round the red lamp(红灯四周)-第42节
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it's nearly five o'clock； I must ask you to excuse me。〃
He bade the young student adieu in a few curt words； and made his
way homeward through the sweet spring evening feeling half…ruffled； half…
amused； as any other strong； unimaginative man might who has been
menaced by a vague and shadowy danger。
There was one little indulgence which Abercrombie Smith always
allowed himself； however closely his work might press upon him。 Twice
a week； on the Tuesday and the Friday； it was his invariable custom to
walk over to Farlingford； the residence of Dr。 Plumptree Peterson； situated
about a mile and a half out of Oxford。 Peterson had been a close friend
of Smith's elder brother Francis； and as he was a bachelor； fairly well…to…
do； with a good cellar and a better library； his house was a pleasant goal
for a man who was in need of a brisk walk。 Twice a week； then； the
medical student would swing out there along the dark country roads； and
spend a pleasant hour in Peterson's comfortable study； discussing； over a
glass of old port； the gossip of the 'varsity or the latest developments of
medicine or of surgery。
On the day which followed his interview with Monkhouse Lee； Smith
shut up his books at a quarter past eight； the hour when he usually started
for his friend's house。 As he was leaving his room； however； his eyes
chanced to fall upon one of the books which Bellingham had lent him； and
his conscience pricked him for not having returned it。 However repellent
the man might be； he should not be treated with discourtesy。 Taking the
book； he walked downstairs and knocked at his neighbour's door。 There
was no answer； but on turning the handle he found that it was unlocked。
Pleased at the thought of avoiding an interview； he stepped inside； and
placed the book with his card upon the table。
The lamp was turned half down； but Smith could see the details of the
room plainly enough。 It was all much as he had seen it beforethe frieze；
the animal…headed gods； the banging crocodile； and the table littered over
with papers and dried leaves。 The mummy case stood upright against the
wall； but the mummy itself was missing。 There was no sign of any
second occupant of the room； and he felt as he withdrew that he had
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probably done Bellingham an injustice。 Had he a guilty secret to
preserve； he would hardly leave his door open so that all the world might
enter。
The spiral stair was as black as pitch； and Smith was slowly making
his way down its irregular steps； when he was suddenly conscious that
something had passed him in the darkness。 There was a faint sound； a
whiff of air； a light brushing past his elbow； but so slight that he could
scarcely be certain of it。 He stopped and listened； but the wind was
rustling among the ivy outside； and he could hear nothing else。
〃Is that you； Styles？〃 he shouted。
There was no answer； and all was still behind him。 It must have been
a sudden gust of air； for there were crannies and cracks in the old turret。
And yet he could almost have sworn that be heard a footfall by his very
side。 He had emerged into the quadrangle； still turning the matter over in
his head； when a man came running swiftly across the smooth…cropped
lawn。
〃Is that you； Smith？〃
〃Hullo； Hastie！〃
〃For God's sake come at once！ Young Lee is drowned！ Here's
Harrington of King's with the news。 The doctor is out。 You'll do； but
come along at once。 There may be life in him。〃
〃Have you brandy？〃
〃No。 〃
〃I'll bring some。 There's a flask on my table。〃
Smith bounded up the stairs； taking three at a time； seized the flask；
and was rushing down with it； when； as he passed Bellingham's room； his
eyes fell upon something which left him gasping and staring upon the
landing。
The door； which he had closed behind him； was now open； and right in
front of him； with the lamp…light shining upon it； was the mummy case。
Three minutes ago it had been empty。 He could swear to that。 Now it
framed the lank body of its horrible occupant； who stood； grim and stark；
with his black shrivelled face towards the door。 The form was lifeless
and inert； but it seemed to Smith as he gazed that there still lingered a lurid
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spark of vitality； some faint sign of consciousness in the little eyes which
lurked in the depths of the hollow sockets。 So astounded and shaken was
he that he had forgotten his errand； and was still staring at the lean； sunken
figure when the voice of his friend below recalled him to himself。
〃Come on； Smith！〃 he shouted。 〃It's life and death； you know。
Hurry up！ Now； then；〃 he added； as the medical student reappeared； 〃let
us do a sprint。 It is well under a mile； and we should do it in five minutes。
A human life is better worth running for than a pot。〃
Neck and neck they dashed through the darkness； and did not pull up
until； panting and spent； they had reached the little cottage by the river。
Young Lee； limp and dripping like a broken water… plant； was stretched
upon the sofa； the green scum of the river upon his black hair； and a fringe
of white foam upon his leaden…hued lips。 Beside him knelt his fellow…
student Harrington； endeavouring to chafe some warmth back into his
rigid limbs。
〃I think there's life in him；〃 said Smith； with his hand to the lad's side。
〃Put your watch glass to his lips。 Yes； there's dimming on it。 You take
one arm； Hastie。 Now work it as I do； and we'll soon pull him round。〃
For ten minutes they worked in silence； inflating and depressing the
chest of the unconscious man。 At the end of that time a shiver ran
through his body； his lips trembled； and he opened his eyes。 The three
students burst out into an irrepressible cheer。
〃Wake up； old chap。 You've frightened us quite enough。〃
〃Have some brandy。 Take a sip from the flask。〃
〃He's all right now；〃 said his companion Harrington。 〃Heavens； what
a fright I got！ I was reading here； and he had gone for a stroll as far as
the river； when I heard a scream and a splash。 Out I ran； and by the time
that I could find him and fish him out； all life seemed to have gone。 Then
Simpson couldn't get a doctor； for he has a game…leg； and I had to run； and
I don't know what I'd have done without you fellows。 That's right； old
chap。 Sit up。〃
Monkhouse Lee had raised himself on his hands； and looked wildly
about him。
〃What's up？〃 he asked。 〃I've been in the water。 Ah； yes； I
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remember。〃
A look of fear came into his eyes； and he sank his face into his hands。
〃How did you fall in？〃
〃I didn't fall in。〃
〃How； then？〃
〃I was thrown in。 I was standing by the bank； and something from
behind picked me up like a feather and hurled me in。 I heard nothing；
and I saw nothing。 But I know what it was； for all that。〃
〃And so do I； 〃 whispered Smith。
Lee looked up with a quick glance of surprise。 〃You've learned；
then！〃 he said。 〃You remember the advice I gave you？〃
〃Yes； and I begin to think that I shall take it。〃
〃I don't know what the deuce you fellows are talking about；〃 said
Hastie； 〃but I think； if I were you； Harrington； I should get Lee to bed at
once。 It will be time enough to discuss the why and the wherefore when
he is a little stronger。 I think； Smith； you and I can leave him alone now。
I am walking back to college； if you are coming in that direction； we can
have a chat。〃
