The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
两个人快步出了房间，黑牛骑在前头领路，在城外一个大庄园处停了下来。两人进了大门，穿堂过廊。路上经过了三道明卡，一道暗卡，最后两人走进一间卧室。黑牛在卧室的一堵墙敲了几下，卧室的墙一下子分开了。里面是一个宽敞的大厅，后面是一排房间，赵刚犹豫了一下。
　　“黑牛，现在研究出4号了吗？”
　　“是的，我们已经研究出来了。”
　　说完话，黑牛从一个房间里拿出一个试管，里面有白白的粉末。
　　“这管里的粉末效力是福寿膏的几十倍。”
　　赵刚满意的点点头
　　“你先不要用这些东西，记住查获的东西全部送到这里，提炼成4号。你做得很好，但是你知道我为什么要这样做吗？”
　　黑牛摇摇头：
　　“我只知赵巡检要我做，我就做了。”
　　赵刚笑了笑，找了一个椅子坐下
　　“从道光年间起，英国把大量鸦片走私输入中国，毒害中国人民。后来朝廷派林则徐为钦差大臣去广州查禁鸦片烟。林大人下令在虎门当众销毁从英美等国不法商人手中缴获的鸦片230多万斤。

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
Van Gogh Sunflower
Edward Hopper Painting
Mary Cassatt painting
Her cousin was safe on the other side while these words were spoken, and, smiling with all the good-humour of success, she said, "Thank you, my dear Fanny, but I and my gown are alive and well, and so good-bye." ¡¡¡¡ Fanny was again left to her solitude, and with no increase of pleasant feelings, for she was sorry for almost all that she had seen and heard, astonished at Miss Bertram, and angry with Mr. Crawford. By taking a circuitous route, and, as it appeared
oil painting
to her, very unreasonable direction to the knoll, they were soon beyond her eye; and for some minutes longer she remained without sight or sound of any companion. She seemed to have the little wood all to herself. She could almost have thought that Edmund and Miss Crawford had left it, but that it was impossible for Edmund to forget her so entirely. ¡¡¡¡ She was again roused from disagreeable musings by sudden footsteps:

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
The inquest was a purely formal affair. No one came forward to identify the dead woman. Lucy was called to give evidence of finding the body and medical evidence was given as to the cause of death - strangulation. The proceedings were then adjourned.
The Singing Butler
It was a cold blustery day when the Crackenthorpe family came out of the hall where the inquest had been held. There were five of them all told, Emma, Cedric, Harold, Alfred, and Bryan Eastley, the husband of the dead daughter Edith. There was also Mr. Wimborne, the senior partner of the firm of solicitors who dealt with the Crackenthorpes' legal affairs. He had come down specially from London at great inconvenience to attend the inquest. They all stood for a moment on the pavement, shivering. Quite a crowd had assembled; the piquant details of the "Body in the Sarcophagus" had been fully reported in both the London and the local Press.
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
As the two boys left the table, Lucy heard Alexander say apologetically to his friend:
"You mustn't pay any attention to my grandfather. He's on a diet or something and that makes him rather peculiar. He's terribly mean, too. I think it must be a complex of some kind."
Stoddart-West said comprehendingly:
"I had an aunt who kept thinking she was going bankrupt. Really, she had oodles of money. Pathological, the doctor said. Have you got that football, Alex?"
The Singing Butler
After she had cleared away and washed up lunch, Lucy went out. She could hear the boys calling out in the distance on the lawn. She herself went in the opposite direction, down the front drive and from there she struck across to some clumped masses of rhododendron bushes. She began to hunt carefully, holding back the leaves and peering inside. She moved from clump to clump systematically, and was raking inside with a golf club when the polite voice of Alexander Eastley made her start.
"Are you looking for something, Miss Eyelesbarrow?"
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
Mais oui......" "Yes，of course......" "But yes，we will come......" "Naturally......" "It may be as you say......" "Yes，I will bring it.A tout a l'heure then." He replaced the receiver and came across the room to me. "That was Japp speaking，Hastings." "Yes?" "He had just got back to the Yard.There was a message fromAndover......" "Andover?"I cried excitedly. Poirot said slowly: "An old woman of the name of Ascher who keeps a little tobacco andnewspaper shop has been found murdered."
The Singing Butler
I think I felt ever so slightly damped.My interest，quickened by thesound of Andover，suffered a faint check.I had expected somethingfantastic-out of the way!The murder of an old woman who kept a littletabacco shop seemed，somehow，sordid and uninteresting. Poirot continued in the same slow，grave voice: "The Andover police believe they can put their hand on the man who didit-"I felt a second throb of disappointment. "It seems the woman was on bad terms with her husband.He drinks and isby way of being rather a nasty customer.He's threatened to take her lifemore than once.
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler "They surely will never do for a long journey, Toto," she said. And Toto looked up into her face with his little black eyes and wagged his tail to show he knew what she meant.
At that moment Dorothy saw lying on the table the silver shoes that had belonged to the Witch of the East.
"I wonder if they will fit me," she said to Toto. "They would be just the thing to take a long walk in, for they could not wear out."
The Singing Butler

"Come along, Toto," she said. "We will go to the Emerald City and ask the Great Oz how to get back to Kansas again."
She closed the door, locked it, and put the key carefully in the pocket of her dress. And so, with Toto trotting along soberly behind her, she started on her journey.
There were several roads near by, but it did not take her long to find the one paved with yellow bricks. Within a short time she was walking briskly toward the Emerald City, her silver shoes tinkling merrily on the hard, yellow road-bed.
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
Every now and then rose the cry, "A largess! a largess!" and Tom responded by scattering a handful of bright new coins abroad for the multitude to scramble for.
The chronicler says, "At the upper end of Gracechurch Street, before the sign of the Eagle, the city had erected a gorgeous arch, beneath which was a stage, which stretched from one side of the street to the other.
The Singing Butler
This was a historical pageant, representing the king's immediate progenitors. There sat Elizabeth of York in the midst of an immense white rose, whose petals formed elaborate furbelows around her; by her side was Henry VII, issuing out of a vast red rose, disposed in the same manner; the hands of the royal pair were locked together, and the wedding-ring ostentatiously displayed. From the red and white roses proceeded a stem, which reached up to a second stage
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
She knocked, and then waited a moment.
There came the sound of a sharp click, that of the key turning in the lock of the chiffonnier cupboard - or so Mr. Sleuth's landlady could have sworn.
There was a pause - she knocked again.
"Come in," said Mr. Sleuth loudly, and she opened the door and carried in the tray.
The Singing Butler
You are a little earlier than usual, are you not Mrs. Bunting?" he said, with a touch of irritation in his voice.
"I don't think so, sir, but I've been out. Perhaps I lost count of the time. I thought you'd like your breakfast early, as you had dinner rather sooner than usual."
"Breakfast? Did you say breakfast, Mrs. Bunting?"
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
And then there was a titter. Even the jury smiled. And sharply the coroner bade Lizzie Cole stand down.
Far more credence was given to the evidence of the next witness.
This was an older, quieter-looking woman, decently dressed in black. Being the wife of a night watchman whose work lay in a big warehouse situated about a hundred yards from the alley or passage where the crimes had taken place
The Singing Butler
she had gone out to take her husband some food he always had at one in the morning. And a man had passed her, breathing hard and walking very quickly. Her attention had been drawn to him because she very seldom met anyone at that hour, and because he had such an odd, peculiar look and manner.
Mrs. Bunting, listening attentively, realised that it was very much from what this witness had said that the official description of The Avenger had been composed - that description which had brought such comfort to her, Ellen Bunting's, soul.
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
As the cry of the Bete du Bon Dieu came for the third time, he put down the package and went to the second window, counting from the dark closet. I dared not risk making any movement, fearing I might betray my presence.
Arriving at the window, he peered out on to the park. The night was now light, the moon showing at intervals. The Green Man raised his arms twice, making signs which I did not understand; then, leaving the window, he again took up his package and moved along the gallery towards the landing-place.
The Singing Butler
Rouletabille had instructed me to undo the curtain-cord when I saw anything. Was Rouletabille expecting this? It was not my business to question. All I had to do was obey instructions. I unfastened the window-cord; my heart beating the while as if it would burst. The man reached the landing-place, but, to my utter surprise - I had expected to see him continue to pass along the gallery - I saw him descend the stairs leading to the vestibule.
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
I expressed some doubt on this, reminding him of his disappearance in the gallery, and suggested that the same phenomenon might occur again. He answered that he hoped it would. He desired nothing more. I did not insist, knowing by experience how useless that would have been. He told me that, with the help of the concierges, the chateau had since early dawn been watched in such a way that nobody could approach it without his knowing it, and that he had no concern for those who might have left it and remained without.
The Singing Butler
It was then six o'clock. by his watch. Rising, he made a sign to me to follow him, and, without in the least tying to conceal his movements or the sound of his footsteps, he led me through the gallery. We reached the 'right' gallery and came to the landing-place which we crossed. We then continued our way in the gallery of the left wing, passing Professor Stangerson's apartment.
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
road is dangerous."
"I want to go on."
"Remember that boys who insist on having their own way, sooner or later come to grief."
"The same nonsense. Good-by, Cricket."
"Good night, Pinocchio, and may Heaven preserve you from the Assassins."
There was silence for a minute and the light of the Talking Cricket disappeared suddenly, just as if someone had snuffed it out. Once again the road was plunged in darkness.
The Singing Butler
Pinocchio, not having listened to the good advice of the Talking Cricket, falls into the hands of the Assassins
"Dear, oh, dear! When I come to think of it," said the Marionette to himself, as he once more set out on his journey, "we boys are really very unlucky. Everybody scolds us, everybody gives us advice, everybody warns us. If we were to allow it, everyone would try to be father and mother to us; everyone, even the Talking Cricket. Take me
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
My father, yes. My mother I have never known."
"Your poor father would suffer terribly if I were to use you as firewood. Poor old man! I feel sorry for him! E--tchee! E--tchee! E--tchee!" Three more sneezes sounded, louder than ever.
"God bless you!" said Pinocchio.
The Singing Butler
Thanks! However, I ought to be sorry for myself, too, just now. My good dinner is spoiled. I have no more wood for the fire, and the lamb is only half cooked. Never mind! In your place I'll burn some other Marionette. Hey there! Officers!"
At the call, two wooden officers appeared, long and thin as a yard of rope, with queer hats on their heads and swords in their hands.
Fire Eater yelled at them in a hoarse voice:
"Take Harlequin, tie him, and throw him on the fire. I want my lamb well done!"
