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Chapter 41
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Outside Castel Gandolfo, an updraft of mountain air gushed1 over the top of the cliff and across thehigh bluff2, sending a chill through Bishop3 Aringarosa as he stepped from the Fiat4. I should haveworn more than this cassock, he thought, fighting the reflex to shiver. The last thing he needed toappear tonight was weak or fearful.

  The castle was dark save the windows at the very top of the building, which glowed ominously5.

  The library, Aringarosa thought. They are awake and waiting. He ducked his head against the windand continued on without so much as a glance toward the observatory6 domes7.

  The priest who greeted him at the door looked sleepy. He was the same priest who had greetedAringarosa five months ago, albeit8 tonight he did so with much less hospitality. "We were worriedabout you, Bishop," the priest said, checking his watch and looking more perturbed9 than worried.

  "My apologies. Airlines are so unreliable these days."The priest mumbled10 something inaudible and then said, "They are waiting upstairs. I will escortyou up."The library was a vast square room with dark wood from floor to ceiling. On all sides, toweringbookcases burgeoned11 with volumes. The floor was amber12 marble with black basalt trim, ahandsome reminder13 that this building had once been a palace.

  "Welcome, Bishop," a man's voice said from across the room.

  Aringarosa tried to see who had spoken, but the lights were ridiculously low—much lower thanthey had been on his first visit, when everything was ablaze14. The night of stark15 awakening16.

  Tonight, these men sat in the shadows, as if they were somehow ashamed of what was about totranspire.

  Aringarosa entered slowly, regally even. He could see the shapes of three men at a long table onthe far side of the room. The silhouette17 of the man in the middle was immediatelyrecognizable—the obese18 Secretariat Vaticana, overlord of all legal matters within Vatican City.

  The other two were high-ranking Italian cardinals19.

  Aringarosa crossed the library toward them. "My humble20 apologies for the hour. We're on differenttime zones. You must be tired.""Not at all," the secretariat said, his hands folded on his enormous belly21. "We are grateful you havecome so far. The least we can do is be awake to meet you. Can we offer you some coffee orrefreshments?""I'd prefer we don't pretend this is a social visit. I have another plane to catch. Shall we get tobusiness?""Of course," the secretariat said. "You have acted more quickly than we imagined.""Have I?""You still have a month.""You made your concerns known five months ago," Aringarosa said. "Why should I wait?""Indeed. We are very pleased with your expediency22."Aringarosa's eyes traveled the length of the long table to a large black briefcase23. "Is that what Irequested?""It is." The secretariat sounded uneasy. "Although, I must admit, we are concerned with therequest. It seems quite...""Dangerous," one of the cardinals finished. "Are you certain we cannot wire it to you somewhere?

  The sum is exorbitant24."Freedom is expensive. "I have no concerns for my own safety. God is with me."The men actually looked doubtful.

  "The funds are exactly as I requested?"The secretariat nodded. "Large-denomination bearer bonds drawn25 on the Vatican Bank. Negotiableas cash anywhere in the world."Aringarosa walked to the end of the table and opened the briefcase. Inside were two thick stacks ofbonds, each embossed with the Vatican seal and the title PORTATORE, making the bondsredeemable to whoever was holding them.

  The secretariat looked tense. "I must say, Bishop, all of us would feel less apprehensive26 if thesefunds were in cash."I could not lift that much cash, Aringarosa thought, closing the case. "Bonds are negotiable as cash.

  You said so yourself."The cardinals exchanged uneasy looks, and finally one said, "Yes, but these bonds are traceabledirectly to the Vatican Bank."Aringarosa smiled inwardly. That was precisely27 the reason the Teacher suggested Aringarosa getthe money in Vatican Bank bonds. It served as insurance. We are all in this together now. "This isa perfectly28 legal transaction," Aringarosa defended. "Opus Dei is a personal prelature of VaticanCity, and His Holiness can disperse29 monies however he sees fit. No law has been broken here.""True, and yet..." The secretariat leaned forward and his chair creaked under the burden. "We haveno knowledge of what you intend to do with these funds, and if it is in any way illegal...""Considering what you are asking of me," Aringarosa countered, "what I do with this money is notyour concern."There was a long silence.

  They know I'm right, Aringarosa thought. "Now, I imagine you have something for me to sign?"They all jumped, eagerly pushing the paper toward him, as if they wished he would simply leave.

  Aringarosa eyed the sheet before him. It bore the papal seal. "This is identical to the copy you sentme?""Exactly."Aringarosa was surprised how little emotion he felt as he signed the document. The three menpresent, however, seemed to sigh in relief.

