山核桃大街谋杀案（20）

时间：2025-03-03 03:20:48

（单词翻译:单击）

Chapter Nineteen
I
“But it is beautiful, my friend,” said Hercule Poirot with admiration1. “So clear—so beautifully
clear.”
“You sound as if you were talking about soup,” grumbled2 the inspector3. “It may be Consommé
to you—but to me there’s a good deal of thick Mock Turtle about it still.”
“Not now. Everything fits in in its appointed place.”
“Even these?”
As he had done to Mrs. Hubbard, Inspector Sharpe produced his exhibit of two red hairs.
Poirot’s answer was almost in the same words as Sharpe had used.
“Ah—yes,” he said. “What do you call it on the radio? The one deliberate mistake.”
The eyes of the two men met.
“No one,” said Hercule Poirot, “is as clever as they think they are.”
Inspector Sharpe was greatly tempted4 to say:
“Not even Hercule Poirot?” but he restrained himself.
“For the other, my friend, it is all fixed5?”
“Yes, the balloon goes up tomorrow.”
“You go yourself?”
“No. I’m scheduled to appear at 26 Hickory Road. Cobb will be in charge.”
“We will wish him good luck.”
Gravely, Hercule Poirot raised his glass. It contained crème de menthe.
Inspector Sharpe raised his whisky glass.
“Here’s hoping,” he said.
II
“They do think up things, these places,” said Sergeant6 Cobb.
He was looking with grudging7 admiration at the display window of SABRINA FAIR. Framed
and enclosed in an expensive illustration of the glassmaker’s art—the “glassy green translucent8
wave”—Sabrina was displayed, recumbent, clad in brief and exquisite10 panties and happily
surrounded with every variety of deliciously packaged cosmetics11. Besides the panties she wore
various examples of barbaric costume jewellery.
Detective-Constable12 McCrae gave a snort of deep disapproval13.
“Blasphemy, I call it. Sabrina Fair, that’s Milton, that is.”
“Well, Milton isn’t the Bible, my lad.”
“You’ll not deny that Paradise Lost is about Adam and Eve and the garden of Eden and all the
devils of hell and if that’s not religion, what is?”
Sergeant Cobb did not enter on these controversial matters. He marched boldly into the
establishment, the dour14 constable at his heels. In the shell pink interior of Sabrina Fair the sergeant
and his satellite looked as out of place as the traditional bull in a china shop.
An exquisite creature in delicate salmon15 pink swam up to them, her feet hardly seeming to
touch the floor.
Sergeant Cobb said, “Good morning, madam,” and produced his credentials16. The lovely
creature withdrew in a flutter. An equally lovely but slightly older creature appeared. She in turn
gave way to a superb and resplendent duchess whose blue grey hair and smooth cheeks set age and
wrinkles at nought17. Appraising18 steel grey eyes met the steady gaze of Sergeant Cobb.
“This is most unusual,” said the duchess severely19. “Please come this way.”
She led him through a square salon20 with a centre table where magazines and periodicals were
heaped carelessly. All round the walls were curtained recesses21 where glimpses could be obtained
of recumbent women supine under the ministrant hands of pink robed priestesses.
The duchess led the police officers into a small businesslike apartment with a big roll top desk,
severe chairs, and no softening22 of the harsh northern light.
“I am Mrs. Lucas, the proprietress of this establishment,” she said. “My partner, Miss
Hobhouse, is not here today.”
“No, madam,” said Sergeant Cobb, to whom this was no news.
“This search warrant of yours seems to be most high-handed,” said Mrs. Lucas. “This is Miss
Hobhouse’s private office. I sincerely hope that it will not be necessary for you to—er—upset our
clients in any way.”
“I don’t think you need to worry unduly23 on that score,” said Cobb. “What we’re after isn’t
likely to be in the public rooms.”
He waited politely until she unwillingly24 withdrew. Then he looked round Valerie Hobhouse’s
office. The narrow window gave a view of the back premises25 of the other Mayfair firms. The walls
were panelled in pale grey and there were two good Persian rugs on the floor. His eyes went from
the small wall safe to the big desk.
“Won’t be in the safe,” said Cobb. “Too obvious.”
A quarter of an hour later, the safe and the drawers of the desk had yielded up their secrets.
“Looks like it’s maybe a mare’s nest,” said McCrae, who was by nature both gloomy and
disapproving26.
“We’re only beginning,” said Cobb.
Having emptied the drawers of their contents and arranged the latter neatly27 in piles, he now
proceeded to take the drawers out and turn them upside down.
He uttered an ejaculation of pleasure.
“Here we are, my lad,” he said.
Fastened to the underneath28 side of the bottom drawer with adhesive29 tape were a half-dozen
small dark blue books with gilt30 lettering.
“Passports,” said Sergeant Cobb. “Issued by Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, God bless his trusting heart.”
McCrae bent9 over with interest as Cobb opened the passports and compared the affixed31
photographs.
“Hardly think it was the same woman, would you?” said McCrae.
The passports were those of Mrs. da Silva, Miss Irene French, Mrs. Olga Kohn, Miss Nina Le
Mesurier, Mrs. Gladys Thomas, and Miss Moira O’Neele. They represented a dark young woman
whose age varied32 between twenty-five and forty.
“It’s the different hairdo every time that does it,” said Cobb. “Pompadour, curls, straight cut,
page boy bob, etc. She’s done something to her nose for Olga Kohn, plumpers in her cheeks for
Mrs. Thomas. Here are two more—foreign passports—Madame Mahmoudi, Algerian. Sheila
Donovan, Eire. I’ll say she’s got bank accounts in all these different names.”
“Bit complicated, isn’t that?”
“It has to be complicated, my lad. Inland Revenue always snooping round asking embarrassing
questions. It’s not so difficult to make money by smuggling33 goods—but it’s hell and all to account
for money when you’ve got it! I bet this little gambling34 club in Mayfair was started by the lady for
just that reason. Winning money by gambling is about the only thing an income tax inspector can’t
check up on. A good part of the loot, I should say, is cached around in Algerian and French banks
and in Eire. The whole thing’s a thoroughly35 well thought out businesslike setup. And then, one
day, she must have had one of these fake passports lying about at Hickory Road and that poor little
devil Celia saw it.”

