Munich, Germany ; Present Day
Thieves have their own folklore1: stories of ingenious heists and death-defying robberies. One such legend tells of the Egyptian cat burglar Faisil Mahmood, who scaled the dome2 of St. Peter’s basilica in order to drop in on a visiting, bishop3 and steal his crosier.
Another story concerns confidence woman Red Mary Keneally, who dressed as a duchess and talked her way into the King of England’s coronation.
The palace denied the event ever took place, but every now and then a crown turns up at auction4 that looks a lot like the one in the Tower of London.
Perhaps the most thrilling legend is the tale of the lost Herve masterpiece. Every primary schoolchild knows that Pascal Herve was the French Impressionist who painted extraordinarily5 beautiful pictures of the fairy folk. And every art dealer6 knows that Herve’s paintings are second in value only to those of van Gogh himself, commanding price tags of more than fifty million euros.
There are fifteen paintings in the Herve Fairy Folk series. Ten reside in French museums and five are in private collections. But there are rumors7 of a sixteenth. Whispers circulate in the upper criminal echelons8 that another Herve exists:
The Fairy Thief, depicting9 a fairy in the act of stealing a human child. Legend has it that Herve gave the picture as a gift to a beautiful Turkish girl he met on the ChampsElysee.
The girl promptly10 broke Herve’s heart, and sold the picture to a British tourist for twenty francs. Within weeks, the picture had been stolen from the Englishman’s home. And since that time, it has been lifted from private collections all over the world. Since Herve painted his masterpiece, it is believed that The Fairy Thief has been stolen fifteen times. But what makes these thefts different from the billion others that have been committed during this time is that the first thief decided11 to keep the picture for himself. And so did all the others.
The Fairy Thief has become something of a trophy12 for top thieves worldwide. Only a dozen know of its existence, and only a handful know of its whereabouts. The painting is to criminals what the Turner Prize is to artists.
Whoever manages to successfully steal the lost painting is acknowledged as the master thief of his generation. Not many are aware of this challenge, but those who do know matter.
Naturally Artemis Fowl13 knew of The Fairy Thief, and recently he had learned of the painting’s whereabouts.
It was an irresistible14 test of his abilities. If he succeeded in stealing the lost master, he would become the youngest thief in history to have done so.
His bodyguard15, the giant Eurasian Butler, was not very pleased with his young charge’s latest project.
‘I don’t like this, Artemis,“ said Butler in his bass16 gravelly tones. ”My instincts tell me it’s a trap.“
Artemis Fowl inserted batteries in his handheld computer game.
‘Of course it’s a trap,“ said the fourteen-year-old Irish boy.
‘The Fairy Thief has been ensnaring thieves for years. That’s what makes it interesting.“
They were traveling around Munich ‘s Marienplatz in a rented Hummer H2. The military vehicle was not Artemis’s style, but it would be consistent with the style of the people they were pretending to be. Artemis sat in the rear, feeling ridiculous, dressed not in his usual dark two-piece suit, but in normal teenager clothing.
‘This outfit17 is preposterous,“ he said, zipping his tracksuit top. ”What is the point of a hood18 that is not waterproof19? And all these logos? I feel like a walking advertisement. And these jeans do not fit properly. They are sagging20 down to my knees.“
Butler smiled, glancing in the rear view mirror. “I think you look fine. Juliet would say that you were bad”
Juliet, Butler ‘s younger sister, was currently on a tour of the States with a Mexican wrestling troupe21, trying to break into the big time. Her ring name was the Jade22 Princess.
‘I certainly feel bad“ admitted Artemis. ”As for these high-top sneakers-how is one supposed to run quickly with soles three inches thick? I feel as though I am on stilts23. Honestly, Butler, the second we return to the hotel, I am disposing of this outfit. I miss my suits.“
Butler pulled onto ImTal, where the International Bank was located. “Artemis, if you’re not feeling comfortable, perhaps we should postpone24 this operation?”
Artemis zipped his computer game into a backpack, which already contained a number of typical teenage items. “Absolutely not. This window of opportunity has taken a month to organize.”
