I had called in at my friend Poirot's rooms to find him sadly overworked. So much had he becomethe rage that every rich woman who had mislaid a bracelet1 or lost a pet kitten rushed to ecure theservices of the great Hercule Poirot. My little friend was a strange mixture of Flemish thrift2 andartistic fervour. He accepted many cases in which he had little interest owing to the first instinctbeing predominant.
He also undertook cases in which there was a little or no monet-m'y reward sheerly because theproblem involved interested him.
The result was that, as I say, he was overworking himself. He admitted as much himself, and Ifound little difficulty in persuad-ing him to accompany me for a week's holiday to that well-knownSouth Coast resort, Ebermouth.
We had spent four very agreeable days when Poirot came to me, an open letter in his hand.
'Mort ami, you remember my friend Joseph Aarons, the theatrical3 agent?'
I assented4 after a moment's thought. Poirot's friends are so many and so varied5, and range fromdustmen to dukes.
'Eh bien, Hastings, Joseph Aarons finds himself at Charlock Bay. He is far from well, and there isa little affair that it seems is worrying him. He begs me to go over and see him. I think, mon ami,that I must accede6 to his request. He is a faithful friend, the good Joseph Aarons, and has donemuch to assist me in the past.'
'Certainly, if you think so,' I said. 'I believe Charlock Bay is a beautiful spot, and as it happens I'venever been there.'
'Then we combine business with pleasure,' said Poirot. 'You will inquire the trains, yes?'
'It will probably mean a change or two,' I said with a grimace7.
'You know what these cross-country lines are. To go from the South Devon coast to the NorthDevon coast is sometimes a day's journey.' However, on inquiry8, I found that the journey could beaccomplished by only one change at Exeter and that the trains were good. I was hastening back toPoirot with the information when I happened to pass the offices of the Speedy cars and saw writtenup:
Tomorrow. All-day excursion to Charlock Bay. Starting 8.3o through some of the most beautifulscenery in Devon.
I inquired a few particulars and returned to the hotel full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I found ithard to make Poirot share my feelings.
'My friend, why this passion for the motor coach? The train, see you, it is sure? The tyres, they donot burst; the accidents, they do not happen. One is not incommoded by too much air. Thewindows can be shut and no draughts9 admitted.' I hinted delicately that the advantage of fresh airwas what attracted me most to the motor-coach scheme.
'And if it rains? Your English climate is so uncertain.' 'There's a hood10 and all that. Besides, if itrains badly, the excursion doesn't take place.' 'Ahl' said Poirot. 'Then let us hope that it rainS.' 'Ofcourse, if you feel like that and...' 'No, no, mon ami. I see that you have set your heart on the trip.
Fortunately, I have my greatcoat with me and two mufflers.' He sighed. 'But shall we havesufficient time at Charlock Bay?' 'Well, I'm afraid it means staying the night there. You see, thetour goes round by Dartmoor. We have lunch at Monkhampton.
We arrive at Charlock Bay about four o'clock, and the coach tarts11 back at five, arriving here at teno'clock.' 'Sol' said Po[rot. 'And there are people who do this for pleasure!
We shall, of course, get a reduction of the fare since we do not make the return journey?' 'I hardlythink that's likely.' 'You must insist.'
'Come now, Poirot, don't be mean. You know you're coining money.' 'My friend, it is not themeanness. It is the business sense. If I were a millionaire, I would pay only what was just andright.' As I had foreseen, however, Poirot was doomed12 to fail in this respect. The gentleman whoissued tickets at the Speedy office was calm and unimpassioned but adamant13. His point was thatwe ought to return. He even implied that we ought to pay extra for the privilege of leaving thecoach at Charlock Bay.
Defeated, Poirot paid over the required sum and left the office.
'The English, they have no sense of money,' he grumbled14.
'Did you observe a young man, Hastings, who paid over the full fare and yet mentioned hisintention of leaving the coach at Monkhampton?' 'I don't think I did. As a matter of fact...' 'Youwere observing the pretty young lady who booked No. 5, the next seat to ours. Ah! Yes, my friend,I saw you. And that is why when I was on the point of taking seats No. 13 and 4 which are in themiddle and as well sheltered as it is possible to be - you rudely pushed yourself forward and saidthat 3 and 4 would be better.' 'Really, Poirot,' I said, blushing.
'Auburn hair - always the auburn hair!' 'At any rate, she was more worth looking at than an oddyoung man.' 'That depends upon the point of view. To me, the young man was interesting.'
Something rather significant in Poirot's tone made me look at him quickly. 'Why? What do youmean?' 'Oh, do not excite yourself. Shall I say that he interested me because he was trying to growa moustache and as yet the result is poor.' Poirot stroked his own magnificent moustache tenderly.
'It i an art,' he murmured, 'the growing of the moustachel I have sympathy for all who attempt it.' Itis always difficult with Poirot to know when he is serious and when he is merely amusing hirnseffat one's expense. I judged it safest to say no more.
The following morning dawned bright and sunny. A really glorious dayl Poirot, however, wastaking no chances. He wore a woolly waistcoat, a mackintosh, a heavy overcoat, and two mufflers,in addition to wearing his thickest suit. He also swallowed two tablets of 'Anti-grippe' beforestarting and packed a further supply.
We took a couple of small suitcases with us. The pretty girl we had noticed the day before had asmall suitcase, and so did the young man whom I gathered to have been the object of Poirot'ssympathy. Otherwise, there was no luggage. The four pieces were stowed away by the driver, andwe all took our places.
Poirot, rather maliciously15, I thought, assigned me the outside place as 'I had the mania16 for the freshair' and himself occupied the seat next to our fair neighbour. Presently, however, he made amends17.
The man in seat 6 was a noisy fellow, inclined to be facetious18 and boisterous19, and Poirot asked thegirl in a low voice if she would like to change seats with him. She agreed gratefully, and, thechange having been effected, she entered into conversation with us and we were soon all threechattering together merrily.
She was evidently quite young, not more than nineteen, and as ingenuous21 as a child. She soonconfided to us the reason for her trip. She was going, it seemed, on business for her aunt who kepta most interesting antique shop in Ebermouth.
This aunt had been left in very reduced circumstances on the death of her father and had used hersmall capital and a houseful of beautiful things which her father had left to start in business.
She had been extremely successful and had made quite a name for herself in the trade. This girl,Mary Durrant, had come to be with her aunt and learn the business and was very excited about itmuch preferring it to the other alternative - becoming a nursery governess or companion.
Poirot nodded interest and approval to all this.
'Mademoiselle will be successful, I am sure,' he said gallantly22.
'But I will give her a little word of advice. Do not be too trusting, mademoiselle. Everywhere inthe world there are rogues23 and vagabonds, even it may be on this very coach of ours. One shouldlways be on the guard, suspiciousl' She stared at him open-mouthed, and he nodded sapiently24.
'But yes, it is as I say. Who knows? Even I who speak to you may be a malefactor25 of the worstdescription.' And he twinkled more than ever at her surprised face.
We stopped for lunch at Monkhampton, and, after a few words with the waiter, Poirot managed tosecure us a small table for three close by the window. Outside, in a big courtyard, about twentychar--bancs were parked - char--bancs which had come from all over the county. The hotel dining-room was full, and the noise was rather considerable.
'One can have altogether too much of the holiday spirit,' I said with a grimace.
Mary Durrant agreed. 'Ebermouth is quite spoiled in the summers nowadays. My aunt says it usedto be quite different.
Now one can hardly get along the pavements for the crowd.' 'But it is good for business,mademoiselle.' 'Not for ours particularly. We sell only rare and valuable things.
We do not go in for cheap bric-h-brac. My aunt has clients all over England. If they want aparticular period table or chair, or a certain piece of china, they write to her, and, sooner or later,she gets it for them. That is what has happened in this case.' We looked interested and she went onto explain. A certain American gentleman, Mr J. Baker27 Wood, was a connoisseur28 and collector ofminiatures. A very valuable set of miniatures had recently come into the market, and MissElizabeth Penn - Mary's aunt - had purchased them. She had written to Mr Wood describing theminiatures and naming a price. He had replied at once, saying that he was prepared to purchase ifthe miniatures were as represented and asking that someone should be sent with them for him tosee where he was staying at Charlock Bay. Miss Durrant had accordingly been despatched, actingas representative for the firm.
'They're lovely things, of course,' she said. 'But I can't imagine anyone paying all that money forthem. Five hundred poundsl Just think of it! They're by Cosway. Is it Cosway I mean? I get somixed up in these things.' Poirot smiled. 'You are not yet experienced, eh, mademoiselle?'