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
“四哥，你在这里啊，让我好找。”有人来了，怎么办？完了完了！
我现在才知道害怕，抬着的手开始颤抖，望着胤禛，我张开嘴，却什么也说不出来，脸上痒痒的，两行泪水就流了下来。
胤禛恨恨地瞪我一眼，转身从另一端走开了。
过来的是那个阴柔无比的美人老九。
打量我一下，他笑了。
“老十四要心疼死了。四哥也是，怎么能打这样一个小美人的脸呢。要是打坏了，叫人家怎么迷住我们的十四呢？”
下意识地走进绛雪轩，脑子里一片混乱。从开着门的书房里传来一阵阵剌耳的笑声。小十五站在檐下，见我进来，忙不迭地叫人拿手巾子。
The Singing Butler
的老九走出来，用让人失神的美丽笑容看着我。可惜，看在我眼里，是一点感觉都没有了。
中秋节到了。
起得绝早，跟着十五到了密嫔的咸福宫。密嫔是个很美的女人，也是汉人，所以对我很和气。
母子闲聊了一会儿，用了早膳，就出门了。
跟着几个密嫔的贴身宫女坐在马车里向畅春园而去。坐在车里，微笑着仿佛在听宫女们闲扯，其实心思又回到了那天。
那天，刚刚洗过脸，跑得上气不接下气的胤禵就进来了，拉着我，进了我的小屋。斥退了跟过来的长随，用吓人的眼神赶走了他的哥哥弟弟，小十五本来想救我，可惜被可恶的老九他们强行拉走了。 The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
珠木花不解地还想继续追问，尘芳拿起桌上的酒壶道：“我还是去帮忙吧，我阿玛在那里看着我呢。”说着起身，继续为客人去斟酒。
王帐中央，一位来自科尔沁草原的蒙古青年正引亢高歌，唱着缠绵的情歌。“十五的月亮升上了天空哪，为什么旁边没有云彩？我等待着美丽的姑娘呀，你为什么还不到来哟嗬？”
尘芳躬身从歌手身旁走过，欲要到对面去斟酒，那青年猛看见她，眼前一亮，攥住她的衣袖唱道：“如果没有天上的雨水呀，海棠花儿不会自己开。只要哥哥你耐心地等待哟，你心上的人儿就会跑过来哟嗬。”
The Singing Butler
在座的宾客看到无不哄笑，尘芳甩不开对方的手，又急又愧，那青年看她羞红脸的模样，目光越发的灼热。见他正作势要跪，尘芳忙低语了两句，当即那青年如触上滚烫的烙铁般，慌忙松开手，她便乘机溜到了对桌。
对桌依次坐着的，是此次伴驾而来的数位阿哥，尘芳镇定地为五阿哥胤祺斟满杯中的酒，也不去理会他探索研究的目光，来到下座的八阿哥胤禩面前。胤禩看着她轻声道：“琴箫蒙尘，知音不在。”
尘芳为他斟完酒，抿着嘴道：“高山流水，草木皆有情。”
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
龙飞玉站在不远处，他抑止不住自己的好奇心，想看看这女人最后唱的是什么戏。
他和张总管一样目瞪口呆。他想到金多多会带走一些值钱的饰物，但想不到是以这样的方式。这些东西加下来，也是笔不小的数目，看来这女人在钱财方面一点也不傻。
当他看到那女人在上马车时，因为身上的东西太多，险些跌落下来，不禁笑出了声。恰在此时，那女人回头望了一眼。在一片金碧辉煌中，他看到了一双黑白分明的大眼睛。
那双大眼睛不知有没有看到他，但他的心还是不由地动了一下。当年他会收下这个女人还有一个原因，就是那双大眼睛，那双让他似曾相识的大眼睛。
The Singing Butler
金多多在钻进马车之前，忍不住回首望了望那座生活了近一年的深宅大院，在那里，她有了第一个男人，有了第一个孩子。
不知大哥和师父会怎样看待她的这段日子。但自己觉得是快乐的。那个男人会怎么想？对他来说，这大概只是很平凡的一段日子。
回首之间，她仿佛看见了那个男人。他在哪儿干吗？是来送她的吗？是在庆幸这一切终于结束了吗？
世子爷，如果你以为这一切就这样结束了，那你就错了，戏还没唱完呢。
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
“呵呵，你们女儿家的手生得那么好看，哪是用来做这些的。这些个脏活粗活理应让我们男人来做。”
“君少侠真会说笑。”凤姑娘的脸又红了。
“我可不是说笑，这都是我师父从小教导我的。”
君子悦的手艺也是他师父从小教导出来的。不一会儿的功夫，就和凤姑娘一起亲亲密密地吃起了皇家烤乳鸽。
就在他们的前面，龙飞玉一行也在正在客栈中用膳。
The Singing Butler
因为揽月山庄庄主君不凡的五十大寿，丰宁城比平时又热闹了许多，尤其是多了很多武林中人。
出发时离君不凡的寿辰已是不远，龙飞玉一路上只顾赶路，没机会玩乐，此时见到丰宁城的热闹和繁华，心里自然痒痒，只想着赶快把礼送到庄里，然后便可自行寻欢。
入城的第二日，为了不泄露皇上送礼的事，龙飞玉也没知会当地知府，径直去了揽月山庄。
君不凡性情豪爽，平时不喜生辰宴客，嫌其烦琐。但今年是五十大寿，拗不过慈母爱妻，才有了这次寿宴。
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
我努力咽了一口口水，站起来一鼓作气地说：“我今天想了一天，其实和你在一起，也没什么，只是有些事，咱们得当面说清楚，免得到时纠葛不清，所以白纸黑字都写下来了。喏，你看。”我麻着胆子从身上把折得整整齐齐的协议拿了出来。
他一脸迟疑地接了过去，顺势刮了我鼻尖一下，亲昵地笑道：“来看看咱们的小伶雪又鼓捣出什么新奇的东西来了。”又被揩油了，我脸一红，却是乖乖地伴着他站着等他看完。
The Singing Butler
他粗略地看了一遍，啼笑皆非地问：“你一整个下午，就弄出了这个？”我用力点了一下头，顺便向他展示了双手和衣衫上的墨迹。
他指着第一条：“你希望朕……不，我以后都这般和你说话？”
我再次点头。
“没经同意，咱们不能随意见面？”
“你是皇帝，当然不是我能随便想见就见的啊，我是信王妃，你总不能把这儿当自己的后宫吧？”我撇撇嘴。
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler
他轻轻问：“气恼？”
我颔首，叹口气道：“穷人要维持一点自尊不容易。”
看到绯红给那老婆婆递过去一锭银子，那老婆婆努力推托，绯红无奈，只得从兜里拿出一个粉红的小瓶子，估计是伤药，硬塞到那老婆婆手中，那婆婆许是爱孙心切，也不再推辞，只是一个劲地点头道谢。
绯红站起身，转向客栈走去。衣饰不凡的绯红被客气殷勤地迎进店内，不一时便转身而出，抬头向我们所坐的方向得意一笑。
The Singing Butler
我知道她已经问到了，待她上得楼来，迫不及待地回禀：“二位主子，那个读书人是闽东第一才子赵俊杰，家中为闽东大户，平日里很是心高气傲，恃才放旷。这回折桂的呼声很高呢。”
“哦？第一才子？失敬失敬了，以后定为国家栋梁之才。”我朝对面的他抱扇客气了一番。
他不以为然地拿扇轻敲桌面：“伶公子的意思我大致明白了。咱们还是喝茶好了，别为不相干的人败了兴致。”
The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler

The Singing Butler “老班？这个称呼是你给我这个班主任的见面礼吗？”他看着我笑问，没一点儿老师的架子。
周围一片哄笑声，那个被我讨厌的家伙还笑得尤其大声。我尴尬地红了脸，这的确不是学生应该对老师说的话。可有必要笑得那么大声吗？那个家伙，一定是故意的！可说都说了，而且我就是听不惯那家伙刺耳的笑声，于是说了一句：“我一直都是这样称呼班主任的！”
“哦？我还没那么老吧？看来你要叫我‘小班’了。”
一番话逗得大伙儿都笑了，我也忍不住“噗”的笑出声，气氛一下子愉快起来。看来这个老班蛮有意思呢，呵呵。
“老师，蒋小冉向您报到。”我递上录取通知书。
他接过去说：‘原来是小才女来了，难怪会给我一个如此特殊的称呼。恩，档案里说你是个很特别的学生，写得一手好文章还酷爱古诗词，应该去更好的大学啊。怎么会来到这里？看来以后可以跟你切磋切磋。“
The Singing Butler