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Chapter 30 Jack's Triumph
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 The next day Jack1 had another visit from Foley. "Well," said the old man, nodding, "have you thought over my proposal?"

 
"What should I have to do?" asked Jack.
 
"Sometimes one thing, and sometimes another. At first we might employ you to put off some of the bills."
 
"That would be easy work, anyway," said Jack.
 
"Yes, there is nothing hard about that, except to look innocent."
 
"I can do that," said Jack, laughing.
 
"You're smart; I can tell by the looks of you."
 
"Do you really think so?" returned Jack, appearing flattered.
 
"Yes; you'll make one of our best hands."
 
"I suppose Mrs. Hardwick is in your employ?"
 
"Perhaps she is, and perhaps she isn't," said Foley, noncommittally. "That is something you don't need to know."
 
"Oh, I don't care to know," said Jack, carelessly. "I only asked. I was afraid you would set me to work down in the cellar."
 
"You don't know enough about the business. We need skilled workmen. You couldn't do us any good there."
 
"I shouldn't like it, anyway. It must be unpleasant to be down there."
 
"We pay the workmen you saw good pay."
 
"Yes, I suppose so. When do you want me to begin?"
 
"I can't tell you just yet. I'll think about it."
 
"I hope it'll be soon, for I'm tired of staying here. By the way, that's a capital idea about the secret staircase. Who'd ever think the portrait concealed2 it?" said Jack.
 
As he spoke3 he advanced to the portrait in an easy, natural manner, and touched the spring.
 
Of course it flew open. The old man also drew near.
 
"That was my idea," he said, in a complacent4 tone. "Of course we have to keep everything as secret as possible, and I flatter myself--"
 
His remark came to a sudden pause. He had incautiously got between Jack and the open door. Now our hero, who was close upon eighteen, and strongly built, was considerably5 more than a match in physical strength for Foley. He suddenly seized the old man, thrust him through the aperture6, then closed the secret door, and sprang for the door of the room.
 
The key was in the lock where Foley, whose confidence made him careless, had left it. Turning it, he hurried downstairs, meeting no one on the way. To open the front door and dash through it was the work of an instant. As he descended7 the stairs he could hear the muffled8 shout of the old man whom he had made prisoner, but this only caused him to accelerate his speed.
 
Jack now directed his course as well as he could toward his uncle's shop. One thing, however, he did not forget, and that was to note carefully the position of the shop in which he had been confined.
 
"I shall want to make another visit there," he reflected.
 
Meantime, as may well be supposed, Abel Harding had suffered great anxiety on account of Jack's protracted9 absence. Several days had elapsed and still he was missing.
 
"I am afraid something has happened to Jack," he remarked to his wife on the afternoon of Jack's escape. "I think Jack was probably rash and imprudent, and I fear, poor boy, he may have come to harm."
 
"He may be confined by the parties who have taken his sister."
 
"It is possible that it is no worse. At all events, I don't think it right to keep it from Timothy any longer. I've put off writing as long as I could, hoping Jack would come back, but I don't feel as if it would be right to hold it back any longer. I shall write this evening."
 
"Better wait till morning, Abel. Who knows but we may hear from Jack before that time?"
 
"If we'd been going to hear we'd have heard before this," he said.
 
Just at that moment the door was flung open.
 
"Why, it's Jack!" exclaimed the baker10, amazed.
 
"I should say it was," returned Jack. "Aunt, have you got anything to eat? I'm 'most famished11."
 
"Where in the name of wonder have you been, Jack?"
 
"I've been shut up, uncle--boarded and lodged12 for nothing--by some people who liked my company better than I liked theirs. But I've just made my escape, and here I am, well, hearty13 and hungry."
 
Jack's appetite was soon provided for. He found time between the mouthfuls to describe the secret staircase, and his discovery of the unlawful occupation of the man who acted as his jailer.
 
The baker listened with eager interest.
 
"Jack," said he, "you've done a good stroke of business."
 
"In getting away?" said Jack.
 
"No, in ferreting out these counterfeiters. Do you know there is a reward of a thousand dollars offered for their apprehension14?"
 
"You don't say so!" exclaimed Jack, laying down his knife and fork. "Do you think I can get it?"
 
"You'd better try. The gang has managed matters so shrewdly that the authorities have been unable to get any clew to their whereabouts. Can you go to the house?"
 
"Yes; I took particular notice of its location."
 
"That's lucky. Now, if you take my advice, you'll inform the authorities before they have time to get away."
 
"I'll do it!" said Jack. "Come along, uncle."
 
Fifteen minutes later, Jack was imparting his information to the chief of police. It was received with visible interest and excitement.
 
"I will detail a squad15 of men to go with you," said the chief. "Go at once. No time is to be lost."
 
In less than an hour from the time Jack left the haunt of the coiners, an authoritative16 knock was heard at the door.
 
It was answered by Foley.
 
The old man turned pale as he set eyes on Jack and the police, and comprehended the object of the visit.
 
"What do you want, gentlemen?" he asked.
 
"Is that the man?" asked the sergeant17 of Jack.
 
"Yes."
 
"Secure him."
 
"I know him," said Foley, with a glance of hatred18 directed at Jack. "He's a thief. He's been in my employ, but he's run away with fifty dollars belonging to me."
 
"I don't care about stealing the kind of money you deal in," said Jack, coolly. "It's all a lie this man tells you."
 
"Why do you arrest me?" said Foley. "It's an outrage19. You have no right to enter my house like this."
 
"What is your business?" demanded the police sergeant.
 
"I'm a physician."
 
"If you are telling the truth, no harm will be done you. Meanwhile, we must search your house. Where is that secret staircase?"
 
"I'll show you," answered Jack.
 
He showed the way upstairs.
 
"How did you get out?" he asked Foley, as he touched the spring, and the secret door flew open.
 
"Curse you!" exclaimed Foley, darting20 a look of hatred and malignity21 at him. "I wish I had you in my power once more. I treated you too well."
 
We need not follow the police in their search. The discoveries which they made were ample to secure the conviction of the gang who made this house the place of their operations. To anticipate a little, we may say that Foley was sentenced to imprisonment22 for a term of years, and his subordinates to a term less prolonged. The reader will also be glad to know that to our hero was awarded the prize of a thousand dollars which had been offered for the apprehension of the gang of counterfeiters.
 
But there was another notable capture made that day.
 
Mrs. Hardwick was accustomed to make visits to Foley to secure false bills, and to make settlement for what she had succeeded in passing off.
 
While Jack and the officers were in the house she rang the door bell.
 
Jack went to the door.
 
"How is this?" she asked.
 
"Oh," said Jack, "it's all right. Come in. I've gone into the business, too."
 
Mrs. Hardwick entered. No sooner was she inside than Jack closed the door.
 
"What are you doing?" she demanded, suspiciously. "Let me out."
 
But Jack was standing23 with his back to the door. The door to the right opened, and a policeman appeared.
 
"Arrest this woman," said Jack. "She's one of them."
 
"I suppose I must yield," said Peg24, sulkily; "but you shan't be a gainer by it," she continued, addressing Jack.
 
"Where is Ida?" asked our hero, anxiously.
 
"She is safe," said Peg, sententiously.
 
"You won't tell me where she is?"
 
"No; why should I? I suppose I am indebted to you for this arrest. She shall be kept out of your way as long as I have power to do so."
 
"Then I shall find her," said Jack. "She is somewhere in the city, and I'll find her sooner or later."
 
Peg was not one to betray her feelings, but this arrest was a great disappointment to her. It interfered25 with a plan she had of making a large sum out of Ida. To understand what this was, we must go back a day or two, and introduce a new character. 