Three weeks previously25, Artemis had made an anonymous26 donation to the St. Bartleby’s School for Young Men, on condition that the third-year boys be taken on a trip to Munich for the European Schools’ Fair. The principal had been happy to honor the donor’s wishes. And now, while the other boys were viewing various technological27 marvels28 at an exhibition in Munich ‘s Olympia Stadium, Artemis was on his way to the International Bank.
As far as Principal Guiney was concerned, Butler was driving a student who was feeling poorly back to his hotel room.
‘Crane and Sparrow probably move the painting several times a year. I certainly would. Who knows where it will be in six months?“
Crane and Sparrow were a firm of British lawyers who used their business as a front for an extremely successful burglary and fencing enterprise. Artemis had long suspected them of possessing The Fairy Thief.
Confirmation29 had arrived a month earlier, when a private detective who was routinely employed to spy on Crane and Sparrow reported that he had spotted30 them moving a painting tube to the International Bank. Possibly The Fairy Thief.
‘I may not have this chance again until I am an adult,“ continued the Irish youth. ”And there is no question of waiting that long. Franz Herman stole The Fairy Thief when he was eighteen years old; I need to beat that record.“
Butler sighed. “Criminal folklore tells us that Herman stole the painting in 1927. He merely snatched a briefcase31. There is rather more to contend with today. We must break open a safe-deposit box in one of the world’s most secure banks, in broad daylight.”
Artemis Fowl smiled. “Yes. Many would say that it was impossible.”
‘They would,“ agreed Butler, slotting the Hummer into a parking space. ”Many sane32 people. Especially for someone on a school tour.“
They entered the bank through the lobby’s revolving33 doors in full view of the CCTV. Butler led the way, striding purposefully across the gold-veined marble floor toward an inquiries34 desk. Artemis trailed behind, bobbing his head to some music on his portable disk player. In fact the disk player was empty. Artemis wore mirrored sunglasses that concealed35 his eyes but allowed him to scan the bank’s interior unobserved.
The International Bank was famous in certain circles for having the most secure safe-deposit boxes in the world, including Switzerland. It was rumored36 that if the International Bank’s deposit boxes were cracked open and the contents dumped onto the floor, perhaps one tenth of the world’s wealth would be heaped on the marble. Jewels, bearer bonds, cash, deeds, art. At least half of it stolen from its rightful owners. But Artemis was not interested in any of these objects. Perhaps next time.
Butler stopped at the enquiries desk, casting a broad shadow across the slim-line monitor perched there. The thin man who had been working on the monitor lifted his head to complain, then thought better of it.
Butler ‘s sheer bulk often had that effect on people.
‘How can I help you, Herr… ?“
‘Lee, Colonel Xavier Lee. I wish to open my deposit box,“ replied Butler, in fluent German.
‘Yes, Colonel. Of course. My name is Bertholt, and I will be assisting you today.“ Bertholt opened Colonel Xavier Lee’s file on his computer with one hand, the other twirling a pencil like a mini-baton.
‘We just need to complete the usual security check. If I may have your passport?“
‘Of course,“ said Butler, sliding a People’s Republic of China passport across the desk.
‘I expect nothing less than the most stringent37 security procedures.“
Bertholt took the passport in his slim fingers, first checking the photograph, then placing it onto a scanner.
‘Alfonse,“ snapped Butler at Artemis.
‘Stop fidgeting and stand up straight, son. You slouch so much that sometimes I think you don’t have a spine38.“
Bertholt smiled with the insincerity a toddler could have seen through. “Alfonse, nice to meet you.”
‘Dude,“ said Artemis, with equal hypocrisy39.
Butler shook his head. “My son does not communicate well with the rest of the world. I look forward to the day he can join the army. Then we shall see if there is a man beneath all these moods.”
Bertholt nodded sympathetically. “I have a girl. Sixteen years old. She spends more of my money on phone calls in a week than the entire family spends on food.”
‘Teenagers, they’re all the same.“
The computer beeped.
‘Ah yes, your passport has been cleared. Now all I need is a signature.“ Bertholt slid a handwriting tablet across the desk. A digipen was attached to the tablet by a length of wire. Butler took it and scrawled40 his signature across the line. The signature would match. Of course it would. The original writing was Butler ‘s own, Colonel Xavier Lee being one of a dozen aliases41 the bodyguard had created over the years. The passport was also authentic42, even if the details typed upon it weren’t. Butler had purchased it years previously from a Chinese diplomat’s secretary in Rio de Janeiro.
Once again the computer beeped.
‘Good,“ said Bertholt. ”You are indeed who you say you are. I shall bring you to the deposit-box room. Will Alfonse be accompanying us?“
Butler stood. “Absolutely. If I leave him here, he will probably get himself arrested.”
Bertholt attempted a joke. “Well, if I may say so, Colonel, he’s in the right place.”
‘Hilarious, dude,“ muttered Artemis. ”You should, like, have your own show.“
But Bertholt’s comment was accurate. Armed security men were dotted throughout the building. At the first sign of any impropriety, they would move to strategic points, covering all exits.
Bertholt led the way to a brushed-steel elevator, holding his ID card up to a camera over the door.
The bank official winked43 at Artemis. “We have a special security system here, young man. It’s all very exciting.“
‘I know. I think I’m going to faint,“ said Artemis.
‘No more attitude, son,“ scolded Butler. ‘Bertholt is simply trying to make conversation.“
Bertholt stayed civil in the face of Artemis’s sarcasm44. “Maybe you’d like to work here when you grow up, eh, Alfonse?”
For the first time Artemis smiled sincerely, and for some reason the sight sent shivers down Bertholt’s spine. “Do you know something, Bertholt? I think some of my best work will be in banks.”
The awkward silence that followed was cut short by a voice from a tiny speaker below the camera.
‘Yes, Bertholt, we see you. How many?“
‘Two,“ replied Bertholt. ”One key holder45 and one minor46. Coming down to open a box.“
The lift door slid back to reveal a steel cuboid with no buttons or panels, just a camera elevated in one corner. They stepped inside and the elevator was remotely activated47. Artemis noticed Bertholt wringing48 his hands as soon as they began to descend49.
‘Hey, Bertholt, what’s the problem? It’s only an elevator.“
Bertholt forced a smile. Barely a glint of tooth showed beneath his mustache. “You don’t miss much, do you, Alfonse? I don’t like small spaces.
And there are no controls in here, for security reasons. The lift is operated from the desk. If it were to break down, we would be relying on the guards to rescue us. This thing is virtually airtight. What if the guard had a heart attack, or went on a coffee break? We could all…“ The bank official’s nervous rant50 was cut off by the hiss51 of the elevator door. They had arrived at the deposit-box floor.
‘Here we are,“ said Bertholt, mopping his forehead with a Kleenex. A section of the paper remained trapped in the worry lines of his forehead, and fluttered there like a windsock in the air-conditioner blast. ”Safe, you see.
Absolutely no need to worry. All is well.“ He laughed nervously52. ”Shall we?“
A bulky security guard waited for them outside the lift. Artemis noted53 the side arm on his belt, and the earpiece cord winding54 along his neck.
‘Willkommen, Bertholt, you made it in one piece. Again.“
Bertholt plucked the strand55 of tissue from his forehead. “Yes, Kurt, I made it, and don’t think the scorn in your voice goes unnoticed.”
Kurt sighed mightily56, allowing the escaping air to flap his lips. “Please pardon my phobic countryman,” he said to Butler. “Everything terrifies him, from spiders to elevators. It’s a wonder he ever gets out of bed. Now, if you could stand on the yellow square and raise both arms to shoulder level.”
There was a yellow square taped onto the steel floor. Butler stepped onto it, raising his arms.
Kurt performed a body search that would have shamed a customs official, before ushering57 him through a metal detector58 arch.
‘He’s clean,“ he said aloud. The words would be picked up by the microphone on his lapel and relayed to the security booth. ”You next, boy,“ said Kurt. ‘Same drill.“
Artemis complied, slouching onto the square. He raised his arms barely six inches from his sides.
Butler glared at him. “Alfonse! Can’t you do what the man says? In the army I would have you cleaning the latrines for this kind of behavior.”
Artemis glared back. “Yes, Colonel, but we’re not in the army here, are we?”
Kurt slipped Artemis’s pack from his back and rifled through the contents.
‘What’s this?“ he asked, pulling out a toughened plastic frame.
Artemis took the frame, unfolding it with three deft59 movements. “It’s a scooter, dude. You may have heard of them. Transportation that doesn’t pollute the air we breathe.”
Kurt snatched back the scooter, spinning the wheels and checking the joints60.
Artemis smirked61. “Of course, it’s also a laser cutter, so I can break into your boxes.”
‘You’re a real smart aleck, boy,“ snarled62 Kurt, stuffing the scooter back in the bag. ”And what’s this?“
Artemis turned on the video game. “It’s a game box. They were invented so teenagers wouldn’t have to talk to grownups.”
Kurt glanced at Butler. “He’s a gem63, sir. I wish I had one just like him.” He rattled64 a ring of keys on Artemis’s belt. “And what are these?”
Artemis scratched his head. “Uh… keys?”
Kurt ground his teeth audibly. “I know they’re keys, boy. What do they open?”
Artemis shrugged65. “Stuff. My locker66. My scooter lock. A couple of diaries. Stuff.”
The security guard examined the keys. They were everyday keys, and wouldn’t open a complicated lock.
But the bank had a no-key rule. Only safe-deposit box keys were allowed through the metal detector.
‘Sorry. The keys stay here.“ Kurt undipped the ring and placed the keys in a flat tray. ”You can pick them up on your way out.“
‘Can I go now?“
‘Yes,“ said Kurt. ”Please do, but pass the bag through to your father first.“
Artemis handed the bag around the metal detector arch to Butler. He passed through himself, setting off the buzzer67.
Kurt followed him impatiently. “Do you have anything else metallic68 on you? A belt buckle69? Some coins?”
‘Money?“ scoffed70 Artemis. ”I wish.“
‘What’s setting off the detector, then?“ said Kurt, puzzled.
‘I think I know,“ said Artemis. He hooked a finger inside his top lip, pulling it up. Two metal bands ran across his teeth.
‘Braces. That would do it,“ said Kurt. ”The detector is extremely sensitive.“
Artemis removed his finger from his mouth. “Should I take these out too? Rip them from my teeth?”
Kurt took the suggestion at face value.
‘No. I think we’re safe enough. Just go on through.
But behave yourself in there. It’s a vault72, not a playground.“ Kurt paused, pointing to a camera above their heads. ”Remember, I’ll be watching.“
‘Watch all you like,“ said Artemis brazenly73.
‘Oh, I will, boy. You so much as spit on one of those doors, and I’ll eject you from the premises74. Forcibly.“
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Kurt,“ said Bertholt. ”Don’t be so theatrical75. Those are not network television cameras, you know.“
Bertholt ushered76 them through to the vault door. “I apologize for Kurt. He failed the special-forces exam and ended up here. Sometimes I think he would love someone to rob the place, just so he could see some action.”
The door was a circular slab77 of steel, at least sixteen feet in diameter. In spite of its size, the door swung easily at Bertholt’s touch.
‘Perfectly balanced,“ explained the bank official. ”A child could open it, until five thirty when it shuts for the night. Naturally the vault is time locked. Nobody can open the door until eight thirty A.m. Not even the bank president.“
Inside the vault were rows and rows of steel deposit boxes of all shapes and sizes.
Each box had a single rectangular keyhole on its face, surrounded by a fiberoptic light. At the moment all the lights glowed red.
Bertholt took a key from his pocket; it was attached to his belt by a woven steel cable. “Of course the key’s shape is not the only important thing,” he said, inserting the key into a master keyhole. “The locks are also operated by microchip.”
Butler took a similar key from his wallet.
‘Are we ready?“
‘Whenever you are, sir.“
Butler ran his fingers over several boxes until he reached number seven hundred. He inserted his key in the keyhole. “Ready.”
‘Very well, sir. On my mark. Three, two, one. Turn.“
Both men turned their keys simultaneously78.
The master key safeguard prevented a thief opening a box with a single key. If the two keys were not turned within one second of each other, the box would not open.
The light around both keys switched from red to green. The door on Butler ‘s safe-deposit box popped open.
‘Thank you, Bertholt,“ said Butler, reaching into the box.
‘Of course, sir,“ replied Bertholt, almost bowing. ”I’ll be right outside. Even with the camera, there is a three minute inspection79 rule. So I’ll see you in one hundred and eighty seconds.“
Once the bank official had gone, Artemis shot his bodyguard a quizzical look.
