To some extent he reckoned without his motor-car. As long as they traveled within the metropolitan8 limits, constrained9 to observe a decorous pace in view of the prejudices of the County Council, it was a matter of no difficulty whatever to maintain his distance. But once they had won through Shepherd's Bush and, paced by huge doubledeck trolley10 trams, were flying through Hammersmith on the Uxbridge Road; once they had run through Acton, and knew beyond dispute that now they were without the city boundaries, then the complexion11 of the business was suddenly changed.
Not too soon for honest sport; Calendar was to have (Kirkwood would have said in lurid12 American idiom) a run for his money. The scattered13 lights of Southall were winking14 out behind them before Brentwick chose to give the word to the mechanician.
Quietly the latter threw in the clutch for the third speed—and the fourth. The car leaped forward like a startled race-horse. The motor lilted merrily into its deep-throated song of the open road, its contented15, silken humming passing into a sonorous16 and sustained purr.
Kirkwood and the girl were first jarred violently forward, then thrown together. She caught his arm to steady herself; it seemed the most natural thing imaginable that he should take her hand and pass it beneath his arm, holding her so, his fingers closed above her own. Before they had recovered, or had time to catch their breath, a mile of Middlesex had dropped to the rear.
Not quite so far had they distanced Calendar's trailing Nemesis17 of the four glaring eyes; the pursuers put forth18 a gallant19 effort to hold their place. At intervals21 during the first few minutes a heavy roaring and crashing could be heard behind them; gradually it subsided22, dying on the wings of the free rushing wind that buffeted23 their faces as mile after mile was reeled off and the wide, darkling English countryside opened out before them, sweet and wonderful.
Once Kirkwood looked back; in the winking of an eye he saw four faded disks of light, pallid24 with despair, top a distant rise and glide25 down into darkness. When he turned, Dorothy was interrogating26 him with eyes whose melting, shadowed loveliness, revealed to him in the light of the far, still stars, seemed to incite27 him to that madness which he had bade himself resist with all his strength.
He shook his head, as if to say: They can not catch us.
His hour was not yet; time enough to think of love and marriage (as if he were capable of consecutive28 thought on any other subject!)—time enough to think of them when he had gone back to his place, or rather when he should have found it, in the ranks of bread-winners, and so have proved his right to mortal happiness; time enough then to lay whatever he might have to offer at her feet. Now he could conceive of no baser treachery to his soul's-desire than to advantage himself of her gratitude29.
Resolutely30 he turned his face forward, striving with all his will and might to forget the temptation of her lips, weary as they were and petulant31 with waiting; and so sat rigid32 in his time of trial, clinging with what strength he could to the standards of his honor, and trying to lose his dream in dreaming of the bitter struggle that seemed likely to be his future portion.
Perhaps she guessed a little of the fortunes of the battle that was being waged within him. Perhaps not. Whatever the trend of her thoughts, she did not draw away from him.... Perhaps the breath of night, fresh and clean and fragrant34 with the odor of the fields and hedges, sweeping35 into her face with velvety36 caress37, rendered her drowsy38. Presently the silken lashes39 drooped40, fluttering upon her cheeks, the tired and happy smile hovered41 about her lips....
In something less than half an hour of this wild driving, Kirkwood roused out of his reverie sufficiently42 to become sensible that the speed was slackening. Incoherent snatches of sentences, fragments of words and phrases spoken by Brentwick and the mechanician, were flung back past his ears by the rushing wind. Shielding his eyes he could see dimly that the mechanician was tinkering (apparently) with the driving gear. Then, their pace continuing steadily44 to abate45, he heard Brentwick fling at the man a sharp-toned and querulously impatient question: What was the trouble? His reply came in a single word, not distinguishable.
The girl sat up, opening her eyes, disengaging her arm.
Kirkwood bent46 forward and touched Brentwick on the shoulder; the latter turned to him a face lined with deep concern.
"Trouble," he announced superfluously47. "I fear we have blundered."
"What is it?" asked Dorothy in a troubled voice.
"Petrol seems to be running low. Charles here" (he referred to the mechanician) "says the tank must be leaking. We'll go on as best we can and try to find an inn. Fortunately, most of the inns nowadays keep supplies of petrol for just such emergencies."
"Are we—? Do you think—?"
"Oh, no; not a bit of danger of that," returned Brentwick hastily. "They'll not catch up with us this night. That is a very inferior car they have,—so Charles says, at least; nothing to compare with this. If I'm not in error, there's the Crown and Mitre just ahead; we'll make it, fill our tanks, and be off again before they can make up half their loss."
Dorothy looked anxiously to Kirkwood, her lips forming an unuttered query48: What did he think?
"Don't worry; we'll have no trouble," he assured her stoutly49; "the chauffeur51 knows, undoubtedly52."
None the less he was moved to stand up in the tonneau, conscious of the presence of the traveling bag, snug53 between his feet, as well as of the weight of Calendar's revolver in his pocket, while he stared back along the road.
There was nothing to be seen of their persecutors.
