Blank darkness enveloped8 him when first he opened eyes to wonder. Then gradually as he stared, piecing together unassorted memories and striving to quicken drowsy9 wits, he became aware of a glimmer10 that waxed and waned11, a bar of pale bluish light striking across the gloom above his couch; and by dint12 of puzzling divined that this had access by a port. Turning his head upon a stiff and unyielding pillow, he could discern a streak13 of saffron light lining14 the sill of a doorway15, near by his side. The one phenomenon taken with the other confirmed a theretofore somewhat hazy17 impression that his dreams were dignified18 by a foundation of fact; that, in brief, he was occupying a cabin-bunk19 aboard the good ship Alethea.
Overhead, on the deck, a heavy thumping20 of hurrying feet awoke him to keener perceptiveness22.
Judging from the incessant23 rolling and pitching of the brigantine, the crashing thunder of seas upon her sides, the eldrich shrieking24 of the gale25, as well as from the chorused groans26 and plaints of each individual bolt and timber in the frail27 fabric28 that housed his fortunes, the wind had strengthened materially during his hours of forgetfulness—however many the latter might have been.
He believed, however, that he had slept long, deeply and exhaustively. He felt now a little emaciated30 mentally and somewhat absent-bodied—so he put it to himself. A numb31 languor32, not unpleasant, held him passively supine, the while he gave himself over to speculative33 thought.
A wild night, certainly; probably, by that time, the little vessel34 was in the middle of the North Sea ... bound for Antwerp!
"Oh-h," said Kirkwood vindictively35, "hell!"
So he was bound for Antwerp! The first color of resentment36 ebbing37 from his thoughts left him rather interested than excited by the prospect38. He found that he was neither pleased nor displeased39. He presumed that it would be no more difficult to raise money on personal belongings40 in Antwerp than anywhere else; it has been observed that the first flower of civilization is the rum-blossom, the next, the conventionalized fleur-de-lis of the money-lender. There would be pawnshops, then, in Antwerp; and Kirkwood was confident that the sale or pledge of his signet-ring, scarf-pin, match-box and cigar-case, would provide him with money enough for a return to London, by third-class, at the worst. There ... well, all events were on the knees of the gods; he'd squirm out of his troubles, somehow. As for the other matter, the Calendar affair, he presumed he was well rid of it,—with a sigh of regret. It had been a most enticing42 mystery, you know; and the woman in the case was extraordinary, to say the least.
The memory of Dorothy Calendar made him sigh again, this time more violently: a sigh that was own brother to (or at any rate descended43 in a direct line from) the furnace sigh of the lover described by, the melancholy44 Jaques. And he sat up, bumped his head, groped round until his hand fell upon a doorknob, opened the door, and looked out into the blowsy emptiness of the ship's cabin proper, whose gloomy confines were made visible only by the rays of a dingy45 and smoky lamp swinging violently in gimbals from a deck-beam.
Kirkwood's clothing, now rough-dried and warped46 wretchedly out of shape, had been thrown carelessly on a transom near the door. He got up, collected them, and returning to his berth47, dressed at leisure, thinking heavily, disgruntled—in a humor as evil as the after-taste of bad brandy in his mouth.
When dressed he went out into the cabin, closing the door upon his berth, and for lack of anything better to do, seated himself on the thwartships transom, against the forward bulkhead, behind the table. Above his head a chronometer48 ticked steadily49 and loudly, and, being consulted, told him that the time of day was twenty minutes to four; which meant that he had slept away some eighteen or twenty hours. That was a solid spell of a rest, when he came to think of it, even allowing that he had been unusually and pardonably fatigued50 when conducted to his berth. He felt stronger now, and bright enough—and enormously hungry into the bargain.
Abstractedly, heedless of the fact that his tobacco would be water-soaked and ruined, he fumbled51 in his pockets for pipe and pouch52, thinking to soothe53 the pangs54 of hunger against breakfast-time; which was probably two hours and a quarter ahead. But his pockets were empty—every one of them. He assimilated this discovery in patience and cast an eye about the room, to locate, if possible, the missing property. But naught55 of his was visible. So he rose and began a more painstaking56 search.
The cabin was at once tiny, low-ceiled, and depressingly gloomy. Its furniture consisted entirely57 in a chair or two, supplementing the transoms and lockers59 as resting-places, and a center-table covered with a cloth of turkey-red, whose original aggressiveness had been darkly moderated by libations of liquids, principally black coffee, and burnt offerings of grease and tobacco-ash. Aside from the companion-way to the deck, four doors opened into the room, two probably giving upon the captain's and the mate's quarters, the others on pseudo state-rooms—one of which he had just vacated—closets large enough to contain a small bunk and naught beside. The bulkheads and partitions were badly broken out with a rash of pictures from illustrated60 papers, mostly offensive. Kirkwood was interested to read a half-column clipping from a New York yellow journal, descriptive of the antics of a drunken British sailor who had somehow found his way to the bar-room of the Fifth Avenue Hotel; the paragraph exploiting the fact that it had required four policemen in addition to the corps61 of porters to subdue62 him, was strongly underscored in red ink; and the news-story wound up with the information that in police court the man had given his name as William Stranger and cheerfully had paid a fine of ten dollars, alleging63 his entertainment to have been cheap at the price.
