章节正文
which you will do well to follow. Leave this city for
a place where you are not known, or I may feel
disposed to shut you up on a charge of theft.''
``I shall not leave the city, Mr. Wade,'' returned
Frank, firmly. ``I shall stay here in spite of you,''
and without waiting for an answer, he walked on.
CHAPTER XVI
AN ACCOMPLICE FOUND
No sooner had John Wade parted from our hero
than he saw approaching him a dark, sinister-looking
man, whom he had known years before.
``Good-morning, Mr. Wade,'' said the newcomer.
``Good-morning, Mr. Graves. Are you busy just
now?''
``No, sir; I am out of employment. I have been
unfortunate.''
``Then I will give you a job. Do you see that
boy?'' said John Wade, rapidly.
``Yes, I see him.''
``I want you to follow him. Find out where he
lives, and let me know this evening. Do you understand?''
``I understand. You may rely upon me, sir,''
answered Nathan Graves; and quickening his pace, he
soon came within a hundred feet of our hero.
After fulfilling his errand, Frank walked downtown
again, but did not succeed in obtaining any
further employment. Wherever he went, he was
followed by Graves. Unconsciously, he exhausted
the patience of that gentleman, who got heartily tired
of his tramp about the streets. But the longest day
will come to an end, and at last he had the satisfaction
of tracking Frank to his humblelodging. Then,
and not till then, he felt justified in leaving him.
Nathan Graves sought the residence of John Wade.
He rang the bell as the clock struck eight.
``Well, what success?'' asked Wade, when they met.
``I have tracked the boy. What more can I do
for you?'' asked Graves.
``I want to get him away from the city. The fact
is--I may as well tell you--my uncle has taken a
great fancy to the boy, and might be induced to
adopt him, and cut me off from my rightful inheritance.
The boy is an artful young rascal, and has
been doing all he could to get into the good graces
of my uncle, who is old and weak-minded.''
It was nine o'clock when Nathan Graves left the
house, John Wade himself accompanying him to the
door.
``How soon do you think you can carry out my
instructions?'' asked Wade.
``To-morrow, if possible.''
``The sooner the better.''
``It is lucky I fell in with him,'' said Nathan
Graves to himself, with satisfaction, as he slowly
walked down Fifth Avenue. ``It's a queer business,
but that's none of my business. The main thing
for me to consider is that it brings money to my
purse, and of that I have need enough.''
Graves left the house richer by a hundred dollars
than he entered it.
It was eleven o'clock on the forenoon of the next
day when Frank walked up Canal Street toward
Broadway. He had been down to the wharves since
early in the morning, seeking for employment. He
had offered his services to many, but as yet had been
unable to secure a job.
As he was walking along a man addressed him:
``Will you be kind enough to direct me to Broadway?''
It was Nathan Graves, with whom Frank was destined
to have some unpleasant experiences.
``Straight ahead,'' answered Frank. ``I am going
there, and will show you, if you like.''
``Thank you, I wish you would. I live only fifteen
or twenty miles distant,'' said Graves, ``but I don't
often come to the city, and am not much acquainted.
I keep a dry-goods store, but my partner generally
comes here to buy goods. By the way, perhaps you
can help me about the errand that calls me here today.''
``I will, sir, if I can,'' said Frank, politely.
``My youngest clerk has just left me, and I want
to find a successor--a boy about your age, say. Do
you know any one who would like such a position?''
``I am out of employment myself just now. Do
you think I will suit?''
``I think you will,'' said Mr. Graves.
``You won't object to go into the country?''
``No, sir.''
``I will give you five dollars a week and your board
for the present. If you suit me, your pay will be
raised at the end of six months. Will that be
satisfactory?'' asked his companion.
``Quite so, sir. When do you wish me to come?''
``Can you go out with me this afternoon?''
``Yes, sir. I only want to go home and pack up
my trunk.''