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 jack 53Hxp     
n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克
参考例句:
  • I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
  • He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。
2 concealed 0v3zxG     
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的
参考例句:
  • The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
  • I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
3 spoke XryyC     
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。
4 complacent JbzyW     
adj.自满的;自鸣得意的
参考例句:
  • We must not become complacent the moment we have some success.我们决不能一见成绩就自满起来。
  • She was complacent about her achievements.她对自己的成绩沾沾自喜。
5 considerably 0YWyQ     
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上
参考例句:
  • The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
  • The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
6 aperture IwFzW     
n.孔,隙,窄的缺口
参考例句:
  • The only light came through a narrow aperture.仅有的光亮来自一个小孔。
  • We saw light through a small aperture in the wall.我们透过墙上的小孔看到了亮光。
7 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
8 muffled fnmzel     
adj.(声音)被隔的;听不太清的;(衣服)裹严的;蒙住的v.压抑,捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 );用厚厚的衣帽包着(自己)
参考例句:
  • muffled voices from the next room 从隔壁房间里传来的沉闷声音
  • There was a muffled explosion somewhere on their right. 在他们的右面什么地方有一声沉闷的爆炸声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 protracted 7bbc2aee17180561523728a246b7f16b     
adj.拖延的;延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • The war was protracted for four years. 战争拖延了四年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • We won victory through protracted struggle. 经过长期的斗争,我们取得了胜利。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 baker wyTz62     
n.面包师
参考例句:
  • The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
  • The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。
11 famished 0laxB     
adj.饥饿的
参考例句:
  • When's lunch?I'm famished!什么时候吃午饭?我饿得要死了!
  • My feet are now killing me and I'm absolutely famished.我的脚现在筋疲力尽,我绝对是极饿了。
12 lodged cbdc6941d382cc0a87d97853536fcd8d     
v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 );暂住;埋入;(权利、权威等)归属
参考例句:
  • The certificate will have to be lodged at the registry. 证书必须存放在登记处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Our neighbours lodged a complaint against us with the police. 我们的邻居向警方控告我们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 hearty Od1zn     
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的
参考例句:
  • After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了,他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
  • We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。
14 apprehension bNayw     
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑
参考例句:
  • There were still areas of doubt and her apprehension grew.有些地方仍然存疑,于是她越来越担心。
  • She is a girl of weak apprehension.她是一个理解力很差的女孩。
15 squad 4G1zq     
n.班,小队,小团体;vt.把…编成班或小组
参考例句:
  • The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
  • A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。
16 authoritative 6O3yU     
adj.有权威的,可相信的;命令式的;官方的
参考例句:
  • David speaks in an authoritative tone.大卫以命令的口吻说话。
  • Her smile was warm but authoritative.她的笑容很和蔼,同时又透着威严。
17 sergeant REQzz     
n.警官,中士
参考例句:
  • His elder brother is a sergeant.他哥哥是个警官。
  • How many stripes are there on the sleeve of a sergeant?陆军中士的袖子上有多少条纹?
18 hatred T5Gyg     
n.憎恶,憎恨,仇恨
参考例句:
  • He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
  • The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。
19 outrage hvOyI     
n.暴行,侮辱,愤怒;vt.凌辱,激怒
参考例句:
  • When he heard the news he reacted with a sense of outrage.他得悉此事时义愤填膺。
  • We should never forget the outrage committed by the Japanese invaders.我们永远都不应该忘记日本侵略者犯下的暴行。
20 darting darting     
v.投掷,投射( dart的现在分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • Swallows were darting through the clouds. 燕子穿云急飞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Swallows were darting through the air. 燕子在空中掠过。 来自辞典例句
21 malignity 28jzZ     
n.极度的恶意,恶毒;(病的)恶性
参考例句:
  • The little witch put a mock malignity into her beautiful eyes, and Joseph, trembling with sincere horror, hurried out praying and ejaculating "wicked" as he went. 这个小女巫那双美丽的眼睛里添上一种嘲弄的恶毒神气。约瑟夫真的吓得直抖,赶紧跑出去,一边跑一边祷告,还嚷着“恶毒!” 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Outside, the pitiless rain fell, fell steadily, with a fierce malignity that was all too human. 外面下着无情的雨,不断地下着,简直跟通人性那样凶狠而恶毒。 来自辞典例句
22 imprisonment I9Uxk     
n.关押,监禁,坐牢
参考例句:
  • His sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment.他的判决由死刑减为无期徒刑。
  • He was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for committing bigamy.他因为犯重婚罪被判入狱一年。
23 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
24 peg p3Fzi     
n.木栓,木钉;vt.用木钉钉,用短桩固定
参考例句:
  • Hang your overcoat on the peg in the hall.把你的大衣挂在门厅的挂衣钩上。
  • He hit the peg mightily on the top with a mallet.他用木槌猛敲木栓顶。
25 interfered 71b7e795becf1adbddfab2cd6c5f0cff     
v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 );调停;妨碍;干涉
参考例句:
  • Complete absorption in sports interfered with his studies. 专注于运动妨碍了他的学业。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I am not going to be interfered with. 我不想别人干扰我的事情。 来自《简明英汉词典》


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