While Kirkwood was employed in perusing64 this illuminating65 anecdote66, eight bells sounded, and, from the commotion67 overhead, the watch changed. A little later the companion-way door slammed open and shut, and Captain Stryker—or Stranger; whichever you please—fell down, rather than descended, the steps.
Without attention to the American he rolled into the mate's room and roused that personage. Kirkwood heard that the name of the second-in-command was 'Obbs, as well as that he occupied the starboard state-room aft. After a brief exchange of comment and instruction, Mr. 'Obbs appeared in the shape of a walking pillar of oil-skins capped by a sou'wester, and went on deck; Stryker, following him out of the state-room, shed his own oilers in a clammy heap upon the floor, opened a locker58 from which he brought forth68 a bottle and a dirty glass, and, turning toward the table, for the first time became sensible of Kirkwood's presence.
"Ow, there you are, eigh, little bright-eyes!" he exclaimed with surprised animation69.
"Good morning, Captain Stryker," said Kirkwood, rising. "I want to tell you—"
But Stryker waved one great red paw impatiently, with the effect of sweeping70 aside and casting into the discard Kirkwood's intended speech of thanks; nor would he hear him further.
"Did you 'ave a nice little nap?" he interrupted. "Come up bright and smilin', eigh? Now I guess"—the emphasis made it clear that the captain believed himself to be employing an Americanism; and so successful was he in his own esteem71 that he could not resist the temptation to improve upon the imitation—"Na-ow I guess yeou're abaout right ready, ben't ye, to hev a drink, sonny?"
"No, thank you," said Kirkwood, smiling tolerantly. "I've got any amount of appetite..."
"'Ave you, now?" Stryker dropped his mimicry72 and glanced at the clock. "Breakfast," he announced, "will be served in the myne dinin' saloon at eyght a. m. Passingers is requested not to be lyte at tyble."
Depositing the bottle on the said table, the captain searched until he found another glass for Kirkwood, and sat down.
"Do you good," he insinuated73, pushing the bottle gently over.
"No, thank you," reiterated74 Kirkwood shortly, a little annoyed.
Stryker seized his own glass, poured out a strong man's dose of the fiery75 concoction76, gulped77 it down, and sighed. Then, with a glance at the American's woebegone countenance78 (Kirkwood was contemplating79 a four-hour wait for breakfast, and, consequently, looking as if he had lost his last friend), the captain bent80 over, placing both hands palm down before him and wagging his head earnestly.
"Please," he implored,—"Please don't let me hinterrupt;" and filled his pipe, pretending a pensive81 detachment from his company.
The fumes82 of burning shag sharpened the tooth of desire. Kirkwood stood it as long as he could, then surrendered with an: "If you've got any more of that tobacco, Captain, I'd be glad of a pipe."
An intensely contemplative expression crept into the captain's small blue eyes.
"I only got one other pyper of this 'ere 'baccy," he announced at length, "and I carn't get no more till I gets 'ome. I simply couldn't part with it hunder 'arf a quid."
Kirkwood settled back with a hopeless lift of his shoulders. Abstractedly Stryker puffed83 the smoke his way until he could endure the deprivation84 no longer.
"I had about ten shillings in my pocket when I came aboard, captain, and ... a few other articles."
"Ow, yes; so you 'ad, now you mention it."
Stryker rose, ambled85 into his room, and returned with Kirkwood's possessions and a fresh paper of shag. While the young man was hastily filling, lighting86, and inhaling87 the first strangling but delectable88 whiff, the captain solemnly counted into his own palm all the loose change except three large pennies. The latter he shoved over to Kirkwood in company with a miscellaneous assortment89 of articles, which the American picked up piece by piece and began to bestow90 about his clothing. When through, he sat back, troubled and disgusted. Stryker met his regard blandly91.
"Anything I can do?" he inquired, in suave92 concern.
"Why ... there was a black pearl scarfpin—"
"W'y, don't you remember? You gave that to me, 'count of me 'avin syved yer life. 'Twas me throwed you that line, you know."
"Oh," commented Kirkwood briefly93. The pin had been among the most valuable and cherished of his belongings.
"Yes," nodded the captain in reminiscence. "You don't remember? Likely 'twas the brandy singing in yer 'ead. You pushes it into my 'ands,—almost weepin', you was,—and sez, sez you, 'Stryker,' you sez, 'tyke this in triflin' toking of my gratichood; I wouldn't hinsult you,' you sez, 'by hofferin' you money, but this I can insist on yer acceptin', and no refusal,' says you."
"Oh," repeated Kirkwood.
"If I for a ninstant thought you wasn't sober when you done it.... But no; you're a gent if there ever was one, and I'm not the man to offend you."
"Oh, indeed."
The captain let the implication pass, perhaps on the consideration that he could afford to ignore it; and said no more. The pause held for several minutes, Kirkwood having fallen into a mood of grave distraction94. Finally Captain Stryker thoughtfully measured out a second drink, limited only by the capacity of the tumbler, engulfed95 it noisily, and got up.
"Guess I'll be turnin' in," he volunteered affably, yawning and stretching.
"I was about to ask you to do me a service...." began Kirkwood.
"Yes?"—with the rising inflection of mockery.
Kirkwood quietly produced his cigar-case, a gold match-box, gold card-case, and slipped a signet ring from his finger. "Will you buy these?" he asked. "Or will you lend me five pounds and hold them as security?"
Stryker examined the collection with exaggerated interest strongly tinctured with mistrust. "I'll buy 'em," he offered eventually, looking up.