‘Alfonse“ he said out of the side of his mouth.
‘I don’t remember deciding on a name for my character.“
Butler set the stopwatch on his chronograph.
‘I was improvising80, Artemis. I thought the situation required it. And if I may say so, you make a very convincing obnoxious81 teenager.“
‘Thank you, old friend. I try.“
Butler removed an architect’s drawing from his deposit box, unfolding the document until it was almost six feet square. He held it at arm’s length, apparently82 studying the design inked onto the paper.
Artemis glanced upward at the ceiling-mounted camera. “Raise your arms another two inches and take a step to your left.”
Butler did so casually83, covering the movements with a cough, and a shake of the parchment.
‘Good. Perfect. Stay right there.“
When Butler had rented the box on his last visit, he’d taken numerous photographs of the vault with a button camera. Artemis had used these photos to render a digital reconstruction84 of the room. According to his calculations, Butler ‘s present position provided Artemis with a thirtythreefoot box of cover. In that area his movements would be hidden by the drawing. At the moment, only his trainers bar could be seen by the security guards.
Artemis rested his back against a wall of security boxes, between two steel benches. He braced85 both arms against the benches, levering himself out of the oversized trainers. Carefully, the boy slid onto the bench.
‘Keep your head down,“ advised Butler.
Artemis rooted through his backpack for the video cube. Though the box did actually play a computer game, its primary function was an X-ray panel with realtime viewing. The X-ray panels were in common usage among the upper criminal echelons, and it had been a relatively86 simple matter for Artemis to disguise one as a teenager’s toy.
Artemis activated the X-ray, sliding it across the door of the deposit box beside Butler ‘s.
The bodyguard had rented his box two days after Crane and Sparrow. It stood to reason that the boxes would be close to one another, unless Crane and Sparrow had requested a specific number. In that case it was back to the drawing board. Artemis reckoned that this first attempt to steal The Fairy Thief had a forty percent chance of success. These were not ideal odds87, but he had no option but to go ahead. At the very least, he would learn more about the bank’s security.
The game cube’s small screen revealed that the first box was stuffed with currency.
‘Negative,“ said Artemis. ”Cash only.“
Butler raised an eyebrow88. “You know what they say; you can never have too much cash.”
Artemis had already moved on to the next box.
‘Not today, old friend. But let’s keep up the rental89 on our box, in case we ever need to return.“
The next box contained legal papers tied together with ribbons. The one after that was piled high with loose diamonds in a tray. Artemis struck gold on the fourth box. Figuratively speaking. Inside the deposit box was a long tube containing a rolled-up canvas.
‘I think we have it, Butler. I think this could be it.“
‘Time enough to get excited when the painting is hanging on the wall in Fowl Manor90. Hurry up, Artemis, my arms are beginning to ache.“
Artemis steadied himself. Of course Butler was right. They were still a long way from possessing The Fairy Thief, if indeed this painting was Herve’s lost masterpiece.
It could just as easily be some proud grandfather’s crayon drawing of a helicopter.
Artemis moved the X-ray machine down to the bottom of the box. There were no manufacturer’s markings on the door, but often craftsmen91 were proud and could not resist placing a signature somewhere. Even if nobody knew it was there but them. Artemis searched for maybe twenty seconds before he found what he was looking for. Inside the door itself, on the rear panel was engraved92 the word Blokken.
‘Blokken,“ said the boy triumphantly93. ”We were right.“
There were only six firms in the world capable of constructing deposit boxes of this quality.
Artemis had hacked94 their computers and found International Bank on the Blokken client list.
Blokken was a small family company in Vienna that also made boxes for several banks in Geneva and the Cayman Islands. Butler had paid their workshop a little visit and stolen two master keys. Of course, the keys were metal, and would not escape the detector arch, unless for some reason metal had been allowed through.
Artemis reached two fingers into his mouth, dislodging the brace71 from his upper teeth. Behind the brace itself was a plastic retainer, and clipped to that were two keys. The master keys.
Artemis rotated his jaw95 for a few seconds.
‘That feels better,“ he said. ”I thought I was going to gag.“
The next problem was one of distance. There were eight feet between the deposit box and the master keyhole by the door. Not only was it impossible for one person to open the door unassisted, but whoever stood by the master keyhole would be visible to the security guards. Artemis pulled his scooter from the backpack. He yanked one pin from its socket96, detaching the steering97 column from the footrest. This was no ordinary scooter. An engineer friend of Butler ‘s had constructed it from very specific blueprints98. The footrest was completely regular, but the steering column turned into a telescope at the touch of a spring-release button. Artemis unscrewed on e handgrip, reattaching it at the other end of the column. There was a slit100 in the end of each grip, into which Artemis screwed a master key. Now all he had to do was insert both keys into their corresponding keyholes and turn them simultaneously.
Artemis slotted one key into Crane and Sparrow’s box.
‘Ready?“ he asked Butler.
‘Yes,“ replied his bodyguard. ”Don’t go one step farther than you have to.“
‘Three, two, one. Go.“
Artemis pressed the spring-release button on the steering column. He shuffled101 across the bench, pulling the telescoping pole behind him. As the boy moved, Butler swiveled his trunk so that Artemis remained shielded by the blueprint99. He moved the plan just far enough to cover the master keyhole, without exposing Artemis’s legless shoes. However, the target box, complete with telescoping pole, was visible for the time it took Artemis to insert the second key.
The master keyhole was three feet beyond the end of the steel bench. Artemis leaned as far as he could without losing his balance, slotting the key into its hole. It fit snugly102. Artemis shuffled back quickly. Now Butler could once again mask Crane and Sparrow’s box. The entire plan hinged on the assumption that the guards would be concentrating on Butler, and not notice a slim pole extending toward the master keyhole. It would help that the pole was precisely103 the same color as the safe-deposit boxes.
Artemis returned to the original box, twisting the handgrip. A pulley and cable system inside the pole twisted the other handgrip simultaneously.
Both locks flashed green. Crane and Sparrow’s box popped open. Artemis felt a moment of satisfaction. His contraption had worked. Then again, there was no reason it shouldn’t: all the laws of physics had been obeyed. Amazing how the tightest of electronic security could be defeated by a pole, a pulley, and a brace.
‘Artemis,“ groaned104 Butler. ”Keeping my arms up is becoming uncomfortable. So, if you wouldn’t mind.“
Artemis cut short his mental celebration. They were not out of the vault yet. He turned the grips back to their original position, then yanked the bar toward him. Both keys popped from their holes. With the touch of a button, the pole snapped back to its original length. Artemis did not reassemble the scooter just yet. The pole may be needed to search other boxes.
Artemis studied the locker with the X-ray panel before opening the door any wider. He was searching for any wires or circuits that might trigger secondary alarms. There was one. A circuit breaker attached to a portable Klaxon. It would be extremely embarrassing for any thief if the authorities were alerted by the raucous105 wailing106 of a foghorn107. Artemis smiled. It seemed as though Crane and Sparrow had a sense of humor.
Maybe he would employ them as his lawyers.
Artemis unhooked the headphones from around his neck, popping off the earpieces. Once the wire inside was exposed, he twisted a length around each side of the breaker. Now he could safely pull apart the breaker without opening the circuit. Artemis pulled. The Klaxon remained silent.
At last, the box lay open before him. Inside, a single tube stood propped108 against the rear wall.
The tube was fashioned from Perspex, and contained a rolled-up canvas. Artemis removed the tube and held it up to the light. For several seconds, he studied the painting through the transparent109 plastic. He could not risk opening the tube until they were safely back in the hotel. A hasty job now could cause accidental damage to the painting. He had waited years to obtain The Fairy Thief; he could wait a few more hours.
‘The brushwork is unmistakable,“ he said, closing the box. ”Strong strokes. Thick blocks of light. It’s either Herve, or a brilliant copy. I do believe we’ve done it, Butler, but I can’t be sure without X-ray and paint analysis.“
‘Good,“ said the bodyguard, glancing at his watch. ”That can be done at the hotel. Pack up and let’s get out of here.“
Artemis shoved the cylinder110 into his backpack, along with the reassembled scooter. He clipped the keys to his retainer, slotting the brace over his teeth.
The vault door slid back just as the Irish youth lowered himself into his trainers. Bertholt’s head appeared in the gap.
‘Everything all right in here?“ asked the bank official.
Butler folded the drawing, slotting it into his pocket.
‘Fine, Bertholt. Excellent, in fact. You may escort us to the main level.“
Bertholt bowed slightly. “Of course. Follow me.”
Artemis was back in the role of argumentative teenager. “Thanks so much, Berty. This has been a real blast. I just love spending my holidays in banks, looking at papers.”
All credit to Bertholt. His smile never wavered.
Kurt was waiting for them by the X-ray arch, arms folded across a chest the size of a rhino’s. He waited until Butler had gone past, then tapped Artemis’s shoulder.
‘You think you’re really smart, don’t you, boy?“ he said, grinning.
Artemis grinned back. “Compared to you?
Definitely.“
Kurt bent111 over, hands on knees, until his eyes were level with Artemis’s. “I was watching you from the security booth. You didn’t do a thing. Your kind never does.”
‘How do you know?“ asked Artemis. ”I could have been breaking into those safe-deposit boxes.“
‘I know all right. I know because I could see your feet the whole time. You barely moved an inch.“
Artemis grabbed his ring of keys from the tray and ran after Butler to make the lift. “You win this time. But I’ll be back.”
Kurt cupped a hand around his mouth. “Bring it on,” he shouted. “I’ll be waiting.”
收听单词发音 |
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folklore
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| n.民间信仰，民间传说，民俗 | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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extraordinarily
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| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
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dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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echelons
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| n.（机构中的）等级，阶层( echelon的名词复数 )；（军舰、士兵、飞机等的）梯形编队 | |
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depicting
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| 描绘，描画( depict的现在分词 )； 描述 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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15
bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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16
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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17
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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19
waterproof
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| n.防水材料；adj.防水的；v.使...能防水 | |
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20
sagging
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| 下垂[沉，陷]，松垂，垂度 | |
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21
troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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22
jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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23
stilts
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| n.（支撑建筑物高出地面或水面的）桩子，支柱( stilt的名词复数 )；高跷 | |
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24
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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25
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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26
anonymous
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| adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的 | |
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27
technological
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| adj.技术的；工艺的 | |
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28
marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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29
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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30
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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31
briefcase
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| n.手提箱，公事皮包 | |
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32
sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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33
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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34
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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35
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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36
rumored
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| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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37
stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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38
spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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39
hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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40
scrawled
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| 乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
aliases
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| n.别名，化名( alias的名词复数 ) | |
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42
authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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43
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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44
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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45
holder
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| n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物 | |
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46
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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47
activated
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| adj. 激活的 动词activate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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48
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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49
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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50
rant
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| v.咆哮；怒吼；n.大话；粗野的话 | |
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51
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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52
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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53
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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54
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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55
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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57
ushering
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的现在分词 ) | |
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58
detector
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| n.发觉者，探测器 | |
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59
deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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60
joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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61
smirked
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| v.傻笑( smirk的过去分词 ) | |
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62
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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63
gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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64
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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66
locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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67
buzzer
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| n.蜂鸣器；汽笛 | |
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68
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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69
buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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scoffed
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| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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72
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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73
brazenly
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| adv.厚颜无耻地；厚脸皮地肆无忌惮地 | |
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74
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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75
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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76
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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78
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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79
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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80
improvising
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| 即兴创作（improvise的现在分词形式） | |
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81
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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82
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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83
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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84
reconstruction
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| n.重建，再现，复原 | |
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85
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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86
relatively
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| adv.比较...地，相对地 | |
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87
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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88
eyebrow
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| n.眉毛，眉 | |
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89
rental
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| n.租赁，出租，出租业 | |
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90
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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91
craftsmen
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| n. 技工 | |
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92
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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93
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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94
hacked
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| 生气 | |
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95
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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96
socket
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| n.窝，穴，孔，插座，插口 | |
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97
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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98
blueprints
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| n.蓝图，设计图( blueprint的名词复数 ) | |
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99
blueprint
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| n.蓝图，设计图，计划；vt.制成蓝图，计划 | |
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100
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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101
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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102
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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103
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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104
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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105
raucous
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| adj.(声音)沙哑的，粗糙的 | |
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106
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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107
foghorn
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| n..雾号（浓雾信号） | |
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108
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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110
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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111
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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