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儿童英语读物 The Ghost Town Mystery CHAPTER 10 Benny’s Gift

时间:2017-09-20 05:53来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

Violet drew in a breath. It all fit. Old Gert had the brightest blue eyes Violet had ever seen. And Gert’s iron-gray hair had probably once been long and black.

“You’re related to Rose and Duncan,” she said to Gert.

The blue eyes twinkled. “I wondered when you’d guess! Yes, I’m Seraphina’s granddaughter. I was born back East, where Seraphina married. My father, her son, also stayed in the East. But when we visited out here, I knew where I belonged. I came out here as soon as I finished school.”

At that moment, a roaring sound made them all turn toward the top of the old wagon1 road above. The Jeep, which Marianne had had fixed2, screeched3 to a stop. Grandfather, Corey Browne, and Mrs. Harrington hopped4 out. They wasted no time hiking down the wagon road into Tincup.

Grandfather strode over to the children. “Are you okay? I was worried when you didn’t come back for supper.”

“Grandfather!” Benny exclaimed. “You can’t sell our town! We know the truth!”

“They don’t know anything!” Victor Lacey blurted5. “Who’d listen to a bunch of kids, anyway?”

“I would.” James Alden crossed his arms over his chest.

Marianne Harrington was still crying. She sobbed6 on Corey’s shoulder.

Victor threw her a disgusted look. “Oh, for Pete’s sake, stop sniveling! If you hadn’t messed things up, we could have pulled it off.”

“I think you’ve bullied7 enough people,” said Old Gert. “Why don’t you come clean, Lacey.”

But Victor wasn’t about to confess that easily “Those kids are so smart — let them tell what they think I’ve done.”

“Go ahead,” James Alden encouraged his grandchildren.

Henry began, “From the beginning, things didn’t add up. First, Eagles Nest isn’t what it claims to be.”

“I do my best,” said Mrs. Harrington.

“You try to drive people away,” Henry told her. “You deliberately8 made the food awful and pulled the fuse that works the electricity. You unplugged the phone wires, too.”

“That’s not true!” Mrs. Harrington argued.

“It is true,” Grandfather said, backing up Henry. “I’ve never stayed in a place with such lousy service. Even Mr. Williams left.”

“That’s because he was a real fisherman,” Benny said, taking up the story. “Henry and I saw pictures in a magazine showing the way fishermen dress. Mr. Lacey’s stuff is too new. Like he’s never used it.”

“Not only that, but the trout9 are trapped upstream with a net that goes all the way across Tincup Creek10,” Henry added. “We found the underwater net. No wonder it’s so hard to catch any fish.”

“So what does that prove?” Victor challenged.

Now Violet spoke11 up. “Nothing, by itself. But there are more pieces to the puzzle.”

“Why would I drive off customers?” asked Adele Harrington. “Eagles Nest is how I earn my living.”

“The motel isn’t what it used to be,” said Jessie. “But if you had a bigger place, like a fancy hotel, and a lot of land, more people would come up here.”

Victor snorted. “People would need more than a bigger hotel to come here.”

“What about warm springs?” Henry said. Victor paled visibly. “We found the springs this morning, the bubbling water in the cave and the creeks12 around it.”

Now Old Gert turned to him in surprise. “The healing springs! I remember stories about the Ute Indians who came here to soak in the baths. But we thought it was only a legend. Not even the miners ever stumbled on the springs.”

Grandfather smiled. “If there is a secret, leave it to my grandchildren to find it! I think I know where this is leading. The springs are on my land. And you want my property desperately13. Why, Lacey?”

Now Victor sighed in resignation. “I’m into land development. But my last deal was a huge flop14. I needed a better project, one that would make tons of money for me and my investors15.”

“And pay off your debts,” Mrs. Harrington said acidly. “He made me all kinds of promises. I would be the manager of his fancy hotel. I’d have a whole staff to order around instead of cooking and cleaning rooms myself.”

Victor ignored her bitter comments. “This was the perfect place to build a resort. Unspoiled, untouched. Course, we’d have to put in a real road and tear down this eyesore of a town — ”

“Our town!” Benny exclaimed in protest.

“The springs would draw people here,” Victor went on. “Many people who have pain believe in the healing powers of warm mineral baths. I’d planned to open the cave and put a fancy spa over the springs. Hot tubs, attendants to give massages16. The guests would be totally pampered17.”

“What about the wildlife?” Gert asked. “Where were they supposed to go? And me?”

Victor waved his hand dismissively. “There are other mountains.”

Grandfather turned to Adele Harrington. “How did you join Lacey’s scheme?”

“He stayed at Eagles Nest.” Mrs. Harrington shrugged18. “I saw his blueprints19 one evening and we got to talking. I fell for his dream, hook, line, and sinker.”