  "Thank you, Bishop," the secretariat said. "Your service to the Church will never be forgotten."Aringarosa picked up the briefcase, sensing promise and authority in its weight. The four menlooked at one another for a moment as if there were something more to say, but apparently30 therewas not. Aringarosa turned and headed for the door.

  "Bishop?" one of the cardinals called out as Aringarosa reached the threshold.

  Aringarosa paused, turning. "Yes?""Where will you go from here?"Aringarosa sensed the query31 was more spiritual than geographical32, and yet he had no intention ofdiscussing morality at this hour. "Paris," he said, and walked out the door.

岗道尔夫堡外,一股由下而上的山风刮过悬崖,穿过峭壁,直直地吹向刚从菲亚特轿车上下来的阿林加洛沙主教,让他感到阵阵寒意。我应该在这件法衣之外再加点衣服,他想道,竭力控制着不让自己打寒颤。他今晚决不能表现出软弱。

除了顶层的几扇窗户里透出几缕不祥的灯光外,整个城堡一片漆黑。那肯定是图书馆,阿林加洛沙想。他们还没睡,正等着我呢。他扫视了一下天文台的圆形屋顶,低下头,迎着风继续往前走。

在门口迎接他的教土睡眼惺忪。他就是五个月前迎接阿林加洛沙的那个教士,只是今晚他显得没有以前那么热情。"我们正为您担心呢,主教大人。"那个教士看了一下手表,说道。他那副表情与其说是担忧,倒不如说是忐忑不安。

"非常抱歉。最近的航班时刻表老是靠不住。"

教士小声地嘟囔了些什么,接着说道:"他们在楼上等着您呢。我陪您上去。"

图书馆设在一个宽敞的方形房间里,地板和天花板上都由深色的木材装饰。墙壁的四周摆放着高大的书柜,上面摆满了书。琥珀色大理石地砖和地面边缘的黑色玄武岩,仿佛在提醒人们这里曾是皇宫。

"欢迎您,主教大人。"一个男人的声音从房间那头传来。

阿林加洛沙试图找到讲话的人,可是灯光出奇地暗,远比上次他来访时暗得多。那时灯光耀眼。彻底觉醒之夜。今晚,这些人坐在阴影里,像为将要发生的事情感到羞愧似的。

阿林加洛沙慢慢地踱进房门,看上去像个帝王。他隐约地看到房间那头的长桌子边有三个男人的身影。他一眼就从轮廓辨认出了中间的那个人,那是梵蒂冈的肥胖秘书,全权负责梵蒂冈城的所有法律事务。另外两个人是意大利的高级主教。

阿林加洛沙向他们走去。"我非常抱歉这时候来找你们。我们的时区不同,你们一定很累了吧。""没关系。"那位秘书说着,双手交叉着放在他肥大的肚子上。"我们非常感激您能这么远赶来。我们只不过是起床迎接您罢了,谈不上辛苦。您要不要喝杯咖啡,或是来些点心?"

"不必客套。我还要去赶另一班飞机。我们谈正事吧?"

"当然可以。"秘书说道。"没想到您行动这么快。"

"是吗?"

"您还有一个月的时间呢。"

"你们五个月之前就告诉了我你们关心的事情。"阿林加洛沙说:"我为什么要等呢?"

"确实。您的快速的行动让我们非常高兴。"

阿林加洛沙望着长桌那头的黑色大公文包,问道:"那就是我要的?"

"是的。""秘书不太自然地回答道。"虽然我不得不承认我们非常尊重您的要求,可是那也太……""危险。"一位红衣主教接下去说道。"您要知道我们不能寄给您。数目太庞大。"

"自由是昂贵的!我已将生死置之度外,上帝会保佑我。"

那帮人看上去有点儿怀疑。

"是我要的数目吗?"

秘书点了点头:"梵蒂冈银行签发的大额持票人证券。跟现金一样,世界通用。"

阿林加洛沙走到桌子的尽头,打开公文包。里面有两叠厚厚的证券,每张上面都有梵蒂冈的印章和教堂的字样,那确保了任何持票人都可将其兑换成现金。

秘书看上去有些局促不安。"我不得不承认,主教大人,假如这笔款子是现金的话,我们都会稍稍安心一些。"

我可拿不动那么多现金,阿林加洛沙想道。他合上公文包,说道:"证券跟现金一样可以在各地流通。这可是你们说的。"几个红衣主教交换了一下不安的眼神,最后说道:"是的。可是通过这些证券可以追查到梵蒂冈银行。"阿林加洛沙暗笑,这正是那位导师让阿林加洛沙要梵蒂冈银行证券的原因。这是为保险起见,我们的命运被绑在一起了。"这说明我们的交易是完全合法的。"阿林加洛沙辩解道。

"天主事工会是梵蒂冈的最高统领,它有权处置这笔钱。况且,我们所做的一切都在法律许可的范围之内。""确实如此,可是……"秘书身体前倾,椅子被他压得吱吱作响。"我们并不知道你究竟会怎样处置这笔款子。假如有任何违法行为的话……""考虑到你们对我的要求。"阿林加洛沙反驳道:"我怎样处理这笔款子与你们无关。"

房间里顿时鸦雀无声。

他们知道我是对的,阿林加洛沙想。"那么现在,有什么东西需要我签字吗?"

他们一跃而起,急切地把一份文件推到他面前,好像都盼望着他快点离开。

阿林加洛沙扫视了一下面前那张薄薄的纸,只见上面盖着教皇的大印。"这份文件跟你们给我的那张复印件一模一样吗?"

"完全一样。"

阿林加洛沙签上了名,他为自己能如此平静而颇感意外。那三个人看上去松了一口气。

"感谢您,主教。"秘书说。"您对教会的贡献将永远被人们铭记。"

阿林加洛沙拿起公文包,此刻他真切地感受到了承诺和权威的分量。四个人面面相觑,好像有什么话要说,但显然又说不出什么。

阿林加洛沙走到门口时,一位红衣主教喊住了他。

阿林加洛沙停下脚步,转身问道:"什么事?"

"离开这里后,您打算去哪儿?"

阿林加洛沙知道他问的应该是灵魂的归属,不是地理方位,而他现在不想讨论精神道德的问题。"巴黎。"他说着,走出了房门。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 gushed de5babf66f69bac96b526188524783de     
v.喷,涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 );滔滔不绝地说话
参考例句:
  • Oil gushed from the well. 石油从井口喷了出来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Clear water gushed into the irrigational channel. 清澈的水涌进了灌溉渠道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
2 bluff ftZzB     
v.虚张声势,用假象骗人;n.虚张声势,欺骗
参考例句:
  • His threats are merely bluff.他的威胁仅仅是虚张声势。
  • John is a deep card.No one can bluff him easily.约翰是个机灵鬼。谁也不容易欺骗他。
3 bishop AtNzd     
n.主教,(国际象棋)象
参考例句:
  • He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
  • Two years after his death the bishop was canonised.主教逝世两年后被正式封为圣者。
4 fiat EkYx2     
n.命令,法令,批准;vt.批准,颁布
参考例句:
  • The opening of a market stall is governed by municipal fiat.开设市场摊位受市政法令管制。
  • He has tried to impose solutions to the country's problems by fiat.他试图下令强行解决该国的问题。
5 ominously Gm6znd     
adv.恶兆地,不吉利地;预示地
参考例句:
  • The wheels scooped up stones which hammered ominously under the car. 车轮搅起的石块,在车身下发出不吉祥的锤击声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Mammy shook her head ominously. 嬷嬷不祥地摇着头。 来自飘(部分)
6 observatory hRgzP     
n.天文台,气象台,瞭望台,观测台
参考例句:
  • Guy's house was close to the observatory.盖伊的房子离天文台很近。
  • Officials from Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day.格林威治天文台的职员们每天对大钟检查两次。
7 domes ea51ec34bac20cae1c10604e13288827     
n.圆屋顶( dome的名词复数 );像圆屋顶一样的东西;圆顶体育场
参考例句:
  • The domes are circular or ovoid in cross-section. 穹丘的横断面为圆形或卵圆形。 来自辞典例句
  • Parks. The facilities highlighted in text include sport complexes and fabric domes. 本书重点讲的设施包括运动场所和顶棚式结构。 来自互联网
8 albeit axiz0     
conj.即使;纵使;虽然
参考例句:
  • Albeit fictional,she seemed to have resolved the problem.虽然是虚构的,但是在她看来好象是解决了问题。
  • Albeit he has failed twice,he is not discouraged.虽然失败了两次,但他并没有气馁。
9 perturbed 7lnzsL     
adj.烦燥不安的v.使(某人)烦恼,不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I am deeply perturbed by the alarming way the situation developing. 我对形势令人忧虑的发展深感不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Mother was much perturbed by my illness. 母亲为我的病甚感烦恼不安。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
10 mumbled 3855fd60b1f055fa928ebec8bcf3f539     
含糊地说某事,叽咕,咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He mumbled something to me which I did not quite catch. 他对我叽咕了几句话,可我没太听清楚。
  • George mumbled incoherently to himself. 乔治语无伦次地喃喃自语。
11 burgeoned aa469e83f03e8794865101ffd0cbc4a3     
v.发芽,抽枝( burgeon的过去式和过去分词 );迅速发展;发(芽),抽(枝)
参考例句:
  • Willows have burgeoned forth. 柳树已经发芽。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The town burgeoned into a city. 这个集镇很快发展成一座城市。 来自辞典例句
12 amber LzazBn     
n.琥珀;琥珀色;adj.琥珀制的
参考例句:
  • Would you like an amber necklace for your birthday?你过生日想要一条琥珀项链吗?
  • This is a piece of little amber stones.这是一块小小的琥珀化石。
13 reminder WkzzTb     
n.提醒物,纪念品;暗示,提示
参考例句:
  • I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
  • It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知,她才付应该交的房租。