The car continued to crawl. Five minutes dragged out tediously. Gradually they, drew abreast54 a tavern55 standing56 back a distance from the road, embowered in a grove57 of trees between whose ancient boles the tap-room windows shone enticingly58, aglow59 with comfortable light. A creaking sign-board, much worn by weather and age, swinging from a roadside post, confirmed the accuracy of Brentwick's surmise60, announcing that here stood the Crown and Mitre, house of entertainment for man and beast.
Sluggishly61 the car rolled up before it and came to a dead and silent halt. Charles, the mechanician, jumping out, ran hastily up the path towards the inn. In the car Brentwick turned again, his eyes curiously62 bright in the starlight, his forehead quaintly63 furrowed64, his voice apologetic.
"It may take a few minutes," he said undecidedly, plainly endeavoring to cover up his own dark doubts. "My dear," to the girl, "if I have brought trouble upon you in this wise, I shall never earn my own forgiveness."
Kirkwood stood up again, watchful65, attentive66 to the sounds of night; but the voice of the pursuing motor-car was not of their company. "I hear nothing," he announced.
"You will forgive me,—won't you, my dear?—for causing you these few moments of needless anxiety?" pleaded the old gentleman, his tone tremulous.
"As if you could be blamed!" protested the girl. "You mustn't think of it that way. Fancy, what should we have done without you!"
"I'm afraid I have been very clumsy," sighed Brentwick, "clumsy and impulsive67 ... Kirkwood, do you hear anything?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Perhaps," suggested Brentwick a little later, "perhaps we had better alight and go up to the inn. It would be more cosy68 there, especially if the petrol proves hard to obtain, and we have long to wait."
"I should like that," assented69 the girl decidedly.
Kirkwood nodded his approval, opened the door and jumped out to assist her; then picked up the bag and followed the pair,—Brentwick leading the way with Dorothy on his arm.
At the doorway70 of the Crown and Mitre, Charles met them evidently seriously disturbed. "No petrol to be had here, sir," he announced reluctantly; "but the landlord will send to the next inn, a mile up the road, for some. You will have to be patient, I'm afraid, sir."
"Very well. Get some one to help you push the car in from the road," ordered Brentwick; "we will be waiting in one of the private parlors71."
"Yes, sir; thank you, sir." The mechanician touched the visor of his cap and hurried off.
"Come, Kirkwood." Gently Brentwick drew the girl in with him.
Kirkwood lingered momentarily on the doorstep, to listen acutely. But the wind was blowing into that quarter whence they had come, and he could hear naught73 save the soughing in the trees, together with an occasional burst of rude rustic74 laughter from the tap-room. Lifting his shoulders in dumb dismay, and endeavoring to compose his features, he entered the tavern.
II——THE CROWN AND MITRE
A rosy-cheeked and beaming landlady75 met him in the corridor and, all bows and smiles, ushered76 him into a private parlor72 reserved for the party, immediately bustling78 off in a desperate flurry, to secure refreshments79 desired by Brentwick.
The girl had seated herself on one end of an extremely comfortless lounge and was making a palpable effort to seem at ease. Brentwick stood at one of the windows, shoulders rounded and head bent, hands clasped behind his back as he peered out into the night. Kirkwood dropped the traveling bag beneath a chair the farthest removed from the doorway, and took to pacing the floor.
In a corner of the room a tall grandfather's clock ticked off ten interminable minutes. For some reason unconscionably delaying, the landlady did not reappear. Brentwick, abruptly80 turning from the window, remarked the fact querulously, then drew a chair up to a marble-topped table in the middle of the floor.
"My dear," he requested the girl, "will you oblige me by sitting over here? And Philip, bring up a chair, if you will. We must not permit ourselves to worry, and I have something here which may, perhaps, engage your interest for a while."
To humor him and alleviate81 his evident distress82 of mind, they acceded83. Kirkwood found himself seated opposite Dorothy, Brentwick between them. After some hesitation84, made the more notable by an air of uneasiness which sat oddly on his shoulders, whose composure and confident mien85 had theretofore been so complete and so reassuring86, the elder gentleman fumbled87 in an inner coat-pocket and brought to light a small black leather wallet. He seemed to be on the point of opening it when hurried footfalls sounded in the hallway. Brentwick placed the wallet, still with its secret intact, on the table before him, as Charles burst unceremoniously in, leaving the door wide open.
"Mr. Brentwick, sir!" he cried gustily88. "That other car—"
With a smothered89 ejaculation Kirkwood leaped to his feet, tugging90 at the weapon in his pocket. In another instant he had the revolver exposed. The girl's cry of alarm, interrupting the machinist, fixed91 Brentwick's attention on the young man. He, too, stood up, reaching over very quickly, to clamp strong supple92 fingers round Kirkwood's wrist, while with the other hand he laid hold of the revolver and by a single twist wrenched93 it away.
Kirkwood turned upon him in fury. "So!" he cried, shaking with passion. "This is what your hospitality meant! You're going to—"
"My dear young friend," interrupted Brentwick with a flash of impatience94, "remember that if I had designed to betray you, I could have asked no better opportunity than when you were my guest under my own roof."
"But—hang it all, Brentwick!" expostulated Kirkwood, ashamed and contrite95, but worked upon by desperate apprehension96; "I didn't mean that, but—"
"Would you have bullets flying when she is near?" demanded Brentwick scathingly. Hastily he slipped the revolver upon a little shelf beneath the table-top. "Sir!" he informed Kirkwood with some heat, "I love you as my own son, but you're a young fool!... as I have been, in my time ... and as I would to Heaven I might be again! Be advised, Philip,—be calm. Can't you see it's the only way to save your treasure?"
"Hang the jewels!" retorted Kirkwood warmly. "What—"
"Sir, who said anything about the jewels?"
As Brentwick spoke43, Calendar's corpulent figure filled the doorway; Stryker's weather-worn features loomed97 over his shoulder, distorted in a cheerful leer.
"As to the jewels," announced the fat adventurer, "I've got a word to say, if you put it to me that way."
He paused on the threshold, partly for dramatic effect, partly for his own satisfaction, his quick eyes darting98 from face to face of the four people whom he had caught so unexpectedly. A shade of complacency colored his expression, and he smiled evilly beneath the coarse short thatch99 of his gray mustache. In his hand a revolver appeared, poised100 for immediate77 use if there were need.
There was none. Brentwick, at his primal101 appearance, had dropped a peremptory102 hand on Kirkwood's shoulder, forcing the young man back to his seat; at the same time he resumed his own. The girl had not stirred from hers since the first alarm; she sat as if transfixed with terror, leaning forward with her elbows on the table, her hands tightly clasped, her face, a little blanched103, turned to the door. But her scarlet104 lips were set and firm with inflexible105 purpose, and her brown eyes met Calendar's with a look level and unflinching. Beyond this she gave no sign of recognition.
Nearest of the four to the adventurers was Charles, the mechanician, paused in affrighted astonishment106 at sight of the revolver. Calendar, choosing to advance suddenly, poked107 the muzzle108 of the weapon jocularly in the man's ribs109. "Beat it, Four-eyes!" he snapped. "This is your cue to duck! Get out of my way."
The mechanician jumped as if shot, then hastily, retreated to the table, his sallow features working beneath the goggle-mask which had excited the fat adventurer's scorn.
"Come right in, Cap'n," Calendar threw over one shoulder; "come in, shut the door and lock it. Let's all be sociable110, and have a nice quiet time." vStryker obeyed, with a derisive111 grimace112 for Kirkwood.
Calendar, advancing jauntily113 to a point within a yard of the table, stopped, smiling affably down upon his prospective115 victims, and airily twirling his revolver.
"Good evening, all!" he saluted116 them blandly118. "Dorothy, my child," with assumed concern, "you're looking a trifle upset; I'm afraid you've been keeping late hours. Little girls must be careful, you know, or they lose the bloom of roses in their cheeks.... Mr. Kirkwood, it's a pleasure to meet you again! Permit me to paraphrase119 your most sound advice, and remind you that pistol-shots are apt to attract undesirable120 attention. It wouldn't be wise for you to bring the police about our ears. I believe that in substance such was your sapient121 counsel to me in the cabin of the Alethea; was it not?... And you, sir!"—fixing Brentwick with a cold unfriendly eye. "You animated122 fossil, what d'you mean by telling me to go to the devil?... But let that pass; I hold no grudge123. What might your name be?"
'<i>Good</i> evening, all!' he saluted them blandly
"It might be Brentwick," said that gentleman placidly124.
"Brentwick, eh? Well, I like a man of spirit. But permit me to advise you—"
"Gladly," nodded Brentwick.
"Eh?... Don't come a second time between father and daughter; another man might not be as patient as I, Mister Brentwick. There's a law in the land, if you don't happen to know it."
"I congratulate you on your success in evading125 it," observed Brentwick, undisturbed. "And it was considerate of you not to employ it in this instance." Then, with a sharp change of tone, "Come, sir!" he demanded. "You have unwarrantably intruded126 in this room, which I have engaged for my private use. Get through with your business and be off with you."
"All in my good time, my antediluvian127 friend. When I've wound up my business here I'll go—not before. But, just to oblige you, we'll get down to it.... Kirkwood, you have a revolver of mine. Be good enough to return it."
"I have it here,—under the table," interrupted Brentwick suavely128. "Shall I hand it to you?"
"By the muzzle, if you please. Be very careful; this one's loaded, too—apt to explode any minute."
To Kirkwood's intense disgust Brentwick quietly slipped one hand beneath the table and, placing the revolver on its top, delicately with his finger-tips shoved it toward the farther edge. With a grunt129 of approval, Calendar swept the weapon up and into his pocket.
"Any more ordnance130?" he inquired briskly, eyes moving alertly from face to face. "No matter; you wouldn't dare use 'em anyway. And I'm about done. Dorothy, my dear, it's high time you returned to your father's protection. Where's that gladstone bag?"
