"Oh!--a clever man like you."
"Ah-a,--what pleasant feminine flattery."
"The truth. You are celebrated1."
"Charlatans4 don't cure people as you do, doctor,--nor can they ever hope to be knighted, like someone I know."
"Well," answered the stout5 man, again tickling6 his chin. "I am not so sure of that. Humbug7 often succeeds, where merit fails. Perhaps," his little black eyes twinkled, "perhaps that is why I can look forward to being Sir Daniel Jerce."
"In this case," Jerce shrugged9, and resumed a quarter-deck walk in the long drawing-room, "the Archangel Gabriel would be puzzled."
"Ask the Archangel Gabriel, Miss Baird."
"Miss Baird?" Like a woman her train of thought switched up a siding.
Jerce coloured all over his large waxen face, and he gulped12 with embarrassment13. "Of course, I have known you since you were a little girl," he began, awkwardly, "but----"
She cut him short. "Then why not call me Clarice?"
"Only too delighted," he stuttered. "Clarice, then."
"Clarice now, I rather think," she laughed, and, wondering at the confusion of this usually self-contained physician, returned forthwith to the topic which had created this conversation. "What can be the matter with Uncle Henry?" she said again.
Jerce became the medical man at once, and shook his head. "Ten years of attendance on Horran have left me where I was at the beginning."
"How strange."
"Everything connected with medicine is strange. The human body is a box of tricks, with which we play, in the dark."
"A box of bricks, you mean."
"As you please. We doctors build up the bodies of the sick, so I suppose flesh and bones, muscles and nerves, are the bricks. But this case--Horran's case--humph!" he resumed his walk with knitted brows, "yes, quite so. I confess that a post-mortem would settle the matter."
"Forgive me. Science is not quite human at times. Of course, I am here to cure Horran, not to kill him. I should indeed regret losing my best, and, as you say, my oldest friend. But how can I cure a man, when I don't know what is the matter with him?"
"What does Dr. Wentworth say?"
Jerce looked at the girl's pretty face and fairly laughed. "Wentworth is not a prospective15 knight," said he, dryly.
"Which means--?"
"That I don't wish to boast."
This time Clarice coloured. "I beg your pardon, doctor. I know that you are everybody and that Dr. Wentworth is nobody. You live in Harley Street and attend to titled people, while he works in a quiet Essex town amongst the middle-class and the poor. All the same," she was determined16 to have the last word, "the mouse may be able to assist the lion."
"I prefer a feminine mouse," said the doctor, smiling. "Suppose you assist me by detailing exactly what has happened."
Clarice leaned an elbow on the mantelpiece, and absently ruffled17 her brown hair before replying. "Mr. Horran has been complaining of headaches," she said at length, "and once or twice he has been sick. Also on rising suddenly from a chair, he has always felt giddy."
"You tell me nothing new, Miss--I mean Clarice. For ten years Horran has suffered in this way. Humph! The attacks of giddiness have not been so frequent, Wentworth tells me."
"No. Only every now and then."
"Humph! And his behaviour?"
"Well," Clarice hesitated, "he has been a trifle excited at times, and by Dr. Wentworth's advice he gave up his one glass of whisky at night."
"I see," Jerce once more scratched his chin. "Alcohol excites him."
"Anything unusual seems to excite him, doctor. Mr. Horran gets quite hysterical18 at times, and is always thinking of his health."
"Hypochondria!" muttered Jerce, with his eyes on the ground. "And on this particular occasion?"
"Didn't Dr. Wentworth tell you? Mr. Horran fell down in an epileptic fit and bit his tongue. We got him to bed, and sent for Dr. Wentworth, who insisted upon wiring for you."
"Quite so--quite so. Wentworth knows that I am deeply interested in this most mysterious case. What do these symptoms mean? Whence do they arise? I wish--" he cast a look on the girl, "no, I won't suggest a post-mortem again. All the same only a post-mortem can explain these things."
"Oh, doctor, do you think he will die?"
"No! no! There, there," the doctor patted her hand, "don't cry. Horran may go on living for the next twenty years--as he is only fifty-four, I don't see why he shouldn't."
"Then you can't see death?"
"I can't see death, or life, or anything, but a series of most puzzling symptoms, which neither I, nor Wentworth, nor the whole College of Surgeons can understand. However, we'll drop the subject just now, and think of tea."
"Oh, doctor, how can you think of food when--"
"When my patient is sleeping quietly. Why shouldn't I? There's nothing to be done until he awakes. Then I'll make another examination, although I don't expect I'll learn anything. I return to town," Jerce consulted a handsome gold watch, "by the seven train."
"Not at all. I would go to the ends of the earth at a moment's notice, to attend to so interesting a case. Ha! ha! Cold-blooded science again, Clarice, you see. Come, come, let us say that I came willingly to see my old and valued friend, Henry Horran."
"Doctor, you are a great man."
"Flattering--very flattering. And why?"
"Great men, I have always read and heard, will never spare anyone in their aim to attain20 their ends."
"Humph. That is not quite so flattering. And my ends?"
"You want to find out the cause of this trouble."
"Naturally. I can't cure Horran unless I do."
"Yes. But you are more curious to learn the reason for the disease than to cure him."
"You wrong me," said the doctor quickly, "and to prove that you wrong me, I shall assuredly cure Horran, if it be in the power of man to set him on his legs again. Now you had better go and have some tea and toast. I'll return to Horran's room, and see Wentworth when he comes in."
"I can't eat, doctor," said Clarice, making no motion to obey. "That is foolish. Starving yourself will not cure your guardian21. I dare say you are fond of him. Eh?"
"Have you known me more than twenty years to ask such a question? Of course, I am very fond of uncle Henry. He is the best of men."
"I agree with you there," said Jerce, earnestly, "but I don't think your brother agrees with you. That is strange."
"Why so, doctor?"
"You and Ferdy are twins,--twins may have the same likes and dislikes."
Clarice laughed. "For a clever medical man that is certainly not a clever speech. Twins are often alike in looks, and entirely22 different in disposition23."
"I am aware of that," responded Jerce, calmly, "but I have always noted24 that you and Ferdy think alike, or did, until lately."
"That is because Ferdy is removed from my influence," said Clarice, sadly. "He always followed my lead. But since he has gone to town to stop with you and become a student of medicine, he thinks very differently from what I do. Naturally, perhaps, since he is seeing more of the world than I, and is a man."
"You should have been the man, Clarice, and Ferdy, the woman. I wish to do my best for your brother, because he is your brother, but----" Jerce made a gesture of annoyance25, "Ferdy is so terribly weak."
"Don't be hard on him, doctor," she pleaded. "Ferdy never got on well with uncle Henry."
"He gets on with no one, my dear, save with those people who pander26 to his weaknesses." Clarice clasped her hands and looked anxious. "Doctor, there is nothing very wrong with Ferdy?" she asked, faltering27. "No! no!" Jerce stopped in his walk to pat her shoulder. "I look after him as much as I can. Yet I must not disguise from you, Clarice, that Ferdy is--well, rather wild."
"Rather wild," echoed the girl. "He frequents music-halls, and goes with people who make pleasure their aim in life. Also he has sometimes been the worse for alcohol. These things, Clarice, do not lead to peace, or to greatness."
The girl sat down and covered her face. "When Ferdy came down yesterday, I noticed that he was not himself. He seems to have something on his mind."
Jerce shrugged his shoulders. "I dare say he is ashamed of himself."
"Can't something be done? If I spoke--"
"No, my dear," said the doctor, very decidedly, "you will only make matters worse. Ferdy, for the last twelve months, has been out of leading strings28, and if you try, however delicately, to lecture him, he will only become obstreperous29. But you need not be alarmed. I'll do what I can. I would do much for you, Clarice."
There was a note in his voice which made the girl look up. The usually pale face of the doctor was red, and his eyes had a look in them, which she was woman enough to understand. Rising with a nervous laugh, Clarice grappled with the situation at once. She did not wish to lose her amiable30 companion in a disappointed suitor. "Do what you can for Ferdy, doctor, and I'll ever be your--friend."
"But suppose I--"
"Friend, doctor," reiterated31 Clarice, steadily32, and withdrew the hand he had clasped too warmly. "I wonder," stammered33 the medical man, nervously35, "if you understand exactly what I mean." Clarice smiled. "I should not be a woman else. I understand, and so I say--friend."
"There is someone else?" asked Jerce, chagrined36. Clarice turned the leading question with an embarrassing laugh. "There is always someone else, and in this instance the someone else, is my brother Ferdinand. I rely on you to bring him to his senses."
