赫尔克里·波洛的丰功伟绩51

时间：2024-12-31 11:26:53

（单词翻译:单击）

II
“Well, my friend, what have you got for me?”
Chief Inspector1 Japp looked thoughtfully at the little man who asked the question. He said
ruefully:
“Not at all what I’d like to have, Poirot. I hate these long-haired, religious cranks like poison.
Filling up women with a lot of mumbo jumbo. But this fellow’s being careful. There’s nothing one
can get hold of. All sounds a bit batty but harmless.”
“Have you learned anything about this Dr. Andersen?”
“I’ve looked up his past history. He was a promising2 chemist and got chucked out of some
German University. Seems his mother was Jewish. He was always keen on the study of Oriental
Myths and Religions, spent all his spare time on that and has written various articles on the subject
—some of the articles sound pretty crazy to me.”
“So it is possible that he is a genuine fanatic3?”
“I’m bound to say it seems quite likely!”
“What about those names and addresses I gave you?”
“Nothing doing there. Miss Everitt died of ulcerative colitis. Doctor quite positive there was
no hanky-panky. Mrs. Lloyd died of bronchopneumonia. Lady Western died of tuberculosis4. Had
suffered from it many years ago—before she even met this bunch. Miss Lee died of typhoid—
attributed to some salad she ate somewhere in the north of England. Three of them got ill and died
in their own homes, and Mrs. Lloyd died in a hotel in the south of France. As far as those deaths
go, there’s nothing to connect them with the Great Flock or with Andersen’s place down in
Devonshire. Must be pure coincidence. All absolutely O.K. and according to Cocker.”
Hercule Poirot sighed. He said:
“And yet, mon cher, I have a feeling that this is the tenth Labor5 of Hercules, and that this
Dr. Andersen is the Monster Geryon whom it is my mission to destroy.”
Japp looked at him anxiously.
“Look here, Poirot, you haven’t been reading any queer literature yourself lately, have you?”
Poirot said with dignity:
“My remarks are, as always, apt, sound, and to the point.”
“You might start a new religion yourself,” said Japp, “with the creed6: ‘There is no one so
clever as Hercule Poirot, Amen, D.C. Repeat ad lib.’!”
III
“It is the peace here that I find so wonderful,” said Miss Carnaby, breathing heavily and
ecstatically.
“I told you so, Amy,” said Emmeline Clegg.
The two friends were sitting on the slope of a hillside overlooking a deep and lovely blue sea.
The grass was vivid green, the earth and the cliffs a deep, glowing red. The little estate now known
as Green Hills Sanctuary7 was a promontory8 comprising about six acres. Only a narrow neck of
land joined it to the mainland so that it was almost an island.
Mrs. Clegg murmured sentimentally9:
“The red land—the land of glow and promise—where threefold destiny is to be
accomplished10.”
Miss Carnaby sighed deeply and said:
“I thought the Master put it all so beautifully at the service last night.”
“Wait,” said her friend, “for the festival tonight. The Full Growth of the Pasture!”
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Miss Carnaby.
“You will find it a wonderful spiritual experience,” her friend promised her.
Miss Carnaby had arrived at Green Hills Sanctuary a week previously11. Her attitude on arrival
had been: “Now what’s all this nonsense? Really, Emmie, a sensible woman like you—etc., etc.”
At a preliminary interview with Dr. Andersen, she had conscientiously12 made her position
quite clear.
“I don’t want to feel that I am here under false pretences13, Dr. Andersen. My father was a
clergyman of the Church of England and I have never wavered in my faith. I don’t hold with
heathen doctrines14.”
The big, golden-haired man had smiled at her—a very sweet and understanding smile. He
had looked indulgently at the plump, rather belligerent15 figure sitting so squarely in her chair.
“Dear Miss Carnaby,” he said. “You are Mrs. Clegg’s friend, and as such welcome. And
believe me, our doctrines are not heathen. Here all religions are welcomed, and all honoured
equally.”
“Then they shouldn’t be,” said the staunch daughter of the late Reverend Thomas Carnaby.
Leaning back in his chair, the Master murmured in his rich voice: “In my Father’s House are
many mansions16 . . . Remember that, Miss Carnaby.”
As they left the presence, Miss Carnaby murmured to her friend: “He really is a very
handsome man.”
“Yes,” said Emmeline Clegg. “And so wonderfully spiritual.”
