“He heard me all right,” growled1 Salt as he scrambled2 back up the high bank.
Noticing a small boy in dirty overalls3 who sat at the water’s edge fishing, he called to him: “Say, sonny, who was that fellow, do you know?”
“Nope,” answered the boy, barely turning his head, “but his boat has been going up and down the river all morning. That’s why I can’t catch anything.”
The boat rounded a bend of the river and was lost to view. Only one other craft appeared on the water, a freshly painted white motor launch which could be seen coming from the far shore.
“That must be the guest boat now,” remarked Penny, shading her eyes against the glare of the sun. “It seems to be our only hope.”
“Let’s try to get aboard and see what happens,” proposed the photographer.
[20]
They walked leisurely4 back toward the guard at the drawbridge, timing5 their arrival just as the launch swung up to the landing. With a cool assurance which Penny tried to duplicate, Salt stepped aboard, nodded indifferently to the wheelsman, and slumped6 down in one of the leather seats.
Penny waited uneasily for embarrassing questions which did not come. Gradually she relaxed as the boatman took no interest in them and the guard’s attention was fully7 occupied with other cars which had driven up to the drawbridge.
A few minutes later, two elderly women, both elegantly gowned, were helped aboard the boat by their chauffeur8. One of the women stared disapprovingly9 at Salt through her lorgnette and then ignored him.
“We’ll get by all right,” Salt whispered confidently.
“Wait until Mrs. Kippenberg sees us,” warned Penny.
“Oh, we’ll keep out of her way until we have our story and plenty of pictures. Once we’re across the river it will be easy.”
“I hope you’re right,” muttered Penny.
While Salt’s task of taking pictures might prove relatively10 simple, she realized that her own work would be anything but easy. She could not hope to gather many facts without talking to a member of the family, and the instant she admitted her identity she likely would be ejected from the grounds.
[21]
“I boasted I’d bring in a front page story,” she thought ruefully. “I’ll be lucky if I get a column of routine stuff.”
The boat was moving slowly away from the landing when the guard at the drawbridge called in a loud voice: “Hold it, Joe!”
Penny and Salt stiffened11 in their chairs, fearing they were to be exposed. But they were both greatly relieved to see that a long, black limousine12 had drawn13 up at the end of the road. The launch had been stopped so that additional passengers might be accommodated.
Salt nudged Penny’s elbow.
“Grant Atherwald,” he contributed, jerking his head toward a tall, well-built young man who had stepped from the car. “I’ve seen his picture plenty of times.”
“The bridegroom?” Penny turned to stare.
“Sure. He’s one of the blue-bloods, but they say he’s a little short on ready cash.”
The young man, dressed immaculately in formal day attire14, and accompanied by two other men, came aboard the launch. He bowed politely to the elderly women and his gaze fell questioningly upon Penny and Salt. But if he wondered why they were there, he did not voice his thought.
[22]
As the boat put out across the river Penny watched Grant Atherwald curiously15. It seemed to her that he appeared nervous and preoccupied16. He stared straight before him, clenching17 and unclenching his hands. His face was colorless and drawn.
“He’s nervous and worried,” thought Penny. “I guess all bridegrooms are like that.”
A sharp “click” sounded in her ear. Penny did not turn toward Salt, but she caught her breath, knowing what he had done. He had dared to take a picture of Grant Atherwald!
She waited, feeling certain that the sound must have been heard by everyone in the boat. A full minute elapsed and no one spoke18. When Penny finally glanced at Salt he was gazing serenely19 out across the muddy water, his miniature camera shielded behind a felt hat which he held on his knees.
The boat docked. Salt and Penny allowed the others to go ashore20 first, and then followed a narrow walk which wound through a deep lane of evergreen21 trees.
“Salt,” Penny asked abruptly22, “how did you get that picture of Atherwald?”
“Snapped it through a hole in the crown of my hat. It’s an old trick. I always wear this special hat when I’m sent out on a hard assignment.”
“I thought a cannon23 had gone off when the shutter24 clicked,” Penny laughed. “We were lucky you weren’t caught.”
[23]
Emerging from behind the trees, they obtained their first view of the Kippenberg house. Sturdily built of brick and stone, it stood upon a slight hill, its many turrets25 and towers commanding a view of the two rivers.
“Nice layout,” Salt commented, pausing to snap a second picture. “Wish someone would give me a castle for a playhouse.”
They crossed the moat and found themselves directly behind Grant Atherwald again. Before the bridegroom could enter the house a servant stepped forward and handed him a sealed envelope.
“I was told to give this to you as soon as you arrived, sir,” he said.
Grant Atherwald nodded, and taking the letter, quickly opened it. A troubled expression came over his face as he scanned the message. Without a word he thrust the paper into his pocket. Turning, he walked swiftly toward the garden.
“Salt, did you notice how queerly Atherwald looked—” Penny began, but the photographer interrupted her.
