Jimmy had briefly8 related their adventures in the North, though nothing had yet been said about the party’s future plans. Now, however, Jaques and his wife were waiting to discuss them.
“Clay must have died soon after you left the yacht,” the storekeeper said. “As you believe his son is friendly, we have no opposition9 to fear; and we may as well settle what is to be done.”
“Bethune is our business manager,” Jimmy said. “Perhaps he will give us his opinion.”
Bethune leaned forward with a thoughtful air.
“In the first place, the matter is not so simple as it looks. We don’t know the whole story of the wreck10, and I’m inclined to think we’ll never learn it. On the other hand, there’s much to be guessed, and one could form a theory which would be rather hard to contradict. In fact, except for certain prejudices, I believe we could make some money out of it.”
“You can call them prejudices, if you like,” Mrs. Jaques broke in. “For all that, it would be wiser to act up to them.”
“It’s possible,” Bethune agreed. “Just the same, we’re in a rather responsible position.”
“I’m a trader,” Jaques remarked. “I want a fair profit on the money I lay out; but I stop at that. All the money I take is for value supplied.”
Jaques turned to Jimmy.
“Now that we’re talking about it, did you see where Clay got that case?”
“I didn’t; nor did anybody else. We were too busy to trouble about examining the hole he crawled into. I suppose there must have been a space between the top of the strong-room and the floor of the poop cabin.”
“It’s a curious place to stow a box of gold. You can understand their putting the sham11 case in the strong-room if they meant to wreck the boat; but then why didn’t they ship the genuine stuff by another vessel12?”
“That,” said Bethune, smiling, “is the point where my theory breaks down. The only explanation I can think of seems too far-fetched to mention.”
“We will let it go,” Mrs. Jaques interposed quickly. “What do you suggest doing with the gold you brought home?”
“We’ll take it to the underwriters and press for all the salvage13 we can get. If they’re not inclined to be liberal, we’ll go to court.”
“And the sham box? Will you give them that?” Mrs. Jaques asked.
Jimmy had been expecting the question, and he saw that he must speak. He knew that a fraud had been plotted in connection with the wreck; but it was not his business to investigate the matter. He admitted that this view might be challenged, but he was determined14 to act upon it. Suspicion rested on Osborne; but Jimmy had made up his mind that, whatever happened, Ruth should not suffer on his account. No sorrow or hint of shame must rest on her. Moreover, he had, in a sense, made Clay a promise; the dying man had trusted him.
“I claim that case,” he said quietly. “I told Clay I’d give it to Osborne.”
There was silence for a few moments, and then Jaques looked up.
“Well,” he said, “I’m not sure that’s not the best way out of it. What’s your idea, Mr. Bethune?”
“On the whole, I agree with you. Somebody may have meant to wreck the vessel, but we have no proof to offer; and, after all, it’s the gold that concerns us, and the underwriters who paid for it when lost will get it back. This ought to satisfy them; and I don’t see that it’s our part to go any further into the matter.” He smiled as he added: “I’ll admit it’s a course that seems likely to save us a good deal of trouble.”
They decided15 to deposit the gold in the vaults16 of an express company in Victoria, and that Bethune should then open negotiations17 with the insurers.
“I guess I could sell the Cetacea for you at a moderate price,” Jaques said. “One of the boys here thinks of going into the deep-water fishery.”
“I’d be sorry to part with the boat, but we have no use for her,” Jimmy replied. “Our idea is that if we can get enough from the insurance people we might make a venture in the towing and transport line. A small wooden, propeller18 tug19 wouldn’t cost very much; and we might even begin with a big launch or two.”
“It ought to pay,” declared Jaques. “The coasting trade’s pretty good; in fact, I often have to wait some time before I can get my truck brought up.”
“It’s only beginning,” Bethune said. “The coastline of this province is still practically undeveloped, but it’s studded with splendid natural harbors, and the extension of the new railroads to the sea will give trade a big impetus20. The men who get in first will make their profit. Of course, I’m looking forward a few years to the time when the narrow waters will be covered with steamboats, but in the meanwhile there’s a living to be picked up by towing booms for the sawmills and collecting small freight among the northern settlements.”
“I guess you’re right. First of all, you have to see the underwriters; then if you have any use for a few more dollars, let me know. I might help you in several ways.”