"That's kind of you—"
"Ow, they ain't much use to me, but Bill Stryker's allus willin' to accommodate a friend.... Four quid, you said?"
"Five...."
"They ain't wuth over four to me."
"Very well; make it four," Kirkwood assented96 contemptuously.
The captain swept the articles into one capacious fist, pivoted97 on one heel at the peril98 of his neck, and lumbered99 unsteadily off to his room. Pausing at the door he turned back in inquiry100.
"I sye, 'ow did you come to get the impression there was a party named Almanack aboard this wessel?"
"Calendar—"
"'Ave it yer own wye," Stryker conceded gracefully101.
"There isn't, is there?"
"You 'eard me."
"Then," said Kirkwood sweetly, "I'm sure you wouldn't be interested."
The captain pondered this at leisure. "You seemed pretty keen abaht seein' 'im," he remarked conclusively102.
"I was."
"Seems to me I did 'ear the nyme sumw'eres afore." The captain appeared to wrestle103 with an obdurate104 memory. "Ow!" he triumphed. "I know. 'E was a chap up Manchester wye. Keeper in a loonatic asylum105, 'e was. 'That yer party?"
"No," said Kirkwood wearily.
"I didn't know but mebbe 'twas. Excuse me. 'Thought as 'ow mebbe you'd escyped from 'is tender care, but, findin' the world cold, chynged yer mind and wanted to gow back."
Without waiting for a reply he lurched into his room and banged the door to. Kirkwood, divided between amusement and irritation106, heard him stumbling about for some time; and then a hush107 fell, grateful enough while it lasted; which was not long. For no sooner did the captain sleep than a penetrating108 snore added itself unto the cacophony109 of waves and wind and tortured ship.
Kirkwood, comforted at first by the blessed tobacco, lapsed110 insensibly into dreary111 meditations112. Coming after the swift movement and sustained excitement of the eighteen hours preceding his long sleep, the monotony of shipboard confinement113 seemed irksome to a maddening degree. There was absolutely nothing he could discover to occupy his mind. If there were books aboard, none was in evidence; beyond the report of Mr. Stranger's Manhattan night's entertainment the walls were devoid114 of reading matter; and a round of the picture gallery proved a diversion weariful enough when not purely revolting.
Wherefore Mr. Kirkwood stretched himself out on the transom and smoked and reviewed his adventures in detail and seriatim, and was by turns indignant, sore, anxious on his own account as well as on Dorothy's, and out of all patience with himself. Mystified he remained throughout, and the edge of his curiosity held as keen as ever, you may believe.
Consistently the affair presented itself to his fancy in the guise115 of a puzzle-picture, which, though you study it never so diligently116, remains117 incomprehensible, until by chance you view it from an unexpected angle, when it reveals itself intelligibly118. It had not yet been his good fortune to see it from the right viewpoint. To hold the metaphor119, he walked endless circles round it, patiently seeking, but ever failing to find the proper perspective.... Each incident, however insignificant120, in connection with it, he handled over and over, examining its every facet121, bright or dull, as an expert might inspect a clever imitation of a diamond; and like a perfect imitation it defied analysis.
Of one or two things he was convinced; for one, that Stryker was a liar122 worthy123 of classification with Calendar and Mrs. Hallam. Kirkwood had not only the testimony124 of his sense to assure him that the ship's name, Alethea (not a common one, by the bye), had been mentioned by both Calendar and Mulready during their altercation125 on Bermondsey Old Stairs, but he had the confirmatory testimony of the sleepy waterman, William, who had directed Old Bob and Young William to the anchorage off Bow Creek126. That there should have been two vessels127 of the same unusual name at one and the same time in the Port of London, was a coincidence too preposterous128 altogether to find place in his calculations.
His second impregnable conclusion was that those whom he sought had boarded the Alethea, but had left her before she tripped her anchor. That they were not stowed away aboard her seemed unquestionable. The brigantine was hardly large enough for the presence of three persons aboard her to be long kept a secret from an inquisitive129 fourth,—unless, indeed, they lay in hiding in the hold; for which, once the ship got under way, there could be scant130 excuse. And Kirkwood did not believe himself a person of sufficient importance in Calendar's eyes, to make that worthy endure the discomforts131 of a'tween-decks imprisonment132 throughout the voyage, even to escape recognition.
With every second, then, he was traveling farther from her to whose aid he had rushed, impelled133 by motives134 so hot-headed, so innately135, chivalric136, so unthinkingly gallant137, so exceptionally idiotic138!
Idiot! Kirkwood groaned139 with despair of his inability to fathom140 the abyss of his self-contempt. There seemed to be positively141 no excuse for him. Stryker had befriended him indeed, had he permitted him to drown. Yet he had acted for the best, as he saw it. The fault lay in himself: an admirable fault, that of harboring and nurturing142 generous and compassionate143 instincts. But, of course, Kirkwood couldn't see it that way.
"What else could I do?" he defended himself against the indictment144 of common sense. "I couldn't leave her to the mercies of that set of rogues145!... And Heaven knows I was given every reason to believe she would be aboard this ship! Why, she herself told me that she was sailing ...!"
