赫尔克里·波洛的丰功伟绩52

时间：2024-12-31 11:27:12

（单词翻译:单击）

IV
Hercule Poirot said:
“You must obey my instructions very carefully. You understand?”
“Oh yes, M. Poirot. You may rely on me.”
“You have spoken of your intention to benefit the cult2?”
“Yes, M. Poirot. I spoke1 to the Master—excuse me, to Dr. Andersen myself. I told him very
emotionally what a wonderful revelation the whole thing had been—how I had come to scoff3 and
remained to believe. I—really it seemed quite natural to say all these things. Dr. Andersen, you
know, has a lot of magnetic charm.”
“So I perceive,” said Hercule Poirot drily.
“His manner was most convincing. One really feels he doesn’t care about money at all. ‘Give
what you can,’ he said smiling in that wonderful way of his, ‘if you can give nothing, it does not
matter. You are one of the Flock just the same.’ ‘Oh, Dr. Andersen,’ I said, ‘I am not so badly off
as that. I have just inherited a considerable amount of money from a distant relative and though I
cannot actually touch any of the money until the legal formalities are all complied with, there is
one thing I want to do at once.’ And then I explained that I was making a will and that I wanted to
leave all I had to the Brotherhood4. I explained that I had no near relatives.”
“And he graciously accepted the bequest5?”
“He was very detached about it. Said it would be many long years before I passed over, that
he could tell I was cut out for a long life of joy and spiritual fulfilment. He really speaks most
movingly.”
“So it would seem.”
Poirot’s tone was dry. He went on:
“You mentioned your health?”
“Yes, M. Poirot. I told him that I had had lung trouble, and that it had recurred6 more than
once, but that a final treatment in a Sanatorium some years ago had, I hoped, quite cured me.”
“Excellent!”
“Though why it is necessary for me to say that I am consumptive when my lungs are as
sound as a bell I really cannot see.”
“Be assured it is necessary. You mentioned your friend?”
“Yes. I told him (strictly in confidence) that dear Emmeline, besides the fortune she had
inherited from her husband, would inherit an even larger sum shortly from an aunt who was
deeply attached to her.”
“Eh bien, that ought to keep Mrs. Clegg safe for the time being!”
“Oh, M. Poirot, do you really think there is anything wrong?”
“That is what I am going to endeavour to find out. Have you met a Mr. Cole down at the
Sanctuary7?”
“There was a Mr. Cole there last time I went down. A most peculiar8 man. He wears grass-
green shorts and eats nothing but cabbage. He is a very ardent9 believer.”
“Eh bien, all progresses well—I make you my compliments on the work you have done—all
is now set for the Autumn Festival.”
V
“Miss Carnaby—just a moment.”
Mr. Cole clutched at Miss Carnaby, his eyes bright and feverish10.
“I have had a Vision—a most remarkable11 Vision. I really must tell you about it.”
Miss Carnaby sighed. She was rather afraid of Mr. Cole and his Visions. There were
moments when she was decidedly of the opinion that Mr. Cole was mad.
And she found these Visions of his sometimes very embarrassing. They recalled to her
certain outspoken12 passages in that very modern German book on the Subconscious13 Mind which
she had read before coming down to Devon.
Mr. Cole, his eyes glistening14, his lips twitching15, began to talk excitedly.
“I had been meditating—reflecting on the Fullness of Life, on the Supreme16 Joy of Oneness—
and then, you know, my eyes were opened and I saw—”
Miss Carnaby braced17 herself and hoped that what Mr. Cole had seen would not be what he
had seen the last time—which had been, apparently18, a Ritual Marriage in ancient Sumeria between
a god and goddess.
“I saw”—Mr. Cole leant towards her, breathing hard, his eyes looking (yes, really they did)
quite mad—“the Prophet Elijah descending19 from Heaven in his fiery20 chariot.”
Miss Carnaby breathed a sigh of relief. Elijah was much better, she didn’t mind Elijah.
“Below,” went on Mr. Cole, “were the altars of Baal—hundreds and hundreds of them. A
Voice cried to me: ‘Look, write and testify that which you shall see—’ ”
He stopped and Miss Carnaby murmured politely: “Yes?”
“On the altars were the sacrifices, bound there, helpless, waiting for the knife. Virgins—
hundreds of virgins—young beautiful, naked virgins—”
Mr. Cole smacked21 his lips, Miss Carnaby blushed.
“Then came the ravens22, the ravens of Odin, flying from the North. They met the ravens of
Elijah—together they circled in the sky—they swooped23, they plucked out the eyes of the victims
—there was wailing24 and gnashing of teeth—and the Voice cried: ‘Behold a Sacrifice—for on this
day shall Jehovah and Odin sign blood brotherhood!’ Then the Priests fell upon their victims, they
raised their knives—they mutilated their victims—”
Desperately25 Miss Carnaby broke away from her tormentor26 who was now slavering at the
mouth in a kind of sadistic27 fervour:
“Excuse me one moment.”
She hastily accosted28 Lipscomb, the man who occupied the Lodge29 which gave admission to
Green Hills and who providentially happened to be passing.
“I wonder,” she said, “if you have found a brooch of mine. I must have dropped it somewhere
about the grounds.”
Lipscomb, who was a man immune from the general sweetness and light of Green Hills,
merely growled30 that he hadn’t seen any brooch. It wasn’t his work to go about looking for things.
He tried to shake off Miss Carnaby but she accompanied him, babbling31 about her brooch, till she
had put a safe distance between herself and the fervour of Mr. Cole.
At that moment, the Master himself came out of the Great Fold and, emboldened32 by his
benignant smile, Miss Carnaby ventured to speak her mind to him.
Did he think that Mr. Cole was quite—was quite—
The Master laid a hand on her shoulder.
“You must cast out Fear,” he said. “Perfect Love casteth out Fear. . . .”
“But I think Mr. Cole is mad. Those Visions he has—”
“As yet,” said the Master, “he sees Imperfectly . . . through the Glass of his own Carnal
Nature. But the day will come when he shall see Spiritually—Face to Face.”
Miss Carnaby was abashed33. Of course, put like that—She rallied to make a smaller protest.
“And really,” she said, “need Lipscomb be so abominably34 rude?”
Again the Master gave his Heavenly Smile.
“Lipscomb,” he said, “is a faithful watchdog. He is a crude—a primitive35 soul—but faithful—
utterly36 faithful.”
He strode on. Miss Carnaby saw him meet Mr. Cole, pause, put a hand on Mr. Cole’s
shoulder. She hoped that the Master’s influence might alter the scope of future visions.
In any case, it was only a week now to the Autumn Festival.

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1 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。
2 cult 3nPzm     
n.异教，邪教；时尚，狂热的崇拜
参考例句：
  • Her books aren't bestsellers,but they have a certain cult following.她的书算不上畅销书，但有一定的崇拜者。
  • The cult of sun worship is probably the most primitive one.太阳崇拜仪式或许是最为原始的一种。
3 scoff mDwzo     
n.嘲笑，笑柄，愚弄；v.嘲笑，嘲弄，愚弄，狼吞虎咽
参考例句：
  • You are not supposed to scoff at religion.你不该嘲弄宗教。
  • He was the scoff of the town.他成为全城的笑柄。
4 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。
5 bequest dWPzq     
n.遗赠；遗产，遗物
参考例句：
  • In his will he made a substantial bequest to his wife.在遗嘱里他给妻子留下了一大笔遗产。
  • The library has received a generous bequest from a local businessman.图书馆从当地一位商人那里得到了一大笔遗赠。
6 recurred c940028155f925521a46b08674bc2f8a     
再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈
参考例句：
  • Old memories constantly recurred to him. 往事经常浮现在他的脑海里。
  • She always winced when he recurred to the subject of his poems. 每逢他一提到他的诗作的时候，她总是有点畏缩。
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 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
9 ardent yvjzd     
adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的
参考例句：
  • He's an ardent supporter of the local football team.他是本地足球队的热情支持者。
  • Ardent expectations were held by his parents for his college career.他父母对他的大学学习抱着殷切的期望。
10 feverish gzsye     
adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的
参考例句：
  • He is too feverish to rest.他兴奋得安静不下来。
  • They worked with feverish haste to finish the job.为了完成此事他们以狂热的速度工作着。
11 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。
12 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。
13 subconscious Oqryw     
n./adj.潜意识(的)，下意识(的)
参考例句：
  • Nail biting is often a subconscious reaction to tension.咬指甲通常是紧张时的下意识反映。
  • My answer seemed to come from the subconscious.我的回答似乎出自下意识。
14 glistening glistening     
adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼里闪着晶莹的泪花。
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼睛中的泪水闪着柔和的光。 来自《用法词典》
15 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》
16 supreme PHqzc     
adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的
参考例句：
  • It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
  • He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
17 braced 4e05e688cf12c64dbb7ab31b49f741c5     
adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来
参考例句：
  • They braced up the old house with balks of timber. 他们用梁木加固旧房子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The house has a wooden frame which is braced with brick. 这幢房子是木结构的砖瓦房。 来自《简明英汉词典》
18 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
参考例句：
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
19 descending descending     
n. 下行 adj. 下降的
参考例句：
  • The results are expressed in descending numerical order . 结果按数字降序列出。
  • The climbers stopped to orient themselves before descending the mountain. 登山者先停下来确定所在的位置，然后再下山。
20 fiery ElEye     
adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的
参考例句：
  • She has fiery red hair.她有一头火红的头发。
  • His fiery speech agitated the crowd.他热情洋溢的讲话激动了群众。
21 smacked bb7869468e11f63a1506d730c1d2219e     
拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • He smacked his lips but did not utter a word. 他吧嗒两下嘴，一声也不言语。
  • She smacked a child's bottom. 她打孩子的屁股。
22 ravens afa492e2603cd239f272185511eefeb8     
n.低质煤；渡鸦( raven的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Wheresoever the carcase is,there will the ravens be gathered together. 哪里有死尸，哪里就有乌鸦麇集。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • A couple of ravens croaked above our boat. 两只乌鸦在我们小船的上空嘎嘎叫着。 来自辞典例句
