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儿童英语读物 The Mystery of the Lake Monster CHAPTER 8 Suspects and Clues

时间:2017-09-06 06:48:16

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(单词翻译)

“There is no monster!” Nora practically shouted.

“That does it,” the man said. “We’re checking out of here. We don’t need to stay in a place where people think they have seen monsters.”

“But — ” Nora began.

“And we’ll want a full refund,” the man went on.

Nora’s lips tightened1. “Fine. I’ll give it to you right now. Come on.” Her chin held high, she led the couple back into the lodge2.

“We have a paddle, too. Lucy bit it,” said Benny.

Dr. Lin looked down at the paddle and raised her eyebrows3. “It certainly looks as if something might have bitten it,” she said. “Now why don’t you show me these footprints you were talking about. The originals first, and then the cast.”

Quickly they led the way back to the beach. “Right here,” said Benny proudly. He pulled back the protective covering of branches that they had left over the footprints early that morning and pointed4.

“Where?” asked Dr. Lin, squatting5 down.

Benny looked down. His eyes got big. His mouth turned down in disappointment.

The footprints were gone!

“They were here this morning!” Jessie cried. “We all saw them.”

Dr. Lin stood up. “Well, whatever you saw, they’re not here now.”

“We still have the wax cast,” said Violet.

“Yes. We can show you that. And we took photographs and measured it, too,” said Henry.

But when Jessie took the wax cast of the giant foot out of her drawer and brought it into the main room of the cabin to show Dr. Lin, the scientist didn’t look surprised or impressed at all.

She studied it thoughtfully. After a long moment she said, “It is very big and you did a nice job of making a cast of whatever this is.”

“It’s Lucy’s footprint,” said Benny.

“If it is, it is certainly a most unusual footprint,” said Dr. Lin. “In all my studies, I have never come across any animal that had both the webbed feet of a duck and the enormous claws of a tiger. This footprint looks as if it were made by two entirely6 different species . . . or one. My guess is that it is only one species of animal.”

“Which one?” asked Henry.

Dr. Lin looked up to meet his gaze. “Human,” she said simply. “I’m sorry. I’ve said all along that the existence of a lake monster was not possible. This only proves me right.”

With that, Dr. Lin turned and left the cabin.

“She’s wrong,” Benny burst out. “Lucy is real. I know she is.”

“I don’t know what to believe anymore, Benny,” said Jessie. “We need some more information. We need to do some more research on Nessie and Champ and on the kinds of animals scientists think they might be.”

“But how?” asked Violet.

“We’re going to take a trip to town,” said Jessie.

“To the library,” guessed Henry.

“But how?” asked Violet.

“We’ll get Nora or Drew to take us,” said Jessie. “Remember what Nora told us? They go to town every Thursday. And tomorrow is Thursday.”

That night at dinner, the Aldens asked Nora if they could get a ride to town the next day.

“To Saranac Lake?” asked Nora. “Sure. What for?”

“We want to go to the library,” said Jessie.

To their relief, Nora didn’t ask them why. She said, “I rely on library books to get me through the winters. Saranac Lake has a nice library.”

After saying good-bye to Watch and Grandfather the next morning, the Aldens found themselves in the big old pickup7 truck with Drew. He didn’t talk much as he drove. Instead he leaned forward, clenching8 the wheel tightly and staring at the road. Not until they had reached the outskirts9 of Saranac Lake did he relax.

“There’s the post office,” he said as he drove down the street. “And the hardware store. And over there is a bookstore. We’ve even got a health food store.”

Drew sounded proud of the town — as if he lived there. “This town has a rich and interesting history,” he went on. “A long time ago, people who were sick with a disease called tuberculosis10 used to come here to try to get well. Saranac Lake was famous for that. It was called ‘taking the cure.’ Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote Treasure Island, stayed here for a time.”

The Aldens were surprised. “I thought you didn’t like it here,” said Benny. “But you sound like you do.”

Drew looked surprised and then a little embarrassed. “It grows on you,” he said, almost as gruffly as Carl. “Here’s the library. I’ll meet you at the health food store in an hour.”

The Aldens liked the library at Saranac Lake. They quickly found a book with more information about the Loch Ness Monster.

“Look. It says loch is the word they use in Scotland for ‘lake,’ ” said Violet. “The two words do sort of sound the same.”

Henry picked up another book. “And look at this,” he said, keeping his voice low because they were in a library. “Here’s a drawing of what the Loch Ness Monster is supposed to look like. Some people say she is related to a certain kind of dinosaur11.”

“Dinosaurs are extinct. Aren’t they?” asked Benny.

“Yes,” said Jessie.

Violet whispered, “Dr. Lin.”

Her brothers and sister looked up.

“What?” asked Henry.

Holding up a piece of paper, Violet repeated, “Dr. Lin. Here’s a piece of paper with her name at the top. See? It says, ‘From the desk of Dr. Kisha Lin.’ ”

“Where did you get that, Violet?” asked Jessie.

“Out of this book. It was marking the place where I was reading about the Loch Ness Monster,” said Violet.

The Aldens studied the piece of paper. “Look. It’s a list of all the books that have information about Nessie and Champ,” said Henry. “It looks as if Dr. Lin has been doing research on them, too.”

As she peered at the paper, Violet said, “But look at the date on the piece of paper. If she was doing research on Nessie or Champ because of Lucy, it was weeks before we got here, at the very beginning of the summer.”

“Why is Dr. Lin researching lake monsters,” asked Jessie, “if she doesn’t believe Lucy is real?”

As they walked back toward the health food store, the Aldens discussed what they had learned.

“If Lucy is real,” said Violet, “why didn’t Nora know anything about her? If she is a relative of a dinosaur, like some of the books thought Nessie might be, she would have had to be in Lake Lucille a very long time.”

“True,” Henry said.

“Maybe Nora did know about Lucy,” said Violet. “Maybe she didn’t want other people to know because she was afraid of driving away business.”

Jessie shook her head. She said, “I hate to say this, but if Lucy had been around for very long, other people would know about her. There would be stories and legends, just like there are about Nessie and Champ.”

“If Lucy’s not real, who is making her real?” asked Benny.

“That’s a good question, Benny,” Henry said. “Who wants us to believe that Lucy is real, and why?”

“Drew,” said Violet. “He wants to sell Lucille Lodge and leave. Maybe he’s trying to scare Nora into agreeing. Or scare off so many people that they go out of business and have to sell the lodge.”

“Maybe. I’m not so sure about that,” said Henry. “But you are right. We have to count Drew as a suspect.”

“And Geena Bush,” said Violet. “She wants to buy Lucille Lodge.”

“Of course she’s a suspect. And of course she and Drew might be working together,” Jessie said.

“Don’t forget Carl,” said Henry. “Remember what Nora said when we first told her about the monster. ‘I don’t understand why Carl picked this summer to make up all these crazy stories about a monster in the lake?’ ”

“But why would Carl want to scare people away?” asked Violet.

“Carl doesn’t like many people, I think,” said Benny. “Maybe that’s why.”

“Yes,” agreed Jessie. “And Carl knows the mountains better than anybody. It would be easy for him to sneak12 up on shore in the night and leave a fake footprint.”

“And make fake monster calls in the night,” said Benny.

“And he was right there when the canoe turned over. Maybe he did it,” said Henry. “Maybe that’s how he got wet — turning over the canoe, not trying to save Jason.”

“But don’t forget, he was shocked when he saw the bite in the paddle,” Jessie said.

“He was,” Violet agreed. “I don’t think he was just pretending.”

“What about Dr. Lin?” asked Henry.

“But she’s never believed Lucy is real,” said Violet.

“She could be saying that to keep from seeming suspicious. She could be trying to make everyone think there is a monster, because then she could write a paper on it. It would make her famous,” said Jessie.

“She’s pretty familiar with the woods around here from her research,” said Violet. “She could have done all those things herself.”

“But where was she when the canoe turned over?” asked Benny. “We didn’t see her anywhere.”

“She could have swum away while everybody was looking at Jason,” suggested Henry.

Jessie looked doubtful. “Maybe,” she said.

They walked into the health food store and stopped in surprise. Drew and Geena Bush were sitting at a table by the window drinking tea. As the Aldens walked toward the table, Drew got up. “Come up to the lodge for dinner sometime,” he said. “When you find out what a great cook I am, you can tell all your clients and then they’ll come to the lodge, too.”

“I just wish I could convince you to sell it,” said Geena. “But you’re right. It’s beautiful just the way it is.”

Drew smiled slightly. “I have to admit, I don’t always like it. It isn’t the place I imagined ending up as a chef. But I’m beginning to like it.”

They shook hands and the Aldens exchanged glances. Each knew what the other was thinking. Two suspects had just been eliminated from their list.

“Did you find any new clues?” Grandfather Alden asked them when they returned.

“Yes,” said Henry. He, Benny, Violet, and Jessie filled their grandfather in on what had happened during their visit to Saranac Lake.

“Sounds like you are down to two suspects,” said Grandfather Alden. “That’s progress.”

Henry nodded. But he was worried. How were they going to prove that Dr. Lin or Carl was behind the mystery of the lake monster?

The Aldens had just finished dinner and were about to start on dessert when Dr. Lin walked up to their table.

“How is the monster hunt going?” she asked.

“Ah, fine,” said Jessie.

Dr. Lin smiled. “I hear you went into Saranac Lake to the library. It’s a nice library. I did a little research on the possibility of a monster when I first arrived at Lake Lucille. But I reached the conclusion that Carl’s stories were just that — stories.”

Jessie was so surprised, she didn’t know what to say. Without realizing it, Dr. Lin was eliminating herself as a suspect in the lake monster mystery.

“I wish there had been a monster,” Dr. Lin went on. She shook her head regretfully. “Think of what a great discovery that would be!”

“Yes,” agreed Henry, managing to speak at last. “You’d be famous.”

Violet spoke13 up boldly. “Dr. Lin, where were you the night before last? When you said you were out camping and doing research?”

Without hesitation14, Dr. Lin answered, “Near a place called Frozen Gap. I’m not exactly sure how to get there, but Carl could tell you. He’s my guide on my overnight expeditions. I almost never go alone.”

Once again the Aldens were struck speechless. They barely managed to say good-bye when Dr. Lin walked away.

“What’s the matter?” Grandfather Alden asked, looking around at their unhappy faces.

“Oh, Grandfather,” cried Jessie. “If Dr. Lin and Carl were out camping the night the monster footprints were made, then we don’t have any suspects at all!”

“Is something wrong?” asked Nora just then, coming up to their table to refill their water glasses. “You’ve barely touched your desserts.”

“Oh, no,” said Violet quickly. She didn’t want to hurt Nora’s feelings — or Drew’s. “It’s delicious.” She picked up her fork and took a bite of chocolate cake. She smiled. It really was good.

“I’m glad you like it,” said Nora. She glanced across the room toward the table where the Duboises were sitting. “Someone was complaining tonight that we only had chocolate cake for dessert. But when I offered him ice cream, he said he didn’t want that, either. I guess that shouldn’t surprise me. He’s been complaining ever since he got here.” She shook her head. “Poor kid. He’s as bad as Drew was when he first got here. He just wants to go back home.”

Nora walked away.

Jessie said in a low, excited voice, “That’s it!”

“What?” asked Benny.

“I think I know who’s been making a monster appear at Lake Lucille. And I think I have an idea of how to catch the culprit!”


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 tightened bd3d8363419d9ff838bae0ba51722ee9     
收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 ); (使)变紧; (使)绷紧; 加紧
参考例句:
  • The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
  • His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机,然后又松开了。
2 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。
3 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
4 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。
5 squatting 3b8211561352d6f8fafb6c7eeabd0288     
v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 );非法擅自占用(土地或房屋);为获得其所有权;而占用某片公共用地。
参考例句:
  • They ended up squatting in the empty houses on Oxford Road. 他们落得在牛津路偷住空房的境地。
  • They've been squatting in an apartment for the past two years. 他们过去两年来一直擅自占用一套公寓。 来自《简明英汉词典》
6 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
7 pickup ANkxA     
n.拾起,获得
参考例句:
  • I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。
8 clenching 1c3528c558c94eba89a6c21e9ee245e6     
v.紧握,抓紧,咬紧( clench的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • I'll never get used to them, she thought, clenching her fists. 我永远也看不惯这些家伙,她握紧双拳,心里想。 来自飘(部分)
  • Clenching her lips, she nodded. 她紧闭着嘴唇,点点头。 来自辞典例句
9 outskirts gmDz7W     
n.郊外,郊区
参考例句:
  • Our car broke down on the outskirts of the city.我们的汽车在市郊出了故障。
  • They mostly live on the outskirts of a town.他们大多住在近郊。
10 tuberculosis bprym     
n.结核病,肺结核
参考例句:
  • People used to go to special health spring to recover from tuberculosis.人们常去温泉疗养胜地治疗肺结核。
  • Tuberculosis is a curable disease.肺结核是一种可治愈的病。
11 dinosaur xuSxp     
n.恐龙
参考例句:
  • Are you trying to tell me that David was attacked by a dinosaur?你是想要告诉我大卫被一支恐龙所攻击?
  • He stared at the faithful miniature of the dinosaur.他凝视著精确的恐龙缩小模型。
12 sneak vr2yk     
vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝);偷偷摸摸做;n.潜行;adj.暗中进行
参考例句:
  • He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
  • I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。
13 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。
14 hesitation tdsz5     
n.犹豫,踌躇
参考例句:
  • After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天,他终于直说了。
  • There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。

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