CHAPTER XV—ON THE TRACK

 Those who had seen Edgar Caswall familiarly since his arrival, and had already estimated his cold-blooded nature at something of its true value, were surprised that he took so to heart the death of old Chester.  The fact was that not one of them had guessed correctly at his character.  They thought, naturally enough, that the concern which he felt was that of a master for a faithful old servant of his family.  They little thought that it was merely the selfish expression of his disappointment, that he had thus lost the only remaining clue to an interesting piece of family history—one which was now and would be for ever wrapped in mystery.  Caswall knew enough about the life of his ancestor in Paris to wish to know more fully¹ and more thoroughly² all that had been.  The period covered by that ancestor’s life in Paris was one inviting³ every form of curiosity.

 

Lady Arabella, who had her own game to play, saw in the métier of sympathetic friend, a series of meetings with the man she wanted to secure.  She made the first use of the opportunity the day after old Chester’s death; indeed, as soon as the news had filtered in through the back door of Diana’s Grove⁴.  At that meeting, she played her part so well that even Caswall’s cold nature was impressed.

 

Oolanga was the only one who did not credit her with at least some sense of fine feeling in the matter.  In emotional, as in other matters, Oolanga was distinctly a utilitarian⁵, and as he could not understand anyone feeling grief except for his own suffering, pain, or for the loss of money, he could not understand anyone simulating such an emotion except for show intended to deceive.  He thought that she had come to Castra Regis again for the opportunity of stealing something, and was determined⁶ that on this occasion the chance of pressing his advantage over her should not pass.  He felt, therefore, that the occasion was one for extra carefulness in the watching of all that went on.  Ever since he had come to the conclusion that Lady Arabella was trying to steal the treasure-chest, he suspected nearly everyone of the same design, and made it a point to watch all suspicious persons and places.  As Adam was engaged on his own researches regarding Lady Arabella, it was only natural that there should be some crossing of each other’s tracks.  This is what did actually happen.

 

Adam had gone for an early morning survey of the place in which he was interested, taking with him the mongoose in its box.  He arrived at the gate of Diana’s Grove just as Lady Arabella was preparing to set out for Castra Regis on what she considered her mission of comfort.  Seeing Adam from her window going through the shadows of the trees round the gate, she thought that he must be engaged on some purpose similar to her own.  So, quickly making her toilet, she quietly left the house, and, taking advantage of every shadow and substance which could hide her, followed him on his walk.

 

Oolanga, the experienced tracker, followed her, but succeeded in hiding his movements better than she did.  He saw that Adam had on his shoulder a mysterious box, which he took to contain something valuable.  Seeing that Lady Arabella was secretly following Adam, he was confirmed in this idea.  His mind—such as it was—was fixed⁷ on her trying to steal, and he credited her at once with making use of this new opportunity.

 

In his walk, Adam went into the grounds of Castra Regis, and Oolanga saw her follow him with great secrecy⁸.  He feared to go closer, as now on both sides of him were enemies who might make discovery.  When he realised that Lady Arabella was bound for the Castle, he devoted⁹ himself to following her with singleness of purpose.  He therefore missed seeing that Adam branched off the track and returned to the high road.

 

That night Edgar Caswall had slept badly.  The tragic¹⁰ occurrence of the day was on his mind, and he kept waking and thinking of it.  After an early breakfast, he sat at the open window watching the kite and thinking of many things.  From his room he could see all round the neighbourhood, but the two places that interested him most were Mercy Farm and Diana’s Grove.  At first the movements about those spots were of a humble¹¹ kind—those that belong to domestic service or agricultural needs—the opening of doors and windows, the sweeping¹² and brushing, and generally the restoration of habitual¹³ order.

 

From his high window—whose height made it a screen from the observation of others—he saw the chain of watchers move into his own grounds, and then presently break up—Adam Salton going one way, and Lady Arabella, followed by the nigger, another.  Then Oolanga disappeared amongst the trees; but Caswall could see that he was still watching.  Lady Arabella, after looking around her, slipped in by the open door, and he could, of course, see her no longer.

 

Presently, however, he heard a light tap at his door, then the door opened slowly, and he could see the flash of Lady Arabella’s white dress through the opening.

1 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

2 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

3 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。

4 grove   

n.林子，小树林，园林

参考例句：

• On top of the hill was a grove of tall trees.山顶上一片高大的树林。
• The scent of lemons filled the grove.柠檬香味充满了小树林。

5 utilitarian   

adj.实用的，功利的

参考例句：

• On the utilitarian side American education has outstridden the rest of the world.在实用方面美国教育已超越世界各国。
• A good cloth coat is more utilitarian than a fur one.一件优质的布外衣要比一件毛皮外衣更有用。

6 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

7 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

8 secrecy   

n.秘密，保密，隐蔽

参考例句：

• All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。
• Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。

9 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

10 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

11 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

12 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

13 habitual   

adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的

参考例句：

• He is a habitual criminal.他是一个惯犯。
• They are habitual visitors to our house.他们是我家的常客。