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CHAPTER XXIX. MR. HALL'S DISCOMFITURE.
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The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment. The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting. This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.
"It is clear," said John, "that Mr. Hall has forged the note which he presented against my uncle's estate."
"What a wicked man," said Mrs. Berry, "to seek to defraud1 me and my poor fatherless children! I never could have suspected him."
"It was the love of money, aunt. He thought you would not detect the fraud."
[290]
"I should not but for you, John. How lucky it was you came! Now tell me what I ought to do."
"Is there a lawyer in the place?" asked John.
"Yes; there is Mr. Bradley."
"Then, aunt, you had better send for him, and ask his advice."
"I will do so; I think that will be the best way."
Mr. Bradley, though a country lawyer, was a man of sound judgment2, and quite reliable. When the circumstances were communicated to him, he gave his opinion that John's suspicions were well founded.
"I should like to see Mr. Hall here," he said. "Can you not ask him to be present, and bring the note with him?"
"The store closes at nine. I will invite him then, if you can meet him at that hour."
"That will suit me, Mrs. Berry," said the lawyer.
Mr. Hall was not surprised at the message he received. He expected that the widow would be troubled about the claim he had presented, and he was prepared to listen to entreaties3 that payment might be postponed4. That his fraud was suspected he did not dream.
When Mr. Hall entered the little sitting-room5 he was somewhat surprised to see Mr. Bradley, the lawyer;[291] but it occurred to him that Mrs. Berry in her trouble had
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1
defraud
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vt.欺骗,欺诈 | |
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2
judgment
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n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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3
entreaties
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n.恳求,乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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4
postponed
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vt.& vi.延期,缓办,(使)延迟vt.把…放在次要地位;[语]把…放在后面(或句尾)vi.(疟疾等)延缓发作(或复发) | |
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5
sitting-room
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n.(BrE)客厅,起居室 | |
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6
applied
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adj.应用的;v.应用,适用 | |
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7
mediate
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vi.调解,斡旋;vt.经调解解决;经斡旋促成 | |
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8
promptly
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adv.及时地,敏捷地 | |
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9
legacy
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n.遗产,遗赠;先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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10
fixedly
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adv.固定地;不屈地,坚定不移地 | |
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11
scrutinized
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v.仔细检查,详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
intervals
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n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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13
nervously
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adv.神情激动地,不安地 | |
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14
forgery
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n.伪造的文件等,赝品,伪造(行为) | |
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15
substantiate
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v.证实;证明...有根据 | |
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16
crumpled
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adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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17
faltered
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(嗓音)颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 ); 支吾其词; 蹒跚; 摇晃 | |
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18
belied
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v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 );证明(或显示)…为虚假;辜负;就…扯谎 | |
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19
smoothly
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adv.平滑地,顺利地,流利地,流畅地 | |
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