PART THREE DECEMBER 24TH IV

IV

Superintendent¹ Sugden had rung the bell three times. Finally, in desperation, he pounded on the

knocker.

A scared Walter at length opened the door.

“Oo-er,” he said. A look of relief came over his face. “I was just ringing up the police.”

“What for?” said Superintendent Sugden sharply. “What’s going on here?”

Walter whispered:

“It’s old Mr. Lee. He’s been done in. . . .”

The superintendent pushed past him and ran up the stairs. He came into the room without

anyone being aware of his entrance. As he entered he saw Pilar bend forward and pick up

something from the floor. He saw David Lee standing² with his hands over his eyes.

He saw the others huddled³ into a little group. Alfred Lee alone had stepped near his father’s

body. He stood now quite close, looking down. His face was blank.

George Lee was saying importantly:

“Nothing must be touched—remember that—nothing—till the police arrive. That is most

important!”

“Excuse me,” said Sugden.

He pushed his way forward, gently thrusting the ladies aside.

Alfred Lee recognized him.

“Ah,” he said. “It’s you, Superintendent Sugden. You’ve got here very quickly.”

“Yes, Mr. Lee.” Superintendent Sugden did not waste time on explanations. “What’s all

this?”

“My father,” said Alfred Lee, “has been killed—murdered. . . .”

His voice broke.

Magdalene began suddenly to sob⁴ hysterically⁵.

Superintendent Sugden held up a large official hand. He said authoritatively⁶:

“Will everybody kindly⁷ leave the room except Mr. Lee and—er—Mr. George Lee?. . . .”

They moved slowly towards the door, reluctantly, like sheep. Superintendent Sugden

intercepted⁸ Pilar suddenly.

“Excuse me, miss,” he said pleasantly. “Nothing must be touched or disturbed.”

She stared at him. Stephen Farr said impatiently:

“Of course not. She understands that.”

Superintendent Sugden said, still in the same pleasant manner: “You picked up something

from the floor just now?”

Pilar’s eyes opened. She stared and said incredulously: “I did?”

Superintendent Sugden was still pleasant. His voice was just a little firmer.

“Yes, I saw you. . . .”

“Oh!”

“So please give it to me. It’s in your hand now.”

Slowly Pilar unclosed her hand. There lay in it a wisp of rubber and a small object made of

wood. Superintendent Sugden took them, enclosed them in an envelope and put them away in his

breast pocket. He said: “Thank you.”

He turned away. Just for a minute Stephen Farr’s eyes showed a startled respect. It was as

though he had underestimated the large handsome superintendent.

They went slowly out of the room. Behind them they heard the superintendent’s voice saying

officially:

“And now, if you please. . . .”

1 superintendent   

n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长

参考例句：

• He was soon promoted to the post of superintendent of Foreign Trade.他很快就被擢升为对外贸易总监。
• He decided to call the superintendent of the building.他决定给楼房管理员打电话。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 huddled   

挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
• We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。

4 sob   

n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣

参考例句：

• The child started to sob when he couldn't find his mother.孩子因找不到他妈妈哭了起来。
• The girl didn't answer,but continued to sob with her head on the table.那个女孩不回答，也不抬起头来。她只顾低声哭着。

5 hysterically   

ad. 歇斯底里地

参考例句：

• The children giggled hysterically. 孩子们歇斯底里地傻笑。
• She sobbed hysterically, and her thin body was shaken. 她歇斯底里地抽泣着，她瘦弱的身体哭得直颤抖。

6 authoritatively   

命令式地，有权威地，可信地

参考例句：

• "If somebody'll come here and sit with him," he snapped authoritatively. “来个人到这儿陪他坐着。”他用发号施令的口吻说。
• To decide or settle(a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively. 判定结论性、权威性地决定或解决（纠纷等）

7 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

8 intercepted   

拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻

参考例句：

• Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. 他正要离开旅馆，记者们把他拦截住了。
• Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave by the rear entrance. 他想从后门溜走，记者把他截住了。