Miss Carnaby agreed. It was true—she had felt it—an aura of unworldliness—of spirituality.
. . .
She took a grip upon herself. She was not here to fall a prey17 to the fascination18, spiritual or
otherwise, of the Great Shepherd. She conjured19 up a vision of Hercule Poirot. He seemed very far
away, and curiously20 mundane21. . . .
“Amy,” said Miss Carnaby to herself. “Take a grip upon yourself. Remember what you are
here for. . . .”
But as the days went on, she found herself surrendering only too easily to the spell of Green
Hills. The peace, the simplicity22, the delicious though simple food, the beauty of the services with
their chants of Love and Worship, the simple moving words of the Master, appealing to all that
was best and highest in humanity—here all the strife23 and ugliness of the world was shut out. Here
was only Peace and Love. . . .
And tonight was the great summer Festival, the Festival of the Full Pasture. And at it, she,
Amy Carnaby, was to become initiated—to become one of the Flock.
The Festival took place in the white, glittering, concrete building, called by the Initiates24 the
Sacred Fold. Here the devotees assembled just before the setting of the sun. They wore sheepskin
cloaks and had sandals on their feet. Their arms were bare. In the centre of the Fold on a raised
platform stood Dr. Andersen. The big man, golden-haired and blue-eyed, with his fair beard and
his handsome profile had never seemed more compelling. He was dressed in a green robe and
carried a shepherd’s crook25 of gold.
He raised this aloft and a deathly silence fell on the assembly.
“Where are my sheep?”
The answer came from the crowd.
“We are here, O Shepherd.”
“Lift up your hearts with joy and thanksgiving. This is the Feast of Joy.”
“The Feast of Joy and we are joyful26.”
“There shall be no more sorrow for you, no more pain. All is joy!”
“All is joy . . .”
“How many heads has the Shepherd?”
“Three heads, a head of gold, a head of silver, a head of sounding brass27.”
“How many bodies have the Sheep?”
“Three bodies, a body of flesh, a body of corruption28, and a body of light.”
“How shall you be sealed in the Flock?”
“By the Sacrament of Blood.”
“Are you prepared for that Sacrament?”
“We are.”
“Bind your eyes and hold forth29 your right arm.”
The crowd obediently bound their eyes with the green scarves provided for the purpose.
Miss Carnaby, like the rest, held her arm out in front of her.
The Great Shepherd moved along the lines of his Flock. There were little cries, moans of
either pain or ecstasy30.
Miss Carnaby, to herself, said fiercely:
“Most blasphemous31, the whole thing! This kind of religious hysteria is to be deplored32. I shall
remain absolutely calm and observe the reactions of other people. I will not be carried away—I
will not. . . .”
The Great Shepherd had come to her. She felt her arm taken, held, there was a sharp, stinging
pain like the prick33 of a needle. The Shepherd’s voice murmured:
“The Sacrament of Blood that brings joy . . .”
He passed on.
Presently there came a command.
“Unveil and enjoy the pleasures of the spirit!”
The sun was just sinking. Miss Carnaby looked round her. At one with the others, she moved
slowly out of the Fold. She felt suddenly uplifted, happy. She sank down on a soft, grassy34 bank.
Why had she ever thought she was a lonely, unwanted, middle-aged35 woman? Life was wonderful
—she herself was wonderful! She had the power of thought—of dreaming. There was nothing that
she could not accomplish!
A great rush of exhilaration surged through her. She observed her fellow devotees round her
—they seemed suddenly to have grown to an immense stature36.
“Like trees walking . . .” said Miss Carnaby to herself reverently37.
She lifted her hand. It was a purposeful gesture—with it she could command the earth.
Cæsar, Napoleon, Hitler—poor, miserable38, little fellows! They knew nothing of what she, Amy
Carnaby, could do! Tomorrow she would arrange for world peace, for International Brotherhood39.
There should be no more Wars—no more Poverty—no more Disease. She, Amy Carnaby, would
design a New World.
But there need be no hurry. Time was infinite . . . Minute succeeded minute, hour succeeded
hour! Miss Carnaby’s limbs felt heavy, but her mind was delightfully40 free. It could roam at will
over the whole universe. She slept—but even as she slept she dreamt . . . Great spaces . . . vast
buildings . . . a new and wonderful world. . . .
Gradually the world shrank, Miss Carnaby yawned. She moved her stiff limbs. What had
happened since yesterday? Last night she had dreamt. . . .