Heaven knew, too, that this folly146 of his had cost him a pretty penny, first and last. His watch was gone beyond recovery, his homeward passage forfeited147; he no longer harbored illusions as to the steamship148 company presenting him with another berth in lieu of that called for by that water-soaked slip of paper then in his pocket—courtesy of Stryker. He had sold for a pittance149, a tithe150 of its value, his personal jewelry151, and had spent every penny he could call his own. With the money Stryker was to give him he would be able to get back to London and his third-rate hostelry, but not with enough over to pay that one week's room-rent, or ...
"Oh, the devil!" he groaned, head in hands.
The future loomed152 wrapped in unspeakable darkness, lightened by no least ray of hope. It had been bad enough to lose a comfortable living through a gigantic convulsion of Nature; but to think that he had lost all else through his own egregious153 folly, to find himself reduced to the kennels—!
So Care found him again in those weary hours,—came and sat by his side, slipping a grisly hand in his and tightening154 its grip until he could have cried out with the torment155 of it; the while whispering insidiously156 subtile, evil things in his ear. And he had not even Hope to comfort him; at any previous stage he had been able to distil157 a sort of bitter-sweet satisfaction from the thought that he was suffering for the love of his life. But now—now Dorothy was lost, gone like the glamour158 of Romance in the searching light of day.
Stryker, emerging from his room for breakfast, found the passenger with a hostile look in his eye and a jaw159 set in ugly fashion. His eyes, too, were the abiding-place of smoldering160 devils; and the captain, recognizing them, considerately forbore to stir them up with any untimely pleasantries. To be sure, he was autocrat161 in his own ship, and Kirkwood's standing162 aboard was nil163; but then there was just enough yellow in the complexion164 of Stryker's soul to incline him to sidestep trouble whenever feasible. And besides, he entertained dark suspicions of his guest—suspicions he scarce dared voice even to his inmost heart.
The morning meal, therefore, passed off in constrained165 silence. The captain ate voraciously166 and vociferously167, pushed back his chair, and went on deck to relieve the mate. The latter, a stunted168 little Cockney with a wizened169 countenance and a mind as foul170 as his tongue, got small change of his attempts to engage the passenger in conversation on topics that he considered fit for discussion. After the sixth or eighth snubbing he rose in dudgeon, discharged a poisonous bit of insolence171, and retired172 to his berth, leaving Kirkwood to finish his breakfast in peace; which the latter did literally173, to the last visible scrap174 of food and the ultimate drop of coffee, poor as both were in quality.
To the tune29 of a moderating wind, the morning wearied away. Kirkwood went on deck once, for distraction from the intolerable monotony of it all, got a sound drenching175 of spray, with a glimpse of a dark line on the eastern horizon, which he understood to be the low littoral176 of Holland, and was glad to dodge177 below once more and dry himself.
He had the pleasure of the mate's company at dinner, the captain remaining on deck until Hobbs had finished and gone up to relieve him; and by that time Kirkwood likewise was through.
Stryker blew down with a blustery show of cheer. "Well, well, my little man!" (It happened that he topped Kirkwood's stature178 by at least five inches.) "Enj'yin' yer sea trip?"
"About as much as you'd expect," snapped Kirkwood.
"Ow?" The captain began to shovel179 food into his face. (The author regrets he has at his command no more delicate expression that is literal and illustrative.) Kirkwood watched him, fascinated with suspense180; it seemed impossible that the man could continue so to employ his knife without cutting his throat from the inside. But years of such manipulation had made him expert, and his guest, keenly disappointed, at length ceased to hope.
Between gobbles Stryker eyed him furtively181.
"'Treat you all right?" he demanded abruptly182.
Kirkwood started out of a brown study. "What? Who? Why, I suppose I ought to be—indeed, I am grateful," he asserted. "Certainly you saved my life, and—"
"Ow, I don't mean that." Stryker gathered the imputation183 into his paw and flung it disdainfully to the four winds of Heaven. "Bless yer 'art, you're welcome; I wouldn't let no dorg drownd, 'f I could 'elp it. No," he declared, "nor a loonatic, neither."
He thrust his plate away and shifted sidewise in his chair. "I 'uz just wonderin'," he pursued, picking his teeth meditatively184 with a pen-knife, "'ow they feeds you in them as-ylums. 'Avin' never been inside one, myself, it's on'y natural I'd be cur'us.... There was one of them institootions near where I was borned—Birming'am, that is. I used to see the loonies playin' in the grounds. I remember just as well!... One of 'em and me struck up quite an acquaintance—"
"Naturally he'd take to you on sight."
"Ow? Strynge 'ow we 'it it off, eigh?... You myke me think of 'im. Young chap, 'e was, the livin' spi't-'n-himage of you. It don't happen, does it, you're the same man?"
"Oh, go to the devil!"
"Naughty!" said the captain serenely186, wagging a reproving forefinger187. "Bad, naughty word. You'll be sorry when you find out wot it means.... Only 'e was allus plannin' to run awye and drownd 'is-self."...
He wore the joke threadbare, even to his own taste, and in the end got heavily to his feet, starting for the companionway. "Land you this arternoon," he remarked casually188, "come three o'clock or thereabahts. Per'aps later. I don't know, though, as I 'ad ought to let you loose."
Kirkwood made no answer. Chuckling189, Stryker went on deck.
In the course of an hour the American followed him.
Wind and sea alike had gone down wonderfully since daybreak—a circumstance undoubtedly190 in great part due to the fact that they had won in under the lee of the mainland and were traversing shallower waters. On either hand, like mist upon the horizon, lay a streak of gray, a shade darker than the gray of the waters. The Alethea was within the wide jaws191 of the Western Scheldt. As for the wind, it had shifted several points to the northwards; the brigantine had it abeam192 and was lying down to it and racing193 to port with slanting194 deck and singing cordage.
