赫尔克里·波洛的丰功伟绩53

时间：2024-12-31 11:27:27

（单词翻译:单击）

VI
On the afternoon preceding the Festival, Miss Carnaby met Hercule Poirot in a small teashop in
the sleepy little town of Newton Woodbury. Miss Carnaby was flushed and even more breathless
than usual. She sat sipping1 tea and crumbling2 a rock bun between her fingers.
Poirot asked several questions to which she replied monosyllabically.
Then he said:
“How many will there be at the Festival?”
“I think a hundred and twenty. Emmeline is there, of course, and Mr. Cole—really he has
been very odd lately. He has visions. He described some of them to me—really most peculiar—I
hope, I do hope, he is not insane. Then there will be quite a lot of new members—nearly twenty.”
“Good. You know what you have to do?”
There was a moment’s pause before Miss Carnaby said in a rather odd voice:
“I know what you told me, M. Poirot. . . .”
“Très bien!”
Then Amy Carnaby said clearly and distinctly:
“But I am not going to do it.”
Hercule Poirot stared at her. Miss Carnaby rose to her feet. Her voice came fast and
hysterical3.
“You sent me here to spy on Dr. Andersen. You suspected him of all sorts of things. But he is
a wonderful man—a great Teacher. I believe in him heart and soul! And I am not going to do your
spying work any more, M. Poirot! I am one of the Sheep of the Shepherd. The Master has a new
message for the World and from now on, I belong to him body and soul. And I’ll pay for my own
tea, please.”
With which slight anticlimax4 Miss Carnaby plonked down one and threepence and rushed out
of the teashop.
“Nom d’un nom d’un nom,” said Hercule Poirot.
The waitress had to ask him twice before he realized that she was presenting the bill. He met
the interested stare of a surly looking man at the next table, flushed, paid the check and got up and
went out.
He was thinking furiously.
VII
Once again the Sheep were assembled in the Great Fold. The Ritual Questions and Answers had
been chanted.
“Are you prepared for the Sacrament?”
“We are.”
“Bind your eyes and hold out your right arm.”
The Great Shepherd, magnificent in his green robe, moved along the waiting lines. The
cabbage-eating, vision-seeing Mr. Cole, next to Miss Carnaby, gave a gulp5 of painful ecstasy6 as
the needle pierced his flesh.
The Great Shepherd stood by Miss Carnaby. His hands touched her arm. . . .
“No, you don’t. None of that . . .”
Words incredible—unprecedented. A scuffle, a roar of anger. Green veils were torn from eyes
—to see an unbelievable sight—the Great Shepherd struggling in the grasp of the sheep-skinned
Mr. Cole aided by another devotee.
In rapid professional tones, the erstwhile Mr. Cole was
saying:
“—and I have here a warrant for your arrest. I must warn you that anything you say may be
used in evidence at your trial.”
There were other figures now at the door of the Sheep Fold—blue uniformed figures.
Someone cried: “It’s the police. They’re taking the Master away. They’re taking the Master.
. . .”
Everyone was shocked—horrified . . . to them the Great Shepherd was a martyr7; suffering, as
all great teachers suffer, from the ignorance and persecution8 of the outside world. . . .
Meanwhile Detective Inspector9 Cole was carefully packing up the hypodermic syringe that
had fallen from the Great Shepherd’s hand.
VIII
“My brave colleague!”
Poirot shook Miss Carnaby warmly by the hand and introduced her to Chief Inspector Japp.
“First class work, Miss Carnaby,” said Chief Inspector Japp. “We couldn’t have done it
without you and that’s a fact.”
“Oh dear!” Miss Carnaby was flattered. “It’s so kind of you to say so. And I’m afraid, you
know, that I’ve really enjoyed it all. The excitement, you know, and playing my part. I got quite
carried away sometimes. I really felt I was one of those foolish women.”
“That’s where your success lay,” said Japp. “You were the genuine article. Nothing less
would have taken that gentleman in! He’s a pretty astute10 scoundrel.”
Miss Carnaby turned to Poirot.
“That was a terrible moment in the teashop. I didn’t know what to do. I just had to act on the
spur of the moment.”
“You were magnificent,” said Poirot warmly. “For a moment I thought that either you or I
had taken leave of our senses. I thought for one little minute that you meant it.”
“It was such a shock,” said Miss Carnaby. “Just when we had been talking confidentially11. I
saw in the glass that Lipscomb, who keeps the Lodge12 of the Sanctuary13, was sitting at the table
behind me. I don’t know now if it was an accident or if he had actually followed me. As I say, I
had to do the best I could on the spur of the minute and trust that you would understand.”
Poirot smiled.
“I did understand. There was only one person sitting near enough to overhear anything we
said and as soon as I left the teashop I arranged to have him followed when he came out. When he
went straight back to the Sanctuary I understood that I could rely on you and that you would not
let me down—but I was afraid because it increased the danger for you.”
“Was—was there really danger? What was there in the syringe?”
Japp said:
“Will you explain, or shall I?”
Poirot said gravely:
“Mademoiselle, this Dr. Andersen had perfected a scheme of exploitation and murder—
scientific murder. Most of his life has been spent in bacteriological research. Under a different
name he has a chemical laboratory in Sheffield. There he makes cultures of various bacilli. It was
his practice, at the Festivals, to inject into his followers15 a small but sufficient dose of Cannabis
Indica—which is also known by the names of Hashish or Bhang. This gives delusions16 of grandeur17
and pleasurable enjoyment18. It bound his devotees to him. These were the Spiritual Joys that he
promised them.”
“Most remarkable19,” said Miss Carnaby. “Really a most remarkable sensation.”
Hercule Poirot nodded.
“That was his general stock in trade—a dominating personality, the power of creating mass
hysteria and the reactions produced by this drug. But he had a second aim in view.
“Lonely women, in their gratitude20 and fervour, made wills leaving their money to the Cult14.
One by one, these women died. They died in their own homes and apparently21 of natural causes.
Without being too technical I will try to explain. It is possible to make intensified22 cultures of
certain bacteria. The bacillus Coli Communis, for instance, the cause of ulcerative colitis. Typhoid
bacilli can be introduced into the system. So can the Pneumococcus. There is also what is termed
Old Tuberculin which is harmless to a healthy person but which stimulates23 any old tubercular
lesion into activity. You perceive the cleverness of the man? These deaths would occur in different
parts of the country, with different doctors attending them and without any risk of arousing
suspicion. He had also, I gather, cultivated a substance which had the power of delaying but
intensifying24 the action of the chosen bacillus.”
“He’s a devil, if there ever was one!” said Chief Inspector Japp.
Poirot went on:
“By my orders, you told him that you were a tuberculous subject. There was Old Tuberculin
in the syringe when Cole arrested him. Since you were a healthy person it would not have harmed
you, which is why I made you lay stress on your tubercular trouble. I was terrified that even now
he might choose some other germ, but I respected your courage and I had to let you take the risk.”
“Oh, that’s all right,” said Miss Carnaby brightly. “I don’t mind taking risks. I’m only
frightened of bulls in fields and things like that. But have you enough evidence to convict this
dreadful person?”
Japp grinned.
“Plenty of evidence,” he said. “We’ve got his laboratory and his cultures and the whole
layout!”
Poirot said:
“It is possible, I think, that he has committed a long line of murders. I may say that it was not
because his mother was a Jewess that he was dismissed from that German University. That merely
made a convenient tale to account for his arrival here and to gain sympathy for him. Actually, I
fancy, he is of pure Aryan blood.”
Miss Carnaby sighed.
“Qu’est ce qu’il y a?” asked Poirot.
“I was thinking,” said Miss Carnaby, “of a marvellous dream I had at the First Festival—
hashish, I suppose. I arranged the whole world so beautifully! No wars, no poverty, no ill health,
no ugliness. . . .”
“It must have been a fine dream,” said Japp enviously25.
Miss Carnaby jumped up. She said:
“I must get home. Emily has been so anxious. And dear Augustus has been missing me
terribly, I hear.”
Hercule Poirot said with a smile:
“He was afraid, perhaps, that like him, you were going to die for Hercule Poirot!”

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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 sipping e7d80fb5edc3b51045def1311858d0ae     
v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink. 她坐在阳光下懒洋洋地抿着冷饮。
  • She sat there, sipping at her tea. 她坐在那儿抿着茶。
2 crumbling Pyaxy     
adj.摇摇欲坠的
参考例句：
  • an old house with crumbling plaster and a leaking roof 一所灰泥剥落、屋顶漏水的老房子
  • The boat was tied up alongside a crumbling limestone jetty. 这条船停泊在一个摇摇欲坠的石灰岩码头边。
3 hysterical 7qUzmE     
adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的
参考例句：
  • He is hysterical at the sight of the photo.他一看到那张照片就异常激动。
  • His hysterical laughter made everybody stunned.他那歇斯底里的笑声使所有的人不知所措。
4 anticlimax Penyh     
n.令人扫兴的结局；突降法
参考例句：
  • Travelling in Europe was something of an anticlimax after the years he'd spent in Africa.他在非洲生活了多年，到欧洲旅行真是有点太平淡了。
  • It was an anticlimax when they abandoned the game.他们放弃比赛，真是扫兴。
5 gulp yQ0z6     
vt.吞咽，大口地吸（气）；vi.哽住；n.吞咽
参考例句：
  • She took down the tablets in one gulp.她把那些药片一口吞了下去。
  • Don't gulp your food,chew it before you swallow it.吃东西不要狼吞虎咽，要嚼碎了再咽下去。
6 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。
7 martyr o7jzm     
n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲
参考例句：
  • The martyr laid down his life for the cause of national independence.这位烈士是为了民族独立的事业而献身的。
  • The newspaper carried the martyr's photo framed in black.报上登载了框有黑边的烈士遗像。
8 persecution PAnyA     
n. 迫害,烦扰
参考例句：
  • He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
  • Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。
9 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。
10 astute Av7zT     
adj.机敏的，精明的
参考例句：
  • A good leader must be an astute judge of ability.一个优秀的领导人必须善于识别人的能力。
  • The criminal was very astute and well matched the detective in intelligence.这个罪犯非常狡猾，足以对付侦探的机智。
11 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。
12 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。
13 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。
14 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。
15 followers 5c342ee9ce1bf07932a1f66af2be7652     
追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件
参考例句：
  • the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
  • The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。
16 delusions 2aa783957a753fb9191a38d959fe2c25     
n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想
参考例句：
  • the delusions of the mentally ill 精神病患者的妄想
  • She wants to travel first-class: she must have delusions of grandeur. 她想坐头等舱旅行，她一定自以为很了不起。 来自辞典例句
17 grandeur hejz9     
n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华
参考例句：
  • The grandeur of the Great Wall is unmatched.长城的壮观是独一无二的。
  • These ruins sufficiently attest the former grandeur of the place.这些遗迹充分证明此处昔日的宏伟。
18 enjoyment opaxV     
n.乐趣；享有；享用
参考例句：
  • Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同，我们这次访问更加愉快了。
  • After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话，这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。
19 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。
20 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激，感谢
参考例句：
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
21 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。
22 intensified 4b3b31dab91d010ec3f02bff8b189d1a     
v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • Violence intensified during the night. 在夜间暴力活动加剧了。
  • The drought has intensified. 旱情加剧了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 stimulates 7384b1562fa5973e17b0984305c09f3e     
v.刺激( stimulate的第三人称单数 )；激励；使兴奋；起兴奋作用，起刺激作用，起促进作用
参考例句：
  • Exercise stimulates the body. 运动促进身体健康。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Alcohol stimulates the action of the heart. 酒刺激心脏的活动。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
24 intensifying 6af105724a108def30288b810d78b276     
v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的现在分词 )；增辉
参考例句：
  • The allies are intensifying their air campaign. 联军部队正加大他们的空战强度。 来自辞典例句
  • The rest of the European powers were in a state of intensifying congestion. 其余的欧洲强国则处于越来越拥挤的状态。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史
25 enviously ltrzjY     
adv.满怀嫉妒地
参考例句：
  • Yet again, they were looking for their way home blindly, enviously. 然而，它们又一次盲目地、忌妒地寻找着归途。 来自辞典例句
  • Tanya thought enviously, he must go a long way south. 坦妮亚歆羡不置，心里在想，他准是去那遥远的南方的。 来自辞典例句

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