借镜杀人40

时间：2025-10-10 07:15:14

（单词翻译:单击）

Twenty-three
“What made you guess, Jane?”
Miss Marple took her time about replying. She looked thoughtfully at
the other two—Carrie Louise thinner and frailer1 and yet curiously2 un-
touched—and the old man with the sweet smile and the thick white hair.
Dr. Galbraith, Bishop3 of Cromer.
The Bishop took Carrie Louise’s hand in his.
“This has been a great sorrow to you, my poor child, and a great shock.”
“A sorrow, yes, but not really a shock.”
“No,” said Miss Marple. “That’s what I discovered, you know. Everyone
kept saying how Carrie Louise lived in another world from this and was
out of touch with reality. But actually, Carrie Louise, it was reality you
were in touch with, and not the illusion. You are never deceived by illu-
sion like most of us are. When I suddenly realised that, I saw that I must
go by what you thought and felt. You were quite sure that no one would
try to poison you, you couldn’t believe it—and you were quite right not to
believe it, because it wasn’t so! You never believed that Edgar would harm
Lewis—and again you were right. He never would have harmed Lewis.
You were sure that Gina did not love anyone but her husband—and that,
again, was quite true.
“So therefore, if I was to go by you, all the things that seemed to be true
were only illusions. Illusions created for a definite purpose—in the same
ways that conjurers create illusions, to deceive an audience. We were the
audience.
“Alex Restarick got an inkling of the truth first because he had the
chance of seeing things from a different angle—from the outside angle. He
was with the Inspector4 in the drive, and he looked at the house and real-
ised the possibilities of the windows—and he remembered the sound of
running feet he had heard that night, and then, the timing5 of the constable6
showed him what a very short time things take to what we should imagine
they would take. The constable panted a lot, and later, thinking of a puff-
ing constable, I remembered that Lewis Serrocold was out of breath that
night when he opened the study door. He’d just been running hard, you
see….
“But it was Edgar Lawson that was the pivot7 of it all to me. There was al-
ways something wrong to me about Edgar Lawson. All the things he said
and did were exactly right for what he was supposed to be, but he himself
wasn’t right. Because he was actually a normal young man playing the
part of a schizophrenic—and he was always, as it were, a little larger than
life. He was always theatrical8.
“It must have all been very carefully planned and thought out. Lewis
must have realised on the occasion of Christian9’s last visit that something
had aroused his suspicions. And he knew Christian well enough to know
that if he suspected he would not rest until he had satisfied himself that
his suspicions were either justified10 or unfounded.”
Carrie Louise stirred.
“Yes,” she said. “Christian was like that. Slow and painstaking11, but actu-
ally very shrewd. I don’t know what it was aroused his suspicions but he
started investigating—and he found out the truth.”
The Bishop said: “I blame myself for not having been a more conscien-
tious trustee.”
“It was never expected of you to understand finance,” said Carrie
Louise. “That was originally Mr. Gilroy’s province. Then, when he died,
Lewis’ great experience put him in what amounted to complete control.
And that, of course, was what went to his head.”
The pink colour came up in her cheeks.
“Lewis was a great man,” she said. “A man of great vision, and a pas-
sionate believer in what could be accomplished—with money. He didn’t
want it for himself—or, at least, not in the greedy vulgar sense—he did
want the power of it—he wanted the power to do great good with it—”
“He wanted,” said the Bishop, “to be God.” His voice was suddenly stern.
“He forgot that man is only the humble12 instrument of God’s will.”
“And so he embezzled13 the Trust funds?” said Miss Marple.
Dr. Galbraith hesitated.
“It wasn’t only that….”
“Tell her,” said Carrie Louise. “She is my oldest friend.”
The Bishop said:
“Lewis Serrocold was what one might call a financial wizard. In his
years of highly technical accountancy, he had amused himself by working
out various methods of swindling which were practically foolproof. This
had been merely an academic study, but when he once began to envisage14
the possibilities that a vast sum of money could encompass15, he put these
methods into practice. You see, he had at his disposal some first class ma-
terial. Amongst the boys who passed through here, he chose out a small
select band. They were boys whose bent16 was naturally criminal, who
loved excitement, and who had a very high order of intelligence. We’ve
not got nearly to the bottom of it all, but it seems clear that this esoteric
circle was secret and specially17 trained and by and by were placed in key
positions, where, by carrying out Lewis’ directions, books were falsified in
such a way that large sums of money were converted without any suspi-
cion being aroused. I gather that the operations and the ramifications18 are
so complicated that it will be months before the auditors19 can unravel20 it all.
But the net result seems to be that under various names and banking21 ac-
counts and companies, Lewis Serrocold would have been able to dispose
of a colossal22 sum with which he intended to establish an overseas colony
for a cooperative experiment in which juvenile23 delinquents24 should even-
tually own this territory and administer it. It may have been a fantastic
dream—”
“It was a dream that might have come true,” said Carrie Louise.
“Yes, it might have come true. But the means Lewis Serrocold adopted
were dishonest means, and Christian Gulbrandsen discovered that. He
was very upset, particularly by the realisation of what the discovery and
the probable prosecution25 of Lewis would mean to you, Carrie Louise.”
“That’s why he asked me if my heart was strong, and seemed so worried
about my health,” said Carrie Louise. “I couldn’t understand it.”
“Then Lewis Serrocold arrived back from the North, and Christian met
him outside the house and told him that he knew what was going on.
Lewis took it calmly, I think. Both men agreed they must do all they could
to spare you. Christian said he would write to me and ask me to come
here, as a co-trustee, to discuss the position.”
“But of course,” said Miss Marple. “Lewis Serrocold had already pre-
pared for this emergency. It was all planned. He had brought the young
man who was to play the part of Edgar Lawson to the house. There was a
real Edgar Lawson—of course—in case the police looked up his record.
This false Edgar knew exactly what he had to do—act the part of a schizo-
phrenic victim of persecution—and give Lewis Serrocold an alibi26 for a few
vital minutes.
“The next step had been thought out too. Lewis’ story that you, Carrie
Louise, were being slowly poisoned—when one actually came to think of it
there was only Lewis’ story of what Christian had told him—that, and a
few lines added on the typewriter whilst he was waiting for the police. It
was easy to add arsenic27 to the tonic28. No danger for you there—since he
was on the spot to prevent you drinking it. The chocolates were just an ad-
ded touch—and of course the original chocolates weren’t poisoned—only
those he substituted before turning them over to Inspector Curry29.”
“And Alex guessed,” said Carrie Louise.
“Yes—that’s why he collected your nail parings. They would show if ar-
senic actually had been administered over a long period.”
“Poor Alex—poor Ernie.”
There was a moment’s silence as the other two thought of Christian Gul-
brandsen, of Alexis Restarick, and of the boy Ernie—and of how quickly
the act of murder could distort and deform30.
“But surely,” said the Bishop, “Lewis was taking a big risk in persuading
Edgar to be his accomplice—even if he had some hold over him—”
Carrie shook her head.
“It wasn’t exactly a hold over him. Edgar was devoted31 to Lewis.”
“Yes,” said Miss Marple. “Like Leonard Wylie and his father. I wonder
perhaps if—”
She paused delicately.
“You saw the likeness32, I suppose?” said Carrie Louise.
“So you knew that all along?”
“I guessed. I knew Lewis had once had a short infatuation for an actress,
before he met me. He told me about it. It wasn’t serious, she was a golddig-
ging type of woman and she didn’t care for him, but I’ve no doubt at all
that Edgar was actually Lewis’ son….”
“Yes,” said Miss Marple. “That explains everything….”
“And he gave his life for him in the end,” said Carrie Louise. She looked
pleadingly at the Bishop. “He did, you know.”
There was a silence, and then Carrie Louise said:
“I’m glad it ended that way … with his life given in the hope of saving
the boy … people who can be very good can be very bad, too. I always
knew that was true about Lewis … But—he loved me very much—and I
loved him.”
“Did you—ever suspect him?” asked Miss Marple.
“No,” said Carrie Louise. “Because I was puzzled by the poisoning. I
knew Lewis would never poison me, and yet that letter of Christian’s said
definitely that someone was poisoning me—so I thought that everything I
thought I knew about people must be wrong….”
Miss Marple said, “But when Alex and Ernie were found killed. You sus-
pected then?”
“Yes,” said Carrie Louise. “Because I didn’t think anyone else but Lewis
would have dared. And I began to be afraid of what he might do next….”
She shivered slightly.
“I admired Lewis. I admired his—what shall I call it—his goodness? But
I do see that if you’re—good, you have to be humble as well.”
Dr. Galbraith said gently:
“That, Carrie Louise, is what I have always admired in you—your humil-
ity.”
The lovely blue eyes opened wide in surprise.
“But I’m not clever—and not particularly good. I can only admire good-
ness in other people.”
“Dear Carrie Louise,” said Miss Marple.