There was a moon. By it, Miss Carnaby could just distinguish the figures on her watch. To
her stupefaction the hands pointed41 to a quarter to ten. The sun, as she knew, had set at eight-ten.
Only an hour and thirty-five minutes ago? Impossible. And yet—
“Very remarkable,” said Miss Carnaby to herself.

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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 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。
2 promising BkQzsk     
adj.有希望的，有前途的
参考例句：
  • The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
  • We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。
3 fanatic AhfzP     
n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的
参考例句：
  • Alexander is a football fanatic.亚历山大是个足球迷。
  • I am not a religious fanatic but I am a Christian.我不是宗教狂热分子，但我是基督徒。
4 tuberculosis bprym     
n.结核病，肺结核
参考例句：
  • People used to go to special health spring to recover from tuberculosis.人们常去温泉疗养胜地治疗肺结核。
  • Tuberculosis is a curable disease.肺结核是一种可治愈的病。
5 labor P9Tzs     
n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦
参考例句：
  • We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
  • He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。
6 creed uoxzL     
n.信条；信念，纲领
参考例句：
  • They offended against every article of his creed.他们触犯了他的每一条戒律。
  • Our creed has always been that business is business.我们的信条一直是公私分明。
7 sanctuary iCrzE     
n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区
参考例句：
  • There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
  • Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。
8 promontory dRPxo     
n.海角；岬
参考例句：
  • Genius is a promontory jutting out of the infinite.天才是茫茫大地突出的岬角。
  • On the map that promontory looks like a nose,naughtily turned up.从地图上面，那个海角就像一只调皮地翘起来的鼻子。
9 sentimentally oiDzqK     
adv.富情感地
参考例句：
  • I miss the good old days, ' she added sentimentally. ‘我怀念过去那些美好的日子，’她动情地补充道。 来自互联网
  • I have an emotional heart, it is sentimentally attached to you unforgettable. 我心中有一份情感，那是对你刻骨铭心的眷恋。 来自互联网
10 accomplished UzwztZ     
adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的
参考例句：
  • Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
  • Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。
11 previously bkzzzC     
adv.以前，先前（地）
参考例句：
  • The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
  • Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。
12 conscientiously 3vBzrQ     
adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实
参考例句：
  • He kept silent,eating just as conscientiously but as though everything tasted alike. 他一声不吭，闷头吃着，仿佛桌上的饭菜都一个味儿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She discharged all the responsibilities of a minister conscientiously. 她自觉地履行部长的一切职责。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 pretences 0d462176df057e8e8154cd909f8d95a6     
n.假装( pretence的名词复数 )；作假；自命；自称
参考例句：
  • You've brought your old friends out here under false pretences. 你用虚假的名义把你的那些狐朋狗党带到这里来。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • There are no pretences about him. 他一点不虚伪。 来自辞典例句
14 doctrines 640cf8a59933d263237ff3d9e5a0f12e     
n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明
参考例句：
  • To modern eyes, such doctrines appear harsh, even cruel. 从现代的角度看，这样的教义显得苛刻，甚至残酷。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • His doctrines have seduced many into error. 他的学说把许多人诱入歧途。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
15 belligerent Qtwzz     
adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者
参考例句：
  • He had a belligerent aspect.他有种好斗的神色。
  • Our government has forbidden exporting the petroleum to the belligerent countries.我们政府已经禁止向交战国输出石油。
16 mansions 55c599f36b2c0a2058258d6f2310fd20     
n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Fifth Avenue was boarded up where the rich had deserted their mansions. 第五大道上的富翁们已经出去避暑，空出的宅第都已锁好了门窗，钉上了木板。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • Oh, the mansions, the lights, the perfume, the loaded boudoirs and tables! 啊，那些高楼大厦、华灯、香水、藏金收银的闺房还有摆满山珍海味的餐桌！ 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
17 prey g1czH     
n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨
参考例句：
  • Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
  • The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。
18 fascination FlHxO     
n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋
参考例句：
  • He had a deep fascination with all forms of transport.他对所有的运输工具都很着迷。
  • His letters have been a source of fascination to a wide audience.广大观众一直迷恋于他的来信。
19 conjured 227df76f2d66816f8360ea2fef0349b5     
用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现
