The little man reeled at the impact and almost fell, but:
He glared angrily into the face of the other. It was a peculiar6 and rememberable face, notable because of a long, sharp, hooked nose and very little, foxy, brown eyes; a sly face to which a small, fair moustache only added insignificance7. It was crowned by a wide-brimmed bowler9 hat which the man wore pressed down upon his ears like a Jew pedlar.
“Why!” cried Gray, “this is the second time tonight you have jostled me!”
He thought he had recognized the man for the same who had been following himself, Mrs. Irvin and Sir Lucien Pyne along old Bond Street.
A smile, intended to be propitiatory10, appeared upon the pale face.
“No, sir, excuse me, sir—”
“Don't deny it!” said Gray angrily. “If I had the time I should give you in charge as a suspicious loiterer.”
Calling to the cabman to wait, he ran up the stairs to the second floor landing. Before the painted door bearing the name of Kazmah he halted, and as the door did not open, stamped impatiently, but with no better result.
At that, since there was neither bell nor knocker, he raised his fist and banged loudly.
No one responded to the summons.
“Hi, there!” he shouted. “Open the door! Pyne! Rita!”
Again he banged—and yet again. Then he paused, listening, his ear pressed to the panel.
He could detect no sound of movement within. Fists clenched11, he stood staring at the closed door, and his fresh color slowly deserted12 him and left him pale.
Passionate14 and self-willed, he was shaken by a storm of murderous anger. That Pyne had planned this trick, with Rita Irvin's consent, he did not doubt, and his passive dislike of the man became active hatred15 of the woman he dared not think. He had for long looked upon Sir Lucien in the light of a rival, and the irregularity of his own infatuation for another's wife in no degree lessened16 his resentment17.
Again he pressed his ear to the door, and listened intently. Perhaps they were hiding within. Perhaps this charlatan18, Kazmah, was an accomplice19 in the pay of Sir Lucien. Perhaps this was a secret place of rendezvous20.
To the manifest absurdity21 of such a conjecture22 he was blind in his anger. But that he was helpless, befooled, he recognized; and with a final muttered imprecation he turned and slowly descended23 the stair. A lingering hope was dispelled24 when, looking right and left along Bond Street, he failed to perceive the missing pair.
The cabman glanced at him interrogatively. “I shall not require you,” said Gray, and gave the man half-a-crown.
Busy with his poisonous conjectures25, he remained all unaware26 of the presence of a furtive3, stooping figure which lurked27 behind the railings of the arcade28 at this point linking old Bond Street to Albemarle Street. Nor had the stooping stranger any wish to attract Gray's attention. Most of the shops in the narrow lane were already closed, although the florist's at the corner remained open, but of the shadow which lay along the greater part of the arcade this alert watcher took every advantage. From the recess29 formed by a shop door he peered out at Gray, where the light of a street lamp fell upon him, studying his face, his movements, with unrelaxing vigilance.
Gray, following some moments of indecision, strode off towards Piccadilly. The little man came out cautiously from his hiding-place and looked after him. Out of a dark porch, ten paces along Bond Street, appeared a burly figure to fall into step a few yards behind Gray. The little man licked his lips appreciatively and returned to the doorway below the premises30 of Kazmah.
Reaching Piccadilly, Gray stood for a time on the corner, indifferent to the jostling of passers-by. Finally he crossed, walked along to the Prince's Restaurant, and entered the lobby. He glanced at his wrist-watch. It registered the hour of seven-twenty-five.
He cancelled his order for a table and was standing31 staring moodily32 towards the entrance when the doors swung open and a man entered who stepped straight up to him, hand extended, and:
“Glad to see you, Gray,” he said. “What's the trouble?”
Quentin Gray stared as if incredulous at the speaker, and it was with an unmistakable note of welcome in his voice that he replied:
“Seton! Seton Pasha!”
The frown disappeared from Gray's forehead, and he gripped the other's hand in hearty33 greeting. But:
“Stick to plain Seton!” said the new-comer, glancing rapidly about him. “Ottoman titles are not fashionable.”
The speaker was a man of arresting personality. Above medium height, well but leanly built, the face of Seton “Pasha” was burned to a deeper shade than England's wintry sun is capable of producing. He wore a close-trimmed beard and moustache, and the bronze on his cheeks enhanced the brightness of his grey eyes and rendered very noticeable a slight frosting of the dark hair above his temples. He had the indescribable air of a “sure” man, a sound man to have beside one in a tight place; and looking into the rather grim face, Quentin Gray felt suddenly ashamed of himself. From Seton Pasha he knew that he could keep nothing back. He knew that presently he should find himself telling this quiet, brown-skinned man the whole story of his humiliation—and he knew that Seton would not spare his feelings.
“My dear fellow,” he said, “you must pardon me if I sometimes fail to respect your wishes in this matter. When I left the East the name of Seton Pasha was on everybody's tongue. But are you alone?”
“I am. I only arrived in London tonight and in England this morning.”
“Were you thinking of dining here?”
“No; I saw you through the doorway as I was passing. But this will do as well as another place. I gather that you are disengaged. Perhaps you will dine with me?”
“Splendid!” cried Gray. “Wait a moment. Perhaps my table hasn't gone!”
He ran off in his boyish, impetuous fashion, and Seton watched him, smiling quietly.
The table proved to be available, and ere long the two were discussing an excellent dinner. Gray lost much of his irritability34 and began to talk coherently upon topics of general interest. Presently, following an interval35 during which he had been covertly36 watching his companion:
“Do you know, Seton,” he said, “you are the one man in London whose company I could have tolerated tonight.”
“Your arrivals are always peculiarly opportune.” Gray stared at Seton with an expression of puzzled admiration38. “I don't think I shall ever understand your turning up immediately before the Senussi raid in Egypt. Do you remember? I was with the armored cars.”
“Then you vanished in the same mysterious fashion, and the C. O. was a sphinx on the subject. I next saw you strolling out of the gate at Baghdad. How the devil you'd got to Baghdad, considering that you didn't come with us and that you weren't with the cavalry40, heaven only knows!”
“No,” said Seton judicially41, gazing through his uplifted wine-glass; “when one comes to consider the matter without prejudice it is certainly odd. But do I know the lady to whose non-appearance I owe the pleasure of your company tonight?”
Quentin Gray stared at him blankly.
“Really, Seton, you amaze me. Did I say that I had an appointment with a lady?”
“My dear Gray, when I see a man standing biting his nails and glaring out into Piccadilly from a restaurant entrance I ask myself a question. When I learn that he has just cancelled an order for a table for two I answer it.”
Gray laughed. “You always make me feel so infernally young, Seton.”
“Good!”
“Yes, it's good to feel young, but bad to feel a young fool; and that's what I feel—and what I am. Listen!”
Leaning across the table so that the light of the shaded lamp fell fully42 upon his flushed, eager face, Gray, not without embarrassment43, told his companion of the “dirty trick”—so he phrased it—which Sir Lucien Pyne had played upon him. In conclusion:
“What would you do, Seton?” he asked.
Seton sat regarding him in silence with a cool, calculating stare which some men had termed insolent44, absently tapping his teeth with the gold rim8 of a monocle which he carried but apparently45 never used for any other purpose; and it was at about this time that a long low car passed near the door of the restaurant, crossing the traffic stream of Piccadilly to draw up at the corner of old Bond Street.
From the car Monte Irvin alighted and, telling the man to wait, set out on foot. Ten paces along Bond Street he encountered a small, stooping figure which became detached from the shadows of a shop door. The light of a street lamp shone down upon the sharp, hooked nose and into the cunning little brown eyes of Brisley, of Spinker's Detective Agency. Monte Irvin started.
“Ah, Brisley!” he said, “I was looking for you. Are they still there?”
“Probably, sir.” Brisley licked his lips. “My colleague, Gunn, reports no one came out whilst I was away 'phoning.”
