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首页 » 经典英文小说 » The murder of Roger Ackroyd » CHAPTER VII I LEARN MY NEIGHBOR’S PROFESSION
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CHAPTER VII I LEARN MY NEIGHBOR’S PROFESSION
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On the following morning I hurried unforgivably over my round. My excuse can be that I had no very serious cases to attend. On my return Caroline came into the hall to greet me.
 
Flora1 Ackroyd is here,” she announced in an excited whisper.
 
“What?”
 
I concealed2 my surprise as best I could.
 
“She’s very anxious to see you. She’s been here half an hour.”
 
Caroline led the way into our small sitting-room3, and I followed.
 
Flora was sitting on the sofa by the window. She was in black and she sat nervously4 twisting her hands together. I was shocked by the sight of her face. All the color had faded away from it. But when she spoke5 her manner was as composed and resolute6 as possible.
 
“Dr. Sheppard, I have come to ask you to help me.”
 
“Of course he’ll help you, my dear,” said Caroline.
 
I don’t think Flora really wished Caroline to be present at the interview. She would, I am sure, have infinitely7 preferred to speak to me privately8. But she also wanted to waste no time, so she made the best of it.
 
76
 
“I want you to come to The Larches9 with me.”
 
“The Larches?” I queried10, surprised.
 
“To see that funny little man?” exclaimed Caroline.
 
“Yes. You know who he is, don’t you?”
 
“We fancied,” I said, “that he might be a retired11 hairdresser.”
 
Flora’s blue eyes opened very wide.
 
“Why, he’s Hercule Poirot! You know who I mean—the private detective. They say he’s done the most wonderful things—just like detectives do in books. A year ago he retired and came to live down here. Uncle knew who he was, but he promised not to tell any one, because M. Poirot wanted to live quietly without being bothered by people.”
 
“So that’s who he is,” I said slowly.
 
“You’ve heard of him, of course?”
 
“I’m rather an old fogey, as Caroline tells me,” I said, “but I have just heard of him.”
 
“Extraordinary!” commented Caroline.
 
I don’t know what she was referring to—possibly her own failure to discover the truth.
 
“You want to go and see him?” I asked slowly. “Now why?”
 
“To get him to investigate this murder, of course,” said Caroline sharply. “Don’t be so stupid, James.”
 
I was not really being stupid. Caroline does not always understand what I am driving at.
 
“You haven’t got confidence in Inspector12 Davis?” I went on.
 
77
 
“Of course she hasn’t,” said Caroline. “I haven’t either.”
 
Any one would have thought it was Caroline’s uncle who had been murdered.
 
“And how do you know he would take up the case?” I asked. “Remember he has retired from active work.”
 
“That’s just it,” said Flora simply. “I’ve got to persuade him.”
 
“You are sure you are doing wisely?” I asked gravely.
 
“Of course she is,” said Caroline. “I’ll go with her myself if she likes.”
 
“I’d rather the doctor came with me if you don’t mind, Miss Sheppard,” said Flora.
 
She knows the value of being direct on certain occasions. Any hints would certainly have been wasted on Caroline.
 
“You see,” she explained, following directness with tact13, “Dr. Sheppard being the doctor, and having found the body, he would be able to give all the details to M. Poirot.”
 
“Yes,” said Caroline grudgingly14, “I see that.”
 
I took a turn or two up and down the room.
 
“Flora,” I said gravely, “be guided by me. I advise you not to drag this detective into the case.”
 
Flora sprang to her feet. The color rushed into her cheeks.
 
“I know why you say that,” she cried. “But it’s exactly for that reason I’m so anxious to go. You’re afraid! But I’m not. I know Ralph better than you do.”
 
78
 
“Ralph,” said Caroline. “What has Ralph got to do with it?”
 
Neither of us heeded15 her.
 
“Ralph may be weak,” continued Flora. “He may have done foolish things in the past—wicked things even—but he wouldn’t murder any one.”
 
“No, no,” I exclaimed. “I never thought it of him.”
 
“Then why did you go to the Three Boars last night?” demanded Flora, “on your way home—after uncle’s body was found?”
 
