi.窥(刺)探，打听；vt.撬动(开，起) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
overdid
|
|
| v.做得过分( overdo的过去式 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
repulsive
|
|
| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
hatchet
|
|
| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
verbose
|
|
| adj.用字多的；冗长的；累赘的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
conceited
|
|
| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
broker
|
|
| n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
appraising
|
|
| v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
casually
|
|
| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
consultation
|
|
| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
boded
|
|
| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
poking
|
|
| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
consigning
|
|
| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的现在分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
lurks
|
|
| n.潜在，潜伏；（lurk的复数形式）vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的第三人称单数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
tiresome
|
|
| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |