顺水推舟28

时间：2025-01-30 17:25:37

（单词翻译:单击）

BOOK II
One
I
Hercule Poirot carefully folded the last of the newspapers he had sent George out to purchase. The
information they gave was somewhat meagre. Medical evidence was given that the man’s skull1
was fractured by a series of heavy blows. The inquest had been adjourned2 for a fortnight.
Anybody who could give information about a man named Enoch Arden believed to have lately
arrived from Cape3 Town was asked to communicate with the Chief Constable4 of Oastshire.
Poirot laid the papers in a neat pile and gave himself up to meditation5. He was interested. He
might, perhaps, have passed the first small paragraph by without interest if it had not been for the
recent visit of Mrs. Lionel Cloade. But that visit had recalled to him very clearly the incidents of
that day at the club during that air raid. He remembered, very distinctly, Major Porter’s voice
saying, “Maybe a Mr. Enoch Arden will turn up somewhere a thousand miles away and start life
anew.” He wanted now, rather badly, to know more about this man called Enoch Arden who had
died by violence at Warmsley Vale.
He remembered that he was slightly acquainted with Superintendent6 Spence of the Oastshire
police and he also remembered that young Mellon lived not very far from Warmsley Heath, and
that young Mellon knew Jeremy Cloade.
It was while he was meditating7 a telephone call to young Mellon that George came in and
announced that a Mr. Rowland Cloade would like to see him.
“Aha,” said Hercule Poirot with satisfaction. “Show him in.”
A good-looking worried young man was shown in, and seemed rather at a loss how to begin.
“Well, Mr. Cloade,” said Poirot helpfully, “and what can I do for you?”
Rowley Cloade was eyeing Poirot rather doubtfully. The flamboyant8 moustaches, the sartorial9
elegance10, the white spats11 and the pointed12 patent-leather shoes all filled this insular13 young man with
distinct misgivings14.
Poirot realized this perfectly15 well, and was somewhat amused.
Rowley Cloade began rather heavily:
“I’m afraid I’ll have to explain who I am and all that. You won’t know my name—”
Poirot interrupted him:
“But yes, I know your name perfectly. Your aunt, you see, came to see me last week.”
“My aunt?” Rowley’s jaw16 dropped. He stared at Poirot with the utmost astonishment17. This
so clearly was news to him, that Poirot put aside his first surmise18 which was that the two visits
were connected. For a moment it seemed to him a remarkable19 coincidence that two members of
the Cloade family should choose to consult him within such a short period of time, but a second
later he realized that there was no coincidence—merely a natural sequence proceeding20 from one
initial cause.
Aloud he said:
“I assume that Mrs. Lionel Cloade is your aunt.”
If anything Rowley looked rather more astonished than before.
He said with the utmost incredulity:
“Aunt Kathie? Surely—don’t you mean—Mrs. Jeremy Cloade?”
Poirot shook his head.
“But what on earth could Aunt Kathie—”
Poirot murmured discreetly21:
“She was directed to me, I understand, by spirit guidance.”
“Oh Lord!” said Rowley. He looked relieved and amused. He said, as though reassuring22
Poirot, “She’s quite harmless, you know.”
“I wonder,” said Poirot.
“What do you mean?”
“Is anybody—ever—quite harmless?”
Rowley stared. Poirot sighed.
“You have come to me to ask me something?—Yes?” he prompted gently.
The worried look came back to Rowley’s face.
“It’s rather a long story, I’m afraid—”
Poirot was afraid of it, too. He had a very shrewd idea that Rowley Cloade was not the sort of
person to come to the point quickly. He leaned back and half-closed his eyes as Rowley began:
“My uncle, you see, was Gordon Cloade—”
“I know all about Gordon Cloade,” said Poirot, helpfully.
“Good. Then I needn’t explain. He married a few weeks before his death—a young widow
called Underhay. Since his death she has been living at Warmsley Vale—she and a brother of
hers. We all understood that her first husband had died of fever in Africa. But now it seems as
though that mightn’t be so.”
“Ah,” Poirot sat up. “And what has led you to that surmise?”
Rowley described the advent23 of Mr. Enoch Arden in Warmsley Vale. “Perhaps you have seen
in the papers—”
“Yes, I have seen.” Poirot was again helpful.
Rowley went on. He described his first impression of the man Arden, his visit to the Stag, the
letter he had received from Beatrice Lippincott and finally the conversation that Beatrice had
overheard.
“Of course,” Rowley said, “one can’t be sure just what she did hear. She may have
exaggerated it all a bit—or even got it wrong.”
“Has she told her story to the police?”
Rowley nodded. “I told her she’d better.”
“I don’t quite see—pardon me—why you come to me, Mr. Cloade? Do you want me to
investigate this—murder? For it is murder, I assume.”
“Lord, no,” said Rowley. “I don’t want anything of that kind. That’s a police job. He