I was momentarily silenced. I had hoped that that visit of mine would remain unnoticed.
 
“How did you know about that?” I countered.
 
“I went there this morning,” said Flora. “I heard from the servants that Ralph was staying there——”
 
I interrupted her.
 
“You had no idea that he was in King’s Abbot?”
 
“No. I was astounded16. I couldn’t understand it. I went there and asked for him. They told me, what I suppose they told you last night, that he went out at about nine o’clock yesterday evening—and—and never came back.”
 
Her eyes met mine defiantly17, and as though answering something in my look, she burst out:—
 
“Well, why shouldn’t he? He might have gone—anywhere. He may even have gone back to London.”
 
“Leaving his luggage behind?” I asked gently.
 
Flora stamped her foot.
 
“I don’t care. There must be a simple explanation.”
 
“And that’s why you want to go to Hercule Poirot?79 Isn’t it better to leave things as they are? The police don’t suspect Ralph in the least, remember. They’re working on quite another tack18.”
 
“But that’s just it,” cried the girl. “They do suspect him. A man from Cranchester turned up this morning—Inspector Raglan, a horrid19, weaselly little man. I found he had been to the Three Boars this morning before me. They told me all about his having been there, and the questions he had asked. He must think Ralph did it.”
 
“That’s a change of mind from last night, if so,” I said slowly. “He doesn’t believe in Davis’s theory that it was Parker then?”
 
“Parker indeed,” said my sister, and snorted.
 
Flora came forward and laid her hand on my arm.
 
“Oh! Dr. Sheppard, let us go at once to this M. Poirot. He will find out the truth.”
 
“My dear Flora,” I said gently, laying my hand on hers. “Are you quite sure it is the truth we want?”
 
She looked at me, nodding her head gravely.
 
“You’re not sure,” she said. “I am. I know Ralph better than you do.”
 
“Of course he didn’t do it,” said Caroline, who had been keeping silent with great difficulty. “Ralph may be extravagant20, but he’s a dear boy, and has the nicest manners.”
 
I wanted to tell Caroline that large numbers of murderers have had nice manners, but the presence of Flora restrained me. Since the girl was determined21, I was forced to give in to her and we started at once, getting away before my sister was able to fire off any more pronouncements80 beginning with her favorite words, “Of course.”
 
An old woman with an immense Breton cap opened the door of The Larches to us. M. Poirot was at home, it seemed.
 
We were ushered22 into a little sitting-room arranged with formal precision, and there, after the lapse23 of a minute or so, my friend of yesterday came to us.
 
“Monsieur le docteur,” he said, smiling. “Mademoiselle.”
 
He bowed to Flora.
 
“Perhaps,” I began, “you have heard of the tragedy which occurred last night.”
 
His face grew grave.
 
“But certainly I have heard. It is horrible. I offer mademoiselle all my sympathy. In what way can I serve you?”
 
“Miss Ackroyd,” I said, “wants you to—to——”
 
“To find the murderer,” said Flora in a clear voice.
 
“I see,” said the little man. “But the police will do that, will they not?”
 
“They might make a mistake,” said Flora. “They are on their way to make a mistake now, I think. Please, M. Poirot, won’t you help us? If—if it is a question of money——”
 
Poirot held up his hand.
 
“Not that, I beg of you, mademoiselle. Not that I do not care for money.” His eyes showed a momentary24 twinkle. “Money, it means much to me and always has done. No, if I go into this, you must understand one81 thing clearly. I shall go through with it to the end. The good dog, he does not leave the scent25, remember! You may wish that, after all, you had left it to the local police.”
 
“I want the truth,” said Flora, looking him straight in the eyes.
 
“All the truth?”
 
“All the truth.”
 
“Then I accept,” said the little man quietly. “And I hope you will not regret those words. Now, tell me all the circumstances.”
 
“Dr. Sheppard had better tell you,” said Flora. “He knows more than I do.”
 
Thus enjoined26, I plunged27 into a careful narrative28, embodying29 all the facts I have previously30 set down. Poirot listened carefully, inserting a question here and there, but for the most part sitting in silence, his eyes on the ceiling.
 