They talked the project over, though Bethune and Jaques took the leading part, and Jimmy sat by Mrs. Jaques in a state of quiet content. At the cost of much hardship and toil22, he had done what he had undertaken, and now a promising23 future was opening up. He had confidence in Bethune’s judgment24; the path they were starting on might lead to fortune. The thought of Ruth Osborne beckoned25 Jimmy forward. He was determined that none of the obstacles they would no doubt meet with should turn him aside. He had not his partner’s versatile26 genius, but he was endowed with a cool courage and a stubborn tenacity27 which were likely to carry him far.
With a gesture his hostess indicated her husband and Bethune.
“They’re getting keen, but I must say that Tom’s not often mistaken in business matters. He seems to think your prospects28 are good.”
“We must try to make them good,” Jimmy responded. “It was a fortunate thing for us that we met your husband. We were in a very tight place when he helped us.”
“I’ve wondered why you didn’t go to sea again before that happened. It would have been the easiest way out of your troubles.”
Jimmy grew confidential29.
“I had a strong reason for not wishing to leave the province.”
“Ah!” exclaimed Mrs. Jaques, and beamed upon him. “I understand. I hope you have made a wise choice. Falling in love is rather a serous thing. I suppose she’s pretty?”
“She’s beautiful!”
Mrs. Jaques smiled.
“So you stayed in Vancouver on her account! She would naturally wish to keep you.”
“I have no reason for believing that,” Jimmy answered with a downcast expression.
“You mean—”
Mrs. Jaques gave him a searching look before she finished her sentence:
“—that you don’t know whether she is fond of you or not?”
Jimmy hesitated, and the blood crept into his face as he thought of the night he had helped Ruth out of the launch.
“It may be a long time before I find out,” he said. “The trouble is that she’s a rich man’s daughter.”
“What is his name? Your confidence is safe.”
“Osborne.”
Mrs. Jaques showed her surprise, and Jimmy laughed.
“Oh, of course you think I’m mad. Now and then I feel sure of it myself.”
She studied him quietly for a moment. He was handsome, and had an honest, good-humored face, but there was a hint of force in it. He looked reliable, a man to trust, and Mrs. Jaques had a warm liking30 for him.
“No,” she said; “I don’t think so. Perhaps you’re rash; but, after all, daring’s better than cautious timidity—it carries one farther. Of course, there will be difficulties; but I wouldn’t despair. This a country where a bold man has many chances.”
“Thank you,” murmured Jimmy. “You have made me hopeful.” He looked up abruptly31 as Bethune addressed him. “Oh, yes,” he said hastily. “Quite so.”
“Quite so!” exclaimed Bethune. “My impression is that you haven’t heard a word I said.”
“I believe that’s possible,” Mrs. Jaques laughed. “However, he has a good excuse. You can’t blame him for talking to me.”
The party broke up soon afterward32, and the next morning the sloop sailed for Victoria. Jimmy spent several anxious days in the city before he got a telegram from Bethune informing him that he had come to terms with the underwriters. They were more liberal than Jimmy had hoped, and he thought there should be money enough to launch the new venture in a modest way. He gave the express company orders to deliver the gold, and then set off to visit Osborne.
It was evening when he reached the house. He entered it longing33 to see Ruth and wondering how she would greet him, but disturbed about his meeting with her father. He was shown at once into the library, and Osborne rose to receive him.
“Aynsley Clay told me that you would call, and I am glad you have done so,” he said cordially. “I hope you will stay for a few days.”
“Thanks, I’m afraid not,” Jimmy answered. “Perhaps I had better get my business done. I really came because Clay asked it; he made me promise to bring you something. I left it in the hall.”
Osborne rang a bell and a square package neatly34 sewed up in canvas was brought in. Jimmy placed it on the table as soon as they were alone, and began to cut the stitches.
“I don’t know whether you’ll be surprised or not,” he said, as he uncovered a strong wooden box which showed signs of having long been soaked in water.
“That!” exclaimed Osborne, dropping into the nearest chair. “Who found that box?”
“I did—in the steamer’s strong-room.”
“Yes,” Jimmy answered quietly. “It isn’t gold. Some of the stuff is still inside but I took the rest out to save weight.”
Osborne leaned back in his chair, limp from the shock.
“When did you find it?” he asked.
“About eight months ago, roughly speaking.”
“And Clay knew about it all along?”
“No. We didn’t tell him until a week before his death.”
“That sounds curious,” Osborne said suspiciously. “Since you were silent so long, why did you speak about the thing at last?”
“It looked as if we might have trouble. Clay could have prevented our working, and when he came off to talk matters over we told him about the case. In the end, he lent us his diver and all the assistance he could.”
