Dr. Cairn led the way into the library, switching on the reading-lamp upon the large table. His son stood just within the doorway1, his arms folded and his chin upon his breast.
The doctor sat down at the table, watching the other.
"Is it possible, sir, is it possible—" his voice was barely audible—"that her illness can in any way be due to the orchids4?"
Dr. Cairn frowned thoughtfully.
"What do you mean, exactly?" he asked.
"Orchids are mysterious things. They come from places where there are strange and dreadful diseases. Is it not possible that they may convey—"
"Some sort of contagion5?" concluded Dr. Cairn. "It is a point that I have seen raised, certainly. But nothing of the sort has ever been established. I have heard something, to-night, though, which—"
"What have you heard, sir?" asked his son eagerly, stepping forward to the table.
"Never mind at the moment, Rob; let me think."
He rested his elbow upon the table, and his chin in his hand. His professional instincts had told him that unless something could be done—something which the highest medical skill in London had thus far been unable to devise—Myra Duquesne had but four hours to live. Somewhere in his mind a memory lurked6, evasive, taunting7 him. This wild suggestion of his son's, that the girl's illness might be due in some way to her contact with the orchids, was in part responsible for this confused memory, but it seemed to be associated, too, with the story of Crombie the gardener—and with Antony Ferrara. He felt that somewhere in the darkness surrounding him there was a speck8 of
[162]
light, if he could but turn in the right direction to see it. So, whilst Robert Cairn walked restlessly about the big room, the doctor sat with his chin resting in the palm of his hand, seeking to concentrate his mind upon that vague memory, which defied him, whilst the hand of the library clock crept from twelve towards one; whilst he knew that the faint life in Myra Duquesne was slowly ebbing9 away in response to some mysterious condition, utterly10 outside his experience.
Distant clocks chimed One! Three hours only!
Robert Cairn began to beat his fist into the palm of his left hand convulsively. Yet his father did not stir, but sat there, a black-shadowed wrinkle between his brows....
"By God!"
"What is it, sir! What is it?"
The doctor unlocked the drawer of the big table, and drew out a thick manuscript written in small and exquisitely13 neat characters. He placed it under the lamp, and rapidly began to turn the pages.
"It is hope, Rob!" he said with quiet self-possession.
Robert Cairn came round the table, and leant over his father's shoulder.
"Sir Michael Ferrara's writing!"
"His unpublished book, Rob. We were to have completed it, together, but death claimed him, and in view of the contents, I—perhaps superstitiously—decided to suppress it.... Ah!"
He placed the point of his finger upon a carefully drawn14 sketch15, designed to illustrate16 the text. It was evidently a careful copy from the Ancient Egyptian. It represented a row of priestesses, each having her hair plaited in a thick queue, standing17 before a priest armed with a pair of scissors. In the centre of the drawing was an altar, upon which stood vases of flowers; and upon the right ranked a row of mummies, corresponding in number with the priestesses upon the left.
"By God!" repeated Dr. Cairn, "we were both wrong, we were both wrong!"
[163]
"What do you mean, sir? for Heaven's sake, what do you mean?"
"This drawing," replied Dr. Cairn, "was copied from the wall of a certain tomb—now reclosed. Since we knew that the tomb was that of one of the greatest wizards who ever lived in Egypt, we knew also that the inscription18 had some magical significance. We knew that the flowers represented here, were a species of the extinct sacred Lotus. All our researches did not avail us to discover for what purpose or by what means these flowers were cultivated. Nor could we determine the meaning of the cutting off,"—he ran his fingers over the sketch—"of the priestesses' hair by the high priest of the goddess—"
"What goddess, sir?"
"A goddess, Rob, of which Egyptology knows nothing!—a mystical religion the existence of which has been vaguely19 suspected by a living French savant ... but this is no time—"
Dr. Cairn closed the manuscript, replaced it and relocked the drawer. He glanced at the clock.
"A quarter past one," he said. "Come, Rob!"
Without hesitation20, his son followed him from the house. The car was waiting, and shortly they were speeding through the deserted21 streets, back to the house where death in a strange guise22 was beckoning23 to Myra Duquesne. As the car started—
"Do you know," asked Dr. Cairn, "if Saunderson has bought any orchids—quite recently, I mean?"
"Yes," replied his son dully; "he bought a small parcel only a fortnight ago."
"A fortnight!" cried Dr. Cairn excitedly—"you are sure of that? You mean that the purchase was made since Ferrara—"
"Ceased to visit the house? Yes. Why!—it must have been the very day after!"
Dr. Cairn clearly was labouring under tremendous excitement.
"Where did he buy these orchids?" he asked, evenly.
"From someone who came to the house—someone he had never dealt with before."
[164]
The doctor, his hands resting upon his knees, was rapidly drumming with his fingers.
"And—did he cultivate them?"
"Two only proved successful. One is on the point of blooming—if it is not blooming already. He calls it the 'Mystery.'"
At that, the doctor's excitement overcame him. Suddenly leaning out of the window, he shouted to the chauffeur24:
"Quicker! Quicker! Never mind risks. Keep on top speed!"
"What is it, sir?" cried his son. "Heavens! what is it?"
"Did you say that it might have bloomed, Rob?"
"Myra"—Robert Cairn swallowed noisily—"told me three days ago that it was expected to bloom before the end of the week."
"What is it like?"
"A thing four feet high, with huge egg-shaped buds."
"Merciful God grant that we are in time," whispered Dr. Cairn. "I could believe once more in the justice of Heaven, if the great knowledge of Sir Michael Ferrara should prove to be the weapon to destroy the fiend whom we raised!—he and I—may we be forgiven!"'
Robert Cairn's excitement was dreadful.
"Can you tell me nothing?" he cried. "What do you hope? What do you fear?"
"Don't ask me, Rob," replied his father; "you will know within five minutes."
The car indeed was leaping along the dark suburban25 roads at a speed little below that of an express train. Corners the chauffeur negotiated in racing26 fashion, so that at times two wheels thrashed the empty air; and once or twice the big car swung round as upon a pivot27 only to recover again in response to the skilled tactics of the driver.
They roared down the sloping narrow lane to the gate of Mr. Saunderson's house with a noise like the coming of a great storm, and were nearly hurled28 from their seats when the brakes were applied29, and the car brought to a standstill.
[165]
Dr. Cairn leapt out, pushed open the gate and ran up to the house, his son closely following. There was a light in the hall and Miss Saunderson who had expected them, and had heard their stormy approach, already held the door open. In the hall—
"Wait here one moment," said Dr. Cairn.
Ignoring Saunderson, who had come out from the library, he ran upstairs. A minute later, his face very pale, he came running down again.
"She is worse?" began Saunderson, "but—"
"Orchid-house!—"
"Don't hesitate. Don't waste a second. Give me the key."
Saunderson's expression showed that he thought Dr. Cairn to be mad, but nevertheless he plunged31 his hand into his pocket and pulled out a key-ring. Dr. Cairn snatched it in a flash.
"Which key?" he snapped.
"The Chubb, but—"
"Follow me, Rob!"
Down the hall he raced, his son beside him, and Mr. Saunderson following more slowly. Out into the garden he went and over the lawn towards the shrubbery.
"Strike a match!" he panted. Then—"Never mind—I have it!"
The door flew open with a bang. A sickly perfume swept out to them.
"Matches! matches, Rob! this way!"
They went stumbling in. Robert Cairn took out a box of matches—and struck one. His father was further along, in the centre building.
"Your knife, boy—quick! quick!"
As the dim light crept along the aisle33 between the orchids, Robert Cairn saw his father's horror-stricken face ... and saw a vivid green plant growing in a sort of tub, before which the doctor stood. Four huge, smooth, egg-shaped buds grew upon the leafless stems;
[166]
two of them were on the point of opening, and one already showed a delicious, rosy34 flush about its apex35.
Dr. Cairn grasped the knife which Robert tremblingly offered him. The match went out. There was a sound of hacking36, a soft swishing, and a dull thud upon the tiled floor.
As another match fluttered into brief life, the mysterious orchid, severed37 just above the soil, fell from the tub. Dr. Cairn stamped the swelling38 buds under his feet. A profusion39 of colourless sap was pouring out upon the floor.
Above the intoxicating40 odour of the place, a smell like that of blood made itself perceptible.
The second match went out.
"Another—"
Dr. Cairn's voice rose barely above a whisper. With fingers quivering, Robert Cairn managed to light a third match. His father, from a second tub, tore out a smaller plant and ground its soft tentacles41 beneath his feet. The place smelt42 like an operating theatre. The doctor swayed dizzily as the third match became extinguished, clutching at his son for support.
"Her life was in it, boy!" he whispered. "She would have died in the hour that it bloomed! The priestesses—were consecrated43 to this.... Let me get into the air—"
"Don't speak," said Dr. Cairn to him. "Look at the dead stems of your 'Mystery.' You will find a thread of bright hair in the heart of each!..."
Dr. Cairn opened the door of the sick-room and beckoned45 to his son, who, haggard, trembling, waited upon the landing.
"Come in, boy," he said softly—"and thank God!"
Robert Cairn, on tiptoe, entered. Myra Duquesne, pathetically pale but with that dreadful, ominous46 shadow gone from her face, turned her wistful eyes towards the door; and their wistfulness became gladness.
"Rob!" she sighed—and stretched out her arms.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
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： |
|
|
|
|
3
orchid
|
|
| n.兰花，淡紫色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
orchids
|
|
| n.兰花( orchid的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
contagion
|
|
| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
lurked
|
|
| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
taunting
|
|
| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
speck
|
|
| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
ebbing
|
|
| （指潮水）退( ebb的现在分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
feverish
|
|
| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
fumble
|
|
| vi.笨拙地用手摸、弄、接等，摸索 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
exquisitely
|
|
| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
sketch
|
|
| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
inscription
|
|
| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
guise
|
|
| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
beckoning
|
|
| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
chauffeur
|
|
| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
suburban
|
|
| adj.城郊的，在郊区的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
racing
|
|
| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
pivot
|
|
| v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
hurled
|
|
| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
tersely
|
|
| adv. 简捷地, 简要地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
dense
|
|
| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
aisle
|
|
| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
rosy
|
|
| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
apex
|
|
| n.顶点，最高点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
hacking
|
|
| n.非法访问计算机系统和数据库的活动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
severed
|
|
| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
swelling
|
|
| n.肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
profusion
|
|
| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
intoxicating
|
|
| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
tentacles
|
|
| n.触手( tentacle的名词复数 )；触角；触须；触毛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
smelt
|
|
| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
consecrated
|
|
| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
beckoned
|
|
| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
ominous
|
|
| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |