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儿童英语读物 The Mystery at Peacock Hall CHAPTER 7 Who Robbed Peacock Hall?

时间:2017-09-07 02:10来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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The sight of Roscoe Janney’s car made Henry’s pulse beat faster. Roscoe owned a big old Jeep.

“Do you go camping?” he asked Roscoe. He still didn’t trust the guy, but he admired that cool car.

“I used to,” Roscoe replied. “The Jeep is great over these mountains in the winter.”

Grandfather climbed into the bucket seat next to the driver. Althea and the girls sat in the backseat. Benny and Henry got into the rear compartment1, where jump seats had been installed.

Roscoe proved to be the perfect travel guide. He told funny stories about the region. He pointed2 out deer poised3 by the roadside and red-tailed hawks4 perched on phone wires.

Althea was quiet on the drive. Jessie wondered why she came on this trip, since she and Roscoe didn’t get along.

Benny wondered why they were taking the trip at all. What was so special about a bridge? When they finally arrived, he was surprised.

Benny expected to see a metal bridge. Instead, he saw a huge stone rock with a hole in it.

“That’s the bridge?” he asked.

“That’s it,” replied Roscoe. He drove over the rock formation, which spanned Cedar5 Creek6. Then he parked the Jeep and they all got out.

“I wish I had brought my camera,” Violet said. “But at least I have the drawing tablet Cousin Althea gave me.”

“A sketch7 would be nice,” Grandfather told her. “I was here once before, but it was a long time ago.”

Roscoe told the Aldens about the limestone8 formation.

“The bridge is one of the seven natural wonders of the world,” he recited.

Althea took over. “Thomas Jefferson was so awed9 by it, he bought it from King George the Third for twenty shillings.”

“How much?” asked Benny.

“Not very much money,” Roscoe put in. “Considering property prices these days.” He gave his aunt a meaningful glance. Althea frowned.

“Can we explore?” Henry asked Grandfather.

“Go ahead. It’s perfectly10 safe,” Grandfather said. “We’ll go into the cafe.”

The children ran to the overlook and gazed down.

Violet propped11 her drawing pad on the rock ledge12 and began sketching13 the ancient arch.

Behind them, a tour guide with his group was saying, “In 1750, a young man named George Washington surveyed the bridge. If you look on the southwest wall, you’ll find his initials.”

Benny became excited. More initials! “Can we go see George Washington’s initials?” he asked.

“Sure,” said Jessie. “Let’s follow the group.”

They hiked down the path to the inside of the arch.

“There it is!” Benny cried, pointing up high to a box carved into the limestone. With his keen eyes, he could see the letters G.W.

Then the children joined the grown-ups in the cafe. Roscoe treated them to ice-cream cones14. He kept looking at his watch, Henry noticed. Why was Roscoe so concerned about the time? He didn’t seem to be in a rush.

On their way back to Peacock Hall, Benny borrowed a sheet of Violet’s drawing paper. He wrote B.A. over and over. Writing the letters reminded him of something, but he couldn’t figure out what.

Roscoe pulled the Jeep behind Grandfather’s station wagon15. “Here we are,” he said cheerfully. “I hope you all had a nice time.”

“Yes, we did,” said Jessie. “Thank you for taking us.” As she climbed out, she saw Roscoe’s hands shaking on the steering16 wheel.

“I won’t come in this time,” he said to Althea.

“I wasn’t going to invite you,” she said tartly17. “It’s late and the children need their supper.”

Before the Aldens and Althea reached the porch, Roscoe backed the Jeep around and roared down the driveway.

“Boy, he’s sure in a hurry,” Benny commented.

“I’m glad he didn’t stay.” Althea fumbled18 with her keys, but the door was open slightly. “That’s odd. I’m sure I locked the door behind me.”

They all walked down the hall and into the living room. Althea gave a little scream.

Every piece of furniture had been overturned. Cushions lay scattered19 on the floor. The stern-faced portraits hung crookedly20 on the walls.

“I’ve been robbed!” Althea moaned. “James, call the police at once!”

“Let’s make sure no one is still in the house,” said Grandfather. He and Henry checked the big place.

When they returned, Henry reported, “Nothing was messed up in any of the other rooms. Only this room.”

“Maybe we surprised the burglar,” Althea said. “He tried to get in the night you all arrived, remember.”

“But we didn’t see anybody run out,” Violet pointed out. “And no one’s hiding in the house or Grandfather would have found him. Or her.”

Henry had a theory. “I think whoever broke in was after one particular thing. And that person knew exactly which room to look in. This one.”

“There’s nothing of value in here,” Althea said. “What could anybody possibly want that was in my living room?”

Jessie felt a chill down her spine21. The receipt! They’d been studying it when Roscoe Janney came in earlier. She’d slipped it into a drawer behind her. Was it there now?

Jessie walked over to the small table. The contents of the drawer — postcards and letters — were strewn on the floor. She pawed through the papers.

“It’s not here!” she cried.

“What’s not here?” asked Grandfather.