“You were going to sell him Eagles Nest, weren’t you?” Henry guessed. “And you both knew that Grandfather owned the land where Tincup and the springs are.”

“Yes,” confessed Mrs. Harrington. “Victor wanted as much property as possible to make this a first-class resort. He was going to have a stable of horses, a ski lodge20, hiking trails, the spa, and of course Tincup Creek, which is a gold-medal stream. It was his idea to dam up the trout so no one would catch any fish and leave.”

“How did you know I’d come here with my grandchildren?” James Alden asked Victor. “I came out once to sign the papers when I bought the land from Jay Murphy.”

Victor gave a nasty smile. “I was in the courthouse in Beaverton that day. I’d found the springs by accident and was looking in deed books to see who owned the property. Turns out a man named James Alden had just purchased the very land I needed. I overheard you talking to the clerk, saying you wanted to show the land to your grandchildren. That’s when Mrs. Harrington and I put our heads together. We knew you’d have to stay at Eagles Nest. When you got here, we’d be ready.”

“Poor food and no electricity at a motel would hardly force me to sell my property,” Grandfather said.

“True,” Victor agreed. “But if we made you uncomfortable, you might fall for the important part of our scheme.”

“The ghost,” Jessie stated.

“Yes, the ghost of Tincup.” Victor sounded almost proud. “The story is true, by the way. We just needed to bring the Lady in Gray to life, so to speak.”

“You got Marianne to play the role,” said Violet. “She and her mother were the only two who fit the part. Gert was too big — ”

“As if I’d ever go along with such foolishness!” Gert sputtered21.

“ — and Mrs. Harrington was busy running Eagles Nest,” Violet said. “So that left Marianne.”

Realizing it was her turn to speak, Marianne sniffed22 and said, “I never liked the idea of pretending to be the ghost. Especially after I met you Aldens. You’re such nice people. But my mother always dreamed of owning a fine hotel and Victor offered her that chance. I couldn’t stand in her way.”

“But you quit, didn’t you?” asked Benny. “We heard you arguing outside our window with your mother.”

“Yes,” Marianne said. “I really hated wearing that ridiculous outfit23 to fool Mr. Alden so he’d sell his land. One night I told my mother I wouldn’t do it anymore.”

Now Jessie broke in. “Corey almost took over for you. I saw him with part of the costume under his poncho24 the evening of the rainstorm.”

Corey looked sheepish. “Victor Lacey came to me. He knew I’d do anything for Marianne, so I offered to dress up as Rose Payne. I’m in the Drama Club at school.”

Victor looked angry. “I was in a real bind25 without our leading player. But Corey couldn’t have pulled it off. He’s too big. You people would know in an instant he wasn’t the ghost of a woman. But he was easily roped into my plans.”

“You rigged the Jeep so it broke down when we went to Tincup that evening,” said Henry. “You said you knew how to fix cars but you didn’t do anything. We walked into Tincup to give Marianne time to get into her costume.”

Corey nodded. “There’s another path you Aldens don’t know about. We decided26, instead of the ghost ‘walking’ again, to have Marianne hide behind the dance hall door. One of you was bound to see her.”

“I did.” Violet shuddered27 at the memory of that horrible face.

“I’m sorry,” Marianne apologized. “But in the end I couldn’t be disloyal to my mother. She’s worked so hard all these years and there was a chance for her to make it.”

Victor smacked28 his fist into his open palm. “If you Aldens hadn’t come along, I’d be on my way to becoming a very rich man. Mr. Alden was ready to sell me his property — ”

Grandfather held up a hand. “Not so fast. I wasn’t sure what your game was. My grandchildren uncovered it.”

“Does this mean you’re not selling our town?” asked Benny.

Grandfather smiled at him. “Tincup is ours. And all the property around it.” He looked at Old Gert. “I’m aware that your land is next to mine.”

She looked worried for the first time. “I’ve always lived there.”

“And you will continue to live there,” Grandfather assured her. “I’m not touching29 the property. I do think the town of Tincup ought to be saved, though. It’s part of history. I plan to pave the road and have the buildings preserved. People would love to tour an old silver-mining town.”

Marianne turned excitedly to her mother. “We’ll have real tourists, Mother. And they’ll need a place to stay!”

“Well, it won’t be at Eagles Nest,” said Mrs. Harrington. “I’m selling. To Mr. Alden, if he wants it. I’m tired of running a motel in the middle of nowhere. It’s time for us to move on, Marianne. Make a new start.”

“You can always go to Colorado State,” Corey said. “It’s a good school and the town is nice, too.”

While they were talking, Henry noticed Victor Lacey slipping between two of the buildings.

“Hey!” he cried. “Mr. Lacey is trying to get away!”

The children dashed down the alley30. Corey and Old Gert, who could run surprisingly fast, reached the man first.

