One night, late in October, he returned from the Boulevard de Clichy just after midnight. Madame Dutruelle, having been told that her husband was working on a case, and perhaps believing it, was already asleep. Had she been awake she would surely have been surprised to see him throw his jacket over a chair, for Inspector Dutruelle had always been meticulous with his clothes, the sort of man who irons his shoelaces. But the jacket missed and dropped to the floor. Muttering to himself, the Inspector bent and picked it up, and as he did so something fell from the top pocket. He gazed at it blankly for a moment. Then he realised it was the card he had been given at the metro station, a little the worse for having been once or twice to the cleaners, but still legible. He picked it up and slowly started to read:

Inspector Dutruelle stood in his socks and braces reading the card over and over again. "All problems resolved . . ." It was preposterous. And yet, it was tempting. What harm could there be in a little hocus pocus when everything else had failed? After all, everyone knew that even the police used clairvoyants when they were really up against it.

Rue Beldamme was a backstreet of tenement buildings in Paris's eighteenth arrondissement, an area popular with immigrants from francophone Africa. It lay close to the busy crossroads straddled by Metro Barbes Rochechouart. Inspector Dutruelle parked in the next street and walked the rest of the way, cursing because he had not brought his umbrella. The door to number 13b was swinging in the wind, its dark paint peeling badly. He stepped through into a narrow courtyard and found his way to the sixth-floor door on which a brass plaque read: "Professor Dhiakobli Spécialiste des travaux occultesPlease ring". He stood there, breathing heavily from the stairs, and before he could press the bell the door opened and a man appeared.

"Please enter, my dear sir," said the man with an elegant wave of the hand and exaggerated courtesy. "I am Dhiakobli. And I have the honour to meet . . . ?"

As Inspector Dutruelle had imagined, Professor Dhiakobli was black. He had a short yet commanding figure, and was dressed in a well-tailored grey suit. A large, silk handkerchief fell from his top pocket.

"For the moment," said Inspector Dutruelle, "my name is hardly important. I've only come in response to your advertisement."

"Monsieur has perhaps some small problem with which I can help? A minor indiscretion? Please be seated, sir, and let us talk about the matter."

Inspector Dutruelle handed his coat and gloves to the Professor and sat in the large, well upholstered chair to which he had been directed. Professor Dhiakobli himself settled behind a large mahogany desk, on top of which a chihuahua hardly bigger than a mouse was lounging, its wide, moist eyes gazing disdainfully at the newcomer.

"Ah, I see that Zeus approves of you," said the Professor, stroking the tiny dog with the tips of his manicured fingers, his own unblinking eyes also fixed on Inspector Dutruelle. "Poor Zeus, mon petit papillon, he is devoted to me, but he must remain here whenever I leave France. And you are fortunate, monsieur. It is only now that I return from Côte d'Ivoire. It is my country you know, I return there for a few months each summer. Paris in summer is so disagreeable, don't you agree?"

Professor Dhiakobli glittered with success. The frames of his glasses, the heavy bracelet on his right wrist and the watch on his left, the gem-studded rings on his fingers - all were of gold. From his manner and cultured French accent it was evident that he was an educated man. Around him the large room was like a shrine. Heavy curtains excluded the daylight (the only illumination was a small brass desklamp) and the dark, red walls were festooned with spears, costumes, photographs and other African memorabilia. There was a sweet smell in the air, and in one corner of the room the feathers of a ceremonial African headgear lay draped inappropriately over an enormous American refrigerator. You could not help being struck by the incongruity of this bizarre scene in the roughest quarter of Paris.

"As I say," began Inspector Dutruelle, ignoring the Professor's question, "I saw your card and I wondered just how you work."

"And may one enquire as to monsieur's little difficulty?"

Inspector Dutruelle cleared his throat and tried to adopt as nonchalant an air as he could.

"Well," - he coughed again - "first of all, I wondered what sort of things you can help people with."

The Professor's eyebrows rose.

"Anything," he said slowly, his smile revealing a set of large white teeth that shone brilliantly in the dimness against his black skin. "My dear sir, anything at all."

"And then, I wondered, how do you operate? That's to say, what exactly do you do . . . and how do you charge?"

"Ah monsieur, let us not talk of money. First I must learn just how I can help you. And for that a consultation is in order."

Inspector Dutruelle shifted in his seat.

"And what would a consultation involve? What does it . . . cost?"

Professor Dhiakobli wrung his hands and shrugged amicably.

"Mon cher monsieur, I do understand how distasteful it is to you to discuss so vulgar a matter as money. I too recoil at the mere thought of it. It has been my mission in life to help those who have suffered misfortune. And if some donate a small token of their gratitude, who am I to refuse their offering? They pay according to their means, to assist those who have little to offer. But for a preliminary consultation, monsieur, a nominal sum, as a mark of good faith, is usually in order. For a gentleman of your obvious standing, a trifle, a mere two hundred francs. And let me assure you, monsieur, of my absolute discretion. Nothing you may choose to tell me will go beyond these walls." He paused. Then he threw out his hands and added with a grin: "They have the sanctity of the confessional."

"I'm glad to hear it," said the Inspector.

"But monsieur still has the advantage of me . . ." continued Professor Dhiakobli.

Inspector Dutruelle decided that he had nothing to lose by talking. He adopted the name of Monsieur Mazodier, a Parisien wine merchant, and began to tell the Professor of the dilemma that was tearing at his soul. He told him of the young Malagasy girl he had met while entertaining clients; of their instant and passionate love for one another; of her sudden irrational refusal any longer to give herself to him; and of the wife he now knew he should never have married but whom he had not the heart to leave. Monsieur Mazodier was at his wits' end and now even his business was suffering. He feared that if he did not find a resolution to his problem he might do something that he or others would regret. The Professor listened intently, asking appropriate questions at appropriate moments. Finally Inspector Dutruelle said: "Well, Professor Dhiakobli, I think that's all I can tell you. I don't think I can tell you any more. From what I have told you, do you believe you can help me?"

For a long time there was silence. The Professor appeared to be in another world. He stared at Inspector Dutruelle, but seemed to be looking through him.

"My dear Monsieur Mazodier," he said at last, very slowly, almost mechanically, "the story you have told me is most poignant. Each of us has a hidden corner in his life, a jardin secret. Yet it is rare indeed for men to come to me with problems such as yours. Perhaps it is natural that most of my lovelorn clients should be women. At the mercy of their complexphysical structure, is it any wonder that women are such emotional creatures? I help them find their lost ones, their partners of many years, to recreate again the rapport of their youth. You will understand that it is not easy. But this is my work. My domain."

"So you can't help me?" said Inspector Dutruelle, adding despondently: "Perhaps what I really need is a headshrink."

The Professor gave a start. Again, for a long time he did not answer. Then his teeth flashed in the dimness.

"Écoutez monsieur, this is my work, my domain," he repeated. "Certainly I can help you. But you must understand that it will not be easy. It calls for a special ceremony. In the first place, you are married, and I shall be required to work my influence on not one but two women. In the second, we are both men of the world, monsieur, and you will not be offended if I remark upon the extreme disparity in your ages. And finally, it is clear to me that this young girl has chained your heart with her magic. You know, the magic of Madagascar is very strong. No, monsieur, it will not be easy. Enduring love cannot be bought with money alone. Sometimes . . ." He hesitated and looked Inspector Dutruelle straight in the eye, his own eyes suddenly cold and vacant. "Sometimes," he said, "we must make sacrifices."

"What sort of sacrifices?" asked Inspector Dutruelle dully.

"Oh, my dear sir, you must leave that to me. But one cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs." His cold eyes remained fixed on the Inspector and he spoke in a monotone without pausing for breath. "You must not concern yourself with technicalities, monsieur. Your mind must be fixed on the future, on the life you have dreamed of. You must envisage your wife - happy in the arms of another. You must picture the fragile young child you so yearn for . . . secure in your arms . . . sharing your life . . . your days . . . your nights. The perfect solution to all your problems. Is it not worth a considerable sum?"

"It certainly would be worth a lot . . ." Inspector Dutruelle muttered as the Professor's words came to life in his mind.

midnight [´midnait]   n.午夜；漆黑   (初中英语单词)

working [´wə:kiŋ]   a.工人的；劳动的   (初中英语单词)

jacket [´dʒækit]   n.茄克衫；外套   (初中英语单词)

partner [´pɑ:tnə]   n.伙伴 v.同….合作   (初中英语单词)

desperate [´despərit]   a.拼死的；绝望的   (初中英语单词)

payment [´peimənt]   n.支付；报酬；报偿   (初中英语单词)

reading [´ri:diŋ]   n.(阅)读；朗读；读物   (初中英语单词)

everyone [´evriwʌn]   pron.=everybody 每人   (初中英语单词)

handkerchief [´hæŋkətʃif]   n.手帕，手绢   (初中英语单词)

whenever [wen´evə]   conj.&ad.无论何时   (初中英语单词)

fortunate [´fɔ:tʃənət]   a.幸运的，侥幸的   (初中英语单词)

monsieur [mə´sjə:]   n.先生   (初中英语单词)

accent [´æksənt, æk´sent]   n.重音；口音 vt.重读   (初中英语单词)

evident [´evidənt]   a.明显的，明白的   (初中英语单词)

daylight [´deilait]   n.日光；黎明   (初中英语单词)

enormous [i´nɔ:məs]   a.巨大地，很，极   (初中英语单词)

throat [θrəut]   n.咽喉；嗓子；出入口   (初中英语单词)

operate [´ɔpəreit]   v.(使)运转；操作；经营   (初中英语单词)

involve [in´vɔlv]   vt.卷缠；包括；使专注   (初中英语单词)

mission [´miʃən]   n.代表团；使馆vt.派遣   (初中英语单词)

gratitude [´grætitju:d]   n.感激，感谢   (初中英语单词)

assist [ə´sist]   v.协助；援助；搀扶   (初中英语单词)

obvious [´ɔbviəs]   a.明显的；显而易见的   (初中英语单词)

standing [´stændiŋ]   n.持续 a.直立的   (初中英语单词)

