Dressed in her white pegnoir and the unnatural2 pallor of her cheeks enhanced by the deep shadows under her eyes, she appeared, in the uncompromising glare of the early morning sunlight, like a wraith3, and the men halted involuntarily. Before any one could stop her, Anne stepped to the side of the stretcher and drew back the sheet. A shudder4 shook her at sight of the bloodstains. With a self-control little short of marvelous in one so young she mastered her emotion and laid her hand, with caressing5 tenderness, against the cold cheek.
“Poor Uncle John!” she murmured. Her hand slipped downward across the broad chest. There was an instant’s pause, then stooping over, she kissed him as some one touched her on the shoulder.
“Anne,” her mother’s voice sounded coldly in her ear. “Come away, at once.”
Under cover of the sheet Anne plucked at a button on the jacket, then with a single sweep of her arm she tossed the sheet over the dead man’s face.
“Pardon me,” she stammered6 as Coroner Penfield walked over to the stretcher. “Uncle John was very dear to me,” her voice ended in a sob7. “I—I—had to see him—to—to—convince myself that this awful thing had really happened. Oh, merciful God—”
Her mother’s firm grasp on her arm checked her inclination8 to hysterics.
“Come.” There was no mistaking the power of the imperious command. With a grave inclination of her head to Coroner Penfield and Inspector Mitchell, who had stood a silent spectator of the little scene, she led her daughter inside the boudoir and closed the door. Not until Anne was in her own bedroom did Mrs. Meredith release her hold upon her arm.
“I trust your morbid9 curiosity is satisfied,” she said, making no effort to conceal10 her deep displeasure.
Anne walked over to her bureau and, turning her back upon her mother, opened a small silver bonbon11 box and in feverish12 haste slipped several hairs, which she had held tightly clenched13 between the fingers of her left hand, under the peppermints14 which the box contained.
“I am quite satisfied, mother,” her voice shook pitifully. “Would you mind sending Susanne to me. I—I will lie down for awhile.”
“An excellent plan.” Mrs. Meredith turned back to the door connecting Anne’s bedroom with the boudoir. “Doctor McLane expressly ordered us to remain in our rooms until Coroner Penfield sent for us. Have you—” she paused—“have you seen Lucille?”
“No.” Anne looked around quickly. “Has she been told about Uncle John?”
“She was still asleep when I went to her room half an hour ago, and I thought it best not to awaken16 her.” Mrs. Meredith laid her hand on the knob of the door, preparatory to closing it behind her. “I will go there shortly. Try and rest, Anne; a little rose water might make your eyes less red,” and with this parting shot, her mother retreated.
Crossing the boudoir Mrs. Meredith hastened into her bedroom. The suite17 of rooms which she and her daughter occupied were the prettiest in the old mansion18, overlooking the well-kept grounds and lovely elm trees, but she did not pause to contemplate19 her surroundings, although the large bedroom and its handsome mahogany furniture were worthy20 a second look.
“Susanne,” she called. “Order my breakfast at once, then go to Miss Anne.”
“Oui, madame” The Frenchwoman emerged in haste from the closet where she had been rearranging Mrs. Meredith’s dinner gowns. She smiled shrewdly as she went below stairs. “You give orders as if you were already mistress here,” she muttered, below her breath. “But wait, madame, but wait.” And with a shrug21 of her pretty shoulders Susanne hastened to find the chef.
Mrs. Meredith regarded herself attentively22 in the long cheval glass, added a touch of rouge23, then rubbed it off vigorously. Pale cheeks were not amiss after the tragedy of the night. Powder, delicately applied25, removed all traces of sleeplessness26, and finally satisfied with her appearance, she left her bedroom. The old mansion had but two stories, with rambling27 corridors and unexpected niches28 and alcoves29. The wide attic30 was lighted by dormer windows and a deep cellar extended under the entire building.
The large drawing-room, library, billiard room and dining-room were on the first floor, the servants’ quarters in a wing over the kitchen and three large pantries, and the ten masters’ rooms took up all the space on the second floor. A second wing, added at the time John Meredith had had electricity and plumbing31 installed, furnished three additional bedrooms and baths and were reserved for bachelor guests. The ground floor of this wing made a commodious32 garage.
As Mrs. Meredith walked down the broad corridor she noted33 two detectives loitering by the head of the circular staircase and frowned heavily. Her pause in front of the door leading to the bedroom occupied by Lucille Hull34 was brief. She knew, from her earlier visit that morning, that her cousin had neglected to lock the door upon retiring the night before. Without the formality of knocking she turned the knob and entered. The dark green Holland shades were drawn35 and in the semidarkness Mrs. Meredith failed to see a pair of bright eyes watching her approach. By the time Mrs. Meredith reached the bedside, Lucille was in deep slumber36, judging by her closed eyes and regular breathing.