I brought my story to a close with the departure of the inspector and myself from Fernly Park the previous night.
 
“And now,” said Flora, as I finished, “tell him all about Ralph.”
 
I hesitated, but her imperious glance drove me on.
 
“You went to this inn—this Three Boars—last night on your way home?” asked Poirot, as I brought my tale to a close. “Now exactly why was that?”
 
I paused a moment to choose my words carefully.
 
“I thought some one ought to inform the young man of his uncle’s death. It occurred to me after I had left82 Fernly that possibly no one but myself and Mr. Ackroyd were aware that he was staying in the village.”
 
Poirot nodded.
 
“Quite so. That was your only motive31 in going there, eh?”
 
“That was my only motive,” I said stiffly.
 
“It was not to—shall we say—reassure yourself about ce jeune homme?”
 
“Reassure myself?”
 
“I think, M. le docteur, that you know very well what I mean, though you pretend not to do so. I suggest that it would have been a relief to you if you had found that Captain Paton had been at home all the evening.”
 
“Not at all,” I said sharply.
 
The little detective shook his head at me gravely.
 
“You have not the trust in me of Miss Flora,” he said. “But no matter. What we have to look at is this—Captain Paton is missing, under circumstances which call for an explanation. I will not hide from you that the matter looks grave. Still, it may admit of a perfectly32 simple explanation.”
 
“That’s just what I keep saying,” cried Flora eagerly.
 
Poirot touched no more upon that theme. Instead he suggested an immediate33 visit to the local police. He thought it better for Flora to return home, and for me to be the one to accompany him there and introduce him to the officer in charge of the case.
 
We carried out this plan forthwith. We found Inspector Davis outside the police station looking very glum34 indeed. With him was Colonel Melrose, the Chief Constable35,83 and another man whom, from Flora’s description of “weaselly,” I had no difficulty in recognizing as Inspector Raglan from Cranchester.
 
I know Melrose fairly well, and I introduced Poirot to him and explained the situation. The chief constable was clearly vexed36, and Inspector Raglan looked as black as thunder. Davis, however, seemed slightly exhilarated by the sight of his superior officer’s annoyance37.
 
“The case is going to be plain as a pikestaff,” said Raglan. “Not the least need for amateurs to come butting38 in. You’d think any fool would have seen the way things were last night, and then we shouldn’t have lost twelve hours.”
 
He directed a vengeful glance at poor Davis, who received it with perfect stolidity39.
 
“Mr. Ackroyd’s family must, of course, do what they see fit,” said Colonel Melrose. “But we cannot have the official investigation40 hampered41 in any way. I know M. Poirot’s great reputation, of course,” he added courteously42.
 
“The police can’t advertise themselves, worse luck,” said Raglan.
 
It was Poirot who saved the situation.
 
“It is true that I have retired from the world,” he said. “I never intended to take up a case again. Above all things, I have a horror of publicity43. I must beg, that in the case of my being able to contribute something to the solution of the mystery, my name may not be mentioned.”
 
Inspector Raglan’s face lightened a little.
 
84
 
“I’ve heard of some very remarkable44 successes of yours,” observed the colonel, thawing45.
 
“I have had much experience,” said Poirot quietly. “But most of my successes have been obtained by the aid of the police. I admire enormously your English police. If Inspector Raglan permits me to assist him, I shall be both honored and flattered.”
 
The inspector’s countenance46 became still more gracious.
 
Colonel Melrose drew me aside.
 
“From all I hear, this little fellow’s done some really remarkable things,” he murmured. “We’re naturally anxious not to have to call in Scotland Yard. Raglan seems very sure of himself, but I’m not quite certain that I agree with him. You see, I—er—know the parties concerned better than he does. This fellow doesn’t seem out after kudos47, does he? Would work in with us unobtrusively, eh?”
 
“To the greater glory of Inspector Raglan,” I said solemnly.
 
“Well, well,” said Colonel Melrose breezily in a louder voice, “we must put you wise to the latest developments, M. Poirot.”
 