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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 admiration afpyA     
n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕
参考例句：
  • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
  • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
2 grumbled ed735a7f7af37489d7db1a9ef3b64f91     
抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声
参考例句：
  • He grumbled at the low pay offered to him. 他抱怨给他的工资低。
  • The heat was sweltering, and the men grumbled fiercely over their work. 天热得让人发昏，水手们边干活边发着牢骚。
3 inspector q6kxH     
n.检查员，监察员，视察员
参考例句：
  • The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
  • The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。
4 tempted b0182e969d369add1b9ce2353d3c6ad6     
v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）
参考例句：
  • I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
  • I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。
5 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的
参考例句：
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。
6 sergeant REQzz     
n.警官，中士
参考例句：
  • His elder brother is a sergeant.他哥哥是个警官。
  • How many stripes are there on the sleeve of a sergeant?陆军中士的袖子上有多少条纹？
7 grudging grudging     
adj.勉强的，吝啬的
参考例句：
  • He felt a grudging respect for her talents as an organizer.他勉强地对她的组织才能表示尊重。
  • After a pause he added"sir."in a dilatory,grudging way.停了一会他才慢吞吞地、勉勉强强地加了一声“先生”。
8 translucent yniwY     
adj.半透明的；透明的
参考例句：
  • The building is roofed entirely with translucent corrugated plastic.这座建筑完全用半透明瓦楞塑料封顶。
  • A small difference between them will render the composite translucent.微小的差别,也会使复合材料变成半透明。
9 bent QQ8yD     
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。
10 exquisite zhez1     
adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的
参考例句：
  • I was admiring the exquisite workmanship in the mosaic.我当时正在欣赏镶嵌画的精致做工。
  • I still remember the exquisite pleasure I experienced in Bali.我依然记得在巴厘岛所经历的那种剧烈的快感。
11 cosmetics 5v8zdX     
n.化妆品
参考例句：
  • We sell a wide range of cosmetics at a very reasonable price. 我们以公道的价格出售各种化妆品。
  • Cosmetics do not always cover up the deficiencies of nature. 化妆品未能掩饰天生的缺陷。
12 constable wppzG     
n.(英国)警察，警官
参考例句：
  • The constable conducted the suspect to the police station.警官把嫌疑犯带到派出所。
  • The constable kept his temper,and would not be provoked.那警察压制着自己的怒气，不肯冒起火来。
13 disapproval VuTx4     
n.反对，不赞成
参考例句：
  • The teacher made an outward show of disapproval.老师表面上表示不同意。
  • They shouted their disapproval.他们喊叫表示反对。
14 dour pkAzf     
adj.冷酷的，严厉的；（岩石）嶙峋的；顽强不屈
参考例句：
  • They were exposed to dour resistance.他们遭受到顽强的抵抗。
  • She always pretends to be dour,in fact,she's not.她总表现的不爱讲话，事实却相反。
15 salmon pClzB     
n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的
参考例句：
  • We saw a salmon jumping in the waterfall there.我们看见一条大马哈鱼在那边瀑布中跳跃。
  • Do you have any fresh salmon in at the moment?现在有新鲜大马哈鱼卖吗？
16 credentials credentials     
n.证明，资格，证明书，证件
参考例句：
  • He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
  • Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。
17 nought gHGx3     
n.／adj.无，零
参考例句：
  • We must bring their schemes to nought.我们必须使他们的阴谋彻底破产。
  • One minus one leaves nought.一减一等于零。
18 appraising 3285bf735793610b563b00c395ce6cc6     
v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价
参考例句：
  • At the appraising meeting, experts stated this method was superior to others. 鉴定会上，专家们指出这种方法优于其他方法。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The teacher is appraising the students' work. 老师正在评定学生的作业。 来自辞典例句
19 severely SiCzmk     
adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地
参考例句：
  • He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
  • He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。
20 salon VjTz2Z     
n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室
参考例句：
  • Do you go to the hairdresser or beauty salon more than twice a week?你每周去美容院或美容沙龙多过两次吗？
  • You can hear a lot of dirt at a salon.你在沙龙上会听到很多流言蜚语。
21 recesses 617c7fa11fa356bfdf4893777e4e8e62     
n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭
参考例句：
  • I could see the inmost recesses. 我能看见最深处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I had continually pushed my doubts to the darker recesses of my mind. 我一直把怀疑深深地隐藏在心中。 来自《简明英汉词典》
22 softening f4d358268f6bd0b278eabb29f2ee5845     
变软，软化
参考例句：
  • Her eyes, softening, caressed his face. 她的眼光变得很温柔了。它们不住地爱抚他的脸。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
  • He might think my brain was softening or something of the kind. 他也许会觉得我婆婆妈妈的，已经成了个软心肠的人了。
23 unduly Mp4ya     
adv.过度地，不适当地
参考例句：
  • He did not sound unduly worried at the prospect.他的口气听上去对前景并不十分担忧。
  • He argued that the law was unduly restrictive.他辩称法律的约束性有些过分了。
24 unwillingly wjjwC     
adv.不情愿地
参考例句：
  • He submitted unwillingly to his mother. 他不情愿地屈服于他母亲。
  • Even when I call, he receives unwillingly. 即使我登门拜访，他也是很不情愿地接待我。
25 premises 6l1zWN     
n.建筑物，房屋
参考例句：
  • According to the rules,no alcohol can be consumed on the premises.按照规定，场内不准饮酒。
  • All repairs are done on the premises and not put out.全部修缮都在家里进行，不用送到外面去做。
26 disapproving bddf29198e28ab64a272563d29c1f915     
adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • Mother gave me a disapproving look. 母亲的眼神告诉我她是不赞成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Her father threw a disapproving glance at her. 她父亲不满地瞥了她一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
27 neatly ynZzBp     
adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地
参考例句：
  • Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
  • The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。
28 underneath VKRz2     
adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面
参考例句：
  • Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
  • She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。
29 adhesive CyVzV     
n.粘合剂；adj.可粘着的，粘性的
参考例句：
  • You'll need a strong adhesive to mend that chair. 你需要一种粘性很强的东西来修理那把椅子。
  • Would you give me an adhesive stamp?请给我一枚带胶邮票好吗？
30 gilt p6UyB     
adj.镀金的；n.金边证券
参考例句：
  • The plates have a gilt edge.这些盘子的边是镀金的。
  • The rest of the money is invested in gilt.其余的钱投资于金边证券。
31 affixed 0732dcfdc852b2620b9edaa452082857     
adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章）
参考例句：
  • The label should be firmly affixed to the package. 这张标签应该牢牢地贴在包裹上。
  • He affixed the sign to the wall. 他将标记贴到墙上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
32 varied giIw9     
adj.多样的，多变化的
参考例句：
  • The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
  • The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。
33 smuggling xx8wQ     
n.走私
参考例句：
  • Some claimed that the docker's union fronted for the smuggling ring.某些人声称码头工人工会是走私集团的掩护所。
  • The evidence pointed to the existence of an international smuggling network.证据表明很可能有一个国际走私网络存在。
34 gambling ch4xH     
n.赌博；投机
参考例句：
  • They have won a lot of money through gambling.他们赌博赢了很多钱。
  • The men have been gambling away all night.那些人赌了整整一夜。
35 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地
参考例句：
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

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