福尔摩斯-失踪的中卫 The Missing Three-Quarter
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The Missing Three-Quarter

Arthur Conan Doyle

We were fairly accustomed to receive weird1 telegrams at Baker2 Street, but I have a particular recollection of one which reached us on a gloomy February morning some seven or eight years ago and gave Mr. Sherlock Holmes a puzzled quarter of an hour. It was addressed to him, and ran thus:

“Please await me. Terrible misfortune. Right wing three-quarter missing; indispensable to-morrow.

— Overton.”

Strand3 post-mark and dispatched ten-thirty-six,” said Holmes, reading it over and over. “Mr. Overton was evidently considerably4 excited when he sent it, and somewhat incoherent in consequence. Well, well, he will be here, I dare say, by the time I have looked through the times, and then we shall know all about it. Even the most insignificant5 problem would be welcome in these stagnant6 days.”

Things had indeed been very slow with us, and I had learned to dread7 such periods of inaction, for I knew by experience that my companion's brain was so abnormally active that it was dangerous to leave it without material upon which to work. For years I had gradually weaned him from that drug mania8 which had threatened once to check his remarkable9 career. Now I knew that under ordinary conditions he no longer craved10 for this artificial stimulus11, but I was well aware that the fiend was not dead, but sleeping; and I have known that the sleep was a light one and the waking near when in periods of idleness I have seen the drawn12 look upon Holmes's ascetic13 face, and the brooding of his deep-set and inscrutable eyes. Therefore I blessed this Mr. Overton, whoever he might be, since he had come with his enigmatic message to break that dangerous calm which brought more peril14 to my friend than all the storms of his tempestuous15 life.

As we had expected, the telegram was soon followed by its sender, and the card of Mr. Cyril Overton, of Trinity College, Cambridge, announced the arrival of an enormous young man, sixteen stone of solid bone and muscle, who spanned the doorway16 with his broad shoulders and looked from one of us to the other with a comely17 face which was haggard with anxiety.

“Mr. Sherlock Holmes?”

My companion bowed.

“I've been down to Scotland Yard, Mr. Holmes. I saw Inspector18 Stanley Hopkins. He advised me to come to you. He said the case, so far as he could see, was more in your line than in that of the regular police.”

“Pray sit down and tell me what is the matter.”

“It's awful, Mr. Holmes, simply awful! I wonder my hair isn't grey. Godfrey Staunton—you've heard of him, of course? He's simply the hinge that the whole team turns on. I'd rather spare two from the pack and have Godfrey for my three-quarter line. Whether it's passing, or tackling, or dribbling19, there's no one to touch him; and then, he's got the head and can hold us all together. What am I to do? That's what I ask you, Mr. Holmes. There's Moorhouse, first reserve, but he is trained as a half, and he always edges right in on to the scrum instead of keeping out on the touch-line. He's a fine place-kick, it's true, but, then, he has no judgment20, and he can't sprint21 for nuts. Why, Morton or Johnson, the Oxford22 fliers, could romp23 round him. Stevenson is fast enough, but he couldn't drop from the twenty-five line, and a three-quarter who can't either punt or drop isn't worth a place for pace alone. No, Mr. Holmes, we are done unless you can help me to find Godfrey Staunton.”

My friend had listened with amused surprise to this long speech, which was poured forth24 with extraordinary vigour25 and earnestness, every point being driven home by the slapping of a brawny26 hand upon the speaker's knee. When our visitor was silent Holmes stretched out his hand and took down letter “S” of his commonplace book. For once he dug in vain into that mine of varied27 information.

“There is Arthur H. Staunton, the rising young forger,” said he, “and there was Henry Staunton, whom I helped to hang, but Godfrey Staunton is a new name to me.”

It was our visitor's turn to look surprised.

“Why, Mr. Holmes, I thought you knew things,” said he. “I suppose, then, if you have never heard of Godfrey Staunton you don't know Cyril Overton either?”

Holmes shook his head good-humouredly.

“Great Scot!” cried the athlete. “Why, I was first reserve for England against Wales, and I've skippered the 'Varsity all this year. But that's nothing! I didn't think there was a soul in England who didn't know Godfrey Staunton, the crack three-quarter, Cambridge, Blackheath, and five Internationals. Good Lord! Mr. Holmes, where have you lived?”

Holmes laughed at the young giant's naive28 astonishment29.

“You live in a different world to me, Mr. Overton, a sweeter and healthier one. My ramifications30 stretch out into many sections of society, but never, I am happy to say, into amateur sport, which is the best and soundest thing in England. However, your unexpected visit this morning shows me that even in that world of fresh air and fair play there may be work for me to do; so now, my good sir, I beg you to sit down and to tell me slowly and quietly exactly what it is that has occurred, and how you desire that I should help you.”

Young Overton's face assumed the bothered look of the man who is more accustomed to using his muscles than his wits; but by degrees, with many repetitions and obscurities which I may omit from his narrative31, he laid his strange story before us.

“It's this way, Mr. Holmes. As I have said, I am the skipper of the Rugger team of Cambridge 'Varsity, and Godfrey Staunton is my best man. To-morrow we play Oxford. Yesterday we all came up and we settled at Bentley's private hotel. At ten o'clock I went round and saw that all the fellows had gone to roost, for I believe in strict training and plenty of sleep to keep a team fit. I had a word or two with Godfrey before he turned in. He seemed to me to be pale and bothered. I asked him what was the matter. He said he was all right—just a touch of headache. I bade him good-night and left him. Half an hour later the porter tells me that a rough-looking man with a beard called with a note for Godfrey. He had not gone to bed and the note was taken to his room. Godfrey read it and fell back in a chair as if he had been pole-axed. The porter was so scared that he was going to fetch me, but Godfrey stopped him, had a drink of water, and pulled himself together. Then he went downstairs, said a few words to the man who was waiting in the hall, and the two of them went off together. The last that the porter saw of them, they were almost running down the street in the direction of the Strand. This morning Godfrey's room was empty, his bed had never been slept in, and his things were all just as I had seen them the night before. He had gone off at a moment's notice with this stranger, and no word has come from him since. I don't believe he will ever come back. He was a sportsman, was Godfrey, down to his marrow32, and he wouldn't have stopped his training and let in his skipper if it were not for some cause that was too strong for him. No; I feel as if he were gone for good and we should never see him again.”

Sherlock Holmes listened with the deepest attention to this singular narrative.

“What did you do?” he asked.

“I wired to Cambridge to learn if anything had been heard of him there. I have had an answer. No one has seen him.”

“Could he have got back to Cambridge?”

“Yes, there is a late train—quarter-past eleven.”

“But so far as you can ascertain33 he did not take it?”

“No, he has not been seen.”

“What did you do next?”

“I wired to Lord Mount-James.”

“Why to Lord Mount-James?”

“Godfrey is an orphan34, and Lord Mount-James is his nearest relative—his uncle, I believe.”

“Indeed. This throws new light upon the matter. Lord Mount-James is one of the richest men in England.”

“So I've heard Godfrey say.”

“And your friend was closely related?”

“Yes, he was his heir, and the old boy is nearly eighty—cram full of gout, too. They say he could chalk his billiard-cue with his knuckles35. He never allowed Godfrey a shilling in his life, for he is an absolute miser36, but it will all come to him right enough.”

“Have you heard from Lord Mount-James?”

“No.”

“What motive37 could your friend have in going to Lord Mount-James?”

“Well, something was worrying him the night before, and if it was to do with money it is possible that he would make for his nearest relative who had so much of it, though from all I have heard he would not have much chance of getting it. Godfrey was not fond of the old man. He would not go if he could help it.”

“Well, we can soon determine that. If your friend was going to his relative, Lord Mount-James, you have then to explain the visit of this rough-looking fellow at so late an hour, and the agitation38 that was caused by his coming.”

Cyril Overton pressed his hands to his head. “I can make nothing of it,” said he.

“Well, well, I have a clear day, and I shall be happy to look into the matter,” said Holmes. “I should strongly recommend you to make your preparations for your match without reference to this young gentleman. It must, as you say, have been an overpowering necessity which tore him away in such a fashion, and the same necessity is likely to hold him away. Let us step round together to this hotel, and see if the porter can throw any fresh light upon the matter.”

Sherlock Holmes was a past-master in the art of putting a humble39 witness at his ease, and very soon, in the privacy of Godfrey Staunton's abandoned room, he had extracted all that the porter had to tell. The visitor of the night before was not a gentleman, neither was he a working man. He was simply what the porter described as a “medium-looking chap”; a man of fifty, beard grizzled, pale face, quietly dressed. He seemed himself to be agitated40. The porter had observed his hand trembling when he had held out the note. Godfrey Staunton had crammed41 the note into his pocket. Staunton had not shaken hands with the man in the hall. They had exchanged a few sentences, of which the porter had only distinguished42 the one word “time.” Then they had hurried off in the manner described. It was just half-past ten by the hall clock.

“Let me see,” said Holmes, seating himself on Staunton's bed. “You are the day porter, are you not?”

“Yes, sir; I go off duty at eleven.”

“The night porter saw nothing, I suppose?”

“No, sir; one theatre party came in late. No one else.”

“Were you on duty all day yesterday?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you take any messages to Mr. Staunton?”

“Yes, sir; one telegram.”

“Ah! that's interesting. What o'clock was this?”

“About six.”

“Where was Mr. Staunton when he received it?”

“Here in his room.”

“Were you present when he opened it?”

“Yes, sir; I waited to see if there was an answer.”

“Well, was there?”

“Yes, sir. He wrote an answer.”

“Did you take it?”

“No; he took it himself.”

“But he wrote it in your presence?”

“Yes, sir. I was standing43 by the door, and he with his back turned at that table. When he had written it he said, ‘All right, porter, I will take this myself.’”

“What did he write it with?”

“A pen, sir.”

“Was the telegraphic form one of these on the table?”

“Yes, sir; it was the top one.”

Holmes rose. Taking the forms he carried them over to the window and carefully examined that which was uppermost.

“It is a pity he did not write in pencil,” said he, throwing them down again with a shrug44 of disappointment. “As you have no doubt frequently observed, Watson, the impression usually goes through—a fact which has dissolved many a happy marriage. However, I can find no trace here. I rejoice, however, to perceive that he wrote with a broad-pointed quill45 pen, and I can hardly doubt that we will find some impression upon this blotting-pad. Ah, yes, surely this is the very thing!”

He tore off a strip of the blotting-paper and turned towards us the following hieroglyphic46:

Several unreadable scrawls47 on paper

Cyril Overton was much excited. “Hold it to the glass!” he cried.

“That is unnecessary,” said Holmes. “The paper is thin, and the reverse will give the message. Here it is.” He turned it over and we read:

Stand by us for God’s sake!

“So that is the tail end of the telegram which Godfrey Staunton dispatched within a few hours of his disappearance48. There are at least six words of the message which have escaped us; but what remains49—‘Stand by us for God's sake!’—proves that this young man saw a formidable danger which approached him, and from which someone else could protect him. ‘Us,’ mark you! Another person was involved. Who should it be but the pale-faced, bearded man, who seemed himself in so nervous a state? What, then, is the connection between Godfrey Staunton and the bearded man? And what is the third source from which each of them sought for help against pressing danger? Our inquiry50 has already narrowed down to that.”

“We have only to find to whom that telegram is addressed,” I suggested.

“Exactly, my dear Watson. Your reflection, though profound, had already crossed my mind. But I dare say it may have come to your notice that if you walk into a post-office and demand to see the counterfoil51 of another man's message there may be some disinclination on the part of the officials to oblige you. There is so much red tape in these matters! However, I have no doubt that with a little delicacy52 and finesse53 the end may be attained55. Meanwhile, I should like in your presence, Mr. Overton, to go through these papers which have been left upon the table.”

There were a number of letters, bills, and note-books, which Holmes turned over and examined with quick, nervous fingers and darting56, penetrating57 eyes. “Nothing here,” he said, at last. “By the way, I suppose your friend was a healthy young fellow—nothing amiss with him?”

“Sound as a bell.”

“Have you ever known him ill?”

“Not a day. He has been laid up with a hack58, and once he slipped his knee-cap, but that was nothing.”

“Perhaps he was not so strong as you suppose. I should think he may have had some secret trouble. With your assent59 I will put one or two of these papers in my pocket, in case they should bear upon our future inquiry.”

“One moment! one moment!” cried a querulous voice, and we looked up to find a queer little old man, jerking and twitching60 in the doorway. He was dressed in rusty61 black, with a very broad brimmed top-hat and a loose white necktie—the whole effect being that of a very rustic62 parson or of an undertaker's mute. Yet, in spite of his shabby and even absurd appearance, his voice had a sharp crackle, and his manner a quick intensity63 which commanded attention.

“Who are you, sir, and by what right do you touch this gentleman's papers?” he asked.

“I am a private detective, and I am endeavouring to explain his disappearance.”

“Oh, you are, are you? And who instructed you, eh?”

“This gentleman, Mr. Staunton's friend, was referred to me by Scotland Yard.”

“Who are you, sir?”

“I am Cyril Overton.”

“Then it is you who sent me a telegram. My name is Lord Mount-James. I came round as quickly as the Bayswater 'bus would bring me. So you have instructed a detective?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And are you prepared to meet the cost?”

“I have no doubt, sir, that my friend Godfrey, when we find him, will be prepared to do that.”

“But if he is never found, eh? Answer me that!”

“In that case no doubt his family—”

“Nothing of the sort, sir!” screamed the little man. “Don't look to me for a penny—not a penny! You understand that, Mr. Detective! I am all the family that this young man has got, and I tell you that I am not responsible. If he has any expectations it is due to the fact that I have never wasted money, and I do not propose to begin to do so now. As to those papers with which you are making so free, I may tell you that in case there should be anything of any value among them you will be held strictly64 to account for what you do with them.”

“Very good, sir,” said Sherlock Holmes. “May I ask in the meanwhile whether you have yourself any theory to account for this young man's disappearance?”

“No, sir, I have not. He is big enough and old enough to look after himself, and if he is so foolish as to lose himself I entirely65 refuse to accept the responsibility of hunting for him.”

“I quite understand your position,” said Holmes, with a mischievous66 twinkle in his eyes. “Perhaps you don't quite understand mine. Godfrey Staunton appears to have been a poor man. If he has been kidnapped it could not have been for anything which he himself possesses. The fame of your wealth has gone abroad, Lord Mount-James, and it is entirely possible that a gang of thieves have secured your nephew in order to gain from him some information as to your house, your habits, and your treasure.”

The face of our unpleasant little visitor turned as white as his neckcloth.

“Heavens, sir, what an idea! I never thought of such villainy! What inhuman67 rogues68 there are in the world! But Godfrey is a fine lad—a staunch lad. Nothing would induce him to give his old uncle away. I'll have the plate moved over to the bank this evening. In the meantime spare no pains, Mr. Detective! I beg you to leave no stone unturned to bring him safely back. As to money, well, so far as a fiver, or even a tenner, goes, you can always look to me.”

Even in his chastened frame of mind the noble miser could give us no information which could help us, for he knew little of the private life of his nephew. Our only clue lay in the truncated69 telegram, and with a copy of this in his hand Holmes set forth to find a second link for his chain. We had shaken off Lord Mount-James, and Overton had gone to consult with the other members of his team over the misfortune which had befallen them.

There was a telegraph-office at a short distance from the hotel. We halted outside it.

“It's worth trying, Watson,” said Holmes. “Of course, with a warrant we could demand to see the counterfoils70, but we have not reached that stage yet. I don't suppose they remember faces in so busy a place. Let us venture it.”

“I am sorry to trouble you,” said he, in his blandest71 manner, to the young woman behind the grating; “there is some small mistake about a telegram I sent yesterday. I have had no answer, and I very much fear that I must have omitted to put my name at the end. Could you tell me if this was so?”

The young woman turned over a sheaf of counterfoils.

“What o'clock was it?” she asked.

“A little after six.”

“Whom was it to?”

Holmes put his finger to his lips and glanced at me. “The last words in it were ‘for God's sake,’” he whispered, confidentially73; “I am very anxious at getting no answer.”

The young woman separated one of the forms.

“This is it. There is no name,” said she, smoothing it out upon the counter.

“Then that, of course, accounts for my getting no answer,” said Holmes. “Dear me, how very stupid of me, to be sure! Good morning, miss, and many thanks for having relieved my mind.” He chuckled74 and rubbed his hands when we found ourselves in the street once more.

“Well?” I asked.

“We progress, my dear Watson, we progress. I had seven different schemes for getting a glimpse of that telegram, but I could hardly hope to succeed the very first time.”

“And what have you gained?”

“A starting-point for our investigation75.” He hailed a cab. “King's Cross Station,” said he.

“We have a journey, then?”

“Yes; I think we must run down to Cambridge together. All the indications seem to me to point in that direction.”

“Tell me,” I asked, as we rattled76 up Gray's Inn Road, “have you any suspicion yet as to the cause of the disappearance? I don't think that among all our cases I have known one where the motives77 are more obscure. Surely you don't really imagine that he may be kidnapped in order to give information against his wealthy uncle?”

“I confess, my dear Watson, that that does not appeal to me as a very probable explanation. It struck me, however, as being the one which was most likely to interest that exceedingly unpleasant old person.”

“It certainly did that. But what are your alternatives?”

“I could mention several. You must admit that it is curious and suggestive that this incident should occur on the eve of this important match, and should involve the only man whose presence seems essential to the success of the side. It may, of course, be coincidence, but it is interesting. Amateur sport is free from betting, but a good deal of outside betting goes on among the public, and it is possible that it might be worth someone's while to get at a player as the ruffians of the turf get at a race-horse. There is one explanation. A second very obvious one is that this young man really is the heir of a great property, however modest his means may at present be, and it is not impossible that a plot to hold him for ransom78 might be concocted79.”

“These theories take no account of the telegram.”

“Quite true, Watson. The telegram still remains the only solid thing with which we have to deal, and we must not permit our attention to wander away from it. It is to gain light upon the purpose of this telegram that we are now upon our way to Cambridge. The path of our investigation is at present obscure, but I shall be very much surprised if before evening we have not cleared it up or made a considerable advance along it.”

It was already dark when we reached the old University city. Holmes took a cab at the station, and ordered the man to drive to the house of Dr. Leslie Armstrong. A few minutes later we had stopped at a large mansion80 in the busiest thoroughfare. We were shown in, and after a long wait were at last admitted into the consulting-room, where we found the doctor seated behind his table.

It argues the degree in which I had lost touch with my profession that the name of Leslie Armstrong was unknown to me. Now I am aware that he is not only one of the heads of the medical school of the University, but a thinker of European reputation in more than one branch of science. Yet even without knowing his brilliant record one could not fail to be impressed by a mere81 glance at the man, the square, massive face, the brooding eyes under the thatched brows, and the granite82 moulding of the inflexible83 jaw84. A man of deep character, a man with an alert mind, grim, ascetic, self-contained, formidable—so I read Dr. Leslie Armstrong. He held my friend's card in his hand, and he looked up with no very pleased expression upon his dour85 features.

“I have heard your name, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and I am aware of your profession, one of which I by no means approve.”

“In that, doctor, you will find yourself in agreement with every criminal in the country,” said my friend, quietly.

“So far as your efforts are directed towards the suppression of crime, sir, they must have the support of every reasonable member of the community, though I cannot doubt that the official machinery86 is amply sufficient for the purpose. Where your calling is more open to criticism is when you pry87 into the secrets of private individuals, when you rake up family matters which are better hidden, and when you incidentally waste the time of men who are more busy than yourself. At the present moment, for example, I should be writing a treatise88 instead of conversing89 with you.”

“No doubt, doctor; and yet the conversation may prove more important than the treatise. Incidentally I may tell you that we are doing the reverse of what you very justly blame, and that we are endeavouring to prevent anything like public exposure of private matters which must necessarily follow when once the case is fairly in the hands of the official police. You may look upon me simply as an irregular pioneer who goes in front of the regular forces of the country. I have come to ask you about Mr. Godfrey Staunton.”

“What about him?”

“You know him, do you not?”

“He is an intimate friend of mine.”

“You are aware that he has disappeared?”

“Ah, indeed!” There was no change of expression in the rugged90 features of the doctor.

“He left his hotel last night. He has not been heard of.”

“No doubt he will return.”

“To-morrow is the 'Varsity football match.”

“I have no sympathy with these childish games. The young man's fate interests me deeply, since I know him and like him. The football match does not come within my horizon at all.”

“I claim your sympathy, then, in my investigation of Mr. Staunton's fate. Do you know where he is?”

“Certainly not.”

“You have not seen him since yesterday?”

“No, I have not.”

“Was Mr. Staunton a healthy man?”

“Absolutely.”

“Did you ever know him ill?”

“Never.”

Holmes popped a sheet of paper before the doctor's eyes. “Then perhaps you will explain this receipted bill for thirteen guineas, paid by Mr. Godfrey Staunton last month to Dr. Leslie Armstrong of Cambridge. I picked it out from among the papers upon his desk.”

The doctor flushed with anger.

“I do not feel that there is any reason why I should render an explanation to you, Mr. Holmes.”

Holmes replaced the bill in his note-book. “If you prefer a public explanation it must come sooner or later,” said he. “I have already told you that I can hush91 up that which others will be bound to publish, and you would really be wiser to take me into your complete confidence.”

“I know nothing about it.”

“Did you hear from Mr. Staunton in London?”

“Certainly not.”

“Dear me, dear me; the post-office again!” Holmes sighed, wearily. “A most urgent telegram was dispatched to you from London by Godfrey Staunton at six-fifteen yesterday evening—a telegram which is undoubtedly92 associated with his disappearance—and yet you have not had it. It is most culpable93. I shall certainly go down to the office here and register a complaint.”

Dr. Leslie Armstrong sprang up from behind his desk, and his dark face was crimson94 with fury.

“I'll trouble you to walk out of my house, sir,” said he. “You can tell your employer, Lord Mount-James, that I do not wish to have anything to do either with him or with his agents. No, sir, not another word!” He rang the bell furiously. “John, show these gentlemen out!” A pompous95 butler ushered96 us severely97 to the door, and we found ourselves in the street. Holmes burst out laughing.

“Dr. Leslie Armstrong is certainly a man of energy and character,” said he. “I have not seen a man who, if he turned his talents that way, was more calculated to fill the gap left by the illustrious Moriarty. And now, my poor Watson, here we are, stranded98 and friendless in this inhospitable town, which we cannot leave without abandoning our case. This little inn just opposite Armstrong's house is singularly adapted to our needs. If you would engage a front room and purchase the necessaries for the night, I may have time to make a few inquiries99.”

These few inquiries proved, however, to be a more lengthy100 proceeding101 than Holmes had imagined, for he did not return to the inn until nearly nine o'clock. He was pale and dejected, stained with dust, and exhausted102 with hunger and fatigue103. A cold supper was ready upon the table, and when his needs were satisfied and his pipe alight he was ready to take that half comic and wholly philosophic104 view which was natural to him when his affairs were going awry105. The sound of carriage wheels caused him to rise and glance out of the window. A brougham and pair of greys under the glare of a gas-lamp stood before the doctor's door.

“It's been out three hours,” said Holmes; “started at half-past six, and here it is back again. That gives a radius106 of ten or twelve miles, and he does it once, or sometimes twice, a day.”

“No unusual thing for a doctor in practice.”

“But Armstrong is not really a doctor in practice. He is a lecturer and a consultant107, but he does not care for general practice, which distracts him from his literary work. Why, then, does he make these long journeys, which must be exceedingly irksome to him, and who is it that he visits?”

“His coachman—”

“My dear Watson, can you doubt that it was to him that I first applied108? I do not know whether it came from his own innate109 depravity or from the promptings of his master, but he was rude enough to set a dog at me. Neither dog nor man liked the look of my stick, however, and the matter fell through. Relations were strained after that, and further inquiries out of the question. All that I have learned I got from a friendly native in the yard of our own inn. It was he who told me of the doctor's habits and of his daily journey. At that instant, to give point to his words, the carriage came round to the door.”

“Could you not follow it?”

“Excellent, Watson! You are scintillating110 this evening. The idea did cross my mind. There is, as you may have observed, a bicycle shop next to our inn. Into this I rushed, engaged a bicycle, and was able to get started before the carriage was quite out of sight. I rapidly overtook it, and then, keeping at a discreet111 distance of a hundred yards or so, I followed its lights until we were clear of the town. We had got well out on the country road when a somewhat mortifying112 incident occurred. The carriage stopped, the doctor alighted, walked swiftly back to where I had also halted, and told me in an excellent sardonic113 fashion that he feared the road was narrow, and that he hoped his carriage did not impede114 the passage of my bicycle. Nothing could have been more admirable than his way of putting it. I at once rode past the carriage, and, keeping to the main road, I went on for a few miles, and then halted in a convenient place to see if the carriage passed. There was no sign of it, however, and so it became evident that it had turned down one of several side roads which I had observed. I rode back, but again saw nothing of the carriage, and now, as you perceive, it has returned after me. Of course, I had at the outset no particular reason to connect these journeys with the disappearance of Godfrey Staunton, and was only inclined to investigate them on the general grounds that everything which concerns Dr. Armstrong is at present of interest to us; but, now that I find he keeps so keen a look-out upon anyone who may follow him on these excursions, the affair appears more important, and I shall not be satisfied until I have made the matter clear.”

“We can follow him to-morrow.”

“Can we? It is not so easy as you seem to think. You are not familiar with Cambridgeshire scenery, are you? It does not lend itself to concealment115. All this country that I passed over to-night is as flat and clean as the palm of your hand, and the man we are following is no fool, as he very clearly showed to-night. I have wired to Overton to let us know any fresh London developments at this address, and in the meantime we can only concentrate our attention upon Dr. Armstrong, whose name the obliging young lady at the office allowed me to read upon the counterfoil of Staunton's urgent message. He knows where the young man is—to that I'll swear—and if he knows, then it must be our own fault if we cannot manage to know also. At present it must be admitted that the odd trick is in his possession, and, as you are aware, Watson, it is not my habit to leave the game in that condition.”

And yet the next day brought us no nearer to the solution of the mystery. A note was handed in after breakfast, which Holmes passed across to me with a smile.

Sir [it ran]:

I can assure you that you are wasting your time in dogging my movements. I have, as you discovered last night, a window at the back of my brougham, and if you desire a twenty-mile ride which will lead you to the spot from which you started, you have only to follow me. Meanwhile, I can inform you that no spying upon me can in any way help Mr. Godfrey Staunton, and I am convinced that the best service you can do to that gentleman is to return at once to London and to report to your employer that you are unable to trace him. Your time in Cambridge will certainly be wasted.

Yours faithfully,

Leslie Armstrong.

“An outspoken116, honest antagonist117 is the doctor,” said Holmes. “Well, well, he excites my curiosity, and I must really know more before I leave him.”