Kirkwood approached the captain, who, acting195 as his own pilot, was standing by the wheel and barking sharp orders to the helmsman.
"Have you a Bradshaw on board?" asked the young man.
"Steady!" This to the man at the wheel; then to Kirkwood: "Wot's that, me lud?"
Kirkwood repeated his question. Stryker eyed him suspiciously for a thought.
"Wot d'you want it for?"
"I want to see when I can get a boat back to England."
"Hmm.... Yes, you'll find a Bradshaw in the port-locker, near the for'ard bulk'ead. Run along now and pl'y—and mind you don't go tearin' out the pyges to myke pyper boatses to go sylin' in."
Kirkwood went below. Like its adjacent rooms, the cabin was untenanted; the watch was the mate's, and Stryker a martinet196. Kirkwood found the designated locker and, opening it, saw first to his hand the familiar bulky red volume with its red garter. Taking it out he carried it to a chair near the companionway, for a better reading light: the skylight being still battened down.
The strap197 removed, the book opened easily, as if by force of habit, at the precise table he had wished to consult; some previous client had left a marker between the pages,—and not an ordinary book-mark, by any manner of means. Kirkwood gave utterance198 to a little gasp199 of amazement200, and instinctively201 glanced up at the companionway, to see if he were observed.
He was not, but for safety's sake he moved farther back into the cabin and out of the range of vision of any one on deck; a precaution which was almost immediately justified202 by the clumping203 of heavy feet upon the steps as Stryker descended in pursuit of the ever-essential drink.
"'Find it?" he demanded, staring blindly—with eyes not yet focused to the change from light to gloom—at the young man, who was sitting with the guide open on his knees, a tightly clenched204 fist resting on the transom at either side of him.
In reply he received a monosyllabic affirmative; Kirkwood did not look up.
"You must be a howl," commented the captain, making for the seductive locker.
"A—what?"
"A howl, readin' that fine print there in the dark. W'y don't you go over to the light?... I'll 'ave to 'ave them shutters205 tyken off the winders." This was Stryker's amiable206 figure of speech, frequently employed to indicate the coverings of the skylight.
"I'm all right." Kirkwood went on studying the book.
Stryker swigged off his rum and wiped his lips with the back of a red paw, hesitating a moment to watch his guest.
"Mykes it seem more 'ome-like for you, I expect," he observed.
"What do you mean?"
"W'y, Bradshaw's first-cousin to a halmanack, ain't 'e? Can't get one, take t'other—next best thing. Sorry I didn't think of it sooner; like my passengers to feel comfy.... Now don't you go trapsein' off to gay Paree and squanderin' wot money you got left. You 'ear?"
"By the way, Captain!" Kirkwood looked up at this, but Stryker was already half-way up the companion.
Cautiously the American opened his right fist and held to the light that which had been concealed207, close wadded in his grasp,—a square of sheer linen208 edged with lace, crumpled209 but spotless, and diffusing210 in the unwholesome den41 a faint, intangible fragrance211, the veriest wraith212 of that elusive213 perfume which he would never again inhale214 without instantly recalling that night ride through London in the intimacy215 of a cab.
He closed his eyes and saw her again, as clearly as though she stood before him,—hair of gold massed above the forehead of snow, curling in adorable tendrils at the nape of her neck, lips like scarlet216 splashed upon the immaculate whiteness of her skin, head poised217 audaciously in its spirited, youthful allure218, dark eyes smiling the least trace sadly beneath the level brows.
Unquestionably the handkerchief was hers; if proof other than the assurance of his heart were requisite219, he had it in the initial delicately embroidered220 in one corner: a D, for Dorothy!... He looked again, to make sure; then hastily folded up the treasure-trove and slipped it into a breast pocket of his coat.
No; I am not sure that it was not the left-hand pocket.
Quivering with excitement he bent again over the book and studied it intently. After all, he had not been wrong! He could assert now, without fear of refutation, that Stryker had lied.
Some one had wielded221 an industrious222 pencil on the page. It was, taken as a whole, fruitful of clues. Its very heading was illuminating:
LONDON to VLISSINGEN (FLUSHING) AND BREDA;
which happened to be the quickest and most direct route between London and Antwerp. Beneath it, in the second column from the right, the pencil had put a check-mark against:
QUEENSBOROUGH ... DEP ... 11a10.
And now he saw it clearly—dolt that he had been not to have divined it ere this! The Alethea had run in to Queensborough, landing her passengers there, that they might make connection with the eleven-ten morning boat for Flushing,—the very side-wheel steamer, doubtless, which he had noticed beating out in the teeth of the gale just after the brigantine had picked him up. Had he not received the passing impression that the Alethea, when first he caught sight of her, might have been coming out of the Medway, on whose eastern shore is situate Queensborough Pier223? Had not Mrs. Hallam, going upon he knew not what information or belief, been bound for Queensborough, with design there to intercept224 the fugitives225?
Kirkwood chuckled226 to recall how, all unwittingly, he had been the means of diverting from her chosen course that acute and resourceful lady; then again turned his attention to the tables.