"In my traveling bag," the girl told him in a toneless voice.
"Then you may bring it along. You may also say good night to the kind gentlemen."
Dorothy did not move; her pallor grew more intense and Kirkwood saw her knuckles131 tighten132 beneath the gloves. Otherwise her mouth seemed to grow more straight and hard.
"Dorothy!" cried the adventurer with a touch of displeasure. "You heard me?"
"I heard you," she replied a little wearily, more than a little contemptuously. "Don't mind him, please, Mr. Kirkwood!"—with an appealing gesture, as Kirkwood, unable to contain himself, moved restlessly in his chair, threatening to rise. "Don't say anything. I have no intention whatever of going with this man."
Calendar's features twitched133 nervously134; he chewed a corner of his mustache, fixing the girl with a black stare. "I presume," he remarked after a moment, with slow deliberation, "you're aware that, as your father, I am in a position to compel you to accompany me."
"I shall not go with you," iterated Dorothy in a level tone. "You may threaten me, but—I shall not go. Mr. Brentwick and Mr. Kirkwood are taking me to—friends, who will give me a home until I can find a way to take care of myself. That is all I have to say to you."
"Bravo, my dear!" cried Brentwick encouragingly.
"Mind your business, sir!" thundered Calendar, his face darkening. Then, to Dorothy, "You understand, I trust, what this means?" he demanded. "I offer you a home—and a good one. Refuse, and you work for your living, my girl! You've forfeited135 your legacy—"
"I know, I know," she told him in cold disdain136. "I am content. Won't you be kind enough to leave me alone?"
For a breath, Calendar glowered137 over her; then, "I presume," he observed, "that all these heroics are inspired by that whipper-snapper, Kirkwood. Do you know that he hasn't a brass138 farthing to bless himself with?"
"What has that—?" cried the girl indignantly.
"Why, it has everything to do with me, my child. As your doting139 parent, I can't consent to your marrying nothing-a-year.... For I surmise you intend to marry this Mr. Kirkwood, don't you?"
There followed a little interval20 of silence, while the warm blood flamed in the girl's face and the red lips trembled as she faced her tormentor140. Then, with a quaver that escaped her control, "If Mr. Kirkwood asks me, I shall," she stated very simply.
"That," interposed Kirkwood, "is completely understood." His gaze sought her eyes, but she looked away.
"You forget that I am your father," sneered141 Calendar; "and that you are a minor142. I can refuse my consent."
"But you won't," Kirkwood told him with assurance.
The adventurer stared. "No," he agreed, after slight hesitation; "no, I shan't interfere143. Take her, my boy, if you want her—and a father's blessing145 into the bargain. The Lord knows I've troubles enough; a parent's lot is not what it's cracked up to be." He paused, leering, ironic146. "But,"—deliberately, "there's still this other matter of the gladstone bag. I don't mind abandoning my parental147 authority, when my child's happiness is concerned, but as for my property—"
"It is not your property," interrupted the girl.
"It was your mother's, dear child. It's now mine."
"I dispute that assertion," Kirkwood put in.
"You may dispute it till the cows come home, my boy: the fact will remain that I intend to take my property with me when I leave this room, whether you like it or not. Now are you disposed to continue the argument, or may I count on your being sensible?"
"You may put away your revolver, if that's what you mean," said Kirkwood. "We certainly shan't oppose you with violence, but I warn you that Scotland Yard—"
"Oh, that be blowed!" the adventurer snorted in disgust. "I can sail circles round any tec. that ever blew out of Scotland Yard! Give me an hour's start, and you're free to do all the funny business you've a mind to, with—Scotland Yard!"
"Then you admit," queried148 Brentwick civilly, "that you've no legal title to the jewels in dispute?"
"Look here, my friend," chuckled149 Calendar, "when you catch me admitting anything, you write it down in your little book and tell the bobby on the corner. Just at present I've got other business than to stand round admitting anything about anything.... Cap'n, let's have that bag of my dutiful daughter's."
"'Ere you are." Stryker spoke for the first time since entering the room, taking the valise from beneath the chair and depositing it on the table.
"Well, we shan't take anything that doesn't belong to us," laughed Calendar, fumbling150 with the catch; "not even so small a matter as my own child's traveling bag. A small—heavy—gladstone bag," he grunted151, opening the valise and plunging152 in one greedy hand, "will—just—about—do for mine!" With which he produced the article mentioned. "This for the discard, Cap'n," he laughed contentedly153, pushing the girl's valise aside; and, rumbling154 with stentorian155 mirth, stood beaming benignantly over the assembled company.
"Why," he exclaimed, "this moment is worth all it cost me! My children, I forgive you freely. Mr. Kirkwood, I felicitate you cordially on having secured a most expensive wife. Really—d'you know?—I feel as if I ought to do a little something for you both." Gurgling with delight he smote156 his fat palms together. "I just tell you what," he resumed, "no one yet ever called Georgie Calendar a tight-wad. I just believe I'm going to make you kids a handsome wedding present.... The good Lord knows there's enough of this for a fellow to be a little generous and never miss it!"