“I thank you,” said Poirot. “My friend, Dr. Sheppard, said something of the butler being suspected?”
 
“That’s all bunkum,” said Raglan instantly. “These high-class servants get in such a funk that they act suspiciously for nothing at all.”
 
“The fingerprints48?” I hinted.
 
“Nothing like Parker’s.” He gave a faint smile, and85 added: “And yours and Mr. Raymond’s don’t fit either, doctor.”
 
“What about those of Captain Ralph Paton?” asked Poirot quietly.
 
I felt a secret admiration49 for the way he took the bull by the horns. I saw a look of respect creep into the inspector’s eye.
 
“I see you don’t let the grass grow under your feet, Mr. Poirot. It will be a pleasure to work with you, I’m sure. We’re going to take that young gentleman’s fingerprints as soon as we can lay hands upon him.”
 
“I can’t help thinking you’re mistaken, inspector,” said Colonel Melrose warmly. “I’ve known Ralph Paton from a boy upward. He’d never stoop to murder.”
 
“Maybe not,” said the inspector tonelessly.
 
“What have you got against him?” I asked.
 
“Went out just on nine o’clock last night. Was seen in neighborhood of Fernly Park somewhere about nine-thirty. Not been seen since. Believed to be in serious money difficulties. I’ve got a pair of his shoes here—shoes with rubber studs in them. He had two pairs, almost exactly alike. I’m going up now to compare them with those footmarks. The constable is up there seeing that no one tampers50 with them.”
 
“We’ll go at once,” said Colonel Melrose. “You and M. Poirot will accompany us, will you not?”
 
We assented51, and all drove up in the colonel’s car. The inspector was anxious to get at once to the footmarks, and asked to be put down at the lodge52. About half-way up the drive, on the right, a path branched off86 which led round to the terrace and the window of Ackroyd’s study.
 
“Would you like to go with the inspector, M. Poirot?” asked the chief constable, “or would you prefer to examine the study?”
 
Poirot chose the latter alternative. Parker opened the door to us. His manner was smug and deferential53, and he seemed to have recovered from his panic of the night before.
 
Colonel Melrose took a key from his pocket, and unlocking the door which led into the lobby, he ushered us through into the study.
 
“Except for the removal of the body, M. Poirot, this room is exactly as it was last night.”
 
“And the body was found—where?”
 
As precisely54 as possible, I described Ackroyd’s position. The arm-chair still stood in front of the fire.
 
Poirot went and sat down in it.
 
“The blue letter you speak of, where was it when you left the room?”
 
“Mr. Ackroyd had laid it down on this little table at his right hand.”
 
Poirot nodded.
 
“Except for that, everything was in its place?”
 
“Yes, I think so.”
 
“Colonel Melrose, would you be so extremely obliging as to sit down in this chair a minute. I thank you. Now, M. le docteur, will you kindly55 indicate to me the exact position of the dagger56?”
 
I did so, whilst the little man stood in the doorway57.
 
87
 
“The hilt of the dagger was plainly visible from the door then. Both you and Parker could see it at once?”
 
“Yes.”
 
Poirot went next to the window.
 
“The electric light was on, of course, when you discovered the body?” he asked over his shoulder.
 
I assented, and joined him where he was studying the marks on the window-sill.
 
“The rubber studs are the same pattern as those in Captain Paton’s shoes,” he said quietly.
 
Then he came back once more to the middle of the room. His eye traveled round, searching everything in the room with a quick, trained glance.
 
“Are you a man of good observation, Dr. Sheppard?” he asked at last.
 
“I think so,” I said, surprised.
 
“There was a fire in the grate, I see. When you broke the door down and found Mr. Ackroyd dead, how was the fire? Was it low?”
 
I gave a vexed laugh.
 
“I—I really can’t say. I didn’t notice. Perhaps Mr. Raymond or Major Blunt——”
 
The little man opposite me shook his head with a faint smile.
 
