赫尔克里·波洛的丰功伟绩54

时间：2024-12-31 11:27:44

（单词翻译:单击）

Eleven
THE APPLES OF THE HESPERIDES
Hercule Poirot looked thoughtfully into the face of the man behind the big mahogany desk. He
noted1 the generous brow, the mean mouth, the rapacious2 line of the jaw3 and the piercing, visionary
eyes. He understood from looking at the man why Emery Power had become the great financial
force that he was.
And his eyes falling to the long delicate hands, exquisitely4 shaped, that lay on the desk, he
understood, too, why Emery Power had attained6 renown7 as a great collector. He was known on
both sides of the Atlantic as a connoisseur8 of works of art. His passion for the artistic9 went hand in
hand with an equal passion for the historic. It was not enough for him that a thing should be
beautiful—he demanded also that it should have a tradition behind it.
Emery Power was speaking. His voice was quiet—a small, distinct voice that was more
effective than any mere10 volume of sound could have been.
“You do not, I know, take many cases nowadays. But I think you will take this one.”
“It is, then, an affair of great moment?”
Emery Power said:
“It is of moment to me.”
Poirot remained in an enquiring11 attitude, his head slightly on one side. He looked like a
meditative12 robin13.
The other went on:
“It concerns the recovery of a work of art. To be exact, a gold chased goblet14, dating from the
Renaissance15. It is said to be the goblet used by Pope Alexander VI—Roderigo Borgia. He
sometimes presented it to a favoured guest to drink from. That guest, M. Poirot, usually died.”
“A pretty history,” Poirot murmured.
“Its career has always been associated with violence. It has been stolen more than once.
Murder has been done to gain possession of it. A trail of bloodshed has followed it through the
ages.”
“On account of its intrinsic value or for other reasons?”
“Its intrinsic value is certainly considerable. The workmanship is exquisite5 (it is said to have
been made by Benvenuto Cellini). The design represents a tree round which a jewelled serpent is
coiled and the apples on the tree are formed of very beautiful emeralds.”
Poirot murmured with an apparent quickening of interest:
“Apples?”
“The emeralds are particularly fine, so are the rubies16 in the serpent, but of course the real
value of the cup is its historical associations. It was put up for sale by the Marchese di San
Veratrino in 1929. Collectors bid against each other and I secured it finally for a sum equalling (at
the then rate of exchange) thirty thousand pounds.”
Poirot raised his eyebrows17. He murmured:
“Indeed a princely sum! The Marchese di San Veratrino was fortunate.”
Emery Power said:
“When I really want a thing, I am willing to pay for it, M. Poirot.”
Hercule Poirot said softly:
“You have no doubt heard the Spanish proverb: ‘Take what you want—and pay for it, says
God.’ ”
For a moment the financier frowned—a swift light of anger showed in his eyes. He said
coldly:
“You are by way of being a philosopher, M. Poirot.”
“I have arrived at the age of reflection, Monsieur.”
“Doubtless. But it is not reflection that will restore my goblet to me.”
“You think not?”
“I fancy action will be necessary.”
Hercule Poirot nodded placidly18.
“A lot of people make the same mistake. But I demand your pardon, Mr. Power, we have
digressed from the matter in hand. You were saying that you had bought the cup from the
Marchese di San Veratrino?”
“Exactly. What I have now to tell you is that it was stolen before it actually came into my
possession.”
“How did that happen?”
“The Marchese’s Palace was broken into on the night of the sale and eight or ten pieces of
considerable value were stolen, including the goblet.”
“What was done in the matter?”
Power shrugged19 his shoulders.
“The police, of course, took the matter in hand. The robbery was recognized to be the work
of a well-known international gang of thieves. Two of their number, a Frenchman called Dublay
and an Italian called Riccovetti, were caught and tried—some of the stolen goods were found in
their possession.”
“But not the Borgia goblet?”
“But not the Borgia goblet. There were, as far as the police could ascertain20, three men
actually engaged in the robbery—the two I have just mentioned and a third, an Irishman named
Patrick Casey. This last was an expert cat burglar. It was he who is said to have actually stolen the
things. Dublay was the brains of the group and planned their coups21; Riccovetti drove the car and
waited below for the goods to be lowered down to him.”
“And the stolen goods? Were they split up into three parts?”
“Possibly. On the other hand, the articles that were recovered were those of least value. It
seems possible that the more noteworthy and spectacular pieces had been hastily smuggled22 out of
the country.”
“What about the third man, Casey? Was he never brought to justice?”
“Not in the sense you mean. He was not a very young man. His muscles were stiffer than
formerly23. Two weeks later he fell from the fifth floor of a building and was killed instantly.”
“Where was this?”
“In Paris. He was attempting to rob the house of the millionaire banker, Duvauglier.”
“And the goblet has never been seen since?”
“Exactly.”
“It has never been offered for sale?”
“I am quite sure it has not. I may say that not only the police, but also private inquiry24 agents,
have been on the lookout25 for it.”
“What about the money you had paid over?”
“The Marchese, a very punctilious26 person, offered to refund27 it to me as the cup had been
stolen from his house.”
“But you did not accept?”
“No.”
“Why was that?”
“Shall we say because I preferred to keep the matter in my own hands?”
“You mean that if you had accepted the Marchese’s offer, the goblet, if recovered, would be
his property, whereas now it is legally yours?”
“Exactly.”
“What was there behind that attitude of yours?”
Emery Power said with a smile:
“You appreciate that point, I see. Well, M. Poirot, it is quite simple. I thought I knew who was
actually in possession of the goblet.”
“Very interesting. And who was it?”
“Sir Reuben Rosenthal. He was not only a fellow collector but he was at the time a personal
enemy. We had been rivals in several business deals—and on the whole I had come out the better.
Our animosity culminated28 in this rivalry29 over the Borgia Goblet. Each of us was determined30 to
possess it. It was more or less a point of honour. Our appointed representatives bid against each
other at the sale.”
“And your representative’s final bid secured the treasure?”
“Not precisely31. I took the precaution of having a second agent—ostensibly the representative
of a Paris dealer32. Neither of us, you understand, would have been willing to yield to the other, but
to allow a third party to acquire the cup, with the possibility of approaching that third party quietly
afterwards—that was a very different matter.”
“In fact, une petite déception.”
“Exactly.”
“Which was successful—and immediately afterwards Sir Reuben discovered how he had
been tricked?”
Power smiled.
It was a revealing smile.
Poirot said: “I see the position now. You believed that Sir Reuben, determined not to be
beaten, deliberately33 commissioned the theft?”
Emery Power raised a hand.
“Oh no, no! It would not be so crude as that. It amounted to this—shortly afterwards Sir
Reuben would have purchased a Renaissance goblet, provenance34 unspecified.”
“The description of which would have been circulated by the police?”
“The goblet would not have been placed openly on view.”
“You think it would have been sufficient for Sir Reuben to know that he possessed35 it?”
“Yes. Moreover, if I had accepted the Marchese’s offer—it would have been possible for Sir
Reuben to conclude a private arrangement with him later, thus allowing the goblet to pass legally
into his possession.”
He paused a minute and then said:
“But my retaining the legal ownership, there were still possibilities left open to me of
recovering my property.”
“You mean,” said Poirot bluntly, “that you could arrange for it to be stolen from Sir Reuben.”
“Not stolen, M. Poirot. I should have been merely recovering my own property.”
“But I gather that you were not successful?”
“For a very good reason. Rosenthal has never had the goblet in his possession!”
“How do you know?”
“Recently there has been a merger36 of oil interests. Rosenthal’s interests and mine now
coincide. We are allies and not enemies. I spoke37 to him frankly38 on the subject and he at once
assured me that the cup had never been in his possession.”
“And you believe him?”
“Yes.”
Poirot said thoughtfully:
“Then for nearly ten years you have been, as they say in this country, barking up the mistaken
tree?”
The financier said bitterly:
“Yes, that is exactly what I have been doing!”
“And now—it is all to start again from the beginning?”
The other nodded.
“And that is where I come in? I am the dog that you set upon the cold scent39—a very cold
scent.”
Emery Power said drily:
“If the affair were easy it would not have been necessary for me to send for you. Of course, if
you think it impossible—”
He had found the right word. Hercule Poirot drew himself up. He said coldly:
“I do not recognize the word impossible, Monsieur! I ask myself only—is this affair
sufficiently40 interesting for me to undertake?”
Emery Power smiled again. He said:
“It has this interest—you may name your own fee.”
The small man looked at the big man. He said softly:
“Do you then desire this work of art so much? Surely not!”
Emery Power said:
“Put it that I, like yourself, do not accept defeat.”
Hercule Poirot bowed his head. He said:
“Yes—put that way—I understand. . . .”

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1 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的，知名的
参考例句：
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
2 rapacious hAzzh     
adj.贪婪的，强夺的
参考例句：
  • He had a rapacious appetite for bird's nest soup.他吃燕窝汤吃个没够。
  • Rapacious soldiers looted the houses in the defeated city.贪婪的士兵洗劫了被打败的城市。
3 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。
4 exquisitely Btwz1r     
adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地
参考例句：
  • He found her exquisitely beautiful. 他觉得她异常美丽。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He wore an exquisitely tailored gray silk and accessories to match. 他穿的是做工非常考究的灰色绸缎衣服，还有各种配得很协调的装饰。 来自教父部分
5 exquisite zhez1     
adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的
参考例句：
  • I was admiring the exquisite workmanship in the mosaic.我当时正在欣赏镶嵌画的精致做工。
  • I still remember the exquisite pleasure I experienced in Bali.我依然记得在巴厘岛所经历的那种剧烈的快感。
6 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。
7 renown 1VJxF     
n.声誉，名望
参考例句：
  • His renown has spread throughout the country.他的名声已传遍全国。
  • She used to be a singer of some renown.她曾是位小有名气的歌手。
8 connoisseur spEz3     
n.鉴赏家，行家，内行
参考例句：
  • Only the real connoisseur could tell the difference between these two wines.只有真正的内行才能指出这两种酒的区别。
  • We are looking for a connoisseur of French champagne.我们想找一位法国香槟酒品酒专家。
9 artistic IeWyG     
adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的
参考例句：
  • The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
  • These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。
10 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。
11 enquiring 605565cef5dc23091500c2da0cf3eb71     
a.爱打听的，显得好奇的
参考例句：
  • a child with an enquiring mind 有好奇心的孩子
  • Paul darted at her sharp enquiring glances. 她的目光敏锐好奇，保罗飞快地朝她瞥了一眼。
12 meditative Djpyr     
adj.沉思的，冥想的
参考例句：
  • A stupid fellow is talkative;a wise man is meditative.蠢人饶舌，智者思虑。
  • Music can induce a meditative state in the listener.音乐能够引导倾听者沉思。
13 robin Oj7zme     
n.知更鸟，红襟鸟
参考例句：
  • The robin is the messenger of spring.知更鸟是报春的使者。
  • We knew spring was coming as we had seen a robin.我们看见了一只知更鸟，知道春天要到了。
14 goblet S66yI     
n.高脚酒杯
参考例句：
  • He poured some wine into the goblet.他向高脚酒杯里倒了一些葡萄酒。
  • He swirled the brandy around in the huge goblet.他摇晃着高脚大玻璃杯使里面的白兰地酒旋动起来。
15 renaissance PBdzl     
n.复活，复兴，文艺复兴
参考例句：
  • The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
  • The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。
16 rubies 534be3a5d4dab7c1e30149143213b88f     
红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色
参考例句：
  • a necklace of rubies intertwined with pearls 缠着珍珠的红宝石项链
  • The crown was set with precious jewels—diamonds, rubies and emeralds. 王冠上镶嵌着稀世珍宝—有钻石、红宝石、绿宝石。
17 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
18 placidly c0c28951cb36e0d70b9b64b1d177906e     
adv.平稳地，平静地
参考例句：
  • Hurstwood stood placidly by, while the car rolled back into the yard. 当车子开回场地时，赫斯渥沉着地站在一边。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • The water chestnut floated placidly there, where it would grow. 那棵菱角就又安安稳稳浮在水面上生长去了。 来自汉英文学 - 中国现代小说
19 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式）
参考例句：
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
20 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。
21 coups 2627b0272849b68fbe31f92e3958bb82     
n.意外而成功的行动( coup的名词复数 )；政变；努力办到难办的事
参考例句：
  • China has seen many political coups within the ruling class. 中国统治阶级内部发生过很多政变。 来自互联网
  • Thailand has had eighteen coups or coup attendance since nineteen thirty-two. 泰国1932年以来有18次政变或参加政变。 来自互联网
22 smuggled 3cb7c6ce5d6ead3b1e56eeccdabf595b     
水货
参考例句：
  • The customs officer confiscated the smuggled goods. 海关官员没收了走私品。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Those smuggled goods have been detained by the port office. 那些走私货物被港务局扣押了。 来自互联网
23 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。
24 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。
25 lookout w0sxT     
n.注意，前途，瞭望台
参考例句：
  • You can see everything around from the lookout.从了望台上你可以看清周围的一切。
  • It's a bad lookout for the company if interest rates don't come down.如果利率降不下来，公司的前景可就不妙了。
26 punctilious gSYxl     
adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的
参考例句：
  • He was a punctilious young man.他是个非常拘礼的年轻人。
  • Billy is punctilious in the performance of his duties.毕利执行任务总是一丝不苟的。
27 refund WkvzPB     
v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款
参考例句：
  • They demand a refund on unsatisfactory goods.他们对不满意的货品要求退款。
  • We'll refund your money if you aren't satisfied.你若不满意，我们愿意退款给你。
28 culminated 2d1e3f978078666a2282742e3d1ca461     
v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • a gun battle which culminated in the death of two police officers 一场造成两名警察死亡的枪战
  • The gala culminated in a firework display. 晚会以大放烟火告终。 来自《简明英汉词典》
29 rivalry tXExd     
n.竞争，竞赛，对抗
参考例句：
  • The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
  • He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。
30 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
31 precisely zlWzUb     
adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地
参考例句：
  • It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
  • The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。
32 dealer GyNxT     
n.商人，贩子
参考例句：
  • The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
  • The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。
33 deliberately Gulzvq     
adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地
参考例句：
  • The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
  • They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。
34 provenance ZBTyR     
n.出处；起源
参考例句：
  • Kato was fully aware of the provenance of these treasures.加藤完全清楚这些珍宝的来源。
  • This plant's provenance is Asiadj.这种植物原产于亚洲。
35 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的
参考例句：
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
36 merger vCJxG     
n.企业合并，并吞
参考例句：
  • Acceptance of the offer is the first step to a merger.对这项提议的赞同是合并的第一步。
  • Shareholders will be voting on the merger of the companies.股东们将投票表决公司合并问题。
37 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。
38 frankly fsXzcf     
adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说
参考例句：
  • To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
  • Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。
39 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。
40 sufficiently 0htzMB     
adv.足够地，充分地
参考例句：
  • It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
  • The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。

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