“Listen,” he said, “we haven’t a Chinaman’s chance of getting in the front door. That boy in the fancy knickers is giving everyone the once over. Let’s try a side entrance.”
[24]
Without attracting attention they walked quickly around the house and located a door where no servant had been posted. Entering, they passed through a marble-floored vestibule into a breakfast room crowded with serving tables. Salt nonchalantly helped himself to an olive from one of the large glass dishes and led Penny on toward the main hall where many of the guests had gathered to admire the wedding gifts.
“Now don’t swipe any of the silver,” Salt said jokingly. “I think that fellow over by the stairway is a private detective.”
“He seems to be looking at us with a suspicious gleam in his eyes,” Penny replied. “I hope we don’t get tossed out of here.”
“We’ll be all right if Mrs. Kippenberg doesn’t see us before the ceremony.”
“Do you suppose Mr. Kippenberg could be here, Salt?”
“Not likely. It’s my guess that fellow will never be seen again.”
“Dad doesn’t share your opinion.”
“I know,” Salt admitted. “We’ll keep watch for him, but it would just be a lucky break if it turns out he’s here.”
Mingling26 with the guests, they walked slowly about a long table where the wedding gifts were displayed. Penny gazed curiously at dishes of solid silver, crystal bowls, candlesticks, jade27 ornaments28, tea sets and service plates encrusted with gold.
“Nothing trashy here,” muttered Salt.
[25]
“I’ve never seen such an elegant display,” Penny whispered in awe29. “Do you suppose that picture is one of the gifts?”
She indicated an oil painting which stood on an easel not far from the table. So many guests had gathered about the picture that she could not see it distinctly. But at her elbow, a woman in rustling30 silk, said to a companion:
“My dear, a genuine Van Gogh! It must have cost a small fortune!”
When the couple had moved aside, Penny and Salt drew closer to the easel. One glance assured them that the painting had been executed by a master. However, it was the subject of the picture which gave Penny a distinct start.
“Will you look at that!” she whispered to Salt.
“What about it?” he asked carelessly.
“Don’t you notice anything significant?”
“Can’t say I do. It’s just a nice picture of a drawbridge.”
“That’s just the point, Salt!” Penny’s eyes danced with excitement. “A drawbridge!”
The photographer glanced again at the painting, this time with deeper interest.
“Say, it looks a lot like the bridge which was built over the river,” he observed. “You think this picture is a copy of it?”
[26]
Penny shook her head impatiently. “Salt, your knowledge of art is dreadful. This Van Gogh was painted ages ago and is priceless. Don’t you see, the drawbridge has to be a copy of the picture?”
“Your theory sounds reasonable,” Salt admitted. “I wonder who gave the painting to the bride? There’s no name attached.”
“Can’t you guess why?”
“I never was good at kid games.”
“Why, it’s clear as crystal,” Penny declared, keeping her voice low. “This estate with the drawbridge was built by Clayton Kippenberg. He must have been familiar with the Van Gogh painting, and had the real bridge modeled after the picture. For that matter, the painting may have been in his possession—”
“Then you think the picture was presented to Sylvia Kippenberg by her father?” Salt broke in quickly.
“Yes, I do. Only a person very close to the bride would have given such a gift.”
“H-m,” said Salt, squinting31 at the picture thoughtfully. “If you’re right it means that Clayton Kippenberg’s whereabouts must be known to his family. His disappearance32 may not be such a deep mystery to Mamma Kippenberg and daughter Sylvia.”
“Oh, Salt, wouldn’t it make a grand story if only we could learn what became of him?”
“Sure. Front page stuff.”
“We simply must get the story somehow! If Mrs. Kippenberg would just answer our questions about this drawbridge painting—”
“I’m afraid Mamma Kippenberg isn’t going to break down and tell all,” Salt said dryly. “But buckle33 on your steel armor, little girl, because here she comes now!”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
scrambled
|
|
| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
overalls
|
|
| n.（复）工装裤；长罩衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
leisurely
|
|
| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
timing
|
|
| n.时间安排，时间选择 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
slumped
|
|
| 大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
chauffeur
|
|
| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
disapprovingly
|
|
| adv.不以为然地，不赞成地，非难地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
relatively
|
|
| adv.比较...地，相对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
stiffened
|
|
| 加强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
limousine
|
|
| n.豪华轿车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
preoccupied
|
|
| 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) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
clenching
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
serenely
|
|
| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
evergreen
|
|
| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
cannon
|
|
| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
shutter
|
|
| n.百叶窗；(照相机)快门；关闭装置 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
turrets
|
|
| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
mingling
|
|
| adj.混合的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
jade
|
|
| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
ornaments
|
|
| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
awe
|
|
| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
rustling
|
|
| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
squinting
|
|
| 斜视( squint的现在分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
disappearance
|
|
| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
buckle
|
|
| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |