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CHAPTER V THE LETTER
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 What Fuller meant exactly when he suggested to Marie that there was now a clue to the truth may be gathered from one of the frequent conversations he held on the subject with his friend. Fuller had much to say when he returned to town from his week-end visit to Belstone, but for some little time he did not find a favorable moment for an exhaustive talk. He certainly gave Dick a few hints as to what he had learned, and spoke1 more or less in a desultory2 manner, but Latimer's time was so fully3 taken up with journalism4 that the matter was not discussed thoroughly5 until the middle of the week. And even then the chance came about in a somewhat unexpected way, as Alan took the opportunity to detain the reporter when he strolled into the Chancery Lane office for a few minutes. Dick had stated that he was off the chain for a time, and simply wished for a smoke and a rest.
 
"You can fire away with your work, old son," said Latimer, taking possession of the client's chair. "I sha'n't bother you."
 
"This affair of the peacock bothers me a deal more than you do," retorted the solicitor6, "and I am glad to get you to myself for a few minutes to talk it over. Hitherto you have always rushed off when I wanted you."
 
"Humanity demands my services, Alan," said Dick ironically, "and I have to earn a ridiculously small income by attending to the squalling of brother man. However, I am at your disposal for one entire hour, so you can burble to your heart's content."
 
"There is much more than burbling in this matter," rejoined the other man gravely. "You don't take so much interest in this matter as I expected you to, Dick, considering our first conversation on the matter."
 
Latimer, with a lighted match held over the filled bowl of his pipe, looked up quickly. "Oh, but I do, my son. I am very interested indeed, and if you have things to tell me, as I gather from what you have let drop since you came back from the country, I have information also."
 
"What about?"
 
"First your story and then mine," said Dick imperturbably7. "All things in order, old boy. I suppose none of your confounded clients will come in to interrupt."
 
"I don't think so. Things are slack just now, and I am rather glad that they are, as I shall have time to attend to the Rotherhithe matter."
 
Dick grunted8 and shook himself, looking like a huge good-natured bear in the fur overcoat which the bitter cold of the December day demanded. "I don't see the use of your bothering about the business unless you are legally retained to thresh it out. Why waste your time?"
 
"Far from wasting my time," said Alan quietly, "the solution of this mystery means that Miss Inderwick may acquire a large fortune."
 
"And you, by marrying Miss Inderwick, will gain possession of the same along with a tolerably pretty young woman," said Latimer dryly.
 
Fuller's dark eyes flashed. "She's the loveliest girl in the world," he cried vehemently9, "and you know it."
 
"I ought to, since you have told me as much as fifty times. But I say, your hint of a large fortune sounds interesting. How much?"
 
"One hundred to two hundred thousand pounds."
 
Dick whistled. "The deuce. We are playing with crowns and kingdoms it seems, old son. Fire away. I'm all attention, in the hope that some of the cash may come into my pockets."
 
Alan took no notice of this flippant remark, but went into the outer office to tell his clerk that he would be engaged for one hour. As a solicitor with a small but certain practice Fuller only enjoyed the ownership of two dingy10 rooms very badly lighted and still more badly furnished. His inner sanctum only contained a large writing-table, a green-painted iron safe, a shabby bookcase filled with law volumes bound in calf11, and a few cane-bottomed chairs. A window with a slanting12 silvered glass outside to attract the light and reflect it into the dark room, was opposite the door, and beside it was a small grate in which at the present moment burned an equally small fire. Alan returned and seated himself beside this, taking out his pipe to enjoy the hour during which "he sported his oak," as the phrase goes. Dick grunted and sucked at his briar in an opposite chair, waiting for Fuller to open the conversation.
 
"I told you that Miss Inderwick had given me a clue," began Alan, but was cut short by his friend.
 
"Why not 'Marie' to me, my haughty13 solicitor?"
 
"By all means," said Fuller readily, "since I keep nothing from you. But I have fallen so much into the habit of speaking stiffly about Marie to outsiders, so as to prevent old Sorley from interfering14, that I forget how implicitly15 I can trust you."
 
"I sha'n't say a word about your wooing to the man, if that's what you mean," growled17 Dick, "but if you talk of 'Miss Inderwick' I shall expect you to call me 'Mr. Latimer.'"
 
"Oh, hang your nonsense. Let us get to business."
 
"How can we when you talk all round the shop?" protested Dick, raising his eyebrows18. "Well, go on. You hinted to me that you spoke to Marie about the peacock."
 
"I did, but not to Mr. Sorley."
 
"Why not?"
 
"Because I don't trust him."
 
"Why not?" inquired Latimer once more and very stolidly19.
 
