I now determined4 to postpone5 our flight for a day, while I would go to Buyda, see the Chancellor6, and remonstrate7 with him, pointing out how unnecessary and cruel these devilish precautions were.
Accordingly, having made Von Lindheim promise to do nothing rash in my absence, I had a horse saddled, and after an early breakfast rode off to Buyda, choosing that mode of travel rather than the railway, as being calculated to give any spies less indication of a prolonged journey.
I have often wondered since at my temerity8 in bearding the Jaguar9 in his den10; but in those days I was strong and confident; even the ghastly business in the midst of which chance had thrown me had hardly shaken my nerves, and then, again, I did not imagine myself to be in such danger as the sequel showed to be the case. The morning was fair and bright after an early shower, and as I rode along with a winding11 sparkling river below me on the one hand, [Pg 105]and the dark blue masses of pine-clad hills on the other, I could not help contrasting Nature’s tranquil12 beauty with the hideousness13 of man’s cruelty. An old theme, but one that appealed to me very strongly that summer morning.
I arrived at Buyda before mid-day, and leaving my horse at the hotel made my way straight to the Chancellor’s quarters in the palace. Having sent up my name with a request to have an audience of him on urgent business, a message was brought back that his Excellency was with the King, but that he would be happy to see me at a later hour in the afternoon. So I went back to the hotel and lunched. Afterwards, as I was preparing to go out for a stroll in the city to kill time, a precautionary measure occurred to me, which I proceeded to put into practice. I wrote down certain particulars, sealed them in an envelope, and then went to the office of the British Consul14, with whom I had already a slight acquaintance. He was a very much bored man, for whom even the pleasantest side of life in Buyda had ceased to have any charm, and he was evidently, as a relief from the monotony, glad to see me.
“I am going to leave this letter with you, Mr. Turnour,” I said. “If I don’t come back or send for it before to-morrow morning, open it.”
He opened his eyes. “And what then?”
“It will explain itself.”
“My dear fellow,” he said rather anxiously, “I hope you are not going to do anything rash, run into any danger.”
I laughed. “I am not going to leave Buyda, if I can help it, before I come back for that letter.”
“No?”
“No. What danger should there be here?”
“None to a British subject,” he answered guardedly. “All the same, queer things do happen sometimes.”
[Pg 106]
“Under the enlightened rule of Chancellor Rallenstein?”
He looked grave, and as though he would like to say more to me than he dared. “Rallenstein is a strong man; one of the strongest brains in Europe, and”—he sank his voice—“he is not credited with an excess of scruples15.”
I refrained from looking as though I could illustrate16 that opinion in highly coloured fashion, and rose to go. Turnour was a weak man—a good official, but a machine. Certainly not the man to take into an appalling17 confidence.
“All right,” I said. “I’ll take care of myself. Only, a stranger in an out-of-the-way place like this is easily lost sight of and never missed. I shall, no doubt, come back for that letter to-night.”
He locked it in a drawer, and after a few commonplaces I left him and went back through the city towards the palace. The place was busy and gay as usual; people get used to living under the very frown of a despotic government as at the foot of a volcano.
At the hour appointed, I was ushered18 into Rallenstein’s presence. He received me with a smile which might almost be called genial19, and apologized for having had to ask me to postpone my audience.
“You have been in the country, Herr Tyrrell, nicht wahr? You are looking well. Englishmen thrive best away from town life.” I wondered if there was a covert20 meaning in that. “Now,” he added pleasantly, “how can I have the pleasure of serving you?”
“I have come from Herr von Lindheim.”
“Ah, yes?” There was simply polite interest in his look and tone. The heavy face gave no evil sign as I spoke21 the name.
[Pg 107]
“Von Lindheim,” I said, “is in fear of his life.”
I felt the man’s power of will and character, and determined to stand up against it. “And with reason,” I continued. “Your Excellency will, I am sure, not blame him for such a fancy when I tell you that within the last few days two colleagues of his have been secretly assassinated26, and his own life has been attempted.”
The face I was watching gave an incredulous frown. “My dear Herr Tyrrell, this is an extraordinary and astounding27 statement of yours. Two of Herr von Lindheim’s colleagues assassinated and his life attempted! You can scarcely expect me to credit that.”
“And yet,” I rejoined boldly, “your Excellency should know these facts better than I.”
At last a great gust28 swept over the mobile face. “What do you mean, sir?” he demanded, with a show of restrained displeasure.
“Only, that as both these gentlemen, these victims, had the honour to be attached to your Excellency’s Bureau, you should be better informed of their fate than I.”
“I am, naturally, well aware,” he replied, “that Herr d’Urban was accidentally drowned the other day while boating, but,” he added with a smile, “it can hardly be pretended that our service, advantageous29 as I venture to claim it is, confers immortality30.”
I returned his smile. “Rather the reverse just now, Herr Chancellor. The Secretary Szalay also has died suddenly.”
“From natural causes?”
[Pg 108]
“I wish I could think so.”
“I fear I must.”
He laughed indulgently.
“Really, Herr Tyrrell, I have always given an Englishman credit for being the incarnation of common sense.”
“I hope I am not less sensible than the average of my countrymen. And that quality would certainly lead me to the conclusion that foul play is at work.”
“Simply that these unfortunate men are supposed to have knowledge of a dangerous secret.”
He raised his eyebrows in contemptuous surprise.
“Mr. Tyrrell, this is too absurd! You can hardly suggest or expect me to entertain such an inference seriously.”
“It is a strange coincidence.”
“If you had studied our German philosophers you would have ceased to find anything strange in mere34 coincidence.”
“Perhaps so. It would need, however, a great deal of philosophy to refute my theory of foul play.”
I began to understand the rampart of polite incredulity behind which Rallenstein had entrenched35 himself, and how hopeless it was for me either to break through or entice36 him from it. Nevertheless, I continued:
“There is no doubt that an attempt was made to kill Herr von Lindheim by poison.”
“You have proof?” The question was put almost carelessly, with just as much show of interest as politeness demanded.
“The proof of my own eyes.”
[Pg 109]
“Your Excellency,” I said, “seems determined not to be interested in what has happened. So be it. My purpose in coming here to-day was to assure you of Herr von Lindheim’s loyalty38, and to beg you to use your authority to put a stop to the attempts against his life.”
“You would seem to imply, sir,” he replied, stroking his face with his hand, “that these attempts which you allege39 have a political motive.”
“Assuredly.”
“It is too ridiculous,” he said, as though to himself. “My good sir, you have found a mare’s nest.”
I leaned forward. “Excellency,” I said earnestly, “can we not come to an understanding? I make no accusations41, I seek to know nothing; my interference is merely forced upon me by pity and a desire to clear up a misunderstanding. I ask you to remove this cloud of danger hanging over Herr von Lindheim’s head. You can do it if you will, and I can assure you you will not repent42 it.”
If I thought my entreaty43 would move him I was mistaken. I might as well have pleaded with the bronze statue of a warrior44 king that stood in the corner behind him. He waved me back.
“Your appeal involves an accusation40 which I utterly45 repudiate46. You are a foreigner, Herr Tyrrell, and therefore I have heard you with an indulgence which your suggestion scarcely deserves. To ask me to give a pledge against a chimerical47 danger is more than absurd. I do not wish to make use of strong language, or I might point out in such that the object of your visit might easily be construed48 into a flagrant insult to his Majesty49 whose humble50 adviser51 I have the honour to be. If I might offer you a word of advice, it would be that so long as you choose to avail yourself of the hospitality of this country you should devote your time to sport or pleasure, and avoid [Pg 110]mixing yourself up in affairs which do not concern you. Even were this monstrous52 suggestion of yours in any way true, the interference of an outsider could serve no tangible53 end. You will do well to consider your position in the light of that common sense which is, I believe, the birthright of most Englishmen. That is all.”
I rose. “I have then no comforting assurance to take Herr von Lindheim, Excellency?”
“Herr von Lindheim’s life is in no more danger than your own.”
A Delphic pronouncement truly! “I have no fear of that,” I laughed.
“And yet,” he rejoined, fox-like, “if your veiled accusations were correct, you might stand in some danger yourself.”
The speech was tentative. I saw that, and determined not to be led into any admission.
“I have no fear,” I said, “and can take care of myself.”
“You are a bold man.”
“To have come here?”
He laughed. And I understood better than ever why he was called the Jaguar. Though the flesh of the lower part of his face was loose and mobile, the skin over his forehead was drawn54 tight, his eyes were feline55, and the lines of his mouth cruel. But when it suited him to put on a pleasant expression the stealthy cruelty of the face in a measure disappeared. Now there was the look it had worn glaring through the window at that fatal marriage, the look that had bent56 over the murdered bridegroom’s face. But I maintained my dogged resolve not to be overawed by the man or the devil within him.
“My confidence in coming here,” I answered coolly, “is due less to courage than the fact that I have left a letter, containing word of my intention, together [Pg 111]with several other pertinent57 matters, in the hands of a friend whom I can trust, and who will open it at a certain hour unless I am there to prevent him.”
My words amounted almost to a threat, at least, to a defiance58, and the look they called up into his Excellency’s eyes was not a pleasant one. But he showed no other sign of annoyance59; on the contrary, his next words were almost jocular.
“I trust, Herr Tyrrell, that you will take great care to avoid all accidents. For if anything should unfortunately happen to you while we have the honour to include you among our country’s guests, I take it that the responsibility—or worse—of such misfortune would be laid at our door. So I do hope you will take care of yourself, my dear Herr Tyrrell.”
“I will do my best,” I replied, bowing, and moving towards the door. I turned as he spoke again. The man looked genial enough now; the evil print on the face was smoothed over, the lines of cunning no longer made the rest stand out in relief.
“And so far as your friend’s fears are concerned,” he said, “you may take him my assurance that they are groundless. Herr von Lindheim is doubtless out of health, his nerves are unstrung. He needs a holiday; he may take one.”
“I have your assurance, Excellency?”
“You have my assurance. I trust you will both be careful.”
He half rose to return my bow, smiling, though it seemed, from my last glance, that the smile was growing more feline and sinister60. There was no more to be hoped for or said, and I left him.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
instil
|
|
| v.逐渐灌输 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
resolute
|
|
| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
postpone
|
|
| v.延期，推迟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
chancellor
|
|
| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
remonstrate
|
|
| v.抗议，规劝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
temerity
|
|
| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
jaguar
|
|
| n.美洲虎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
hideousness
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
consul
|
|
| n.领事；执政官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
scruples
|
|
| 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 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
appalling
|
|
| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
ushered
|
|
| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
covert
|
|
| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
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： |
|
|
|
|
22
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
verging
|
|
| 接近，逼近（verge的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
boredom
|
|
| n.厌烦，厌倦，乏味，无聊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
eyebrows
|
|
| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
assassinated
|
|
| v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
astounding
|
|
| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
gust
|
|
| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
advantageous
|
|
| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
immortality
|
|
| n.不死，不朽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
sneeringly
|
|
| 嘲笑地，轻蔑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
entrenched
|
|
| adj.确立的，不容易改的(风俗习惯) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
entice
|
|
| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
cynical
|
|
| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
allege
|
|
| vt.宣称，申述，主张，断言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
accusation
|
|
| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
accusations
|
|
| n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
repent
|
|
| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
entreaty
|
|
| n.恳求，哀求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
repudiate
|
|
| v.拒绝，拒付，拒绝履行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
chimerical
|
|
| adj.荒诞不经的，梦幻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
construed
|
|
| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
adviser
|
|
| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
tangible
|
|
| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
feline
|
|
| adj.猫科的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
pertinent
|
|
| adj.恰当的；贴切的；中肯的；有关的；相干的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |