小说搜索     点击排行榜   最新入库
首页 » 儿童英文小说 » Helping Himself » CHAPTER XVIII — GRANT'S ENEMIES TRIUMPH
选择底色: 选择字号:【大】【中】【小】
CHAPTER XVIII — GRANT'S ENEMIES TRIUMPH
关注小说网官方公众号(noveltingroom),原版名著免费领。
 It is not too much to say that Grant was overwhelmed by the unexpected discovery, in his pocket, of a key that fitted the housekeeper1's drawer. He saw at once how strong it made the evidence against him, and yet he knew himself to be innocent. The most painful thought was, that Mr. Reynolds would believe him to be guilty.
In fact, the broker3 for the first time began to think that Grant might possibly have yielded to temptation.
“Can't you account for the possession of that key?” he asked.
“No, sir,” answered Grant, in painful embarrassment4. “I have occasion to use but one key, and that is the key to my valise.”
“I think you had occasion to use the other,” sneered5 Ford6.
“Mr. Ford,” retorted Grant, indignantly, “you are determined7 to think me guilty; but I care nothing for your opinion. I should be very sorry if Mr. Reynolds should think me capable of such baseness.”
“Your guilt2 seems pretty clear,” said Ford, sarcastically8; “as I have no doubt Mr. Reynolds will agree.”
“Speak for yourself, Mr. Ford,” said the banker, quietly.
“I hope you are not going to shield that young thief, Mr. Reynolds,” said the housekeeper. “His guilt is as clear as noonday. I think he ought to be arrested.”
“You are rather in a hurry, Mrs. Estabrook,” said Mr. Reynolds; “and I must request you to be careful how you make charges against me.”
“Against you?” asked the housekeeper, alarmed at his tone.
“Yes,” answered the broker, sternly. “You have insinuated9 that I intend to shield a supposed thief. I have only to say that at present the theft is to be proved.”
“I submit, sir,” said Ford, “that the evidence is pretty strong. The boy is proved to have had the bonds in his possession, he admits that he sold a part of them and has the money in his possession, and a key is found in his possession which will open the drawer in which the bonds were kept.”
“Who put the key in my pocket?” demanded Grant, quickly.
For a moment Willis Ford looked confused, and his momentary10 confusion was not lost upon Grant or the banker.
“No doubt you put it there yourself,” he answered, sharply, after a monent's pause.
“That matter will be investigated,” said the broker.
“I think the money ought to be paid to me,” said the housekeeper.
“Can you prove your ownership of the bonds?” asked the broker.
“I can,” answered Willis Ford, flippantly. “I have seen them.”
“I should like some additional evidence,” said Mr. Reynolds. “You are related to Mrs. Esta-brook, and may be supposed to have some interest in the matter.”
“What proof can I have?” asked the housekeeper, disturbed by this unexpected obstacle.
“Have you the memorandum11 of the broker who bought you the bonds.”
“I don't know, sir.”
“Then you had better look.”
The housekeeper searched the drawer, and produced, triumphantly12, a memorandum to the effect that she had purchased the bonds of a well-known house in Wall Street.
“So far, so good!” said the broker. “It appears that besides the bonds sold you had four one-hundred-dollar bonds?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You had not parted with them?”
“No, sir.”
“They will some time be put on the market, and then we shall have a clew to the mystery.”
“That boy has probably got them,” said the housekeeper, nodding her head emphatically.
“You are at liberty to search my chamber13, Mrs. Estabrook,” said Grant, quietly.
“He may have passed them over to that man Morrison,” suggested the housekeeper.
“I hardly think that likely,” said Willis Ford, who saw danger to himself in any persecution14 of Jim Morrison.
Mr. Reynolds noticed his defense15 of Morrison, and glanced at him thoughtfully.
“Mrs. Estabrook,” he said, “I am satisfied that you possessed16 the bonds which you claim, and I will relieve your mind by saying that I will guarantee you against loss by their disappearance17. You need have no further anxiety on the subject. I will undertake to investigate the matter, which at present appears to be involved in mystery. Whether or not I succeed in solving it will not matter to you, since you are saved from loss.”
“Thank you, sir,” said the housekeeper, feeling considerably18 relieved; “it wasn't much, but it was my all. I depended upon it to use when old age prevented me from earning my living.”
“I am glad you are so wise in providing for the future.”
“You won't let that boy escape?” the housekeeper could not help adding.
“If you refer to Grant Thornton, I think I may say for him that he has no intention of leaving us.”
“Is he to stay in the house?”
“Of course; and I expect him to aid me in coming to the truth. Let me request, Mrs. Estabrook, that you discontinue referring to him in offensive terms, or I may withdraw my offer guaranteeing you from loss. Grant, if you will accompany me, I have some questions to put to you.”
Grant and his employer left the room together.
“He won't let the boy be punished, though he must know he's guilty,” said Mrs. Estabrook, spitefully.
“He makes a fool of himself about that boy,” said Willis Ford, disconcerted.
“He's an artful young vagabond,” said the housekeeper. “I know he took the bonds.”
“Of course he did,” Ford assented19, though he had the best of reasons for knowing that Grant was innocent.
“At any rate,” he continued, “you are all right, mother, since Mr. Reynolds agrees to make up the value of the bonds to you. When you get your money, just consult me about investing it. Don't put it into bonds, for they may be stolen.”
“Perhaps I'd better put it into the savings20 bank,” said his stepmother.
“You'll get very small interest there; I can invest it so you can make quite as much. However, there will be time enough to speak of that when you've got the money. Now, mother, I shall have to bid you good-evening.”
“Can't you stay longer, Willis? I feel so upset that I don't like to be left alone. I don't know what that boy may do.”
“I think you are safe,” said Willis Ford, secretly amused. But, as he left the house, he felt seriously disquieted21. There was danger that Jim Morrison, when he found the money which he was to receive withheld22, would be incensed23 and denounce Ford, who had received back his evidence of indebtedness. Should he divulge24 that the bonds had been given him by Ford, Grant would be cleared, and he would be convicted of theft.
As Ford was leaving the house a telegraph boy was just ascending25 the steps. It was John Cavanagh, already referred to.
As his eyes rested on Ford, he said to himself: “Where have I seen that feller? I know his face.”
Then it flashed upon the boy that he had seen Ford at the Grand Central Hotel, in the act of giving bonds to Jim Morrison.
“It's queer I should meet him here,” said the telegraph boy to himself. “I wonder what game he's up to.”
Johnny was introduced into the presence of Mr. Reynolds, for whom he had a message. On his way out he met Grant in the hall. The two boys were acquainted, Grant having at one time advanced Johnny two dollars toward paying his mother's rent.
“Do you live here?” asked the telegraph boy.
“Yes,” answered Grant.
“I met a feller goin' out that I've seen before. Who was it?”
“Willis Ford, a clerk of Mr. Reynolds.”
“I seed him in the Grand Central Hotel yesterday givin' some bonds to a suspicious-lookin' chap.”
“You did,” exclaimed Grant. “Come right up and tell that to Mr. Reynolds,” and he seized the astonished telegraph boy by the arm.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 housekeeper 6q2zxl     
n.管理家务的主妇,女管家
参考例句:
  • A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
  • She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家,一家人吃得很省。
2 guilt 9e6xr     
n.犯罪;内疚;过失,罪责
参考例句:
  • She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
  • Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。
3 broker ESjyi     
n.中间人,经纪人;v.作为中间人来安排
参考例句:
  • He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions.他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。
  • I'm a real estate broker.我是不动产经纪人。
4 embarrassment fj9z8     
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫
参考例句:
  • She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
  • Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
5 sneered 0e3b5b35e54fb2ad006040792a867d9f     
讥笑,冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sneered at people who liked pop music. 他嘲笑喜欢流行音乐的人。
  • It's very discouraging to be sneered at all the time. 成天受嘲讽是很令人泄气的。
6 Ford KiIxx     
n.浅滩,水浅可涉处;v.涉水,涉过
参考例句:
  • They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上,所以我们只能涉水过河。
  • If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪,必须极度小心。
7 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。
8 sarcastically sarcastically     
adv.挖苦地,讽刺地
参考例句:
  • 'What a surprise!' Caroline murmured sarcastically.“太神奇了!”卡罗琳轻声挖苦道。
  • Pierce mocked her and bowed sarcastically. 皮尔斯嘲笑她,讽刺地鞠了一躬。
9 insinuated fb2be88f6607d5f4855260a7ebafb1e3     
v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 );巧妙或迂回地潜入;(使)缓慢进入;慢慢伸入
参考例句:
  • The article insinuated that he was having an affair with his friend's wife. 文章含沙射影地点出他和朋友的妻子有染。
  • She cleverly insinuated herself into his family. 她巧妙地混进了他的家庭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 momentary hj3ya     
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的
参考例句:
  • We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
  • I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。
11 memorandum aCvx4     
n.备忘录,便笺
参考例句:
  • The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
  • The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。
12 triumphantly 9fhzuv     
ad.得意洋洋地;得胜地;成功地
参考例句:
  • The lion was roaring triumphantly. 狮子正在发出胜利的吼叫。
  • Robert was looking at me triumphantly. 罗伯特正得意扬扬地看着我。
13 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。
14 persecution PAnyA     
n. 迫害,烦扰
参考例句:
  • He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
  • Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。
15 defense AxbxB     
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩
参考例句:
  • The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
  • The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。
16 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
17 disappearance ouEx5     
n.消失,消散,失踪
参考例句:
  • He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
  • Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。
18 considerably 0YWyQ     
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上
参考例句:
  • The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
  • The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
19 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!
20 savings ZjbzGu     
n.存款,储蓄
参考例句:
  • I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假,那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
  • By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时,他的存款已全部用完。
21 disquieted e705be49b0a827fe41d115e658e5d697     
v.使不安,使忧虑,使烦恼( disquiet的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • People are disquieted [on tenterhooks]. 人心惶惶。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The bad news disquieted him. 恶讯使他焦急不安。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
22 withheld f9d7381abd94e53d1fbd8a4e53915ec8     
withhold过去式及过去分词
参考例句:
  • I withheld payment until they had fulfilled the contract. 他们履行合同后,我才付款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • There was no school play because the principal withheld his consent. 由于校长没同意,学校里没有举行比赛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 incensed 0qizaV     
盛怒的
参考例句:
  • The decision incensed the workforce. 这个决定激怒了劳工大众。
  • They were incensed at the decision. 他们被这个决定激怒了。
24 divulge ImBy2     
v.泄漏(秘密等);宣布,公布
参考例句:
  • They refused to divulge where they had hidden the money.他们拒绝说出他们把钱藏在什么地方。
  • He swore never to divulge the secret.他立誓决不泄露秘密。
25 ascending CyCzrc     
adj.上升的,向上的
参考例句:
  • Now draw or trace ten dinosaurs in ascending order of size.现在按照体型由小到大的顺序画出或是临摹出10只恐龙。


欢迎访问英文小说网

©英文小说网 2005-2010

有任何问题,请给我们留言,管理员邮箱:[email protected]  站长QQ :点击发送消息和我们联系56065533