Roy visited the hamlet at the foot of the lake, where was situated9 the hotel in which the engineer had been a guest. He learned, to his disappointment, that Masters had taken his departure a week before. He assured himself that this departure had been a real one by inquiries10 at the station. Further questioning of residents elicited11 the information that the engineer had thereafter been seen by none. Nevertheless, Roy was far from being convinced by this information that the engineer had actually taken himself off. He was, on the contrary, almost, if not quite, certain that Masters had merely made use of the train for an ostensible12 departure, in order to avoid the possibility of his presence in the neighborhood appearing as evidence against him in the event of any suspicion that might arise. Afterward13, as Roy[205] imagined, he had returned to some out-of-the-way place in the forest, where he could eat and sleep unmolested, and thence spy out the land for the execution of his villainous projects. Doubtless in his employment as an engineer, he had often lived roughly, and the season of the year would make life in the open no hardship. Roy, therefore, set himself to a search of the countryside, hoping somewhere to chance on a trace of the enemy’s camp. In this, he was unsuccessful. After two days of weary tramping, it occurred to him that he could serve his purpose equally well by strolling in pleasant paths with May Thurston at his side.
This improved method was adopted. Roy told the girl nothing as to his desire of finding Masters, but he told her other things a-plenty; and the two of them grew daily more content.
It was Margaret West who finally hit on the spring that moved the wainscoting, for Saxe had let her know the story told by Roy, and she had amused herself by seeking to master the mystery. Actually, beyond her satisfaction in having succeeded where the[206] others had failed, nothing was accomplished14, since the vault15 was empty, and no hint as to the disposal of the gold could be gleaned16 from its bareness. Yet, new knowledge of the secret was soon to come.
Billy Walker’s pride of intellect had been aroused to the utmost by the difficulty of the task that confronted him. Hour after hour, day after day, he pored over the manuscript, of which the cryptic17 significance ever escaped all efforts of his ingenuity18. It seemed to him that he had, in fact, scrutinized19 every possible aspect in which the writing might be viewed, and still the veil lay impenetrable over the mystery. He would have been in despair, had he been of a humbler mind, but his intellectual egotism would not suffer him to confess defeat, even to himself. So, he persisted in the struggle to solve this baffling problem—did indeed but strive the harder as the days passed. The others admitted that the difficulties were too great for their overcoming. Billy replied to their lamentations with braggart20 boasting that he would yet conquer. Nevertheless, at the last, he owed the hint he needed to Saxe.
[207]The four men were lounging on the porch of a morning. The languor21 of summer had grown within a few days, and the four were taking their ease. Billy Walker was crouched22 in the deeps of a huge chair; David sprawled23 on a heap of cushions; Roy stretched lazily in a hammock, reminiscent of long siestas24 in the southland. Saxe alone showed any evidence of alertness. He sat erect25 at the head of the steps, with the manuscript of the gold song lying on his knees. Ostensibly, his attention was fixed26 on the music. From time to time, he jabbed the score impatiently with a pencil point. But often, he shot glances of longing27 toward the stairway, by which, sooner or later, Margaret West must descend28. Silence had fallen on the group. A sense of discouragement was in the air. The only sounds were the gossiping of the English sparrows about the eaves, the faint rustling29 of leaves when the breeze stirred them, the distressful30 grunt31 that accompanied any change of position by Billy Walker, the whish of a match as someone lighted a fresh cigarette.
The real activity was on the part of Billy,[208] whose mind, while his body lolled, was nimbly busy over the miser32’s manuscript, which his imagination held visible before him. Then, presently, he craved33 the stimulus34 of a sight of the actual. He hoisted35 his cumbersome36 bulk out of the chair, and went stiffly across the veranda37 to where Saxe sat with the music. There, he stood for a minute looking down at the notes. His beetling38 brows were lowering, a low rumble39 of displeasure came from his heavy lips, he thrust a hand vehemently40 through the rough shock of hair, his small eyes, with the whites tainted41 by jaundice, fairly glared down at the elusive42 script wherein lay knowledge of Abernethey’s gold.
Of a sudden, wonder grew on his face. Doubt, fear, hope, joy, followed. He bent43 awkwardly, but swiftly, snatched the paper, and immediately stalked off into the cottage and up the stairs to his bedroom, without a word of explanation or apology. Saxe shrugged44 his shoulders, and smiled whimsically. The others paid no attention whatsoever45.
It was a half-hour later when Billy[209] returned to the porch. His manner was wholly changed. He was radiant with a supreme46 triumph of pride. The others did not look up, as he again seated himself in the easy chair. But the man was so surcharged with exultation47 that his mood sent its challenges vibrant48 to their souls. Presently, one turned to stare at him, and then another, and then the third. He met their gaze with eyes that were aglow49, and a smile of delight bent the coarse lips. He nodded slowly, as in answer to their mute questioning, and spoke50:
“Well, my dilatory51 friends,” he began genially52, “your confidence in me, which has enabled you to retain your calm while yourselves accomplishing nothing, was not misplaced. After a considerable period of unremitting toil53 over the manuscript left for our guidance by the ingenious deceased—by the way, Saxe, that song of gold, as you call it, is perfectly54 good music, isn’t it?”
The three were gazing on Billy Walker with wide eyes. Their astonishment55 was so great that, for the moment, they did not question the leisurely56 manner of the sage’s[210] introduction. Instead, Saxe answered the seemingly irrelevant57 interrogation obediently.
“It’s perfectly good music—in the sense you mean—yes.”
“Then,” Billy declared, “I take off my hat to the late Mr. Abernethey. The reason for this burst of enthusiasm on my part lies in the fact that out of a perfectly good piece of music, he has made, also, a perfectly good chart—for our guidance to the treasure. As to the chart, I myself speak as an authority, since I have found it.” Billy regarded his friends with an expression of intense self-satisfaction.
Roy was sitting up in the hammock now, with his jaw58 thrust forward a little, and his eyes hard in the excitement of the minute. David was goggling59, with his mouth open in amazement60 over the unexpected announcement. Saxe betrayed his emotion by the tenseness of his features, the rigidity61 of his pose, the sparkle in his keen, gray eyes.
It was evident that the successful investigator62 was hugely enjoying the sensation he had created. He delighted in the importance[211] of his accomplishment63, gloried in the stunning64 effect of it on his companions. He smiled broadly, chuckled65 in a rumbling66 fashion of his own, and finally lighted one of his black cigars with irritating slowness. He rather hoped that someone might exclaim with impatience67 against this wanton delay, but none did. They endured the suspense68 in apparent calm, moveless, expectant. So at last, Billy deigned69 to proceed with the account of his achievement in solving the mystery contrived70 by the miser.
“I owe the final suggestion by which I won out to Saxe,” he declared frankly71, with an appreciative72 nod in his friend’s direction. “He, however, really deserves no credit, since what he did was merely by chance, without any intention, and would never have amounted to anything, if it hadn’t been for the fact that I happened to see what he had done, and to take advantage of it in an orderly and logical way. Only, I wish it understood that he served as the unconscious instrument of destiny in the matter, and as such unconscious instrument he should be recognized. Probably, I should have arrived[212] at the fact in time without his aid, but to it I owe success on this present occasion.”
“What in the world did I do?” Saxe demanded, in amazement.
“I’ll explain in a minute,” Billy replied. “I have in mind first to exhibit this to you.” He held up a sheet of paper, which he had drawn73 from his pocket. It was of about the size of that on which Abernethey’s composition had been written. It showed two irregular lines running across it, drawn by pencil. “Glance at this, if you please,” he directed.
The others did so; but their bewildered expression showed that they were still unenlightened as to the bearing of the scant74 diagram on the revelation concerning the hidden gold. Billy chuckled again in contemplation of their failure to comprehend. Then, he brought forth76 a second sheet, and held it, also, for their inspection77. In this instance, the paper was turned with its greater length horizontal, and the two lines of the other sheet had been joined, so that the one irregular tracing extended over the full page.
[213]“By the Lord Harry79, it’s a map!” he cried, in glee. “A regular map, Billy, my boy!” His eyes bulged80 forth until they threatened to jump from their sockets81.
Roy’s jaw shot out a bit farther.
“Yes, it’s a map,” he agreed; and his voice was strangely gentle, as it usually was in his moments of greatest excitement. “It’s a map. Bully82 for Billy!” His face lighted with a charming smile, and his eyes grew soft as he turned them to the rough-hewn face of the discoverer, who appeared highly gratified.
Saxe took the sheet of paper out of his friend’s hand, and studied it with eager eyes. For the first time in days, hope leaped in his breast.
“Yes, it’s a map,” he declared, echoing the others. “But I don’t understand. Tell us, Billy.”
Billy actually preened83 himself, in an ungainly manner peculiarly his own, and assumed a most pedantic84 air, as he went forward with the explanation:
“Saxe was sitting here, with his eyes fixed on the old man’s manuscript, but with his[214] mind elsewhere. I was here in my chair, with all the power of my brain concentrated on that same manuscript, trying to get some suggestion for working out the tangle85. Was it merely restlessness under repeated failure, or was it an instinct that moved me, or just chance? Anyhow, I got up, and crossed over to Saxe, and stood looking down at the music, although I had every line of it clear in memory—as clear as the written page itself. But, this time, in spite of the perfect recollection I had of it, I saw something new. That’s how the thing started. It was Saxe’s doing.”
“Oh, do get on with the explanation,” Temple urged. “What was it I did? I haven’t the shadow of an idea.”
“It’s simple enough,” Billy said. “Just absent-mindedly, you sat there with a pencil in your hand, and made ticks over certain notes. As I looked down at the sheet, my attention was especially caught by these, for the excellent reason that they had not been there before. Without any volition86 on my part, I stood there considering the pencil[215] marks. Within a half-minute, the great idea hit me. In the first rush, I was sure it was the right one; but I wanted to be alone to work it out. So, I just swooped87 down on the manuscript, and carried it off to my room. Now, to present the case in orderly sequence, here is what we may term Exhibit A.”
Billy took from his pocket a third sheet, which he gave to Saxe. This proved to be the original manuscript of the music, with the pencil markings made by Saxe. The heir of Abernethey examined the page closely, but his expression of bewilderment did not pass. Roy and David left their places to look over the other’s shoulder. For nearly a minute, the three held their gaze curiously88 on the sheet. Then, of one accord, they looked up, to meet the amused glance of Billy Walker.
“Well?” they demanded, in a single voice.
[216]
“In pursuance of the idea that had come to me,” Billy continued, “I next made a tracing. I took a piece of tissue paper, and laid it over this manuscript. I could then see quite clearly, so that it was easy to make the outline I wished. I started at the beginning, with the notes checked by Saxe, from which I had received the hint as to what to do. I started my pencil[217] at the first top note in the first line of the composition. Then, I drew the pencil straight to the second top note, then on to the third, and so forth in order. Thus, I drew an irregular line with the pencil, from one note to another, using always the highest notes. In this manner, I drew the line indicated by the first half of the music, and I liked that so well that I kept right on, and made the second irregular line, as indicated by the second half of the music. By the time this was accomplished, I was sure that I had finally got the right idea, and that our victory over the old man’s cunning would be won. It was, of course, obvious that the two irregular lines I had secured should be joined in one. You have seen the result. Consider Exhibit B.” Billy spread out the two papers showing the outlines he had drawn, and pointed91 to that containing two lines.
It had this appearance.
“Here, then,” he said, waving aloft Exhibit C to emphasize his meaning, “I present to you the chart which the late Mr. Abernethey left us as a guide to the spot where the treasure lies secreted93. It is plain enough for even your eyes to read, I fancy. The pencil outline is to serve us as a map, which we are to follow to the gold. It represents—roughly, I take it—the sky-line of the country round about. As I had only just completed the drawing before I came back to you, I’ve had no time to compare it with the hills hereabouts; but I’m certain none the less. It’s a matter of inference. There remains94 now only the task of finding out what marks the precise point of the hiding-place on this line. It seems to me that some one of you with knowledge of music ought to work out that trifling95 detail. If not, of course I can do it—in time.”
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1
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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2
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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3
flouted
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| v.藐视，轻视( flout的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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5
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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6
scrupled
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| v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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8
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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9
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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10
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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11
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
ostensible
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| adj.(指理由)表面的，假装的 | |
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13
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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14
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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15
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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16
gleaned
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| v.一点点地收集（资料、事实）( glean的过去式和过去分词 )；（收割后）拾穗 | |
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17
cryptic
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| adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的 | |
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18
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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19
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
braggart
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| n.吹牛者；adj.吹牛的，自夸的 | |
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21
languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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22
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
sprawled
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| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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24
siestas
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| n.（气候炎热国家的）午睡，午休( siesta的名词复数 ) | |
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25
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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26
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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27
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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28
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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30
distressful
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| adj.苦难重重的，不幸的，使苦恼的 | |
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31
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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32
miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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33
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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34
stimulus
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| n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物 | |
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35
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
cumbersome
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| adj.笨重的，不便携带的 | |
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37
veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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38
beetling
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| adj.突出的，悬垂的v.快速移动( beetle的现在分词 ) | |
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39
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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40
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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41
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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42
elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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43
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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44
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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45
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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46
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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47
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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48
vibrant
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| adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的 | |
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49
aglow
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| adj.发亮的；发红的；adv.发亮地 | |
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50
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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51
dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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52
genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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53
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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54
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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55
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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56
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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57
irrelevant
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| adj.不恰当的，无关系的，不相干的 | |
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58
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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59
goggling
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| v.睁大眼睛瞪视， （惊讶的）转动眼珠( goggle的现在分词 ) | |
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60
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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61
rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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62
investigator
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| n.研究者，调查者，审查者 | |
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63
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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64
stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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65
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
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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67
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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68
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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69
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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71
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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72
appreciative
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| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
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73
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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74
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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bulged
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| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
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sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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preened
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| v.（鸟）用嘴整理（羽毛）( preen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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volition
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| n.意志；决意 | |
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swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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secreted
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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