“My dream is up in smoke,” Victor declared. “I’m leaving!”

“But you’ve caused people a lot of trouble,” said Grandfather. “You can’t just walk away like nothing has happened. Gert, what do you think we should do?”

Gert thought a few seconds. “You know what would be a fair punishment? Victor ought to camp in Tincup overnight. The bears might not smell him.”

“Bears?” Victor said shakily. “You’re going to leave me alone here with bears around?”

Corey went up to the Jeep and brought down a blanket, a bottle of water, and a bag of trail mix.

Gert stood guard at the entrance to the town. “Don’t worry, Mr. Alden. I’ll make sure our ‘pampered guest’ doesn’t leave before daybreak.”

As the others climbed the trail out of Tincup, Benny asked, “Are there bears?”

“Only in the wilderness31 areas,” Grandfather answered. “They are shy and would rather not be around people.”

Benny turned back. Victor Lacey wore the blanket over his shoulders and a glower32 on his face.

“Sweet dreams!” Benny said.

The next morning, Mrs. Harrington and Marianne prepared a real rancher’s-style breakfast with the eggs, bacon, biscuits, and butter they had been hoarding33 in the secret cupboard.

The children ate until they were stuffed.

As Grandfather was sipping34 a second cup of coffee, a knock sounded at the dining hall door.

It was Gert, with Victor in tow. Victor Lacey straggled behind her, contrite35 and bedraggled. Jessie figured he hadn’t slept much.

“Have some breakfast,” Adele Harrington offered them.

“Don’t mind if I do,” said Gert, sitting down.

But Victor shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ll just pack and be on my way.” He hurried out of the dining hall.

Moments later, they heard his rental36 car engine start and roar down the road.

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow ourselves,” said James Alden. “I’ll be in touch about buying Eagles Nest.”

“Marianne and I will fix a nice supper tonight,” said Mrs. Harrington gratefully.

Gert reached into her pocket. “I have something for you, Benny. It’s from the old Tincup Mine.”

Benny stared in amazement37 at the worn silver coin she dropped into his hand. “A real coin! Gee38, thanks.”

“Keep it to remind you of this trip,” Gert told him. “And I’ll see you when you come back.”

Violet knew they would be back, to see Tincup restored to its former glory.

Meanwhile, she bet there were other adventures right around the corner.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 wagon XhUwP     
n.四轮马车,手推车,面包车;无盖运货列车
参考例句:
  • We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
  • The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。
2 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
3 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》
4 hopped 91b136feb9c3ae690a1c2672986faa1c     
跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 ); 单足蹦跳; 齐足(或双足)跳行; 摘葎草花
参考例句:
  • He hopped onto a car and wanted to drive to town. 他跳上汽车想开向市区。
  • He hopped into a car and drove to town. 他跳进汽车,向市区开去。
5 blurted fa8352b3313c0b88e537aab1fcd30988     
v.突然说出,脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She blurted it out before I could stop her. 我还没来得及制止,她已脱口而出。
  • He blurted out the truth, that he committed the crime. 他不慎说出了真相,说是他犯了那个罪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
6 sobbed 4a153e2bbe39eef90bf6a4beb2dba759     
哭泣,啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 ); 哭诉,呜咽地说
参考例句:
  • She sobbed out the story of her son's death. 她哭诉着她儿子的死。
  • She sobbed out the sad story of her son's death. 她哽咽着诉说她儿子死去的悲惨经过。
7 bullied 2225065183ebf4326f236cf6e2003ccc     
adj.被欺负了v.恐吓,威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • My son is being bullied at school. 我儿子在学校里受欺负。
  • The boy bullied the small girl into giving him all her money. 那男孩威逼那个小女孩把所有的钱都给他。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 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。
9 trout PKDzs     
n.鳟鱼;鲑鱼(属)
参考例句:
  • Thousands of young salmon and trout have been killed by the pollution.成千上万的鲑鱼和鳟鱼的鱼苗因污染而死亡。
  • We hooked a trout and had it for breakfast.我们钓了一条鳟鱼,早饭时吃了。
10 creek 3orzL     
n.小溪,小河,小湾
参考例句:
  • He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
  • People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。
11 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。
12 creeks creeks     
n.小湾( creek的名词复数 );小港;小河;小溪
参考例句:
  • The prospect lies between two creeks. 矿区位于两条溪流之间。 来自辞典例句
  • There was the excitement of fishing in country creeks with my grandpa on cloudy days. 有在阴雨天和姥爷一起到乡村河湾钓鱼的喜悦。 来自辞典例句
13 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。
14 flop sjsx2     
n.失败(者),扑通一声;vi.笨重地行动,沉重地落下
参考例句:
  • The fish gave a flop and landed back in the water.鱼扑通一声又跳回水里。
  • The marketing campaign was a flop.The product didn't sell.市场宣传彻底失败,产品卖不出去。
15 investors dffc64354445b947454450e472276b99     
n.投资者,出资者( investor的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
  • a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会
16 massages b030e7c3b00c82eb88f73d42b2964831     
按摩,推拿( massage的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • At present the doctor is giving him daily massages to help restore the function of his limbs. 目前医生每天在给他按摩,帮助他恢复腿臂的功能。
  • His father massages his nose and chin. 他爸爸揉了揉鼻子和下巴。
17 pampered pampered     
adj.饮食过量的,饮食奢侈的v.纵容,宠,娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The lazy scum deserve worse. What if they ain't fed up and pampered? 他们吃不饱,他们的要求满足不了,这又有什么关系? 来自飘(部分)
  • She petted and pampered him and would let no one discipline him but she, herself. 她爱他,娇养他,而且除了她自己以外,她不允许任何人管教他。 来自辞典例句
18 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》
19 blueprints 79424f10e1e5af9aef7f20cca92465bc     
n.蓝图,设计图( blueprint的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Have the blueprints been worked out? 蓝图搞好了吗? 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • BluePrints description of a distributed component of the system design and best practice guidelines. BluePrints描述了一个分布式组件体系的最佳练习和设计指导方针。 来自互联网
20 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。
21 sputtered 96f0fd50429fb7be8aafa0ca161be0b6     
v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的过去式和过去分词 );发劈啪声;喷出;飞溅出
参考例句:
  • The candle sputtered out. 蜡烛噼啪爆响着熄灭了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The balky engine sputtered and stopped. 不听使唤的发动机劈啪作响地停了下来。 来自辞典例句
22 sniffed ccb6bd83c4e9592715e6230a90f76b72     
v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说
参考例句:
  • When Jenney had stopped crying she sniffed and dried her eyes. 珍妮停止了哭泣,吸了吸鼻子,擦干了眼泪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The dog sniffed suspiciously at the stranger. 狗疑惑地嗅着那个陌生人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 outfit YJTxC     
n.(为特殊用途的)全套装备,全套服装
参考例句:
  • Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
  • His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。
24 poncho 9OkxP     
n.斗篷,雨衣
参考例句:
  • He yawned and curled his body down farther beneath the poncho.他打了个呵欠,把身子再蜷拢点儿,往雨披里缩了缩。
  • The poncho is made of nylon.这雨披是用尼龙制造的。
25 bind Vt8zi     
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬
参考例句:
  • I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you.我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
  • He wants a shirt that does not bind him.他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。
26 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
27 shuddered 70137c95ff493fbfede89987ee46ab86     
v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动
参考例句:
  • He slammed on the brakes and the car shuddered to a halt. 他猛踩刹车,车颤抖着停住了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I shuddered at the sight of the dead body. 我一看见那尸体就战栗。 来自《简明英汉词典》
28 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。
29 touching sg6zQ9     
adj.动人的,使人感伤的
参考例句:
  • It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
  • His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
30 alley Cx2zK     
n.小巷,胡同;小径,小路
参考例句:
  • We live in the same alley.我们住在同一条小巷里。
  • The blind alley ended in a brick wall.这条死胡同的尽头是砖墙。
31 wilderness SgrwS     
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠
参考例句:
  • She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
  • Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。
32 glower xeIzk     
v.怒目而视
参考例句:
  • He glowered at me but said nothing.他怒视着我,却一言不发。
  • He glowered and glared,but she steadfastly refused to look his way.他怒目而视,但是她铁了心不肯朝他这边看。
33 hoarding wdwzA     
n.贮藏;积蓄;临时围墙;囤积v.积蓄并储藏(某物)( hoard的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • After the war, they were shot for hoarding. 战后他们因囤积而被枪决。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Actually he had two unused ones which he was hoarding up. 其实他还藏了两片没有用呢。 来自英汉文学
34 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。
35 contrite RYXzf     
adj.悔悟了的,后悔的,痛悔的
参考例句:
  • She was contrite the morning after her angry outburst.她发了一顿脾气之后一早上追悔莫及。
  • She assumed a contrite expression.她装出一副后悔的表情。
36 rental cBezh     
n.租赁,出租,出租业
参考例句:
  • The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
  • We can organise car rental from Chicago O'Hare Airport.我们可以安排提供从芝加哥奥黑尔机场出发的租车服务。
37 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇,惊讶
参考例句:
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
38 gee ZsfzIu     
n.马;int.向右!前进!,惊讶时所发声音;v.向右转
参考例句:
  • Their success last week will gee the team up.上星期的胜利将激励这支队伍继续前进。
  • Gee,We're going to make a lot of money.哇!我们会赚好多钱啦!
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