Black Will.
Green.
This inner room.
Black Will.
'Tis well. The word is, "Now I take you."
---Arden of Feversham.
Guarded by the two young farmers who had displayed so much address in seizing him, Luke, meanwhile, had been conveyed in safety to the small chamber2 in the eastern wing, destined3 by Mr. Coates to be his place of confinement4 for the night. The room, or rather closet, opening from another room, was extremely well adapted for the purpose, having no perceptible outlet5; being defended, on either side, by thick partition walls of the hardest oak, and at the extremity6 by the solid masonry7 of the mansion8. It was, in fact, a remnant of the building anterior9 to the first Sir Ranulph's day; and the narrow limits of Luke's cell had been erected10 long before the date of his earliest progenitor11. Having seen their prisoner safely bestowed12, the room was carefully examined, every board sounded, every crevice13 and corner peered into by the curious eye of the little lawyer; and nothing being found insecure, the light was removed, the door locked, the rustic15 constables16 dismissed, and a brace17 of pistols having been loaded and laid on the table, Mr. Coates pronounced himself thoroughly18 satisfied and quite comfortable.
Comfortable! Titus heaved a sigh as he echoed the word. He felt anything but comfortable. His heart was with the body all the while. He thought of the splendor19 of the funeral, the torches, the illumined church, his own dignified20 march down the aisle21, and the effect he expected to produce amongst the bewildered rustics22. He thought of all these things, and cursed Luke by all the saints in the calendar. The sight of the musty old apartment, hung round with faded arras, which, as he said, "smelt23 of nothing but rats and ghosts, and suchlike varmint," did not serve to inspirit him; and the proper equilibrium24 of his temper was not completely restored until the appearance of the butler, with all the requisites25 for the manufacture of punch, afforded him some prospective26 solace27.
"And what are they about now, Tim?" asked Titus.
"All as jolly as can be," answered the domestic; "Dr. Small is just about to pronounce the funeral 'ration28."
"Devil take it," ejaculated Titus, "there's another miss! Couldn't I just slip out, and hear that?"
"On no account," said Coates. "Consider, Sir Ranulph is there."
"Well, well," rejoined Titus, heaving a deep sigh, and squeezing a lemon; "are you sure this is biling water, Tim? You know, I'm mighty29 particular."
"Ah, Tim, do you recollect31 the way I used to brew32 for poor Sir Piers33, with a bunch of red currants at the bottom of the glass? And then to think that, after all, I should be left out of his funeral--it's the height of barbarity. Tim, this rum of yours is poor stuff--there's no punch worth the trouble of drinking, except whisky-punch. A glass of right potheen, straw-color, peat-flavor, ten degrees over proof, would be the only thing to drown my cares. Any such thing in the cellar? There used to be an odd bottle or so, Tim--in the left bin34, near the door."
"I've a notion there be," returned Timothy. "I'll try the bin your honor mentions, and if I can lay hands upon a bottle you shall have it, you may depend."
The butler departed, and Titus, emulating35 Mr. Coates, who had already enveloped36 himself, like Juno at the approach of Ixion, in a cloud, proceeded to light his pipe.
Luke, meanwhile, had been left alone, without light. He had much to meditate37 upon, and with naught38 to check the current of his thoughts, he pensively39 revolved40 his present situation and future prospects41. The future was gloomy enough--the present fraught42 with danger. And now that the fever of excitement was passed, he severely43 reproached himself for his precipitancy.
His mind, by degrees, assumed a more tranquil44 state; and, exhausted45 with his great previous fatigue46, he threw himself upon the floor of his prison-house, and addressed himself to slumber47. The noise he made induced Coates to enter the room, which he did with a pistol in each hand, followed by Titus with a pipe and candle; but finding all safe the sentinels retired48.
"One may see, with half an eye, that you're not used to a feather-bed, my friend," said Titus, as the door was locked. "By the powers, he's a tall chap, anyhow--why his feet almost touch the door. I should say that room was a matter of six feet long, Mr. Coates."
"Exactly six feet, sir."
"Well, that's a good guess. Hang that ugly rascal49, Tim; he's never brought the whisky. But I'll be even with him to-morrow. Couldn't you just see to the prisoner for ten minutes, Mr. Coates?"
"Not ten seconds. I shall report you, if you stir from your post."
Here the door was opened, and Tim entered with the whisky.
"Arrah! by my soul, Tim, and here you are at last--uncork it, man, and give us a thimbleful--blob! there goes the stopper--here's a glass"--smacking his lips--"whist, Tim, another drop--stuff like this will never hurt a body. Mr. Coates, try it--no--I thought you'd be a man of more taste."
