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CHAPTER XIII A MIDNIGHT SCARE
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There was a trolley1 line, newly built, which ran through Seabright, touching2 some of the other seacoast towns, but not Harbor View. As luck would have it, just when Frank Racer took after the strange man, hoping to make him stop by calling to him, one of the trolley cars came past.

In a flash the man had jumped aboard the electric vehicle, and, as fate would have it, the motorman happened to be behind time. No sooner was the queer stranger in the car, which had not even stopped for him, than the knight3 of the controller handle swung it clear around in an endeavor to keep up to his schedule, and with a whizz the car darted4 off.

IN A FLASH THE MAN HAD JUMPED ABOARD THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

“Wait! Wait!” yelled Frank, waving at the conductor. The latter shouted something, what it was the lad could not make out. Andy rushed up and joined his brother.

“Missed him; didn’t we?” exclaimed the younger lad ruefully.

“Yes, worse luck,” replied Frank. “He always seems to get away from us.”

“There’ll be another car along in fifteen minutes, boys,” said a kindly5 fisherman passing along.

“It wasn’t the car we wanted, it was someone on it,” answered Frank. “Fifteen minutes will give him such a start that we can’t follow him.”

“Was he a pickpocket6?” asked the fisherman.

“We don’t know what he was,” said Andy. “Come on, Frank, we’ll go back and talk to Jim Hedson.”

“I was thinking of taking the next car, and keeping after this fellow,” spoke7 Frank, with his usual determined8 manner.

“What would be the use?” asked Andy, who generally took the easiest way. “He might get off anywhere along the line, and we could hunt all day and not find him. It would be time wasted.”

“I guess you’re right,” assented9 Frank, with a sigh. “But I hate to give up. I’m sure there’s some great mystery back of all this, and Paul and that man are in some manner connected with it. I shouldn’t be surprised if that man had wronged Paul in some way.”

“How, by taking his motor boat?”

“No, in some other way. It was a queer thing why Paul should be out in his boat alone in the blow. Then to have the boat disappear, and to be seen again towed by this man.”

“You’re not sure of the last part.”

“I am pretty sure. But let’s ask Mr. Hedson what he knows about it.”

The boys did not find the boatman in a very kindly frame of mind. He greeted them rather sulkily as they approached:

“What do you lads mean by scaring off my customers?” he asked.

“We didn’t scare him off,” answered Frank sturdily.

“What do you call it then? Wasn’t he coming here to hire a sailboat off me, and didn’t you chase after him, and make him leave on the car? Now he’ll likely go to Hank Weston at Edgemere, and hire a boat off him. I lose the trade.”

“We’re sorry,” explained Frank, “but if you noticed that man you saw that he ran as soon as he saw us. We didn’t say a word to him. He just turned tail and sprinted10.”

“So I see,” grumbled11 Mr. Hedson, “but I thought maybe you flew some kind of a distress12 signal.”

“We were only too anxious to talk to him,” put in Andy. “But he’s afraid of us.”

“Afraid; why?”

“Well, there’s some mystery about him,” went on Frank, “and we’d like to discover it. It’s connected with a boy whom we saved from a gale13.” And he told about Paul, and how the man had hastened away that day on the beach. “Do you know anything about him?” finished the elder Racer lad.

“Only this,” spoke the boatman, not quite so angry now. “He come to see me yist’day, and asked if I had a sailboat I could hire out for a few days. He said he wanted to go cruising out to sea to bring in a boat of his that was disabled.”

“A boat!” interrupted Frank eagerly. “Did he say what kind? Was it a damaged motor boat?”

“He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask him. I arranged with him to take my Spray and he was to come to-day and get her. Now you see what happened.”

“We’re sorry to have spoiled your business,” spoke Frank regretfully, “but perhaps it’s just as well you didn’t hire that man your boat. I don’t believe he’s to be trusted,” and he told about the suspicion they had that the stranger had already been seen towing a disabled motor boat with a gasolene craft.

“The question is, where has he left the damaged boat—Paul’s boat?” went on Andy. “This thing is getting more and more complicated. Why should he want a sailboat to go out and tow in the motor craft, when he was seen in a power vessel14 yesterday?”

“Maybe whoever owned the power vessel took it away from him,” suggested Frank.

“I wouldn’t wonder but what you’re right!” exclaimed Jim Hedson, slapping his big palm down on his broad leg. “Now I think of it, I didn’t like the looks of that man. He wouldn’t look you square in the eye, but kept shifting around. I’m just as glad I didn’t hire him my Spray, and I’m sorry I took you fellows up so short. I’ll keep a lookout15 for that man, and if I see or hear anything of him I’ll let you know. You’re cottaging over Harbor View way; aren’t you? I think I’ve seen you there.”

“Yes, we’re the Racer boys,” replied Frank, “and we’ll be obliged to you if you can put us on the track of this man. It isn’t so much for our sake, as that we want to find out who Paul Gale is.”

“Paul Gale!” exclaimed Mr. Hedson. “That’s a good name for the lad found as he was. Well, I’ll do my best.”

“Where to now?” asked Andy, as he followed his brother up the street.

“To the fertilizer factory. I think we can make a deal with them about our whale better by talking than over the telephone.”

“We ought to have some of Chet Sedley’s fifteen cent perfume if we’re going up there,” said Andy. “It smells worse than ten skunks16 on a wet night.”

“Oh, well, I guess we can stand it a little while.”

The fertilizer factory, where fish, chiefly menhaden, were ground up and treated, before being spread on farms and gardens to enrich them, was not a very delightful17 place. The boys soon located the manager, who had heard about their whale, and he made them a good offer for it, agreeing to take the carcass away promptly18.

Paul improved but slowly, and, as far as his mind was concerned, there was no change. The past was an entire blank to him, and Dr. Martin, as the days passed, shook his head in doubt.

“I’m afraid it’s going to take a long time,” he said.

“Have you given up hope, Doctor?” asked Mrs. Racer, as she followed him from Paul’s room.

“No, not entirely19, but I’m disappointed that there is not a glimmer20 of the past. Perhaps if he could see something or someone connected with his former life it might produce a shock that would start the sluggish21 brain cells to working. Otherwise I don’t know what can be done.”

Andy and Frank, in their goings to and fro about the bay in their sailboat, kept a close watch for the mysterious man. But they did not see him. Neither had Jim Hedson heard anything.

“I guess you’ll have to give it up,” said Paul one night, when, with his chums and Mr. and Mrs. Racer, he was discussing the case. “You’d better ship me off somewhere. I—I’m afraid I’m becoming a burden to you.”

“Not a bit of it!” cried Frank heartily22. “Andy and I always wanted another chum, and now we’ve got him.”

“Don’t you feel strong enough to come for a sail with us to-morrow?” asked Andy.

“I think so,” answered Paul. “Dr. Martin said I could go for a walk to-morrow.”

“Then we’ll arrange for a sail,” decided23 Frank. “It will do you lots of good.”

“But mind, no chasing after whales, dead or alive!” stipulated24 Mr. Racer, with a laugh.

“All right,” agreed his sons.

Paul soon afterward25 went to his room. A chamber26 on the ground floor, with a window opening into the garden had been fitted up for him, to save him the necessity of climbing up and down stairs. It was in this little chamber that, soon afterward, he went to bed, hoping against hope that he might awaken27 on the morrow with his memory restored.

It was about midnight when Frank, who was a light sleeper28, was awakened29 suddenly by hearing a noise under his window. He occupied the room over Paul.

“I wonder if he’s sick?” he thought, as he arose softly. “Perhaps he is, and doesn’t want to call anyone. I’ll take a look I guess.”

Before going down, however, Frank stepped to his window, softly raised the screen, and looked out. As he did so he was startled by a shrill30 cry from the room below him. It was Paul’s voice, and the mysterious lad was crying:

“Get away! Leave me alone! What do you want of me again? Oh, why can’t you let me alone!”

“What’s the matter?” shouted Frank in alarm.

“That man! He’s after me again!” screamed Paul.

Before Frank could leave his window to rush to the aid of the lad below him, he saw a bright light flash out from the casement31 of the boy who had no memory. In an instant Frank recalled that it must be the portable electric light with which they had furnished the invalid32 in case he wanted to get up in the night.

Then a movement below him attracted Frank’s attention, and he saw a dark figure spring from Paul’s window. As this happened the light flashed out once more, and in the glare of it the elder Racer lad saw the countenance33 of the mysterious man, while Paul called out in fear: “Oh, don’t come near me! Let me alone! I’m afraid of you!”

Then it became dark, and Frank could hear someone crashing away through the bushes of the garden.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 trolley YUjzG     
n.手推车,台车;无轨电车;有轨电车
参考例句:
  • The waiter had brought the sweet trolley.侍者已经推来了甜食推车。
  • In a library,books are moved on a trolley.在图书馆,书籍是放在台车上搬动的。
2 touching sg6zQ9     
adj.动人的,使人感伤的
参考例句:
  • It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
  • His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
3 knight W2Hxk     
n.骑士,武士;爵士
参考例句:
  • He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。
  • A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。
4 darted d83f9716cd75da6af48046d29f4dd248     
v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了,瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
6 pickpocket 8lfzfN     
n.扒手;v.扒窃
参考例句:
  • The pickpocket pinched her purse and ran away.扒手偷了她的皮夹子跑了。
  • He had his purse stolen by a pickpocket.他的钱包被掏了。
7 spoke XryyC     
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:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
8 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
9 assented 4cee1313bb256a1f69bcc83867e78727     
同意,赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The judge assented to allow the prisoner to speak. 法官同意允许犯人申辩。
  • "No," assented Tom, "they don't kill the women -- they're too noble. “对,”汤姆表示赞同地说,“他们不杀女人——真伟大!
10 sprinted cbad7fd28d99bfe76a3766a4dd081936     
v.短距离疾跑( sprint的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sprinted for the line. 他向终点线冲去。
  • Sergeant Horne sprinted to the car. 霍恩中士全力冲向那辆汽车。 来自辞典例句
11 grumbled ed735a7f7af37489d7db1a9ef3b64f91     
抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 ); 发牢骚; 咕哝; 发哼声
参考例句:
  • He grumbled at the low pay offered to him. 他抱怨给他的工资低。
  • The heat was sweltering, and the men grumbled fiercely over their work. 天热得让人发昏,水手们边干活边发着牢骚。
12 distress 3llzX     
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛
参考例句:
  • Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
  • Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。
13 gale Xf3zD     
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等)
参考例句:
  • We got our roof blown off in the gale last night.昨夜的大风把我们的房顶给掀掉了。
  • According to the weather forecast,there will be a gale tomorrow.据气象台预报,明天有大风。
14 vessel 4L1zi     
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管
参考例句:
  • The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
  • You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。
15 lookout w0sxT     
n.注意,前途,瞭望台
参考例句:
  • You can see everything around from the lookout.从了望台上你可以看清周围的一切。
  • It's a bad lookout for the company if interest rates don't come down.如果利率降不下来,公司的前景可就不妙了。
16 skunks 0828a7f0a6238cd46b9be5116e60b73e     
n.臭鼬( skunk的名词复数 );臭鼬毛皮;卑鄙的人;可恶的人
参考例句:
  • Slim swans and slender skunks swim in the slippery slime. 苗条的天鹅和纤细的臭鼬在滑滑的黏泥上游泳。 来自互联网
  • But not all baby skunks are so lucky. -We're coming down. 但不是所有的臭鼬宝宝都会如此幸运。-我们正在下来。 来自互联网
17 delightful 6xzxT     
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
参考例句:
  • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
  • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
18 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
19 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
20 glimmer 5gTxU     
v.发出闪烁的微光;n.微光,微弱的闪光
参考例句:
  • I looked at her and felt a glimmer of hope.我注视她,感到了一线希望。
  • A glimmer of amusement showed in her eyes.她的眼中露出一丝笑意。
21 sluggish VEgzS     
adj.懒惰的,迟钝的,无精打采的
参考例句:
  • This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
  • Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。
22 heartily Ld3xp     
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很
参考例句:
  • He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
  • The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
23 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
24 stipulated 5203a115be4ee8baf068f04729d1e207     
vt.& vi.规定;约定adj.[法]合同规定的
参考例句:
  • A delivery date is stipulated in the contract. 合同中规定了交货日期。
  • Yes, I think that's what we stipulated. 对呀,我想那是我们所订定的。 来自辞典例句
25 afterward fK6y3     
adv.后来;以后
参考例句:
  • Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏,然后吃饭。
  • Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来,这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。
26 chamber wnky9     
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所
参考例句:
  • For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说,牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
  • The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。
27 awaken byMzdD     
vi.醒,觉醒;vt.唤醒,使觉醒,唤起,激起
参考例句:
  • Old people awaken early in the morning.老年人早晨醒得早。
  • Please awaken me at six.请于六点叫醒我。
28 sleeper gETyT     
n.睡眠者,卧车,卧铺
参考例句:
  • I usually go up to London on the sleeper. 我一般都乘卧车去伦敦。
  • But first he explained that he was a very heavy sleeper. 但首先他解释说自己睡觉很沉。
29 awakened de71059d0b3cd8a1de21151c9166f9f0     
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到
参考例句:
  • She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
  • The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》
30 shrill EEize     
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫
参考例句:
  • Whistles began to shrill outside the barn.哨声开始在谷仓外面尖叫。
  • The shrill ringing of a bell broke up the card game on the cutter.刺耳的铃声打散了小汽艇的牌局。
31 casement kw8zwr     
n.竖铰链窗;窗扉
参考例句:
  • A casement is a window that opens by means of hinges at the side.竖铰链窗是一种用边上的铰链开启的窗户。
  • With the casement half open,a cold breeze rushed inside.窗扉半开,凉风袭来。
32 invalid V4Oxh     
n.病人,伤残人;adj.有病的,伤残的;无效的
参考例句:
  • He will visit an invalid.他将要去看望一个病人。
  • A passport that is out of date is invalid.护照过期是无效的。
33 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。


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