参考例句：
  • He conjured them with his dying breath to look after his children. 他临终时恳求他们照顾他的孩子。
  • His very funny joke soon conjured my anger away. 他讲了个十分有趣的笑话，使得我的怒气顿消。
20 curiously 3v0zIc     
adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地
参考例句：
  • He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
  • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
21 mundane F6NzJ     
adj.平凡的；尘世的；宇宙的
参考例句：
  • I hope I can get an interesting job and not something mundane.我希望我可以得到的是一份有趣的工作，而不是一份平凡无奇的。
  • I find it humorous sometimes that even the most mundane occurrences can have an impact on our awareness.我发现生活有时挺诙谐的，即使是最平凡的事情也能影响我们的感知。
22 simplicity Vryyv     
n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯
参考例句：
  • She dressed with elegant simplicity.她穿着朴素高雅。
  • The beauty of this plan is its simplicity.简明扼要是这个计划的一大特点。
23 strife NrdyZ     
n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争
参考例句：
  • We do not intend to be drawn into the internal strife.我们不想卷入内乱之中。
  • Money is a major cause of strife in many marriages.金钱是造成很多婚姻不和的一个主要原因。
24 initiates e9c5430fb8a57cddedf60c5a1d5a56a7     
v.开始( initiate的第三人称单数 )；传授；发起；接纳新成员
参考例句：
  • The booklet initiates us into the problems of living abroad. 这本小册子使我们对国外的生活情况有了初步了解。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Everybody initiates and receives messages in some form or other. 每个人都以各种不同的方式发出并接收信息。 来自辞典例句
25 crook NnuyV     
v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处)
参考例句：
  • He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook.我骂他骗子，他要我向他认错。
  • She was cradling a small parcel in the crook of her elbow.她用手臂挎着一个小包裹。
26 joyful N3Fx0     
adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的
参考例句：
  • She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
  • They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。
27 brass DWbzI     
n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器
参考例句：
  • Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
  • Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。
28 corruption TzCxn     
n.腐败，堕落，贪污
参考例句：
  • The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
  • The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。
29 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。
30 ecstasy 9kJzY     
n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷
参考例句：
  • He listened to the music with ecstasy.他听音乐听得入了神。
  • Speechless with ecstasy,the little boys gazed at the toys.小孩注视着那些玩具，高兴得说不出话来。
31 blasphemous Co4yV     
adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的
参考例句：
  • The book was declared blasphemous and all copies ordered to be burnt.这本书被断定为亵渎神明之作，命令全数焚毀。
  • The people in the room were shocked by his blasphemous language.满屋的人都对他那侮慢的语言感到愤慨。
32 deplored 5e09629c8c32d80fe4b48562675b50ad     
v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • They deplored the price of motor car, textiles, wheat, and oil. 他们悲叹汽车、纺织品、小麦和石油的价格。 来自辞典例句
  • Hawthorne feels that all excess is to be deplored. 霍桑觉得一切过分的举动都是可悲的。 来自辞典例句
33 prick QQyxb     
v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛
参考例句：
  • He felt a sharp prick when he stepped on an upturned nail.当他踩在一个尖朝上的钉子上时，他感到剧烈的疼痛。
  • He burst the balloon with a prick of the pin.他用针一戳，气球就爆了。
34 grassy DfBxH     
adj.盖满草的；长满草的
参考例句：
  • They sat and had their lunch on a grassy hillside.他们坐在长满草的山坡上吃午饭。
  • Cattle move freely across the grassy plain.牛群自由自在地走过草原。
35 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。
36 stature ruLw8     
n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材
参考例句：
  • He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。
  • The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。
37 reverently FjPzwr     
adv.虔诚地
参考例句：
  • He gazed reverently at the handiwork. 他满怀敬意地凝视着这件手工艺品。
  • Pork gazed at it reverently and slowly delight spread over his face. 波克怀着愉快的心情看着这只表，脸上慢慢显出十分崇敬的神色。
38 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。
39 brotherhood 1xfz3o     
n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊
参考例句：
  • They broke up the brotherhood.他们断绝了兄弟关系。
  • They live and work together in complete equality and brotherhood.他们完全平等和兄弟般地在一起生活和工作。
40 delightfully f0fe7d605b75a4c00aae2f25714e3131     
大喜，欣然
参考例句：
  • The room is delightfully appointed. 这房子的设备令人舒适愉快。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The evening is delightfully cool. 晚间凉爽宜人。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
41 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的，直截了当的
参考例句：
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

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