"I must limit you to a certain quantity," replied Coates, "or you will not be fit to keep guard--another glass must be the extent of your allowance."
"Another glass! and do you think I'll submit to any such iniquitous50 proposition?"
"Beg pardon, gentlemen," said Tim, "but her ladyship desires me to tell you both, that she trusts you will keep the strictest watch upon the prisoner. I have the same message also from Sir Ranulph."
"Do you hear that?" said Coates.
"Just starting, sir," returned Tim; "and, indeed, I must not lose my time gossiping here, for I be wanted below. You must be pleased to take care of yourselves, gentlemen, for an hour or so, for there will be only a few women-kind left in the house. The storm's just over, and the men are all lighting52 their torches. Oh, it's a grand sight!" And off set Tim.
"Bad luck to myself, anyhow," ejaculated Titus; "this is more than I can bear--I've had enough of this watch and ward53 business--if the prisoner stirs, shoot him, if you think proper--I'll be back in an hour."
"I tell you what, Mr. Tyrconnel," said Coates, coolly taking up the pistol from the table, "I'm a man of few words, but those few are, I hope, to the purpose, and I'd have you to know if you stir from that chair, or attempt to leave the room, damme but I'll send a brace of bullets after you. I'm serious, I assure you." And he cocked the pistol.
By way of reply to this menace, Titus deliberately54 filled a stiff glass of whisky-and-water.
"That's your last glass," said the inexorable Coates.
To return once more to Luke. He slept uneasily for some short space, and was awakened55 by a sound which reached his dreaming ears and connected itself with the visions that slumber was weaving around him. It was some moments before he could distinctly remember where he was. He would not venture to sleep again, though he felt overwhelmed by drowsiness--there was a fixed56 pain at his heart, as if circulation were suspended. Changing his posture57, he raised himself upon one arm; he then became aware of a scratching noise, somewhat similar to the sound he had heard in his dream, and perceived a light gleaming through a crevice in the oaken partition. His attention was immediately arrested, and placing his eye close to the chink, he distinctly saw a dark lantern burning, and by its light a man filing some implement58 of housebreaking. The light fell before the hard features of the man, with whose countenance59 Luke was familiar; and although only one person came within the scope of his view, Luke could make out, from a muttered conversation that was carried on, that he had a companion. The parties were near to him, and though speaking in a low tone, Luke's quick ear caught the following:
"What keeps Jack60 Palmer, I wonder?" said he of the file. "We're all ready for the fakement--pops primed--and I tell you what, Rob Rust14, I've made my clasp-knife as sharp as a razor, and damme, if Lady Rookwood offers any resistance, I'll spoil her talking in future, I promise you."
Suppressed laughter from Rust followed this speech. That laugh made Luke's blood run cold within his veins61.
"Harkee, Dick Wilder, you're a reg'lar out-and-outer, and stops at nothing, and curse me if I'd think any more of it than yourself. But Jack's as squeamish of bloodshed as young Miss that cries at her cut finger. It's the safer plan. Say what you will, nothing but that will stop a woman's tongue."
"I shall make short work with her ladyship to-night, anyhow. Hist! here Jack comes."
A footstep crossed in the room, and, presently afterwards, exclamations62 of surprise and smothered63 laughter were heard from the parties.
"Bravo, Jack! famous! that disguise would deceive the devil himself."
"And now, my lads," said the newcomer, "is all right?"
"Right and tight."
"Nothing forgotten?"
"Nothing."
"Then off with your stamps, and on with your list slippers64; not a word. Follow me, and, for your lives, don't move a step but as I direct you. The word must be, 'Sir Piers Rookwood calls.' We'll overhaul65 the swag here. This crack may make us all for life; and if you'll follow my directions implicitly66, we'll do the trick in style. This slum must be our rendezvous67 when all's over; for hark ye, my lads, I'll not budge68 an inch till Luke Bradley be set free. He's an old friend, and I always stick by old friends. I'd do the same for one of you if you were in the same scrape, so, damn you, no flinching69; besides, I owe that spider-shanked, snivelling split-cause Coates, who stands sentry70, a grudge71, and I'll pay him off, as Paul did the Ephesians. You may crop his ears, or slit72 his tongue as you would a magpie's, or any other chattering73 varmint; make him sign his own testament74, or treat him with a touch of your Habeas Corpus Act, if you think proper, or give him a taste of blue plumb75. One thing only I stipulate76, that you don't hurt that fat, mutton-headed Broganeer, whatever he may say or do; he's a devilish good fellow. And now to business."
Saying which, they noiselessly departed. But carefully as the door was closed, Luke's ear could detect the sound. His blood boiled with indignation; and he experienced what all must have felt who have been similarly situated77, with the will, but not the power, to assist another--a sensation almost approaching to torture. At this moment a distant scream burst upon his ears--another--he hesitated no longer. With all his force he thundered at the door.
"What do you want, rascal?" cried Coates, from without.
"There are robbers in the house."
"Thank you for the information. There is one I know of already."
"Fool, they are in Lady Rookwood's room. Run to her assistance."
"A likely story, and leave you here."
"Do you hear that scream?"
"Eh, what--what's that? I do hear something." Here Luke dashed with all his force against the door. It yielded to the blow, and he stood before the astonished attorney.
"Advance a footstep, villain," exclaimed Coates, presenting both his pistols, "and I lodge78 a brace of balls in your head."
"Listen to me," said Luke; "the robbers are in Lady Rookwood's chamber--they will plunder79 the place of everything--perhaps murder her. Fly to her assistance, I will accompany you--assist you--it is your only chance."
"My only chance--your only chance. Do you take me for a greenhorn? This is a poor subterfuge80; could you not have vamped up something better? Get back to your own room, or I shall make no more of shooting you than I would of snuffing that candle."
"Be advised, sir," continued Luke. "There are three of them--give me a pistol, and fear nothing."
"Give you a pistol! Ha, ha!--to be its mark myself. You are an amusing rascal, I will say."
"Sir, I tell you not a moment is to be lost. Is life nothing? Lady Rookwood may be murdered."
"I tell you, once for all, it won't do. Go back to your room, or take the consequences."
"By the powers! but it shall do, anyhow," exclaimed Titus, flinging himself upon the attorney, and holding both his arms; "you've bullied81 me long enough. I'm sure the lad's in the right."
Luke snatched the pistols from the hands of Coates.
"Very well, Mr. Tyrconnel; very well, sir," cried the attorney, boiling with wrath82, and spluttering out his words. "Extremely well, sir. You are not perhaps aware, sir, what you have done; but you will repent83 this, sir--repent, I say--repent was my word, Mr. Tyrconnel."
"Poh!--poh!" replied Titus. "I shall never repent a good-natured action."
"Follow me," cried Luke; "settle your disputes hereafter. Quick, or we shall be too late."
Coates bustled84 after him, and Titus, putting the neck of the forbidden whisky bottle to his lips, and gulping85 down a hasty mouthful, snatched up a rusty86 poker87, and followed the party with more alacrity88 than might have been expected from so portly a personage.
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收听单词发音
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1
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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2
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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3
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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4
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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5
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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6
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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7
masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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8
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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9
anterior
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| adj.较早的；在前的 | |
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10
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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11
progenitor
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| n.祖先，先驱 | |
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12
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13
crevice
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| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
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14
rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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15
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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16
constables
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| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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17
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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18
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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19
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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20
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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21
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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22
rustics
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| n.有农村或村民特色的( rustic的名词复数 )；粗野的；不雅的；用粗糙的木材或树枝制作的 | |
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23
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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24
equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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25
requisites
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| n.必要的事物( requisite的名词复数 ) | |
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26
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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27
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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28
ration
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| n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应 | |
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29
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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30
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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31
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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32
brew
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| v.酿造，调制 | |
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33
piers
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| n.水上平台( pier的名词复数 )；（常设有娱乐场所的）突堤；柱子；墙墩 | |
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34
bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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35
emulating
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| v.与…竞争( emulate的现在分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
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36
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
meditate
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| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
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38
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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pensively
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| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
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40
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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41
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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42
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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43
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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44
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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45
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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46
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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47
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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48
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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49
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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50
iniquitous
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| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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51
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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52
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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53
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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54
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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55
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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56
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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57
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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58
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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59
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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60
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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61
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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62
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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63
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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64
slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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65
overhaul
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| v./n.大修，仔细检查 | |
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66
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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67
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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68
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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69
flinching
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的现在分词 ) | |
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70
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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71
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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72
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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73
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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plumb
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| adv.精确地，完全地；v.了解意义，测水深 | |
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stipulate
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| vt.规定，（作为条件）讲定，保证 | |
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77
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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78
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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80
subterfuge
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| n.诡计；藉口 | |
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81
bullied
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| adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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83
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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84
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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85
gulping
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的现在分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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86
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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87
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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