‘What a lovely meal,’ said Tuppence. She looked round at the assembledcompany.
They had passed from the dining table and were now assembled in thelibrary round the coffee table.
Mr Robinson, as yellow and even larger than Tuppence had visualizedhim, was smiling behind a big and beautiful George II coffee-pot–next tohim was Mr Crispin, now, it seemed, answering to the name of Horsham.
Colonel Pikeaway sat next to Tommy, who had, rather doubtfully, offeredhim one of his own cigarettes.
Colonel Pikeaway, with an expression of surprise, said: ‘I never smokeafter dinner.’
Miss Collodon, whom Tuppence had found rather alarming, said, ‘In-deed, Colonel Pikeaway? How very, very interesting.’ She turned her headtowards Tuppence. ‘What a very well- behaved dog you have got, MrsBeresford!’
Hannibal, who was lying under the table with his head resting on Tup-pence’s foot, looked out with his misleading best angelic expression andmoved his tail gently.
‘I understood he was a very fierce dog,’ said Mr Robinson, casting anamused glance at Tuppence.
‘You should see him in action,’ said Mr Crispin–alias Horsham.
‘He has party manners when he is asked out to dinner,’ explained Tup-pence. ‘He loves it, feels he’s really a prestige dog going into high society.’
She turned to Mr Robinson. ‘It was really very, very nice of you to sendhim an invitation and to have a plateful of liver ready for him. He lovesliver.’
‘All dogs love liver,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘I understand–’ he looked atCrispin-Horsham–‘that if I were to pay a visit to Mr and Mrs Beresford attheir own home I might be torn to pieces.’
‘Hannibal takes his duties very seriously,’ said Mr Crispin. ‘He’s a well-bred guard dog and never forgets it.’
‘You understand his feelings, of course, as a security officer,’ said MrRobinson.
His eyes twinkled.
‘You and your husband have done a very remarkable1 piece of work, MrsBeresford,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘We are indebted to you. Colonel Pikeawaytells me that you were the initiator in the affair.’
‘It just happened,’ said Tuppence, embarrassed. ‘I got–well–curious. Iwanted to find out–about certain things–’
‘Yes, I gathered that. And now, perhaps you feel an equally natural curi-osity as to what all this has been about?’
Tuppence became even more embarrassed, and her remarks becameslightly incoherent.
‘Oh–oh of course–I mean–I do understand that all this is quite secret–Imean all very hush-hush–and that we can’t ask questions–because youcouldn’t tell us things. I do understand that perfectly2.’
‘On the contrary, it is I who want to ask you a question. If you will an-swer it by giving me the information I shall be enormously pleased.’
Tuppence stared at him with wide-open eyes.
‘I can’t imagine–’ She broke off.
‘You have a list–or so your husband tells me. He didn’t tell me what thatlist was. Quite rightly. That list is your secret property. But I, too, knowwhat it is to suffer curiosity.’
Again his eyes twinkled. Tuppence was suddenly aware that she likedMr Robinson very much.
She was silent for a moment or two, then she coughed and fumbled3 inher evening bag.
‘It’s terribly silly,’ she said. ‘In fact it’s rather more than silly. It’s mad.’
Mr Robinson responded unexpectedly: ‘“Mad, mad, all the whole worldis mad.” So Hans Sachs said, sitting under his elder tree in Die Meister-singer–my favourite opera. How right he was!’
He took the sheet of foolscap she handed to him.
‘Read it aloud if you like,’ said Tuppence. ‘I don’t really mind.’
Mr Robinson glanced at it, then handed it to Crispin. ‘Angus, you have aclearer voice than I have.’
Mr Crispin took the sheet and read in an agreeable tenor4 with goodenunciation:
‘Black Arrow
Alexander Parkinson
Mary Jordan did not die naturally
Oxford5 and Cambridge porcelain6 Victorian seatsGrin-Hen-Lo
KK
Mathilde’s stomach
Cain and Abel
Truelove’
He stopped, looked at his host, who turned his head towards Tuppence.
‘My dear,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘Let me congratulate you–you must have amost unusual mind. To arrive from this list of clues at your final discover-ies is really most remarkable.’
‘Tommy was hard at it too,’ said Tuppence.
‘Nagged into it by you,’ said Tommy.
‘Very good research he did,’ said Colonel Pikeaway appreciatively.
‘The census7 date gave me a very good pointer.’
‘You are a gifted pair,’ said Mr Robinson. He looked at Tuppence againand smiled. ‘I am still assuming that though you have displayed no indis-creet curiosity, you really want to know what all this has been about?’
‘Oh,’ exclaimed Tuppence. ‘Are you really going to tell us something?
How wonderful!’
‘Some of it begins, as you surmised8, with the Parkinsons,’ said Mr Robin-son. ‘That is to say, in the distant past. My own great-grandmother was aParkinson. Some things I learnt from her–
‘The girl known as Mary Jordan was in our service. She had connectionsin the Navy–her mother was Austrian and so she herself spoke9 Germanfluently.
‘As you may know, and as your husband certainly knows already, thereare certain documents which will shortly be released for publication.
‘The present trend of political thinking is that hush-hush, necessary as itis at certain times, should not be preserved indefinitely. There are thingsin the records that should be made known as a definite part of our coun-try’s past history.
‘Three or four volumes are due to be published within the next couple ofyears authenticated10 by documentary evidence.
‘What went on in the neighbourhood of Swallow’s Nest (that was thename of your present house at that time) will certainly be included.
‘There were leakages11–as always there are leakages in times of war, orpreceding a probable outbreak of war.
‘There were politicians who had prestige and who were thought of veryhighly. There were one or two leading journalists who had enormous in-fluence and used it unwisely. There were men even before the First WorldWar who were intriguing12 against their own country. After that war therewere young men who graduated from universities and who were ferventbelievers and often active members of the Communist Party without any-one knowing of that fact. And even more dangerous, Fascism was cominginto favour with a full progressive programme of eventual13 union withHitler, posing as a Lover of Peace and thereby14 bringing about a quick endto the war.
‘And so on. A Continuous Behind the Scenes Picture. It has happened be-fore in history. Doubtless it will always happen: a Fifth Column that isboth active and dangerous, run by those who believed in it–as well asthose who sought financial gain, those who aimed at eventual power beingplaced in their hands in the future. Some of this will make interestingreading. How often has the same phrase been uttered in all good faith: OldB.? A traitor15? Nonsense. Last man in the world! Absolutely trustworthy!
‘The complete confidence trick. The old, old story. Always on the samelines.
‘In the commercial world, in the Services, in political life. Always a manwith an honest face–a fellow you can’t help liking16 and trusting. Beyondsuspicion. “The last man in the world”. Etc., etc., etc. Someone who’s a nat-ural for the job, like the man who can sell you a gold brick outside theRitz.
‘Your present village, Mrs Beresford, became the headquarters of a cer-tain group just before the First World War. It was such a nice old-worldvillage–nice people had always lived there–all patriotic17, doing differentkinds of war work. A good naval18 harbour–a good-looking young Navalcommander–came of a good family, father had been an admiral. A gooddoctor practising there–much loved by all his patients–they enjoyed con-fiding their troubles to him. Just in general practice–hardly anyone knewthat he had had a special training in chemical warfare–in poison-gases.
‘And later, before the Second World War, Mr Kane –spelt with a K–livedin a pretty thatched cottage by the harbour and had a particular politicalcreed–not Fascist–oh no! Just Peace before Everything to save the world–acreed rapidly gaining a following on the Continent and in numerous othercountries abroad.
‘None of that is what you really want to know, Mrs Beresford–but you’vegot to realize the background first, a very carefully contrived19 one. That’swhere Mary Jordan was sent to find out, if she could, just what was goingon.
‘She was born before my time. I admired the work she had done for uswhen I heard the story of it–and I would have liked to have known her–she obviously had character and personality.
‘Mary was her own Christian20 name though she was always known asMolly. She did good work. It was a tragedy she should die so young.’
Tuppence had been looking up to the wall at a picture which for somereason looked familiar. It was a mere21 sketch22 of a boy’s head.
‘Is that–surely–’
‘Yes,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘That’s the boy Alexander Parkinson. He wasonly eleven then. He was a grandson of a great-aunt of mine. That’s howMolly went to the Parkinsons’ in the role of a nursery governess. It seemeda good safe observation post. One wouldn’t ever have thought–’ he brokeoff, ‘what would come of it.’
‘It wasn’t–one of the Parkinsons?’ asked Tuppence.
‘Oh no, my dear. I understand that the Parkinsons were not involved inany way. But there were others–guests and friends–staying in the housethat night. It was your Thomas who found out that the evening in questionwas the date of a census return. The names of everyone sleeping underthat roof had to be entered as well as the usual occupants. One of thosenames linked up in a significant manner. The daughter of the local doctorabout whom I have just told you came down to visit her father as she oftendid and asked the Parkinsons to put her up that night as she had broughttwo friends with her. Those friends were all right–but later her father wasfound to be heavily involved in all that was going on in that part of theworld. She herself, it seemed, had helped the Parkinsons in garden worksome weeks earlier and was responsible for foxgloves and spinach23 beingplanted in close proximity24. It was she who had taken the mixture of leavesto the kitchen on the fatal day. The illness of all the participants of themeal passed off as one of those unfortunate mistakes that happen some-times. The doctor explained he had known such a thing happen before.
His evidence at the inquest resulted in a verdict of Misadventure. The factthat a cocktail25 glass had been swept off a table and smashed by accidentthat same night attracted no attention.
‘Perhaps, Mrs Beresford, you would be interested to know that historymight have repeated itself. You were shot at from a clump26 of pampasgrass, and later the lady calling herself Miss Mullins tried to add poison toyour coffee cup. I understand she is actually a granddaughter or great-niece of the original criminal doctor, and before the Second World Warshe was a disciple27 of Jonathan Kane. That’s how Crispin knew of her, ofcourse. And your dog definitely disapproved28 of her and took prompt ac-tion. Indeed we now know that it was she who coshed old Isaac.
‘We now have to consider an even more sinister29 character. The genialkindly doctor was idolized by everyone in the place, but it seems mostprobable on the evidence that it was the doctor who was responsible forMary Jordan’s death, though at the time no one would have believed it. Hehad wide scientific interests, and expert knowledge of poisons and did pi-oneering work in bacteriology. It has taken sixty years before the factshave become known. Only Alexander Parkinson, a schoolboy at the time,began having ideas.’
‘Mary Jordan did not die naturally,’ quoted Tuppence softly. ‘It must havebeen one of us.’ She asked: ‘Was it the doctor who found out what Mary wasdoing?’
‘No. The doctor had not suspected. But somebody had. Up till then shehad been completely successful. The Naval commander had worked withher as planned. The information she passed to him was genuine and hedidn’t realize that it was mainly stuff that didn’t matter– though it hadbeen made to sound important. So-called Naval plans and secrets whichhe passed to her, she duly delivered on her days off in London, obeying in-structions as to when and where. Queen Mary’s Garden in Regent’s Parkwas one, I believe–and the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens wasanother. We learned a good deal from these meetings and the minor30 offi-cials in certain embassies concerned.
‘But all that’s in the past, Mrs Beresford, long, long in the past.’