The thick mottled fingers tore nervously at the catch; eventually he got the bag open. Those about the table bent forward, all quickened by the prospect114 of for the first time beholding157 the treasure over which they had fought, for which they had suffered, so long....
A heady and luscious158 fragrance159 pervaded160 the atmosphere, exhaling161 from the open mouth of the bag. A silence, indefinitely sustained, impressed itself upon the little audience,—a breathless pause ended eventually by a sharp snap of Calendar's teeth. "Mmm!" grunted the adventurer in bewilderment. He began to pant.
Abruptly his heavy hands delved162 into the contents of the bag, like the paws of a terrier digging in earth. To Kirkwood the air seemed temporarily thick with flying objects. Beneath his astonished eyes a towel fell upon the table—a crumpled163, soiled towel, bearing on its dingy164 hem5 the inscription165 in indelible ink: "H?tel du Commerce, Anvers." A tooth-mug of substantial earthenware166 dropped to the floor with a crash. A slimy soap-dish of the same manufacture slid across the table and into Brentwick's lap. A battered167 alarm clock with never a tick left in its abused carcass rang vacuously168 as it fell by the open bag.... The remainder was—oranges: a dozen or more small, round, golden globes of ripe fruit, perhaps a shade overripe, therefore the more aromatic169.
The adventurer ripped out an oath. "Mulready, by the living God!" he raged in fury. "Done up, I swear! Done by that infernal sneak—me, blind as a bat!"
He fell suddenly silent, the blood congesting in his face; as suddenly broke forth again, haranguing170 the company.
"That's why he went out and bought those damned oranges, is it? Think of it—me sitting in the hotel in Antwerp and him lugging171 in oranges by the bagful because he was fond of fruit! When did he do it? How do I know? If I knew, would I be here and him the devil knows where, this minute? When my back was turned, of course, the damned snake! That's why he was so hot about picking a fight on the boat, hey? Wanted to get thrown off and take to the woods—leaving me with this! And that's why he felt so awful done up he wouldn't take a hand at hunting you two down, hey? Well—by—the—Eternal! I'll camp on his trail for the rest of his natural-born days! I'll have his eye-teeth for this, I'll—"
He swayed, gibbering with rage, his countenance172 frightfully contorted, his fat hands shaking as he struggled for expression.
And then, while yet their own astonishment held Dorothy, Kirkwood, Brentwick and Stryker speechless, Charles, the mechanician, moved suddenly upon the adventurer.
There followed two metallic174 clicks. Calendar's ravings were abrupted as if his tongue had been paralyzed. He fell back a pace, flabby jowls pale and shaking, ponderous175 jaw176 dropping on his breast, mouth wide and eyes crazed as he shook violently before him his thick fleshy wrists—securely handcuffed.
Simultaneously177 the mechanician whirled about, bounded eagerly across the floor, and caught Stryker at the door, his dexterous178 fingers twisting in the captain's collar as he jerked him back and tripped him.
"Mr. Kirkwood!" he cried. "Here, please—one moment. Take this man's gun, from him, will you?"
Kirkwood sprang to his assistance, and without encountering much trouble, succeeded in wresting179 a Webley from Stryker's limp, flaccid fingers.
Roughly the mechanician shook the man, dragging him to his feet. "Now," he ordered sternly, "you march to that corner, stick your nose in it, and be good! You can't get away if you try. I've got other men outside, waiting for you to come out. Understand?"
Trembling like a whipped cur, Stryker meekly180 obeyed his instructions to the letter.
The mechanician, with a contemptuous laugh leaving him, strode back to Calendar, meanwhile whipping off his goggles181; and clapped a hearty182 hand upon the adventurer's quaking shoulders.
"Well!" he cried. "And are you still sailing circles round the men from Scotland Yard, Simmons, or Bellows183, or Sanderson, or Calendar, or Crumbstone, or whatever name you prefer to sail under?"
Calendar glared at him aghast; then heaved a profound sigh, shrugged184 his fat shoulders, and bent his head in thought. An instant later he looked up. "You can't do it," he informed the detective vehemently185; "you haven't got a shred186 of evidence against me! What's there? A pile of oranges and a peck of trash! What of it?... Besides," he threatened, "if you pinch me, you'll have to take the girl in, too. I swear that whatever stealing was done, she did it. I'll not be trapped this way by her and let her off without a squeal187. Take me—take her; d'you hear?"
"I think," put in the clear, bland117 accents of Brentwick, "we can consider that matter settled. I have here, my man,"—nodding to the adventurer as he took up the black leather wallet,—"I have here a little matter which may clear up any lingering doubts as to your standing, which you may be disposed at present to entertain."
He extracted a slip of cardboard and, at arm's length, laid it on the table-edge beneath the adventurer's eyes. The latter, bewildered, bent over it for a moment, breathing heavily; then straightened back, shook himself, laughed shortly with a mirthless note, and faced the detective.
"It's come with you now, I guess?" he suggested very quietly.
"The Bannister warrant is still out for you," returned the man. "That'll be enough to hold you on till extradition188 papers arrive from the States."
"Oh, I'll waive189 those; and I won't give you any trouble, either.... I reckon," mused190 the adventurer, jingling191 his manacles thoughtfully, "I'm a back-number, anyway. When a half-grown girl, a half-baked boy, a flub like Mulready—damn his eyes!—and a club-footed snipe from Scotland Yard can put it all over me this way,... why, I guess it's up to me to go home and retire to my country-place up the Hudson." He sighed wearily.
"Yep; time to cut it out. But I would like to be free long enough to get in one good lick at that mutt, Mulready. My friend, you get your hands on him, and I'll squeal on him till I'm blue in the face. That's a promise."
"You'll have the chance before long," replied the detective. "We received a telegram from the Amsterdam police late this afternoon, saying they'd picked up Mr. Mulready with a woman named Hallam, and were holding them on suspicion. It seems,"—turning to Brentwick,—"they were opening negotiations192 for the sale of a lot of stones, and seemed in such a precious hurry that the diamond merchant's suspicions were roused. We're sending over for them, Miss Calendar, so you can make your mind easy about your jewels; you'll have them back in a few days."
"Thank you," said the girl with an effort.
"Well," the adventurer delivered his peroration193, "I certainly am blame' glad to hear it. 'Twouldn't 've been a square deal, any other way."
He paused, looking his erstwhile dupes over with a melancholy194 eye; then, with an uncertain nod comprehending the girl, Kirkwood and Brentwick, "So long!" he said thickly; and turned, with the detective's hand under his arm and, accompanied by the thoroughly195 cowed Stryker, waddled196 out of the room.
III——THE JOURNEY'S END
Kirkwood, following the exodus197, closed the door with elaborate care and slowly, deep in thought, returned to the table.
Dorothy seemed not to have moved, save to place her elbows on the marble slab198, and rest her cheeks between hands that remained clenched199, as they had been in the greatest stress of her emotion. The color had returned to her face, with a slightly enhanced depth of hue200 to the credit of her excitement. Her cheeks were hot, her eyes starlike beneath the woven, massy sunlight of her hair. Temporarily unconscious of her surroundings she stared steadfastly201 before her, thoughts astray in the irridescent glamour202 of the dreams that were to come....
Brentwick had slipped down in his chair, resting his silvered head upon its back, and was smiling serenely203 up at the low yellow ceiling. Before him on the table his long white fingers were drumming an inaudible tune33. Presently rousing, he caught Kirkwood's eye and smiled sheepishly, like a child caught in innocent mischief204.
The younger man grinned broadly. "And you were responsible for all that!" he commented, infinitely205 amused.
Brentwick nodded, twinkling self-satisfaction. "I contrived206 it all," he said; "neat, I call it, too." His old eyes brightened with reminiscent enjoyment207. "Inspiration!" he crowed softly. "Inspiration, pure and simple. I'd been worrying my wits for fully173 five minutes before Wotton settled the matter by telling me about the captain's hiring of the motor-car. Then, in a flash, I had it.... I talked with Charles by telephone,—his name is really Charles, by, the bye,—overcame his conscientious208 scruples209 about playing his fish when they were already all but landed, and settled the artistic210 details."
He chuckled delightedly. "It's the instinct," he declared emphatically, "the instinct for adventure. I knew it was in me, latent somewhere, but never till this day did it get the opportunity to assert itself. A born adventurer—that's what I am!... You see, it was essential that they should believe we were frightened and running from them; that way, they would be sure to run after us. Why, we might have baited a dozen traps and failed to lure211 them into my house, after that stout50 scoundrel knew you'd had the chance to tell me the whole yarn212... Odd!"
"Weren't you taking chances, you and Charles?" asked Kirkwood curiously.
"Precious few. There was another motor from Scotland Yard trailing Captain Stryker's. If they had run past, or turned aside, they would have been overhauled213 in short order."
He relapsed into his whimsical reverie; the wistful look returned to his eyes, replacing the glow of triumph and pleasure. And he sighed a little regretfully.
"What I don't understand," contended Kirkwood, "is how you convinced Calendar that he couldn't get revenge by pressing his charge against Miss Calendar—Dorothy."
"Oh-h?" Mr. Brentwick elevated his fine white eyebrows214 and sat up briskly. "My dear boy, that was the most delectable215 dish on the entire menu. I have been reserving it, I don't mind owning, that I might better enjoy the full relish216 of it.... I may answer you best, perhaps, by asking you to scan what I offered to the fat scoundrel's respectful consideration, my dear sir."
He leveled a forefinger217 at the card.
At first glance it conveyed nothing to the younger man's benighted218 intelligence. He puzzled over it, twisting his brows out of alignment219. An ordinary oblong slip of thin white cardboard, it was engraved220 in fine script as follows:
MR. GEORGE BURGOYNE CALENDAR
81, ASPEN VILLAS221, S. W.
"Oh!" exclaimed Kirkwood at length, standing up, his face bright with understanding. "You—!"
"I," laconically222 assented the elder man.
Impulsively223 Kirkwood leaned across the table. "Dorothy," he said tenderly; and when the girl's happy eyes met his, quietly drew her attention to the card.
Then he rose hastily, and went over to stand by the window, staring mistily224 into the blank face of night beyond its unseen panes225.
Behind him there was a confusion of little noises; the sound of a chair pushed hurriedly aside, a rustle226 of skirts, a happy sob227 or two, low voices intermingling; sighs.... Out of it finally came the father's accents.
"There, there, my dear! My dearest dear!" protested the old gentleman. "Positively228 I don't deserve a tithe229 of this. I—" The young old voice quavered and broke, in a happy laugh.... "You must understand," he continued more soberly, "that no consideration of any sort is due me. When we married, I was too old for your mother, child; we both knew it, both believed it would never matter. But it did. By her wish, I went back to America; we were to see what separation would do to heal the wounds dissension had caused. It was a very foolish experiment. Your mother died before I could return...."
There fell a silence, again broken by the father. "After that I was in no haste to return. But some years ago, I came to London to live. I communicated with the old colonel, asking permission to see you. It was refused in a manner which precluded230 the subject being reopened by me: I was informed that if I persisted in attempting to see you, you would be disinherited.... He was very angry with me—justly, I admit.... One must grow old before one can see how unforgivably one was wrong in youth.... So I settled down to a quiet old age, determined231 not to disturb you in your happiness.... Ah—Kirkwood!"
The old gentleman was standing, his arm around his daughter's shoulders, when Kirkwood turned.
"Come here, Philip; I'm explaining to Dorothy, but you should hear.... The evening I called on you, dear boy, at the Pless, returning home I received a message from my solicitors232, whom I had instructed to keep an eye on Dorothy's welfare. They informed me that she had disappeared. Naturally I canceled my plans to go to Munich, and stayed, employing detectives. One of the first things they discovered was that Dorothy had run off with an elderly person calling himself George Burgoyne Calendar—the name I had discarded when I found that to acknowledge me would imperil my daughter's fortune.... The investigations233 went deeper; Charles—let us continue to call him—had been to see me only this afternoon, to inform me of the plot they had discovered. This Hallam woman and her son—it seems that they were legitimately234 in the line of inheritance, Dorothy out of the way. But the woman was—ah—a bad lot. Somehow she got into communication with this fat rogue235 and together they plotted it out. Charles doesn't believe that the Hallam woman expected to enjoy the Burgoyne estates for very many days. Her plan was to step in when Dorothy stepped out, gather up what she could, realize on it, and decamp. That is why there was so much excitement about the jewels: naturally the most valuable item on her list, the most easy to convert into cash.... The man Mulready we do not place; he seems to have been a shady character the fat rogue picked up somewhere. The latter's ordinary line of business was diamond smuggling236, though he would condescend237 to almost anything in order to turn a dishonest penny....
"That seems to exhaust the subject. But one word more.... Dorothy, I am old enough and have suffered enough to know the wisdom of seizing one's happiness when one may. My dear, a little while ago, you did a very brave deed. Under fire you said a most courageous238, womanly, creditable thing. And Philip's rejoinder was only second in nobility to yours.... I do hope to goodness that you two blessed youngsters won't let any addlepated scruples stand between yourselves and—the prize of Romance, your inalienable inheritance!"
Abruptly Brentwick, who was no longer Brentwick, but the actual Calendar, released the girl from his embrace and hopped239 nimbly toward the door. "Really, I must see about that petrol!" he cried. "While it's perfectly240 true that Charles lied about it's running out, we must be getting on. I'll call you when we're ready to start."
And the door crashed to behind him....
Between them was the table. Beyond it the girl stood with head erect241, dim tears glimmering242 on the lashes of those eyes with which she met Philip's steady gaze so fearlessly.
Singing about them, the silence deepened. Fascinated, though his heart was faint with longing243, Kirkwood faltered244 on the threshold of his kingdom.
"Dorothy!... You did mean it, dear?"
She laughed, a little, low, sobbing245 laugh that had its source deep in the hidden sanctuary246 of her heart of a child.
"I meant it, my dearest.... If you'll have a girl so bold and forward, who can't wait till she's asked but throws herself into the arms of the man she loves—Philip, I meant it, every word!..."
And as he went to her swiftly, round the table, she turned to meet him, arms uplifted, her scarlet lips a-tremble, the brown and bewitching lashes drooping247 over her wondrously248 lighted eyes....
After a time Philip Kirkwood laughed aloud.
And there was that quality in the ring of his laughter that caused the Shade of Care, which had for the past ten minutes been uneasily luffing and filling in the offing and, on the whole, steadily diminishing and becoming more pale and wan144 and emaciated249 and indistinct—there was that in the laughter of Philip Kirkwood, I say, which caused the Shade of Care to utter a hollow croak250 of despair as, incontinently, it vanished out of his life.
