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儿童英语读物 Mystery of the Traveling Tomatoes CHAPTER 10 The Scarecrow’s Surprise

时间:2017-12-07 05:41来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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The Aldens finished watering the plants and turned off their hoses. Mrs. Shea carried a pitcher1 of lemonade out to the garden. The children joined her and the twins in the shade of a large oak tree. Henry leaned back on his elbows and looked at their garden. Spooky the Scarecrow smiled his crooked2 smile.

“What do you use those green bags for?” asked Henry.

“Green bags?” said Mrs. Shea.

Henry pointed3 at the scarecrow. “Like the one we used to make Spooky’s head.”

“I thought you found that bag in the alley,” said Mrs. Shea.

“We did,” Benny explained. “But the metal detector4 man had bags just like that. He found them in your garbage cans, too.”

Mrs. Shea shrugged5. “David and I don’t use them. I have no idea where they’re from.” The twins began fussing, and she took them inside for their naps.

Henry went over and walked slowly around the scarecrow, staring at its head. Suddenly, he reached up and ripped the head right off Spooky’s body.

“Henry!” cried Violet. “I worked hard stitching that head to Grandfather’s shirt.”

“Sorry,” said Henry, bringing them the scarecrow head. He set it on the ground. “Don’t these look like letters?” asked Henry.

Behind the mouth and eyes that Benny had drawn6, they could make out faint letters:

r enf eld B n

Violet ran to her bike bag and brought back a black marker. The others watched as the young artist slowly traced over the letters. Then she filled in the faded letters:

Greenfield Bank

“This is the bank’s money bag!” said Jessie.” The thief must have buried the money right here after the robbery.”

Benny jumped up. “We’ve been gardening on top of bags of stolen money?”

“That’s explains why your tomatoes were moving,” said Henry. “The thief hid the money under our plants. Then he dug them up when he needed the money. He put your plants back so no one would know.”

“I knew,” said Benny.

Henry smiled. “That’s because you kept a measuring chart.”

Violet capped her pen. “After he dug up a bag, the thief took the cash out and tossed the bag into the garbage.”

“Why didn’t he take all the money with him after the robbery?” asked Jessie. “Why did he hide it here and just dig up a little at a time?”

“Maybe it’s like our bank accounts,” said Benny. “We put our money in the bank to keep it safe until there’s something special we want to buy.”

Jessie hugged her little brother. “Benny, you’re a genius! That’s exactly what our garden is. It’s the robber’s bank! For some reason, he can’t take the loot home.”

Benny laughed. “Maybe he’s afraid someone will steal it. Get it? Steal from the stealer?”

“Or,” said Henry, a knowing smile on his lips, “maybe he’s afraid someone will find it. Maybe he lives with someone who is very nosey. Someone who goes through his drawers and his closet and—”

“Fenster!” the others shouted.

“He is big,” said Benny, “like the thief.”

“And he seems too lazy to work,” said Jessie, “but he has money to buy expensive watches.”

“You’re wrong,” said Violet. “It can’t be him. Remember, we saw his photo in the newspaper. The day of the robbery, Fenster was at the circus train with the other Special Events Committee members. It was noon on the city hall clock.”

“That was at the beginning of the parade,” said Henry. “The robbery was twenty minutes later. Fenster could have left right after the picture was taken. He could have robbed the bank.”

“I’m not sure,” said Violet. “He would have to rob the bank, drive back to Duffy’s, tear the panels off his van, and nail them upon the windows. Then he would have to bury the money in our garden. And he’d have to do all that and still make it back to the park by the time the March of the Elephants got there.”

“Maybe he didn’t make it back in time,” said Jessie. “Does anyone remember seeing Fenster’s picture at the end of the parade?” No one did.

“We need to look at those newspaper photos again,” said Violet. “Let’s go back to the library.”

The Aldens spread the newspapers out on a library table and studied the pictures in the special circus section.

“Look for the people in the yellow shirts,” Jessie said. “Let’s see if Fenster’s with them.”

“Here’s a photo taken at noon,” said Violet. “I can see the City Hall clock in the background!” In the photo, five people in yellow shirts greeted the circus parade. Fenster stood right in front, grinning at the camera.

“But I can’t find him in any of the photos taken later on, in the park,” Jessie pointed out. In those pictures, the children could find only four people in yellow shirts.

“I think Fenster is using the circus as his alibi,” said Henry. “He made sure the newspaper photographer took his picture. If people think he was at the circus all day, then they won’t think he robbed the bank.”

“But can we prove that he wasn’t at the circus later?” asked Jessie. “He wasn’t in the other photos, but the police will need more proof than that.”

“What about the day of the 5K race?” asked Violet. “The Events Committee was in charge of that. Everyone in town was there, including the Sheas. Was Fenster at the race, or was he at The Applewood Café digging up money he hid under Benny’s green peppers?”