Henry knew at once. “The old receipt we found. We were looking at it when Roscoe came in today. Jessie hid it in the drawer so he wouldn’t see it. But he did see!”

“But how could Roscoe steal the receipt?” Benny asked. “He was with us on the trip!”

“I didn’t think that old piece of paper was important,” said Althea.

“Apparently it is,” Grandfather said. “Or else someone wouldn’t have gone to the trouble to steal it. Do you still want to call the police?”

Althea shook her head. “As long as nothing else is missing ...” She sighed. “Anyway, the sheriff will be out here soon enough. To throw me out.”

When the adults left the room, the children huddled22 together.

“Who could have broken in?” Jessie asked.

“It couldn’t have been Roscoe,” Henry said. “Unless he had a friend break in.”

“What about Tate?” Benny brought up. “Roscoe and Tate are friends.”

Jessie bit her lip. “Tate’s kind of weird23, but I think he’s loyal to Althea. I don’t think he’d rob her.”

Henry agreed with Benny. “We can’t rule him out as a suspect.”

“Is the old paper a clue to the treasure?” Violet asked what they all were thinking.

Now they’d never know.

The next morning, Grandfather left for town, again hoping to turn up some legal information that would help Althea.

“Tomorrow is the last day,” he said.

Althea had to go to Monticello. “I have the early shift,” she told the children.

“We’ll stay here and look for the treasure,” Benny said.

Althea shook her head. “I’m sorry, Benny, but I can’t allow you children to stay here alone. Not after what happened last night.”

“But Tate is around,” Violet reminded her.

Althea shook her head. “I know, but I’d feel better if you were with me. You can search the house this afternoon.”

Was she suspicious of the gardener, too? Jessie wondered.

This time the children toured Jefferson’s home again. They located their favorite inventions, one by one.

“Now for mine,” said Benny, heading for the dining room.

A guide was just demonstrating the dumbwaiters built into the fireplace that Jefferson used for meals.

“I still wish I had a little elevator in my room,” said Benny.

Henry laughed. “Just what you need, Benny Alden. Twenty-four-hour room service!”

At last Cousin Althea’s shift was over. They all drove back to Peacock Hall.

“Let’s start searching,” Benny said, rushing upstairs.

“But you haven’t had lunch yet!” Jessie called.

Benny hurried back down the stairs. “Okay, but let’s make it quick.”

“Boy, you must be anxious to find the treasure,” Violet teased.

Althea understood the children’s eagerness. “Go ahead,” she urged. “I’ll bring lunch up on a tray.”

“Too bad you don’t have one of those waiter elevators,” Benny remarked. “Then you wouldn’t have to walk upstairs.”

“It’s very unusual for houses to have dumbwaiters,” Althea said, chuckling24.

Lunch was a tasty combination of cold chicken sandwiches and potato salad. Cold lemonade quenched25 their thirst after working in dusty rooms.

But after searching for several hours, the children didn’t find the secret of Peacock Hall. They trudged26 downstairs to help Althea with dinner. Grandfather called and said he would be late. He was meeting with an old lawyer friend.

While they were washing dishes, a familiar voice called.

“Anybody home?” Roscoe Janney walked confidently into the kitchen. “Hello, Auntie.”

“Hello, Roscoe.” Althea didn’t seem pleased to see her great-nephew.

“I came by to make you my final offer,” Roscoe said, getting straight to business. He pulled out a typewritten sheet. “Here it is. Take it or leave it.”

Althea barely glanced at the sheet. “I’m not that desperate.”

“Yes, you are. Tomorrow is your last day. If you don’t pay your taxes, you’ll lose Peacock Hall,” Roscoe said.

“I still have one more day,” Althea said firmly.

Roscoe laughed, stuffing the paper back in his pocket. “You’ll be sorry you didn’t take me up on my offer!”

“This is still my house, Roscoe Janney,” Althea said, trying to control her anger. “Please leave at once.”

Whistling, Roscoe left.

“I don’t trust that guy,” Henry said to the other children. “Let’s make sure he really leaves.”


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 compartment dOFz6     
n.卧车包房,隔间;分隔的空间
参考例句:
  • We were glad to have the whole compartment to ourselves.真高兴,整个客车隔间由我们独享。
  • The batteries are safely enclosed in a watertight compartment.电池被安全地置于一个防水的隔间里。
2 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。
3 poised SlhzBU     
a.摆好姿势不动的
参考例句:
  • The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. 老鹰在半空中盘旋,准备俯冲。
  • Tina was tense, her hand poised over the telephone. 蒂娜心情紧张,手悬在电话机上。
4 hawks c8b4f3ba2fd1208293962d95608dd1f1     
鹰( hawk的名词复数 ); 鹰派人物,主战派人物
参考例句:
  • Two hawks were hover ing overhead. 两只鹰在头顶盘旋。
  • Both hawks and doves have expanded their conditions for ending the war. 鹰派和鸽派都充分阐明了各自的停战条件。
5 cedar 3rYz9     
n.雪松,香柏(木)
参考例句:
  • The cedar was about five feet high and very shapely.那棵雪松约有五尺高,风姿优美。
  • She struck the snow from the branches of an old cedar with gray lichen.她把长有灰色地衣的老雪松树枝上的雪打了下来。
6 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。
7 sketch UEyyG     
n.草图;梗概;素描;v.素描;概述
参考例句:
  • My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
  • I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。
8 limestone w3XyJ     
n.石灰石
参考例句:
  • Limestone is often used in building construction.石灰岩常用于建筑。
  • Cement is made from limestone.水泥是由石灰石制成的。
9 awed a0ab9008d911a954b6ce264ddc63f5c8     
adj.充满敬畏的,表示敬畏的v.使敬畏,使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The audience was awed into silence by her stunning performance. 观众席上鸦雀无声,人们对他出色的表演感到惊叹。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I was awed by the huge gorilla. 那只大猩猩使我惊惧。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 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。
11 propped 557c00b5b2517b407d1d2ef6ba321b0e     
支撑,支持,维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sat propped up in the bed by pillows. 他靠着枕头坐在床上。
  • This fence should be propped up. 这栅栏该用东西支一支。
12 ledge o1Mxk     
n.壁架,架状突出物;岩架,岩礁
参考例句:
  • They paid out the line to lower him to the ledge.他们放出绳子使他降到那块岩石的突出部分。
  • Suddenly he struck his toe on a rocky ledge and fell.突然他的脚趾绊在一块突出的岩石上,摔倒了。
13 sketching 2df579f3d044331e74dce85d6a365dd7     
n.草图
参考例句:
  • They are sketching out proposals for a new road. 他们正在草拟修建新路的计划。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • "Imagination is busy sketching rose-tinted pictures of joy. “飞舞驰骋的想象描绘出一幅幅玫瑰色欢乐的场景。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
14 cones 1928ec03844308f65ae62221b11e81e3     
n.(人眼)圆锥细胞;圆锥体( cone的名词复数 );球果;圆锥形东西;(盛冰淇淋的)锥形蛋卷筒
参考例句:
  • In the pines squirrels commonly chew off and drop entire cones. 松树上的松鼠通常咬掉和弄落整个球果。 来自辞典例句
  • Many children would rather eat ice cream from cones than from dishes. 许多小孩喜欢吃蛋卷冰淇淋胜过盘装冰淇淋。 来自辞典例句
15 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。
16 steering 3hRzbi     
n.操舵装置
参考例句:
  • He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. 他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
  • Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵,口吻也马上变得温和了。
17 tartly 0gtzl5     
adv.辛辣地,刻薄地
参考例句:
  • She finished by tartly pointing out that he owed her some money. 她最后刻薄地指出他欠她一些钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Kay said tartly, "And you're more Yankee than Italian. 恺酸溜溜他说:“可你哪,与其说是意大利人,还不如说是新英格兰人。 来自教父部分
18 fumbled 78441379bedbe3ea49c53fb90c34475f     
(笨拙地)摸索或处理(某事物)( fumble的过去式和过去分词 ); 乱摸,笨拙地弄; 使落下
参考例句:
  • She fumbled in her pocket for a handkerchief. 她在她口袋里胡乱摸找手帕。
  • He fumbled about in his pockets for the ticket. 他(瞎)摸着衣兜找票。
19 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。
20 crookedly crookedly     
adv. 弯曲地,不诚实地
参考例句:
  • A crow flew crookedly like a shadow over the end of the salt lake. 一只乌鸦像个影子般地在盐湖的另一边鬼鬼祟祟地飞来飞去的。
21 spine lFQzT     
n.脊柱,脊椎;(动植物的)刺;书脊
参考例句:
  • He broke his spine in a fall from a horse.他从马上跌下摔断了脊梁骨。
  • His spine developed a slight curve.他的脊柱有点弯曲。
22 huddled 39b87f9ca342d61fe478b5034beb4139     
挤在一起(huddle的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
  • We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。
23 weird bghw8     
adj.古怪的,离奇的;怪诞的,神秘而可怕的
参考例句:
  • From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来,他好像有点怪。
  • His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。
24 chuckling e8dcb29f754603afc12d2f97771139ab     
轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • I could hear him chuckling to himself as he read his book. 他看书时,我能听见他的轻声发笑。
  • He couldn't help chuckling aloud. 他忍不住的笑了出来。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
25 quenched dae604e1ea7cf81e688b2bffd9b9f2c4     
解(渴)( quench的过去式和过去分词 ); 终止(某事物); (用水)扑灭(火焰等); 将(热物体)放入水中急速冷却
参考例句:
  • He quenched his thirst with a long drink of cold water. 他喝了好多冷水解渴。
  • I quenched my thirst with a glass of cold beer. 我喝了一杯冰啤酒解渴。
26 trudged e830eb9ac9fd5a70bf67387e070a9616     
vt.& vi.跋涉,吃力地走(trudge的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • He trudged the last two miles to the town. 他步履艰难地走完最后两英里到了城里。
  • He trudged wearily along the path. 他沿着小路疲惫地走去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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