"Well," said Jerce, struggling back to calmness, "that may be difficult. You see, Miss Baird--"
"Clarice."
"No," said Jerce, steadily, "never again, until I have the right to call you Clarice."
"What right? No, no! that's a foolish question," she added hurriedly. "Doctor, doctor, do not put your feelings into words. Let things remain as they are. Help Ferdy and cure Uncle Henry, and then--"
"Then I shall ask you to dance at my wedding," replied the girl, and fairly ran out of the room. Jerce was so determined that she could scarcely avoid hearing him speak plainer than she wished. And if he did speak out, the answer her emotion would force her to give him, would inevitably38 create a disagreeable feeling, if not a positive breach39 of friendship. This was not to be thought of, as Jerce was necessary both to help poor weak Ferdy Baird, and to cure Henry Horran of his mysterious disease. Discretion40, as Clarice rightly thought, was the better part of valour in this especial instance, and therefore she deliberately41 ran away. Jerce was left alone.
Naturally, he thought that he was unobserved, and the watcher at the window could see the various expressions which chased each other across his usually calm face. Judging from these, Jerce was annoyed that he had spoken so inopportunely. The fruit was not yet ripe, as he reflected, after recalling the few words he and Clarice had exchanged. First, he would have to bring Ferdy back to the paths of virtue42; well, what then? Clarice might--on the other hand she might not. Certainly, she had laughed away his leading question, but also she had invited him to dance at her wedding--also laughingly. No! there could be no one else, and if Jerce saved the two men in which she was most interested, she might reward him by loving him, as he wished to be loved. Thanks to the gossip of Mrs. Dumps, the watcher at the window knew well that Jerce was dwelling43 in a fool's paradise, but it was not his intention, or will, to inform Jerce of the gunner officer at Gattlinsands, five miles away by the seashore.
Jerce, even though presumably alone, did not allow all his feelings to be seen on his face. But he felt that the room was stifling44 in spite of its being a cold winter's evening, and opened the window to gain a breath of sharp air. As he stepped out, he was suddenly grasped from behind, and the skilful45 exercise of a Ju-Jitsu motion placed him prostrate46 at the mercy of his assailant. In the light of the drawing-room lamps streaming through the open window, Jerce could see that the man wore grey clothes. He would have spoken, or would have called for assistance, but the grey man placed his hand on what is called Adam's apple, and paralyzed by pressure the vocal47 chords. Jerce lay voiceless and motionless, as though in a state of catalepsy, while the man went systematically48 through his pockets with the dexterity49 of a thief. In less time than it takes to tell, the assailant had failed to find what he sought, and, rising quickly, disappeared like a shadow, or a ghost. All the time he had spoken no word, and had not allowed his face to be seen. As his retreating feet scrunched50 the snow, Jerce, too shaken to rise immediately, lay where he was, wondering what had taken place, and wondering, most of all, why this very dexterous51 thief had gone through his pockets so thoroughly52. Then he rose to his feet and found that his gold watch, his not inconsiderable sum of money, his rings and his silver match-box were all safe. Evidently, the assailant was no common thief. He had desired to find something, and had failed to find it, but what that something might be, Jerce could not think.
When he came quite to himself--for the shock of the assault had somewhat stunned53 him--he rushed along the terrace, and into the garden, which was parted by a single iron railing from the lane. But there was no one to be seen. The man in grey had vanished swiftly into the night, and Jerce could no more guess in which direction he had gone, than he could surmise54 why the man had assaulted him. He stared from the elevation55 upon which he stood, over the spectral56 wastes of snow, and then turned to re-enter. For the moment it was in his mind to send for the police; but he could give so scanty57 a description of his daring opponent, that it hardly seemed worth while. Not even the cleverest detective could recognise the man, from the mere34 fact that he wore grey clothes.
However, just as Jerce turned the corner of the terrace to re-enter by the still open French window, he heard the click of the iron gate as it swung to. A tall figure walked briskly up the snowy path, and, seeing him at the corner of the terrace, advanced towards him with an ejaculation of astonishment58.
"Doctor," exclaimed the new-comer, bending forward to examine the features of the outraged59 man in the uncertain light. "I knew you were coming down, but I did not expect to find you out of doors on this freezing night."
"Ferdinand!" gasped60 Jerce, and stretching out his hand, he gripped the young man by his overcoat collar. Before Baird could expostulate, he was drawn61 unresistingly along towards the light streaming from the open window, and Jerce was looking fiercely at his tall form and grey clothes. "Tell me why you knocked me down just now?" demanded the doctor, much ruffled, and short of breath.
Ferdinand started back in genuine surprise. "I knock you down?" he repeated. "Why, doctor, you must be out of your senses. Why on earth should I knock you down?"
"To search my pockets for some reason."
"Oh, no! You took nothing, but you searched me. Why?" and Jerce looked closely at the handsome, weak face of the spruce young gentleman.
"But that you are a rabid teetotaler, doctor," said Ferdinand, with a shrug10, "I should think you had been drinking. I have been for the last hour at the vicarage seeing Prudence63, and before that I visited Mrs. Dumps' Savoy Hotel to look up the last train to town to-night. I have just returned, and you accuse me of assaulting you. It's too ridiculous!" And Baird, annoyed at being kept standing64 in the cold, began to fume65 like a spoilt child.
"I tell you, Ferdinand, that you knocked me down, here--where we are standing, and searched my pockets thoroughly. I recognise you by the grey overcoat you are wearing, although you were clever enough to hide your face."
"Grey clothes, eh?" mused66 Ferdinand, slowly. "There may be something in what you say, after all. A tall man in grey clothes, hat and all, passed me in the High Street, near Grinder's shop."
"Did you see his face?" asked Jerce, doubtfully.
"Yes. I don't usually take notice of a man's face, but this chap was a stranger here, and looked like a Londoner. He had a lean face, so far as I could see--yes, and a small black moustache. And--and,--oh, yes, doctor, there was a criss-cross scar on his cheek, I fancy. But, of course, he passed too quickly for me to observe him closely."
"A scar on his cheek," said the doctor, loosening his grip. "Humph! I congratulate you on your rapid powers of observation. Only a woman could have gathered so much in one moment. I ask your pardon, Ferdinand. Doubtless, it was this fellow who knocked me down."
"And here," Ferdinand looked round, "in our grounds. What cheek. I expected he wished to rob you."
"If so, he certainly did not fulfil his intention, even though he had me at his mercy," said Jerce, dryly, and stepped into the room.
"Shall I go for the police, doctor?"
"No. We'll say no more about it, my boy."
"Do you know this man?" asked Baird, puzzled.
"I fancy I do, if you describe the scar accurately67."
"Oh, it was a criss-cross scar, right enough. But if he did not rob you, or wish to rob you, why did he go through your pockets."
"That," said Jerce, with emphasis, "is as much a mystery to me, as it is to you."
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
celebrated
|
|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
charlatan
|
|
| n.骗子；江湖医生；假内行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
charlatans
|
|
| n.冒充内行者，骗子( charlatan的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
tickling
|
|
| 反馈，回授，自旋挠痒法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
humbug
|
|
| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
bland
|
|
| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
shrug
|
|
| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
pensively
|
|
| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
gulped
|
|
| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
horrified
|
|
| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
prospective
|
|
| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
ruffled
|
|
| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
hysterical
|
|
| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
guardian
|
|
| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
pander
|
|
| v.迎合；n.拉皮条者，勾引者；帮人做坏事的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
faltering
|
|
| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
strings
|
|
| n.弦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
obstreperous
|
|
| adj.喧闹的，不守秩序的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
reiterated
|
|
| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
stammered
|
|
| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
chagrined
|
|
| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
inevitably
|
|
| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
breach
|
|
| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
stifling
|
|
| a.令人窒息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
skilful
|
|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
prostrate
|
|
| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
vocal
|
|
| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
systematically
|
|
| adv.有系统地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
dexterity
|
|
| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
scrunched
|
|
| v.发出喀嚓声( scrunch的过去式和过去分词 )；蜷缩；压；挤压 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
dexterous
|
|
| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
stunned
|
|
| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
surmise
|
|
| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
elevation
|
|
| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
spectral
|
|
| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
scanty
|
|
| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
outraged
|
|
| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
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： |
|
|
|
|
61
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
prudence
|
|
| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
fume
|
|
| n.(usu pl.)(浓烈或难闻的)烟，气，汽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
mused
|
|
| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
accurately
|
|
| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |