CHAPTER XVII. TOM'S ARREST.

 To one who is scrupulously¹ honest a sudden charge of dishonesty is almost overwhelming. Now, Tom was honest, not so much because he had been taught that honesty was a virtue², as by temperament³ and instinct. Yet here he saw himself surrounded by hostile faces, for a crowd soon collected. Not one believed in his innocence⁴, not even the lady, who thought it was such a pity that he was "so young and yet so wicked."

 

"Will somebody call a policeman?" asked Vincent.

 

A policeman soon made his appearance. He was a stout⁵, burly man, and pushed his way through the crowd without ceremony.

 

"What's the row?" he inquired.

 

"This boy has picked a lady's pocket," exclaimed Vincent.[132]

 

The officer placed his hand roughly on Tom's shoulder.

 

"You were a little too smart, young feller!" said he. "You must come along with me."

 

"I didn't take the money," protested Tom, pale, but in a firm voice.

 

"That's too thin," said Vincent, with a sneer⁶.

 

"Yes, it's too thin," repeated two or three in the crowd.

 

"It's true," said Tom.

 

"Perhaps you'll tell us how the money came in your pocket," suggested a bystander.

 

"That man put it in," answered Tom, indicating Vincent.

 

The latter shrugged⁷ his shoulders.

 

"He says so, because I exposed him," he remarked, turning to the crowd.

 

"Of course; that's a common game," interposed the policeman.

 

"Have you any reason for what you say, my boy?" asked a quiet-looking man, with a pleasant face.

 

"Of course he hasn't," replied Vincent hastily.[133]

 

"I spoke⁸ to the boy, sir."

 

"I have a reason," answered Tom. "A friend of this man roomed with me at Pittsburg, and during the night tried to rob me. We were both passengers on the River Belle⁹ on the last trip. During the trip he entered our stateroom, and stole a wallet from my roommate. This man slyly put it into my pocket, in order to escape suspicion."

 

"It's a lie!" exclaimed Vincent uneasily. "Gentlemen, the boy is very artful, and the greatest liar¹⁰ out."

 

"Of course he is!" assented¹¹ the policeman. "Come along, young feller!"

 

"Wait a minute," said the quiet man. "Have you any proof of your statements, my boy, except your own word?"

 

"Yes, sir; my roommate will tell you the same thing."

 

"Who is he? Where can he be found?"

 

"He is Mr. Nicholas Waterbury, of Marietta. He is now at the Burnet House."

 

"That's all gammon!" said the officer roughly. "Come along. I can't wait here all day."

 

"Don't be in a hurry, officer," said the quiet[134] man. "I know Mr. Waterbury, and I believe the boy's story is correct."

 

"It ain't any of your business!" said the officer insolently¹². "The boy's a thief, and I'm goin' to lock him up."

 

"Look out, sir!" said the quiet man sternly. "You are overstepping the limits of your duty, and asserting what you have no possible means of knowing. There is reason to believe that this man"—pointing out Vincent—"is the real thief. I call upon you to arrest him."

 

"I don't receive no orders from you, sir," said the policeman. "I'm more likely to take you along."

 

"That's right, officer," said Vincent approvingly. "The man is interfering¹³ with you in the exercise of your duty. You have a perfect right to arrest him."

 

"I have a great mind to," said the officer, who was one of the many who are puffed¹⁴ up by a little brief authority, and lose no opportunity of exercising it.

 

The quiet man did not seem in the least alarmed. He smiled, and said, "Perhaps, officer, it might be well for you to inquire my name, before proceeding¹⁵ to arrest me."[135]

 

"Who are you?" demanded the officer insolently.

 

"I am Alderman Morris."

 

A great change came over the policeman. He knew now that the quiet man before him was President of the Board of Aldermen, and he began to be alarmed, remembering with what rudeness he had treated him.

 

"I beg your pardon, sir," he said humbly¹⁶; "I didn't know you."

 

"What is your name, sir?" demanded the alderman, in a tone of authority.

 

"Jones, sir."

 

"How long have you been on the force?"

 

"Six months, your honor."

 

"Then you ought to be better fitted for your position by this time."

 

"I hope you won't take no offense¹⁷ at what I said, not knowing you, alderman."

 

"That's no personal offense, but I object to your pronouncing upon the guilt¹⁸ of parties arrested when you know nothing of the matter."

 

"Shall I take the boy along, sir?"

 

"Yes, and this man also. I don't wish to[136] interfere¹⁹ with the exercise of justice, but it is my opinion that the boy is innocent."

 

"I protest against this outrage," said Vincent nervously²⁰. "Am I to be punished because I expose a thief?"

 

"Come along, sir," said the policeman. "The alderman says so."

 

"I appeal to the gentlemen present," said Vincent, hoping for a forcible deliverance.

 

"Madam," said the alderman to the lady who had been robbed, "did you see the boy take your pocketbook?"

 

"No, sir! I thought it was the man, till he told me it was the boy, and the money was found on the boy."

 

"I should think that told the story," said Vincent. "Any man here might be arrested as soon as I. Fellow citizens, is this a free country, where a man of reputation can be summarily arrested at the bidding of another? If so, I would rather live under a monarchy²¹."

 

There was a murmur²² of approval, and some sympathy was excited.

 

"There will be no injustice²³ done, sir," said the alderman. "I propose to follow up this[137] matter myself. I will see my friend, Mr. Waterbury, and I can soon learn whether the boy's story is correct."

 

"He may lie, too!" said Vincent, who had very good reasons for fearing Mr. Waterbury's testimony²⁴.

 

"Mr. Waterbury is a gentleman of veracity," said Alderman Morris sharply. "I see you recognize the name."

 

"Never heard of him," said Vincent. "I suppose it is one of the boy's confederates."

 

"I will answer for him," said the alderman. "My boy," he said, "I hope we shall be able to prove your innocence. Be under no anxiety. Go with the officer, and I will seek out Mr. Waterbury. Officer, take care to treat him gently."

 

"All right, sir."

 

There was no fear now that Tom would be roughly treated. He had too much regard for his own interest, and his tenure²⁵ of office, to disoblige a man so influential²⁶ and powerful as Alderman Morris.

 

Notwithstanding there had been such a turn in his favor, Tom felt humiliated²⁷ to feel that he was under restraint, and his cheeks burned[138] with shame as he walked beside the officer. Vincent, upon the other side, gnashed his teeth with rage, as he thought of his unexpected detention²⁸. Just as revenge was in his grasp, he had been caught in the same trap which he had so willingly set for Tom.

 

"That Alderman Morris is a fool!" he said. "He isn't fit to be in office."

 

"Don't you say nothin' against him!" said the policeman. "It won't be best for you. He's one of our leadin' citizens, Alderman Morris is."

 

"He snubbed you!" sneered²⁹ Vincent. "He talked to you as if you were a dog."

 

"No, he didn't. You'd better shut up, prisoner."

 

"Oh, well, if you're willing to be trampled³⁰ upon, it isn't any of my business. I wouldn't stand it, alderman or no alderman. Such things wouldn't be allowed in New York, where I live."

 

"Oh, New York's a model city, so I've heard," retorted the policeman, in a tone of sarcasm³¹. "We don't pretend to come up to New York."

 

Finding that nothing was to be gained by[139] continuing his attacks upon the alderman, Vincent became silent; but his brain was active. He felt that Mr. Waterbury's testimony would be fatal to him. He must escape, if possible. Soon a chance came. He seized his opportunity, shook off the grasp of the officer, and darted³² away. Not knowing what to do with Tom, who was also under arrest, the officer paused an instant, then, leaving our hero, hastened in pursuit.

 

"Now's your chance to escape, boy!" said a sympathetic bystander to him.

 

"I don't want to escape," answered Tom. "I want my innocence proved. I shall stay where I am till the officer returns."

 

And he kept his word. Ten minutes later the officer came back, puffing³³ and panting, after an unsuccessful pursuit; prepared to find Tom gone also.

 

"What, are you there?" he asked, staring in wonder.

 

"Yes," said Tom; "I don't want to escape. I shall come out right."

 

"I believe you will," said the officer, with a revulsion of sentiment in Tom's favor. "Just walk along beside me, and I won't take[140] hold of you. I'm not afraid of your running away now."

1 scrupulously   

adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地

参考例句：

• She toed scrupulously into the room. 她小心翼翼地踮着脚走进房间。 来自辞典例句
• To others he would be scrupulously fair. 对待别人，他力求公正。 来自英汉非文学 - 文明史

2 virtue   

n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力

参考例句：

• He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
• You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。

3 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

4 innocence   

n.无罪；天真；无害

参考例句：

• There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
• The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。

6 sneer   

v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语

参考例句：

• He said with a sneer.他的话中带有嘲笑之意。
• You may sneer,but a lot of people like this kind of music.你可以嗤之以鼻，但很多人喜欢这种音乐。

7 shrugged   

vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
• She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 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：

• 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。

9 belle   

n.靓女

参考例句：

• She was the belle of her Sunday School class.在主日学校她是她们班的班花。
• She was the belle of the ball.她是那个舞会中的美女。

10 liar   

n.说谎的人

参考例句：

• I know you for a thief and a liar!我算认识你了，一个又偷又骗的家伙！
• She was wrongly labelled a liar.她被错误地扣上说谎者的帽子。

11 assented   

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！

12 insolently   

adv.自豪地，自傲地

参考例句：

• No does not respect, speak insolently,satire, etc for TT management team member. 不得发表对TT管理层人员不尊重、出言不逊、讽刺等等的帖子。 来自互联网
• He had replied insolently to his superiors. 他傲慢地回答了他上司的问题。 来自互联网

13 interfering   

adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词

参考例句：

• He's an interfering old busybody! 他老爱管闲事！
• I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. 我希望我母亲不再干预，让我自己拿主意。

14 puffed   

adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧

参考例句：

• He lit a cigarette and puffed at it furiously. 他点燃了一支香烟，狂吸了几口。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He felt grown-up, puffed up with self-importance. 他觉得长大了，便自以为了不起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

16 humbly   

adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地

参考例句：

• We humbly beg Your Majesty to show mercy. 我们恳请陛下发发慈悲。
• "You must be right, Sir,'said John humbly. “你一定是对的，先生，”约翰恭顺地说道。

17 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

18 guilt   

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。

19 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

20 nervously   

adv.神情激动地，不安地

参考例句：

• He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇，努力忍着不哭出来。
• He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。

21 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

22 murmur   

n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言

参考例句：

• They paid the extra taxes without a murmur.他们毫无怨言地交了附加税。
• There was a low murmur of conversation in the hall.大厅里有窃窃私语声。

23 injustice   

n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利

参考例句：

• They complained of injustice in the way they had been treated.他们抱怨受到不公平的对待。
• All his life he has been struggling against injustice.他一生都在与不公正现象作斗争。

24 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

25 tenure   

n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期

参考例句：

• He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
• Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。

26 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

27 humiliated   

感到羞愧的

参考例句：

• Parents are humiliated if their children behave badly when guests are present. 子女在客人面前举止失当，父母也失体面。
• He was ashamed and bitterly humiliated. 他感到羞耻，丢尽了面子。

28 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

29 sneered   

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。

30 trampled   

踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯

参考例句：

• He gripped his brother's arm lest he be trampled by the mob. 他紧抓着他兄弟的胳膊，怕他让暴民踩着。
• People were trampled underfoot in the rush for the exit. 有人在拼命涌向出口时被踩在脚下。

31 sarcasm   

n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic）

参考例句：

• His sarcasm hurt her feelings.他的讽刺伤害了她的感情。
• She was given to using bitter sarcasm.她惯于用尖酸刻薄语言挖苦人。

32 darted   

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》

33 puffing   

v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧

参考例句：

• He was puffing hard when he jumped on to the bus. 他跳上公共汽车时喘息不已。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• My father sat puffing contentedly on his pipe. 父亲坐着心满意足地抽着烟斗。 来自《简明英汉词典》