Lucille’s good looks were not due to cosmetics37, Mrs. Meredith conceded to herself as she stood looking down at her. Even in the darkened room the girl’s regular features and beautiful auburn hair which, flying loose, partly covered the pillow, made an attractive picture. Mrs. Meredith laid a cool hand on the girl’s exposed arm, and gave it a gentle shake.
“Lucille,” she called softly. “Wake up.”
Slowly the handsome eyes opened. Her first glance at the older woman became a stare.
“Good gracious, Cousin Belle38, you!” she exclaimed. “And fully15 dressed. Am I very late? Have I slept the clock around?”
“On the contrary it is very early; only six o’clock.” Mrs. Meredith’s somewhat metallic39 voice was carefully lowered. “I have distressing40 news—”
Lucille raised herself upon her elbow, her eyes large with fear.
“Hush, calm yourself! My news has nothing to do with your immediate42 family.” Mrs. Meredith was not to be hurried. “Turn up that bed light, Lucille; I cannot talk in the dark.”
Bending sideways the girl pushed the button of the reading lamp. Its adjusted shade threw the light over the bed, but her face remained in shadow. “Go on,” she urged. “Go on!”
“Your Cousin John has—has—committed suicide.”
With a convulsive bound the girl swung herself out of bed.
“W-what?” she stammered. “W-what are you saying? Cousin John a suicide?”
“Yes.”
She stared at Mrs. Meredith for a full second. “Did he kill himself?” she asked, in little above a whisper.
Mrs. Meredith nodded. “His dead body was found in the hall near the staircase early this morning,” she said. “It has shocked me unutterably.”
“Cousin John dead! I cannot believe it. It is dreadful.” Lucille spoke43 as one stunned44. She covered her eyes with her hand in an attitude of prayer, then rose and walked over to the windows and raised the shades until the bedroom was flooded with light.
“And Anne?” she questioned. “Has Anne been told?”
“Yes.” Lucille, still with her back to her cousin, felt that the keen eyes watching her were boring a hole through her head. “Doctor McLane broke the news to Anne after he had spoken to me. I fear she is inclined to be hysterical45.”
“Poor Anne!” Lucille whirled around with sudden feverish energy. “I will dress at once and go to her.”
“Not just now, she is lying down and absolute quiet is what she needs,” Mrs. Meredith’s manner, which had thawed46 at sight of the girl’s emotion, stiffened48. “If you will come to the dining room, breakfast will be served shortly.”
“Breakfast!” Lucille shuddered49. “I don’t feel as if I could ever eat a mouthful again. Oh, Cousin Belle, how can you be so—so callous50?”
“So what—” Mrs. Meredith stopped on her way to the door, and under the steady regard of her fine dark eyes Lucille’s burst of temper waned51.
“So calm,” she replied hastily. “I wish that I had your self-control.”
A faint ironical52 smile crossed Mrs. Meredith’s pale face. “Self-control will come when you cease smoking,” she remarked dryly, pointing to an empty cigarette package and a filled ash tray by the bed. “And, you doubtless recall your discussion, only yesterday, with Cousin John on the subject of keeping early hours.”
Lucille flushed. “Cousin John was absurdly puritanical,” she protested. “We—ah—” she hesitated. “How has Cousin John’s death affected53 his plans for that extraordinary marriage? Surely, Anne won’t be forced to wed47 that blind surgeon. Doctor Curtis?”
“Our thoughts have not gone beyond the moment,” replied Mrs. Meredith. “We can think of nothing but John’s tragic54 death; all else is secondary. We must adjust ourselves,” she paused. “Hurry, Lucille, and join me in the dining room.”
Lucille dressed with absolute disregard of detail, a novel experience, as her personal appearance usually was a consideration which loomed55 large on her horizon, and generally consumed a good part of two hours of every morning. Loving luxury, the idol56 of an indulgent father, she had spent twenty-six indolent years, petted by men and gossiped about by women. She had made her debut57 into Washington society upon her eighteenth birthday and, in spite of the many predictions of her approaching engagement to this man and that, one season had followed another and she still remained unmarried.
Her father, Julian Hull, by courtesy a colonel, was a first cousin of John Meredith, and at one time a business associate. But unlike Colonel Hull, John Meredith had early deserted58 the stock-brokerage field and devoted59 his financial interests and his business ability to banking60. He had climbed rapidly in his chosen profession, and finally attained61 the presidency62 of one of the oldest banks in the District of Columbia, a position which he had held until, upon advice of Doctor McLane, he had resigned owing to ill health. The brokerage firm of Hull and Armstrong had likewise prospered63 and, upon the death of its junior member, his son, Gerald Armstrong, had been taken into partnership64, a partnership which, rumor65 predicted, would culminate66 in his marriage to Lucille.
