Garvington was not quite so downhearted, as he knew that his cousin was anxious to consider the fair fame of the family. Thinking thus, he felt a trifle reassured10, for the forged letter could not be made public without a slur11 being cast on the name. Then, again, Garvington knew that he was innocent of designing Pine's death, and that, even if Lambert did inform the police, he could not be arrested. It is only just to say that had the little man known of Miss Greeby's intention to murder the millionaire, he would never have written the letter which lured12 the man to his doom14. And for two reasons: in the first place he was too cowardly to risk his neck; and in the second Pine was of more value to him alive than dead. Comforting himself with this reflection, he managed to maintain a fairly calm demeanor15 before his wife.
But on this night Lady Garvington was particularly exasperating16, for she constantly asked questions which the husband did not feel inclined to answer. Having heard that Lambert was in the village, she wished to know why he had not been asked to stay at The Manor, and defended the young man when Garvington pointed17 out that an iniquitous18 person who had robbed Agnes of two millions could not be tolerated by the man—Garvington meant himself—he had wronged. Then Jane inquired why Lambert had brought Chaldea to the house, and what had passed in the library, but received no answer, save a growl19. Finally she insisted that Freddy had lost his appetite, which was perfectly20 true.
"And I thought you liked that way of dressing21 a fish so much, dear," was her wail22. "I never seem to quite hit your taste."
"Oh, bother: leave me alone, Jane. I'm worried."
"I know you are, for you have eaten so little. What is the matter?"
"Everything's the matter, confound your inquisitiveness23. Hasn't Agnes lost all her money because of this selfish marriage with Noel, hang him? How the dickens do you expect us to carry on unless we borrow?"
"Can't you get some money from the person who now inherits?"
"Jarwin won't tell me the name."
"But I know who it is," said Lady Garvington triumphantly24. "One of the servants who went to the gypsy camp this afternoon told my maid, and my maid told me. The gypsies are greatly excited, and no wonder."
Freddy stared at her. "Excited, what about?"
"Why, about the money, dear. Don't you know?"
"No, I don't!" shouted Freddy, breaking a glass in his irritation25. "What is it? Bother you, Jane. Don't keep me hanging on in suspense26."
"I'm sure I never do, Freddy, dear. It's Hubert's money which has gone to his mother."
Garvington jumped up. "Who—who—who is his mother?" he demanded, furiously.
"That dear old Gentilla Stanley."
"What! What! What!"
"Oh, Freddy," said his wife plaintively27. "You make my head ache. Yes, it's quite true. Celestine had it from William the footman. Fancy, Gentilla having all that money. How lucky she is."
"Why, dear. I'm sure she's going to make good use of the money. She says—so William told Celestine—that she would give a million to learn for certain who murdered poor Hubert."
"Would she? would she? would she?" Garvington's gooseberry eyes nearly dropped out of his head, and he babbled29, and burbled, and choked, and spluttered, until his wife was quite alarmed.
"Freddy, you always eat too fast. Go and lie down, dear."
"Yes," said Garvington, rapidly making up his mind to adopt a certain course about which he wished his wife to know nothing. "I'll lie down, Jane."
"And don't take any more wine," warned Jane, as she drifted out of the dining-room. "You are quite red as it is, dear."
But Freddy did not take this advice, but drank glass after glass until he became pot-valiant. He needed courage, as he intended to go all by himself to the lonely Abbot's Wood Cottage and interview Silver. It occurred to Freddy that if he could induce the secretary to give up Miss Greeby to justice, Mother Cockleshell, out of gratitude30, might surrender to him the sum of one million pounds. Of course, the old hag might have been talking all round the shop, and her offer might be bluff31, but it was worth taking into consideration. Garvington, thinking that there was no time to lose, since his cousin might be beforehand in denouncing the guilty woman, hurried on his fur overcoat, and after leaving a lying statement with the butler that he had gone to bed, he went out by the useful blue door. In a few minutes he was trotting32 along the well-known path making up his mind what to say to Silver. The interview did not promise to be an easy one.
"I wish I could do without him," thought the treacherous33 little scoundrel as he left his own property and struck across the waste ground beyond the park wall. "But I can't, dash it all, since he's the only person who saw the crime actually committed. 'Course he'll get jailed as an accessory-after-the-fact: but when he comes out I'll give him a thousand or so if the old woman parts. At all events, I'll see what Silver is prepared to do, and then I'll call on old Cockleshell and make things right with her. Hang it," Freddy had a qualmish feeling. "The exposure won't be pleasant for me over that unlucky letter, but if I can snaffle a million, it's worth it. Curse the honor of the family, I've got to look after myself somehow. Ho! ho!" he chuckled34 as he remembered his cousin. "What a sell for Noel when he finds that I've taken the wind out of his sails. Serve him jolly well right."
In this way Garvington kept up his spirits during the walk, and felt entirely35 cheerful and virtuous36 by the time he reached the cottage. In the thin, cold moonlight, the wintry wood looked spectral37 and wan38. The sight of the frowning monoliths, the gaunt, frozen trees and the snow-powdered earth, made the luxurious39 little man shiver. Also the anticipated conversation rather daunted40 him, although he decided41 that after all Silver was but a feeble creature who could be easily managed. What Freddy forgot was that he lacked pluck himself, and that Silver, driven into a corner, might fight with the courage of despair. The sight of the secretary's deadly white and terrified face as he opened the door sufficient to peer out showed that he was at bay.
"If you come in I'll shoot," he quavered, brokenly. "I'll—I'll brain you with the poker42. I'll throw hot water on you, and—and scratch out your—your—"
"Come, come," said Garvington, boldly. "It's only me—a friend!"
Silver recognized the voice and the dumpy figure of his visitor. At once he dragged him into the passage and barred the door quickly, breathing hard meanwhile. "I don't mind you," he giggled43, hysterically44. "You're in the same boat with me, my lord. But I fancied when you knocked that the police—the police"—his voice died weakly in his throat: he cast a wild glance around and touched his neck uneasily as though he already felt the hangman's rope encircling it.
Garvington did not approve of this grim pantomime, and swore. "I'm quite alone, damn you," he said roughly. "It's all right, so far!" He sat down and loosened his overcoat, for the place was like a Turkish bath for heat. "I want a drink. You've been priming yourself, I see," and he pointed to a decanter of port wine and a bottle of brandy which were on the table along with a tray of glasses. "Silly ass5 you are to mix."
"I'm—I'm—keeping up my—my spirits," giggled Silver, wholly unnerved, and pouring out the brandy with a shaking hand. "There you are, my lord. There's water, but no soda45."
"Keeping up your spirits by pouring spirits down," said Garvington, venturing on a weak joke. "You're in a state of siege, too."
Silver certainly was. He had bolted the shutters46, and had piled furniture against the two windows of the room. On the table beside the decanter and bottles of brandy, lay a poker, a heavy club which Lambert had brought from Africa, and had left behind when he gave up the cottage, a revolver loaded in all six chambers47, and a large bread knife. Apparently48 the man was in a dangerous state of despair and was ready to give the officers of the law a hostile welcome when they came to arrest him. He touched the various weapons feverishly49.
"I'll give them beans," he said, looking fearfully from right to left. "Every door is locked; every window is bolted. I've heaped up chairs and sofas and tables and chests of drawers, and wardrobes and mattresses50 against every opening to keep the devils out. And the lamps—look at the lamps. Ugh!" he shuddered51. "I can't bear to be in the dark."
"Plenty of light," observed Garvington, and spoke52 truly, for there must have been at least six lamps in the room—two on the table, two on the mantel-piece, and a couple on the sideboard. And amidst his primitive53 defences sat Silver quailing54 and quivering at every sound, occasionally pouring brandy down his throat to keep up his courage.
The white looks of the man, the disorder55 of the room, the glare of the many lights, and the real danger of the situation, communicated their thrill to Garvington. He shivered and looked into shadowy corners, as Silver did; then strove to reassure9 both himself and his companion. "Don't worry so," he said, sipping56 his brandy to keep him up to concert pitch, "I've got an idea which will be good for both of us."
"What is it?" questioned the secretary cautiously. He naturally did not trust the man who had betrayed him.
"Do you know who has inherited Pine's money?"
"No. The person named in the sealed envelope?"
"Exactly, and the person is Mother Cockleshell."
Silver was so amazed that he forgot his fright. "What? Is Gentilla Stanley related to Pine?"
"She's his grandmother, it seems. One of my servants was at the camp to-day and found the gypsies greatly excited over the old cat's windfall."
"Whew!" Silver whistled and drew a deep breath. "If I'd known that, I'd have got round the old woman. But it's too late now since all the fat is on the fire. Mr. Lambert knows too much, and you have confessed what should have been kept quiet."
"I had to save my own skin," said Garvington sullenly57. "After all, I had nothing to do with the murder. I never guessed that you were so mixed up in it until Lambert brought that bullet to fit the revolver I lent you."
"And which I gave to Miss Greeby," snapped Silver tartly58. "She is the criminal, not me. What a wax she will be in when she learns the truth. I expect your cousin will have her arrested."
"I don't think so. He has some silly idea in his head about the honor of our name, and won't press matters unless he is forced to."
"Who can force him?" asked Silver, looking more at ease, since he saw a gleam of hope.
"Chaldea! She's death on making trouble."
"Can't we silence her? Remember you swing on my hook."
"No, I don't," contradicted Garvington sharply. "I can't be arrested."
"For forging that letter you can!"
"It won't, I tell you. There's no one to prosecute61. You are the person who is in danger, as you knew Miss Greeby to be guilty, and are therefore an accessory after the fact."
"If Mr. Lambert has the honor of your family at heart he will do nothing," said the secretary hopefully; "for if Miss Greeby is arrested along with me the writing of that letter is bound to come out."
"I don't care. It's worth a million."
"What is worth a million?"
"The exposure. See here, Silver, I hear that Mother Cockleshell is willing to hand over that sum to the person who finds the murderer of her grandson. We know that Miss Greeby is guilty, so why not give her up and earn the money?"
The secretary rose in quivering alarm. "But I'd be arrested also. You said so; you know you said so."
"And I say so again," remarked Garvington, leaning back coolly. "You'd not be hanged, you know, although she would. A few years in prison would be your little lot and when you came out I could give you say—er—er—ten thousand pounds. There! That's a splendid offer."
"Where would you get the ten thousand? Tell me!" asked Silver with a curious look.
"From the million Mother Cockleshell would hand over to me."
"For denouncing me?"
"For denouncing Miss Greeby."
"You beast!" shrieked62 Silver hysterically. "You know quite well that if she is taken by the police I have no chance of escaping. I'd run away now if I had the cash. But I haven't. I count on your cousin keeping quiet because of your family name, and you shan't give the show away."
"But think," said Garvington, persuasively63, "a whole million."
"For you, and only ten thousand for me. Oh, I like that."
"Well, I'll make it twenty thousand."
"No! no."
"Thirty thousand."
"No! no! no!"
"Forty, fifty, sixty, seventy—oh, hang it, you greedy beast! I'll give you one hundred thousand. You'd be rich for life then."
"Would I, curse you!" Silver clenched64 his fists and backed against the wall looking decidedly dangerous. "And risk a life-long sentence to get the money while you take the lion's share."
"You'd only get ten years at most," argued the visitor, annoyed by what he considered to be silly objections.
"Ten years are ten centuries at my time of life. You shan't denounce me."
Garvington rose. "Yes, I shall," he declared, rendered desperate by the dread65 lest he should lose the million. "I'm going to Wanbury to-night to tell Inspector66 Darby and get a warrant for Miss Greeby's arrest along with yours as her accomplice67."
Silver flung himself forward and gripped Garvington's coat. "You daren't!"
"Yes, I dare. I can't be hurt. I didn't murder the man and I'm not going to lose a pile of money for your silly scruples68."
"Oh, my lord, consider." Silver in a panic dropped on his knees. "I shall be shut up for years; it will kill me; it will kill me! And you don't know what a terrible and clever woman Miss Greeby is. She may deny that I gave her the revolver and I can't prove that I did. Then I might be accused of the crime and hanged. Hanged!" cried the poor wretch69 miserably70. "Oh, you'll never give me away, my lord, will you."
"Confound you, don't I risk my reputation to get the money," raged Garvington, shaking off the trembling arms which were round his knees. "The truth of the letter will have to come out, and then I'm dished so far as society is concerned. I wouldn't do it—tell that is—but that the stakes are so large. One million is waiting to be picked up and I'm going to pick it up."
"No! no! no! no!" Silver grovelled71 on the floor and embraced Garvington's feet. But the more he wailed72 the more insulting and determined73 did the visitor become. Like all tyrants74 and bullies75 Garvington gained strength and courage from the increased feebleness of his victim. "Don't give me up," wept the secretary, nearly beside himself with terror; "don't give me up."
"Oh, damn you, get out of the way!" said Garvington, and made for the door. "I go straight to Wanbury," which statement was a lie, as he first intended to see Mother Cockleshell at the camp and make certain that the reward was safe. But Silver believed him and was goaded76 to frenzy77.
"You shan't go!" he screamed, leaping to his feet, and before Garvington knew where he was the secretary had the heavy poker in his grasp. The little fat lord gave a cry of terror and dodged78 the first blow which merely fell on his shoulder. But the second alighted on his head and with a moan he dropped to the ground. Silver flung away the poker.
"Are you dead? are you dead?" he gasped79, kneeling beside Garvington, and placed his hand on the senseless man's heart. It still beat feebly, so he arose with a sigh of relief. "He's only stunned," panted Silver, and staggered unsteadily to the table to seize a glass of brandy. "I'll, ah—ah—ah!" he shrieked and dropped the tumbler as a loud and continuous knocking came to the front door.
Naturally in his state of panic he believed that the police had actually arrived, and here he had struck down Lord Garvington. Even though the little man was not dead, Silver knew that the assault would add to his punishment, although he might have concluded that the lesser80 crime was swallowed up in the greater. But he was too terrified to think of doing anything save hiding the stunned man, and with a gigantic effort he managed to fling the body behind the sofa. Then he piled up rugs and cushions between the wall and the back of the sofa until Garvington was quite hidden and ran a considerable risk of being suffocated81. All the time the ominous82 knocking continued, as though the gallows83 was being constructed. At least it seemed so to Silver's disturbed fancy, and he crept along to the door holding the revolver in an unsteady grip.
"Who—who—is—"
"Let me in; let me in," said a loud, hard voice. "I'm Miss Greeby. I have come to save you. Let me in."
Silver had no hesitation84 in obeying, since she was in as much danger as he was and could not hurt him without hurting herself. With trembling fingers he unbolted the door and opened it, to find her tall and stately and tremendously impatient on the threshold. She stepped in and banged the door to without locking it. Silver's teeth chattered85 so much and his limbs trembled so greatly that he could scarcely move or speak. On seeing this—for there was a lamp in the passage—Miss Greeby picked him up in her big arms like a baby and made for the sitting-room86. When, within she pitched Silver on to the sofa behind which Garvington lay senseless, and placing her arms akimbo surveyed him viciously.
"You infernal worm!" said Miss Greeby, grim and savage87 in her looks, "you have split on me, have you?"
"How—how—how do you know?" quavered Silver mechanically, noting that in her long driving coat with a man's cap she looked more masculine than ever.
"How do I know? Because Chaldea was hiding under the studio window this afternoon and overheard all that passed between you and Garvington and that meddlesome88 Lambert. She knew that I was in danger and came at once to London to tell me since I had given her my address. I lost no time, but motored down here and dropped her at the camp. Now I've come to get you out of the country."
"Yes, you cowardly swine, although I'd rather choke the life out of you if it could be done with safety. You denounced me, you beast."
"I had to; my own neck was in danger."
"It's in danger now. I'd strangle you for two pins. But I intend to send you abroad since your evidence is dangerous to me. If you are out of the way there's no one else can state that I shot Pine. Here's twenty pounds in gold;" she thrust a canvas bag into the man's shaking hands; "get on your coat and cap and I'll take you to the nearest seaport90 wherever that is. My motor is on the verge91 of the wood. You must get on board some ship and sail for the world's end. I'll send you more money when you write. Come, come," she stamped, "sharp's the word."
"But—but—but—"
Miss Greeby lifted him off the sofa by the scruff of the neck. "Do you want to be killed?" she said between her teeth, "there's no time to be lost. Chaldea tells me that Lambert threatens to have me arrested."
The prospect92 of safety and prosperity in a distant land so appealed to Silver that he regained93 his courage in a wonderfully short space of time. Rising to his feet he hastily drained another glass of brandy and the color came back to his wan cheeks. But for all the quantity he had drank that same evening he was not in the least intoxicated94. He was about to rush out of the room to get his coat and cap when Miss Greeby laid a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Is there any one else in the house?" she asked suspiciously.
Silver cast a glance towards the sofa. "There's no servant," he said in a stronger voice. "I have been cooking and looking after myself since I came here. But—but—but—"
"But what, you hound?" she shook him fiercely.
"Garvington's behind the sofa."
"Garvington!" Miss Greeby was on the spot in a moment pulling away the concealing95 rugs and cushions. "Have you murdered him?" she demanded, drawing a deep breath and looking at the senseless man.
"No, he's only stunned. I struck him with the poker because he wanted to denounce me."
"Quite right." Miss Greeby patted the head of her accomplice as if he were a child, "You're bolder than I thought. Go on; hurry up! Before Garvington recovers his senses we'll be far enough away. Denounce me; denounce him, will you?" she said, looking at Garvington while the secretary slipped out of the room; "you do so at your own cost, my lord. That forged letter won't tell in your favor. Ha!" she started to her feet. "What's that! Who's here?"
She might well ask. There was a struggle going on in the passage, and she heard cries for help. Miss Greeby flung open the sitting-room door, and Silver, embracing Mother Cockleshell, tumbled at her feet. "She got in by the door you left open," cried Silver breathlessly, "hold her or we are lost; we'll never get away."
"No, you won't!" shouted the dishevelled old woman, producing a knife to keep Miss Greeby at bay. "Chaldea came to the camp and I learned through Kara how she'd brought you down, my Gentile lady. I went to tell the golden rye, and he's on the way here with the village policeman. You're done for."
"Not yet." Miss Greeby darted97 under the uplifted knife and caught Gentilla round the waist. The next moment the old woman was flung against the wall, breathless and broken up. But she still contrived98 to hurl99 curses at the murderess of her grandson.
"I saw you shoot him; I saw you shoot him," screamed Mother Cockleshell, trying to rise.
"Silver, make for the motor; it's near the camp; follow the path," ordered Miss Greeby breathlessly; "there's no time to be lost. As to this old devil—" she snatched up a lamp as the secretary dashed out of the house, and flung it fairly at Gentilla Stanley. In a moment the old woman was yelling with agony, and scrambled100 to her feet a pillar of fire. Miss Greeby laughed in a taunting101 manner and hurled102 another lamp behind the sofa. "You'd have given me up also, would you, Garvington?" she cried in her deep tone; "take that, and that, and that."
Lamp after lamp was smashed and burst into flames, until only one was left. Then Miss Greeby, seeing with satisfaction that the entire room was on fire and hearing the sound of hasty footsteps and the echoing of distant voices, rushed in her turn from the cottage. As she bolted the voice of Garvington screaming with pain and dread was heard as he came to his senses to find himself encircled by fire. And Mother Cockleshell also shrieked, not so much because of her agony as to stop Miss Greeby from escaping.
"Rye! Rye! she's running; catch her; catch her. Aha—aha—aha!" and she sank into the now blazing furnace of the room.
The walls of the cottage were of mud, the partitions and roof of wood and thatch103, so the whole place soon burned like a bonfire. Miss Greeby shot out of the door and strode at a quick pace across the glade104. But as she passed beyond the monoliths, Lambert, in company with a policeman, made a sudden appearance and blocked her way of escape. With a grim determination to thwart105 him she kilted up her skirts and leaped like a kangaroo towards the undergrowth beneath the leafless trees. By this time the flames were shooting through the thatched roof in long scarlet106 streamers and illuminated107 the spectral wood with awful light.
"Stop! stop!" cried Lambert, racing96 to cut off the woman's retreat, closely followed by the constable108.
Miss Greeby laughed scornfully, and instead of avoiding them as they crossed her path, she darted straight towards the pair. In a moment, by a dexterous109 touch of her shoulders right and left, she knocked them over by taking them unawares, and then sprang down the path which curved towards the gypsies' encampment. At its end the motor was waiting, and so vivid was the light that she saw Silver's black figure bending down as he frantically110 strove to start the machine. She travelled at top speed, fearful lest the man should escape without her.
Then came an onrush of Romany, attracted to the glade by the fire. They guessed from Miss Greeby's haste that something was seriously wrong and tried to stop her. But, delivering blows straight from the shoulder, here, there, and everywhere, the woman managed to break through, and finally reached the end of the pathway. Here was the motor and safety, since she hoped to make a dash for the nearest seaport and get out of the kingdom before the police authorities could act.
But the stars in their course fought against her. Silver, having started the machinery111, was already handling the steering112 gear, and bent113 only upon saving his own miserable114 self, had put the car in motion. He could only drive in a slip-slop amateur way and aimlessly zigzagged115 down the sloping bank which fell away to the high road. As the motor began to gather speed Miss Greeby ran for her life and liberty, ranging at length breathlessly alongside. The gypsies tailed behind, shouting.
"Stop, you beast!" screamed Miss Greeby, feeling fear for the first time, and she tried to grab the car for the purpose of swinging herself on board.
But Silver urged it to greater speed. "I save myself; myself," he shrieked shrilly116 and unhinged by deadly terror, "get away; get away."
In his panic he twisted the wheel in the wrong direction, and the big machine swerved117 obediently. The next moment Miss Greeby was knocked down and writhed118 under the wheels. She uttered a tragic119 cry, but little Silver cared for that. Rendered merciless with fear he sent the car right over her body, and then drove desperately120 down the hill to gain the hard road. Miss Greeby, with a broken back, lay on the ground and saw as in a ghastly dream her machine flash roaring along the highway driven by a man who could not manage it. Even in her pain a smile crept over her pale face.
"He's done for, the little beast," she muttered, "he'll smash. Lambert! Lambert!" The man whose name she breathed had arrived as she spoke; and knelt breathlessly beside her to raise her head. "You—you—oh, poor creature!" he gasped.
"I'm done for, Lambert," she panted in deadly pain, "back broken. I sinned for you, but—but you can't hang me. Look—look after Garvington—Cockleshell too—look—look—Augh!" and she moaned.
"Where are they?"
"In—in—the—cottage," murmured the woman, and fell back in a fainting condition with a would-be sneering121 laugh.
Lambert started to his feet with an oath, and leaving the wretched woman to the care of some gypsies, ran back to the glade. The cottage was a mass of streaming, crackling flames, and there was no water to extinguish these, as he realized with sudden fear. It was terrible to think that the old woman and Garvington were burning in that furnace, and desperately anxious to save at least one of the two, Lambert tried to enter the door. But the heat of the fire drove him back, and the flames seemed to roar at his discomfiture122. He could do nothing but stand helplessly and gaze upon what was plainly Garvington's funeral pyre.
By this time the villagers were making for the wood, and the whole place rang with cries of excitement and dismay. The wintry scene was revealed only too clearly by the ruddy glare and by the same sinister123 light. Lambert suddenly beheld124 Chaldea at his elbow. Gripping his arm, she spoke hoarsely125, "The tiny rye is dead. He drove the engine over a bank and it smashed him to a pulp126."
"Oh! ah! And—and Miss Greeby?"
"She is dying."
"She is dead and he is dead by now," said Chaldea, looking with a callous128 smile at the burning cottage, "both are dead—Lord Garvington."
"Lord Garvington?" Lambert groaned again. He had forgotten that he now possessed the title and what remained of the family estates.
"Avali!" cried Chaldea, clapping her hands and nodding toward the cottage with a meaning smile, "there's the bonfire to celebrate the luck."
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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nefarious
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| adj.恶毒的，极坏的 | |
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plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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manly
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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reassure
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reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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slur
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| v.含糊地说；诋毁；连唱；n.诋毁；含糊的发音 | |
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lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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doom
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demeanor
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exasperating
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pointed
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iniquitous
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| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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19
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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21
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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22
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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23
inquisitiveness
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| 好奇，求知欲 | |
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24
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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25
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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26
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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27
plaintively
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| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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28
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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29
babbled
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| v.喋喋不休( babble的过去式和过去分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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30
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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31
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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32
trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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33
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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34
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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36
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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37
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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38
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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39
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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40
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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42
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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43
giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
hysterically
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| ad. 歇斯底里地 | |
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45
soda
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| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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46
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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47
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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48
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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49
feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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50
mattresses
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| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
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51
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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52
spoke
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| 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 | |
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53
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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54
quailing
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| 害怕，发抖，畏缩( quail的现在分词 ) | |
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55
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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56
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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57
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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58
tartly
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| adv.辛辣地，刻薄地 | |
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59
maim
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| v.使残废，使不能工作，使伤残 | |
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60
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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61
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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62
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
persuasively
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| adv.口才好地；令人信服地 | |
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64
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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66
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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67
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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68
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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69
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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70
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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71
grovelled
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| v.卑躬屈节，奴颜婢膝( grovel的过去式和过去分词 )；趴 | |
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72
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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74
tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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75
bullies
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| n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负 | |
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76
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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77
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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78
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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79
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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80
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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81
suffocated
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| （使某人）窒息而死( suffocate的过去式和过去分词 )； （将某人）闷死； 让人感觉闷热； 憋气 | |
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82
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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83
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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84
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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85
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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86
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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87
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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88
meddlesome
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| adj.爱管闲事的 | |
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89
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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90
seaport
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| n.海港，港口，港市 | |
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91
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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92
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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93
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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94
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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95
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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96
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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97
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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98
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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99
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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100
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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101
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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102
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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103
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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104
glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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105
thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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106
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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107
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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108
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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109
dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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110
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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111
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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112
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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113
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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114
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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115
zigzagged
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| adj.呈之字形移动的v.弯弯曲曲地走路，曲折地前进( zigzag的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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117
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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120
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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121
sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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122
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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123
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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124
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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125
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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126
pulp
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| n.果肉，纸浆；v.化成纸浆，除去...果肉，制成纸浆 | |
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127
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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128
callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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