was bumped off all right. No, what I’m after is this. I want you to find out who the fellow was.”
Poirot’s eyes narrowed.
“Who do you think he was, Mr. Cloade?”
“Well, I mean—Enoch Arden isn’t a name. Dash it all, it’s a quotation24. Tennyson. I went
and mugged it up. Fellow who comes back and finds out his wife has married another fellow.”
“So you think,” said Poirot quietly, “that Enoch Arden was Robert Underhay himself?”
Rowley said slowly:
“Well, he might have been—I mean, about the right age and appearance and all that. Of course
I’ve gone over it all with Beatrice again and again. She can’t naturally remember exactly what
they both said. The chap said Robert Underhay had come down in the world and was in bad health
and needed money. Well, he might have been talking about himself, mightn’t he? He seems to
have said something about it wouldn’t suit David Hunter’s book if Underhay turned up in
Warmsley Vale—sounding a bit as though he was there under an assumed name.”
“What evidence of identification was there at the inquest?”
Rowley shook his head.
“Nothing definite. Only the Stag people saying he was the man who’d come there and
registered as Enoch Arden.”
“What about his papers?”
“He hadn’t any.”
“What?” Poirot sat up in surprise. “No papers of any kind?”
“Nothing at all. Some spare socks and a shirt and a toothbrush, etc.—but no papers.”
“No passport? No letters? Not even a ration25 card?”
“Nothing at all.”
“That,” said Poirot, “is very interesting. Yes, very interesting.”
Rowley went on: “David Hunter, that’s Rosaleen Cloade’s brother, had called to see him
the evening after he arrived. His story to the police is that he’d had a letter from the chap saying
he had been a friend of Robert Underhay’s and was down and out. At his sister’s request he
went to the Stag and saw the fellow and gave him a fiver. That’s his story and you bet he means
to stick to it! Of course the police are keeping dark about what Beatrice heard.”
“David Hunter says he had no previous acquaintance with the man?”
“That’s what he says. Anyway, I gather Hunter never met Underhay.”
“And what about Rosaleen Cloade?”
“The police asked her to look at the body in case she knew the man. She told them that he was
a complete stranger to her.”
“Eh bien,” said Poirot. “Then that answers your question!”
“Does it?” said Rowley bluntly. “I think not. If the dead man is Underhay then Rosaleen
was never my uncle’s wife and she’s not entitled to a penny of his money. Do you think she
would recognize him under those circumstances?”
“You don’t trust her?”
“I don’t trust either of them.
“Surely there are plenty of people who could say for certain that the dead man is or is not
Underhay?”
“It doesn’t seem to be so easy. That’s what I want you to do. Find someone who knows
Underhay. Apparently26 he has no living relations in this country—and he was always an unsociable
lonely sort of chap. I suppose there must be old servants—friends—someone—but the war’s
broken up everything and shifted people round. I wouldn’t know how to begin to tackle the job
—anyway I haven’t the time. I’m a farmer—and I’m shorthanded.”
“Why me?” said Hercule Poirot.
Rowley looked embarrassed.
A faint twinkle came into Poirot’s eye.
“Spirit guidance?” he murmured.
“Good Lord, no,” said Rowley horrified27. “Matter of fact,” he hesitated, “I heard a fellow
I know talk about you—said you were a wizard at these sort of things. I don’t know about your
fees—expensive, I expect—we’re rather a stony-broke lot, but I dare say we could cough it up
amongst the lot of us. That is, if you’ll take it on.”
Hercule Poirot said slowly:
“Yes, I think perhaps I can help you.”
His memory, a very precise and definite memory, went back. The club bore, the rustling28
newspapers, the monotonous29 voice.
The name—he had heard the name—it would come back to him presently. If not, he could
always ask Mellon…No, he had got it. Porter. Major Porter.
Hercule Poirot rose to his feet.
“Will you come back here this afternoon, Mr. Cloade?”
“Well—I don’t know. Yes, I suppose I could. But surely you can’t do anything in that short
time?”
He looked at Poirot with awe30 and incredulity. Poirot would have been less than human if he
could have resisted the temptation to show off. With memories of a brilliant predecessor31 in his
mind, he said solemnly:
“I have my methods, Mr. Cloade.”
It was clearly the right thing to say. Rowley’s expression became respectful in the extreme.
“Yes—of course—really—I don’t know how you people do these things.”
Poirot did not enlighten him. When Rowley had gone, he sat down and wrote a short note.
Giving it to George he instructed him to take it to the Coronation Club and wait for an answer.
The answer was highly satisfactory. Major Porter presented his compliments to M. Hercule
Poirot and would be happy to see him and his friend at 79 Edgeway Street, Campden Hill, that
afternoon at five o’clock.

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1 skull CETyO     
n.头骨；颅骨
参考例句：
  • The skull bones fuse between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five.头骨在15至25岁之间长合。
  • He fell out of the window and cracked his skull.他从窗子摔了出去，跌裂了颅骨。
2 adjourned 1e5a5e61da11d317191a820abad1664d     
（使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • The court adjourned for lunch. 午餐时间法庭休庭。
  • The trial was adjourned following the presentation of new evidence to the court. 新证据呈到庭上后，审讯就宣告暂停。
3 cape ITEy6     
n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风
参考例句：
  • I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
  • She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。
4 constable wppzG     
n.(英国)警察，警官
参考例句：
  • The constable conducted the suspect to the police station.警官把嫌疑犯带到派出所。
  • The constable kept his temper,and would not be provoked.那警察压制着自己的怒气，不肯冒起火来。
5 meditation yjXyr     
n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录
参考例句：
  • This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
  • I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。
6 superintendent vsTwV     
n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长
参考例句：
  • He was soon promoted to the post of superintendent of Foreign Trade.他很快就被擢升为对外贸易总监。
  • He decided to call the superintendent of the building.他决定给楼房管理员打电话。
7 meditating hoKzDp     
a.沉思的，冥想的
参考例句：
  • They were meditating revenge. 他们在谋划进行报复。
  • The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics. 这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。
8 flamboyant QjKxl     
adj.火焰般的，华丽的，炫耀的
参考例句：
  • His clothes were rather flamboyant for such a serious occasion.他的衣着在这种严肃场合太浮夸了。
  • The King's flamboyant lifestyle is well known.国王的奢华生活方式是人尽皆知的。
9 sartorial Rsny3     
adj.裁缝的
参考例句：
  • John has never been known for his sartorial elegance.约翰从来没有因为衣着讲究而出名。
  • Jeans a powerful egalitarian message,but are far more likely to a sartorial deathtrap for politicians.政客们穿上牛仔裤是传递亲民的讯息，但也更容易犯穿衣禁忌。
10 elegance QjPzj     
n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙
参考例句：
  • The furnishings in the room imparted an air of elegance.这个房间的家具带给这房间一种优雅的气氛。
  • John has been known for his sartorial elegance.约翰因为衣着讲究而出名。
11 spats 65e628ce75b7fa2d4f52c6b4959a6870     
n.口角( spat的名词复数 )；小争吵；鞋罩；鞋套v.spit的过去式和过去分词( spat的第三人称单数 )；口角；小争吵；鞋罩
参考例句：
  • Gasoline is a solvent liquid that removes grease spats. 汽油是一种能脱去油迹的有溶解能力的液体。 来自辞典例句
  • Then spats took a catnap, and the bird looked out for dogs. 然后斯派茨小睡了一会儿。小鸟为它站岗放哨，防止狗跑过来。 来自互联网
12 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。
13 insular mk0yd     
adj.岛屿的，心胸狭窄的
参考例句：
  • A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
  • Having lived in one place all his life,his views are insular.他一辈子住在一个地方，所以思想狭隘。
14 misgivings 0nIzyS     
n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧
参考例句：
  • I had grave misgivings about making the trip. 对于这次旅行我有过极大的顾虑。
  • Don't be overtaken by misgivings and fear. Just go full stream ahead! 不要瞻前顾后， 畏首畏尾。甩开膀子干吧！ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
15 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地
参考例句：
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
16 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。
17 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇，惊异
参考例句：
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
18 surmise jHiz8     
v./n.猜想，推测
参考例句：
  • It turned out that my surmise was correct.结果表明我的推测没有错。
  • I surmise that he will take the job.我推测他会接受这份工作。
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 proceeding Vktzvu     
n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报
参考例句：
  • This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
  • The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。
21 discreetly nuwz8C     
ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地
参考例句：
  • He had only known the perennial widow, the discreetly expensive Frenchwoman. 他只知道她是个永远那么年轻的寡妇，一个很会讲排场的法国女人。
  • Sensing that Lilian wanted to be alone with Celia, Andrew discreetly disappeared. 安德鲁觉得莉莲想同西莉亚单独谈些什么，有意避开了。
22 reassuring vkbzHi     
a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的
参考例句：
  • He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
  • With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。
23 advent iKKyo     
n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临
参考例句：
  • Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
  • The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。
24 quotation 7S6xV     
n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情
参考例句：
  • He finished his speech with a quotation from Shakespeare.他讲话结束时引用了莎士比亚的语录。
  • The quotation is omitted here.此处引文从略。
25 ration CAxzc     
n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应
参考例句：
  • The country cut the bread ration last year.那个国家去年削减面包配给量。
  • We have to ration the water.我们必须限量用水。
26 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。
27 horrified 8rUzZU     
a.(表现出)恐惧的
参考例句：
  • The whole country was horrified by the killings. 全国都对这些凶杀案感到大为震惊。
  • We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons. 地方监狱的普遍状况让我们震惊。
28 rustling c6f5c8086fbaf68296f60e8adb292798     
n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的
参考例句：
  • the sound of the trees rustling in the breeze 树木在微风中发出的沙沙声
  • the soft rustling of leaves 树叶柔和的沙沙声
29 monotonous FwQyJ     
adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的
参考例句：
  • She thought life in the small town was monotonous.她觉得小镇上的生活单调而乏味。
  • His articles are fixed in form and monotonous in content.他的文章千篇一律，一个调调儿。
30 awe WNqzC     
n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧
参考例句：
  • The sight filled us with awe.这景色使我们大为惊叹。
  • The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。
31 predecessor qP9x0     
n.前辈，前任
参考例句：
  • It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
  • The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

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