"Forwards!" don Jaime cried.
They set out once more. The silent and rapid ride recommenced. The night was gloomy and the riders glided6 through the shadows like phantoms7. All night they galloped thus. At about five a.m. they changed horses again at a half-ruined rancho. These men seemed made of iron; though they had been fifteen hours in the saddle, fatigue8 had no hold on them. Not a word had been exchanged between them during this long ride.
At about ten o'clock in the morning, they saw the domes9 of Puebla glittering in the dazzling sunbeams. They had covered one hundred and twenty-six miles that separated that town from Mexico, in twenty hours, along almost impracticable roads. At about half a league from the town, instead of continuing to advance in a straight line, at a sign from the adventurer, they turned off and entered a scarce traced path that ran through a wood. For an hour they galloped after don Jaime, who had taken the lead of the cavalcade10. They thus reached a rather extensive clearing, in the centre of which stood an enramada.
"We have arrived," said the adventurer, checking his horse and dismounting. "We will establish our headquarters here temporarily."
His companions leaped down and prepared to unsaddle their horses.
"Wait," he continued. "Lo?ck, you will go to your rancho, where the Count de la Saulay and his servants are at present, and bring them here. You, López, will fetch our provisions."
"Are we two going to wait under this enramada, then?" Dominique asked.
"No; for I am going to Puebla."
"Do you not fear being recognized?"
The adventurer smiled. Don Jaime and the vaquero were left alone. They removed their horses' bridles so that they might graze freely on the tender grass of the clearing.
"Follow me," said don Jaime.
Dominique obeyed. They went under the enramada. This is the name given in Mexico to a species of shapeless hut formed of interlaced branches, and covered with other branches and leaves; these tenements11, though of very paltry12 appearance, offer a very sufficient shelter against rain and sunshine. This enramada, better built than the others, was divided into two compartments14 by a hurdle15 of intertwined branches, which mounted to the roof and divided the hut into two equal parts. Don Jaime did not stop in the first compartment13, but passed straight into the second, still followed by Dominique, who for some moments past seemed to be plunged16 into serious reflections. The adventurer disturbed a pile of grass and dry leaves, and drawing his machete, began digging up the ground. Dominique looked at him in amazement17.
"What are you doing there?" he asked him.
"As you see, I am clearing the entrance of a vault18; come and help me," he answered.
Both set to work. Ere long appeared a large flat stone, in the centre of which a ring was fixed19. When the stone was removed, steps, clumsily cut in the rock, became visible.
"Come down," said the adventurer.
He had lighted a lamp by means of a lucifer match. Dominique cast a curious glance around him. The spot where he was, situated20 some seven or eight yards underground, formed a sort of octagonal hall of very considerable dimensions; four galleries, which seemed to run further underground, entered at so many different points. This hall was amply supplied with weapons of every description; there were also harnesses, clothes, a bed made of leaves and furs, and even books on a shelf hanging against the side.
"You see one of my dens," the adventurer said with a smile. "I possess several like this scattered21 all over Mexico. This vault dates from the time of the Aztecs, and its existence was revealed to me several years ago by an aged22 Indian. You are aware that the province in which we now are, was anciently the sacred territory of the Mexican religion, and temples swarmed23 on it; the numberless underground passages were used by the priests to go from one place to another without being discovered, and thus give greater force to miracles of ubiquity which they pretended to accomplish. At a later date, they served as a refuge to the Indians persecuted24 by the Spanish conquerors25. The one we are now in, which runs on one side to the pyramid of Cholula, and on the other to the very heart of Puebla without counting other issues, was on several occasions extremely useful to the Mexican insurgents26 during the war of Independence—now its existence is forgotten, and the secret is only known to myself and to you now."
The vaquero had listened to this explanation with the most lively interest.
"Pardon me," he said, "but there is one thing that I do not exactly understand."
"What is it?"
"You told me just now that if anyone arrived by chance, we should be at once warned?"
"Yes, I did say so."
"I do not at all understand how this can be."
"Very simply. You see that gallery, do you not?"
"Yes."
"It terminates with a sort of outlook about a yard square, covered with shrubs27, and impossible to detect at the very entrance of the path by which it is alone possible to enter the wood; now, by a singular effect of acoustics28, which I shall not at all attempt to explain, all sounds, of whatever nature they may be, even the slightest, which are produced near that outlook are immediately repeated here, with such distinctness, that it is most easy to recognize their nature."
"Oh! In that case I am no longer alarmed."
"Moreover, when the persons we expect have arrived, we will stop up this hole, which will be useless to us, and leave by the gallery that opens there in front of you."
While giving these explanations to his friend, the adventurer had doffed29 a portion of his garments.
"What are you doing?" Dominique asked.
"I am disguising myself, in order to go and find out how matters stand in Puebla. The inhabitants of that town are very religious; monasteries30 are numerous there, and hence I am going to put on a Camaldoli dress, by favour of which I can attend to my business without fear of attracting attention."
The vaquero had sat down on the furs, and was reflecting with his back against the wall.
"What is the matter, Dominique? You appear to me preoccupied31 and sad?" don Jaime asked him a moment after.
The young man started as if a viper32 had suddenly stung him.
"I am, in truth, sad, master," he muttered.
"Have I not told you that we shall find do?a Dolores again?" he continued.
Dominique quivered, and his face became livid; "Master," he said, as he rose, and hung his head, "despise me, I am a coward."
"You a coward, Domingo! Good God, you speak falsely."
"No, master, I am telling the truth, I have misunderstood my duty, betrayed my friend, and forgotten your recommendations." He gave a profound sigh. "I love the betrothed33 wife of my friend," he added feebly.
The adventurer fixed his bright eyes on him, "I was aware of it," he said.
Domingo started and exclaimed in alarm, "You knew it?"
"I did," don Jaime continued, "And you do not despise me?"
"Why should I? Are we masters of our heart?"
"But she is betrothed to the count, my friend."
The adventurer made no answer to this exclamation34. "And does she love you in return?" he asked.
"How can I tell?" he exclaimed, "I have hardly dared to confess it to myself."
There was a lengthened35 silence. While putting on his monastic garb36, the adventurer examined the young man aside. "The count does not love do?a Dolores?" he at length said.
"What! Can it be possible?" he exclaimed, hotly. Don Jaime burst into a laugh.
"That is the way with lovers," he remarked, "they do not understand that others have not the same eyes as themselves."
"But he is going to marry her?"
"He ought," he said, laying a marked stress on the word.
"Did he not come to Mexico expressly for the purpose?"
"It is true."
"Then you see he will marry her in that case."
The adventurer shrugged37 his shoulders.
"Your conclusion is absurd," he said. "Does a man ever know what he will do? Does the morrow belong to him?"
"But since the misfortunes which have crushed do?a Dolores' family and herself, the count has been attempting impossibilities to save the young lady."
"That proves that the count is a perfect gentleman and man of honour, that is all. Besides, he is her relation, and is doing his duty in trying to save her, even at the risk of his life and fortune."
Dominique shrugged his shoulders several times, "He loves her," he said.
"In that case I will turn the sentence; do?a Dolores does not love him."
"You think so?"
"I am sure of it."
"Oh, if I could only persuade myself of it, I might hope."
"You are a baby. Now I am off, and do you wait for me here: swear not to leave this place till my return."
"I swear it."
"Good: I am going to work for you, so hope I shall return soon."
And giving him a last wave of the hand, the adventurer went off by a side gallery.
The young man remained pensive38 so long as the sound of his friend's retiring footsteps reached him, then he fell back on the bed of furs, murmuring in a low voice, "He told me to wait."
We will leave Dominique plunged in those reflections which, judging from the expression of his face, must have been agreeable, and follow don Jaime on his adventurous39 expedition. As the vault was situated about half a league from the town, don Jaime had that distance to go underground before he found himself in Puebla. But this long walk did not appear at all to alarm him: he proceeded at a round pace along the gallery into which sufficient light penetrated40 by invisible interstices, for him to be able to guide himself in the countless41 windings42 he was forced to make. He walked thus for about three parts of an hour, and at length reached the foot of a staircase, consisting of fifteen steps.
The adventurer stopped a moment to draw breath, and then went up. When he reached the top of the steps, he sought for a spring, which he soon found, and pressed his finger on it. Immediately an enormous stone became detached from the wall, moved noiselessly on invisible hinges, and displayed a wide passage. Don Jaime stepped out and thrust back the stone, which immediately resumed its first position in so perfect a manner, that it was impossible, even with the most earnest attention, to perceive the slightest crack or solution of continuity in the wall.
Don Jaime looked searchingly round him: he was alone. The spot where he was was a chapel43 of the cathedral of Puebla. The secret door through which the adventurer had passed opened on a corner of this chapel, and was concealed44 by a confessional. These precautions were carefully taken, and there was no risk of a discovery. Don Jaime left the church and found himself on the Plaza45 Mayor. It was about midday, the hour of the siesta46, and the square was almost deserted47. The adventurer pulled the hood48 over his eyes, hid his hands in his cuffs49, and with his head hanging on his chest, and with a calm and contemplative step he crossed the square and entered one of the streets that ran from it.
Oliver thus reached the gate of a pretty house, standing in its own grounds, and which seemed to rise from the centre of a bouquet50 of orange and pomegranate trees. As this gate was only on the hasp, the adventurer pushed it, went in and closed the gate again after him. He then found himself on the sanded walk that led to the door of the house, which was raised by a few steps, and covered by a large verandah in the Mexican fashion. Oliver looked suspiciously around him, but the garden was deserted. He advanced; but instead of proceeding51 toward the house he struck into a sidewalk, and after a few turns found himself facing a door apparently52 belonging to the offices.
On reaching this spot Oliver took a silver whistle hanging round his neck by a thin gold chain, raised it to his lips, and produced a sweet and peculiarly modulated53 sound. Almost immediately a similar whistle was heard from the interior, the door opened, and a man appeared. The adventurer made him a Masonic sign, to which the other replied, and followed him into the house. Without speaking, this man guided him through several apartments till he reached a door which he opened to let the adventurer pass through, while he remained behind.
The room into which Oliver was thus introduced was elegantly furnished, large Venetian blinds interrupted the rays of the sun, the floor was covered with one of those soft petates which the Indians alone know how to manufacture; a hammock of aloe fibre suspended by silver rings from hooks of the same material divided the room in two. A man was lying in this hammock fast asleep. It was don Melchior de la Cruz; a knife with a curiously54 embossed silver hilt, with a wide long blade sharp as a viper's tongue, was placed on a low sandalwood table within reach, by the side of two magnificent revolvers.
Even in his own house, in the middle of Puebla, don Melchior thought it right to be on his guard against a surprise or treachery. His fears, however, were not at all exaggerated, for the man who is at that moment before him might fairly be reputed one of his most formidable enemies.
The adventurer surveyed him for some minutes, then advanced softly to the hammock without producing the slightest noise. He took the revolvers, concealed them under his gown, seized the knife, and then gently touched the sleeper55. Though the touch, was so light, it sufficed to arouse don Melchior. He at once opened his eyes, and stretched out his arm to the table by a mechanical movement.
"It is useless," Oliver said to him, coldly; "the weapons are no longer there."
At the sound of this well-known voice don Melchior sprang up as if moved by a spring, and fixing a haggard eye on the man standing motionless before him, he asked, in a voice choked by horror—
"Who are you?"
"Have you not recognized me yet?" the adventurer remarked, jeeringly56.
"Who are you?" he repeated.
"Ah! You require a certainty: well, look!" and he threw back his hood on his shoulders.
"Don Adolfo!" the young man muttered, in a hollow voice.
"Why this astonishment57?" the adventurer continued, in the same mocking voice. "Did you not expect me? Still, you should have supposed that I would come to seek you."
Don Melchior remained for a moment as if lost in thought. "Be it so," he at length said, "After all it is better to come to an end once for all," and he sat down again, apparently calm and careless, on the edge of the hammock.
Oliver smiled. "Very good," he said; "I would sooner see you thus: let us talk, we have time."
"Then you have not come with the intention of assassinating58 me?" he asked, ironically.
"Oh! What a bad thought that is of yours, my dear sir! I raise a hand against you! Oh, no! Heaven preserve me from it! That is the hangman's business, and I should be most sorry to poach on the manor59 of that estimable functionary60."
"The fact is," he exclaimed, impetuously, "that you have entered my house as a malefactor61, in disguise, of course, to assassinate62 me."
"You repeat yourself, and that is clumsy; if I have come to you in disguise it is because circumstances compelled me to take the precaution, that is all: moreover, I only followed your example," and suddenly changing his tone, he added—"by the by, are you satisfied with Juárez? Has he rewarded your treachery handsomely? I have heard say that he is a very greedy and mean Indian, and so, I suppose, he contented63 himself with making you promises?"
Don Melchior smiled disdainfully.
"Did you thus privily64 enter my house only to talk such trash to me?" he asked.
The adventurer rose, drew a revolver, stepped forward, and regarding him with a look of indescribable contempt, shouted, in a voice of thunder—
"No, scoundrel, I have come to blow out your brains if you refuse to reveal to me what you have done with your sister, do?a Dolores!"
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
galloped
|
|
| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
sentry
|
|
| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
bridles
|
|
| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
phantoms
|
|
| n.鬼怪，幽灵( phantom的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
domes
|
|
| 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： |
|
|
|
|
10
cavalcade
|
|
| n.车队等的行列 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
tenements
|
|
| n.房屋，住户，租房子( tenement的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
paltry
|
|
| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
compartment
|
|
| n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
compartments
|
|
| n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 )；（列车车厢的）隔间；（家具或设备等的）分隔间；隔层 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
hurdle
|
|
| n.跳栏，栏架；障碍，困难；vi.进行跨栏赛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
vault
|
|
| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
situated
|
|
| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
swarmed
|
|
| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
persecuted
|
|
| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
conquerors
|
|
| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
insurgents
|
|
| n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
shrubs
|
|
| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
acoustics
|
|
| n.声学，(复)音响效果，音响装置 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
doffed
|
|
| v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
monasteries
|
|
| 修道院( monastery的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
preoccupied
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
viper
|
|
| n.毒蛇；危险的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
betrothed
|
|
| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
lengthened
|
|
| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
garb
|
|
| n.服装，装束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
pensive
|
|
| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
adventurous
|
|
| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
penetrated
|
|
| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
countless
|
|
| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
windings
|
|
| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
chapel
|
|
| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
plaza
|
|
| n.广场，市场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
siesta
|
|
| n.午睡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
hood
|
|
| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
cuffs
|
|
| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
bouquet
|
|
| n.花束，酒香 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
modulated
|
|
| 已调整[制]的，被调的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
sleeper
|
|
| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
jeeringly
|
|
| adv.嘲弄地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
assassinating
|
|
| v.暗杀( assassinate的现在分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
manor
|
|
| n.庄园，领地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
functionary
|
|
| n.官员；公职人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
malefactor
|
|
| n.罪犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
assassinate
|
|
| vt.暗杀，行刺，中伤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
privily
|
|
| adv.暗中，秘密地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |