Now, Jeremiah was a married man--married within the last twelve months to a diminutive15, albeit16 not over-shrewd, black-haired tyrant17, whose greatest of all desires was to live at Poldew. If only Slade could be transferred to that centre of gaiety--so different from Grimleigh--the little woman would be perfectly18 happy. At least she thought so. Now, if only Jeremiah could distinguish himself in the performance of his duties sufficiently19 to attract the intelligent and ever-watchful eye of Inspector20 Chard, it was not beyond the bounds of probability that the much-desired transference might come to pass. Therefore was Mistress Slade ever goading21 her good man to accomplish the impossible. She was as anxious as--nay, more so than he, that some tragedy of ample dimensions should take place. She, too, saw nothing but promotion22 and glory in the mysterious murder of Tera, and, the morning after the body had been transferred to the dead-house, she chose to attack Jeremiah on the subject, while she prepared his breakfast. Slade sat over the kitchen fire reading "The Moonstone." He hoped therefrom to extract inspiration for the task which he was about to undertake. It is truly an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and the Slades looked on the tragic23 fate of Tera as the foundation of their humble24 fortunes.
"Jerry," said Mrs. Slade, pouring out the tea, "you have your chance now. If you can find out who killed that girl, we'll be sent to Poldew, sure."
"Bah! your novels ain't no good, Jerry. This is real life, this is."
"The chaps that writes takes their ideas from real life, Jemima. But I know what I'm goin' to do."
"What is it, Jerry? Sit in to your tea."
P.O. Slade hitched27 up his chair to the table, and loosened his belt the better to enjoy his breakfast.
"I'm goin' to see that Mr. Brand, the missionary28."
"Why, Jerry, what's 'e got to do with it?"
"I've been makin' inquiries29 on my own hook," said Slade, nodding; "and I've found out from some of those Bethesda folk as Mr. Brand, was a-goin' to take that nigger girl back to her island. Now's she's murdered, he won't like it. 'Sides," added Jeremiah, his mouth full of bread-and-butter, "Mr. Brand, he don't like the parson."
"What good does that do?"
"Good? You never will read to improve your mind, Jemima. Why, don't the book say as the detective always gets 'old of the enemy of the cove14 as done the crime?"
"But Mr. Johnson ain't done it, you fool! Lor'!" suddenly enlightened, "p'r'aps it is 'im!"
Jeremiah nodded three times, and drank his cup to the dregs. "And don't you go talkin' about it, neither; or you'll never get to Poldew. D'ye 'ear?"
"I'll be as silent as the tomb," said Mrs. Slade, who was a virago30 chiefly so far as domestic matters were concerned. "What makes you think as Mr. Johnson did it, Jerry? I've seen 'im myself, and 'e's that pale he couldn't kill a little fly."
"D'yer know Mr. Mayne?"
"Yes, I do, and ashamed I am to 'ear you mention it. Oh, don't look at me like that, Jeremiah. I know how you and 'e used to go on with them gipsy girls."
"That was in the exercise of my dooty."
"Zara Lovell wasn't your duty, Jeremiah. The way as you and Mr. Mayne be'aved to that girl was disgraceful, it was. If them gipsies 'adn't gone away, her 'usband, Pharaoh Lee, would 'a knifed you."
"He wasn't her 'usband; only goin' to be. You 'old yer tongue!" cried Jeremiah, ferociously32. "All that's dead and done with two years ago. I ain't got nothin' to do with Zara now. Ain't I married to you?"
"That you are; and the best day's work it was you ever did in your life."
"An' I'm goin' to do a better, as 'll get us to Poldew, if you'll only 'ear reason. Now, if you're a-goin' to weep, I'll get away."
"I ain't crying, Jerry," said Mrs. Slade, hastily, wiping her eyes with her apron33. "Tell me, lovey, what's this about Mr. Mayne?"
"Well, I knowed 'e was at the findin' of the body, which I wasn't," said the mollified Jeremiah; "so I arsk'd him a few questions, seein' as we was always of a friendly turn with one another."
"Them gipsies was----"
"Look 'ere; d'yer want me to go? 'Cos I'll go, sure enough, if you don't stop rakin' up them gipsies."
Dearly would Mrs. Slade have liked to develop her embryo34 quarrel, for she loved a few high words, "just to clear the air," as she put it. But an indulgence to this extent meant that her curiosity might not be gratified--it might possibly even jeopardize35 the contemplated36 transfer to Poldew; so with great and praiseworthy self-denial she curbed38 her tongue, and nodded to her husband to continue.
"Mr. Mayne," said Slade, with a scowl39 at her, "told me as 'ow Mr. Johnson was in love with this girl, and she ran away from 'im, not forgettin' to take three thousand pounds' worth of pearls with 'er."
"Mr. Johnson says she run away," added Jeremiah; "but I ain't read my books for nothin'. Them as does the deed always tells lies." His voice was veritably tragic now. "If she did run away, Jemima, she only got as far as that there cornfield. There, in the dark night, the villain41 strangled 'er in all her youthful beauty" (this was clearly the influence of the detective novelist), "an' stole the jewels to pay 'is debts."
"Lor'!" cried Mrs. Slade again, "you don't say as Mr. Johnson has debts?"
"All Grimleigh couldn't pay what he owes. Oh! 'e is the murderer, right enough, Jemima; so I'm a-goin' to see Mr. Brand, and find out what 'e knows about this parson chap. Then I'll call on 'im, and 'ave a squint42 round 'is parlour."
"You ain't likely to find nothing there."
"Lor', Jeremiah, what a great man you are! And will you tell all this to Mr. Chard?"
"Not till I have a complete case against Mr. Johnson. When I 'ave, then I'll go to him, and I'll say, 'Thou art the man!' and run 'im in. Then we'll go to Poldew."
"Oh, can't I help, Jeremiah?"
"Well," said the policeman, in a patronizing tone, "you might see Mrs. Johnson, and pick up what yer can. She's an old lady as talks freely; so find out if the nigger girl and Johnson 'ad a row. That'll be strong circumstanshal evidence, any'ow."
"I'll do it, Jeremiah; I'll do it! I can easy take up some fish as a gift to Mrs. Johnson. I've met her two or three times, and she's got a friendly side to me."
"Mind you're careful, Jemima--and, above all, 'old your tongue."
Enunciating these words in his most majestic44 manner, the new Vidocq put on his helmet, and left Jemima doing her best to cork45 up the information she had received. No easy task for a lady with a tongue excessively developed longitudinally.
In the mean time, Grimleigh was in a great state of excitement. It was rarely that a murder occurred in their quiet neighbourhood, and this fact, coupled with their intimate knowledge of the victim, roused their interest in an extraordinary degree. The inquest was to take place in the afternoon, at "The Fisherman's Rest"--a hostel46 near the shed in which the body had been laid out. The town was on tiptoe of excitement. Amongst the witnesses whom Chard intended to call was Mr. Johnson; and he sent up the astute47 Slade to serve the minister with a subp[oe]na. Jeremiah was delighted at this chance, which, as likely as not, would bring him into the study of the man he suspected. He resolved to use his eyes sharply. Fortune often acts generously when she acts at all, and as Slade was climbing the hill, he met Korah Brand. This was the very man he wanted to see, and he at once saluted48 him.
"What is it?" asked Brand, impatiently. He looked older than usual, and a trifle pale. It was evident that the loss of Tera had affected49 him in an unusual degree, as in truth it had; for without Tera, Brand did not care to return to Koiau. If he did, it would be at the risk of his life; for, on learning of his daughter's death, Buli would as likely as not sacrifice the luckless missionary on the altar of his god. It was therefore with no very great good will that he submitted to be stopped by this raw-boned Goliath.
"Jeremiah Slade," replied the officer. "I am a police-constable in this town. I am on my way to serve Mr. Johnson with a subp[oe]na."
"Oh, the shame, the shame that has fallen on Bethgamul!" said Brand, in tones of deep grief. "Our dear sister is taken, and our pastor50 has to bow down in the temple of Rimmon!"
"He's got to appear at the inquest, if that's what you mean, sir; but this subp[oe]na"--Slade looked round anxiously, then approached his mouth to the missionary's ear, "why shouldn't it be a warrant?"
"Do you know any reason why it should be a warrant?" he asked sharply.
"I have my own idea, sir."
"What is your idea?"
Slade took time to consider, and pulled his red moustache. "See here, Mr. Brand," he said softly, "do you want disgrace to fall on that chapel52 of yours?"
"Well then, sir, don't ask me questions about your parson."
The missionary bent54 his shaggy brows on the man, and stroked his beard. "Do you suspect Mr. Johnson?"
"Yes, I do; but nobody else does, except--yourself."
"I!" Brand started back in dismay. "'Get thee behind me, Satan!' Why should I suspect him?"
Jeremiah tapped him on the chest. "If you hold your tongue, I can hold mine," said he, and turned away.
In a moment Brand was after him, clutching his arm.
"Man, what do you mean?"
"Gammon! You know. Johnson killed that girl."
"Oh!" Brand withdrew his arm with a moan. "I feared so, I greatly feared so. How do you know?"
"I'll tell you, if you'll answer my questions and work with me."
"Any questions I can answer, I will; but work with you--why should I do that?"
"To get that parson chap arrested."
"No, no! Think of the disgrace to Bethgamul. I want him saved from the consequences of his sin."
"We'll think about that when we prove his guilt," said Slade, dryly. "But see here, it's a chance of his escape I'm offering you. If I tell Chard all I know, you won't get your parson off, I can tell you. I want to find out the truth of this mystery to get promotion. Help me to find out who killed the girl, and I'll perhaps make things safe for the man as done it."
This was purely55 a treacherous56 offer, as Slade knew that he could not get promotion unless the murderer of Tera was discovered and hanged. However, Korah Brand did not know this, and hoping to save Johnson--which for the sake of the chapel he really wished to do--he at once decided57 to accept Slade's offer.
"I'll help you all I can," he said, "on condition that you don't tell the inspector, should we find out the truth."
"It's a bargain, then!" Slade was delighted with the result of this diplomacy58. Already he felt worthy37 to rank with the heroes of any of his favourite novels. "Now then, Mr. Johnson's in debt, isn't he?"
"Yes, deeply in debt--the follies59 of his youth. He now knows how true is the text, 'Be sure thy sin will find thee out.'"
"He'll find it truer when I've done with him," said Jeremiah, grimly. "Well, sir, these pearls the girl had with her?"
"Yes. She took away some pearls. Johnson said so."
"Very good. Then Johnson murdered her for those pearls, so that he might sell them and pay his debts."
"How do you know?"
"It's a theory."
"A very bad one," said Brand, a worldly nature appearing through his religious veneer60, "The girl left the house with the pearls during Johnson's absence."
"Yes, but Johnson followed her."
"What of that? He did not see her. He says he did not."
"Oh," cried Slade, contemptuously, "he'd say anything to save his neck! Why, Mr. Herbert Mayne met him coming from the cornfield in which the body was found, that very night. You believe me, Mr. Brand; Johnson met the girl there, strangled her, sold the pearls, and hid her body in the corn."
"You can't prove that."
"We can prove it between us, Mr. Brand. You can prove as Johnson was sweet on the girl, and she'd have nothing to do with him. You can swear as 'e 'ad the pearls. His servant, by them bills and letters she picked up, can show that he was in debt, and Mr. Mayne can declare as Mr. Johnson left the cornfield on the night the girl ran away."
"But all this is merely circumstantial evidence," argued the missionary.
"Men have been hanged on as much before now. But I dare say we can make the case stronger. I'm going to serve this on Mr. Johnson, so in his study maybe I'll see something of them pearls."
"If he had the pearls, you may be sure he has disposed of them by this time," said Brand, with a sudden thought. "After Bithiah disappeared he went up to London, and was away for a week. He said it was to search for her; but I dare say it was to sell the pearls."
"Might be, sir. But if he's got the money for them, he'll have paid his debts."
"We must find out if he has."
"Very good. I leave that part of it to you; and now, sir, I'll get to business. You wait for me here, and I'll come back after I have had a squint round that room, and tell yer my impressions."
"You can't do much in so short a time."
"I can watch his face any'ow, as I serve this subp[oe]na. If 'e's guilty, guess I'll twig61 it--trust me. I ain't read detective stories for nothin'." With a complacent62 nod Slade made off, and Brand watched him enter the minister's house. He was absent for some ten minutes, during which time Korah stood staring at the sea, and wondered how he could return to his mission work at Koiau without Tera. Absorbed in these thoughts, he failed to hear Slade's returning footsteps, and it was only when he felt a touch on his shoulder that he turned to see the triumphant63 face of the man.
"What have you found?" he asked, guessing that Slade had made some discovery.
"Well, I saw Johnson, and he took the subp[oe]na, turning as pale as all villains64. Then I looked about me a bit. I noticed the curtains on the winder."
"I know, I know," groaned65 Brand, "vanity and vexation and gauds of the world. Gay curtains they are, tied back with red, white, and blue cords."
"Yes, but one of them cords is gone, Mr. Brand," cried Slade, exultingly66. "We've got 'im. That girl was strangled with a red, white, and blue cord. It ain't drawing back the curtain now. No, sir, it's round her throat."
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收听单词发音
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1
freckled
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| adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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capabilities
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| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
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rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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paltriness
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| n.不足取，无价值 | |
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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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omnivorous
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| adj.杂食的 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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fictitious
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| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
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depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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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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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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goading
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| v.刺激( goad的现在分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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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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hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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virago
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| n.悍妇 | |
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obtruded
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| v.强行向前，强行，强迫( obtrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ferociously
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| 野蛮地，残忍地 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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embryo
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| n.胚胎，萌芽的事物 | |
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jeopardize
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| vt.危及，损害 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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curbed
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| v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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42
squint
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| v. 使变斜视眼, 斜视, 眯眼看, 偏移, 窥视; n. 斜视, 斜孔小窗; adj. 斜视的, 斜的 | |
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43
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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hostel
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| n.（学生）宿舍，招待所 | |
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47
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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48
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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49
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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50
pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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51
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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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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53
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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54
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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55
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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56
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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57
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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58
diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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59
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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60
veneer
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| n.(墙上的)饰面，虚饰 | |
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61
twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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62
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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63
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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64
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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65
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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66
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
参考例句： |
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