赫尔克里·波洛的丰功伟绩31

时间：2024-12-31 11:19:10

（单词翻译:单击）

IX
And then came the small bald announcement in all the papers.
Mrs. Ferrier has had a slight nervous breakdown1. She has gone to Scotland to recuperate2.
Conjectures3, rumours—positive information that Mrs. Ferrier was not in Scotland, had never
been to Scotland.
Stories, scandalous stories, of where Mrs. Ferrier really was. . . .
And again, people talking.
“I tell you Andy saw her. At that frightful4 place! She was drunk or doped and with an awful
Argentine gigolo—Ramon. You know!”
More talking.
Mrs. Ferrier had gone off with an Argentine dancer. She had been seen in Paris, doped. She
had been taking drugs for years. She drank like a fish.
Slowly the righteous mind of England, at first unbelieving, had hardened against Mrs. Ferrier.
Seemed as though there must be something in it! That wasn’t the sort of woman to be the Prime
Minister’s wife. “A Jezebel, that’s what she is, nothing better than a Jezebel!”
And then came the camera records.
Mrs. Ferrier, photographed in Paris—lying back in a night club, her arm twined familiarly
over the shoulder of a dark, olive-skinned vicious-looking young man.
Other snapshots—half-naked on a beach—her head on the lounge lizard’s shoulder.
And underneath5:
“Mrs. Ferrier has a good time . . .”
Two days later an action for libel was brought against the X-ray News.
X
The case for the prosecution6 was opened by Sir Mortimer Inglewood, K.C. He was dignified7 and
full of righteous indignation. Mrs. Ferrier was the victim of an infamous8 plot—a plot only to be
equalled by the famous case of the Queen’s Necklace familiar to readers of Alexandre Dumas.
That plot had been engineered to lower Queen Marie Antoinette in the eyes of the populace. This
plot, also, had been engineered to discredit9 a noble and virtuous10 lady who was in this country in
the position of Cæsar’s wife. Sir Mortimer spoke11 with bitter disparagement12 of Fascists13 and
Communists both of whom sought to undermine Democracy by every unfair machination known.
He then proceeded to call
witnesses.
The first was the Bishop14 of Northumbria.
Dr. Henderson, the Bishop of Northumbria was one of the best-known figures in the English
church, a man of great saintliness and integrity of character. He was broadminded, tolerant, and a
fine preacher. He was loved and revered15 by all who knew him.
He went into the box and swore that between the dates mentioned Mrs. Edward Ferrier had
been staying in the Palace with himself and his wife. Worn out by her activities in good works, she
had been recommended a thorough rest. Her visit had been kept a secret so as to obviate16 any worry
from the Press.
An eminent17 doctor followed the Bishop and deposed18 to having ordered Mrs. Ferrier rest and
complete absence from worry.
A local general practitioner19 gave evidence to the effect that he had attended Mrs. Ferrier at
the Palace.
The next witness called was Thelma Andersen.
A thrill went round the Court when she entered the witness-box. Everyone realized at once
what a strong resemblance the woman bore to Mrs. Edward Ferrier.
“Your name is Thelma Andersen?”
“Yes.”
“You are a Danish subject?”
“Yes. Copenhagen is my home.”
“And you formerly20 worked at a café there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Please tell us in your own words what happened on the 18th March last.”
“There is a gentleman who comes to my table there—an English gentleman. He tells me he
works for an English paper—the X-ray News.”
“You are sure he mentioned that name—X-ray News?”
“Yes, I am sure—because, you see, I think at first it must be a medical paper. But no, it seems
not so. Then he tells me there is an English film actress who wants to find a ‘stand-in,’ and that I
am just the type. I do not go to the pictures much, and I do not recognize the name he says, but he
tells me, yes, she is very famous, and that she has not been well and so she wants someone to
appear as her in public places, and for that she will pay very much money.”
“How much money did this gentleman offer you?”
“Five hundred pounds in English money. I do not at first believe—I think it is some trick, but
he pays me at once half the money. So then, I give in my notice where I work.”
The tale went on. She had been taken to Paris, supplied with smart clothes, and had been
provided with an “escort.” “A very nice Argentinian gentleman—very respectful, very polite.”
It was clear that the woman had thoroughly21 enjoyed herself. She had flown over to London
and had been taken there to certain “nightclubs” by her olive-skinned cavalier. She had been
photographed in Paris with him. Some of the places to which she had gone were not, she admitted,
quite nice . . . Indeed, they were not respectable! And some of the photographs taken, they too,
had not been very nice. But these things, they had told her, were necessary for “advertisement”—
and Señor Ramon himself had always been most respectful.
In answer to questioning she declared that the name of Mrs. Ferrier had never been
mentioned and that she had had no idea that it was that lady she was supposed to be
understudying. She had meant no harm. She identified certain photographs which were shown to
her as having been taken of her in Paris and on the Riviera.
There was the hallmark of absolute honesty about Thelma Andersen. She was quite clearly a
pleasant, but slightly stupid woman. Her distress22 at the whole thing, now that she understood it,
was patent to everyone.
The defence was unconvincing. A frenzied23 denial of having had any dealings with the woman
Andersen. The photos in question had been brought to the London office and had been believed to
be genuine. Sir Mortimer’s closing speech roused enthusiasm. He described the whole thing as a
dastardly political plot, formed to discredit the Prime Minister and his wife. All sympathy would
be extended to the unfortunate Mrs. Ferrier.
The verdict, a foregone conclusion, was given amidst unparalleled scenes. Damages were
assessed at an enormous figure. As Mrs. Ferrier and her husband and father left the court they
were greeted by the appreciative24 roars of a vast crowd.

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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 breakdown cS0yx     
n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌
参考例句：
  • She suffered a nervous breakdown.她患神经衰弱。
  • The plane had a breakdown in the air,but it was fortunately removed by the ace pilot.飞机在空中发生了故障，但幸运的是被王牌驾驶员排除了。
2 recuperate LAlzQ     
v.恢复
参考例句：
  • Stay in the hospital for a few more days to recuperate.再住院几天，好好地恢复。
  • He went to the country to recuperate.他去乡下养病去了。
3 conjectures 8334e6a27f5847550b061d064fa92c00     
推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • That's weighing remote military conjectures against the certain deaths of innocent people. 那不过是牵强附会的军事假设，而现在的事实却是无辜者正在惨遭杀害，这怎能同日而语！
  • I was right in my conjectures. 我所猜测的都应验了。
4 frightful Ghmxw     
adj.可怕的；讨厌的
参考例句：
  • How frightful to have a husband who snores!有一个发鼾声的丈夫多讨厌啊！
  • We're having frightful weather these days.这几天天气坏极了。
5 underneath VKRz2     
adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面
参考例句：
  • Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
  • She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。
6 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。
7 dignified NuZzfb     
a.可敬的，高贵的
参考例句：
  • Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
  • He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
8 infamous K7ax3     
adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的
参考例句：
  • He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.他因反对女性主义而声名狼藉。
  • I was shocked by her infamous behaviour.她的无耻行径令我震惊。
9 discredit fu3xX     
vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑
参考例句：
  • Their behaviour has bought discredit on English football.他们的行为败坏了英国足球运动的声誉。
  • They no longer try to discredit the technology itself.他们不再试图怀疑这种技术本身。
10 virtuous upCyI     
adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的
参考例句：
  • She was such a virtuous woman that everybody respected her.她是个有道德的女性，人人都尊敬她。
  • My uncle is always proud of having a virtuous wife.叔叔一直为娶到一位贤德的妻子而骄傲。
11 spoke XryyC     
n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说
参考例句：
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
12 disparagement dafe893b656fbd57b9a512d2744fd14a     
n.轻视，轻蔑
参考例句：
  • He was humble and meek, filled with self-disparagement and abasement. 他谦卑、恭顺，满怀自我贬斥与压抑。 来自互联网
  • Faint praise is disparagement. 敷衍勉强的恭维等于轻蔑。 来自互联网
13 fascists 5fa17f70bcb9821fe1e8183a1b2f4e45     
n.法西斯主义的支持者( fascist的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists. 老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Zoya heroically bore the torture that the Fascists inflicted upon her. 卓娅英勇地承受法西斯匪徒加在她身上的酷刑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
14 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。
15 revered 1d4a411490949024694bf40d95a0d35f     
v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • A number of institutions revered and respected in earlier times have become Aunt Sally for the present generation. 一些早年受到尊崇的惯例，现在已经成了这代人嘲弄的对象了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The Chinese revered corn as a gift from heaven. 中国人将谷物奉为上天的恩赐。 来自辞典例句
16 obviate 10Oy4     
v.除去，排除，避免，预防
参考例句：
  • Improved public transportation would obviate the need tor everyone to have their own car.公共交通的改善消除了每人都要有车的必要性。
  • This deferral would obviate pressure on the rouble exchange rate.这一延期将消除卢布汇率面临的压力。
17 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。
18 deposed 4c31bf6e65f0ee73c1198c7dbedfd519     
v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证
参考例句：
  • The president was deposed in a military coup. 总统在军事政变中被废黜。
  • The head of state was deposed by the army. 国家元首被军队罢免了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
19 practitioner 11Rzh     
n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者
参考例句：
  • He is an unqualified practitioner of law.他是个无资格的律师。
  • She was a medical practitioner before she entered politics.从政前她是个开业医生。
20 formerly ni3x9     
adv.从前，以前
参考例句：
  • We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
  • This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。
21 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地
参考例句：
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
22 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。
23 frenzied LQVzt     
a.激怒的；疯狂的
参考例句：
  • Will this push him too far and lead to a frenzied attack? 这会不会逼他太甚，导致他进行疯狂的进攻？
  • Two teenagers carried out a frenzied attack on a local shopkeeper. 两名十几岁的少年对当地的一个店主进行了疯狂的袭击。
24 appreciative 9vDzr     
adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的
参考例句：
  • She was deeply appreciative of your help.她对你的帮助深表感激。
  • We are very appreciative of their support in this respect.我们十分感谢他们在这方面的支持。

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