'I've had no training,' said Mary ruefully. 'We weren't brought up to know about old things. It's alot to learn.'
She sighed. Then suddenly, I saw her eyes widen in surprise.
She was sitting facing the window, and her glance now was directed out of that window, into thecourtyard. With a hurried word, she rose from her seat and almost ran out of the room. Shereturned in a few moments, breathless and apologetic.
'I'm so sorry rushing off like that. But I thought I saw a man taking my suitcase out of the coach. Iwent flying after him, and it turned out to be his own. It's one almost exactly like mine. I felt likesuch a fool. It looked as though I were accusing him of stealing it.'
She laughed at the idea.
Poirot, however, did not laugh. 'What man was it, mademoiselle?
Describe him to me.'
'He had on a brown suit. A thin weedy young man with a very indeterminate moustache.'
'Aha,' said Poirot. 'Our friend of yesterday, Hastings. You know this young man, mademoiselle.
You have seen him before?' 'No, never. Why?'
'Nothing. It is rather curious - that is all.'
He relapsed into silence and took no further part in the con- versation until something MaryDurrant said caught his atten-tion.
'Eh, mademoiselle, what is that you say?'
'I said that on my return journey I should have to be careful of "malefactors", as you call them. Ibelieve Mr Wood always pays for things in cash. If I have five hundred pounds in notes on me, Ishall be worth some malefactor's attention.'
She laughed but again Poirot did not respond. Instead, he asked her what hotel she proposed tostay at in Charlock Bay.
'The Anchor Hotel. It is small and not expensive, but quite good.'
'So!' said Poirot. 'The Anchor Hotel. Precisely31 where Hastings here has made up his mind to stay.
How oddl'
He twinkled at me.
'You are staying long in Charlock Bay?' asked Mary.
'One night only. I have business there. You could not guess, I am sure, what my profession is,mademoiselle?' I saw Mary consider several possibilities and reject them probably from a feelingof caution. At last, she hazarded the suggestion that Poirot was a conjurer. He was vastlyentertained.
'Ahl But it is an idea thatl You think I take the rabbits out of the hat? No, mademoiselle. Me, I amthe opposite of a conjurer.
The conjurer, he makes things disappear. Me, I make things that have disappeared, reappear.' Heleaned forward dramatically so aa to give the words full effect. 'It is a secret, mademoiselle, but Iwill tell you, I am a detectivel' He leaned back in his chair pleased with the effect he had created.
Mary Durrant stared at him spellbound. But any further conversation was barred for the braying32 ofvarious horns outside announced that the road monsters were ready to proceed.
As Poirot and I went out together I commented on the charm of our luncheon33 companion. Poirotagreed.
'Yes, she is charming. But, also rather silly?' 'Silly?' 'Do not be outraged34. A girl may be beautifuland have auburn hair and yet be silly. It is the height of foolishness to take two strangers into herconfidence as she has done.' 'Well, she could see we were all right.' 'That is imbecile, what yousay, my friend. Anyone who knows his job - naturally he will appear "all right". That little one shetalked of being careful when she would have five hundred pounds in money with her. But she hasfive hundred pounds with her now.' 'In miniatures.' 'Exactly. In miniatures. And between one andthe other, there is no great difference, mon ami.' 'But no one knows about them except us.' 'And thewaiter and the people at the next table. And, doubtless, everal people in Ebermouthl MademoiselleDurrant, she is charming, but, if I were Miss Elizabeth Penn, I would first of all instruct my newassistant in the common sense.' He paused and then said in a different voice: 'You know, myfriend, it would be the easiest thing in the world to remove a suitcase from one of those char-h-bancs while we were all at luncheon.'
'Oh, come, Poirot, somebody will be sure to see.'
'And what would they see? Somebody removing his luggage.
It would be done in an open and aboveboard manner, and it would be nobody's business tointerfere.'
'Do you mean - Poirot, are you hinting - But that fellow in the brown suit - it was his ownsuitcase?'
Poirot frowned. 'So it seems. All the same, it is curious, Hastings, that he should have not removedhis suitcase before, when the car first arrived. He has not lunched here, you notice.'
'If Miss Durrant hadn't been sitting opposite the window, she wouldn't have seen him,' I saidslowly.
'And since it was his own suitcase, that would not have mattered,' said Poirot. 'So let us dismiss itfrom our thoughts, mon ami.'