14 ablaze 1yMz5     
adj.着火的,燃烧的;闪耀的,灯火辉煌的
参考例句:
  • The main street was ablaze with lights in the evening.晚上,那条主要街道灯火辉煌。
  • Forests are sometimes set ablaze by lightning.森林有时因雷击而起火。
15 stark lGszd     
adj.荒凉的;严酷的;完全的;adv.完全地
参考例句:
  • The young man is faced with a stark choice.这位年轻人面临严峻的抉择。
  • He gave a stark denial to the rumor.他对谣言加以完全的否认。
16 awakening 9ytzdV     
n.觉醒,醒悟 adj.觉醒中的;唤醒的
参考例句:
  • the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
  • People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。
17 silhouette SEvz8     
n.黑色半身侧面影,影子,轮廓;v.描绘成侧面影,照出影子来,仅仅显出轮廓
参考例句:
  • I could see its black silhouette against the evening sky.我能看到夜幕下它黑色的轮廓。
  • I could see the silhouette of the woman in the pickup.我可以见到小卡车的女人黑色半身侧面影。
18 obese uvIya     
adj.过度肥胖的,肥大的
参考例句:
  • The old man is really obese,it can't be healthy.那位老人确实过于肥胖了,不能算是健康。
  • Being obese and lazy is dangerous to health.又胖又懒危害健康。
19 cardinals 8aa3d7ed97d6793c87fe821585838a4a     
红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 ); 红衣凤头鸟(见于北美,雄鸟为鲜红色); 基数
参考例句:
  • cardinals in scarlet robes 身披红袍的枢机主教
  • A conclave of cardinals was held to elect the new Pope. 红衣主教团举行了秘密会议来选举新教皇。
20 humble ddjzU     
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低
参考例句:
  • In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
  • Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
21 belly QyKzLi     
n.肚子,腹部;(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分,膛
参考例句:
  • The boss has a large belly.老板大腹便便。
  • His eyes are bigger than his belly.他眼馋肚饱。
22 expediency XhLzi     
n.适宜;方便;合算;利己
参考例句:
  • The government is torn between principle and expediency. 政府在原则与权宜之间难于抉择。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • It was difficult to strike the right balance between justice and expediency. 在公正与私利之间很难两全。 来自辞典例句
23 briefcase lxdz6A     
n.手提箱,公事皮包
参考例句:
  • He packed a briefcase with what might be required.他把所有可能需要的东西都装进公文包。
  • He requested the old man to look after the briefcase.他请求那位老人照看这个公事包。
24 exorbitant G7iyh     
adj.过分的;过度的
参考例句:
  • More competition should help to drive down exorbitant phone charges.更多的竞争有助于降低目前畸高的电话收费。
  • The price of food here is exorbitant. 这儿的食物价格太高。
25 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
26 apprehensive WNkyw     
adj.担心的,恐惧的,善于领会的
参考例句:
  • She was deeply apprehensive about her future.她对未来感到非常担心。
  • He was rather apprehensive of failure.他相当害怕失败。
27 precisely zlWzUb     
adv.恰好,正好,精确地,细致地
参考例句:
  • It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
  • The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。
28 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
29 disperse ulxzL     
vi.使分散;使消失;vt.分散;驱散
参考例句:
  • The cattle were swinging their tails to disperse the flies.那些牛甩动着尾巴驱赶苍蝇。
  • The children disperse for the holidays.孩子们放假了。
30 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
31 query iS4xJ     
n.疑问,问号,质问;vt.询问,表示怀疑
参考例句:
  • I query very much whether it is wise to act so hastily.我真怀疑如此操之过急地行动是否明智。
  • They raised a query on his sincerity.他们对他是否真诚提出质疑。
32 geographical Cgjxb     
adj.地理的;地区(性)的
参考例句:
  • The current survey will have a wider geographical spread.当前的调查将在更广泛的地域范围內进行。
  • These birds have a wide geographical distribution.这些鸟的地理分布很广。


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