No sooner had John Wade¹ parted from our herothan he saw approaching him a dark, sinister-lookingman, whom he had known years before.

　　``Good-morning, Mr. Wade,'' said the newcomer.

　　``Good-morning, Mr. Graves. Are you busy justnow?''

　　``No, sir; I am out of employment. I have beenunfortunate.''

　　``Then I will give you a job. Do you see thatboy?'' said John Wade, rapidly.

　　``Yes, I see him.''

　　``I want you to follow him. Find out where helives, and let me know this evening. Do you understand?''

　　``I understand. You may rely upon me, sir,''

　　answered Nathan Graves; and quickening his pace, hesoon came within a hundred feet of our hero.

　　After fulfilling his errand, Frank walked downtownagain, but did not succeed in obtaining anyfurther employment. Wherever he went, he wasfollowed by Graves. Unconsciously, he exhaustedthe patience of that gentleman, who got heartily² tiredof his tramp about the streets. But the longest daywill come to an end, and at last he had the satisfactionof tracking Frank to his humble³ lodging⁴. Then,and not till then, he felt justified⁵ in leaving him.

　　Nathan Graves sought the residence of John Wade.

　　He rang the bell as the clock struck eight.

　　``Well, what success?'' asked Wade, when they met.

　　``I have tracked the boy. What more can I dofor you?'' asked Graves.

　　``I want to get him away from the city. The factis--I may as well tell you--my uncle has taken agreat fancy to the boy, and might be induced toadopt him, and cut me off from my rightful inheritance.

　　The boy is an artful young rascal⁶, and hasbeen doing all he could to get into the good gracesof my uncle, who is old and weak-minded.''

　　It was nine o'clock when Nathan Graves left thehouse, John Wade himself accompanying him to thedoor.

　　``How soon do you think you can carry out myinstructions?'' asked Wade.

　　``To-morrow, if possible.''

　　``The sooner the better.''

点击收听单词发音  

1 wade
v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉
参考例句：
We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。 We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

2 heartily
adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很
参考例句：
He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿，就出去找他的马。 The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手，热情地和我握手。

3 humble
adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低
参考例句：
In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。 Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

4 lodging
n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍
参考例句：
The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。 Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

5 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。

6 rascal
n.流氓；不诚实的人
参考例句：
If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。 The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

7 wharves
n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 )
参考例句：
They are seaworthy and can stand rough handling on the wharves? 适用于海运并能经受在码头上的粗暴装卸。 来自外贸英语口语25天快训 Widely used in factories and mines, warehouses, wharves, and other industries. 广泛用于厂矿、仓库、码头、等各种行业。 来自互联网

8 scanty
adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的
参考例句：
There is scanty evidence to support their accusations.他们的指控证据不足。 The rainfall was rather scanty this month.这个月的雨量不足。

9 conveyance
n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具
参考例句：
Bicycles have become the most popular conveyance for Chinese people.自行车已成为中国人最流行的代步工具。 Its another,older,usage is a synonym for conveyance.它的另一个更古老的习惯用法是作为财产转让的同义词使用。

10 apparently
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
参考例句：
An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。 He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

11 wagon
n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车
参考例句：
We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。 The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。

12 rusty
adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的
参考例句：
The lock on the door is rusty and won't open.门上的锁锈住了。 I haven't practiced my French for months and it's getting rusty.几个月不用，我的法语又荒疏了。

13 dingy
adj.昏暗的，肮脏的
参考例句：
It was a street of dingy houses huddled together. 这是一条挤满了破旧房子的街巷。 The dingy cottage was converted into a neat tasteful residence.那间脏黑的小屋已变成一个整洁雅致的住宅。

14 ushered
v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。 A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》