``To save time, I will go with you, and we will
start as soon as possible.''
Nathan Graves accompanied Frank to his room,
where his scantywardrobe was soon packed. A
hack was called, and they were speedily on their
way to the Cortland Street ferry.
They crossed the ferry, and Mr. Graves purchased
two tickets to Elizabeth. He bought a paper, and
occupied himself in reading. Frank felt that
fortune had begun to shine upon him once more. By
and by, he could send for Grace, and get her boarded
near him. As soon as his wages were raised, he
determined to do this. While engaged in these pleasant
speculations, they reached the station.
``We get out here,'' said Mr. Graves.
``Is your store in this place?'' asked Frank.
``No; it is in the next town.''
Nathan Graves looked about him for a conveyance.
He finally drove a bargain with a man driving
a shabby-looking vehicle, and the two took their
seats.
They were driven about six miles through a flat,
unpicturesque country, when they reached a branch
road leading away from the main one.
It was a narrow road, and apparently not much
frequented. Frank could see no houses on either
side
``Is your store on this road?'' he asked.
``Oh, no; but I am not going to the store yet. We
will go to my house, and leave your trunk.''
At length the wagon stopped, by Graves' orders,
in front of a gate hangingloosely by one hinge.
``We'll get out here,'' said Graves.
Frank looked with some curiosity, and some
disappointment, at his future home. It was a square,
unpainted house, discolored by time, and looked far
from attractive. There were no outward signs of
occupation, and everything about it appeared to have
fallen into decay. Not far off was a barn, looking
even more dilapidated than the house.
At the front door, instead of knocking--there was
no bell--Graves drew a rusty key from his pocket
and inserted it in the lock. They found themselves
in a small entry, uncarpeted and dingy.
``We'll go upstairs,'' said Graves.
Arrived on the landing, he threw open a door,
and ushered in our hero.
``This will be your room,'' he said.
Frank looked around in dismay.
It was a large, square room, uncarpeted, and
containing only a bed, two chairs and a washstand, all
of the cheapest and rudest manufacture.
``I hope you will soon feel at home here,'' said
Graves. ``I'll go down and see if I can find something
to eat.''
He went out, locking the door behind him
``What does this mean?'' thought Frank, with a
strange sensation.
CHAPTER XVII
FRANK AND HIS JAILER
It was twenty minutes before Frank, waiting
impatiently, heard the steps of his late companion
ascending the stairs.
But the door was not unlocked. Instead, a slide
was revealed, about eight inches square, through
which his late traveling companion pushed a plate
of cold meat and bread.
``Here's something to eat,'' he said; ``take it.''
``Why do you lock me in?'' demanded our hero.
``You can get along without knowing, I suppose,''
said the other, with a sneer.
``I don't mean to,'' said Frank, firmly. ``I demand
an explanation. How long do you intend to keep
me here?''
``I am sorry I can't gratify your curiosity, but I
don't know myself.''
``Perhaps you think that I am rich, but I am not.
I have no money. You can't get anything out of
me,'' said Frank.
``That may be so, but I shall keep you.''
``I suppose that was all a lie about your keeping
store?''
``It was a pretty little story, told for your amusement,
my dear boy,'' said Graves. ``I was afraid
you wouldn't come without it.''
``You are a villain!'' said Frank.
``Look here, boy,'' said Graves, in a different tone,
his face darkening, ``you had better not talk in that
way. I advise you to eat your dinner and be quiet.
Some supper will be brought to you before night.''
So saying, he abruptly closed the slide, and
descended the stairs, leaving Frank to his reflections,
which it may be supposed, were not of the pleasantest
character.
Frank did not allow his unpleasant situation to
take away his appetite, and though he was fully
determined to make the earliest possible attempt to
escape, he was sensible enough first to eat the food
which his jailer had brought him.
His lunch dispatched, he began at once to revolve
plans of escape.
There were three windows in the room, two on
the front of the house, the other at the side.
He tried one after another, but the result was
the same. All were so fastened that it was quite
impossible to raise them.
a place where you are not known, or I may feel
disposed to shut you up on a charge of theft.''
``I shall not leave the city, Mr. Wade,'' returned
Frank, firmly. ``I shall stay here in spite of you,''
and without waiting for an answer, he walked on.
CHAPTER XVI
AN ACCOMPLICE FOUND
No sooner had John Wade parted from our hero
than he saw approaching him a dark, sinister-looking
man, whom he had known years before.
``Good-morning, Mr. Wade,'' said the newcomer.
``Good-morning, Mr. Graves. Are you busy just
now?''
``No, sir; I am out of employment. I have been
unfortunate.''
``Then I will give you a job. Do you see that
boy?'' said John Wade, rapidly.
``Yes, I see him.''
``I want you to follow him. Find out where he
lives, and let me know this evening. Do you understand?''
``I understand. You may rely upon me, sir,''
answered Nathan Graves; and quickening his pace, he
soon came within a hundred feet of our hero.
After fulfilling his errand, Frank walked downtown
again, but did not succeed in obtaining any
further employment. Wherever he went, he was
followed by Graves. Unconsciously, he exhausted
the patience of that gentleman, who got heartily tired
of his tramp about the streets. But the longest day
will come to an end, and at last he had the satisfaction
of tracking Frank to his humblelodging. Then,
and not till then, he felt justified in leaving him.
Nathan Graves sought the residence of John Wade.
He rang the bell as the clock struck eight.
``Well, what success?'' asked Wade, when they met.
``I have tracked the boy. What more can I do
for you?'' asked Graves.
``I want to get him away from the city. The fact
is--I may as well tell you--my uncle has taken a
great fancy to the boy, and might be induced to
adopt him, and cut me off from my rightful inheritance.
The boy is an artful young rascal, and has
been doing all he could to get into the good graces
of my uncle, who is old and weak-minded.''
It was nine o'clock when Nathan Graves left the
house, John Wade himself accompanying him to the
door.
``How soon do you think you can carry out my
instructions?'' asked Wade.
``To-morrow, if possible.''
``The sooner the better.''
``It is lucky I fell in with him,'' said Nathan
Graves to himself, with satisfaction, as he slowly
walked down Fifth Avenue. ``It's a queer business,
but that's none of my business. The main thing
for me to consider is that it brings money to my
purse, and of that I have need enough.''
Graves left the house richer by a hundred dollars
than he entered it.
It was eleven o'clock on the forenoon of the next
day when Frank walked up Canal Street toward
Broadway. He had been down to the wharves since
early in the morning, seeking for employment. He
had offered his services to many, but as yet had been
unable to secure a job.
As he was walking along a man addressed him:
``Will you be kind enough to direct me to Broadway?''
It was Nathan Graves, with whom Frank was destined
to have some unpleasant experiences.
``Straight ahead,'' answered Frank. ``I am going
there, and will show you, if you like.''
``Thank you, I wish you would. I live only fifteen
or twenty miles distant,'' said Graves, ``but I don't
often come to the city, and am not much acquainted.
I keep a dry-goods store, but my partner generally
comes here to buy goods. By the way, perhaps you
can help me about the errand that calls me here today.''
``I will, sir, if I can,'' said Frank, politely.
``My youngest clerk has just left me, and I want
to find a successor--a boy about your age, say. Do
you know any one who would like such a position?''
``I am out of employment myself just now. Do
you think I will suit?''
``I think you will,'' said Mr. Graves.
``You won't object to go into the country?''
``No, sir.''
``I will give you five dollars a week and your board
for the present. If you suit me, your pay will be
raised at the end of six months. Will that be
satisfactory?'' asked his companion.
``Quite so, sir. When do you wish me to come?''
``Can you go out with me this afternoon?''
``Yes, sir. I only want to go home and pack up
my trunk.''
``To save time, I will go with you, and we will
start as soon as possible.''
Nathan Graves accompanied Frank to his room,
where his scantywardrobe was soon packed. A
hack was called, and they were speedily on their
way to the Cortland Street ferry.
They crossed the ferry, and Mr. Graves purchased
two tickets to Elizabeth. He bought a paper, and
occupied himself in reading. Frank felt that
fortune had begun to shine upon him once more. By
and by, he could send for Grace, and get her boarded
near him. As soon as his wages were raised, he
determined to do this. While engaged in these pleasant
speculations, they reached the station.
``We get out here,'' said Mr. Graves.
``Is your store in this place?'' asked Frank.
``No; it is in the next town.''
Nathan Graves looked about him for a conveyance.
He finally drove a bargain with a man driving
a shabby-looking vehicle, and the two took their
seats.
They were driven about six miles through a flat,
unpicturesque country, when they reached a branch
road leading away from the main one.
It was a narrow road, and apparently not much
frequented. Frank could see no houses on either
side
``Is your store on this road?'' he asked.
``Oh, no; but I am not going to the store yet. We
will go to my house, and leave your trunk.''
At length the wagon stopped, by Graves' orders,
in front of a gate hangingloosely by one hinge.
``We'll get out here,'' said Graves.
Frank looked with some curiosity, and some
disappointment, at his future home. It was a square,
unpainted house, discolored by time, and looked far
from attractive. There were no outward signs of
occupation, and everything about it appeared to have
fallen into decay. Not far off was a barn, looking
even more dilapidated than the house.
At the front door, instead of knocking--there was
no bell--Graves drew a rusty key from his pocket
and inserted it in the lock. They found themselves
in a small entry, uncarpeted and dingy.
``We'll go upstairs,'' said Graves.
Arrived on the landing, he threw open a door,
and ushered in our hero.
``This will be your room,'' he said.
Frank looked around in dismay.
It was a large, square room, uncarpeted, and
containing only a bed, two chairs and a washstand, all
of the cheapest and rudest manufacture.
``I hope you will soon feel at home here,'' said
Graves. ``I'll go down and see if I can find something
to eat.''
He went out, locking the door behind him
``What does this mean?'' thought Frank, with a
strange sensation.
CHAPTER XVII
FRANK AND HIS JAILER
It was twenty minutes before Frank, waiting
impatiently, heard the steps of his late companion
ascending the stairs.
But the door was not unlocked. Instead, a slide
was revealed, about eight inches square, through
which his late traveling companion pushed a plate
of cold meat and bread.
``Here's something to eat,'' he said; ``take it.''
``Why do you lock me in?'' demanded our hero.
``You can get along without knowing, I suppose,''
said the other, with a sneer.
``I don't mean to,'' said Frank, firmly. ``I demand
an explanation. How long do you intend to keep
me here?''
``I am sorry I can't gratify your curiosity, but I
don't know myself.''
``Perhaps you think that I am rich, but I am not.
I have no money. You can't get anything out of
me,'' said Frank.
``That may be so, but I shall keep you.''
``I suppose that was all a lie about your keeping
store?''
``It was a pretty little story, told for your amusement,
my dear boy,'' said Graves. ``I was afraid
you wouldn't come without it.''
``You are a villain!'' said Frank.
``Look here, boy,'' said Graves, in a different tone,
his face darkening, ``you had better not talk in that
way. I advise you to eat your dinner and be quiet.
Some supper will be brought to you before night.''
So saying, he abruptly closed the slide, and
descended the stairs, leaving Frank to his reflections,
which it may be supposed, were not of the pleasantest
character.
Frank did not allow his unpleasant situation to
take away his appetite, and though he was fully
determined to make the earliest possible attempt to
escape, he was sensible enough first to eat the food
which his jailer had brought him.
His lunch dispatched, he began at once to revolve
plans of escape.
There were three windows in the room, two on
the front of the house, the other at the side.
He tried one after another, but the result was
the same. All were so fastened that it was quite
impossible to raise them.
- charge [tʃɑ:dʒ]
v.收费；冲锋 n.费用 (初中英语单词) - firmly [´fə:mli] ad.坚固地，稳定地 (初中英语单词)
- waiting [´weitiŋ] n.等候；伺候 (初中英语单词)
- employment [im´plɔimənt] n.工作；职业；雇用 (初中英语单词)
- errand [´erənd] n.差使，使命 (初中英语单词)
- wherever [weər´evə] conj.无论在哪里 (初中英语单词)
- patience [´peiʃəns] n.忍耐(力)；耐心；坚韧 (初中英语单词)
- humble [´hʌmbəl] a.谦卑的 vt.贬抑 (初中英语单词)
- residence [´rezidəns] n.居住(期间)；住宅 (初中英语单词)
- satisfaction [,sætis´fækʃən] n.满意；满足 (初中英语单词)
- partner [´pɑ:tnə] n.伙伴 v.同....合作 (初中英语单词)
- reading [´ri:diŋ] n.(阅)读；朗读；读物 (初中英语单词)
- bargain [´bɑ:gin] n.买卖合同 v.议(价) (初中英语单词)
- driven [´driv(ə)n] drive 的过去分词 (初中英语单词)
- curiosity [,kjuəri´ɔsiti] n.好奇；奇事；珍品 (初中英语单词)
- attractive [ə´træktiv] a.有吸引力；诱人的 (初中英语单词)
- companion [kəm´pæniən] n.同伴；同事；伴侣 (初中英语单词)
- knowing [´nəuiŋ] a.会意的，心照不宣的 (初中英语单词)
- explanation [,eksplə´neiʃən] n.解释；说明；辩解 (初中英语单词)
- advise [əd´vaiz] vt.忠告；建议；通知 (初中英语单词)
- abruptly [ə´brʌptli] ad.突然地；粗鲁地 (初中英语单词)
- supposed [sə´pəuzd] a.想象的；假定的 (初中英语单词)
- appetite [´æpitait] n.欲望；食欲 (初中英语单词)
- sensible [´sensəbəl] a.感觉得到的 (初中英语单词)
- heartily [´hɑ:tili] ad.衷心地；亲切地 (高中英语单词)
- lodging [´lɔdʒiŋ] n.寄宿，住宿 (高中英语单词)
- rascal [´rɑ:skəl] n.流氓 (高中英语单词)
- unpleasant [ʌn´plezənt] a.不愉快的；不合意的 (高中英语单词)
- scanty [´skænti] a.贫乏的；节省的 (高中英语单词)
- apparently [ə´pærəntli] ad.显然，表面上地 (高中英语单词)
- hanging [´hæŋiŋ] n.绞刑 a.悬挂着的 (高中英语单词)
- outward [´autwəd] a.外面的 ad.向外 (高中英语单词)
- gratify [´grætifai] vt.使高兴；满足 (高中英语单词)
- saying [´seiŋ, ´sei-iŋ] n.言语；言论；格言 (高中英语单词)
- unconsciously [ʌn´kɔʃəsli] ad.无意识地；不觉察地 (英语四级单词)
- forenoon [´fɔ:nu:n] n.午前，上午 (英语四级单词)
- wardrobe [´wɔ:drəub] n.衣柜；全部服装 (英语四级单词)
- speedily [´spi:dili] ad.迅速地 (英语四级单词)
- vehicle [´vi:ikəl] n.车辆；媒介物 (英语四级单词)
- loosely [´lu:sli] ad.松散地 (英语四级单词)
- rightful [´raitfəl] a.正义的；合法的 (英语六级单词)
- wharves [wɔ:vz] wharf的复数 (英语六级单词)
- landing [´lændiŋ] n.登陆；降落；楼梯平台 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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