A third check had been placed against the train for Amsterdam scheduled to leave Antwerp at 6:32 p. m. Momentarily his heart misgave227 him, when he saw this, in fear lest Calendar and Dorothy should have gone on from Antwerp the previous evening; but then he rallied, discovering that the boat-train from Flushing did not arrive at Antwerp till after ten at night; and there was no later train thence for Amsterdam. Were the latter truly their purposed destination, they would have stayed overnight and be leaving that very evening on the 6:32. On the other hand, why should they wait for the latest train, rather than proceed by the first available in the morning? Why but because Calendar and Mulready were to wait for Stryker to join them on the Alethea?
Very well, then; if the wind held and Stryker knew his business, there would be another passenger on that train, in addition to the Calendar party.
Making mental note of the fact that the boat-train for Flushing and London was scheduled to leave Antwerp daily at 8:21 p. m., Kirkwood rustled228 the leaves to find out whether or not other tours had been planned, found evidences of none, and carefully restored the guide to the locker, lest inadvertently the captain should pick it up and see what Kirkwood had seen.
An hour later he went on deck. The skies had blown clear and the brigantine was well in land-bound waters and still footing a rattling229 pace. The river-banks had narrowed until, beyond the dikes to right and left, the country-side stretched wide and flat, a plain of living green embroidered with winding230 roads and quaint185 Old-World hamlets whose red roofs shone like dull fire between the dark green foliage231 of dwarfed232 firs.
Down with the Scheldt's gray shimmering233 flood were drifting little companies of barges234, sturdy and snug235 both fore16 and aft, tough tanned sails burning in the afternoon sunlight. A long string of canal-boats, potted plants flowering saucily236 in their neatly237 curtained windows, proprietors238 expansively smoking on deck, in the bosoms239 of their very large families, was being mothered up-stream by two funny, clucking tugs240. Behind the brigantine a travel-worn Atlantic liner was scolding itself hoarse241 about the right of way. Outward bound, empty cattle boats, rough and rusty242, were swaggering down to the sea, with the careless, independent thumbs-in-armholes air of so many navvies off the job.
And then lifting suddenly above the level far-off sky-line, there appeared a very miracle of beauty; the delicate tracery of the great Cathedral's spire243 of frozen lace, glowing like a thing of spun244 gold, set against the sapphire245 velvet246 of the horizon.
Antwerp was in sight.
A troublesome care stirring in his mind, Kirkwood looked round the deck; but Stryker was very busy, entirely too preoccupied247 with the handling of his ship to be interrupted with impunity248. Besides, there was plenty of time.
More slowly now, the wind falling, the brigantine crept up the river, her crew alert with sheets and halyards as the devious249 windings250 of the stream rendered it necessary to trim the canvas at varying angles to catch the wind.
Slowly, too, in the shadow of that Mechlin spire, the horizon grew rough and elevated, taking shape in the serrated profile of a thousand gables and a hundred towers and cross-crowned steeples.
Once or twice, more and more annoyed as the time of their association seemed to grow more brief, Kirkwood approached the captain; but Stryker continued to be exhaustively absorbed in the performance of his duties.
Up past the dockyards, where spidery masts stood in dense251 groves252 about painted funnels253, and men swarmed254 over huge wharves255 like ants over a crust of bread; up and round the final, great sweeping bend of the river, the Alethea made her sober way, ever with greater slowness; until at length, in the rose glow of a flawless evening, her windlass began to clank like a mad thing and her anchor bit the riverbed, near the left bank, between old Forts Isabelle and Tête de Flandre, frowned upon from the right by the grim pile of the age-old Steen castle.
And again Kirkwood sought Stryker, his carking query256 ready on his lips. But the captain impatiently waved him aside.
"Don't you bother me now, me lud juke! Wyte until I gets done with the custom hofficer."
Kirkwood acceded257, perforce; and bided258 his time with what tolerance259 he could muster260.
A pluttering customs launch bustled261 up to the Alethea's side, discharged a fussy262 inspector263 on the brigantine's deck, and panted impatiently until he, the examination concluded without delay, was again aboard.
Stryker, smirking264 benignly265 and massaging266 his lips with the back of his hand, followed the official on deck, nodded to Kirkwood an intimation that he was prepared to accord him an audience, and strolled forward to the waist. The American, mastering his resentment, meekly267 followed; one can not well afford to be haughty268 when one is asking favors.
Advancing to the rail, the captain whistled in one of the river-boats; then, while the waterman waited, faced his passenger.
"Now, yer r'yal 'ighness, wot can I do for you afore you goes ashore269?"
"I think you must have forgotten," said Kirkwood quietly. "I hate to trouble you, but—there's that matter of four pounds."
Stryker's face was expressive270 only of mystified vacuity271. "Four quid? I dunno as I know just wot you means."
"You agreed to advance me four pounds on those things of mine...."
"Ow-w!" Illumination overspread the hollow-jowled countenance. Stryker smiled cheerfully. "Garn with you!" he chuckled. "You will 'ave yer little joke, won't you now? I declare I never see a loony with such affecsh'nit, pl'yful wyes!"
Kirkwood's eyes narrowed. "Stryker," he said steadily, "give me the four pounds and let's have no more nonsense; or else hand over my things at once."
"Daffy," Stryker told vacancy272, with conviction. "Lor' luv me if I sees 'ow he ever 'ad sense enough to escype. W'y, yer majesty273!" and he bowed, ironic274. "I 'ave given you yer quid."
"Just about as much as I gave you that pearl pin," retorted Kirkwood hotly. "What the devil do you mean—"
"W'y, yer ludship, four pounds jus pyes yer passyge; I thought you understood."
"My passage! But I can come across by steamer for thirty shillings, first-class—"
"Aw, but them steamers! Tricky275, they is, and unsyfe ... No, yer gryce, the W. Stryker Packet Line Lim'ted, London to Antwerp, charges four pounds per passyge and no reduction for return fare."
Stunned276 by his effrontery277, Kirkwood stared in silence.
"Any complynts," continued the captain, looking over Kirkwood's head, "must be lyde afore the Board of Directors in writin' not more'n thirty dyes arfter—"
"You damned scoundrel!" interpolated Kirkwood thoughtfully.
Stryker's mouth closed with a snap; his features froze in a cast of wrath278; cold rage glinted in his small blue eyes. "W'y," he bellowed279, "you bloomin' loonatic, d'ye think you can sye that to Bill Stryker on 'is own wessel!"
He hesitated a moment, then launched a heavy fist at Kirkwood's face. Unsurprised, the young man side-stepped, caught the hard, bony wrist as the captain lurched by, following his wasted blow, and with a dexterous280 twist laid him flat on his back, with a sounding thump21 upon the deck. And as the infuriated scamp rose—which he did with a bound that placed him on his feet and in defensive281 posture282; as though the deck had been a spring-board—Kirkwood leaped back, seized a capstan-bar, and faced him with a challenge.
"Stand clear, Stryker!" he warned the man tensely, himself livid with rage. "If you move a step closer I swear I'll knock the head off your shoulders! Not another inch, you contemptible283 whelp, or I'll brain you!... That's better," he continued as the captain, caving, dropped his fists and moved uneasily back. "Now give that boatman money for taking me ashore. Yes, I'm going—and if we ever meet again, take the other side of the way, Stryker!"
Without response, a grim smile wreathing his thin, hard lips, Stryker thrust one hand into his pocket, and withdrawing a coin, tossed it to the waiting waterman. Whereupon Kirkwood backed warily284 to the rail, abandoned the capstan-bar and dropped over the side.
Nodding to the boatman, "The Steen landing—quickly," he said in French.
Stryker, recovering, advanced to the rail and waved him a derisive285 bon voyage.
"By-by, yer hexcellency. I 'opes it may soon be my pleasure to meet you again. You've been a real privilege to know; I've henjoyed yer comp'ny somethin' immense. Don't know as I ever met such a rippin', Ay Number One, all-round, entertynin' ass2, afore!"
He fumbled nervously286 about his clothing, brought to light a rag of cotton, much the worse for service, and ostentatiously wiped from the corner of each eye tears of grief at parting. Then, as the boat swung toward the farther shore, Kirkwood's back was to the brigantine, and he was little tempted287 to turn and invite fresh shafts288 of ridicule289.
Rapidly, as he was ferried across the busy Scheldt, the white blaze of his passion cooled; but the biting irony290 of his estate ate, corrosive291, into his soul. Hollow-eyed he glared vacantly into space, pale lips unmoving, his features wasted with despair.
They came to the landing-stage and swung broad-side on. Mechanically the American got up and disembarked. As heedless of time and place he moved up the Quai to the gangway and so gained the esplanade; where pausing he thrust a trembling hand into his trouser pocket.
The hand reappeared, displaying in its outspread palm three big, round, brown, British pennies. Staring down at them, Kirkwood's lips moved.
"Bed rock!" he whispered huskily..
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1
contradictory
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| adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立 | |
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2
ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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3
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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4
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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5
dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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6
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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7
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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10
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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11
waned
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| v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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12
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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13
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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14
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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15
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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16
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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17
hazy
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| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
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18
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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19
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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20
thumping
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| 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 | |
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21
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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22
perceptiveness
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| n.洞察力强，敏锐，理解力 | |
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23
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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24
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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25
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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26
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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27
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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28
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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29
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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30
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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31
numb
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| adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木 | |
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32
languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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33
speculative
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| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
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34
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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35
vindictively
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| adv.恶毒地；报复地 | |
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36
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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37
ebbing
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| （指潮水）退( ebb的现在分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
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38
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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39
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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40
belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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41
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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42
enticing
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| adj.迷人的；诱人的 | |
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43
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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44
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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45
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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46
warped
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| adj.反常的；乖戾的；（变）弯曲的；变形的v.弄弯，变歪( warp的过去式和过去分词 )；使（行为等）不合情理，使乖戾， | |
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47
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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48
chronometer
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| n.精密的计时器 | |
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49
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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50
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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51
fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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52
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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53
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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54
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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55
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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56
painstaking
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| adj.苦干的；艰苦的，费力的，刻苦的 | |
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57
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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58
locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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59
lockers
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| n.寄物柜( locker的名词复数 ) | |
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60
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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61
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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62
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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63
alleging
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| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
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64
perusing
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的现在分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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65
illuminating
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| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
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66
anecdote
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| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
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67
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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68
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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69
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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70
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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71
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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72
mimicry
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| n.（生物）拟态，模仿 | |
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73
insinuated
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| v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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74
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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76
concoction
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| n.调配(物)；谎言 | |
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77
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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78
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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79
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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80
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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81
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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82
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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83
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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84
deprivation
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| n.匮乏；丧失；夺去，贫困 | |
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85
ambled
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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86
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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87
inhaling
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| v.吸入( inhale的现在分词 ) | |
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88
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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89
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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90
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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91
blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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92
suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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93
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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94
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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95
engulfed
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| v.吞没，包住( engulf的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
pivoted
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| adj.转动的，回转的，装在枢轴上的v.（似）在枢轴上转动( pivot的过去式和过去分词 )；把…放在枢轴上；以…为核心，围绕（主旨）展开 | |
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98
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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99
lumbered
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| 砍伐（lumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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100
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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101
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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102
conclusively
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| adv.令人信服地，确凿地 | |
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103
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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104
obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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105
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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106
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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107
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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108
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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109
cacophony
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| n.刺耳的声音 | |
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110
lapsed
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| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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111
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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112
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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113
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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114
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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115
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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116
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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117
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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118
intelligibly
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| adv.可理解地，明了地，清晰地 | |
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119
metaphor
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| n.隐喻，暗喻 | |
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120
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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121
facet
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| n.(问题等的)一个方面；(多面体的)面 | |
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122
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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123
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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124
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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125
altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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126
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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127
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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128
preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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129
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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130
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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131
discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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132
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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133
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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134
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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135
innately
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| adv.天赋地；内在地，固有地 | |
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136
chivalric
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| 有武士气概的，有武士风范的 | |
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137
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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138
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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139
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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140
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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141
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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142
nurturing
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| 养育( nurture的现在分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长 | |
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143
compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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144
indictment
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| n.起诉；诉状 | |
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145
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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146
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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147
forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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148
steamship
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| n.汽船，轮船 | |
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149
pittance
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| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
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150
tithe
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| n.十分之一税；v.课什一税，缴什一税 | |
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151
jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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152
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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153
egregious
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| adj.非常的，过分的 | |
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154
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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155
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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156
insidiously
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| 潜在地，隐伏地，阴险地 | |
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157
distil
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| vt.蒸馏；提取…的精华，精选出 | |
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158
glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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159
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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160
smoldering
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| v.用文火焖烧，熏烧，慢燃( smolder的现在分词 ) | |
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161
autocrat
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| n.独裁者；专横的人 | |
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162
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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163
nil
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| n.无，全无，零 | |
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164
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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165
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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166
voraciously
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| adv.贪婪地 | |
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167
vociferously
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| adv.喊叫地，吵闹地 | |
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168
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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169
wizened
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| adj.凋谢的；枯槁的 | |
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170
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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171
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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172
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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173
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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174
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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175
drenching
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| n.湿透v.使湿透( drench的现在分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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176
littoral
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| adj.海岸的；湖岸的；n.沿（海）岸地区 | |
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177
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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178
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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179
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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180
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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181
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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182
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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183
imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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184
meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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185
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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186
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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187
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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188
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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189
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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190
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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191
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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192
abeam
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| adj.正横着(的) | |
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193
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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194
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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195
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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196
martinet
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| n.要求严格服从纪律的人 | |
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197
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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198
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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199
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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200
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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201
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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202
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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203
clumping
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| v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的现在分词 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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204
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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205
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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206
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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207
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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208
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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209
crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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210
diffusing
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| （使光）模糊，漫射，漫散( diffuse的现在分词 )； （使）扩散； （使）弥漫； （使）传播 | |
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211
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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212
wraith
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| n.幽灵；骨瘦如柴的人 | |
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213
elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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214
inhale
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| v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟) | |
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215
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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216
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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217
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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218
allure
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| n.诱惑力，魅力；vt.诱惑，引诱，吸引 | |
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219
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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220
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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221
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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222
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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223
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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224
intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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225
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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226
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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227
misgave
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| v.使（某人的情绪、精神等）疑虑，担忧，害怕( misgive的过去式 ) | |
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228
rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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229
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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230
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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231
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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232
dwarfed
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| vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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233
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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234
barges
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| 驳船( barge的名词复数 ) | |
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235
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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236
saucily
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| adv.傲慢地，莽撞地 | |
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237
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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238
proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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239
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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240
tugs
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| n.猛拉( tug的名词复数 )；猛拖；拖船v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的第三人称单数 ) | |
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241
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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242
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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243
spire
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| n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点 | |
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244
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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245
sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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246
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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247
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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248
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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249
devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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250
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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251
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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252
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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253
funnels
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| 漏斗( funnel的名词复数 )； （轮船，火车等的）烟囱 | |
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254
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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255
wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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256
query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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257
acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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258
bided
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| v.等待，停留( bide的过去式 )；居住；等待；面临 | |
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259
tolerance
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| n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差 | |
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260
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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261
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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262
fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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263
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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264
smirking
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| v.傻笑( smirk的现在分词 ) | |
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265
benignly
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| adv.仁慈地，亲切地 | |
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266
massaging
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| 按摩，推拿( massage的现在分词 ) | |
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267
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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268
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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269
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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270
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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271
vacuity
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| n.(想象力等)贫乏，无聊，空白 | |
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272
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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273
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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274
ironic
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| adj.讽刺的，有讽刺意味的，出乎意料的 | |
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275
tricky
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| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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276
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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277
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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278
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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279
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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280
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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281
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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282
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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283
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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284
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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285
derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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286
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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287
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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288
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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289
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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290
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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291
corrosive
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| adj.腐蚀性的；有害的；恶毒的 | |
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