From the little huddled5 crowd of more economical theatre-goers who waited at the stopping place of the motor-buses, Kerry detached himself, walking slowly along westward6 and staring reflectively about him. Opposite the corner of Bond Street he stood still, swinging his malacca cane7 and gazing fixedly8 along this narrow bazaar9 street of the Baghdad of the West. His trim, athletic10 figure was muffled11 in a big, double-breasted, woolly overcoat, the collar turned up about his ears. His neat bowler12 hat was tilted13 forward so as to shade the fierce blue eyes. Indeed, in that imperfect light, little of the Chief Inspector's countenance14 was visible except his large, gleaming white teeth, which he constantly revealed in the act of industriously15 chewing mint gum.
He smiled as he chewed. Duty had called him out into the mist, and for once he had obeyed reluctantly. That very afternoon had seen the return of Dan Kerry, junior, home from school for the Christmas vacation, and Dan was the apple of his father's eye.
Mrs. Kerry had reserved her dour16 Scottish comments upon the boy's school report for a more seemly occasion than the first day of his holidays; but Kerry had made no attempt to conceal17 his jubilation—almost immoral18, his wife had declared it to be—respecting the lad's athletic record. His work on the junior left wing had gained the commendation of a celebrated19 international; and Kerry, who had interviewed the gymnasium instructor20, had learned that Dan Junior bade fair to become an amateur boxer21 of distinction.
“He is faster on his feet than any boy I ever handled,” the expert had declared. “He hasn't got the weight behind it yet, of course, but he's developing a left that's going to make history. I'm of opinion that there isn't a boy in the seniors can take him on, and I'll say that he's a credit to you.”
Those words had fallen more sweetly upon the ears of Chief Inspector Kerry than any encomium22 of the boy's learning could have done. On the purely23 scholastic24 side his report was not a good one, admittedly. “But,” murmured Kerry aloud, “he's going to be a man.”
He remembered that he had promised, despite the lateness of the hour, to telephone the lad directly he had received a certain report, and to tell him whether he might wait up for his return or whether he must turn in. Kerry, stamping his small, neatly25 shod feet upon the pavement, smiled agreeably. He was thinking of the telephone which recently he had had installed in his house in Brixton. His wife had demanded this as a Christmas box, pointing out how many uneasy hours she would be spared by the installation. Kerry had consented cheerfully enough, for was he not shortly to be promoted to the exalted26 post of a superintendent27 of the Criminal Investigation28 Department?
These reflections were cheering and warming; and, waiting until a gap occurred in the stream of cabs and cars, he crossed Piccadilly and proceeded along Bond Street, swinging his shoulders in a manner which would have enabled any constable29 in the force to recognize “Red Kerry” at a hundred yards.
The fierce eyes scrutinized30 the occupants of all the lighted cars. At pedestrians31 also he stared curiously32, and at another smaller group of travellers waiting for the buses on the left-hand side of the street he looked hard and long. He pursued his way, acknowledged the salutation of a porter who stood outside the entrance to the Embassy Club, and proceeded, glancing about him right and left and with some evident and definite purpose.
A constable standing33 at the corner of Conduit Street touched his helmet as Kerry passed and the light of an arc-lamp revealed the fierce red face. The Chief Inspector stopped, turned, and:
“What the devil's the idea?” he demanded.
He snapped out the words in such fashion that the unfortunate constable almost believed he could see sparks in the misty air.
“I'm sorry, sir, but recognizing you suddenly like, I——”
“You did?” the fierce voice interrupted. “How long in the force?”
“Six months, sir.”
“I know, sir.”
“Then why did you do it?”
“I told you, sir.”
“Then tell me again.”
“I forgot.”
“You're paid to remember; bear it in mind.”
Kerry tucked his malacca under his arm and walked on, leaving the unfortunate policeman literally35 stupefied by his first encounter with the celebrated Chief Inspector.
Presently another line of cars proclaimed the entrance to a club, and just before reaching the first of these Kerry paused. A man stood in a shadowy doorway36, and:
“Good evening, Chief Inspector,” he said quietly.
“Good evening, Durham. Anything to report?”
“Yes. Lou Chada is here again.”
“With whom?”
“Lady Rourke.”
Kerry stepped to the edge of the pavement and spat37 out a piece of chewing-gum. From his overcoat pocket he drew a fresh piece, tore off the pink wrapping and placed the gum between his teeth. Then:
“How long?” he demanded.
“Came to dinner. They are dancing.”
“H'm!” The Chief Inspector ranged himself beside the other detective in the shadow of the doorway. “Something's brewing38, Durham,” he said. “I think I shall wait.”
His subordinate stared curiously but made no reply. He was not wholly in his chief's confidence. He merely knew that the name of Lou Chada to Kerry was like a red rag to a bull. The handsome, cultured young Eurasian, fresh from a distinguished university career and pampered39 by a certain section of smart society, did not conform to Detective Sergeant40 Durham's idea of a suspect. He knew that Lou was the son of Zani Chada, and he knew that Zani Chada was one of the wealthiest men in Limehouse. But Lou had an expensive flat in George Street; Lou was courted by society butterflies, and in what way he could be connected with the case known as “the Limehouse inquiry41,” Durham could not imagine.
That the open indiscretion of Lady “Pat” Rourke might lead to trouble with her husband, was conceivable enough; but this was rather a matter for underhand private inquiry than for the attention of the Criminal Investigation Department of New Scotland Yard.
So mused42 Durham, standing cold and uncomfortable in the shadowy doorway, and dreaming of a certain cosy43 fireside, a pair of carpet slippers44 and a glass of hot toddy which awaited him. Suddenly:
“Great flames! Look!” he cried.
Kerry's fingers closed, steely, upon Durham's wrist. A porter was urgently moving the parked cars farther along the street to enable one, a French coupe, to draw up before the club entrance.
Two men came out, supporting between them a woman who seemed to be ill; a slender, blonde woman whose pretty face was pale and whose wide-open blue eyes stared strangely straight before her. The taller of her escorts, while continuing to support her, solicitously45 wrapped her fur cloak about her bare shoulders; the other, the manager of the club, stepped forward and opened the door of the car.
“Lady Rourke!” whispered Durham.
“With Lou Chada!” rapped Kerry. “Run for a cab. Brisk. Don't waste a second.”
Some little conversation ensued between manager and patron, then the tall, handsome Eurasian, waving his hand protestingly, removed his hat and stepped into the coupe beside Lady Rourke. It immediately moved away in the direction of Piccadilly.
One glimpse Kerry had of the pretty, fair head lying limply back against the cushions. The manager of the club was staring after the car.
Kerry stepped out from his hiding place. Durham had disappeared, and there was no cab in sight, but immediately beyond the illuminated46 entrance stood a Rolls-Royce which had been fifth in the rank of parked cars before the adjustment had been made to enable the coupe to reach the door. Kerry ran across, and:
“Captain. Egerton's,” he replied slowly. “But what business may it be of yours?”
“I'm Chief Inspector Kerry, of New Scotland Yard,” came the rapid reply. “I want to follow the car that has just left.”
“What about running?” demanded the man insolently49.
Kerry shot out a small, muscular hand and grasped the speaker's wrist.
“I'll say one thing to you,” he rapped. “I'm a police officer, and I demand your help. Refuse it, and you'll wake up in Vine Street.”
The Chief Inspector was on the step now, bending forward so that his fierce red face was but an inch removed from that of the startled chauffeur. The quelling50 force of his ferocious51 personality achieved its purpose, as it rarely failed to do.
“I'm getting in,” added the Chief Inspector, jumping back on to the pavement. “Lose that French bus, and I'll charge you with resisting and obstructing52 an officer of the law in the execution of his duty. Start.”
Kerry leaped in and banged the door—and the Rolls-Royce started.
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1
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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pretentious
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| adj.自命不凡的，自负的，炫耀的 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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bazaar
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| n.集市，商店集中区 | |
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athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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bowler
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| n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手 | |
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tilted
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| v. 倾斜的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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industriously
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dour
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| adj.冷酷的，严厉的；（岩石）嶙峋的；顽强不屈 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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immoral
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| adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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boxer
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| n.制箱者，拳击手 | |
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encomium
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| n.赞颂；颂词 | |
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purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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scholastic
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| adj.学校的，学院的，学术上的 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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29
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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30
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
pedestrians
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| n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 ) | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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34
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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35
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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brewing
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| n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式 | |
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pampered
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| adj.饮食过量的，饮食奢侈的v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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44
slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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solicitously
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| adv.热心地，热切地 | |
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46
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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47
chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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48
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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insolently
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| adv.自豪地，自傲地 | |
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50
quelling
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| v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的现在分词 ) | |
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51
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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52
obstructing
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| 阻塞( obstruct的现在分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
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