Lucille and her father were frequent week-end visitors at Ten Acres, and Lucille was often called upon to act as hostess at dinners and dances when Mrs. Marshall Meredith was not present. John Meredith’s affection for his niece, Anne, and his cousin’s daughter had appeared to be about equally divided until Anne graduated from her convent school and came, as he expressed it, to make her home permanently67 with her uncle. Her half-shy, wholly charming manner, her old-world courtesy and consideration for others, and her delicate, almost ethereal beauty had made instant appeal, and John Meredith had been outspoken68 in his affectionate admiration69. His marked preference for Anne had brought no appreciable70 alteration71 in the friendship between the cousins, and, in spite of the eight years difference in their ages, she and Lucille were inseparable companions.
It had been Meredith’s custom to have guests every week-end from January to June and from June to January at Ten Acres. He never wearied of improving the stately old mansion and its surrounding land and enjoyed having others share its beauty. Anne’s nineteenth birthday anniversary two days before had proved the occasion for much jollification, but the house party, to the surprise of Mrs. Meredith, had only included Lucille Hull, Sam Hollister and Gerald Armstrong. The arrival of David Curtis just in time to be present at the birthday dinner had aroused only a temporary interest in the blind surgeon and a feeling of pity, tinged72 with admiration on Anne’s part, for Curtis’ plucky73 acceptance of the fate meted74 out to him. What had occasioned surprise was Meredith’s absorption in his blind guest the night of the dinner and the following day; then had come his interview with his sister-in-law and the peremptory75 statement of his wishes respecting a marriage between Anne and David Curtis. In every way it had proved an eventful Sunday, ending with John Meredith’s suicide.
Lucille checked her rapid walk down the corridor only to collide with some vigor24 with David Curtis as she turned the corner leading from her bedroom into the main hallway.
“Oh, ah—excuse me!” she gasped76, as he put out a steadying hand. “Let me pick up your cane77,” and before he could stop her she had stooped to get it.
“Thank you,” he said, as she put the cane back in his hand. “It was awkward of me to drop it. I hope that I did not startle you, Miss Hull?”
Lucille looked at him queerly for a moment, “Miss Hull,” she repeated. “Why not Anne Meredith?”
“No. Miss Hull,” his smile was very engaging; and again she noted the deep blue of his sightless eyes.
“You are very quick to guess identities, Doctor Curtis,” she remarked. “Are you coming downstairs?”
“Not just now. Coroner Penfield is waiting for me,” he added by way of explanation.
“Then I will see you later,” and with a quick bow Lucille hurried toward the staircase.
As Curtis stood listening to her light footfall he heard some one approaching from the servants’ wing of the house.
“That you, Fernando?” he questioned.
“Yes, sir,” and the Filipino boy bowed respectfully. “I ver’ late. Please pardon. This way, sir,” and he touched Curtis’ arm to indicate the direction.
“Just a moment,” Curtis lowered his voice. “What color is Miss Hull’s hair?”
“Mees Hull,” Fernando paused in thought. “She got what you call red hair.”
Curtis tucked his cane under his arm and took out his wallet. Opening it he carefully drew out several hairs.
“What color are these, Fernando?” he asked. “Look carefully.”
“These, honorable sir,” he said slowly, “these are white hairs.”
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收听单词发音
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1
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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wraith
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| n.幽灵；骨瘦如柴的人 | |
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shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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bonbon
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| n.棒棒糖；夹心糖 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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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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peppermints
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| n.薄荷( peppermint的名词复数 )；薄荷糖 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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sleeplessness
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| n.失眠，警觉 | |
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rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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niches
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| 壁龛( niche的名词复数 )； 合适的位置[工作等]； （产品的）商机； 生态位（一个生物所占据的生境的最小单位） | |
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29
alcoves
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| n.凹室( alcove的名词复数 )；（花园）凉亭；僻静处；壁龛 | |
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attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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plumbing
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| n.水管装置；水暖工的工作；管道工程v.用铅锤测量（plumb的现在分词）；探究 | |
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commodious
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| adj.宽敞的；使用方便的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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cosmetics
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| n.化妆品 | |
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belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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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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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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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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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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hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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thawed
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| 解冻 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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51
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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52
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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53
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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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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idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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debut
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| n.首次演出，初次露面 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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banking
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| n.银行业，银行学，金融业 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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presidency
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| n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期) | |
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prospered
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| 成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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culminate
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| v.到绝顶，达于极点，达到高潮 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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outspoken
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| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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appreciable
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| adj.明显的，可见的，可估量的，可觉察的 | |
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71
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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72
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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meted
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| v.（对某人）施以，给予（处罚等）( mete的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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77
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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78
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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