Chapter 9
　　Poirot noted¹ the likeness² between brother and sister as Raymond Boynton came into the room.
　　His face was stern and set. He did not seem nervous or afraid. He dropped into a chair, staredhard at Poirot, and said: ‘Well?’
　　Poirot said gently: ‘Your sister has spoken with you?’
　　Raymond nodded. ‘Yes, when she told me to come here. Of course I realize that your suspicionsare quite justified⁴. If our conversation was overheard that night, the fact that my stepmother diedrather suddenly certainly would seem suspicious! I can only assure you that the conversation was—the madness of an evening! We were, at the time, under an intolerable strain. This fantastic plan ofkilling my stepmother did—oh, how shall I put it?—it let off steam somehow!’
　　Hercule Poirot bent⁵ his head slowly.
　　‘That,’ he said, ‘is possible.’
　　‘In the morning, of course, it all seemed—rather absurd! I swear to you, M. Poirot, that I neverthought of the matter again!’
　　Poirot did not answer.
　　Raymond said quickly:
　　‘Oh, yes, I know that that is easy enough to say. I cannot expect you to believe me on my bareword. But consider the facts. I spoke³ to my mother just a little before six o’clock. She was certainlyalive and well then. I went to my tent, had a wash and joined the others in the marquee. From thattime onwards neither Carol nor I moved from the place. We were in full sight of everyone. You mustsee, M. Poirot, that my mother’s death was natural—a case of heart failure—it couldn’t be anythingelse! There were servants about, a lot of coming and going. Any other idea is absurd.’
　　Poirot said quietly: ‘Do you know, Mr Boynton, that Miss King is of the opinion that when sheexamined the body—at six-thirty—death had occurred at least an hour and a half and probably twohours earlier?’
　　Raymond stared at him. He looked dumbfounded.
　　‘Sarah said that?’ he gasped

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1 noted
adj.著名的，知名的
参考例句：
The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。 Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 likeness
n.相像，相似（之处）
参考例句：
I think the painter has produced a very true likeness.我认为这位画家画得非常逼真。 She treasured the painted likeness of her son.她珍藏她儿子的画像。

3 spoke
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
参考例句：
They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。 The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 justified
a.正当的，有理的
参考例句：
She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。 The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

5 bent
n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的
参考例句：
He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。 We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。

6 gasped
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要
参考例句：
She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。 People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 testimony
n.证词；见证，证明
参考例句：
The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。 He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

8 sinister
adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的
参考例句：
There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋。 Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.他们的建议不仅一钱不值，而且包藏祸心。

9 awaken
vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起
参考例句：
Old people awaken early in the morning.老年人早晨醒得早。 Please awaken me at six.请于六点叫醒我。

10 hysterical
adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的
参考例句：
He is hysterical at the sight of the photo.他一看到那张照片就异常激动。 His hysterical laughter made everybody stunned.他那歇斯底里的笑声使所有的人不知所措。

11 abruptly
adv.突然地，出其不意地
参考例句：
He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。 I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

12 watchful
adj.注意的，警惕的
参考例句：
The children played under the watchful eye of their father.孩子们在父亲的小心照看下玩耍。 It is important that health organizations remain watchful.卫生组织保持警惕是极为重要的。

13 contemplating
深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想
参考例句：
You're too young to be contemplating retirement. 你考虑退休还太年轻。 She stood contemplating the painting. 她站在那儿凝视那幅图画。

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