The children clicked to the Greenfield Gazette website and typed 5K race. Hundreds of photos were posted. They couldn’t find Fenster in any of them. “This still isn’t real proof,” said Jessie.

The children grew quiet. It wasn’t enough to suspect someone. Maybe the detectives would find Fenster’s fingerprints7 in the van.

“Oh, dear,” said Violet. “What if he’s getting ready to make his getaway?”

“What makes you think that?” Henry asked.

“Benny’s onions,” said Violet. “They were dug up, just like the tomatoes and peppers. But the onions were left scattered8 all around. At first, Fenster was trying to put things back, and hide the fact that he was digging up the garden. But now he doesn’t care … because he’s taking off.”

“He wasn’t at the park to help his committee take down the tents,” agreed Jessie.

“And he talked about France,” said Benny. “How he liked French restaurants.”

“Fenster bought that watch with two faces,” said Henry. “The one he could set for Greenfield and for Paris.”

“And the vending9 machine man said someone bought all the Chili-Billy Bars,” said Benny. “Someone going on a trip.”

“Do you think he’s already escaped?” asked Violet.

Henry looked at his watch. It was nearly three. “Mr. Witlin told Fenster to pick up his new watch at three o’clock today. Maybe it’s not too late. Maybe we can still stop him!”

As they rushed out, Violet told the librarian to call the police. “Tell them to go to Witlin’s Watch Works on Main Street.”

“And,” shouted Benny running after the others, “tell them to hurry!”

The children’s hearts pounded as they pulled up alongside Witlin’s Watch Works. Careful to stay out of view, they climbed off their bikes and quietly leaned them against the jungle of tomatoes growing on the side of the shop. They peeked10 into the store window. Fenster stood at the counter. “He’s trying on his new watch,” whispered Jessie.

“He’s all dressed up,” said Violet, “the way Grandfather dresses when he’s going on a trip.”

“We have to stall him until the police arrive,” Henry said.

Jessie noticed a taxi waiting at the curb11. She noticed the splattered tomatoes all along the sidewalk. She had an idea.

She ran around to the driver’s side. “Are you waiting for a big man in the watch shop?” she asked the driver.

“Yup,” the cabbie said.

“Are you taking him to the airport?”

“Yup. His suitcases are in the trunk,” the cabbie replied.

“Well,” Jessie said, “if you bring those suitcases to the police station right now, you will receive a very large reward. A reward for helping12 lead to the arrest of a bank robber.”

The taxi driver peered at Jessie and then at the other children. “You’re James Alden’s grandchildren, aren’t you?”

“We are,” said Jessie.

“Well, there’s not a more honest man in town,” he said. “I reckon you are every bit as honest as your grandfather.” He held up his cell phone. “Want me to call the police?”

“They’re already on their way” said Jessie. “But, if you really want to help, please start your car and pull away. And honk13 your horn nice and loud.”

“Will do.” The man started the taxi and, as he drove off, honked14 his horn over and over.

Just as Jessie hoped, Fenster heard the honking15. He raced to the window in time to see the taxi driving away. “Wait,” he shouted, running out of the store. “My suitcases. Stop! Come back! Come—”

His fancy dress shoes hit the slippery tomatoes. His feet flew into the air. “Yikes!” he shouted, as he landed with a crash. Fenster tried to stand but his feet flew out again. Finally, Fenster got on his hands and knees and began to crawl away. But by then, the sound of sirens filled the air as police cars squealed16 around the corner and screeched17 to a stop.

“Careful of the tomatoes,” warned Benny. The police handcuffed Fenster and led him to the squad18 car.

As he climbed in, Fenster glowered19 at the children. “This is all your fault,” he snarled20. “Who gave me away?”

“You can blame it on the scarecrow,” said Benny. But he didn’t think Fenster heard.

The Sheas threw a celebration at The Applewood Café to thank the children for finding the robber. “I remembered why the name Malfrat was so familiar,” said Chief Morgan. “You said Fenster rented the wigs21 and police uniform using the name Malfrat. Well, Malfrat isn’t a person. Malfrat is the French word for ‘crook.’”

Mr. Shea baked a tall cake in the shape of the Greenfield Bank.

The icing said: HOORAY FOR OUR HEROES.

“We couldn’t have done it without Cesar’s tomatoes,” said Benny, eating a corner piece with lots of icing.

Jessie carried in an armful of tomatoes. “We just picked these from around the neighborhood,” she said. “Help yourselves!”

Cesar’s daughter stood and clapped her hands. “I have an announcement,” she said. “Thanks to all of you, I’ve learned how much it means to my father to grow things. Today, I bought Duffy’s Garage. I will help my father turn it into a greenhouse. Now he can grow plants all year around.”

Everyone cheered.

“Well,” said Benny, “you’d better plant plenty of tomatoes. You just never know when another bank robber might come along!”


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 pitcher S2Gz7     
n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐;(棒球)投手
参考例句:
  • He poured the milk out of the pitcher.他从大罐中倒出牛奶。
  • Any pitcher is liable to crack during a tight game.任何投手在紧张的比赛中都可能会失常。
2 crooked xvazAv     
adj.弯曲的;不诚实的,狡猾的,不正当的
参考例句:
  • He crooked a finger to tell us to go over to him.他弯了弯手指,示意我们到他那儿去。
  • You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads.在这些弯弯曲曲的乡间小路上你得慢慢开车。
3 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。
4 detector svnxk     
n.发觉者,探测器
参考例句:
  • The detector is housed in a streamlined cylindrical container.探测器安装在流线型圆柱形容器内。
  • Please walk through the metal detector.请走过金属检测器。
5 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》
6 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
7 fingerprints 9b456c81cc868e5bdf3958245615450b     
n.指纹( fingerprint的名词复数 )v.指纹( fingerprint的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • Everyone's fingerprints are unique. 每个人的指纹都是独一无二的。
  • They wore gloves so as not to leave any fingerprints behind (them). 他们戴着手套,以免留下指纹。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 scattered 7jgzKF     
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的
参考例句:
  • Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来,塞进文件夹里。
9 vending 9e89cb67a07fe419b19a6bd5ee5210cc     
v.出售(尤指土地等财产)( vend的现在分词 );(尤指在公共场所)贩卖;发表(意见,言论);声明
参考例句:
  • Why Are You Banging on the Vending Machine? 你为什么敲打这台自动售货机? 来自朗文快捷英语教程 2
  • Coca-Cola had to adapt almost 300,000 vending machines to accept the new coins. 可口可乐公司必须使将近三十万台自动贩卖机接受新货币。 来自超越目标英语 第5册
10 peeked c7b2fdc08abef3a4f4992d9023ed9bb8     
v.很快地看( peek的过去式和过去分词 );偷看;窥视;微露出
参考例句:
  • She peeked over the top of her menu. 她从菜单上往外偷看。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • On two occasions she had peeked at him through a crack in the wall. 她曾两次透过墙缝窥视他。 来自辞典例句
11 curb LmRyy     
n.场外证券市场,场外交易;vt.制止,抑制
参考例句:
  • I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
  • You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。
12 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
13 honk TdizI     
n.雁叫声,汽车喇叭声
参考例句:
  • Don't honk the horn indiscriminately.不要乱鸣喇叭!
  • While passing another vehicle,you must honk your horn.通过另一部车时必须鸣按喇叭。
14 honked b787ca4a3834aa71da55df2b9bcafdfe     
v.(使)发出雁叫似的声音,鸣(喇叭),按(喇叭)( honk的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I drove up in front of the house and honked. 我将车开到屋子前面然后按喇叭。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • He honked his horn as he went past. 他经过时按响了汽车喇叭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
15 honking 69e32168087f0fd692f761e62a361acf     
v.(使)发出雁叫似的声音,鸣(喇叭),按(喇叭)( honk的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Cars zoomed helter-skelter, honking belligerently. 大街上来往车辆穿梭不停,喇叭声刺耳。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Flocks of honking geese flew past. 雁群嗷嗷地飞过。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
16 squealed 08be5c82571f6dba9615fa69033e21b0     
v.长声尖叫,用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He squealed the words out. 他吼叫着说出那些话。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The brakes of the car squealed. 汽车的刹车发出吱吱声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 screeched 975e59058e1a37cd28bce7afac3d562c     
v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 );发出粗而刺耳的声音;高叫
参考例句:
  • She screeched her disapproval. 她尖叫着不同意。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The car screeched to a stop. 汽车嚓的一声停住了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
18 squad 4G1zq     
n.班,小队,小团体;vt.把…编成班或小组
参考例句:
  • The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
  • A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。
19 glowered a6eb2c77ae3214b63cde004e1d79bc7f     
v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He just glowered without speaking. 他一言不发地皱眉怒视我。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He glowered at me but said nothing. 他怒视着我,却一言不发。 来自辞典例句
20 snarled ti3zMA     
v.(指狗)吠,嗥叫, (人)咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 );咆哮着说,厉声地说
参考例句:
  • The dog snarled at us. 狗朝我们低声吼叫。
  • As I advanced towards the dog, It'snarled and struck at me. 我朝那条狗走去时,它狂吠着向我扑来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
21 wigs 53e7a1f0d49258e236f1a412f2313400     
n.假发,法官帽( wig的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • They say that wigs will be coming in again this year. 据说今年又要流行戴假发了。 来自辞典例句
  • Frank, we needed more wigs than we thought, and we have to do some advertising. 弗兰克,因为我们需要更多的假发,而且我们还要做点广告。 来自电影对白
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