"Now you ask me a question which is not easy to answer," said Alan, looking meditatively20 into the fire. "I can give no reason for my mistrust since, so far as I know, Sorley is straight enough on the whole."
 
"Well then, if he is straight, why mistrust him?"
 
"I said on the whole he is straight; but he does certain things of which I do not approve."
 
"Such as stopping your wooing," chuckled21 the journalist. "Ho! Ho!"
 
"I rather refer to his selling certain valuable furniture which belongs to Marie, and which I am pretty sure he has no right to dispose of."
 
"It sounds crooked22. But after all he is her guardian23, and you don't know what power the will of her father gives him."
 
"I mean to find that out by an examination of the will at Somerset House, Dicky. Sorley enjoys Marie's income and his own and has the benefit of living at The Monastery24 rent free. He is, as you know, crazy about jewels, and from what Marie tells me he uses all the cash to buy them. She only has her clothes and a few shillings a week for pocket money. But he never allows her to go into county society, nor does he take her to town."
 
Latimer removed his pipe and nodded. "He wants her to remain as a flower unseen until she is of age. Then he will hand over the accumulated money in the form of jewels, and will present her to an astonished world when she come of age in a year and his guardianship25 ceases."
 
"Hum!" said Alan dubiously26, "so you say. But my impressions are quite different. It is my opinion that this precious guardian will not be able to render an honest account of his stewardship27, but, when required to do so, will bolt with the jewels upon which he has squandered28 Marie's money and with the fortune of the peacock if he can find the same."
 
"Is there any difficulty in finding it, Alan?"
 
"Yes. In the first place the fortune is hidden and only by gaining possession of the peacock can the clue be found to its whereabouts. And in the second place, even if that bird----"
 
"The ooff-bird," suggested Latimer vulgarly.
 
"If you like. But even if it is found there will be a difficulty in reading its riddle29."
 
"Its riddle? Whatever do you mean?"
 
"What I say," retorted Fuller impatiently. "The secret of the fortune is connected with some secret writing which has to do with the peacock."
 
"But how can there be secret writing on a metal ornament30?"
 
"I can't say. I don't know. There's an enigma31 of some sort, a cryptogram32."
 
"This is very interesting but patchy," said Dick, readjusting his big body in the chairs. "Suppose you tell me all from the beginning. Then I might get a glimmer33 of what you exactly mean."
 
"Very good, then don't interrupt." And Alan related the strange story of George Inderwick and his faithful servant, who had preserved the secret so faithfully indeed that not even the master had been able to find the jewels. Latimer listened with great attention, and nodded when the story was concluded with an air of satisfaction.
 
"It's quite a romance," he declared slowly, when Fuller waited for comment, "and there is no doubt that the assassin stole the peacock by murdering Grison in order to get the Begum's gems34. No man would have been such a fool as to risk his neck otherwise for a paltry35 ornament."
 
"I am not so sure of that, seeing how valuable the peacock is," rejoined the other doubtfully. "It is--as I learned from my father, who saw this fetish of the Inderwicks--as large as a thrush; of pure gold elaborately worked, and is studded with precious stones of more or less price. The tail is spread out and is also jewelled. Now any of those Lascars or Dagoes in Mother Slaig's boarding-house would not mind killing36 a man by cutting his throat to gain possession of such an object."
 
"Ah, but the man was not killed in that way. A seaman37 of whatever nationality would cut a throat, but would not use a slender instrument which scarcely drew any blood to get rid of Grison. The instrument used--which has not been discovered, by the way--suggests a refined criminal."
 
"A slender instrument," repeated Fuller musingly38, "why not a stiletto which an Italian would use? And there are Italian seamen39, you know."
 
Dick nodded. "There is something in that," he admitted, "but we'll let that point alone for the time being. Evidently the peacock is worth more than its intrinsic value to a man who can solve its mystery. Now the question is, how did Grison get hold of the ornament?"
 
"I see no trouble in answering that, Dicky," and again Alan told the story: this time that one which dealt with Grison's dismissal from his post by Sorley on a charge of forgery40, and with the visit of the sister to the big house. Then he related how Miss Grison had spoken to her host and also how she had talked about cryptograms. "Although," concluded Alan, "since I was talking to Marie at the time, I don't exactly know how she introduced that particular subject."
 
"That she introduced it at all, shows two things," said Latimer decisively. "One, that she knew her brother stole the peacock; and two, she was aware how he was searching for the solution of the cryptogram connected with the bird in order to secure the gems."
 
"But how could he have learned about the Begum's treasure?" asked Fuller.
 
"Undoubtedly41 in the same way as Marie did. Grison, as Sorley's secretary, must have found the manuscript and----"
 
"But if he found it, why did he not take it with him?"
 
"I can't explain that. He would have done better had he secured it so that no one else should learn the true value of the peacock. But it was to get the gems that he stole the ornament, and perhaps told the story in a moment of weakness to the third party who afterwards murdered him for its possession. That's what I think. Have you any reason to believe that Sorley himself knows about the peacock cryptogram?"
 
Fuller jumped up and, laying down his pipe, began to pace the narrow confines of the office. "Yes, I do, and for these reasons. In the first place, Miss Grison would not have mentioned cryptograms to him without she guessed that he knew something; in the second, when I boasted purposely about my knowledge of secret writings, he would not have told me that he had a cryptogram which would baffle my skill, as he certainly did more or less; and in the third, Dicky, he would not have been afraid of Miss Grison."
 
"What do you mean by that exactly?"
 
"Well, Sorley told me that he hated Miss Grison and that she annoyed him by saying that he had dismissed her brother unjustly and had practically ruined his life. She walked into the house and all over the house, and yet Sorley did not dare to object either to her taking such a liberty or to her calling him names when Marie and I were present. Also she asked about his motor cycle which I told you he had bought, and inquired if he had been to London. He denied that he had, and she sarcastically42 advised him not to go lest he should be knocked over in the streets."
 
"Then I infer," said Dick, slowly removing his pipe, "that you believe Miss Grison suspects Sorley of knowing both the secret of the peacock and that it was in the possession of her brother. Also that he came up to town by means of his motor cycle and murdered the man for its possession?"
 
"Yes, I do infer as much," said Fuller bluntly and returning to his chair. "If Sorley has not the peacock, and does not know the story of Ferrier, why should he speak to me about cryptograms?"
 
"But he only made an idle remark which was natural, seeing that Miss Grison spoke of cryptograms, although I admit that it is strange she should talk about them at all unless----"
 
"Exactly," interrupted the solicitor, tilting43 back his chair so as to get at the drawer of his writing-table; "unless she believes that he murdered her brother and now possesses the peacock with an intention of learning the cryptogram by employing me to solve it."
 
"Sorley would scarcely do that when he knows that if he is guilty, such a revelation of his possession of the peacock would condemn45 him."
 
"You forget," said Alan, who had extracted a letter from the drawer, "that the fact of the murder being committed for the sake of the peacock has not yet been made public. As I said, I told Marie, but I did not tell Sorley because I mistrust him, and warned her not to do so either. So if Miss Grison's assumption is true Sorley will have no hesitation46 in enlisting47 my services, or in showing me the peacock, always presuming that he is indeed the murderer and has it in his possession."
 
Latimer nodded three times solemnly. "It is strange, and you argue very well, my son. What's that letter you are holding?"
 
"It's from Sorley and came yesterday morning. I have not had an opportunity of talking about it to you before, as you have been so confoundedly busy. It is a letter," said Fuller, unfolding the missive, "which illustrates48 the proverb that he who excuses himself accuses himself."
 
"Ho," said Latimer with a world of meaning, "read it out, my boy."
 
"There is no need to read it. I can give you the gist49 in a few words," was Fuller's reply, as he ran his eye rapidly over the lines. "Sorley begs me not to take notice of Miss Grison's wild words, as she is a trifle mad. He had to dismiss her brother for forging his name to a check, but, as the man was also insane--slightly, that is--he did not prosecute50 him."
 
"Very kind and Christian-like, Alan, But why does Sorley put up with Miss Grison's vagaries51?"
 
"He declares that he is sorry for her, in this letter."
 
"And by word of mouth as good as told you that he hated her. Humph! It seems to me that our dear friend is hedging. Well, and what more, Alan?"
 
"Nothing more on the subject of Miss Grison, save that he declares his contempt for her threats."
 
"Threats. What threats?" Dick sat up alertly.
 
"She told him in the presence of Marie, and in my presence also, that he was to wait and see how iniquity52 would be punished."
 
"Humph! That looks as though she means to be nasty."
 
"Exactly. And Sorley's cringing53 to her implies that he guesses she can make things hot for him. However, he simply ends his letter by saying that when I come to Belstone for Christmas he will have a chat with me on the subject of cryptograms. Did I not say, Dick, that his letter illustrates the proverb I referred to. Why should Sorley think it necessary to explain about Miss Grison and her crazy words--if indeed they are crazy--or why should he wish to talk about cryptograms to me, unless----"
 
"Quite so," interrupted Dick on the same word and in the same manner as his friend had stopped him previously54. "Unless she believes that Sorley made away with her brother. It's a strange case, and grows more complicated as we go into it."
 
"What is your opinion, Dick?"
 
"It is rather difficult to give a hard and fast one on what facts we have before us, seeing that we are so much in the dark. By the way, how long has Sorley had the motor bicycle?"
 
"He told me, or rather hinted at three weeks, but Marie said that he bought it four months ago."
 
"Humph! So Sorley tells a lie about that, does he? It looks fishy55. Certainly on a good machine he could slip up to town and back again in a night without anyone being the wiser."
 
"Then you think that he committed the murder, by----?" Alan spoke excitedly.
 
"I can't say that," interrupted Latimer swiftly.
 
"Oh! You infer then that he is innocent?"
 
"I can't say that either."
 
"Then what the deuce do you say?" demanded the lawyer irritably56.
 
"This much. That before we can be sure of Sorley being mixed up with the crime, we must learn for certain if he possesses the peacock of jewels."
 
"But how can we?"
 
"We can't, but you can, Alan. Sorley's request that you should talk cryptograms with him at Christmas can only arise from his desire to solve the riddle of the peacock. Wait and hear what he has to say."
 
"And then?" asked Fuller, nodding approval.
 
"Then we shall be able to take another step along this dark path. You mean to travel it, I presume?" asked Dick, looking up searchingly.
 
"Of course I do," replied the young man emphatically. "If those jewels are in existence they belong to Marie, and I want to find them before Sorley does, lest he should make off with them."
 
"Well," said Latimer grimly, "I daresay he would bolt, both because he loves jewels and moreover--if guilty--must dread57 risking his neck."
 
"Guilty? If he possesses the peacock he must be guilty."
 
"It would appear so, Alan, since only by means of the peacock can the gems be discovered. If he finds them we can assume very reasonably that he killed Baldwin Grison, but as yet so far as we know the jewels are still hidden." Dick thought for a few moments, then ventured on advice. "You have a week or so before taking your Christmas holiday. Why not visit Miss Grison at her boarding-house? You know where it is."
 
"Yes. She gave me her card. But she won't speak out, Dicky. Had she been certain of Sorley's criminality she would have denounced him then and there to gratify her hatred58."
 
"She may only have a suspicion of his guilt44, or perhaps her wish is father to her thought. But it seems to me that by her allusion59 to the bicycle, and to cryptograms, she wished to arouse your mistrust of the man."
 
"Still she cannot be aware that Marie told me about the peacock riddle?"
 
Latimer ruffled60 his hair in perplexity. "Oh, hang it, what is the use of speculating!" he cried crossly, and rising to stretch his big limbs. "Before we can arrive at any conclusion we must sound Miss Grison as to what she knows, or what she does not know."
 
"At all events she detests61 Sorley and, so far as I can see, will do her best to hang him."
 
"Perhaps. But it is your task to prevent such a miscarriage62. Go and see her, Alan, and then tell me what you learn."
 
"Very good. I shall write a note and invite myself to dinner."
 
"Why to dinner?"
 
"I wish to see what kind of lodgers63 Miss Grison has, and to hear their opinion of their landlady64. Much can be learned in this way. But tell me, Dick, what you have discovered."
 
"Very little. Moon is still hunting for the assassin and is still at his wit's end how to strike the true trail. The only thing of interest that I have learned is about Jotty."
 
"The street-arab whom Grison befriended?"
 
"Yes. He's a clever little animal, and in better surroundings might improve into something useful. Miss Grison intends to give him his chance, and is taking him into her service as a page-boy: She'll have enough to do to teach him civilized65 habits," concluded Dick cynically66.
 
"Why is she acting67 so philanthropically?"
 
"Out of regard for the memory of her brother, as she told Inspector68 Moon."
 
"Well," murmured Fuller thoughtfully, "that is reasonable enough since she appears to have had a strong regard for her brother. Perhaps he commended Jotty to her care."
 
"It's not improbable. The poor wretch69 may have wished to give the boy a chance, and if so, it shows that there were decent feelings in him. But if you visit this boarding-house I wish you to keep an eye on Jotty."
 
"Why?" Alan looked up quickly.
 
"Because I believe the boy knows much more than he has hitherto admitted."
 
"Oh," said Fuller, after a pause, "so it is probable that Miss Grison's interest in the lad is not wholly philanthropic. You fancy that she may desire to keep him under her own eye lest he should say too much."
 
Latimer shrugged70 his shoulders. "I can't say that I quite took that view, Alan, as Miss Grison may really be acting kindly71 out of regard for her brother's wishes. All the same I believe that Jotty knows things about the murder which he is keeping quiet, and it will be just as well to watch him more or less closely."
 
"But on what grounds----?"
 
"On no grounds whatever. It's just an idea I have, and may be all rubbish."
 
Fuller nodded. "On the other hand it may be useful not to reject your idea, Dick. I shall watch and question Jotty if I get the chance."
 
"Be careful, Alan. He is a sharp lad."
 
"I'll see that he does not get the better of me. Dick, isn't it strange how suspicious one gets of everything when on a man-hunt?"
 
"Yes. But it's natural enough. On a trail one always observes small signs to indicate the direction, and so everything around becomes of value in the way of evidence. However, you know what you have to do?"
 
"Yes. And you?"
 
"I shall keep in touch with Rotherhithe and Mother Slaig's boarding-house and Moon. Whatever I learn you shall know. Good luck, Alan, to your hunting."
 
"Ditto to yours, Dicky, and now clear out and let me get to work."
 
Latimer tramped to the door and vanished with a friendly growl16.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 spoke XryyC     
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:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
2 desultory BvZxp     
adj.散漫的,无方法的
参考例句:
  • Do not let the discussion fragment into a desultory conversation with no clear direction.不要让讨论变得支离破碎,成为没有明确方向的漫谈。
  • The constables made a desultory attempt to keep them away from the barn.警察漫不经心地拦着不让他们靠近谷仓。
3 fully Gfuzd     
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。
4 journalism kpZzu8     
n.新闻工作,报业
参考例句:
  • He's a teacher but he does some journalism on the side.他是教师,可还兼职做一些新闻工作。
  • He had an aptitude for journalism.他有从事新闻工作的才能。
5 thoroughly sgmz0J     
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。
6 solicitor vFBzb     
n.初级律师,事务律师
参考例句:
  • The solicitor's advice gave me food for thought.律师的指点值得我深思。
  • The solicitor moved for an adjournment of the case.律师请求将这个案件的诉讼延期。
7 imperturbably a0f47e17391988f62c9d80422a96d6bc     
adv.泰然地,镇静地,平静地
参考例句:
  • She was excellently, imperturbably good; affectionate, docile, obedient, and much addicted to speaking the truth. 她绝对善良,脾气也好到了极点;温柔、谦和、恭顺一贯爱说真话。 来自辞典例句
  • We could face imperturbably the and find out the best countermeasure only iffind the real origin. 只有找出贸易摩擦的根源,才能更加冷静地面对这一困扰,找出最佳的解决方法。 来自互联网
8 grunted f18a3a8ced1d857427f2252db2abbeaf     
(猪等)作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 ); (指人)发出类似的哼声; 咕哝着说
参考例句:
  • She just grunted, not deigning to look up from the page. 她只咕哝了一声,继续看书,不屑抬起头来看一眼。
  • She grunted some incomprehensible reply. 她咕噜着回答了些令人费解的话。
9 vehemently vehemently     
adv. 热烈地
参考例句:
  • He argued with his wife so vehemently that he talked himself hoarse. 他和妻子争论得很激烈,以致讲话的声音都嘶哑了。
  • Both women vehemently deny the charges against them. 两名妇女都激烈地否认了对她们的指控。
10 dingy iu8xq     
adj.昏暗的,肮脏的
参考例句:
  • It was a street of dingy houses huddled together. 这是一条挤满了破旧房子的街巷。
  • The dingy cottage was converted into a neat tasteful residence.那间脏黑的小屋已变成一个整洁雅致的住宅。
11 calf ecLye     
n.小牛,犊,幼仔,小牛皮
参考例句:
  • The cow slinked its calf.那头母牛早产了一头小牛犊。
  • The calf blared for its mother.牛犊哞哞地高声叫喊找妈妈。
12 slanting bfc7f3900241f29cee38d19726ae7dce     
倾斜的,歪斜的
参考例句:
  • The rain is driving [slanting] in from the south. 南边潲雨。
  • The line is slanting to the left. 这根线向左斜了。
13 haughty 4dKzq     
adj.傲慢的,高傲的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a haughty look and walked away.他向我摆出傲慢的表情后走开。
  • They were displeased with her haughty airs.他们讨厌她高傲的派头。
14 interfering interfering     
adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词
参考例句:
  • He's an interfering old busybody! 他老爱管闲事!
  • I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. 我希望我母亲不再干预,让我自己拿主意。
15 implicitly 7146d52069563dd0fc9ea894b05c6fef     
adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地
参考例句:
  • Many verbs and many words of other kinds are implicitly causal. 许多动词和许多其他类词都蕴涵着因果关系。
  • I can trust Mr. Somerville implicitly, I suppose? 我想,我可以毫无保留地信任萨莫维尔先生吧?
16 growl VeHzE     