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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 frailer 62ecf5aad648e1745c51d761d95d3769     
脆弱的( frail的比较级 )； 易损的； 易碎的
参考例句：
  • Somehow he looked older and frailer in his city clothes. 不知怎么回事，他穿着城市服装，显得衰老一点。
2 curiously 3v0zIc     
adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地
参考例句：
  • He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
  • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
3 bishop AtNzd     
n.主教，（国际象棋）象
参考例句：
  • He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
  • Two years after his death the bishop was canonised.主教逝世两年后被正式封为圣者。
4 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。
5 timing rgUzGC     
n.时间安排，时间选择
参考例句：
  • The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
  • The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。
6 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。
7 pivot E2rz6     
v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的
参考例句：
  • She is the central pivot of creation and represents the feminine aspect in all things.她是创造的中心枢轴，表现出万物的女性面貌。
  • If a spring is present,the hand wheel will pivot on the spring.如果有弹簧，手轮的枢轴会装在弹簧上。
8 theatrical pIRzF     
adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的
参考例句：
  • The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
  • She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。
9 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒
参考例句：
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
10 justified 7pSzrk     
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。
11 painstaking 6A6yz     
adj.苦干的；艰苦的，费力的，刻苦的
参考例句：
  • She is not very clever but she is painstaking.她并不很聪明，但肯下苦功夫。
  • Through years of our painstaking efforts,we have at last achieved what we have today.大家经过多少年的努力，才取得今天的成绩。
12 humble ddjzU     
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。
13 embezzled 16c2ea97026b0c3b4eec1ddcbd695fab     
v.贪污，盗用（公款）( embezzle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • The clerk embezzled a thousand pounds from the bank where he worked. 那个职员在他工作的银行里贪污了一千英镑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The cashier embezzled ＄ 50,000 from the bank. 出纳员盗用了银行5万美元。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
14 envisage AjczV     
v.想象，设想，展望，正视
参考例句：
  • Nobody can envisage the consequences of total nuclear war.没有人能够想像全面核战争的后果。
  • When do you envisage being able to pay me back?你看你什么时候能还我钱？
15 encompass WZJzO     
vt.围绕，包围；包含，包括；完成
参考例句：
  • The course will encompass physics,chemistry and biology.课程将包括物理、化学和生物学。
  • The project will encompass rural and underdeveloped areas in China.这项工程将覆盖中国的农村和不发达地区。
16 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。
17 specially Hviwq     
adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地
参考例句：
  • They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
  • The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。
18 ramifications 45f4d7d5a0d59c5d453474d22bf296ae     
n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • These changes are bound to have widespread social ramifications. 这些变化注定会造成许多难以预料的社会后果。
  • What are the ramifications of our decision to join the union? 我们决定加入工会会引起哪些后果呢？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
19 auditors 7c9d6c4703cbc39f1ec2b27542bc5d1a     
n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生
参考例句：
  • The company has been in litigation with its previous auditors for a full year. 那家公司与前任审计员已打了整整一年的官司。
  • a meeting to discuss the annual accounts and the auditors' report thereon 讨论年度报表及其审计报告的会议
20 unravel Ajzwo     
v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开
参考例句：
  • He was good with his hands and could unravel a knot or untangle yarn that others wouldn't even attempt.他的手很灵巧，其他人甚至都不敢尝试的一些难解的绳结或缠在一起的纱线，他都能解开。
  • This is the attitude that led him to unravel a mystery that long puzzled Chinese historians.正是这种态度使他解决了长期以来使中国历史学家们大惑不解的谜。
21 banking aySz20     
n.银行业，银行学，金融业
参考例句：
  • John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
  • He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。
22 colossal sbwyJ     
adj.异常的，庞大的
参考例句：
  • There has been a colossal waste of public money.一直存在巨大的公款浪费。
  • Some of the tall buildings in that city are colossal.那座城市里的一些高层建筑很庞大。
23 juvenile OkEy2     
n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的
参考例句：
  • For a grown man he acted in a very juvenile manner.身为成年人，他的行为举止显得十分幼稚。
  • Juvenile crime is increasing at a terrifying rate.青少年犯罪正在以惊人的速度增长。
24 delinquents 03c7fc31eb1c2f3334b049f2f2139264     
n.（尤指青少年）有过失的人，违法的人( delinquent的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • The robbery was committed by a group of delinquents. 那起抢劫案是一群青少年干的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • There is today general agreement that juvenile delinquents are less responsible than older offenders. 目前人们普遍认为青少年罪犯比成人罪犯的责任小些。 来自辞典例句
25 prosecution uBWyL     
n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营
参考例句：
  • The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
  • He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。
26 alibi bVSzb     
n.某人当时不在犯罪现场的申辩或证明；借口
参考例句：
  • Do you have any proof to substantiate your alibi? 你有证据表明你当时不在犯罪现场吗？
  • The police are suspicious of his alibi because he already has a record.警方对他不在场的辩解表示怀疑，因为他已有前科。
27 arsenic 2vSz4     
n.砒霜，砷；adj.砷的
参考例句：
  • His wife poisoned him with arsenic.他的妻子用砒霜把他毒死了。
  • Arsenic is a poison.砒霜是毒药。
28 tonic tnYwt     
n./adj.滋补品，补药，强身的，健体的
参考例句：
  • It will be marketed as a tonic for the elderly.这将作为老年人滋补品在市场上销售。
  • Sea air is Nature's best tonic for mind and body.海上的空气是大自然赋予的对人们身心的最佳补品。
29 curry xnozh     
n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革
参考例句：
  • Rice makes an excellent complement to a curry dish.有咖喱的菜配米饭最棒。
  • Add a teaspoonful of curry powder.加一茶匙咖喱粉。
30 deform L9Byo     
vt.损坏…的形状；使变形，使变丑；vi.变形
参考例句：
  • Shoes that are too tight deform the feet.(穿)太紧的鞋子会使脚变形。
  • Ice crystals begin to deform measurably.冰晶就产生某种程度的变形了。
31 devoted xu9zka     
adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的
参考例句：
  • He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
  • We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
32 likeness P1txX     
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。

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