“But the whole thing seems preposterous46. Are there no other offices in the block where they might be?”
“I personally saw Mr. Gray, Sir Lucien Pyne and the lady go into Kazmah's. At that time—roughly, ten to seven—all the other offices had been closed, approximately, one hour.”
“There is absolutely no possibility that they might have come out unseen by you?”
“None, sir. I should not have troubled a client if in doubt. Here's Gunn.”
Old Bond Street now was darkened and deserted; the yellow mist had turned to fine rain, and Gunn, his hands thrust in his pockets, was sheltering under the porch of the arcade. Gunn possessed47 a purple complexion48 which attained49 to full vigor50 of coloring in the nasal region. His moustache of dirty grey was stained brown in the centre as if by frequent potations of stout51, and his bulky figure was artificially enlarged by the presence of two overcoats, the outer of which was a waterproof52 and the inner a blue garment appreciably53 longer both in sleeve and skirt than the former. The effect produced was one of great novelty. Gunn touched the brim of his soft felt hat, which he wore turned down all round apparently in imitation of a flower-pot.
“All snug54, sir,” he said, hoarsely55 and confidentially56, bending forward and breathing the words into Irvin's ear. “Snug as a bee in a hive. You're as good as a bachelor again.”
“Yes, sir, this way, sir. Be careful of the step there. You may remark that the outer door is not yet closed. I am informed upon reliable authority as the last to go locks the door. Hence we perceive that the last has not yet gone. It is likewise opened by the first to come of a mornin'. Here we are, sir; door on the right.”
The landing was in darkness, but as Gunn spoke59 he directed the ray of a pocket lamp upon a bronze plate bearing the name “Kazmah.” He rested one hand upon his hip60.
“All snug,” he repeated; “as snug as a eel4 in mud. The decree nisi is yours, sir. As an alderman of the City of London and a Justice of the Peace you are entitled to call a police officer—”
“Hold your tongue!” rapped Irvin. “You've been drinking: and I place no reliance whatever in your evidence. I do not believe that my wife or any one else but ourselves is upon these premises.”
But indignation now deprived Gunn of speech and:
“Excuse me, sir,” interrupted the nasal voice of Brisley, “but I can absolutely answer for Gunn. Reputation of the Agency at stake. Worked with us for three years. Parties undoubtedly64 on the premises as reported.”
“Drink—” whispered Gunn.
“I shall be glad,” said Monte Irvin, and his voice shook emotionally, “if you will lend me your pocket lamp. I am naturally upset. Will you kindly65 both go downstairs. I will call if I want you.”
The two men obeyed, Gunn muttering hoarsely to Brisley; and Monte Irvin was left standing on the landing, the lamp in his hand. He waited until he knew from the sound of their footsteps that the pair had regained66 the street, then, resting his arm against the closed door, and pressing his forehead to the damp sleeve of his coat, he stood awhile, the lamp, which he held limply, shining down upon the floor.
His lips moved, and almost inaudibly he murmured his wife's name.
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收听单词发音
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1
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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eel
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| n.鳗鲡 | |
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irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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7
insignificance
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| n.不重要；无价值；无意义 | |
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8
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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9
bowler
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| n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手 | |
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propitiatory
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| adj.劝解的；抚慰的；谋求好感的；哄人息怒的 | |
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clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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15
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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charlatan
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| n.骗子；江湖医生；假内行 | |
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accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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20
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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23
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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arcade
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| n.拱廊；(一侧或两侧有商店的)通道 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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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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moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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irritability
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| n.易怒 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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covertly
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| adv.偷偷摸摸地 | |
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opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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judicially
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| 依法判决地，公平地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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48
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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50
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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52
waterproof
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| n.防水材料；adj.防水的；v.使...能防水 | |
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53
appreciably
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| adv.相当大地 | |
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54
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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55
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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56
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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57
recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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58
tersely
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| adv. 简捷地, 简要地 | |
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59
spoke
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| 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 | |
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60
hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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61
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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62
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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