The End
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1
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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resonant
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| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
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swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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6
biding
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| v.等待，停留( bide的现在分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待；面临 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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8
metropolitan
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| adj.大城市的，大都会的 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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10
trolley
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| n.手推车，台车；无轨电车；有轨电车 | |
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11
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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13
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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14
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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15
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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16
sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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17
nemesis
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| n.给以报应者，复仇者，难以对付的敌手 | |
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18
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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19
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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20
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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21
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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22
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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23
buffeted
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| 反复敲打( buffet的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续猛击； 打来打去； 推来搡去 | |
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24
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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25
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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26
interrogating
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| n.询问技术v.询问( interrogate的现在分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
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27
incite
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| v.引起，激动，煽动 | |
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28
consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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29
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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30
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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31
petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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32
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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33
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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34
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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35
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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36
velvety
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| adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的 | |
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37
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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38
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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39
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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40
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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42
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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43
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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44
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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45
abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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46
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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47
superfluously
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| 过分地； 过剩地 | |
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48
query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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49
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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51
chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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52
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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53
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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54
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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55
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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56
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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57
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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58
enticingly
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59
aglow
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| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
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60
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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61
sluggishly
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| adv.懒惰地；缓慢地 | |
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62
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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63
quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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64
furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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66
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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67
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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68
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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69
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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71
parlors
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| 客厅( parlor的名词复数 )； 起居室； （旅馆中的）休息室； （通常用来构成合成词）店 | |
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72
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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73
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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74
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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75
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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76
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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78
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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79
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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80
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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81
alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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82
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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83
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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84
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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85
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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86
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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87
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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88
gustily
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| adv.暴风地，狂风地 | |
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89
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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90
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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91
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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92
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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93
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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94
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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95
contrite
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| adj.悔悟了的，后悔的，痛悔的 | |
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96
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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97
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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98
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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99
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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100
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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101
primal
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| adj.原始的；最重要的 | |
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102
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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103
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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104
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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105
inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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106
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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107
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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108
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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109
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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110
sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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111
derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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112
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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113
jauntily
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| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
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114
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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115
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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116
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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117
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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118
blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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119
paraphrase
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| vt.将…释义，改写；n.释义，意义 | |
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120
undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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121
sapient
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| adj.有见识的，有智慧的 | |
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122
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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123
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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124
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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125
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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126
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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127
antediluvian
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| adj.史前的，陈旧的 | |
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128
suavely
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129
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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130
ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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131
knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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132
tighten
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| v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧 | |
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133
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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134
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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135
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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136
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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137
glowered
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| v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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138
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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139
doting
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| adj.溺爱的，宠爱的 | |
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140
tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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141
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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143
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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144
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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145
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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146
ironic
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| adj.讽刺的，有讽刺意味的，出乎意料的 | |
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147
parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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148
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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149
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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151
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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152
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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153
contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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154
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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155
stentorian
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| adj.大声的，响亮的 | |
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156
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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157
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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158
luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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159
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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160
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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161
exhaling
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的现在分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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162
delved
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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163
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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164
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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165
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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166
earthenware
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| n.土器，陶器 | |
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167
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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168
vacuously
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| adv.无意义地，茫然若失地，无所事事地 | |
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169
aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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170
haranguing
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| v.高谈阔论( harangue的现在分词 ) | |
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171
lugging
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| 超载运转能力 | |
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172
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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173
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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174
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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175
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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176
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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177
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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178
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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179
wresting
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| 动词wrest的现在进行式 | |
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180
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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181
goggles
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| n.护目镜 | |
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182
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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183
bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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184
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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185
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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186
shred
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| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
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187
squeal
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| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
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188
extradition
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| n.引渡（逃犯） | |
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189
waive
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| vt.放弃，不坚持(规定、要求、权力等) | |
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190
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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191
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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192
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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193
peroration
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| n.（演说等之）结论 | |
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194
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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195
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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196
waddled
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| v.（像鸭子一样）摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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197
exodus
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| v.大批离去，成群外出 | |
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198
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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199
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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200
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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201
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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202
glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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203
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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204
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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205
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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206
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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207
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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208
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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209
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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210
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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211
lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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212
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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213
overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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214
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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215
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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216
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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217
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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218
benighted
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| adj.蒙昧的 | |
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219
alignment
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| n.队列；结盟，联合 | |
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220
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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221
villas
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| 别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )； （城郊）住宅 | |
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222
laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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223
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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224
mistily
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| adv.有雾地，朦胧地，不清楚地 | |
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panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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tithe
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| n.十分之一税；v.课什一税，缴什一税 | |
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precluded
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| v.阻止( preclude的过去式和过去分词 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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solicitors
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| 初级律师( solicitor的名词复数 ) | |
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233
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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legitimately
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| ad.合法地；正当地，合理地 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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236
smuggling
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| n.走私 | |
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237
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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239
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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244
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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246
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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247
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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wondrously
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| adv.惊奇地，非常，极其 | |
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249
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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croak
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| vi.嘎嘎叫，发牢骚 | |
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