v.(狗等)嗥叫,(炮等)轰鸣;n.嗥叫,轰鸣
参考例句:
  • The dog was biting,growling and wagging its tail.那条狗在一边撕咬一边低声吼叫,尾巴也跟着摇摆。
  • The car growls along rutted streets.汽车在车辙纵横的街上一路轰鸣。
17 growled 65a0c9cac661e85023a63631d6dab8a3     
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
参考例句:
  • \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道:“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》
18 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
19 stolidly 3d5f42d464d711b8c0c9ea4ca88895e6     
adv.迟钝地,神经麻木地
参考例句:
  • Too often people sat stolidly watching the noisy little fiddler. 人们往往不动声色地坐在那里,瞧着这位瘦小的提琴手闹腾一番。 来自辞典例句
  • He dropped into a chair and sat looking stolidly at the floor. 他坐在椅子上,两眼呆呆地望着地板。 来自辞典例句
20 meditatively 1840c96c2541871bf074763dc24f786a     
adv.冥想地
参考例句:
  • The old man looked meditatively at the darts board. 老头儿沉思不语,看着那投镖板。 来自英汉文学
  • "Well,'said the foreman, scratching his ear meditatively, "we do need a stitcher. “这--"工头沉思地搔了搔耳朵。 "我们确实需要一个缝纫工。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
21 chuckled 8ce1383c838073977a08258a1f3e30f8     
轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
  • She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
22 crooked xvazAv     
adj.弯曲的;不诚实的,狡猾的,不正当的
参考例句:
  • He crooked a finger to tell us to go over to him.他弯了弯手指,示意我们到他那儿去。
  • You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads.在这些弯弯曲曲的乡间小路上你得慢慢开车。
23 guardian 8ekxv     
n.监护人;守卫者,保护者
参考例句:
  • The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
  • The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。
24 monastery 2EOxe     
n.修道院,僧院,寺院
参考例句:
  • They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
  • She was appointed the superior of the monastery two years ago.两年前她被任命为这个修道院的院长。
25 guardianship ab24b083713a2924f6878c094b49d632     
n. 监护, 保护, 守护
参考例句:
  • They had to employ the English language in face of the jealous guardianship of Britain. 他们不得不在英国疑忌重重的监护下使用英文。
  • You want Marion to set aside her legal guardianship and give you Honoria. 你要马丽恩放弃她的法定监护人资格,把霍诺丽娅交给你。
26 dubiously dubiously     
adv.可疑地,怀疑地
参考例句:
  • "What does he have to do?" queried Chin dubiously. “他有什么心事?”琴向觉民问道,她的脸上现出疑惑不解的神情。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
  • He walked out fast, leaving the head waiter staring dubiously at the flimsy blue paper. 他很快地走出去,撇下侍者头儿半信半疑地瞪着这张薄薄的蓝纸。 来自辞典例句
27 stewardship 67597d4670d772414c8766d094e5851d     
n. n. 管理工作;管事人的职位及职责
参考例句:
  • The organization certainly prospered under his stewardship. 不可否认,这个组织在他的管理下兴旺了起来。
  • Last, but certainly not least, are the issues of stewardship and ethics. 最后,但当然不是微不足道的,是工作和道德规范的问题。
28 squandered 330b54102be0c8433b38bee15e77b58a     
v.(指钱,财产等)浪费,乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He squandered all his money on gambling. 他把自己所有的钱都糟蹋在赌博上了。
  • She felt as indignant as if her own money had been squandered. 她心里十分生气,好像是她自己的钱给浪费掉了似的。 来自飘(部分)
29 riddle WCfzw     
n.谜,谜语,粗筛;vt.解谜,给…出谜,筛,检查,鉴定,非难,充满于;vi.出谜
参考例句:
  • The riddle couldn't be solved by the child.这个谜语孩子猜不出来。
  • Her disappearance is a complete riddle.她的失踪完全是一个谜。
30 ornament u4czn     
v.装饰,美化;n.装饰,装饰物
参考例句:
  • The flowers were put on the table for ornament.花放在桌子上做装饰用。
  • She wears a crystal ornament on her chest.她的前胸戴了一个水晶饰品。
31 enigma 68HyU     
n.谜,谜一样的人或事
参考例句:
  • I've known him for many years,but he remains something of an enigma to me.我与他相识多年,他仍然难以捉摸。
  • Even after all the testimonies,the murder remained a enigma.即使听完了所有的证词,这件谋杀案仍然是一个谜。
32 cryptogram pn6zs     
n.密码
参考例句:
  • A government uses a cryptogram or secret code.政府使用密码或暗号。
  • He regarded the universe as a cryptogram set by the Almighty.他将宇宙视为上帝用密文书写的文件。
33 glimmer 5gTxU     
v.发出闪烁的微光;n.微光,微弱的闪光
参考例句:
  • I looked at her and felt a glimmer of hope.我注视她,感到了一线希望。
  • A glimmer of amusement showed in her eyes.她的眼中露出一丝笑意。
34 gems 74ab5c34f71372016f1770a5a0bf4419     
growth; economy; management; and customer satisfaction 增长
参考例句:
  • a crown studded with gems 镶有宝石的皇冠
  • The apt citations and poetic gems have adorned his speeches. 贴切的引语和珠玑般的诗句为他的演说词增添文采。
35 paltry 34Cz0     
adj.无价值的,微不足道的
参考例句:
  • The parents had little interest in paltry domestic concerns.那些家长对家里鸡毛蒜皮的小事没什么兴趣。
  • I'm getting angry;and if you don't command that paltry spirit of yours.我要生气了,如果你不能振作你那点元气。
36 killing kpBziQ     
n.巨额利润;突然赚大钱,发大财
参考例句:
  • Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
  • Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。
37 seaman vDGzA     
n.海员,水手,水兵
参考例句:
  • That young man is a experienced seaman.那个年轻人是一个经验丰富的水手。
  • The Greek seaman went to the hospital five times.这位希腊海员到该医院去过五次。
38 musingly ddec53b7ea68b079ee6cb62ac6c95bf9     
adv.沉思地,冥想地
参考例句:
39 seamen 43a29039ad1366660fa923c1d3550922     
n.海员
参考例句:
  • Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather. 有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
  • In the storm, many seamen wished they were on shore. 在暴风雨中,许多海员想,要是他们在陆地上就好了。
40 forgery TgtzU     
n.伪造的文件等,赝品,伪造(行为)
参考例句:
  • The painting was a forgery.这张画是赝品。
  • He was sent to prison for forgery.他因伪造罪而被关进监狱。
41 undoubtedly Mfjz6l     
adv.确实地,无疑地
参考例句:
  • It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
  • He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。
42 sarcastically sarcastically     
adv.挖苦地,讽刺地
参考例句:
  • 'What a surprise!' Caroline murmured sarcastically.“太神奇了!”卡罗琳轻声挖苦道。
  • Pierce mocked her and bowed sarcastically. 皮尔斯嘲笑她,讽刺地鞠了一躬。
43 tilting f68c899ac9ba435686dcb0f12e2bbb17     
倾斜,倾卸
参考例句:
  • For some reason he thinks everyone is out to get him, but he's really just tilting at windmills. 不知为什么他觉得每个人都想害他,但其实他不过是在庸人自扰。
  • So let us stop bickering within our ranks.Stop tilting at windmills. 所以,让我们结束内部间的争吵吧!再也不要去做同风车作战的蠢事了。
44 guilt 9e6xr     
n.犯罪;内疚;过失,罪责
参考例句:
  • She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
  • Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。
45 condemn zpxzp     
vt.谴责,指责;宣判(罪犯),判刑
参考例句:
  • Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他,而有些人谴责他。
  • We mustn't condemn him on mere suppositions.我们不可全凭臆测来指责他。
46 hesitation tdsz5     
n.犹豫,踌躇
参考例句:
  • After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天,他终于直说了。
  • There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。
47 enlisting 80783387c68c6664ae9c56b399f6c7c6     
v.(使)入伍, (使)参军( enlist的现在分词 );获得(帮助或支持)
参考例句:
  • He thought about enlisting-about the Spanish legion-about a profession. 他想去打仗,想参加西班牙军团,想找个职业。 来自辞典例句
  • They are not enlisting men over thirty-five. 他们不召超过35岁的人入伍。 来自辞典例句
48 illustrates a03402300df9f3e3716d9eb11aae5782     
给…加插图( illustrate的第三人称单数 ); 说明; 表明; (用示例、图画等)说明
参考例句:
  • This historical novel illustrates the breaking up of feudal society in microcosm. 这部历史小说是走向崩溃的封建社会的缩影。
  • Alfred Adler, a famous doctor, had an experience which illustrates this. 阿尔弗莱德 - 阿德勒是一位著名的医生,他有过可以说明这点的经历。 来自中级百科部分
49 gist y6ayC     
n.要旨;梗概
参考例句:
  • Can you give me the gist of this report?你能告诉我这个报告的要点吗?
  • He is quick in grasping the gist of a book.他敏于了解书的要点。
50 prosecute d0Mzn     
vt.告发;进行;vi.告发,起诉,作检察官
参考例句:
  • I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
  • Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据?
51 vagaries 594130203d5d42a756196aa8975299ad     
n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 );异想天开;异常行为;难以预测的情况
参考例句:
  • The vagaries of fortune are indeed curious.\" 命运的变化莫测真是不可思议。” 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • The vagaries of inclement weather conditions are avoided to a certain extent. 可以在一定程度上避免变化莫测的恶劣气候影响。 来自辞典例句
52 iniquity F48yK     
n.邪恶;不公正
参考例句:
  • Research has revealed that he is a monster of iniquity.调查结果显示他是一个不法之徒。