“His carriage is at his door now,” said I. “There he is stepping into it. I saw him glance up at our window as he did so. Suppose I try my luck upon the bicycle?”

“No, no, my dear Watson! With all respect for your natural acumen118 I do not think that you are quite a match for the worthy119 doctor. I think that possibly I can attain54 our end by some independent explorations of my own. I am afraid that I must leave you to your own devices, as the appearance of two inquiring strangers upon a sleepy countryside might excite more gossip than I care for. No doubt you will find some sights to amuse you in this venerable city, and I hope to bring back a more favourable120 report to you before evening.”

Once more, however, my friend was destined121 to be disappointed. He came back at night weary and unsuccessful.

“I have had a blank day, Watson. Having got the doctor's general direction, I spent the day in visiting all the villages upon that side of Cambridge, and comparing notes with publicans and other local news agencies. I have covered some ground: Chesterton, Histon, Waterbeach, and Oakington have each been explored and have each proved disappointing. The daily appearance of a brougham and pair could hardly have been overlooked in such Sleepy Hollows. The doctor has scored once more. Is there a telegram for me?”

“Yes; I opened it. Here it is:

“‘Ask for Pompey from Jeremy Dixon, Trinity College.’

“I don't understand it.”

“Oh, it is clear enough. It is from our friend Overton, and is in answer to a question from me. I'll just send round a note to Mr. Jeremy Dixon, and then I have no doubt that our luck will turn. By the way, is there any news of the match?”

“Yes, the local evening paper has an excellent account in its last edition. Oxford won by a goal and two tries. The last sentences of the description say:

“‘The defeat of the Light Blues122 may be entirely attributed to the unfortunate absence of the crack International, Godfrey Staunton, whose want was felt at every instant of the game. The lack of combination in the three-quarter line and their weakness both in attack and defence more than neutralized123 the efforts of a heavy and hard-working pack.’”

“Then our friend Overton's forebodings have been justified,” said Holmes. “Personally I am in agreement with Dr. Armstrong, and football does not come within my horizon. Early to bed to-night, Watson, for I foresee that to-morrow may be an eventful day.”

I was horrified124 by my first glimpse of Holmes next morning, for he sat by the fire holding his tiny hypodermic syringe. I associated that instrument with the single weakness of his nature, and I feared the worst when I saw it glittering in his hand. He laughed at my expression of dismay, and laid it upon the table.

“No, no, my dear fellow, there is no cause for alarm. It is not upon this occasion the instrument of evil, but it will rather prove to be the key which will unlock our mystery. On this syringe I base all my hopes. I have just returned from a small scouting125 expedition and everything is favourable. Eat a good breakfast, Watson, for I propose to get upon Dr. Armstrong's trail to-day, and once on it I will not stop for rest or food until I run him to his burrow126.”

“In that case,” said I, “we had best carry our breakfast with us, for he is making an early start. His carriage is at the door.”

“Never mind. Let him go. He will be clever if he can drive where I cannot follow him. When you have finished come downstairs with me, and I will introduce you to a detective who is a very eminent127 specialist in the work that lies before us.”

When we descended128 I followed Holmes into the stable yard, where he opened the door of a loose-box and led out a squat129, lop-eared, white-and-tan dog, something between a beagle and a foxhound.

“Let me introduce you to Pompey,” said he. “Pompey is the pride of the local draghounds, no very great flier, as his build will show, but a staunch hound on a scent130. Well, Pompey, you may not be fast, but I expect you will be too fast for a couple of middle-aged131 London gentlemen, so I will take the liberty of fastening this leather leash132 to your collar. Now, boy, come along, and show what you can do.” He led him across to the doctor's door. The dog sniffed133 round for an instant, and then with a shrill134 whine135 of excitement started off down the street, tugging136 at his leash in his efforts to go faster. In half an hour, we were clear of the town and hastening down a country road.

“What have you done, Holmes?” I asked.

“A threadbare and venerable device, but useful upon occasion. I walked into the doctor's yard this morning and shot my syringe full of aniseed over the hind72 wheel. A draghound will follow aniseed from here to John o' Groat's, and our friend Armstrong would have to drive through the Cam before he would shake Pompey off his trail. Oh, the cunning rascal137! This is how he gave me the slip the other night.”

The dog had suddenly turned out of the main road into a grass-grown lane. Half a mile farther this opened into another broad road, and the trail turned hard to the right in the direction of the town, which we had just quitted. The road took a sweep to the south of the town and continued in the opposite direction to that in which we started.

“This détour has been entirely for our benefit, then?” said Holmes. “No wonder that my inquiries among those villages led to nothing. The doctor has certainly played the game for all it is worth, and one would like to know the reason for such elaborate deception138. This should be the village of Trumpington to the right of us. And, by Jove! here is the brougham coming round the corner. Quick, Watson, quick, or we are done!”

He sprang through a gate into a field, dragging the reluctant Pompey after him. We had hardly got under the shelter of the hedge when the carriage rattled past. I caught a glimpse of Dr. Armstrong within, his shoulders bowed, his head sunk on his hands, the very image of distress139. I could tell by my companion's graver face that he also had seen.

“I fear there is some dark ending to our quest,” said he. “It cannot be long before we know it. Come, Pompey! Ah, it is the cottage in the field!”

There could be no doubt that we had reached the end of our journey. Pompey ran about and whined140 eagerly outside the gate where the marks of the brougham's wheels were still to be seen. A footpath141 led across to the lonely cottage. Holmes tied the dog to the hedge, and we hastened onwards. My friend knocked at the little rustic door, and knocked again without response. And yet the cottage was not deserted142, for a low sound came to our ears—a kind of drone of misery143 and despair, which was indescribably melancholy144. Holmes paused irresolute145, and then he glanced back at the road which we had just traversed. A brougham was coming down it, and there could be no mistaking those grey horses.

“By Jove, the doctor is coming back!” cried Holmes. “That settles it. We are bound to see what it means before he comes.”

He opened the door and we stepped into the hall. The droning sound swelled146 louder upon our ears until it became one long, deep wail147 of distress. It came from upstairs. Holmes darted148 up and I followed him. He pushed open a half-closed door and we both stood appalled149 at the sight before us.

A woman, young and beautiful, was lying dead upon the bed. Her calm, pale face, with dim, wide-opened blue eyes, looked upward from amid a great tangle150 of golden hair. At the foot of the bed, half sitting, half kneeling, his face buried in the clothes, was a young man, whose frame was racked by his sobs151. So absorbed was he by his bitter grief that he never looked up until Holmes's hand was on his shoulder.

“Are you Mr. Godfrey Staunton?”

“Yes, yes; I am—but you are too late. She is dead.”

The man was so dazed that he could not be made to understand that we were anything but doctors who had been sent to his assistance. Holmes was endeavouring to utter a few words of consolation152, and to explain the alarm which had been caused to his friends by his sudden disappearance, when there was a step upon the stairs, and there was the heavy, stern, questioning face of Dr. Armstrong at the door.

“So, gentlemen,” said he, “you have attained your end, and have certainly chosen a particularly delicate moment for your intrusion. I would not brawl153 in the presence of death, but I can assure you that if I were a younger man your monstrous154 conduct would not pass with impunity155.”

“Excuse me, Dr. Armstrong, I think we are a little at cross-purposes,” said my friend, with dignity. “If you could step downstairs with us we may each be able to give some light to the other upon this miserable156 affair.”

A minute later the grim doctor and ourselves were in the sitting-room157 below.

“Well, sir?” said he.

“I wish you to understand, in the first place, that I am not employed by Lord Mount-James, and that my sympathies in this matter are entirely against that nobleman. When a man is lost it is my duty to ascertain his fate, but having done so the matter ends so far as I am concerned; and so long as there is nothing criminal, I am much more anxious to hush up private scandals than to give them publicity158. If, as I imagine, there is no breach159 of the law in this matter, you can absolutely depend upon my discretion160 and my co-operation in keeping the facts out of the papers.”

Dr. Armstrong took a quick step forward and wrung161 Holmes by the hand.

“You are a good fellow,” said he. “I had misjudged you. I thank Heaven that my compunction at leaving poor Staunton all alone in this plight162 caused me to turn my carriage back, and so to make your acquaintance. Knowing as much as you do, the situation is very easily explained. A year ago Godfrey Staunton lodged163 in London for a time, and became passionately164 attached to his landlady's daughter, whom he married. She was as good as she was beautiful, and as intelligent as she was good. No man need be ashamed of such a wife. But Godfrey was the heir to this crabbed165 old nobleman, and it was quite certain that the news of his marriage would have been the end of his inheritance. I knew the lad well, and I loved him for his many excellent qualities. I did all I could to help him to keep things straight. We did our very best to keep the thing from everyone, for when once such a whisper gets about it is not long before everyone has heard it. Thanks to this lonely cottage and his own discretion, Godfrey has up to now succeeded. Their secret was known to no one save to me and to one excellent servant who has at present gone for assistance to Trumpington. But at last there came a terrible blow in the shape of dangerous illness to his wife. It was consumption of the most virulent166 kind. The poor boy was half crazed with grief, and yet he had to go to London to play this match, for he could not get out of it without explanations which would expose his secret. I tried to cheer him up by a wire, and he sent me one in reply imploring167 me to do all I could. This was the telegram which you appear in some inexplicable168 way to have seen. I did not tell him how urgent the danger was, for I knew that he could do no good here, but I sent the truth to the girl's father, and he very injudiciously communicated it to Godfrey. The result was that he came straight away in a state bordering on frenzy169, and has remained in the same state, kneeling at the end of her bed, until this morning death put an end to her sufferings. That is all, Mr. Holmes, and I am sure that I can rely upon your discretion and that of your friend.”

Holmes grasped the doctor's hand.

“Come, Watson,” said he, and we passed from that house of grief into the pale sunlight of the winter day.

失踪的中卫

    在贝克街我们常常收到一些内容离奇的电报,这本来是不值一提的。可是,七八年前,在二月一个阴沉沉的早晨收到的那封,却给我印象很深,并且使得歇洛克·福尔摩斯先生也迷惑了足有一刻钟之久。电报是拍给他的,电文如下:

    请等候我。万分不幸。右中卫失踪。明日需要。

    欧沃顿

    福尔摩斯看了又看,说:“河滨的邮戳,十点三十六分发的。显然欧沃顿先生拍电报时心情很激动,所以电报才语无伦次。我断定等我读完《泰晤士报》,他一定会赶到这里,那时我们就能知道一切了。"在那段时间里我们工作不很忙,因此,就是最无关紧要的问题,也同样是受欢迎的。

    经验告诉我,无所事事的生活是很可怕的,因为我的朋友头脑过于活跃,如果没有什么事情让他思考,那就很危险。经过我的努力,他停止服用刺激剂,已经有好几年了,因为这种药物曾经一度妨碍他从事他的富有意义的事业。现在,一般情况下福尔摩斯不需要再服用这种人造的刺激剂了。但是,我很明白,他的病症并没有消除,只是潜伏下来了,并且潜伏得很深,当事情少的时候,还会复发。在那种情况下,我看到过福尔摩斯两眼深陷,面容阴郁,看上去令人莫测高深。所以,不管欧沃顿是什么人,他既然带来了不解之谜,我就要感谢他,因为风平浪静要比狂风暴雨更使我的朋友感到痛苦。

    正如我们所料,发报人紧随电报亲自登门了。他的名片上印着:剑桥,三一学院,西锐利·欧沃顿。走进来的是一位身材魁梧的年轻人,足有十六石重,他宽阔的身体把屋门①都堵住了,他的相貌英俊,但是面容憔悴,无神的眼睛缓缓地打量着我们——

    ①英国重量名,用来表示体重时,一石等于十四磅,现已废除。——译者注

    “哪位是歇洛克·福尔摩斯先生?”

    我的朋友点了点头。

    “福尔摩斯先生,我去过苏格兰场,见到了侦探霍普金。他建议我来找您。他说,在他看来,我这个案件由您解决更适当一些,不必找官方侦探。”

    “请坐,把您的问题告诉我们吧!”

    “福尔摩斯先生,事情真糟,糟糕极了!我的头发都快急白了。高夫利·斯道顿——您听说过这个名字吧?他是全队的灵魂。我宁愿在中卫线上只有斯道顿,不要另外那两个。不论是传球、运球、还是抢球,没人能够赶得上他。他是核心,可以把我们全队带动起来。我怎么办呢?福尔摩斯先生,我来请教您该怎么办。当然有莫尔豪斯替补,他是踢前卫的,但是他总是喜欢挤进去争球,而不是守在边线上。他定位球踢得很好,但是他不会判断情况,而且不善于拼抢,牛津的两员宿将,莫尔顿或约翰逊,可能会死死地缠住他。斯蒂文逊跑得很快,但是他不会在二十五码远的地方踢落地球。而一个中卫既不会踢落地球,又不能踢空球,根本就不配参加比赛。福尔摩斯先生,您若是不帮助我们找到高夫利·斯道顿,我准输了。”

    我的朋友神情专注,津津有味地听着。这位客人急切地诉说着,他强壮的手臂不时地拍着自己的膝盖,力求使每句话都得到别人充分的理解。客人的话刚一停下来,福尔摩斯便取出有"S"字母的那一卷资料。从这一卷内容丰富的资料中他没有查到什么。

    他说:“有阿瑟·H·斯道顿,一个发了财的年轻的伪造纸币者。有亨利·斯道顿,我协助警察把这个人绞死了。可是高夫利·斯道顿这个名字我以前却没有听说过。”

    我们的客人露出惊讶的样子。

    他说:“福尔摩斯先生,我以为您什么都知道。如果您没有听说过高夫利·斯道顿,您也就不会知道西锐利·欧沃顿了。”

    福尔摩斯微笑地摇了摇头。

    这位运动员说:“大侦探先生!在英格兰和威尔士的比赛中,我的球队是英格兰的第一队。我是大学生队的领队,不过,你不知道也没有什么关系!我想在英国每个人都知道高夫利·斯道顿。他是最好的中卫,剑桥队、布莱克希斯队和国家队都请他打中卫,而且国家队请了他五次。福尔摩斯先生,您原来住在英国吗?”

    福尔摩斯对这位天真的巨人笑了一笑。

    “欧沃顿先生,你的生活范围和我的不一样,你生活在一个更愉快更健康的范围里。我和社会上的各界人士几乎全有接触,可就是和体育界人士没有来往,而业余体育运动是英国最有意义、最有益于健康的事业。您这次意外的光临说明,就是在最讲究规则的户外运动方面,我也有事可做。那么,请你坐下来,慢慢地安静地确切地告诉我们出了什么事,以及你要我怎样帮助你。”

    欧沃顿的脸上露出了不耐烦的样子,那种样子正象惯于使用体力而不用脑力的人所常有的那样。他开始给我们一点一点地讲述这个奇怪的故事,他的叙述中有许多重复和模糊之处,我便把它们删去了。

    “福尔摩斯先生,事情是这样的。我已经和您说过,我是剑桥大学橄榄球队的领队,高夫利·斯道顿是最好的队员。明天我们和牛津大学比赛。昨天我们来到这里,住在班特莱旅馆。晚上十点钟,我去看了看,所有的队员全休息了,因为我相信严格的训练和充足的睡眠可以保持这个队的良好竞技状态。我看见斯道顿脸色发白,似乎心情很不安。我问他是怎么一回事,他说没有什么,不过有点头疼。我向他道了晚安便走了。半小时后,旅馆服务员对我说有一个长着满脸胡须、衣着简陋的人拿着一封信要找高夫利。高夫利已经上床睡了,所以服务员把信送到他屋子里。谁知他读过信,一下子就瘫倒在椅子上,好象是被谁用斧子砍了似的。服务员很惊讶,要去找我,高夫利阻止了服务员,喝了一点水又振作起来。然后他走下楼,和在大门里等候的人说了几句话,两个人便一起走出去了。服务员看到的最后情景是他们二人在大街上朝着河滩跑去。今天早上高夫利的房间是空的,没有人睡过,他的东西一点未动,还是象我昨天晚上看到的那样。那个陌生人来找他,他立刻随那人走了,再也没有音信,我想他不会回来了。高夫利是个真正的运动员,他打心眼里喜欢运动,要不是受到什么沉重的打击,他决不会退出比赛,决不会骗其他的领队。我觉得他是永远回不来了,我们不会再见到他了。”

    福尔摩斯很感兴趣地听着他叙述这件怪事。

    他问:“你采取什么措施了吗?”

    “我打电报给剑桥,问他们是否知道他的消息。回答是没有人看见过他。”

    “他能回到剑桥去吗?”

    “是的,有一趟晚车——十一点一刻开。”

    “可是,按照你的判断,他没有乘这趟火车?”

    “是的,没有人看见过他。”

    “后来呢?”

    “我又打电报给蒙特·詹姆士爵士。”

    “为什么给他打呢?”

    “高夫利是个孤儿,蒙特·詹姆士是他最近的亲属——大概是他的叔父。”

    “这对于解决问题或许会有帮助。蒙特·詹姆士爵士是英国最富有的。”

    “我听高夫利这样说过。”

    “高夫利是他的近亲?”

    “是的,高夫利是继承人,老爵士已经快八十岁了,而且风湿病很重,人们说他可能快要死了。他从来不给高夫利一个先令,他是个地道的守财奴,可是财产早晚都要归高夫利。”

    “蒙特·詹姆士爵士那儿有什么消息吗?”

    “没有。”

    “如果高夫利去蒙特·詹姆士爵士那儿,他又是为了什么呢?”

    “头一天晚上有件事使高夫利心情不安,如果和钱有关,那可能是爵士要把遗产给他。爵士的钱很多,当然就我所知,高夫利得到这笔钱的可能性很小。高夫利不喜欢这个老人。要是他能不去他那儿,他不会去的。”

    “那么,我们现在可以这样假设吗?如果你的朋友高夫利是到他的亲属蒙特·詹姆士爵士那儿去,你就可以解释那个衣着简陋的人为什么那么晚来,为什么他的来临使得高夫利焦虑不安。”

    西锐利·欧沃顿困惑地说:“我解释不了。”

    福尔摩斯说:“好吧!今天天气很好,这件事我愿意去侦查一下。我主张不管这个青年情况怎样,你还是要准备参加比赛,正象你所说的,他这样突然离开,一定是有极要紧的事,而且也正是这件要紧的事使他至今不能回来。我们一起步行去旅馆,看看服务员是否能够提供新的情况。”

    歇洛克·福尔摩斯是那样循循善诱,使得当事人心情很快就平静了下来。过不多久,我们来到了旅馆,走进斯道顿住过的单人房间。在这里福尔摩斯打听到了服务员所知道的一切。头一天晚上来的客人既不是一位绅士,也不是一个仆人,而是一个象服务员所说的"穿着不怎么样的家伙",年纪大约五十岁左右,胡子稀疏,脸色苍白,穿着很朴素。他似乎很激动,拿着信的手在不停地抖动。服务员看到高夫利·斯道顿把那封信塞到口袋里。斯道顿在大厅里没有和这个人握手。他们交谈了几句,服务员只听到"时间"两个字。然后他们便急匆匆地走出去了。那时大厅的挂钟正好十点半。

    福尔摩斯坐在斯道顿的床上,说:“我想你值白班,对吗?”

    “是的,先生,我十一点下班。”

    “值夜班的服务员没有看见什么吗?”

    “没有,先生。只有看戏的人回来晚些。再没有别人了。”

    “你昨天一整天都在值班吗?”

    “是的,先生。”

    “有没有邮件一类的东西交给斯道顿先生呢?”

    “有的,先生,有一封电报。”

    “啊!那很重要。在什么时候?”

    “大约六点钟。”

    “斯道顿在哪儿收到的电报?”

    “就在这间房子里。”

    “他拆电报的时候,你在吗?”

    “是的,我在这里。我等着看他是不是要回电。”

    “那么,他要回电吗?”

    “是的,先生,他写了回电。”

    “是你去拍的回电吗?”

    “他自己去的。”

    “但是,他是当你面写的回电吗?”

    “是的,先生。我站在门边,他转过身去,在桌子上写的。

    他写完后对我说:'好了,服务员。我自己去拍。'”

    “他用什么笔写的?”

    “铅笔,先生。”

    “是不是用了这张桌子上的电报纸?”

    “是的,就是原来最上面的那一张。”

    福尔摩斯站了起来。他拿起现在在上面的那张电报纸走到窗户旁,仔细地检查上面的痕迹。

    他说:“很遗憾,他没有用铅笔写。"然后丢下这张电报纸,失望地耸了一下肩,接着说:“华生,你一定也会想到,字迹会透到第二张纸上的——曾经有人利用这种痕迹破坏了多少美满的婚姻。可是在这张纸上我看不到什么。呵,有了!我看出他是用粗尖的鹅毛笔写的,这样我们准会在吸墨纸上找到一些痕迹。哈,你们瞧,一点儿不错!”

    他撕下一条吸墨纸,并把上面的字迹给我们看。字迹如下:

    西锐利很激动地喊:“用放大镜看!”

    福尔摩斯说:“不必,纸很薄,从反面可以看出写的是什么。"他把吸墨纸翻过来,我们读到:

    (译为:看在上帝的面上支持我们!)

    “这就是高夫利·斯道顿在失踪前几小时所拍的电报的最后一句。电报上至少有六个字我们找不到了,可是剩下的这些证明这个青年看到严重的危险将要降临到他身上,并且说明有另外一个人能够保护他。请注意'我们'!有第三者参与了。除去那个面色苍白、自己也显得十分紧张的大胡子以外,还能是谁呢?那么,高夫利和这个大胡子又是什么关系呢?为了躲避起在眉睫的危险,他们二人去寻求援助的第三者又是谁呢?我们的调查应当围绕在这些问题上。”

    我建议说:“我们只要弄清电报是给谁拍的就好办了。”

    “亲爱的华生,是要这样办。你的办法是能够解决问题的,我也这样想过,可是你要知道,如果去邮局要求看别人的电报底稿,邮局的工作人员可能不会满足你。办这种事需要很多手续,但是,我深信通过一些巧妙的手段可以办到。欧沃顿先生,趁着你在现场,我要看看留在桌子上的那些文件。”

    桌子上有一些信件、账单和笔记本等,福尔摩斯迅速而又认真地翻阅着。过了一会儿,他说:“这些东西没有问题。顺便说一下,你的朋友斯道顿身体健康头脑清醒,他什么东西也不会弄乱。”

    “他身体十分健壮。”

    “他生过病吗?”

    “一天也没有病过。不过他因为胫骨被踢伤躺倒过,还有因为滑倒,膝盖受过伤,可这都不能算是病。”

    “也许他不象你想得那样健壮。我想他可能有难以对别人说起的疾病。要是你同意的话,我就拿走这桌子上的一两份材料,以备将来调查时用。”

    忽然我们听到有人焦急地喊:“等一下,等一下!"我们抬起头来,看见一个古怪的小老头,颤颤巍巍地站在门口。他穿着已经发白的黑色衣服,戴着宽边礼帽,系着白色宽领带——看上去很土气,就象是殡仪馆的工人。尽管他衣衫褴褛,样子滑稽,但他说话的声音却很清脆,看样子他象是有急事。这引起了我们的注意。

    他问:“先生,你是谁?你有什么权力动这些文件呢?”

    “我是个私人侦探,我正努力弄清他为什么会失踪。”

    “你是侦探?谁请你来的?”

    “这位先生,斯道顿的朋友。他是苏格兰场介绍给我的。”

    “先生,你是谁呢?”

    “我是西锐利·欧沃顿。”

    “那么,是你给我拍了一封电报吗?我是蒙特·詹姆士爵士,是乘倍斯瓦特公共汽车急忙赶来的。你已经把事情委托给一位侦探来办了吗?”

    “是的,先生。”

    “你准备付钱了吗?”

    “要是我们能够找到我的朋友高夫利,他无疑是会付钱的。”

    “可是如果找不到他呢?你回答这个问题!”

    “要是这样,他家准会……”

    这个小个子老头儿尖声喊道:“先生,不会有这样的事。不要向我要一个便士——就是一个便士也不给。侦探先生,你明白了吗?这个年轻人只有我这一个亲人。但是,我告诉你,我不负任何责任。就因为我从来不浪费钱,他才有可能得到我的财产,可我还不想让他现在就继承。你随便动了这些文件,我可以告诉你,里面要是有什么值钱的东西,你可要负全部责任。”

    歇洛克·福尔摩斯说:“先生,就这样吧!同时我要问你,对于这个青年的失踪,你有责任没有?”

    “没有,先生。他已经长大了,年纪不小了,可以自己照顾自己。他笨得自己看不住自己,我是完全不负找他的责任的。”

    福尔摩斯眨了眨眼睛,用嘲笑的口吻说:“我十分理解您的意图,也许您并不理解我。人们一直认为高夫利·斯道顿是个穷人。他被劫持,那不会是因为他自己有财产。蒙特·詹姆士爵士,你很阔气,你的名声是传播在外的,很可能是一伙强盗为了了解你的住宅、财宝等等情况,而把你的侄子劫走。”

    这位使人没有好感的客人面色发白了,正好和他的白色领带相互映衬。

    “天啊,真可怕!没想到会有人做这种坏事!世界上竟会有这种没人性的恶棍!高夫利是个好孩子——一个顽强的孩子。他决不会出卖他叔叔的。我今天晚上就把我的财物送到银行去。侦探先生,我请求你不辞劳苦,一定把他安全地找回来。至于钱吗,五镑、十镑的您尽管找我要。”

    这位高贵的吝啬鬼,即便他身上铜臭全无,也不会对我们有半点用处,因为他毫不了解他侄子的生活。我们支走了蒙特·詹姆士爵士。我们唯一的线索全在那份残存的电报上。于是,福尔摩斯拿起一份抄录的残文,去寻找有关的线索。欧沃顿也去找他的队员商量怎么应付这个意外的不幸。

    离旅馆不远有个邮电局。我们走到邮电局门口,福尔摩斯说:“华生,可以试一下。当然,如果有证明,我们可以索取存根查对,可是现在弄不到证明。我想邮局很忙,不会记住我们的相貌。我们冒险试一下。”

    他对着格栅后面的一位年轻妇女,若无其事地说:“麻烦您一下,昨天我拍的那个电报可能有点错误。因为我没有收到回电,我想怕是忘记在后面写上名字了。请您帮助我查找一下好吗?”

    她问:“什么时候拍的?”

    “六点过一点。”

    “拍给谁的?”

    福尔摩斯把一个手指放到嘴唇上,并且看着我,表示不让我说出。然后,他很自信地低声说:“电报上最后的几个字是'看在上帝的面上支持我们'。我很急于收到回电。”

    这位青年妇女抽出一张存根。

    她说:“就是这张。上面没有名字。"然后,她把存根平铺在柜台上。

    福尔摩斯说:“怪不得我没有收到回电。哎呀,我太蠢了!早安,女士,谢谢您使我弄清了。"等我们走到街上的时候,福尔摩斯一面搓着手一面格格地笑了。

    我问:“怎么样?”

    “大有进展。华生,我想了七种可以看到那个电报存根的办法,可是我没想到这样省事,第一次便成功了。”

    “你得到了什么情况呢?”

    他说:“我知道了从哪儿着手调查。”

    他叫了一辆马车,去帝国十字街火车站。

    “我们去的地方很远吗?”

    “是的,我们必须去一趟剑桥。似乎所有的迹象全和剑桥有关。”

    当我们驶过格雷饭店大路的时候,我又问道:“对于斯道顿失踪的原因,你怎样考虑呢?我们办的案子里还没有一个是肇事动机不明的。你并不认为劫持斯道顿的目的是为了得到他的阔叔叔的钱吧?”

    “亲爱的华生,我承认,我并不那样认为,当时我突然想到这一点,因为这样才能引起那个讨厌的老头子的兴趣。”

    “确实只能这样说,不过,你实际上怎样考虑呢?”

    “我可以谈几点。我们要看到,事情发生在这场重要比赛的前夕,而且牵涉到一个关系全队胜负的队员。当然,这两个因素可能是巧合,不过倒很有意思。业余比赛是不许打赌的,但是在公众中有些人在场外打赌,就象赛马场的流氓在赛马上下赌注一样。这是一种解释。第二个理由是明摆着的,这个青年虽然现在没有钱,但他将来确实要继承大笔钱财,扣留他是为了得到赎金,这也是很可能的事。”

    “这两种说法全不能解释电报的问题。”

    “是的,华生,电报仍然是我们必须解决的难题,而且我们也不应当分散注意力。我们去剑桥正是为了弄清打这封电报的目的是什么。我们怎样侦查现在还不清楚,不过一定要在天黑以前确定下来,或是有个眉目。”

    当我们来到古老的大学城的时候,天已经黑了,福尔摩斯在火车站叫了一辆马车,让驾驶到莱斯利·阿姆斯昌大夫家中。几分钟后,我们的马车驶进一条繁华的街道,在一栋豪华的房子前面停了下来。一个仆人把我们领了进去,等了很久我们才被引到诊疗室,这位大夫坐在桌子后面。

    我不知道莱斯利·阿姆斯昌的名字,这说明我和医学界人士联系得太少了。现在我才知道,他不仅是剑桥大学医学院的负责人之一,而且在不少学科上都造诣很深,是个名扬欧洲的学者。一个人即使不知道他的光辉成就,看到他时也一定会得到很深的印象:方方正正的胖脸庞,浓眉下长着一双阴郁的眼睛,倔强的下巴象是用大理石雕刻出来的。我认为阿姆斯昌大夫是个性格阴沉、头脑敏捷、冷酷无情、能够吃苦、善于自制、而且很难对付的人。他手中拿着我朋友的名片,抬起头来看看,脸上没有一点喜悦的感情。

    “歇洛克·福尔摩斯先生,我听到过你的名字,也了解你的职业——这种职业我是绝对不赞成的。”

    我的朋友安详地说:“这样你便在无形中支持了全国的每一个罪犯。”

    “您致力于制止犯罪,这会得到社会上每个通情达理的人的协助,不过,我深信官方机构完全可以办好这种事。可是你所做的事,却常常受到非议,你刺探到私人的秘密、家庭的私事,本应遮掩,你却把它宣扬出去,而且你有时打搅比你忙得多的人。例如,现在我应当写论文而不是和你谈话。”

    “大夫,你说的也许是对的,可是事实将会证明我们的谈话比你的论文更重要。我可以顺便告诉你,我所做的事和你所指责的完全相反,我们尽力防止私人事件公之于众,可是事情落到警察手中,便必然会宣扬出去。我象是一支非正规的先遣队,走在正规军前面。我来是向你了解高夫利·斯道顿先生的情况。”

    “他怎么了?”

    “你不认识他吗?”

    “他是我的密友。”

    “你知道他失踪了吗?”

    “真的吗?"看不出大夫肥胖的面孔上有任何表情的变化。

    “他昨天夜里离开了旅馆,就再也没有消息。”

    “他准会回来的。”

    “明天就要举行大学橄榄球比赛。”

    “我不喜欢这种孩子们的比赛。我很关心斯道顿的情况,因为我认识他,也喜欢他。我不管什么橄榄球比赛举行还是不举行。”

    “我是在调查斯道顿先生的情况,所以请你帮助。你知道他在哪儿吗?”

    “我不知道。”

    “昨天以来你没有见到他吗?”

    “没有。”

    “斯道顿先生身体很健康吗?”

    “十分健康。”

    “他生过病吗?”

    “从来没有过。”

    福尔摩斯突然拿出一张单据摆在大夫眼前。"那么,请您解释一下这张十三个畿尼的单据,是斯道顿上月付给剑桥的阿姆斯昌大夫的。我从他桌子上的文件中看到了这张单据。”

    大夫气得脸都红了。

    “福尔摩斯先生,我觉得没有必要给你解释。”

    福尔摩斯把单据又夹在他的笔记本里。他说:“如果你愿意当众解释,你就等着,这一天总会来的。我已经告诉过你,别的侦探必定传扬出去的事,我可以遮掩下来。如果你放聪明一点,那你就应该告诉我一切。”

    “我什么也不知道。”

    “斯道顿在伦敦给你写过信吗?”

    “没有。”

    福尔摩斯不耐烦地叹了一口气说:“唉,邮局的事又来了!昨天晚上六点十五分,斯道顿从伦敦给你发来紧急电报,毫无疑问,这个电报和他的失踪有关,可是,你没有收到。邮局太疏忽了!我一定要去邮局责问他们。”

    阿姆斯昌大夫突然从桌子后面站起来了,他的黑脸庞由于生气变成了紫红色。

    他说:“先生,劳驾,我请你走出去。你可以告诉你的当事人蒙特·詹姆士爵士,我不愿意和他本人以及他的代理人有什么联系。先生,一句话也不要再说了。"他愤怒地摇了摇铃。"约翰,把这两位先生送出去。"一个肥胖的管家严肃地把我们领出大门。我们到了街上,福尔摩斯笑起来了。

    他说:“阿姆斯昌大夫是个很倔强的人,我看只有他最适合于解决著名的学者莫阿蒂大夫所遗留下来的问题。华生,我们现在困在了这个举目无亲的城镇里,可是不调查完这个案件我们是不能离开的。对着阿姆斯昌家的那个小旅馆很适合我们住,你去订一间临街的房间,并且买一些晚上需用的东西。我利用这个时间做些调查。”

    然而,这些调查所用去的时间,比福尔摩斯原来想的要长得多,一直到晚上九点钟他才回到旅馆。他面色发白,精神沮丧,满身是土,并且又饿又累。摆在桌子上的晚餐已经凉了。他吃过饭,点上烟斗,正要谈谈他幽默的而又富有哲学意味的意见的时候——事情不顺利的时候,他总是这样谈话——马车车轮的声音使他站了起来,我们同时向窗外望去,只见在煤气灯的光亮下,一辆四轮马车,由两起灰马拉着,停在了大夫的门前。

    福尔摩斯说:“马车是六点半出去的,过了三个小时回来,那么可以走十到十二里,他每天出去一次,有时是两次。”

    “大夫出诊是经常的事。”

    “可是阿姆斯昌并不是个一般的出诊大夫。他是个讲师和会诊医生,不看一般的病症,看病妨碍他的研究工作。为什么他不厌其烦地去这么远的地方,他找的人又是谁呢?”

    “他的马车夫……”

    “亲爱的华生,你想不到我最初是要找这个马车夫了解情况吧?也不知道是由于他的下流无耻还是由于他主人的唆使,他竟然无礼地朝着我放出狗来。不管是人还是狗全不喜欢我的样子,不管怎么说吧,事情没办成。关系紧张以后,也就无法进行调查了。我从一个和蔼的本地人那里,打听到一些情况,他就在这个旅馆工作。是他告诉了我关于大夫的生活习惯和他天天出去的情况。我们正说着,马车就到了门前,刚好证明他说的话是对的。”

    “你没有跟着马车去看看吗?”

    “好极了,华生!你和我的想法不谋而合。你一定注意到了,紧挨着我们的旅店有一家自行车铺。我赶快进了自行车铺,租了一辆自行车,幸好马车还没有走远,我拼命用力气,赶上了马车,始终和它保持着约一百码的距离。我跟着马车的灯光,一直出了城。在乡村的大路上又走了很长一段,这时发生了一件使我尴尬的事。马车突然停住,大夫下了车,他很快地回身走到我停住的地方,并且用讥讽的口吻对我说,他怕道路太窄,会妨碍我的自行车通过。他的话说得很巧妙。我只好超过马车,在大路上又骑了几英里,然后在一个方便的地方停下来,看看马车是否已经不见了。果然马车已经毫无踪影,显然已经拐到我刚才看见的岔路上去了。我往回骑,但还是没有看见马车。现在你看,马车是在我回来之后才到的。当然,本来我没有特别的理由把高夫利的失踪和阿姆斯昌的外出联系起来,侦查阿姆斯昌的外出,只是认为和他有关的事,都值得我们注意。现在我发现他小心提防着是否有人跟踪他,那么他的外出一定很重要。弄不清这件事,我是不会安心的。”

    “我们明天继续跟踪他。”

    “我们两人去?事情不是象你想的那样容易。你不熟悉剑桥郡的地理情况吧?这里不容易躲藏。我今天晚上走过的乡村全都很平坦,很整洁,而且我们所跟踪的人,绝不是一个傻子,他今天晚上已经表现得很充分。我给欧沃顿拍了电报,要他往这里回电,告诉我们伦敦有没有新情况。同时,我们专心注意阿姆斯昌,这个人是邮局的那位好心肠的妇女使我从存根上知道的。我敢发誓,他一定知道斯道顿在哪里。如果只有他知道,而我们不能设法去弄明白,那就是我们自己的过错。眼下必须承认决定胜负的关键的牌还在他的手中。华生,你是了解的,我办事不习惯半途而废。”

    第二天,我们仍然无法解开这个谜,事情毫无进展。早饭后有人送来一封信,福尔摩斯看过以后,微微笑了笑,把信递给了我。

    先生:

    可以肯定,你们跟踪我是白白浪费时间。你昨天晚上已经发现,我的四轮马车后面有个窗户,所以如果你愿意来回走二十里,那就请便吧。同时我可以告诉你,你窥伺我,这对于高夫利·斯道顿先生不会有什么好处。如果你想帮助他,最好还是回到伦敦去,向你的当事人说,你不能找到他。你在剑桥的时间是要白白浪费掉的。

    莱斯利·阿姆斯昌

    福尔摩斯说:“这位大夫是个坦率的、直言不讳的对手。他倒引起了我的好奇心,我一定要弄清再走。”

    我说:“他的马车现在就在他门前,他正要上车。我看见他又往上看了看我们的窗户。让我汽车去试试能不能侦查清楚,你看怎么样?”

    “你不要去,亲爱的华生,不要去。尽管你很聪明机智,恐怕你不是这个大夫的对手。我想我单独去试探试探或许能够成功。你自己在城内随便走走。如果在寂静的乡村出现两个探头探脑的陌生人,一定会引起对我们不利的谣言。这个著名的城市有一些名胜古迹,你可以去游览游览。我希望傍晚能够给你带回来好消息。”

    然而我的朋友又一次失败了。他在深夜又疲劳又失望地回到旅馆。

    “华生,我今天又白跑了。已经知道大夫去的大致方向,我就在那一带村庄里等候他,我和当地的客栈老板及卖报纸的人们谈了许久。我去了不少地方,契斯特顿、希斯顿、瓦特比契和欧金顿我都去了,可是大失所望。在这样平静的地方天天出现两骑马拉的四轮马车,是不会被人忽视的。这一次大夫又胜利了。有我的电报吗?”

    “有,我拆开了。这样写的:

    '向三一学院的吉瑞姆·狄克逊要庞倍。'

    我看不懂这份电报。”

    “电报写得很清楚,是我们的朋友欧沃顿拍来的,他回答了我提出的一个问题。我只要给狄克逊先生写封信,事情一定会好转。顺便问你一下,比赛的事有什么消息吗?”

    “本地的晚报今天有详细报道。有一场牛津赢了一分,有两场打平。报道的最后一段是:

    '穿淡蓝色运动衣的球队之所以失利,完全是因为世界第一流的运动员,国际比赛的参加者斯道顿未能出场,大大削弱了全队的实力,前卫线上协作不够,进攻和防守也很薄弱。'”

    福尔摩斯:“欧沃斯的预言被证实了。就我个人来说,我和阿姆斯昌的想法一样,橄榄球不是我份内的事。华生,我们今天要早睡,我敢断定,明天事情一定很多。”

    第二天早晨我看到福尔摩斯坐在火炉旁,手里拿着皮下注射的针管,我大吃一惊。一看到兴奋剂我便想到他的体质很差,担心发生什么事。他看到我惊愕的样子,禁不住笑了,把针管放到了桌子上。

    “亲爱的朋友,别为我担心。在这种紧急时刻使用兴奋剂不能算做吸毒,反倒是解破这个谜的关键。我的希望完全寄托在这一针兴奋剂上。我刚刚去侦查了一番,一切全很顺利。华生,好好吃顿早饭,我们今天要追踪阿姆斯昌大夫。我一跟上他,不追到他的老窝,我是不想吃饭休息的。”

    我和福尔摩斯下了楼,来到马厩的院子里,他打开马房门,放出一条猎狗。这条狗又矮又肥,耳朵下垂,黄白相间,既象小猎兔犬又象猎狐犬。

    他说:“请你和庞倍互相认识一下。庞倍是当地最著名的追踪猎犬,它跑得非常快,而且是个顽强的追踪者。庞倍,你不要跑得太快。我怕我们俩人赶不上你,所以只好给你的脖子套上皮带。好,庞倍,去吧,今天就看你的了。”

    福尔摩斯把狗领到对面大夫家门前。狗到处嗅了一会儿,然后一声尖叫便向大街跑去,我们拉着皮带尽力朝前跑。半小时后,我们已经出了城,飞跑在乡村的大路上。

    我问:“福尔摩斯,你打算怎么办?”

    “这是个老办法,不过有时很有用。我今天清早到了大夫的庭院里,在马车后轮上洒了一针管的茴香子油,一头猎犬闻到茴香子气味会从那儿一直追到天涯海角,他要想摆脱掉庞倍是不可能的!这大夫真狡猾!前天晚上他就是把车驾到乡村后面甩开了我。”

    狗突然从大路转到一条长满野草的小径上,我们走了半英里,来到另一条宽阔的大路上。从这儿向右转弯便通往城里。大路向城南转去,向北转就会回到我们出发的地方。

    福尔摩斯说:“这个迂回对于我们是有好处的!难怪向村子里的人打听不出来什么。大夫的这个把戏耍得很好,可是我想要知道他为什么设了这样一个精心的骗局。我们的右面一定是川平顿村了。呀!马车就要拐过来了!华生,快,快,不然我们就要被发现了!”

    福尔摩斯拉着不听话的庞倍跳进一座篱笆门,我也随着进去。我们刚刚躲到篱笆下面,马车便咕隆咕隆地驶过去了。我看见阿姆斯昌大夫在车里面,他的两肩向前拱着,两手托着头,带着很沮丧的样子。从福尔摩斯那严肃的神情上可以知道他也看见了。

    他说:“我怕我们会发现不幸的事情。我们很快便会弄明白,庞倍,来!到田野里的那间茅屋去!”

    显然,我们的旅程已经到了终点。庞倍在茅屋的门外,跑来跑去,并且使劲地叫,在这儿可以看见马车车轮的痕迹。有一条小道通向这座孤零零的农舍。福尔摩斯把狗拴在篱笆上,我们来到屋门前。他敲了敲简陋的屋门,许久没有人回话。可是屋子里并不是没有人居住,因为我们听到里面有低沉的声音,似是一种痛苦的悲泣声,使人感到非常悲伤。福尔摩斯迟疑了一下,然后回头看看刚才穿过的大路。一辆四轮马车正在大路上行驶着,还有一对灰色马,正是大夫的马车。

    福尔摩斯喊道:“大夫又回来了。这回问题可以解决了,我们一定要在他来之前,看看是怎么一回事。”

    他推开了门,我们走进门道。低沉的声音显得大了一些,后来变成如譬如诉的呜咽。声音来自楼上。福尔摩斯急忙走上去,我在后面跟着。他推开一扇半掩的门,眼前出现的景象使我们异常吃惊。

    一位年轻而又美丽的妇女死在床上。她的面容宁静而苍白,一双无神的蓝眼睛透过乱蓬蓬的金色头发向上瞪着。一个青年男子在床上半坐半跪,他的脸埋在床单里,哭得浑身颤抖。他完全沉浸在悲伤之中,福尔摩斯的手搭在他的肩膀上之后,他才抬起头来。

    “你是高夫利·斯道顿先生吗?”

    “是的,是我,可是你太晚了。她已经死了。”

    这个青年悲痛得心神迷乱,没有明白我们根本不是来看病的大夫。福尔摩斯正要说几句安慰的话,并且说明我们的来历,这时,楼梯上传来了脚步声,阿姆斯昌大夫出现在门旁,他脸上交织着沉痛、严峻和质问的神情。

    他说:“先生们,你们终于达到了目的,并且在这样特别不幸的时刻来打搅我们。我不能在死者面前大吵大嚷,但是我可以告诉你们,如果我年轻一点,我绝不会饶过你们这种恶劣的行为。”

    我的朋友十分庄重地说:“阿姆斯昌大夫,请原谅。我想我们彼此有点误解。最好请你下楼来,我们可以互相谈谈这件不幸的事情。”

    一会儿,这位严厉的大夫随我们来到楼下的起居室。

    他说:“先生,说吧!”

    “首先,我希望你能理解,我没有受蒙特·詹姆士爵士的委托,而且在这件事上我是反对这位贵族的。一个人失踪了,我的责任是弄清他的下落。但是一开始侦查,事情超出了我的范围,既然不存在犯罪的问题,我们也就很愿意使流言平息下去而不是扩散。既然这件事没有违法的地方,请相信我会守口如瓶,并且不使新闻界知道。”

    阿姆斯昌大夫迅速向前走了几步,握住福尔摩斯的手。

    他说:“你是一个好人。我错怪了你。既然你已经知道了这些情况,问题便好解释了。一年以前斯道顿在伦敦住了一个时期,对于房东的女儿产生了强烈的爱情,并且娶了她。她聪明、善良、而且美丽。谁有这样的妻子都会感到幸福。可是高夫利是那个脾气乖戾的贵族的继承人,如果结婚的消息传到他那儿,高夫利一定会失掉继承权。我十分了解这个青年人,他有许多优点,我很喜欢他。所以,我尽我的力量帮助他,不使他失去继承权。我们尽量不让外人知道这件事,因为只要有一个人知道,很快地便会人人都知道。由于这所农舍很偏僻,而且斯道顿很谨慎,所以到现在还没有外人知道这件事。他们的秘密只有我和一个忠实的仆人知道。这个仆人到川平顿办事去了。但是他的妻子很不幸,得了重病,一种很厉害的肺病。可怜的斯道顿愁得要疯了,可是他还得要去伦敦参加比赛,因为不去就需要说明理由,这样便会暴露他的秘密。我发电报安慰他,他回电请我尽力帮忙。这就是那封电报。这封电报不知怎的竟会被你看到了,我没告诉他病情有多么危急,因为他在这儿也帮不上忙。但是我把真实病情告诉了病人的父亲,而她父亲不会办事,去告诉了斯道顿。结果是,他象发了疯似地径直离开那里,回来跪在他妻子的床前,一直不动,直到今天上午,死亡结束了他妻子的痛苦。福尔摩斯先生,这是全部情况,我相信你和你的朋友全是言语谨慎的。”

    福尔摩斯紧握了一下大夫的手。

    我们离开那所充满忧伤的房子,来到冬季的暗淡阳光下。我的朋友缓慢地说:“华生,走吧!”