“One must always proceed with method. I made an error of judgment58 in asking you that question. To each man his own knowledge. You could tell me the details of the patient’s appearance—nothing there would escape you. If I wanted information about the papers on that desk, Mr. Raymond would have noticed anything88 there was to see. To find out about the fire, I must ask the man whose business it is to observe such things. You permit——”
 
He moved swiftly to the fireplace and rang the bell.
 
After a lapse of a minute or two Parker appeared.
 
“The bell rang, sir,” he said hesitatingly.
 
“Come in, Parker,” said Colonel Melrose. “This gentleman wants to ask you something.”
 
Parker transferred a respectful attention to Poirot.
 
“Parker,” said the little man, “when you broke down the door with Dr. Sheppard last night, and found your master dead, what was the state of the fire?”
 
Parker replied without a pause.
 
“It had burned very low, sir. It was almost out.”
 
“Ah!” said Poirot. The exclamation59 sounded almost triumphant60. He went on:—
 
“Look round you, my good Parker. Is this room exactly as it was then?”
 
The butler’s eye swept round. It came to rest on the windows.
 
“The curtains were drawn61, sir, and the electric light was on.”
 
Poirot nodded approval.
 
“Anything else?”
 
“Yes, sir, this chair was drawn out a little more.”
 
He indicated a big grandfather chair to the left of the door between it and the window. I append a plan of the room with the chair in question marked with an X.
 
“Just show me,” said Poirot.
 
 
The butler drew the chair in question out a good two feet from the wall, turning it so that the seat faced the door.
 
“Voilà ce qui est curieux,” murmured Poirot. “No one would want to sit in a chair in such a position, I fancy. Now who pushed it back into place again, I wonder? Did you, my friend?”
 
“No, sir,” said Parker. “I was too upset with seeing the master and all.”
 
Poirot looked across at me.
 
“Did you, doctor?”
 
I shook my head.
 
“It was back in position when I arrived with the police, sir,” put in Parker. “I’m sure of that.”
 
“Curious,” said Poirot again.
 
90
 
“Raymond or Blunt must have pushed it back,” I suggested. “Surely it isn’t important?”
 
“It is completely unimportant,” said Poirot. “That is why it is so interesting,” he added softly.
 
“Excuse me a minute,” said Colonel Melrose. He left the room with Parker.
 
“Do you think Parker is speaking the truth?” I asked.
 
“About the chair, yes. Otherwise I do not know. You will find, M. le docteur, if you have much to do with cases of this kind, that they all resemble each other in one thing.”
 
“What is that?” I asked curiously62.
 
“Every one concerned in them has something to hide.”
 
“Have I?” I asked, smiling.
 
Poirot looked at me attentively63.
 
“I think you have,” he said quietly.
 
“But——”
 
“Have you told me everything known to you about this young man Paton?” He smiled as I grew red. “Oh! do not fear. I will not press you. I shall learn it in good time.”
 
“I wish you’d tell me something of your methods,” I said hastily, to cover my confusion. “The point about the fire, for instance?”
 
“Oh! that was very simple. You leave Mr. Ackroyd at—ten minutes to nine, was it not?”
 
“Yes, exactly, I should say.”
 
“The window is then closed and bolted and the door unlocked. At a quarter past ten when the body is discovered, the door is locked and the window is open.91 Who opened it? Clearly only Mr. Ackroyd himself could have done so, and for one of two reasons. Either because the room became unbearably64 hot (but since the fire was nearly out and there was a sharp drop in temperature last night, that cannot be the reason), or because he admitted some one that way. And if he admitted some one that way, it must have been some one well known to him, since he had previously shown himself uneasy on the subject of that same window.”
 
“It sounds very simple,” I said.
 
“Everything is simple, if you arrange the facts methodically. We are concerned now with the personality of the person who was with him at nine-thirty last night. Everything goes to show that that was the individual admitted by the window, and though Mr. Ackroyd was seen alive later by Miss Flora, we cannot approach a solution of the mystery until we know who that visitor was. The window may have been left open after his departure and so afforded entrance to the murderer, or the same person may have returned a second time. Ah! here is the colonel who returns.”
 
Colonel Melrose entered with an animated65 manner.
 
“That telephone call has been traced at last,” he said. “It did not come from here. It was put through to Dr. Sheppard at 10.15 last night from a public call office at King’s Abbot station. And at 10.23 the night mail leaves for Liverpool.”
 

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 flora 4j7x1     
n.(某一地区的)植物群
参考例句:
  • The subtropical island has a remarkably rich native flora.这个亚热带岛屿有相当丰富的乡土植物种类。
  • All flora need water and light.一切草木都需要水和阳光。
2 concealed 0v3zxG     
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的
参考例句:
  • The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
  • I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
3 sitting-room sitting-room     
n.(BrE)客厅,起居室
参考例句:
  • The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
  • Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。
4 nervously tn6zFp     
adv.神情激动地,不安地
参考例句:
  • He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇,努力忍着不哭出来。
  • He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。
5 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。
6 resolute 2sCyu     
adj.坚决的,果敢的
参考例句:
  • He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
  • The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。
7 infinitely 0qhz2I     
adv.无限地,无穷地
参考例句:
  • There is an infinitely bright future ahead of us.我们有无限光明的前途。
  • The universe is infinitely large.宇宙是无限大的。
8 privately IkpzwT     
adv.以私人的身份,悄悄地,私下地
参考例句:
  • Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
  • The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。
9 larches 95773d216ba9ee40106949d8405fddc9     
n.落叶松(木材)( larch的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Most larches have brittle branches and produce relatively few flowers on lower branches. 大多数落叶松具有脆弱的枝条,并且下部枝条开花较少。 来自辞典例句
  • How many golden larches are there in the arboretum? 植物园里有几棵金钱松? 来自互联网
10 queried 5c2c5662d89da782d75e74125d6f6932     
v.质疑,对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 );询问
参考例句:
  • She queried what he said. 她对他说的话表示怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • \"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)
11 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
12 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。
13 tact vqgwc     
n.机敏,圆滑,得体
参考例句:
  • She showed great tact in dealing with a tricky situation.她处理棘手的局面表现得十分老练。
  • Tact is a valuable commodity.圆滑老练是很有用处的。
14 grudgingly grudgingly     
参考例句:
  • He grudgingly acknowledged having made a mistake. 他勉强承认他做错了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Their parents unwillingly [grudgingly] consented to the marriage. 他们的父母无可奈何地应允了这门亲事。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
15 heeded 718cd60e0e96997caf544d951e35597a     
v.听某人的劝告,听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 );变平,使(某物)变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She countered that her advice had not been heeded. 她反驳说她的建议未被重视。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I heeded my doctor's advice and stopped smoking. 我听从医生的劝告,把烟戒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 astounded 7541fb163e816944b5753491cad6f61a     
v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词);愕然;愕;惊讶
参考例句:
  • His arrogance astounded her. 他的傲慢使她震惊。
  • How can you say that? I'm absolutely astounded. 你怎么能说出那种话?我感到大为震惊。
17 defiantly defiantly     
adv.挑战地,大胆对抗地
参考例句:
  • Braving snow and frost, the plum trees blossomed defiantly. 红梅傲雪凌霜开。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • She tilted her chin at him defiantly. 她向他翘起下巴表示挑衅。 来自《简明英汉词典》
18 tack Jq1yb     
n.大头钉;假缝,粗缝
参考例句:
  • He is hammering a tack into the wall to hang a picture.他正往墙上钉一枚平头钉用来挂画。
  • We are going to tack the map on the wall.我们打算把这张地图钉在墙上。
19 horrid arozZj     
adj.可怕的;令人惊恐的;恐怖的;极讨厌的
参考例句:
  • I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
  • The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃,她咽不下去。
20 extravagant M7zya     
adj.奢侈的;过分的;(言行等)放肆的
参考例句:
  • They tried to please him with fulsome compliments and extravagant gifts.他们想用溢美之词和奢华的礼品来取悦他。
  • He is extravagant in behaviour.他行为放肆。
21 determined duszmP     
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。
22 ushered d337b3442ea0cc4312a5950ae8911282     
v.引,领,陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
  • A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 lapse t2lxL     
n.过失,流逝,失效,抛弃信仰,间隔;vi.堕落,停止,失效,流逝;vt.使失效
参考例句:
  • The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.这一事故被看作是一次严重的安全疏忽。
  • I had a lapse of memory.我记错了。
24 momentary hj3ya     
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的
参考例句:
  • We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
  • I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。
25 scent WThzs     
n.气味,香味,香水,线索,嗅觉;v.嗅,发觉
参考例句:
  • The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
  • The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。
26 enjoined a56d6c1104bd2fa23ac381649be067ae     
v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The embezzler was severely punished and enjoined to kick back a portion of the stolen money each month. 贪污犯受到了严厉惩罚,并被责令每月退还部分赃款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She enjoined me strictly not to tell anyone else. 她严令我不准告诉其他任何人。 来自辞典例句
27 plunged 06a599a54b33c9d941718dccc7739582     
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降
参考例句:
  • The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
  • She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳,从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。
28 narrative CFmxS     
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的
参考例句:
  • He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
  • Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。
29 embodying 6e759eac57252cfdb6d5d502ccc75f4b     
v.表现( embody的现在分词 );象征;包括;包含
参考例句:
  • Every instrument constitutes an independent contract embodying a payment obligation. 每张票据都构成一份独立的体现支付义务的合同。 来自口语例句
  • Fowth, The aesthetical transcendency and the beauty embodying the man's liberty. \" 第四部分:审美的超越和作为人类自由最终体现的“美”。 来自互联网
30 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。
31 motive GFzxz     
n.动机,目的;adv.发动的,运动的
参考例句:
  • The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
  • He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。
32 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
33 immediate aapxh     
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的
参考例句:
  • His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
  • We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。
34 glum klXyF     
adj.闷闷不乐的,阴郁的
参考例句:
  • He was a charming mixture of glum and glee.他是一个很有魅力的人,时而忧伤时而欢笑。
  • She laughed at his glum face.她嘲笑他闷闷不乐的脸。
35 constable wppzG     
n.(英国)警察,警官
参考例句:
  • The constable conducted the suspect to the police station.警官把嫌疑犯带到派出所。
  • The constable kept his temper,and would not be provoked.那警察压制着自己的怒气,不肯冒起火来。
36 vexed fd1a5654154eed3c0a0820ab54fb90a7     
adj.争论不休的;(指问题等)棘手的;争论不休的问题;烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 );使苦恼;使生气;详细讨论
参考例句:
  • The conference spent days discussing the vexed question of border controls. 会议花了几天的时间讨论边境关卡这个难题。
  • He was vexed at his failure. 他因失败而懊恼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
37 annoyance Bw4zE     
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼
参考例句:
  • Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气?
  • I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。
38 butting 040c106d50d62fd82f9f4419ebe99980     
用头撞人(犯规动作)
参考例句:
  • When they were talking Mary kept butting in. 当他们在谈话时,玛丽老是插嘴。
  • A couple of goats are butting each other. 两只山羊在用角互相顶撞。
39 stolidity 82f284886f2a794d9d38086f9dfb6476     
n.迟钝,感觉麻木
参考例句:
  • That contrast between flashy inspiration and stolidity may now apply to the world's big central banks. 而今这种创意的灵感和反应上的迟钝的对照也适用于世界上的各大中央银行。 来自互联网
40 investigation MRKzq     
n.调查,调查研究
参考例句:
  • In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
  • He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。
41 hampered 3c5fb339e8465f0b89285ad0a790a834     
妨碍,束缚,限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions. 恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
  • So thought every harassed, hampered, respectable boy in St. Petersburg. 圣彼德堡镇的那些受折磨、受拘束的体面孩子们个个都是这么想的。
42 courteously 4v2z8O     
adv.有礼貌地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • He courteously opened the door for me.他谦恭有礼地为我开门。
  • Presently he rose courteously and released her.过了一会,他就很客气地站起来,让她走开。
43 publicity ASmxx     
n.众所周知,闻名;宣传,广告
参考例句:
  • The singer star's marriage got a lot of publicity.这位歌星的婚事引起了公众的关注。
  • He dismissed the event as just a publicity gimmick.他不理会这件事,只当它是一种宣传手法。
44 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
45 thawing 604d0753ea9b93ae6b1e926b72f6eda8     
n.熔化,融化v.(气候)解冻( thaw的现在分词 );(态度、感情等)缓和;(冰、雪及冷冻食物)溶化;软化
参考例句:
  • The ice is thawing. 冰在融化。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • It had been snowing and thawing and the streets were sloppy. 天一直在下雪,雪又一直在融化,街上泥泞不堪。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
46 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
47 kudos U9Uzv     
n.荣誉,名声
参考例句:
  • He received kudos from everyone on his performance.他的表演受到大家的称赞。
  • It will acquire no kudos for translating its inner doubts into hesitation.如果由于内心疑虑不安而在行动上举棋不定,是得不到荣誉的。
48 fingerprints 9b456c81cc868e5bdf3958245615450b     
n.指纹( fingerprint的名词复数 )v.指纹( fingerprint的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • Everyone's fingerprints are unique. 每个人的指纹都是独一无二的。
  • They wore gloves so as not to leave any fingerprints behind (them). 他们戴着手套,以免留下指纹。 来自《简明英汉词典》
49 admiration afpyA     
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
参考例句:
  • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
  • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
50 tampers 3f9b662037e98e362f880382ae2cdcd1     
n.捣棒( tamper的名词复数 );打夯机;夯具;填塞者v.窜改( tamper的第三人称单数 );篡改;(用不正当手段)影响;瞎摆弄
参考例句:
  • If anyone tampers with this door it trips the alarm. 要是有人撬这扇门,就会触响警报器。 来自辞典例句
  • I do not approve of anything which tampers with natural ignorance. 我不赞成损害与生俱来的愚昧的任何事物。 来自互联网
51 assented 4cee1313bb256a1f69bcc83867e78727     
同意,赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The judge assented to allow the prisoner to speak. 法官同意允许犯人申辩。
  • "No," assented Tom, "they don't kill the women -- they're too noble. “对,”汤姆表示赞同地说,“他们不杀女人——真伟大!
52 lodge q8nzj     
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆
参考例句:
  • Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗?
  • I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。
53 deferential jmwzy     
adj. 敬意的,恭敬的
参考例句:
  • They like five-star hotels and deferential treatment.他们喜欢五星级的宾馆和毕恭毕敬的接待。
  • I am deferential and respectful in the presence of artists.我一向恭敬、尊重艺术家。
54 precisely zlWzUb     
adv.恰好,正好,精确地,细致地
参考例句:
  • It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
  • The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。
55 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。
56 dagger XnPz0     
n.匕首,短剑,剑号
参考例句:
  • The bad news is a dagger to his heart.这条坏消息刺痛了他的心。
  • The murderer thrust a dagger into her heart.凶手将匕首刺进她的心脏。
57 doorway 2s0xK     
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径
参考例句:
  • They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
  • Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。
58 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见
参考例句:
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
59 exclamation onBxZ     
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词
参考例句:
  • He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
  • The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
60 triumphant JpQys     
adj.胜利的,成功的;狂欢的,喜悦的
参考例句:
  • The army made a triumphant entry into the enemy's capital.部队胜利地进入了敌方首都。
  • There was a positively triumphant note in her voice.她的声音里带有一种极为得意的语气。
61 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
62 curiously 3v0zIc     
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地
参考例句:
  • He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
  • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
63 attentively AyQzjz     
adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神
参考例句:
  • She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时,她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着,把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
64 unbearably 96f09e3fcfe66bba0bfe374618d6b05c     
adv.不能忍受地,无法容忍地;慌
参考例句:
  • It was unbearably hot in the car. 汽车里热得难以忍受。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She found it unbearably painful to speak. 她发现开口说话痛苦得令人难以承受。 来自《简明英汉词典》
65 animated Cz7zMa     
adj.生气勃勃的,活跃的,愉快的
参考例句:
  • His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
  • We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。


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