CHAPTER XL JONAS BARTON

 Frank started for his old home on Saturday afternoon. He would arrive in time for supper, at the house of his father's friend. The train was well filled, and he was obliged to share his seat with a shabbily dressed young man with whom, a single glance showed him, he was not likely to sympathize.

 

The shabby suit did not repel¹ him at all—he was too sensible for that; but there was a furtive² look in the man's face, which seemed to indicate that he was not frank and straightforward³, but had something to conceal⁴.

 

Half the journey passed without a word between the two. Then his companion, glancing at Frank, opened a conversation by remarking that it was a fine day.

 

"Very," answered Frank, laconically⁵.

 

"A pleasant day to travel."

 

"Yes."

 

"Do you go far?"

 

Frank mentioned his destination. His companion seemed to have his interest awakened⁶.

 

"Do you know a Mr. Manning, living in your town?" he asked.

 

"He is my stepfather," said Frank.

 

"Then you are Frank Courtney?" said his new acquaintance, quickly.

 

"I am."

 

"Pardon me, but I think your mother died recently?"

 

"Yes."

 

"And the property was left chiefly to Mr. Manning?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Of course, you were surprised, and probably very disappointed?"

 

"Excuse me," said Frank, coldly; "but I am not in the habit of discussing my affairs with strangers."

 

"Quite right, but I think you will find it for your interest to discuss them with me. Not in a public car, of course; but I have something of importance to communicate. Where can I have a private interview with you?"

 

It at once occurred to Frank that there was an opportunity, perhaps, to solve the mystery concerning the will. This man might know nothing about it; but, on the other hand, he might know everything. It would be foolish to repulse⁷ him.

 

"If you have anything important to tell me, I shall be glad to hear it," he said. "I am going to the house of my friend, Col. Vincent, to pass a few days. Do you know where he lives?"

 

"Yes, I know."

 

"If you will call this evening, after supper, I shall be glad to see you."

 

"I will do so. I will be there at eight o'clock, sharp."

 

On arriving at his destination, Frank found the colonel's carriage waiting for him at the station.

 

Col. Vincent was inside.

 

"Welcome, Frank!" he said, grasping heartily⁸ the hand of our young hero. "I am delighted to see you. You are looking well, and, bless me, how you have grown!"

 

"Thank you, Col. Vincent. Do you expect me to return the compliment?"

 

"About having grown? No, Frank, I hope not. I am six feet one, and don't care to grow any taller. Well, what do you think of the news?"

 

"I have some for you, colonel;" and Frank mentioned what his new acquaintance had told him.

 

"The missing link!" exclaimed the colonel, excited. "Do you know what I think?"

 

"What?"

 

"That this man either forged the will which gives the property to your stepfather, or is cognizant of it!"

 

"I thought of that."

 

"I shall be impatient to see him."

 

At eight o'clock the man called and gave his name as Jonas Barton. Whether it was the right name might be a question; but this did not matter.

 

"I understand," said Col. Vincent, "that you have some information to give us."

 

"I have; and that of a very important nature."

 

"Is it of a nature to restore to my young friend here his property now in the possession of Mr. Manning?"

 

"If it were," said Jonas Barton with a cunning glance of his left eye "how much would it be worth?"

 

"I supposed it was for sale," said the colonel, quietly. "What is your own idea?"

 

"I will take two thousand dollars."

 

"Suppose we say one thousand?"

 

"It is not enough."

 

"Were you aware that the genuine will had been found?" asked the colonel, quietly.

 

Jonas Barton started.

 

"I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it," he said, hastily.

 

"No; he concealed⁹ it."

 

"Is this true?"

 

"Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled¹⁰."

 

"He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand for money. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all."

 

"Go on."

 

"I wrote the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate. It was copied in part from the genuine will."

 

"Good! And you betray him because he will not pay what you consider the service worth?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

Jonas Barton here gave a full account of Mr. Manning, whom he had formerly¹¹ known in New York, seeking him out and proposing to him a job for which he was willing to pay five hundred dollars. Barton was not scrupulous¹², and readily agreed to do the work. He was skillful with the pen, and did his work so well that all were deceived.

 

"You will be willing to swear to this in court?"

 

"Yes, sir, if you will guarantee the sum you proposed."

 

"I will. I shall wish you to find a boarding place in the village, and remain here for the present, so as to be ready when needed. I will be responsible for your board."

 

As Jonas Barton was leaving the house, one of the servants came in with important news, in which Frank was strongly interested.

1 repel   

v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥

参考例句：

• A country must have the will to repel any invader.一个国家得有决心击退任何入侵者。
• Particles with similar electric charges repel each other.电荷同性的分子互相排斥。

2 furtive   

adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的

参考例句：

• The teacher was suspicious of the student's furtive behaviour during the exam.老师怀疑这个学生在考试时有偷偷摸摸的行为。
• His furtive behaviour aroused our suspicion.他鬼鬼祟祟的行为引起了我们的怀疑。

3 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

4 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。

5 laconically   

adv.简短地，简洁地

参考例句：

• "I have a key,'said Rhett laconically, and his eyes met Melanie's evenly. "我有钥匙，"瑞德直截了当说。他和媚兰的眼光正好相遇。 来自飘（部分）
• 'says he's sick,'said Johnnie laconically. "他说他有玻"约翰尼要理不理的说。 来自飘（部分）

6 awakened   

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》

7 repulse   

n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝

参考例句：

• The armed forces were prepared to repulse any attacks.武装部队已作好击退任何进攻的准备。
• After the second repulse,the enemy surrendered.在第二次击退之后，敌人投降了。

8 heartily   

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。

9 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

10 forestalled   

v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She forestalled their attempt. 她先发制人，阻止了他们的企图。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I had my objection all prepared, but Stephens forestalled me. 我已做好准备要提出反对意见，不料斯蒂芬斯却抢先了一步。 来自辞典例句

11 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

12 scrupulous   

adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的

参考例句：

• She is scrupulous to a degree.她非常谨慎。
• Poets are not so scrupulous as you are.诗人并不像你那样顾虑多。