点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 weird bghw8     
adj.古怪的,离奇的;怪诞的,神秘而可怕的
参考例句:
  • From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来,他好像有点怪。
  • His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。
2 baker wyTz62     
n.面包师
参考例句:
  • The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
  • The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。
3 strand 7GAzH     
vt.使(船)搁浅,使(某人)困于(某地)
参考例句:
  • She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears.她把一缕散发夹到了耳后。
  • The climbers had been stranded by a storm.登山者被暴风雨困住了。
4 considerably 0YWyQ     
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上
参考例句:
  • The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
  • The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
5 insignificant k6Mx1     
adj.无关紧要的,可忽略的,无意义的
参考例句:
  • In winter the effect was found to be insignificant.在冬季,这种作用是不明显的。
  • This problem was insignificant compared to others she faced.这一问题与她面临的其他问题比较起来算不得什么。
6 stagnant iGgzj     
adj.不流动的,停滞的,不景气的
参考例句:
  • Due to low investment,industrial output has remained stagnant.由于投资少,工业生产一直停滞不前。
  • Their national economy is stagnant.他们的国家经济停滞不前。
7 dread Ekpz8     
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧
参考例句:
  • We all dread to think what will happen if the company closes.我们都不敢去想一旦公司关门我们该怎么办。
  • Her heart was relieved of its blankest dread.她极度恐惧的心理消除了。
8 mania 9BWxu     
n.疯狂;躁狂症,狂热,癖好
参考例句:
  • Football mania is sweeping the country.足球热正风靡全国。
  • Collecting small items can easily become a mania.收藏零星物品往往容易变成一种癖好。
9 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
10 craved e690825cc0ddd1a25d222b7a89ee7595     
渴望,热望( crave的过去式 ); 恳求,请求
参考例句:
  • She has always craved excitement. 她总渴望刺激。
  • A spicy, sharp-tasting radish was exactly what her stomach craved. 她正馋着想吃一个香甜可口的红萝卜呢。
11 stimulus 3huyO     
n.刺激,刺激物,促进因素,引起兴奋的事物
参考例句:
  • Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
  • Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。
12 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
13 ascetic bvrzE     
adj.禁欲的;严肃的
参考例句:
  • The hermit followed an ascetic life-style.这个隐士过的是苦行生活。
  • This is achieved by strict celibacy and ascetic practices.这要通过严厉的独身生活和禁欲修行而达到。
14 peril l3Dz6     
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物
参考例句:
  • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
  • The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。
15 tempestuous rpzwj     
adj.狂暴的
参考例句:
  • She burst into a tempestuous fit of anger.她勃然大怒。
  • Dark and tempestuous was night.夜色深沉,狂风肆虐,暴雨倾盆。
16 doorway 2s0xK     
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径
参考例句:
  • They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
  • Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。
17 comely GWeyX     
adj.漂亮的,合宜的
参考例句:
  • His wife is a comely young woman.他的妻子是一个美丽的少妇。
  • A nervous,comely-dressed little girl stepped out.一个紧张不安、衣着漂亮的小姑娘站了出来。
18 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。
19 dribbling dribbling     
n.(燃料或油从系统内)漏泄v.流口水( dribble的现在分词 );(使液体)滴下或作细流;运球,带球
参考例句:
  • Basic skills include swimming, dribbling, passing, marking, tackling, throwing, catching and shooting. 个人基本技术包括游泳、带球、传球、盯人、抢截、抛球、接球和射门。 来自互联网
  • Carol: [Laurie starts dribbling again] Now do that for ten minutes. 卡罗:(萝莉开始再度运球)现在那样做十分钟。 来自互联网
20 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见
参考例句:
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
21 sprint QvWwR     
n.短距离赛跑;vi. 奋力而跑,冲刺;vt.全速跑过
参考例句:
  • He put on a sprint to catch the bus.他全速奔跑以赶上公共汽车。
  • The runner seemed to be rallied for a final sprint.这名赛跑者似乎在振作精神作最后的冲刺。
22 Oxford Wmmz0a     
n.牛津(英国城市)
参考例句:
  • At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
  • This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。
23 romp ZCPzo     
n.欢闹;v.嬉闹玩笑
参考例句:
  • The child went for a romp in the forest.那个孩子去森林快活一把。
  • Dogs and little children romped happily in the garden.狗和小孩子们在花园里嬉戏。
24 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
25 vigour lhtwr     
(=vigor)n.智力,体力,精力
参考例句:
  • She is full of vigour and enthusiasm.她有热情,有朝气。
  • At 40,he was in his prime and full of vigour.他40岁时正年富力强。
26 brawny id7yY     
adj.强壮的
参考例句:
  • The blacksmith has a brawny arm.铁匠有强壮的胳膊。
  • That same afternoon the marshal appeared with two brawny assistants.当天下午,警长带着两名身强力壮的助手来了。
27 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。
28 naive yFVxO     
adj.幼稚的,轻信的;天真的
参考例句:
  • It's naive of you to believe he'll do what he says.相信他会言行一致,你未免太单纯了。
  • Don't be naive.The matter is not so simple.你别傻乎乎的。事情没有那么简单。
29 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
30 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》
31 narrative CFmxS     
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的
参考例句:
  • He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
  • Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。
32 marrow M2myE     
n.骨髓;精华;活力
参考例句:
  • It was so cold that he felt frozen to the marrow. 天气太冷了,他感到寒冷刺骨。
  • He was tired to the marrow of his bones.他真是累得筋疲力尽了。
33 ascertain WNVyN     
vt.发现,确定,查明,弄清
参考例句:
  • It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
  • We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。
34 orphan QJExg     
n.孤儿;adj.无父母的
参考例句:
  • He brought up the orphan and passed onto him his knowledge of medicine.他把一个孤儿养大,并且把自己的医术传给了他。
  • The orphan had been reared in a convent by some good sisters.这个孤儿在一所修道院里被几个好心的修女带大。
35 knuckles c726698620762d88f738be4a294fae79     
n.(指人)指关节( knuckle的名词复数 );(指动物)膝关节,踝v.(指人)指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 );(指动物)膝关节,踝
参考例句:
  • He gripped the wheel until his knuckles whitened. 他紧紧握住方向盘,握得指关节都变白了。
  • Her thin hands were twisted by swollen knuckles. 她那双纤手因肿大的指关节而变了形。 来自《简明英汉词典》
36 miser p19yi     
n.守财奴,吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly)
参考例句:
  • The miser doesn't like to part with his money.守财奴舍不得花他的钱。
  • The demon of greed ruined the miser's happiness.贪得无厌的恶习毁掉了那个守财奴的幸福。
37 motive GFzxz     
n.动机,目的;adv.发动的,运动的
参考例句:
  • The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
  • He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。
38 agitation TN0zi     
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动
参考例句:
  • Small shopkeepers carried on a long agitation against the big department stores.小店主们长期以来一直在煽动人们反对大型百货商店。
  • These materials require constant agitation to keep them in suspension.这些药剂要经常搅动以保持悬浮状态。
39 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。
40 agitated dzgzc2     
adj.被鼓动的,不安的
参考例句:
  • His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定,回答全乱了。
  • She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时,她十分焦虑。
41 crammed e1bc42dc0400ef06f7a53f27695395ce     
adj.塞满的,挤满的;大口地吃;快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满;填入;临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式)
参考例句:
  • He crammed eight people into his car. 他往他的车里硬塞进八个人。
  • All the shelves were crammed with books. 所有的架子上都堆满了书。
42 distinguished wu9z3v     
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
参考例句:
  • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
  • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
43 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
44 shrug Ry3w5     
v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等)
参考例句:
  • With a shrug,he went out of the room.他耸一下肩,走出了房间。
  • I admire the way she is able to shrug off unfair criticism.我很佩服她能对错误的批评意见不予理会。
45 quill 7SGxQ     
n.羽毛管;v.给(织物或衣服)作皱褶
参考例句:
  • He wrote with a quill.他用羽毛笔写字。
  • She dipped a quill in ink,and then began to write.她将羽毛笔在墨水里蘸了一下,随后开始书写。
46 hieroglyphic 5dKxO     
n.象形文字
参考例句:
  • For centuries hieroglyphic word pictures painted on Egyptian ruins were a mystery.几世纪以来,刻划在埃及废墟中的象形文字一直是个谜。
  • Dongba is an ancient hieroglyphic language.东巴文是中国一种古老的象形文字。
47 scrawls 5c879676a9613d890d37c30a83043324     
潦草的笔迹( scrawl的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • He scrawls, and no one can recognize what he writes. 他写字像鬼画符,没人能认出来。
48 disappearance ouEx5     
n.消失,消散,失踪
参考例句:
  • He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
  • Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。
49 remains 1kMzTy     
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹
参考例句:
  • He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
  • The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
50 inquiry nbgzF     
n.打听,询问,调查,查问
参考例句:
  • Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
  • The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。
51 counterfoil voNz7     
n.(支票、邮局汇款单、收据等的)存根,票根
参考例句:
  • I think money is a counterfoil all the time,in should putting in a society.我一直认为钱就是一把票根,应该投放到社会中去。
  • She always keeps the counterfoils.她总是保留着各种票根。
52 delicacy mxuxS     
n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴
参考例句:
  • We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
  • He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。
53 finesse 3kaxV     
n.精密技巧,灵巧,手腕
参考例句:
  • It was a disappointing performance which lacked finesse.那场演出缺乏技巧,令人失望。
  • Lillian Hellman's plays are marked by insight and finesse.莉莲.赫尔曼的巨作以富有洞察力和写作技巧著称。
54 attain HvYzX     
vt.达到,获得,完成
参考例句:
  • I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
  • His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。
55 attained 1f2c1bee274e81555decf78fe9b16b2f     
(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况)
参考例句:
  • She has attained the degree of Master of Arts. 她已获得文学硕士学位。
  • Lu Hsun attained a high position in the republic of letters. 鲁迅在文坛上获得崇高的地位。
56 darting darting     
v.投掷,投射( dart的现在分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • Swallows were darting through the clouds. 燕子穿云急飞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Swallows were darting through the air. 燕子在空中掠过。 来自辞典例句
57 penetrating ImTzZS     
adj.(声音)响亮的,尖锐的adj.(气味)刺激的adj.(思想)敏锐的,有洞察力的
参考例句:
  • He had an extraordinarily penetrating gaze. 他的目光有股异乎寻常的洞察力。
  • He examined the man with a penetrating gaze. 他以锐利的目光仔细观察了那个人。
58 hack BQJz2     
n.劈,砍,出租马车;v.劈,砍,干咳
参考例句:
  • He made a hack at the log.他朝圆木上砍了一下。
  • Early settlers had to hack out a clearing in the forest where they could grow crops.早期移民不得不在森林里劈出空地种庄稼。
59 assent Hv6zL     
v.批准,认可;n.批准,认可
参考例句:
  • I cannot assent to what you ask.我不能应允你的要求。
  • The new bill passed by Parliament has received Royal Assent.议会所通过的新方案已获国王批准。
60 twitching 97f99ba519862a2bc691c280cee4d4cf     
n.颤搐
参考例句:
  • The child in a spasm kept twitching his arms and legs. 那个害痉挛的孩子四肢不断地抽搐。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • My eyelids keep twitching all the time. 我眼皮老是跳。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
61 rusty hYlxq     
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。
62 rustic mCQz9     
adj.乡村的,有乡村特色的;n.乡下人,乡巴佬
参考例句:
  • It was nearly seven months of leisurely rustic living before Michael felt real boredom.这种悠闲的乡村生活过了差不多七个月之后,迈克尔开始感到烦闷。
  • We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.我们希望新鲜的空气和乡村的氛围能帮他调整自己。
63 intensity 45Ixd     
n.强烈,剧烈;强度;烈度
参考例句:
  • I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
  • The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。
64 strictly GtNwe     
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地
参考例句:
  • His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
  • The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。
65 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
66 mischievous mischievous     
adj.调皮的,恶作剧的,有害的,伤人的
参考例句:
  • He is a mischievous but lovable boy.他是一个淘气但可爱的小孩。
  • A mischievous cur must be tied short.恶狗必须拴得短。
67 inhuman F7NxW     
adj.残忍的,不人道的,无人性的
参考例句:
  • We must unite the workers in fighting against inhuman conditions.我们必须使工人们团结起来反对那些难以忍受的工作条件。
  • It was inhuman to refuse him permission to see his wife.不容许他去看自己的妻子是太不近人情了。
68 rogues dacf8618aed467521e2383308f5bb4d9     
n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 );无赖;调皮捣蛋的人;离群的野兽
参考例句:
  • 'I'll show these rogues that I'm an honest woman,'said my mother. “我要让那些恶棍知道,我是个诚实的女人。” 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
  • The rogues looked at each other, but swallowed the home-thrust in silence. 那些恶棍面面相觑,但只好默默咽下这正中要害的话。 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
69 truncated ac273a9aa2a7a6e63ef477fa7f6d1980     
adj.切去顶端的,缩短了的,被删节的v.截面的( truncate的过去式和过去分词 );截头的;缩短了的;截去顶端或末端
参考例句:
  • My article was published in truncated form. 我的文章以节录的形式发表了。
  • Oligocene erosion had truncated the sediments draped over the dome. 覆盖于穹丘上的沉积岩为渐新世侵蚀所截削。 来自辞典例句
70 counterfoils 580c9cef458e38dd08b33b7832c0f13b     
n.(支票、票据等的)存根,票根( counterfoil的名词复数 )
参考例句:
71 blandest 202fe142435073f5bcdcf831cb9df226     
adj.(食物)淡而无味的( bland的最高级 );平和的;温和的;无动于衷的
参考例句:
72 hind Cyoya     
adj.后面的,后部的
参考例句:
  • The animal is able to stand up on its hind limbs.这种动物能够用后肢站立。
  • Don't hind her in her studies.不要在学业上扯她后腿。
73 confidentially 0vDzuc     
ad.秘密地,悄悄地
参考例句:
  • She was leaning confidentially across the table. 她神神秘秘地从桌子上靠过来。
  • Kao Sung-nien and Wang Ch'u-hou talked confidentially in low tones. 高松年汪处厚两人低声密谈。
74 chuckled 8ce1383c838073977a08258a1f3e30f8     
轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
  • She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
75 investigation MRKzq     
n.调查,调查研究
参考例句:
  • In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
  • He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。
76 rattled b4606e4247aadf3467575ffedf66305b     
慌乱的,恼火的
参考例句:
  • The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground. 卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。
  • Every time a bus went past, the windows rattled. 每逢公共汽车经过这里,窗户都格格作响。
77 motives 6c25d038886898b20441190abe240957     
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
  • His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。
78 ransom tTYx9     
n.赎金,赎身;v.赎回,解救
参考例句:
  • We'd better arrange the ransom right away.我们最好马上把索取赎金的事安排好。
  • The kidnappers exacted a ransom of 10000 from the family.绑架者向这家人家勒索10000英镑的赎金。
79 concocted 35ea2e5fba55c150ec3250ef12828dd2     
v.将(尤指通常不相配合的)成分混合成某物( concoct的过去式和过去分词 );调制;编造;捏造
参考例句:
  • The soup was concocted from up to a dozen different kinds of fish. 这种汤是用多达十几种不同的鱼熬制而成的。
  • Between them they concocted a letter. 他们共同策划写了一封信。 来自《简明英汉词典》
80 mansion 8BYxn     
n.大厦,大楼;宅第
参考例句:
  • The old mansion was built in 1850.这座古宅建于1850年。
  • The mansion has extensive grounds.这大厦四周的庭园广阔。
81 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
82 granite Kyqyu     
adj.花岗岩,花岗石
参考例句:
  • They squared a block of granite.他们把一块花岗岩加工成四方形。
  • The granite overlies the older rocks.花岗岩躺在磨损的岩石上面。
83 inflexible xbZz7     
adj.不可改变的,不受影响的,不屈服的
参考例句:
  • Charles was a man of settled habits and inflexible routine.查尔斯是一个恪守习惯、生活规律不容打乱的人。
  • The new plastic is completely inflexible.这种新塑料是完全不可弯曲的。
84 jaw 5xgy9     
n.颚,颌,说教,流言蜚语;v.喋喋不休,教训
参考例句:
  • He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
  • A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。
85 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。
86 machinery CAdxb     
n.(总称)机械,机器;机构
参考例句:
  • Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗?
  • Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。
87 pry yBqyX     
vi.窥(刺)探,打听;vt.撬动(开,起)
参考例句:
  • He's always ready to pry into other people's business.他总爱探听别人的事。
  • We use an iron bar to pry open the box.我们用铁棍撬开箱子。
88 treatise rpWyx     
n.专著;(专题)论文
参考例句:
  • The doctor wrote a treatise on alcoholism.那位医生写了一篇关于酗酒问题的论文。
  • This is not a treatise on statistical theory.这不是一篇有关统计理论的论文。
89 conversing 20d0ea6fb9188abfa59f3db682925246     
v.交谈,谈话( converse的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • I find that conversing with her is quite difficult. 和她交谈实在很困难。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • They were conversing in the parlor. 他们正在客厅谈话。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
90 rugged yXVxX     
adj.高低不平的,粗糙的,粗壮的,强健的
参考例句:
  • Football players must be rugged.足球运动员必须健壮。
  • The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.落基山脉有崇山峻岭和崎岖不平的道路。
91 hush ecMzv     
int.嘘,别出声;n.沉默,静寂;v.使安静
参考例句:
  • A hush fell over the onlookers.旁观者们突然静了下来。
  • Do hush up the scandal!不要把这丑事声张出去!
92 undoubtedly Mfjz6l     
adv.确实地,无疑地
参考例句:
  • It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
  • He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。
93 culpable CnXzn     
adj.有罪的,该受谴责的
参考例句:
  • The judge found the man culpable.法官认为那个人有罪。
  • Their decision to do nothing makes them culpable.他们不采取任何行动的决定使他们难辞其咎。
94 crimson AYwzH     
n./adj.深(绯)红色(的);vi.脸变绯红色
参考例句:
  • She went crimson with embarrassment.她羞得满脸通红。
  • Maple leaves have turned crimson.枫叶已经红了。
95 pompous 416zv     
adj.傲慢的,自大的;夸大的;豪华的
参考例句:
  • He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities.他有点自大,自视甚高。
  • He is a good man underneath his pompous appearance. 他的外表虽傲慢,其实是个好人。
96 ushered d337b3442ea0cc4312a5950ae8911282     
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》
97 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。
98 stranded thfz18     
a.搁浅的,进退两难的
参考例句:
  • He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里, 身无分文,一筹莫展。
  • I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市,既没有钱,又没有朋友。
99 inquiries 86a54c7f2b27c02acf9fcb16a31c4b57     
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释,等候进一步调查。
  • I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
100 lengthy f36yA     
adj.漫长的,冗长的
参考例句:
  • 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。
  • The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.教授写了一部有关拿破仑的巨著。
101 proceeding Vktzvu     
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报
参考例句:
  • This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
  • The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。
102 exhausted 7taz4r     
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的
参考例句:
  • It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长,到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
  • Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。
103 fatigue PhVzV     
n.疲劳,劳累
参考例句:
  • The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
  • I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。
104 philosophic ANExi     
adj.哲学的,贤明的
参考例句:
  • It was a most philosophic and jesuitical motorman.这是个十分善辩且狡猾的司机。
  • The Irish are a philosophic as well as a practical race.爱尔兰人是既重实际又善于思想的民族。
105 awry Mu0ze     
adj.扭曲的,错的
参考例句:
  • She was in a fury over a plan that had gone awry. 计划出了问题,她很愤怒。
  • Something has gone awry in our plans.我们的计划出差错了。
106 radius LTKxp     
n.半径,半径范围;有效航程,范围,界限
参考例句:
  • He has visited every shop within a radius of two miles.周围两英里以内的店铺他都去过。
  • We are measuring the radius of the circle.我们正在测量圆的半径。
107 consultant 2v0zp3     
n.顾问;会诊医师,专科医生
参考例句:
  • He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
  • Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来,加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。
108 applied Tz2zXA     
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用
参考例句:
  • She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
  • This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。
109 innate xbxzC     
adj.天生的,固有的,天赋的
参考例句:
  • You obviously have an innate talent for music.你显然有天生的音乐才能。
  • Correct ideas are not innate in the mind.人的正确思想不是自己头脑中固有的。
110 scintillating 46d87ba32ffac8539edf2202d549047e     
adj.才气横溢的,闪闪发光的; 闪烁的
参考例句:
  • Statistics on unemployment levels hardly make for scintillating reading. 失业统计数据读来不大会有趣味。
  • You were scintillating on TV last night. 您昨晚在电视上妙语如珠。
111 discreet xZezn     
adj.(言行)谨慎的;慎重的;有判断力的
参考例句:
  • He is very discreet in giving his opinions.发表意见他十分慎重。
  • It wasn't discreet of you to ring me up at the office.你打电话到我办公室真是太鲁莽了。
112 mortifying b4c9d41e6df2931de61ad9c0703750cd     
adj.抑制的,苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 );伤害(人的感情);克制;抑制(肉体、情感等)
参考例句:
  • I've said I did not love her, and rather relished mortifying her vanity now and then. 我已经说过我不爱她,而且时时以伤害她的虚荣心为乐。 来自辞典例句
  • It was mortifying to know he had heard every word. 知道他听到了每一句话后真是尴尬。 来自互联网
113 sardonic jYyxL     
adj.嘲笑的,冷笑的,讥讽的
参考例句:
  • She gave him a sardonic smile.她朝他讥讽地笑了一笑。
  • There was a sardonic expression on her face.她脸上有一种嘲讽的表情。
114 impede FcozA     
v.妨碍,阻碍,阻止
参考例句:
  • One shouldn't impede other's progress.一个人不应该妨碍他人进步。
  • The muddy roads impede our journey.我们的旅游被泥泞的道路阻挠了。
115 concealment AvYzx1     
n.隐藏, 掩盖,隐瞒
参考例句:
  • the concealment of crime 对罪行的隐瞒
  • Stay in concealment until the danger has passed. 把自己藏起来,待危险过去后再出来。
116 outspoken 3mIz7v     
adj.直言无讳的,坦率的,坦白无隐的
参考例句:
  • He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。
  • She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。
117 antagonist vwXzM     
n.敌人,对抗者,对手
参考例句:
  • His antagonist in the debate was quicker than he.在辩论中他的对手比他反应快。
  • The thing is to know the nature of your antagonist.要紧的是要了解你的对手的特性。
118 acumen qVgzn     
n.敏锐,聪明
参考例句:
  • She has considerable business acumen.她的经营能力绝非一般。
  • His business acumen has made his very successful.他的商业头脑使他很成功。
119 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
120 favourable favourable     
adj.赞成的,称赞的,有利的,良好的,顺利的
参考例句:
  • The company will lend you money on very favourable terms.这家公司将以非常优惠的条件借钱给你。
  • We found that most people are favourable to the idea.我们发现大多数人同意这个意见。
121 destined Dunznz     
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的
参考例句:
  • It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
  • The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。
122 blues blues     
n.抑郁,沮丧;布鲁斯音乐
参考例句:
  • She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
  • He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。
123 neutralized 1a5fffafcb07c2b07bc729a2ae12f06b     
v.使失效( neutralize的过去式和过去分词 );抵消;中和;使(一个国家)中立化
参考例句:
  • Acidity in soil can be neutralized by spreading lime on it. 土壤的酸性可以通过在它上面撒石灰来中和。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • This strategy effectively neutralized what the Conservatives had hoped would be a vote-winner. 这一策略有效地冲淡了保守党希望在选举中获胜的心态。 来自《简明英汉词典》
124 horrified 8rUzZU     
a.(表现出)恐惧的
参考例句:
  • The whole country was horrified by the killings. 全国都对这些凶杀案感到大为震惊。
  • We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons. 地方监狱的普遍状况让我们震惊。
125 scouting 8b7324e25eaaa6b714e9a16b4d65d5e8     
守候活动,童子军的活动
参考例句:
  • I have people scouting the hills already. 我已经让人搜过那些山了。
  • Perhaps also from the Gospel it passed into the tradition of scouting. 也许又从《福音书》传入守望的传统。 来自演讲部分
126 burrow EsazA     
vt.挖掘(洞穴);钻进;vi.挖洞;翻寻;n.地洞
参考例句:
  • Earthworms burrow deep into the subsoil.蚯蚓深深地钻进底土。
  • The dog had chased a rabbit into its burrow.狗把兔子追进了洞穴。
127 eminent dpRxn     
adj.显赫的,杰出的,有名的,优良的
参考例句:
  • We are expecting the arrival of an eminent scientist.我们正期待一位著名科学家的来访。
  • He is an eminent citizen of China.他是一个杰出的中国公民。
128 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
129 squat 2GRzp     
v.蹲坐,蹲下;n.蹲下;adj.矮胖的,粗矮的
参考例句:
  • For this exercise you need to get into a squat.在这次练习中你需要蹲下来。
  • He is a squat man.他是一个矮胖的男人。
130 scent WThzs     
n.气味,香味,香水,线索,嗅觉;v.嗅,发觉
参考例句:
  • The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
  • The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。
131 middle-aged UopzSS     
adj.中年的
参考例句:
  • I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
  • The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。
132 leash M9rz1     
n.牵狗的皮带,束缚;v.用皮带系住
参考例句:
  • I reached for the leash,but the dog got in between.我伸手去拿系狗绳,但被狗挡住了路。
  • The dog strains at the leash,eager to be off.狗拼命地扯拉皮带,想挣脱开去。
133 sniffed ccb6bd83c4e9592715e6230a90f76b72     
v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说
参考例句:
  • When Jenney had stopped crying she sniffed and dried her eyes. 珍妮停止了哭泣,吸了吸鼻子,擦干了眼泪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The dog sniffed suspiciously at the stranger. 狗疑惑地嗅着那个陌生人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
134 shrill EEize     
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫
参考例句:
  • Whistles began to shrill outside the barn.哨声开始在谷仓外面尖叫。
  • The shrill ringing of a bell broke up the card game on the cutter.刺耳的铃声打散了小汽艇的牌局。
135 whine VMNzc     
v.哀号,号哭;n.哀鸣
参考例句:
  • You are getting paid to think,not to whine.支付给你工资是让你思考而不是哀怨的。
  • The bullet hit a rock and rocketed with a sharp whine.子弹打在一块岩石上,一声尖厉的呼啸,跳飞开去。
136 tugging 1b03c4e07db34ec7462f2931af418753     
n.牵引感v.用力拉,使劲拉,猛扯( tug的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Tom was tugging at a button-hole and looking sheepish. 汤姆捏住一个钮扣眼使劲地拉,样子显得很害羞。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
  • She kicked him, tugging his thick hair. 她一边踢他,一边扯着他那浓密的头发。 来自辞典例句
137 rascal mAIzd     
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。
138 deception vnWzO     
n.欺骗,欺诈;骗局,诡计
参考例句:
  • He admitted conspiring to obtain property by deception.他承认曾与人合谋骗取财产。
  • He was jailed for two years for fraud and deception.他因为诈骗和欺诈入狱服刑两年。
139 distress 3llzX     
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛
参考例句:
  • Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
  • Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。
140 whined cb507de8567f4d63145f632630148984     
v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 );哀诉,诉怨
参考例句:
  • The dog whined at the door, asking to be let out. 狗在门前嚎叫着要出去。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • He whined and pouted when he did not get what he wanted. 他要是没得到想要的东西就会发牢骚、撅嘴。 来自辞典例句
141 footpath 9gzzO     
n.小路,人行道
参考例句:
  • Owners who allow their dogs to foul the footpath will be fined.主人若放任狗弄脏人行道将受处罚。
  • They rambled on the footpath in the woods.他俩漫步在林间蹊径上。
142 deserted GukzoL     
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的
参考例句:
  • The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
  • The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。
143 misery G10yi     
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦
参考例句:
  • Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。
  • He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。
144 melancholy t7rz8     
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的
参考例句:
  • All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
  • He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过,他感到很郁闷。
145 irresolute X3Vyy     
adj.无决断的,优柔寡断的,踌躇不定的
参考例句:
  • Irresolute persons make poor victors.优柔寡断的人不会成为胜利者。
  • His opponents were too irresolute to call his bluff.他的对手太优柔寡断,不敢接受挑战。
146 swelled bd4016b2ddc016008c1fc5827f252c73     
增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 ); 肿胀; (使)凸出; 充满(激情)
参考例句:
  • The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染,他的手肿了起来。
  • After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后,河水猛涨。
147 wail XMhzs     
vt./vi.大声哀号,恸哭;呼啸,尖啸
参考例句:
  • Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.观众席里,一位老太太伤心地哭起来。
  • One of the small children began to wail with terror.小孩中的一个吓得大哭起来。
148 darted d83f9716cd75da6af48046d29f4dd248     
v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了,瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
149 appalled ec524998aec3c30241ea748ac1e5dbba     
v.使惊骇,使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的;丧胆的
参考例句:
  • The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之残暴使公众大为震惊。
  • They were appalled by the reports of the nuclear war. 他们被核战争的报道吓坏了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
150 tangle yIQzn     
n.纠缠;缠结;混乱;v.(使)缠绕;变乱
参考例句:
  • I shouldn't tangle with Peter.He is bigger than me.我不应该与彼特吵架。他的块头比我大。
  • If I were you, I wouldn't tangle with them.我要是你,我就不跟他们争吵。
151 sobs d4349f86cad43cb1a5579b1ef269d0cb     
啜泣(声),呜咽(声)( sob的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • She was struggling to suppress her sobs. 她拼命不让自己哭出来。
  • She burst into a convulsive sobs. 她突然抽泣起来。
152 consolation WpbzC     
n.安慰,慰问
参考例句:
  • The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
  • This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。
153 brawl tsmzw     
n.大声争吵,喧嚷;v.吵架,对骂
参考例句:
  • They had nothing better to do than brawl in the street.他们除了在街上斗殴做不出什么好事。
  • I don't want to see our two neighbours engaged in a brawl.我不希望我们两家吵架吵得不可开交。
154 monstrous vwFyM     
adj.巨大的;恐怖的;可耻的,丢脸的
参考例句:
  • The smoke began to whirl and grew into a monstrous column.浓烟开始盘旋上升,形成了一个巨大的烟柱。
  • Your behaviour in class is monstrous!你在课堂上的行为真是丢人!
155 impunity g9Qxb     
n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除
参考例句:
  • You will not escape with impunity.你不可能逃脱惩罚。
  • The impunity what compulsory insurance sets does not include escapement.交强险规定的免责范围不包括逃逸。
156 miserable g18yk     
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的
参考例句:
  • It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他,这是可耻的。
  • Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
157 sitting-room sitting-room     
n.(BrE)客厅,起居室
参考例句:
  • The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
  • Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。
158 publicity ASmxx     
n.众所周知,闻名;宣传,广告
参考例句:
  • The singer star's marriage got a lot of publicity.这位歌星的婚事引起了公众的关注。
  • He dismissed the event as just a publicity gimmick.他不理会这件事,只当它是一种宣传手法。
159 breach 2sgzw     
n.违反,不履行;破裂;vt.冲破,攻破
参考例句:
  • We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
  • He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。
160 discretion FZQzm     
n.谨慎;随意处理
参考例句:
  • You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。
  • Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。
161 wrung b11606a7aab3e4f9eebce4222a9397b1     
绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水)
参考例句:
  • He has wrung the words from their true meaning. 他曲解这些字的真正意义。
  • He wrung my hand warmly. 他热情地紧握我的手。
162 plight 820zI     
n.困境,境况,誓约,艰难;vt.宣誓,保证,约定
参考例句:
  • The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
  • She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。
163 lodged cbdc6941d382cc0a87d97853536fcd8d     
v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 );暂住;埋入;(权利、权威等)归属
参考例句:
  • The certificate will have to be lodged at the registry. 证书必须存放在登记处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Our neighbours lodged a complaint against us with the police. 我们的邻居向警方控告我们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
164 passionately YmDzQ4     
ad.热烈地,激烈地
参考例句:
  • She could hate as passionately as she could love. 她能恨得咬牙切齿,也能爱得一往情深。
  • He was passionately addicted to pop music. 他酷爱流行音乐。
165 crabbed Svnz6M     
adj.脾气坏的;易怒的;(指字迹)难辨认的;(字迹等)难辨认的v.捕蟹( crab的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • His mature composi tions are generally considered the more cerebral and crabbed. 他成熟的作品一般被认为是触动理智的和难于理解的。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • He met a crabbed, cantankerous director. 他碰上了一位坏脾气、爱争吵的主管。 来自辞典例句
166 virulent 1HtyK     
adj.有毒的,有恶意的,充满敌意的
参考例句:
  • She is very virulent about her former employer.她对她过去的老板恨之入骨。
  • I stood up for her despite the virulent criticism.尽管她遭到恶毒的批评,我还是维护她。
167 imploring cb6050ff3ff45d346ac0579ea33cbfd6     
恳求的,哀求的
参考例句:
  • Those calm, strange eyes could see her imploring face. 那平静的,没有表情的眼睛还能看得到她的乞怜求情的面容。
  • She gave him an imploring look. 她以哀求的眼神看着他。
168 inexplicable tbCzf     
adj.无法解释的,难理解的
参考例句:
  • It is now inexplicable how that development was misinterpreted.当时对这一事态发展的错误理解究竟是怎么产生的,现在已经无法说清楚了。
  • There are many things which are inexplicable by science.有很多事科学还无法解释。
169 frenzy jQbzs     
n.疯狂,狂热,极度的激动
参考例句:
  • He was able to work the young students up into a frenzy.他能激起青年学生的狂热。
  • They were singing in a frenzy of joy.他们欣喜若狂地高声歌唱。
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