23 swooped 33b84cab2ba3813062b6e35dccf6ee5b     
俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • The aircraft swooped down over the buildings. 飞机俯冲到那些建筑物上方。
  • The hawk swooped down on the rabbit and killed it. 鹰猛地朝兔子扑下来，并把它杀死。
24 wailing 25fbaeeefc437dc6816eab4c6298b423     
v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱
参考例句：
  • A police car raced past with its siren wailing. 一辆警车鸣着警报器飞驰而过。
  • The little girl was wailing miserably. 那小女孩难过得号啕大哭。
25 desperately cu7znp     
adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地
参考例句：
  • He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
  • He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。
26 tormentor tormentor     
n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter
参考例句：
  • He was the tormentor, he was the protector, he was the inquisitor, he was the friend. 他既是拷打者，又是保护者；既是审问者，又是朋友。 来自英汉文学
  • The tormentor enlarged the engagement garment. 折磨者加大了订婚服装。
27 sadistic HDxy0     
adj.虐待狂的
参考例句：
  • There was a sadistic streak in him.他有虐待狂的倾向。
  • The prisoners rioted against mistreatment by sadistic guards.囚犯因不堪忍受狱警施虐而发动了暴乱。
28 accosted 4ebfcbae6e0701af7bf7522dbf7f39bb     
v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭
参考例句：
  • She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger. 在街上，一个完全陌生的人贸然走到她跟前搭讪。
  • His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him. 他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
29 lodge q8nzj     
v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆
参考例句：
  • Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗？
  • I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。
30 growled 65a0c9cac661e85023a63631d6dab8a3     
v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说
参考例句：
  • \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道：“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》
31 babbling babbling     
n.胡说，婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密
参考例句：
  • I could hear the sound of a babbling brook. 我听得见小溪潺潺的流水声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Infamy was babbling around her in the public market-place. 在公共市场上，她周围泛滥着对她丑行的种种议论。 来自英汉文学 - 红字
32 emboldened 174550385d47060dbd95dd372c76aa22     
v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • Emboldened by the wine, he went over to introduce himself to her. 他借酒壮胆，走上前去向她作自我介绍。
  • His success emboldened him to expand his business. 他有了成就因而激发他进一步扩展业务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
33 abashed szJzyQ     
adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • He glanced at Juliet accusingly and she looked suitably abashed. 他怪罪的一瞥，朱丽叶自然显得很窘。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The girl was abashed by the laughter of her classmates. 那小姑娘因同学的哄笑而局促不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》
34 abominably 71996a6a63478f424db0cdd3fd078878     
adv. 可恶地，可恨地，恶劣地
参考例句：
  • From her own point of view Barbara had behaved abominably. 在她看来，芭芭拉的表现是恶劣的。
  • He wanted to know how abominably they could behave towards him. 他希望能知道他们能用什么样的卑鄙手段来对付他。
35 primitive vSwz0     
adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物
参考例句：
  • It is a primitive instinct to flee a place of danger.逃离危险的地方是一种原始本能。
  • His book describes the march of the civilization of a primitive society.他的著作描述了一个原始社会的开化过程。
36 utterly ZfpzM1     
adv.完全地，绝对地
参考例句：
  • Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民，把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
  • I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。

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