Colonel Pikeaway coughed and suddenly took over. ‘But history repeatsitself, Mrs Beresford. Everyone learns that sooner or later. A nucleus31 re-cently reformed in Hollowquay. People who knew about it set things upagain. Perhaps that’s why Miss Mullins returned. Certain hiding- placeswere used again. Secret meetings took place. Once more money becamesignificant–where it came from, where it went to. Mr Robinson here wascalled in. And then our old friend Beresford came along and started givingme some very interesting information. It fitted in with what we hadalready suspected. Background scenery, being set up in anticipation32. A fu-ture being prepared to be controlled and run by one particular politicalfigure in this country. A man with a certain reputation and making moreconverts and followers33 every day. The Confidence Trick in action onceagain. Man of Great Integrity–Lover of Peace. Not Fascism–oh no! Justsomething that looks like Fascism. Peace for all–and financial rewards tothose who cooperate.’
‘Do you mean it’s still going on?’ Tuppence’s eyes opened wide.
‘Well, we know more or less all we want and need to know now. Andthat’s partly because of what you two have contributed–the operation of asurgical nature on a rocking-horse was particularly informative–’
‘Mathilde!’ exclaimed Tuppence. ‘I am glad! I can hardly believe it.
Mathilde’s stomach!’
‘Wonderful things, horses,’ said Colonel Pikeaway. ‘Never know whatthey will do, or won’t do. Ever since the wooden horse of Troy.’
‘Even Truelove helped, I hope,’ said Tuppence. ‘But, I mean, if it’s all go-ing on still. With children about–’
‘It isn’t,’ said Mr Crispin. ‘You don’t need to worry. That area of Englandis purified–the wasps’ nest cleared up. It’s suitable for private living again.
We’ve reason to believe they’ve shifted operations to the neighbourhoodof Bury St Edmunds. And we’ll be keeping an eye on you, so you needn’tworry at all.’
Tuppence gave a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you for telling me. You see, mydaughter Deborah comes to stay from time to time and brings her threechildren–’
‘You needn’t worry,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘By the way, after the N and Mbusiness, didn’t you adopt the child that figured in the case–the one thathad the nursery rhyme books, Goosey Gander and all the rest of it?’
‘Betty?’ said Tuppence. ‘Yes. She’s done very well at university and she’sgone off now to Africa to do research on how people live– that sort ofthing. A lot of young people are very keen on that. She’s a darling–andvery happy.’
Mr Robinson cleared his throat and rose to his feet. ‘I want to propose atoast. To Mr and Mrs Thomas Beresford in acknowledgement of the ser-vice they have rendered to their country.’
It was drunk enthusiastically.
‘And if I may, I will propose a further toast,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘To Han-nibal.’
‘There, Hannibal,’ said Tuppence, stroking his head. ‘You’ve had yourhealth drunk. Almost as good as being knighted or having a medal. I wasreading Stanley Weyman’s Count Hannibal only the other day.’
‘Read it as a boy, I remember,’ said Mr Robinson. ‘“Who touches mybrother touches Tavanne,” if I’ve got it right. Pikeaway, don’t you think?
Hannibal, may I be permitted to tap you on the shoulder?’
Hannibal took a step towards him, received a tap on the shoulder andgently wagged his tail.
‘I hereby create you a Count of this Realm.’
‘Count Hannibal. Isn’t that lovely?’ said Tuppence. ‘What a proud dogyou ought to be!’
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收听单词发音
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1
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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census
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| n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查 | |
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surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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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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authenticated
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| v.证明是真实的、可靠的或有效的( authenticate的过去式和过去分词 )；鉴定，使生效 | |
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leakages
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| 泄露； 漏( leakage的名词复数 )； 漏出； 漏出物； 渗漏物 | |
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12
intriguing
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| adj.有趣的；迷人的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的现在分词)；激起…的好奇心 | |
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eventual
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| adj.最后的，结局的，最终的 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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Christian
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mere
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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spinach
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proximity
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cocktail
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| n.鸡尾酒；餐前开胃小吃；混合物 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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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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nucleus
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| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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