Nevertheless, when we had resumed our places and were speeding along once more, he took theopportunity of giving Mary Durrant a further lecture on the dangers of indiscretion which shereceived meekly35 enough but with the air of thinking it all rather a joke.
We arrived at Charlock Bay at four o'clock and were fortunate enough to be able to get rooms atthe Anchor Hotel - a charming old-world inn in one of the side streets.
Poirot had just unpacked36 a few necessaries and was applying a little cosmetic37 to his moustachepreparatory to going out to call upon Joseph Aarons when there came a frenzied38 knocking at thedoor. I called 'Come in,' and, to my utter amazement39, Mary I)urrant appeared, her face white andlarge tears standing40 in her
'I do beg your pardon - but - but the most awful thing has happened. And you did say you were adetective?' This to Poirot.
'What has happened, mademoiselle?'
'I opened my suitcase. The miniatures were in a crocodile despatch29 case - locked, of course. Now,lookl'
She held out a small square crocodile-covered case. The lid hung loose. Poirot took it from her.
The case had been forced;
great strength must have been used. The marks were plain enough. Poirot examined it and nodded.
'The miniatures?' he asked, though we both knew the answer well enough.
'Gone. They've been stolen. Oh, what shall I do?'
'Don't worry,' I said. 'My friend is Hercule Poirot. You must have heard of him. He'll get themback for you if anyone can.' 'Monsieur Poirot. The great Monsieur Poirot.'
Poirot was vain enough to be pleased at the obvious reverence41 in her voice. 'Yes, my child,' hesaid. 'It is I, myself. And you can leave your little affair in my hands. I will do all that can be done.
But I fear - I much fear - that it will be too late. Tell me, was the lock of your suitcase forced also?'
She shook her head.
'Let me see it, please.'
We went together to her room, and Poirot examined the suitcase closely. It had obviously beenopened with a key.
'Which is simple enough. These suitcase locks are all much of the same pattern. Eh bien, we mustring up the police and we must also get in touch with Mr Baker Wood as soon as possible. I willattend to that myself.'
I went with him and asked what he meant by saying it might be too late. 'Mon chef, I said todaythat I was the opposite of the conjurer - that I make the disappearing things reappear - but supposesomeone has been beforehand with me. You do not understand? You will in a minute.'
He disappeared into the telephone box. He came out five minutes later looking very grave. 'It is asI feared. A lady called upon Mr Wood with the miniatures half an hour ago. She repre-sentedherself as coming from Miss Elizabeth Penn. He was delighted with the miniatures and paid forthem forthwith.' 'Half an hour ago - before we arrived here.'
Poirot smiled rather enigmatically. 'The Speedy cars are quite speedy, but a fast motor from, say,Monkhampton would get here a good hour ahead of them at least.'
'And what do we do now?'
'The good Hastings - always practical. We inform the police,do all we can for Miss Durrant, and - yes, I think decidedly, we have an interview with Mr J.
Baker Wood.'
We carried out this programme. Poor Mary Durrant was terribly upset, fearing her aunt wouldblame her.
'Which she probably will,' observed Poirot, as we set out for the Seaside Hotel where Mr Woodwas staying. 'And with perfect justice. The idea of leaving five hundred pounds' worth of valuablesin a suitcase and going to lunch! All the same, mort ami, there are one or two curious points aboutthe case. That despatch box, for instance, why was it forced?'
'To get out the miniatures.'
'But was not that a foolishness? Say our thief is tampering42 with the luggage at lunch-time underthe pretext43 of getting out his own. Surely it is much simpler to open the suitcase, transfer thedespatch case unopened to his own suitcase, and get away, than to waste the time forcing thelock?'
'He had to make sure the miniatures were inside.'
Poirot did not look convinced, but, as we were just being shown into Mr Wood's suite44, we had notime for more discussion.
I took an immediate45 dislike to Mr Baker Wood.
He was a large vulgar man, very much overdressed and wearing a diamond solitaire ring. He wasblustering and noisy.
Of course, he'd not suspected anything amiss. Why should he?
The woman said she had the miniatures all right. Very fine specimens46, too! Had he the numbers ofthe notes? No, he hadn't.
And who was Mr - er - Poirot, anyway, to come asking him all these questions?
'I will not ask you anything more, monsieur, except for one thing. A description of the womanwho called upon you. Was she young and pretty?'
'No, sir, she was not. Most emphatically not. A tall woman, middle- aged26, grey hair, blotchycomplexion and a budding moustache. A siren? Not on your life.'
'Poirot,' I cried, as we took our departure. 'A moustache. Did you hear?'
'I have the use of my ears, thank you, Hastings.'
'But what a very unpleasant man.'
'He has not the charming manner, no.'
'Well, we ought to get the thief all right,' I remarked. 'We can identify him.'
'You are of such a naive48 simplicity49, Hastings. Do you not know that there is such a thing as analibi?'
'You think he will have an alibi50?'
Poirot replied unexpectedly: 'I sincerely hope so.'
'The trouble with you is,' I said, 'that you like a thing to be difficult.'
'Quite right, mon ami. I do not like - how do you say it - the bird who sits?
Poirot's prophecy was fully20 justified51. Our travelling companion in the brown suit turned out to be aMr Norton Kane. He had gone straight to the George Hotel at Monkhampton and had been thereduring the afternoon. The only evidence against him was that of Miss Durrant who declared thatshe had seen him getting out his luggage from the car while we were at lunch.
'Which in itself is not a suspicious act,' said Poirot meditat-ively.
After that remark, he lapsed30 into silence and refused to discuss the matter any further, saying whenI pressed him, that he was thinking of moustaches in general, and that I should be well advised todo the same.
I discovered, however, that he had asked Joseph Aarons - with whom he spent the evening - togive him every detail possible about Mr Baker Wood. As both men were staying at the same hotel,there was a chance of gleaning52 some stray crumbs53 of information. Whatever Poirot learned, hekept to himself, however.
Mary Durrant, after various interviews with the police, had returned to Ebermouth by an earlymorning train. We lunched with Joseph Aarons, and, after lunch, Poirot announced to me that hehad settled the theatrical agent's problem satisfactorily, and that we could return to Ebermouth assoon as we liked. 'But not by road, mon ami; we go by rail this time.'
'Are you afraid of having your pocket picked, or of meeting another damsel in distress54?'
'Both those affairs, Hastings, might happen to me on the train.
No, I am in haste to be back in Ebermouth, because I want to proceed with our case.'
'Our case?'
'But, yes, my friend. Mademoiselle Durrant appealed to me to help her. Because the matter is nowin the hands of the police, it does not follow that I am free to wash my hands of it. I came here tooblige an old friend, but it shall never be said of Hercule Poirot that he deserted55 a stranger in need?
And he drew himself up grandiloquently56.
'I think you were interested before that,' I said shrewdly. 'In the office of cars, when you firstcaught sight of that young man, though what drew your attention to him I don't know.'
'Don't you, Hastings? You should. Well, well, that must remain my little secret.'
We had a short conversation with the police inspector57 in charge of the case before leaving. He hadinterviewed Mr Norton Kane, and told Poirot in confidence that the young man's manner had notimpressed him favourably58. He had blustered59, denied, and contradicted himself.
'But just how the trick was done, I don't know,' he confessed.
'He could have handed the stuff to a confederate who pushed off at once in a fast car. But that's justtheory. We've got to find the car and the confederate and pin the thing down.'
Poirot nodded thoughtfully.
'Do you think that was how it was done?' I asked him, as we were seated in the train.
'No, my friend, that was not how it was done. It was cleverer than that.'
'Won't you tell me?'
'Not yet. You know - it is my weakness - I like to keep my little secrets till the end.'
'Is the end going to be soon?' every soon now.'
We arrived in Ebermouth a little after six and Poirot drove at once to the shop which bore thename 'Elizabeth Penn'. The establishment was closed, but Poirot rang the bell, and presentlyMary herself opened the door, and expressed surprise and delight at seeing us.
'Please come in and see my aunt,' she said.
She led us into a back room. An elderly lady came forward to meet us; she had white hair andlooked rather like a miniature herself with her pink-and-white skin and her blue eyes. Round herrather bent60 shoulders she wore a cape61 of priceless old lace.
'Is this the great Monsieur Poirot?' she asked in a low charming voice. 'Mary has been telling me. Icould hardly believe it. And you will really help us in our trouble. You will advise us?' Poirotlooked at her for a moment, then bowed.
'Mademoiselle Penn - the effect is charming. But you should really grow a moustache.'
Miss Penn gave a gasp62 and drew back.
'You were absent from business yesterday, were you not?'
'I was here in the morning. Later I had a bad headache and went directly home.'
'Not home, mademoiselle. For your headache you tried the change of air, did you not? The air ofCharlock Bay is very bracing63, I believe.'
He took me by the arm and drew me towards the door. He paused there and spoke64 over hisshoulder.
'You comprehend, I know everything. This little - farce65 - it must cease.'
There was a menace in his tone. Miss Penn, her face ghastly white, nodded mutely. Poirot turnedto the girl.
'Mademoiselle,' he said gently, 'you are young and charming.
But participating in these little affairs will lead to that youth and charm being hidden behind prisonwalls - and I, Hercule Poirot, tell you that that will be a pity.'
Then he stepped out into the street and I followed him, be-wildered.
'From the first, mon ami, I was interested. When that young man booked his place as far asMonkhampton only, I saw the girl's attention suddenly riveted66 on him. Now why? He was not ofthe type to make a woman look at him for himself alone. When we started on that coach, I had afeeling that something would happen. Who saw the young man tampering with the luggageMademoiselle and mademoiselle only, and remember she chos that seat - a seat facing the window- a most unfeminine choice.
'And then she comes to us with the tale of robbery- the despatch box forced which makes not thecommon sense, as I told you at the time.
'And what is the result of it all? Mr Baker Wood has paid over good money for stolen goods. Theminiatures will be returned to Miss Penn. She will sell them and will have made a thousandpounds instead of five hundred. I make the discreet67 inquiries68 and learn that her business is in a badstate - touch and go. I say to myself- the aunt and niece are in this together.' 'Then you neversuspected Norton Kane?' Then amfl With that moustache? A criminal is either clean shaven or hehas a proper moustache that can be removed at will.
But what an opportunity for the clever Miss Penn - a shrinking elderly lady with a pink-and-whitecomplexion as we saw her.
But if she holds herself erect69, wears large boots, alters her complexion47 with a few unseemlyblotches and - crowning touch adds a few sparse70 hairs to her upper lip. What then? A masculinewoman, says Mr Wood and - "a man in disguise" say we at once.' 'She really went to Charlockyesterday?' 'Assuredly. The train, as you may remember telling me, left here at eleven and got toCharlock Bay at two o'clock. Then the return train is even quicker - the one we came by. It leavesCharlock at four-five and gets here at six-fifteen. Naturally, the miniatures were never in thedespatch case at all. That was artistically71 forced before being packed. Mademoiselle Mary hasonly to find a couple of mugs who will be sympathetic to her charm and champion beauty indistress. But one of the mugs was no mug - he was Hercule Poirotl' I hardly liked the inference. Isaid hurriedly: 'Then, when you ·aid you were helping72 a stranger, you were wilfully73 deceiving me.
That's exactly what you were doing.' 'Never do I deceive you, Hastings. I only permit you todeceive yourself. I was referring to Mr Baker Wood - a stranger to these shores.' His facedarkened. 'Ahl When I think of that imposition, that iniquitous74 overcharge, the same fare single toCharlock as return, my blood boils to protect the visitor! Not a pleasant man, Mr Baker Wood, not,as you would say, sympathetic. But a visitor! And we visitors, Hastings, must stand together. Me, Iam all for the visitorst'
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bracelet
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| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
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thrift
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| adj.节约，节俭；n.节俭，节约 | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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varied
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accede
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grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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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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tarts
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| n.果馅饼( tart的名词复数 )；轻佻的女人；妓女；小妞 | |
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doomed
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adamant
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grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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maliciously
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mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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amends
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facetious
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| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
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boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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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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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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sapiently
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malefactor
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| n.罪犯 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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lapsed
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| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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braying
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| v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的现在分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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unpacked
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| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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cosmetic
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| n.化妆品；adj.化妆用的；装门面的；装饰性的 | |
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frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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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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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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tampering
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| v.窜改( tamper的现在分词 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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naive
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| adj.幼稚的，轻信的；天真的 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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alibi
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| n.某人当时不在犯罪现场的申辩或证明；借口 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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gleaning
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| n.拾落穗，拾遗，落穗v.一点点地收集（资料、事实）( glean的现在分词 )；（收割后）拾穗 | |
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crumbs
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| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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grandiloquently
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inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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blustered
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| v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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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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farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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sparse
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| adj.稀疏的，稀稀落落的，薄的 | |
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artistically
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| adv.艺术性地 | |
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72
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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iniquitous
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| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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