Turning to the right, Kerry walked on for some distance, and then suddenly stepped into the entrance to a narrow cul-de-sac and stood quite still.
A conviction had been growing upon him during the past twelve hours that someone was persistently4 and cleverly dogging his footsteps. He had first detected the presence of this mysterious follower6 outside the house of Sin Sin Wa, but the density7 of the fog had made it impossible for him to obtain a glimpse of the man's face. He was convinced, too, that he had been followed back to Leman Street, and from there to New Scotland Yard. Now, again he became aware of this persistent5 presence, and hoped at last to confront the spy.
Below footsteps, the footsteps of someone proceeding8 with the utmost caution, came along the pavement. Kerry stood close to the wall of the court, one hand in a pocket of his overall, waiting and chewing.
Nearer came the footsteps—and nearer. A shadowy figure appeared only a yard or so away from the watchful9 Chief Inspector10. Thereupon he acted.
With one surprising spring he hurled11 himself upon the unprepared man, grasped him by his coat collar, and shone the light of an electric torch fully12 into his face.
“Hell!” he snapped. “The smart from Spinker's!”
The ray of the torch lighted up the mean, pinched face of Brisley, blanched13 now by fright, gleamed upon the sharp, hooked nose and into the cunning little brown eyes. Brisley licked his lips. In Kerry's muscular grip he bore quite a remarkable14 resemblance to a rat in the jaws15 of a terrier.
“Ho, ho!” continued the Chief Inspector, showing his teeth savagely16. “So we let Scotland Yard make the pie, and then we steal all the plums, do we?”
He shook the frightened man until Brisley's broad-brimmed bowler17 was shaken off, revealing the receding18 brow and scanty19 neutral-colored hair.
“We let Scotland Yard work night and day, and then we present our rat-faced selves to Mr. Monte Irvin and say we have 'found the lady' do we?” Another vigorous shake followed. “We track Chief Inspectors20 of the Criminal Investigation21 Department, do we? We do, eh? We are dirty, skulking22 mongrels, aren't we? We require to be kicked from Limehouse to Paradise, don't we?” He suddenly released Brisley. “So we shall be!” he shouted furiously.
Hot upon the promise came the deed.
Brisley sent up a howl of pain as Kerry's right brogue came into violent contact with his person. The assault almost lifted him off his feet, and hatless as he was he set off, running as a man runs whose life depends upon his speed. The sound of his pattering footsteps was echoed from wall to wall of the cul-de-sac until finally it was swallowed up in the fog.
Kerry stood listening for some moments, then, directing a furious kick upon the bowler which lay at his feet, he snapped off the light of the torch and pursued his way. The lesser23 mystery was solved, but the greater was before him.
He had made a careful study of the geography of the neighborhood, and although the fog was still dense24 enough to be confusing, he found his way without much difficulty to the street for which he was bound. Some fifteen paces along the narrow thoroughfare he came upon someone standing25 by a closed door set in a high brick wall. The street contained no dwelling26 houses, and except for the solitary27 figure by the door was deserted28 and silent. Kerry took out his torch and shone a white ring upon the smiling countenance29 of Detective-Sergeant Coombes.
“If that smile gets any worse,” he said irritably30, “they'll have to move your ears back. Anything to report?”
“Sin Sin Wa went to bed an hour ago.”
“Any visitors?”
“No.”
“Has he been out?”
“No.”
“Got the ladder?”
“Yes.”
“All quiet in the neighborhood?”
“All quiet.”
“Good.”
The street in which this conversation took place was one running roughly parallel with that in which the house of Sin Sin Wa was situated31. A detailed32 search of the Chinaman's premises33 had failed to bring to light any scrap34 of evidence to show that opium35 had ever been smoked there. Of the door described by Mollie Gretna, and said to communicate with the adjoining establishment, not a trace could be found. But the fact that such a door had existed did not rest solely36 upon Mollie's testimony37. From one of the “beat-ups” interviewed that day, Kerry had succeeded in extracting confirmatory evidence.
Inquiries38 conducted in the neighborhood of Poplar had brought to light the fact that four of the houses in this particular street, including that occupied by Sin Sin Wa and that adjoining it, belonged to a certain Mr. Jacobs, said to reside abroad. Mr. Jacob's rents were collected by an estate agent, and sent to an address in San Francisco. For some reason not evident to this man of business, Mr. Jacobs demanded a rental39 for the house next to Sin Sin Wa's, which was out of all proportion to the value of the property. Hence it had remained vacant for a number of years. The windows were broken and boarded up, as was the door.
Kerry realized that the circumstance of the landlord of “The House of a Hundred Raptures” being named Jacobs, and the lessee40 of the Cubanis Cigarette Company's premises in old Bond Street being named Isaacs, might be no more than a coincidence. Nevertheless it was odd. He had determined41 to explore the place without unduly42 advertising43 his intentions.
Two modes of entrance presented themselves. There was a trap on the roof, but in order to reach it access would have to be obtained to one of the other houses in the row, which also possessed44 a roof-trap; or there were four windows overlooking a little back yard, two upstairs and two down.
By means of a short ladder which Coombes had brought for the purpose Kerry climbed on to the wall and dropped into the yard.
“The jemmy!” he said softly.
Coombes, also mounting, dropped the required implement45. Kerry caught it deftly46, and in a very few minutes had wrenched47 away the rough planking nailed over one of the lower windows, without making very much noise.
“No,” rapped Kerry. “Hide the ladder again. If I want help I'll whistle. Catch!”
He tossed the jemmy up to Coombes, and Coombes succeeded in catching49 it. Then Kerry raised the glass-less sash of the window and stepped into a little room, which he surveyed by the light of his electric torch. It was filthy50 and littered with rubbish, but showed no sign of having been occupied for a long time. The ceiling was nearly black, and so were the walls. He went out into a narrow passage similar to that in the house of Sin Sin Wa and leading to a stair.
Walking quietly, he began to ascend51. Mollie Gretna's description of the opium-house had been most detailed and lurid52, and he was prepared for some extravagant53 scene.
He found three bare, dirty rooms, having all the windows boarded up.
“Hell!” he said succinctly54.
Resting his torch upon a dust-coated ledge55 of the room, which presumably was situated in the front of the house, he deposited a cud of chewing-gum in the empty grate and lovingly selected a fresh piece from the packet which he always carried. Once more chewing he returned to the narrow passage, which he knew must be that in which the secret doorway56 had opened.
It was uncarpeted and dirty, and the walls were covered with faded filthy paper, the original color and design of which were quite lost. There was not the slightest evidence that a door had ever existed in any part of the wall. Following a detailed examination Kerry returned his magnifying glass to the washleather bag and the bag to his waistcoat pocket.
“H'm,” he said, thinking aloud, “Sin Sin Wa may have only one eye, but it's a good eye.”
He raised his glance to the blackened ceiling of the passage, and saw that the trap giving access to the roof was situated immediately above him. He directed the ray of the torch upon it. In the next moment he had snapped off the light and was creeping silently towards the door of the front room.
The trap had moved slightly!
Gaining the doorway, Kerry stood just inside the room and waited. He became conscious of a kind of joyous57 excitement, which claimed him at such moments; an eagerness and a lust58 of action. But he stood perfectly59 still, listening and waiting.
There came a faint creaking sound, and a new damp chilliness60 was added to the stale atmosphere of the passage. Someone had quietly raised the trap.
Cutting through the blackness like a scimitar shone a ray of light from above, widening as it descended61 and ending in a white patch on the floor. It was moved to and fro. Then it disappeared. Another vague creaking sound followed—that caused by a man's weight being imposed upon a wooden framework.
Finally came a thud on the bare boards of the floor.
Complete silence ensued. Kerry waited, muscles tense and brain alert. He even suspended the chewing operation. A dull, padding sound reached his ears.
From the quality of the thud which had told of the intruder's drop from the trap to the floor, Kerry had deduced that he wore rubber-soled shoes. Now, the sound which he could hear was that of the stranger's furtive62 footsteps. He was approaching the doorway in which Kerry was standing.
Just behind the open door Kerry waited. And unheralded by any further sound to tell of his approach, the intruder suddenly shone a ray of light right into the room. He was on the threshold; only the door concealed63 him from Kerry, and concealed Kerry from the new-comer.
The disc of light cast into the dirty room grew smaller. The man with the torch was entering. A hand which grasped a magazine pistol appeared beyond the edge of the door, and Kerry's period of inactivity came to an end. Leaning back he adroitly64 kicked the weapon from the hand of the man who held it!
There was a smothered65 cry of pain, and the pistol fell clattering66 on the floor. The light went out, too. As it vanished Kerry leapt from his hiding-place. Snapping on the light of his own pocket lamp, he ran out into the passage.
Crack! came the report of a pistol.
Kerry dropped flat on the floor. He had not counted on the intruder being armed with two pistols! His pocket lamp, still alight, fell beside him, and he lay in a curiously67 rigid68 attitude on his side, one knee drawn69 up and his arm thrown across his face.
Carefully avoiding the path of light cast by the fallen torch, the unseen stranger approached silently. Pistol in hand, he bent70, nearer and nearer, striving to see the face of the prostrate71 man. Kerry lay deathly still. The other dropped on one knee and bent closely over him....
Swiftly as a lash2 Kerry's arm was whipped around the man's neck, and helpless he pitched over on to his head! Uttering a dull groan72, he lay heavy and still across Kerry's body.
“Flames!” muttered the Chief Inspector, extricating73 himself; “I didn't mean to break his neck.”
He took up the electric torch, and shone it upon the face of the man on the floor. It was a dirty, unshaven face, unevenly74 tanned, as though the man had worn a beard until quite recently and had come from a hot climate. He was attired75 in a manner which suggested that he might be a ship's fireman save that he wore canvas shoes having rubber soles.
Kerry stood watching him for some moments. Then he groped behind him with one foot until he found the pistol, the second pistol which the man had dropped as he pitched on his skull76. Kerry picked it up, and resting the electric torch upon the crown of his neat bowler hat—which lay upon the floor—he stooped, pistol in hand, and searched the pockets of the prostrate man, who had begun to breathe stertorously77. In the breast pocket he found a leather wallet of good quality; and at this he stared, a curious expression coming into his fierce eyes. He opened it, and found Treasury79 notes, some official-looking papers, and a number of cards. Upon one of these cards be directed the light, and this is what he read:
Lord Wrexborough
Great Cumberland Place, V. 1
“To introduce 719. W.”
The stertorous78 breathing ceased, and a very dirty hand was thrust up to him.
“I'm glad you spoke81, Chief Inspector Kerry,” drawled a vaguely familiar voice. “I was just about to kick you in the back of the neck!”
Kerry dropped the wallet and grasped the proffered82 hand. “719” stood up, smiling grimly. Footsteps were clattering on the stairs. Coombes had heard the shot.
“Sir,” said Kerry, “if ever you need a testimonial to your efficiency at this game, my address is Sixty-seven Spenser Road, Brixton. We've met before.”
“We have, Chief Inspector,” was the reply. “We met at Kazmah's, and later at a certain gambling83 den3 in Soho.”
The pseudo fireman dragged a big cigar-case from his hip-pocket.
“I'm known as Seton Pasha. Can I offer you a cheroot?”
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收听单词发音
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1
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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2
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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4
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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6
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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7
density
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| n.密集，密度，浓度 | |
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8
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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9
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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10
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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11
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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12
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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13
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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14
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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15
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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16
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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17
bowler
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| n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手 | |
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18
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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19
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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20
inspectors
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| n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官 | |
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21
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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22
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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23
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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24
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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25
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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26
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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27
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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28
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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29
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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30
irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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31
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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32
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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33
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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34
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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35
opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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36
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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37
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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38
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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39
rental
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| n.租赁，出租，出租业 | |
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40
lessee
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| n.（房地产的）租户 | |
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41
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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42
unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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43
advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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44
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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45
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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46
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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47
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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48
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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49
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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50
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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51
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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52
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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53
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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54
succinctly
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| adv.简洁地；简洁地，简便地 | |
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55
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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56
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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57
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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58
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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59
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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60
chilliness
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| n.寒冷，寒意，严寒 | |
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61
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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62
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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63
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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64
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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65
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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66
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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67
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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68
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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69
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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70
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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71
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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72
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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73
extricating
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
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74
unevenly
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| adv.不均匀的 | |
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75
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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77
stertorously
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78
stertorous
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| adj.打鼾的 | |
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79
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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80
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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81
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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82
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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