trifle [´traifəl]   n.琐事，小事；少量   (初中英语单词)

absolute [´æbsəlu:t]   a.绝对的 n.绝对   (初中英语单词)

advantage [əd´vɑ:ntidʒ]   n.优势；利益   (初中英语单词)

instant [´instənt]   a.立即的 n.紧迫；瞬间   (初中英语单词)

suffering [´sʌfəriŋ]   n.痛苦；灾害   (初中英语单词)

resolution [,rezə´lu:ʃən]   n.决心；坚决；果断   (初中英语单词)

hidden [´hid(ə)n]   hide 的过去分词   (初中英语单词)

complex [´kɔmpleks]   a.复杂的 n.综合企业   (初中英语单词)

physical [´fizikəl]   a.物质的；有形的   (初中英语单词)

structure [´strʌktʃə]   n.结构，构造；组织   (初中英语单词)

emotional [i´məuʃənəl]   a.易动感情的；情感的   (初中英语单词)

ceremony [´seriməni]   n.典礼；礼仪；客气   (初中英语单词)

extreme [ik´stri:m]   a.尽头的 n.极端   (初中英语单词)

vacant [´veikənt]   a.空虚的，无表情的   (初中英语单词)

breath [breθ]   n.呼吸；气息   (初中英语单词)

solution [sə´lu:ʃən]   n.解答；解决；溶解   (初中英语单词)

considerable [kən´sidərəbəl]   a.重要的；值得重视   (初中英语单词)

inspector [in´spektə]   n.检查员；监察员   (高中英语单词)

attraction [ə´trækʃən]   n.吸引(力)；引力   (高中英语单词)

umbrella [ʌm´brelə]   n.伞   (高中英语单词)

courtyard [´kɔ:tjɑ:d]   n.院子，庭院   (高中英语单词)

elegant [´eligənt]   a.文雅的；优美的   (高中英语单词)

courtesy [´kə:tisi]   n.礼貌；殷勤；好意   (高中英语单词)

response [ri´spɔns]   n.回答；响应   (高中英语单词)

disagreeable [,disə´gri:əbl]   a.令人不悦的   (高中英语单词)

bracelet [´breislit]   n.手镯   (高中英语单词)

shrine [ʃrain]   n.神龛；神殿；圣地   (高中英语单词)

refrigerator [ri´fridʒəreitə]   n.(电气)冰箱   (高中英语单词)

misfortune [mis´fɔ:tʃən]   n.不幸；灾祸   (高中英语单词)

donate [dəu´neit]   vt.捐赠   (高中英语单词)

offering [´ɔfəriŋ]   n.提供；礼物；捐献   (高中英语单词)

preliminary [pri´liminəri]   a.初步的 n.预赛   (高中英语单词)

decided [di´saidid]   a.明显的；决定的   (高中英语单词)

passionate [´pæʃənit]   a.易动情的；易怒的   (高中英语单词)

refusal [ri´fju:zəl]   n.拒绝；优先取舍权   (高中英语单词)

appropriate [ə´prəupri-it, ə´prəuprieit]   a.适宜的 vt.私占；拨给   (高中英语单词)

repeated [ri´pi:tid]   a.反复的；重复的   (高中英语单词)

domain [də´mein,dəu-]   n.领土；版图；范围   (英语四级单词)

resolved [ri´zɔlvd]   a.决心的；坚定的   (英语四级单词)

tempting [´temptiŋ]   a.引诱人的，吸引人的   (英语四级单词)

tenement [´tenimənt]   n.公寓   (英语四级单词)

mahogany [mə´hɔgəni]   n.红木；桃花心木   (英语四级单词)

devoted [di´vəutid]   a.献身…的，忠实的   (英语四级单词)

consultation [,kɔnsəl´teiʃən]   n.商量；会诊；查阅   (英语四级单词)

vulgar [´vʌlgə]   a.粗俗的；大众的   (英语四级单词)

discretion [di´skreʃən]   n.谨慎；判断(力)   (英语四级单词)

intently [in´tentli]   ad.专心地   (英语四级单词)

fragile [´frædʒail]   a.易碎的；虚弱的   (英语四级单词)

boulevard [´bu:ləvɑ:d]   n.林荫大道   (英语六级单词)

sexual [´sekʃuəl]   a.性(欲)的   (英语六级单词)

preposterous [pri´pɔstərəs]   a.反常的；荒谬的   (英语六级单词)

illumination [i,lju:mi´neiʃən]   n.照明；阐明   (英语六级单词)

ceremonial [,seri´məuniəl]   a.礼仪的，仪式的   (英语六级单词)

brilliantly [´briljəntli]   ad.灿烂地；杰出地   (英语六级单词)

distasteful [dis´teistful]   a.讨厌的；乏味的   (英语六级单词)

recoil [ri´kɔil]   vi.&n.退缩；弹回   (英语六级单词)

sanctity [´sæŋktiti]   n.神圣；圣洁；尊严   (英语六级单词)

mechanically [mi´kænikəli]   ad.机械地；无意识地   (英语六级单词)

enduring [in´djuəriŋ]   a.持久的   (英语六级单词)