“And was that the only concession38 he made?”
“Yes,” said Jimmy with a flush. “It was all we demanded and all we got. It would simplify things if you took that for granted.”
Jimmy made no response.
“Am I to understand that the case is mine absolutely, to do what I like with?” Osborne asked.
“Yes. You may regard it as a gift from Clay.”
“Who knows anything about the matter besides yourself?”
“My two partners, and a storekeeper who financed us, and his wife. They’re to be trusted. I’ll answer for them.”
“Well,” said Osborne quietly, “you’ll allow me to remark that you and your friends seem to have acted in a very honorable manner. That Clay should send me the case was, in a sense, characteristic of him; but I had no claim on you. If you won’t resent it, I should like to thank you for the line you have taken.”
“I haven’t finished my errand yet. You probably know that we salved a quantity of the gold, but you cannot have heard that we recovered and have accounted for every package that was insured.”
Osborne looked puzzled. He indicated the box on the table.
“You mean counting this one?”
“No; we found a duplicate, containing gold of rather more than the declared weight, on which the underwriters have paid our salvage claim.”
Osborne started, and his face expressed blank astonishment40.
“But it sounds impossible! I can’t understand—”
“It’s puzzling,” Jimmy agreed. “There’s obviously a mystery; but, after talking the thing over, my partners and I decided that we wouldn’t try to unravel41 it.”
“Perhaps you are wise. You are certainly considerate. But, still, I don’t see—Did you find the thing in the strong-room?”
“Not in the room. Clay showed me where to cut a hole in the roof. He crawled through and brought out the box. I imagine it was hidden among the deckbeams, but we hadn’t time to examine the place.”
“Ah!” exclaimed Osborne; for a light dawned on him as he remembered his partner’s determined attempt to break through the cabin floor on the night of the wreck. “Perhaps you are right. So the insurance people paid your claim and asked no questions. Did they seem satisfied?”
“Yes. I think the matter’s closed.”
There was keen relief in Osborne’s face, and the slackness of his pose suggested the sudden relaxing of a heavy strain. He sat very still for a few moments and then got up.
“Mr. Farquhar,” he said, “you must guess the satisfaction with which I have heard your news. Indeed, I feel that I must think over it quietly. If you will excuse me for a while, Miss Dexter and my daughter will be glad to entertain you.”
“But I must get back as soon as possible,” Jimmy objected, feeling that to stay, as he longed to do, would be embarrassing both to himself and to his host.
“You can’t leave before to-morrow,” said Osborne, smiling. “There’s no night boat now, the launch is under repairs, and my car’s in town. I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with our hospitality.”
He rang the bell, and when Jimmy left him he sat down with knitted brows. He wondered where Clay had got the gold. Then suddenly his fist clenched42 tightly and his frown grew deeper: he remembered that somebody had worked out the alluvial43 mine before they reached it. There was cause for grave suspicion there, particularly as the case had been put on board secretly, without appearing on the ship’s papers, which would have brought it to Osborne’s knowledge.
The box of gold, however, was not of the first importance. Clay, on his deathbed, perhaps by way of making reparation, had sent him a gift which had banished44 the apprehensions45 that had haunted him for years. Whatever Clay had done, Osborne could forgive him now. At last he was a free man: the only evidence against him was in his hands, and he meant to destroy it at once. After all, he had bitterly regretted his one great offense46; and his partner’s last act had been to save him from its consequences.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
veranda
|
|
| n.走廊；阳台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
wharf
|
|
| n.码头，停泊处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
sloop
|
|
| n.单桅帆船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
crest
|
|
| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
wreck
|
|
| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sham
|
|
| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
salvage
|
|
| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
vaults
|
|
| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
negotiations
|
|
| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
propeller
|
|
| n.螺旋桨，推进器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
tug
|
|
| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
impetus
|
|
| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
spoke
|
|
| 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： |
|
|
|
|
22
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
beckoned
|
|
| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
versatile
|
|
| adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
tenacity
|
|
| n.坚韧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
prospects
|
|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
confidential
|
|
| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
liking
|
|
| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
neatly
|
|
| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
beads
|
|
| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
perspiration
|
|
| n.汗水；出汗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
concession
|
|
| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
ironical
|
|
| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
unravel
|
|
| v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
alluvial
|
|
| adj.冲积的；淤积的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
banished
|
|
| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
offense
|
|
| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |