ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡ÔĶÁ¹ý³Ì·¢ÏÖÈκδíÎóÇë¸æËßÎÒÃÇ£¬Ð»Ð»£¡£¡ ±¨¸æ´íÎó
¾ÅÉ«Êé¼® ·µ»Ø±¾ÊéĿ¼ ÎÒµÄÊé¼Ü ÎÒµÄÊéÇ© TXTÈ«±¾ÏÂÔØ ½øÈëÊé°É ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©

by shore and sedge(ɳ̲ºÍ̦²ÝÅÔ)-µÚ28ÕÂ

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




blood¡¡was¡¡on¡¡those¡¡boxes£»¡¡if¡¡the¡¡salt¡¡water¡¡had¡¡not¡¡washed¡¡it¡¡out¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡

hell¡¡of¡¡a¡¡fight¡¡when¡¡they¡¡dragged¡¡the¡¡captainOh£»¡¡what¡¡was¡¡that£¿¡¡Was¡¡it¡¡

the¡¡splash¡¡of¡¡a¡¡rat¡¡in¡¡the¡¡bilge£»¡¡or¡¡what£¿¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡superstitious¡¡terror¡¡had¡¡begun¡¡to¡¡seize¡¡him¡¡at¡¡the¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡blood¡£¡¡

The¡¡stifling¡¡hold¡¡seemed¡¡again¡¡filled¡¡with¡¡struggling¡¡figures¡¡he¡¡had¡¡known£»¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡93¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡94¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡BY¡¡SHORE¡¡AND¡¡SEDGE¡¡



the¡¡air¡¡thick¡¡with¡¡cries¡¡and¡¡blasphemies¡¡that¡¡he¡¡had¡¡forgotten¡£¡¡He¡¡rose¡¡to¡¡

his¡¡feet£»¡¡and¡¡running¡¡quickly¡¡to¡¡the¡¡hatchway£»¡¡leaped¡¡to¡¡the¡¡deck¡¡above¡£¡¡

All¡¡was¡¡quiet¡£¡¡The¡¡door¡¡leading¡¡to¡¡the¡¡empty¡¡loft¡¡yielded¡¡to¡¡his¡¡touch¡£¡¡He¡¡

entered£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡gliding¡¡¡¡¡¡through£»¡¡¡¡¡¡unbarred¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡opened¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡gave¡¡

upon¡¡the¡¡alley¡£¡¡The¡¡cold¡¡air¡¡and¡¡moonlight¡¡flowed¡¡in¡¡silently£»¡¡the¡¡way¡¡of¡¡

escape¡¡was¡¡clear¡£¡¡Bah£¡¡¡He¡¡would¡¡go¡¡back¡¡for¡¡the¡¡treasure¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡reached¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡passage¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡opened¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

suddenly¡¡darkened¡£¡¡Turning¡¡rapidly£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡conscious¡¡of¡¡a¡¡gaunt¡¡figure£»¡¡

grotesque£»¡¡silent£»¡¡and¡¡erect£»¡¡looming¡¡on¡¡the¡¡threshold¡¡between¡¡him¡¡and¡¡the¡¡

sky¡£¡¡Hidden¡¡in¡¡the¡¡shadow£»¡¡he¡¡made¡¡a¡¡stealthy¡¡step¡¡towards¡¡it£»¡¡with¡¡an¡¡iron¡¡

wrench¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡uplifted¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡next¡¡¡¡¡¡moment¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡dilated¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

superstitious¡¡horror£»¡¡the¡¡iron¡¡fell¡¡from¡¡this¡¡hand£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡a¡¡scream£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡

frightened¡¡animal£»¡¡he¡¡turned¡¡and¡¡fled¡¡into¡¡the¡¡passage¡£¡¡In¡¡the¡¡first¡¡access¡¡

of¡¡his¡¡blind¡¡terror¡¡he¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡reach¡¡the¡¡deck¡¡above¡¡through¡¡the¡¡forehatch£»¡¡

but¡¡was¡¡stopped¡¡by¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡a¡¡heavy¡¡tread¡¡overhead¡£¡¡The¡¡immediate¡¡

fear¡¡of¡¡detection¡¡now¡¡overcame¡¡his¡¡superstition£»¡¡he¡¡would¡¡have¡¡even¡¡faced¡¡

the¡¡apparition¡¡again¡¡to¡¡escape¡¡through¡¡the¡¡loft£»¡¡but£»¡¡before¡¡he¡¡could¡¡return¡¡

there£»¡¡other¡¡footsteps¡¡approached¡¡rapidly¡¡from¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡passage¡¡he¡¡

would¡¡have¡¡to¡¡traverse¡£¡¡There¡¡was¡¡but¡¡one¡¡chance¡¡of¡¡escape¡¡left¡¡nowthe¡¡

forehold¡¡he¡¡had¡¡just¡¡quitted¡£¡¡He¡¡might¡¡hide¡¡there¡¡until¡¡the¡¡alarm¡¡was¡¡over¡£¡¡

He¡¡glided¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡hatch£»¡¡lifted¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡closed¡¡softly¡¡over¡¡his¡¡head¡¡as¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡upper¡¡¡¡¡¡hatch¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡simultaneously¡¡¡¡¡¡raised£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡small¡¡¡¡¡¡round¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

Abner¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡peered¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡footsteps¡¡¡¡¡¡proved¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡be¡¡

Renshaw's¡¡but£»¡¡attracted¡¡by¡¡the¡¡open¡¡door¡¡of¡¡the¡¡loft£»¡¡he¡¡turned¡¡aside¡¡and¡¡

entered¡£¡¡As¡¡soon¡¡as¡¡he¡¡disappeared¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Nott¡¡cautiously¡¡dropped¡¡through¡¡

the¡¡opening¡¡to¡¡the¡¡deck¡¡below£»¡¡and£»¡¡going¡¡to¡¡the¡¡other¡¡hatch¡¡through¡¡which¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡Lascar¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡vanished£»¡¡¡¡¡¡deliberately¡¡¡¡¡¡refastened¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡moments¡¡

Renshaw¡¡returned¡¡with¡¡a¡¡light£»¡¡and¡¡found¡¡the¡¡old¡¡man¡¡sitting¡¡on¡¡the¡¡hatch¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡loft¡¡door¡¡was¡¡open£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Renshaw¡£¡¡¡¨There's¡¡little¡¡doubt¡¡whoever¡¡

was¡¡here¡¡escaped¡¡that¡¡way¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Surely£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡Nott¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡peculiar¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡look¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Machiavellian¡¡

sagacity¡¡in¡¡his¡¡face¡¡which¡¡irritated¡¡Renshaw¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡¡¡¡¡you're¡¡¡¡¡¡sure¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡Ferrieres¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡pass¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡window¡¡

before¡¡you¡¡called¡¡me£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡94¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡95¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡BY¡¡SHORE¡¡AND¡¡SEDGE¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott¡¡nodded¡¡his¡¡head¡¡with¡¡an¡¡expression¡¡of¡¡infinite¡¡profundity¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡going¡¡¡¡¡¡FROM¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡ship¡£¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡

been¡¡he¡¡who¡¡made¡¡the¡¡noise¡¡we¡¡heard¡¡down¡¡here¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mebbee¡¡¡¡¡¡no£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡mebbee¡¡¡¡¡¡yes£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡returned¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott£»¡¡¡¡¡¡cautiously¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡

was¡¡already¡¡concealed¡¡inside¡¡the¡¡ship£»¡¡as¡¡that¡¡open¡¡door£»¡¡which¡¡you¡¡say¡¡

you¡¡¡¡¡¡barred¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡inside£»¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡indicate£»¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡devil¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡

with¡¡¡¡¡¡this£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Renshaw£»¡¡¡¡¡¡producing¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡monkey¡­wrench¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡picked¡¡

up¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott¡¡¡¡¡¡examined¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tool¡¡¡¡carefully£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡shook¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

momentous¡¡significance¡£¡¡Nevertheless£»¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡wandered¡¡to¡¡the¡¡hatch¡¡on¡¡

which¡¡he¡¡was¡¡seated¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡you¡¡find¡¡anything¡¡disturbed¡¡THERE£¿¡¨¡¡said¡¡Renshaw£»¡¡following¡¡

the¡¡direction¡¡of¡¡his¡¡eye¡£¡¡¡¨Was¡¡that¡¡hatch¡¡fastened¡¡as¡¡it¡¡is¡¡now£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡¡¡¡¡was£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott£»¡¡¡¡calmly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡¡¡wouldn't¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fetchin'¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

hammer¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡o'¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡big¡¡nails¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡locker£»¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡yer£»¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡

hang¡¡round¡¡here¡¡just¡¡so¡¡ez¡¡to¡¡make¡¡sure¡¡against¡¡another¡¡attack¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Renshaw¡¡complied¡¡with¡¡his¡¡request£»¡¡but¡¡as¡¡Nott¡¡proceeded¡¡to¡¡gravely¡¡

nail¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡fastenings¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡hatch£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡impatiently¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

complete¡¡his¡¡examination¡¡of¡¡the¡¡ship¡£¡¡The¡¡doors¡¡of¡¡the¡¡other¡¡lofts¡¡and¡¡their¡¡

fastenings¡¡appeared¡¡secure¡¡and¡¡undisturbed¡£¡¡Yet¡¡it¡¡was¡¡undeniable¡¡that¡¡a¡¡

felonious¡¡entrance¡¡had¡¡been¡¡made£»¡¡but¡¡by¡¡whom¡¡or¡¡for¡¡what¡¡purpose¡¡still¡¡

remained¡¡uncertain¡£¡¡Even¡¡now£»¡¡Renshaw¡¡found¡¡it¡¡difficult¡¡to¡¡accept¡¡Nott's¡¡

theory¡¡that¡¡de¡¡Ferrieres¡¡was¡¡the¡¡aggressor¡¡and¡¡Rosey¡¡the¡¡object£»¡¡nor¡¡could¡¡

he¡¡justify¡¡his¡¡own¡¡suspicion¡¡that¡¡the¡¡Lascar¡¡had¡¡obtained¡¡a¡¡surreptitious¡¡

entrance¡¡under¡¡Sleight's¡¡directions¡£¡¡With¡¡a¡¡feeling¡¡that¡¡if¡¡Rosey¡¡had¡¡been¡¡

present¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡confessed¡¡¡¡¡¡all£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡demanded¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡equal¡¡

confidence£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡hate¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡feeble£»¡¡¡¡¡¡purposeless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡inefficient¡¡

alliance¡¡with¡¡her¡¡father£»¡¡who¡¡believed¡¡but¡¡dare¡¡not¡¡tax¡¡his¡¡daughter¡¡with¡¡

complicity¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡outrage¡£¡¡What¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡whose¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡

idea¡¡of¡¡action¡¡at¡¡such¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡was¡¡to¡¡nail¡¡up¡¡an¡¡undisturbed¡¡entrance¡¡in¡¡

his¡¡invaded¡¡house£¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡so¡¡preoccupied¡¡with¡¡these¡¡thoughts¡¡that¡¡when¡¡

Nott¡¡rejoined¡¡him¡¡in¡¡the¡¡cabin¡¡he¡¡scarcely¡¡heeded¡¡his¡¡presence£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡

entirely¡¡oblivious¡¡of¡¡the¡¡furtive¡¡looks¡¡which¡¡the¡¡old¡¡man¡¡from¡¡time¡¡to¡¡time¡¡

cast¡¡upon¡¡his¡¡face¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡95¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡96¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡BY¡¡SHORE¡¡AND¡¡SEDGE¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡reckon¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡¡¡wouldn't¡¡¡¡¡¡mind£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡broke¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott£»¡¡¡¡¡¡suddenly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨ef¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

favor¡¡of¡¡ye£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Renshaw¡£¡¡Mebbee¡¡ye'll¡¡allow¡¡it's¡¡askin'¡¡too¡¡much¡¡in¡¡the¡¡

matter¡¡of¡¡expense£»¡¡mebbee¡¡ye'll¡¡allow¡¡it's¡¡askin'¡¡too¡¡much¡¡in¡¡the¡¡matter¡¡o'¡¡

time¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡kalkilate¡¡to¡¡pay¡¡all¡¡the¡¡expense£»¡¡and¡¡if¡¡you'd¡¡let¡¡me¡¡know¡¡what¡¡

yer¡¡vally¡¡yer¡¡time¡¡at£»¡¡I¡¡reckon¡¡I¡¡could¡¡stand¡¡that¡£¡¡What¡¡I'd¡¡be¡¡askin'¡¡is¡¡this¡£¡¡

Would¡¡¡¡¡¡ye¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡¡¡¡¡¡takin'¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡letter¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Rosey£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡bringin'¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡

answer£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Renshaw¡¡stared¡¡speechlessly¡¡at¡¡this¡¡absurd¡¡realization¡¡of¡¡his¡¡wish¡¡of¡¡a¡¡

moment¡¡before¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡think¡¡I¡¡understand¡¡you£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡stammered¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨P'r'aps¡¡not£»¡¨¡¡returned¡¡Nott£»¡¡with¡¡great¡¡gravity¡£¡¡¡¨But¡¡that's¡¡not¡¡so¡¡much¡¡

matter¡¡to¡¡you¡¡ez¡¡your¡¡time¡¡and¡¡expenses¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡meant¡¡I¡¡should¡¡be¡¡glad¡¡to¡¡go¡¡if¡¡I¡¡can¡¡be¡¡of¡¡any¡¡service¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡

Renshaw£»¡¡hastily¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡kin¡¡ketch¡¡the¡¡seven¡¡o'clock¡¡boat¡¡this¡¡morning£»¡¡and¡¡you'll¡¡reach¡¡

San¡¡Rafael¡¡at¡¡ten¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡Miss¡¡¡¡¡¡Rosey¡¡¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Petaluma£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡interrupted¡¡¡¡¡¡Renshaw¡¡

quickly¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡regarded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡expression¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡patronizing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡superiority¡£¡¡

¡¨That's¡¡what¡¡we¡¡ladled¡¡out¡¡to¡¡the¡¡public¡¡gin'rally£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡Ferrers¡¡and¡¡his¡¡

gang¡¡in¡¡partickler¡£¡¡We¡¡SAID¡¡Petalumey£»¡¡but¡¡if¡¡you¡¡go¡¡to¡¡Madrono¡¡Cottage£»¡¡

San¡¡Rafael£»¡¡you'll¡¡find¡¡Rosey¡¡thar¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Renshaw¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡required¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡anything¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡convince¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡

necessity¡¡of¡¡coming¡¡to¡¡some¡¡understanding¡¡with¡¡Rosey¡¡at¡¡once¡¡it¡¡would¡¡

have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡evidence¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡father's¡¡¡¡¡¡utterly¡¡¡¡¡¡dark¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡supremely¡¡

inscrutable¡¡designs¡£¡¡He¡¡assented¡¡quickly£»¡¡and¡¡Nott¡¡handed¡¡him¡¡a¡¡note¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ye'll¡¡be¡¡partickler¡¡¡¡to¡¡give¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡inter¡¡her¡¡¡¡own¡¡hands£»¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡wait¡¡for¡¡¡¡an¡¡

answer£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Nott¡¡gravely¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Resisting¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡proposition¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡enter¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡elaborate¡¡

calculation¡¡of¡¡the¡¡value¡¡of¡¡his¡¡time¡¡and¡¡the¡¡expenses¡¡of¡¡the¡¡trip£»¡¡Renshaw¡¡

found¡¡himself¡¡at¡¡seven¡¡o'clock¡¡on¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡San¡¡Rafael¡¡boat¡£¡¡¡¡Brief¡¡as¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

journey¡¡it¡¡gave¡¡him¡¡time¡¡to¡¡reflect¡¡upon¡¡his¡¡coming¡¡interview¡¡with¡¡Rosey¡£¡¡

He¡¡had¡¡resolved¡¡to¡¡begin¡¡by¡¡confessing¡¡all£»¡¡the¡¡attempt¡¡of¡¡last¡¡night¡¡had¡¡

released¡¡him¡¡from¡¡any¡¡sense¡¡of¡¡duty¡¡to¡¡Sleight¡£¡¡Besides£»¡¡he¡¡did¡¡not¡¡doubt¡¡

that¡¡¡¡¡¡Nott's¡¡¡¡¡¡letter¡¡¡¡¡¡contained¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡reference¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡affair¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡known¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡96¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡97¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡BY¡¡SHORE¡¡AND¡¡SEDGE¡¡



Nott's¡¡dark¡¡and¡¡tortuous¡¡intelligence¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡VIII¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Madrono¡¡Cottage¡¡lay¡¡at¡¡the¡¡entrance¡¡of¡¡a¡¡little¡¡canada¡¡already¡¡green¡¡

with¡¡the¡¡early¡¡winter¡¡rains£»¡¡and¡¡nestled¡¡in¡¡a¡¡thicket¡¡of¡¡the¡¡harlequin¡¡painted¡¡

trees¡¡that¡¡gave¡¡it¡¡a¡¡name¡£¡¡The¡¡young¡¡man¡¡was¡¡a¡¡little¡¡relieved¡¡to¡¡find¡¡that¡¡

Rosey¡¡had¡¡gone¡¡to¡¡the¡¡post¡­office¡¡a¡¡mile¡¡away£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡he¡¡would¡¡probably¡¡

overtake¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡meet¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡returningalone¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡roadlittle¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

trailwound¡¡¡¡¡¡along¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡crest¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hill¡¡¡¡¡¡looking¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡canada¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

long£»¡¡dark£»¡¡heavily¡­wooded¡¡flank¡¡of¡¡Mount¡¡Tamalpais¡¡tha
·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©
δÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԭ´´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾­Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