  • The iniquity of the transaction aroused general indignation.这笔交易的不公引起了普遍的愤怒。
53 cringing Pvbz1O     
adj.谄媚,奉承
参考例句:
  • He had a cringing manner but a very harsh voice.他有卑屈谄媚的神情,但是声音却十分粗沙。
  • She stepped towards him with a movement that was horribly cringing.她冲他走了一步,做出一个低三下四,令人作呕的动作。
54 previously bkzzzC     
adv.以前,先前(地)
参考例句:
  • The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
  • Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿,解释原先发生了什么。
55 fishy ysgzzF     
adj. 值得怀疑的
参考例句:
  • It all sounds very fishy to me.所有这些在我听起来都很可疑。
  • There was definitely something fishy going on.肯定当时有可疑的事情在进行中。
56 irritably e3uxw     
ad.易生气地
参考例句:
  • He lost his temper and snapped irritably at the children. 他发火了,暴躁地斥责孩子们。
  • On this account the silence was irritably broken by a reproof. 为了这件事,他妻子大声斥责,令人恼火地打破了宁静。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
57 dread Ekpz8     
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧
参考例句:
  • We all dread to think what will happen if the company closes.我们都不敢去想一旦公司关门我们该怎么办。
  • Her heart was relieved of its blankest dread.她极度恐惧的心理消除了。
58 hatred T5Gyg     
n.憎恶,憎恨,仇恨
参考例句:
  • He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
  • The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。
59 allusion CfnyW     
n.暗示,间接提示
参考例句:
  • He made an allusion to a secret plan in his speech.在讲话中他暗示有一项秘密计划。
  • She made no allusion to the incident.她没有提及那个事件。
60 ruffled e4a3deb720feef0786be7d86b0004e86     
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:
  • She ruffled his hair affectionately. 她情意绵绵地拨弄着他的头发。
  • All this talk of a strike has clearly ruffled the management's feathers. 所有这些关于罢工的闲言碎语显然让管理层很不高兴。
61 detests 37b235c8289f2557252c2fb26768fa22     
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • My brother detests having to get up early. 我兄弟极讨厌早起,又不得不早起。 来自辞典例句
  • The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. 两样的法码,为耶和华所憎恶。诡诈的天平,也为不善。 来自互联网
62 miscarriage Onvzz3     
n.失败,未达到预期的结果;流产
参考例句:
  • The miscarriage of our plans was a great blow.计划的失败给我们以巨大的打击。
  • Women who smoke are more to have a miscarriage.女性吸烟者更容易流产。
63 lodgers 873866fb939d5ab097342b033a0e269d     
n.房客,租住者( lodger的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • He takes in lodgers. 他招收房客。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • A good proportion of my lodgers is connected with the theaters. 住客里面有不少人是跟戏院子有往来的。 来自辞典例句
64 landlady t2ZxE     
n.女房东,女地主
参考例句:
  • I heard my landlady creeping stealthily up to my door.我听到我的女房东偷偷地来到我的门前。
  • The landlady came over to serve me.女店主过来接待我。
65 civilized UwRzDg     
a.有教养的,文雅的
参考例句:
  • Racism is abhorrent to a civilized society. 文明社会憎恶种族主义。
  • rising crime in our so-called civilized societies 在我们所谓文明社会中日益增多的犯罪行为
66 cynically 3e178b26da70ce04aff3ac920973009f     
adv.爱嘲笑地,冷笑地
参考例句:
  • "Holding down the receiver,'said Daisy cynically. “挂上话筒在讲。”黛西冷嘲热讽地说。 来自英汉文学 - 盖茨比
  • The Democrats sensibly (if cynically) set about closing the God gap. 民主党在明智(有些讽刺)的减少宗教引起的问题。 来自互联网
67 acting czRzoc     
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的
参考例句:
  • Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她,她只是假装的。
  • During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代,她的表演生涯黯然失色。
68 inspector q6kxH     
n.检查员,监察员,视察员
参考例句:
  • The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
  • The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。
69 wretch EIPyl     
n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人
参考例句:
  • You are really an ungrateful wretch to complain instead of thanking him.你不但不谢他,还埋怨他,真不知好歹。
  • The dead husband is not the dishonoured wretch they fancied him.死去的丈夫不是他们所想象的不光彩的坏蛋。
70 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
71 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。


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