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第 01 級[上]01_《Love or Money 愛情與金錢》
Love or Money
愛情與金錢
第 1 頁 / 共 17 頁
Chapter 1The Clarkson family lived in the country near
Cambridge, about half a mile from the nearest village and about a mile from the river. They had a big, old house with a beautiful garden, a lot of flowers and many old trees.
One Thursday morning in July, Jackie came in from the garden. She was a tall, fat woman, thirty years old. It was the hottest day of the year, but she wore a warm brown skirt and yellow shirt. She went into the kitchen to get a drink of water. Just then the phone rang.
'Cambridge 1379,' Jackie said.'Hello. This is Diane. I want to talk to Mother.''Mother isn't here,' Jackie said. 'She's at the
doctor's.''Why? What's Wrong?''Nothing's wrong,' Jackie said. 'Why are you
telephoning? You are going to come this weekend? Mother wants everyone to be here.'
'Yes, I want to come,' Diane said. 'I'm phoning because I have no money for the train ticket.'
'No money! Mother is always giving you money!'
'This phone call is very expensive,' Diane said coldly. 'Tell Mother please. I need the money.'
Jackie put the phone down. She took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke. She felt angry because her sister always asked for money. Diane was twenty years old, the youngest in the family. She lived in London, in one room of a big house. She wanted to be a singer. She sang very well but she could never get work.
Jackie went back into the kitchen and began to make some sandwiches. Just then the back door opened, and her mother came in.
'It's very hot!' Molly said. She took off her hat and put it down on the table. She was a tall, dark woman with beautiful eyes.
Two big, black dogs came into the kitchen after her and ran across to her. She sat down and put her hands on their heads.
Jackie put the sandwiches on the table. 'Mother,' she said, 'Diane phoned. She wants money for her train ticket.'
Molly closed her eyes for a minute. Then she
1
克拉克森家住在劍橋附近的鄉下，離最近的
村莊約有半英里路，距離河有 1英里左右。他們有
幢大而古老帶有美麗花園的房子，花園裡有許多花
和許多古樹。
7月的一個星期四早上，傑基從花園進了屋。
她是個高大，肥胖，30來歲的女人。這是一年中最
熱的日子，而她卻穿著暖色調的黃色襯衫和棕色裙
子。她走進廚房去喝水，這時電話響了。
"劍橋1379號，"傑基說。
"你好！我是黛安娜。我想和媽媽說話。"
"媽媽不在家，"傑基說。"她看醫生去了。"
"怎麼了？出了什麼事？"
"沒什麼，"傑基說。"你打電話幹嘛？這個
週末你回來嗎？媽媽希望每個人都在。"
"是啊，我想回來，"黛安娜說。"我正因為
沒錢買火車票，才打電話。"
"沒錢！媽媽總是給你錢！"
"電話費很貴，"黛安娜冷冷說道。"請告訴
媽媽，我需要錢。"
傑基放下電話，她從包裡拿了支菸抽起來。她
因她的妹妹總是要錢感到生氣。黛安娜20歲了，在
家裡最小。她住在倫敦，在一所大房子裡有間屋子。
她想成為一個歌唱家，她唱得很棒，可是她卻從來
不願找工作。
傑基走回廚房動手做一些三明治。這時後門開
了，她的母親走了進來。
"天太熱了！"莫利說道，她脫下帽子放在桌
上。她是位高個子、皮膚淺黑，有雙美麗眼睛的女人
兩條大黑狗跟著她進了廚房圍著她轉，她坐下
來把手放在它們的頭上。
傑基把三明治放在桌上。"媽媽，"她說道，
"黛安娜打來電話，她想要錢買火車票。"
第 01 級[上]01_《Love or Money 愛情與金錢》
第 2 頁 / 共 17 頁
stood up. 'This afternoon I want you to get the house ready for the weekend,' she said. 'Oh, and please go to the village later and get my tablets.'
'Yes, Mother,' Jackie said.Molly went to the door.'Mother, please wait a minute,' Jackie said.
'Peter Hobbs came here this morning. He's very angry with you about that letter. He lost his job, you know. Why did you write to his office? He wants to talk to you about it.'
'Well, I don't want to talk to him,' Molly said. She opened the door.
'But Mother, you don't understand. He's seventeen, and it was his first job. He's very, very angry. He says… he says he's going to kill you!'
Molly did not answer. She went out of the room and closed the door.
Chapter 2It was seven o'clock on Saturday evening.
Jackie stood at the window. A car drove slowly up to the front door and stopped. A tall man with white hair got out. It was Albert, the husband of Molly's sister.
'Here's Uncle Albert,' Jackie said. 'Always late.'She went out of the room and opened the front
door. Albert came in and went at once to Molly.'Oh, dear. I'm very late. I am sorry,' Albert said.
'Fifty years old today! What a wonderful dress!'Molly did not smile. 'Thank you, Albert. We're
all getting older.' Tonight she wore a long black dress, and the two black dogs sat at her feet. 'Everyone is here now. Let's go in to dinner,' she said.
Everyone stood up and went to the table.'The table looks nice, Jackie. What wonderful
flowers!' Diane said. She was a beautiful girl, with long black hair and dark blue eyes. She wore a long red dress.
Albert sat down next to Roger. Roger was Molly's son, her second child. He lived in Cambridge, in an expensive house.
'Someone called Peter stopped me down the road,' Albert said. 'Who is he? He's very angry with you, Molly.'
'That's Peter Hobbs, from the house across the road,' Jackie said quickly. She looked across the table at Molly. 'He lost his job last week and he's angry with everyone.'
'It's Molly he doesn't like,' Albert said.
莫利閉上眼一會，然後站起來。"下午我希望
你收拾一下房子為週末做準備，"她說。"哦，隨
後請去村裡給我買些藥片。"
"好的，媽媽，"傑基說。
莫利向門口走去。
"媽媽，請等一會。"傑基說。"彼得·霍布
斯今早來了，他對你的那封信很生氣。你知道，他
丟了工作。你為什麼寫信給他的辦公室？他想和你
談談這事。"
"好啦，我不想和他談，"莫利說，她打開門
"可是媽媽，你不明白。他17歲了，那是他第
一份工作，他非常非常生氣。他說……他說他會殺
了你！"
莫利沒答話，她走出房間關上了門。
2
星期六晚上7點。傑基站在窗前。一輛小車徐徐
駛到前門停下來。一個白頭髮、高個子的男人下了車
他是艾伯特，莫利姐姐的丈夫。
"是艾伯特姨父，"傑基說。"他總是遲到。"
她走出房間打開前門。艾伯特走進來，立刻便
走向莫利。
"哦，親愛的，抱歉，我來得太遲了，"艾伯
特說。"今天是你 50歲生日！多漂亮的裙子！"
莫利沒有笑。"謝謝你，艾伯特。我們都老
了。"今晚她穿了一條長長的黑裙子，兩條黑狗蹲
在她腳邊。"現在大家都到了，咱們吃飯吧。"她說
大家都站起來走到桌前。
"餐桌看起來不錯，傑基。多美的花啊！"黛
安娜說。她是個美麗的女孩，有一頭長長的黑頭髮
和一雙深藍色的眼睛，她穿了一條紅色的長裙。
艾伯特坐在羅傑的旁邊。羅傑是莫利的兒子，
她的第二個孩子。他住在劍橋一幢昂貴的房子裡。
"有個叫彼特的人沿路阻擋我，"艾伯特說。
"他是誰？他很生你的氣，莫利。"
"那是彼得·霍布斯，家住在馬路對面的房子
裡。"傑基很快地說。她看著餐桌對面的莫利。"他
上週丟了工作，他生每個人的氣。"
"他不喜歡的是莫利，"艾伯特說。
第 01 級[上]01_《Love or Money 愛情與金錢》
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Molly said nothing. Everyone began to eat.'How is Aunt Annie?' Jackie asked.'She's much worse now,' Albert said. 'She stays
in bed all the time. She needs a nurse twenty-four hours a day.'
'I am sorry.' Molly said.Albert stopped eating and looked at Molly. 'It's
very difficult and very expensive, you know. Annie feels very unhappy because you don't visit her, Molly. She loves you very much. You are her little sister; you know.'
Molly closed her eyes for a minute. 'I know that, Albert. I am fifty years old, but I am always her "little" sister. Well, we can talk about it later.'
Albert laughed. 'Oh yes, we can talk later. It's always later with you, Molly. Always tomorrow. Never today.'
Jackie watched her mother. Her mother was angry with Albert. Molly never liked talking about her sister Annie and she did not like visiting her because she was very ill.
'That's a beautiful dress, Diane. Is it new?' Jackie asked.
'Thank you, Jackie. Yes, it's new, and very expensive. I got it on Wednesday,' Diane said. She smiled at Jackie.
'All your things are expensive,' Jackie said. She remembered the phone call on Thursday about the train ticket.
'I don't like cheap things,' Diane said. 'And I'm going to need more money soon. I want to go to America. Can you help me, Roger?'
'Oh no,' Roger said. 'Nobody wants to help you, Diane. You don't like working, we all know that, but we all want you to get a job.'
Diane laughed. 'It doesn't matter, Roger. I don't need your help. Mother always helps me. Mother loves me best.' She suddenly smiled, a quick, beautiful smile. But her eyes were cold.
Jackie looked at her mother. Molly's face was white. Jackie did not understand. Was her mother afraid of Diane? Jackie wanted her mother to be happy today.
'Would you like some more meat, Uncle Albert?' Jackie asked. 'Roger, can you give everyone some more to drink?'
Roger got up and began to give more wine to everyone. 'This is good wine.' he said.
Molly smiled for the first time. 'Yes, your father loved this wine. He often drank it.'
莫利一言不發。大家開始吃東西。
"安妮姨媽好嗎？"傑基問。
"她現在更糟糕了，"艾伯特說。"她所有時
間都呆在床上。她一天24小時都需要護士。"
"我真難過"，莫利說。
艾伯特停下來看著莫利。"你知道，這事非常
麻煩並且非常花錢。莫利，安妮因為你不去看她很
不高興。她非常愛你，你知道，你是她的小妹妹。"
莫利閉上了眼。"我知道這些，艾伯特。我都
50歲了，可我總是她的'小'妹妹。好吧，我們以
後再談這事。"
艾伯特笑道。"哦，是啊，我們以後再談。莫利
和你總是以後，總是明天。從來不是今天。"
傑基看著她的母親，她的母親生艾伯特的氣。
莫利從來就不喜歡談論她姐姐，也不喜歡去拜訪她
而她病得很重。
"這裙子真漂亮，黛安娜。是新的嗎？"傑基
問。
"謝謝，傑基。是的，新裙子，非常貴。我週三
才買的。"黛安娜說。她衝著傑基微笑。
"你所有的東西都昂貴，"傑基說。她記起周
四關於火車票的電話。
"我不喜歡便宜的東西，"黛安娜說。"我不
久會需要更多的錢，我想去美國。羅傑，你能幫我
嗎？"
"哦，不行，"羅傑說。"沒有人想幫你，黛
安娜。我們都知道，你不喜歡工作，但是我們都希
望你找份工作。"
黛安娜笑道。"沒關係，羅傑。我不需要你的幫
助，媽媽總是會幫我的，媽媽最愛我。"她突然笑
了一下，一個轉瞬即逝美麗的微笑。可她的眼神卻
是冷冷的。
傑基看著她的媽媽，莫利臉色蒼白。傑基不明
白為什麼。她的媽媽會怕黛安娜？傑基希望她的媽
媽今天快快樂樂。
"艾伯特姨父，你還要些肉嗎？"傑基問。
"羅傑，你能給每人再添些飲料嗎？"
羅傑站起來動手給大家加了些酒。"這酒不
錯，"他說。
莫利第一次笑了。"是啊，你父親愛喝這種酒。
他經常喝。"
"是啊"，艾伯特看著莫利說"也非常貴。"
"羅傑，這個週末你想見見布里格斯嗎？"傑
基急忙問。"他剛來農場。他想見見你。"
第 01 級[上]01_《Love or Money 愛情與金錢》
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'Yes,' Albert said, and looked at Molly. 'Expensive, too.'
'Would you like to meet Mr Briggs this weekend, Roger? Jackie asked quickly. 'He's the new man at the farm. He wants to meet you.'
'Briggs? Briggs?' Molly said, suddenly angry. 'Don't talk to me about that man. I don't like him. He wants half my garden for his farm. He needs more land, he says. I don't want him in my house. He's always dirty and he has bad teeth.'
Jackie stood up and got her bag. 'Excuse me, I want a cigarette.'
'Cigarettes! Always a cigarette in your mouth,' Molly said. 'I don't like it. Cigarettes aren't good for you.'
Jackie began to smoke. She felt angry but she said nothing. She wanted her mother to be happy this evening, but it was very difficult.
Roger drank some more wine. 'Well, Mother, perhaps Mr Briggs is right. The garden is very big, you know,' he said. 'It's a lot of work for you. The house is big, too. You're fifty now. You need to be more careful.'
'Roger! I don't need a nurse, you know! I work in the garden every day; I feel happy there.' Molly stood up. 'I know you all want my money. You come here for a free dinner, you don't want to see me. You don't love me. You want my house, and my money. Well, you can all wait. Nobody is getting more money from me, not before I die!'
'Don't say that, Mother!' Jackie cried.Molly walked across the room to the door. 'I
feel ill now. I'm going upstairs to bed.'Molly left the room. Nobody moved.'One day I'm going to kill that woman,' Diane
said quietly.Roger looked at Diane but said nothing. Albert
moved his head slowly up and down. 'Ill! She's angry, that's all,' he said. 'Molly always gets angry about money. Why can't she be good to her sister? Annie's going to die soon. Molly knows that.'
Jackie finished her cigarette and stood up. 'Would everyone like some coffee? Come into the kitchen and let's drink it there.'
Chapter 3Early next morning the house was quiet.
Suddenly there was a cry from the room next to Roger's, his mother's room. Roger opened his eyes and looked at the clock. It was nearly seven o'clock.
"布里格斯？布里格斯？"莫利說，她突然生
氣了。"不要和我談那個男人，我不喜歡他。他想要
我把一半的花園當他的農場。他說，他需要更多的
土地。我不希望他來我家，他總是髒兮兮的，還有
一口壞牙。"
傑基站起來拿她的包。"抱歉，我想抽枝煙。"
"煙！你的嘴總是叼著煙，"莫利說。"我討
厭煙，抽菸對你不好。"
傑基開始抽菸，她感到很生氣，但她什麼也沒
說。她想讓她媽媽今晚快樂些，可看來這非常難。
羅傑喝了好些酒。"好啦，媽媽，布里格斯先
生可能是對的。你清楚，花園是太大了，"他說。
"你要幹許多的事，房子也太大了。你都 50歲了，
你需要更多的照顧。"
"羅傑！你明白，我不需要護士！我每天在花
園裡乾點活，我在那兒感到快樂。"莫利站起來。
"我知道你們都想要我的錢。你們來這兒只為一頓
免費的晚餐，不是想來看看我，你們不愛我。你們
想要我的房子，我的錢。好吧，你們都等著。在我死
之前，任何人都別想從我這兒得一點兒！"
"別說這些，媽媽！"傑基叫道。
莫利穿過房間走到門前。"現在我感到不舒服。
我要上樓睡覺了。"
莫利離開了房間，大家都沒動。
"有一天我會殺了這女人，"黛安娜平靜地說
羅傑看看黛安娜，但什麼也沒說。艾伯特上下
搖晃著腦袋。"不舒服！她生氣了，就這樣，"他
說。"莫利談到錢總要生氣。為什麼她不能對她姐姐
好點？安妮不久就要死了，莫利知道這些。"
傑基抽完煙站起來。"每人都來些咖啡嗎？到
廚房去，咱們在那兒喝吧！"
3
第二天清晨整幢房子靜悄悄的。突然從羅傑房
間旁邊他母親的屋子裡傳出一聲尖叫。羅傑睜開眼
看了下鍾，還不到7點。他下了床，悄悄打開門。正
在這時他母親房間的門也打開了，黛安娜走出來，
她的臉非常蒼白。
"羅傑！媽媽她，我端了杯咖啡給她，發現她
死了。她死了……死在她床上，"她哭道。
第 01 級[上]01_《Love or Money 愛情與金錢》
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He got out of bed and opened the door quietly. At the same time the door of his mother's room opened and Diane came out. Her face was very white.
'Roger! It's Mother! I brought a cup of coffee for her and I found her dead. She's dead…dead in her bed,' she cried.
Roger went quickly to the door of his mother's room and looked in. The window was open but the room was warm. Molly was on the bed, one hand under her head. Roger went across to the bed and put his hand on her arm. It was cold. On the little table next to the bed was a hot cup of coffee and an empty cup.
'I'm going to call the doctor,' Diane said.'She's dead,' Roger said slowly. His face, too,
was white. 'Mother is dead!'Diane walked across the room to the door. 'I'm
going to phone the doctor,' she said again.'Wait a minute!' Roger called. 'Let's tell the
family first.''Family! Nobody loved Mother!' Diane went out
and ran downstairs.Roger slowly went downstairs after her and
stood by the telephone.'Dr Pratt, this is Diane Clarkson. It's my mother
—she's dead. Can you come quickly?'Diane put the phone down. 'It isn't true, Roger!
Mother dead! Daddy died last winter, and now Mother.' Diane began to cry.
'Don't cry, Diane,' Roger said. 'Let's go upstairs and tell Uncle Albert and Jackie.'
'No! You tell them! Nobody loved Mother. You aren't sorry. Look at you! You want her money. That's all.'
Roger suddenly wanted to hit Diane. 'Be quiet!' he said. 'What about you? You didn't love Mother. You wanted her money, too. Don't forget that!'
'It's true,' Diane said. 'Oh, I can't stay in this house. I'm going out. I'm going to the river with the dogs.'
'No,' Roger said. 'The doctor's coming and I want you here.'
Diane said nothing. She went into the kitchen and at once the dogs got up and came to her. 'Beautiful dogs! Daddy loved you and Mother loved you. Now I'm going to love you.' She opened the back door and went out with the dogs.
Roger did not move. He stood by the telephone. 'It's true,' he thought. 'I am happy about
羅傑急忙走到他母親的門前往裡看，窗戶是開
著的，可房間裡是溫暖的。莫利躺在床上，一隻手
在她頭下。羅傑走到床前把手放在她的手臂上，屍
體已經冷了。床邊的小桌上有杯熱咖啡和一個空杯
子。
"我打電話去叫醫生，"黛安娜說。
"她死了，"羅傑慢慢地說。他的臉也變白了。
"媽媽死了！"
黛安娜穿過房間走到門口。"我去打電話叫醫
生，"她又說。
"等會兒！"羅傑叫道。"咱們得先告訴家
人。"
"家裡人！沒有人愛媽媽！"黛安娜走出去跑
下樓。
羅傑跟著她慢慢走下樓站在電話旁。
"普拉特先生，我是黛安娜·克拉克森。我的
媽媽——她死了。你能儘快趕來嗎？"
黛安娜放下電話。"這不是真的，羅傑！媽媽
死了！爸爸去年冬天死了，現在媽媽也死了。"黛
安娜開始哭泣。
"別哭了，黛安娜，"羅傑說。"咱們上樓去
告訴艾伯特姨父和傑基。"
"不！你去告訴他們！沒人愛媽媽，你們不必
內疚。看看你們！你們想要她的錢。不過如此。"
羅傑突然想揍黛安娜。"安靜點！"他說。"你
怎麼了？你不愛媽媽，你也想要她的錢，別忘了
這點！"
"不錯，"黛安娜說。"哦，我不能再呆在這
兒了。我要出去。我要和狗去河邊。"
"不行，"羅傑說。"醫生就要來了，我想你
留在這兒。"
黛安娜沒說話。她走進廚房。狗立即站起來走到
她旁邊。"多漂亮的狗！爸爸愛你們，媽媽也愛你
們。現在我會愛你們的。"她打開後門，帶著狗走了
出去。
羅傑沒動，他仍站在電話旁。"不錯，"他想。
"我的確為錢高興。我需要錢，現在我是富有的了。
事情現在對我來說更容易。但是媽媽……我為什麼
不多愛她些呢？可現在她死了。"羅傑慢慢地上了
樓，他想在普拉特醫生來前穿好衣服。
普拉特醫生是個矮胖沒有多少頭髮的男人，
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the money. I needed money, and now I'm rich. Things are going to be easier for me now. But Mother…why didn't I love her more? And now she's dead.' Slowly, Roger went back upstairs. He wanted to dress before Dr Pratt arrived.
Dr Pratt was a little fat man without much hair. He was the family doctor and he knew all the Clarkson family very well. He went upstairs at once and looked at Molly's body. He looked carefully at the cup of coffee and the empty cup on the table next to her bed.
'I'm sorry, Roger,' he said. 'Where is Diane? She phoned me.'
'She went out with the dogs,' Roger said. 'She was angry with me—angry with everyone.'
Dr Pratt said nothing for a minute. 'This is going to be very difficult. I'm going to phone the police, Roger.'
'Police! Why? What's wrong?'I don't know. Your mother wasn't ill. I saw her
on Thursday and she was very well. Why did she die? I don' t understand. I want to find out.'
Roger went across to the window and looked out at the garden. It was a beautiful summer morning. The sky was blue and the garden was green. It was all very quiet. His mother loved this garden. But Tom Briggs wanted the garden. And Roger wanted the garden, too. Roger felt worse and worse.
'Your mother took sleeping tablets,' Dr Pratt said. 'Did you know? On Thursday she had a new bottle of tablets, but I can't find it here in her room.'
'I didn't know,' Roger said. 'Very well. Let's go down-stairs and you can phone the police.'
Roger went into the kitchen and made some coffee. Just then Diane came in with the dogs.
'Roger,' she said. 'Look, I'm sorry. I was angry and said some angry things.'
'It doesn't matter,' Roger said. 'Here you are, have some coffee. Dr Pratt is phoning the police. Did you know Mother took sleeping tablets? Well, the bottle is not in her room.'
'What? I don't understand.' Diane took the coffee and began to drink. Her eyes looked big and dark.
Just then Dr Pratt came into the kitchen. 'They're coming at once,' he said. 'Diane—I'm sorry about your mother.'
'Dr Pratt, I want to tell you about last night. Everyone was very angry…'
他是家庭醫生並且他非常清楚克拉克森一家人。他
立即上樓查看莫利的屍體。他仔細看了床邊桌子上
的一杯咖啡和空杯子。
"抱歉，羅傑，"他說。"黛安娜在哪兒？她
給我打了電話。"
"她帶著狗出去了，"羅傑說。"她衝我生氣
對每個人都生氣。"
普拉特醫生沉默了一會。"這事非常難辦。羅傑
我要打電話給警察。"
"警察！為什麼？出了什麼事？"
"我不清楚，你的母親沒病，我週四見到她身
體很好。她為什麼會死？我不明白，我想找出原
因。"
羅傑走到窗前向外看花園。這是個美麗的夏天
清晨，天空藍藍的而花園是一片綠色，一切都非常
安靜。他的媽媽愛這個花園，然而湯姆·布里格斯
卻打著這個花園的主意，並且羅傑也想要這個花園
羅傑覺得事情越來越糟。
"你的媽媽服了安眠藥，"普拉特醫生說。
"你知道嗎？她週四買了瓶安眠藥，可是我在她的
房間卻找不到。"
"我不知道，"羅傑說。"好吧。咱們下樓去，
你可以給警察打電話。"
羅傑走進廚房弄了些咖啡，這時黛安娜帶著狗
走進來。
"羅傑，"她說。"你瞧，我很抱歉。我生氣了
並說了些令人生氣的話。"
"沒關係，"羅傑說。"給你，喝點咖啡。普拉
特醫生正打電話給警察。你知道媽媽服安眠藥嗎？
唷，瓶子不在她的屋裡。"
"什麼？我不知道。"黛安娜端起咖啡開始喝。
她的眼睛看起來又大又黑。
這時普爾特醫生走進廚房。"他們馬上來，"
他說。"黛安娜——我為你媽媽難過。"
"普拉特醫生，我想告訴你有關昨晚的事，
每人都非常生氣……"
"安靜些！"羅傑急忙說。
"黛安娜在張嘴前從不想想，"他生氣地想。
黛安娜沒看羅傑。"昨晚媽媽早早就上床了，
因為每個人……"
"別告訴我，"普拉特醫生說。"你可以告訴
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'Be quiet!' Roger said quickly.'Diane never thinks before she opens her
mouth,' he thought angrily.Diane did not look at Roger. 'Last night Mother
went to bed early because everyone…''Don't tell me,' Dr Pratt said. 'You can tell the
police.'Roger's face went red. Suddenly he felt afraid.
'The police are going to talk to everyone, and ask questions,' he thought. 'And they're going to want answers. It's going to be very difficult.' He finished his coffee and stood up.
'I'm going upstairs,' he said. 'I'm going to tell Uncle Albert and Jackie about Mother…and about the police.'
Chapter 4The police arrived very quickly. There were a
lot of them. Some of them with cameras went upstairs to Molly's room. Two detectives talked to Dr Pratt in the kitchen. The family waited in the sitting room. It was a hot day again and the windows were open. The dogs sat quietly at Diane's feet. Nobody talked. Jackie smoked. They waited for a long time. Suddenly the door opened and the two detectives came in.
'Good morning. I am Detective Inspector Walsh and this is Sergeant Foster.' The Inspector did not smile. He was a big man in an old black suit and a black hat and coat. He wore a coat because he always felt cold. 'Last night someone put sleeping tablets in Mrs Clarkson's hot milk. We are going to question everybody, and we need a room, please.'
Roger stood up. 'I'm Roger Clarkson. You can have my father's old office. Come with me, it's along here,'
The office was not a very big room, but there was a table and three or four chairs. Roger opened the window.
'I would like to talk first to your uncle, Albert King,' Inspector Walsh said. He took off his hat and coat and sat down behind the table.
'Of course,' said Roger and left the room.Sergeant Foster waited by the door. He was a
very tall young man with black hair and a nice smile. He was not very happy this morning because he usually played tennis on Sunday mornings. He was one of the best players at the Cambridge Tennis Club.
Albert came in and sat down.
警察。"
羅傑的臉紅了，突然他覺得有些害怕。"警察
會找每個人談話，問些問題。"他想。"然後他們會
想要答案，這事非常棘手。"他喝完咖啡站起來。
"我上樓去，"他說。"我去告訴艾伯特姨父
和傑基有關媽媽的事……還有報警的事。"
4
警察很快就到了，來了許多人，一些人帶著相
機上樓到莫利的房間。兩個偵探在廚房和普拉特醫
生談話。家人在客廳等著。這又是個熱天，窗戶開著
狗安靜地坐在黛安娜腳旁。沒人說話。傑基抽著煙。
他們等了很長時間。突然門開了，兩名偵探走了進
來。
"早上好。我是沃爾什探長，這是福斯特警
官。"探長沒有笑。他是個高大的男人，穿件黑色的
舊衣服，披著件黑色外套，戴著頂黑色的帽子。
他總覺得冷所以穿了件外套。"昨晚有人把安
眠藥放在克拉克森太太的熱牛奶裡，我們會問每個
人。勞駕，我們需要一個房間。"
羅傑站起來。"我是羅傑·克拉克森。你們可以
用我父親過去的辦公室。跟我來，就在這兒。"
辦公室不是很大，但有一張桌子和三四把椅子
羅傑打開了窗戶。
"我想先和你的姨父艾伯特·金談談，"沃爾
什探長說。他脫下帽子和外套，坐在桌旁。
"當然可以，"羅傑說，然後離開了。
福斯特警官等在門邊。他是個高個子、黑頭髮，
有著迷人微笑的年青人。他通常在週日早上打網球
因而今早他有些不高興。他是劍橋網球俱樂部最好
的隊員之一。
艾伯特走進來坐下。
"金先生，我想問你幾個問題，"探長說，
"然後福斯特警官會把你說的話都記錄下來。"
艾伯特看著自己的腳。"好，好的。這是你們的
工作。我理解。"
"告訴我有關昨晚的事。"沃爾什探長平靜地
問。
"你對克拉克森太太生氣了。"
艾伯特這才直視著沃爾什探長。"是的，我生
氣了。每個人都生氣了，羅傑生氣了，黛安娜想要
錢去美國。然後有個叫湯姆·布里格斯的男人……
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'I'm going to ask some questions, Mr King,' the Inspector said, 'and Sergeant Foster is going to write it all down.'
Albert looked at his feet. 'Yes, yes. It's your job. I know that.'
'Tell me about last night,' Inspector Walsh asked quietly.
'You were angry with Mrs Clarkson.'Albert looked at Inspector Walsh for the first
time. 'Yes, I was. Everyone was angry. Roger was angry. Diane wanted money to go to America. Then there's a man called Tom Briggs…He wants half the garden for his farm. Molly was a rich woman. I need money because my wife Annie—Molly's sister—is very ill. I told Molly this.'
'What happened next?''Well, Molly was angry with everyone and went
upstairs. We went into the kitchen for coffee. Jackie wanted everyone to go up and say good night to Molly. She lives here with Molly so she wanted Molly to be happy. At first Roger said no. He was angry and didn't want to see his mother.'
'And did you see Molly in her room?''Yes. I was tired and I went upstairs first. I went
to Molly's room and asked her for money again. But no—there was no money for her sister.' Albert stopped and put his hand over his eyes.
Inspector Walsh watched Albert for a minute. 'Did you hear noises after you went to bed?'
'Everyone went into Molly's room to say good night, I think. Later, I heard someone…He—or she—went down-stairs. That was about midnight.'
'Very well, Mr King. Thank you, you can go now.' Albert left the room.
Inspector Walsh put his hands behind his head. 'What time is it? I'm hungry. We're learning a lot, but I need some coffee.'
'Shall I go to the kitchen?' Sergeant Foster asked.
'Oh, no. Later. Let's see Jackie Clarkson next.'Jackie came in and sat down. She looked
down at her hands and said nothing.'We found the empty bottle of your mother's
sleeping tablets in Diane's room,' the Inspector said suddenly. Then he waited. Jackie's face did not change and she said nothing.
'Tell me, did your mother get her tablets from the shop in the village?'
'Yes. My mother usually took a sleeping tablet every night so she needed a lot of tablets.
他想要一半花園當他的農場。莫利是個富有的女人。
我需要錢，因為我的妻子安妮——莫利的姐姐——
病得很重。我把這些告訴了莫利。"
"接著發生了什麼？"
"嗯，莫利衝大家生氣，然後上了樓。我們進
廚房去喝咖啡。傑基希望每人都上去對莫利道晚安。
她和莫利住在一塊，所以她想讓莫利快樂些。開始
羅傑不同意，他在生氣，不想見他的媽媽。"
"接著你去莫利的房間見她了？"
"是的。我累了，我先上了樓。我去莫利的房間
又向她要錢。但是不行——她沒有錢給她的姐姐。"
艾伯特停下來並用手矇住了眼睛。
沃爾什探長看了會艾伯特。"你上床後聽到什
麼聲音嗎？"
"我想，每人都到莫利的房間對他道晚安。隨
後，我聽到有人……他——或則她——下了樓。那
時大概是午夜了。"
"很好，金先生，謝謝。你現在可以走了。"艾
伯特離開了房間。
沃爾什探長把手放在腦後。"幾點了？我餓了。
我們瞭解了不少東西，但我需要點咖啡。"
"要我去廚房嗎？"福斯特警官問。
"哦，不，呆會兒。咱們接下來見見傑基·克
拉克森。"
傑基走進來坐下，她低頭看著手沒說話。
"我們在黛安娜的房間發現了你媽媽安眠藥的
空瓶子。"探長突然說，然後他等著。傑基臉色沒變
她一言不發。
"告訴我，你的媽媽是從村裡的商店買到藥
的嗎？"
"對。媽媽通常每晚都要服一片安眠藥，所以
她要許多藥片。有時她去商店買，有時是我去。週四
我請彼特·霍布斯去買。他住在馬路對面的那幢房
子，他經常騎自行車去村裡。"
"明白了。你母親想留在這幢房子裡。你呢？你
想搬家嗎？"
傑基抬頭看了會然後又低下頭看著她的手。
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Sometimes she got them from the shop, sometimes I did. On Thursday, I asked Peter Hobbs to get them. He lives in the house across the road, and he often goes to the village on his bicycle.'
'I see. Your mother wanted to stay in this house. How about you? Did you want to move?'
Jackie looked up for a minute and then down at her hands again. 'This is Mother's house. I loved my mother. She was good to me.'
'Did you see your mother in her room last night?'
'Yes, everyone did. Diane made hot milk and took it to Mother. She usually drank a cup of hot milk before she slept.'
Inspector Walsh put his hands behind his head. Jackie was very quiet. 'What did your mother say?'
Jackie opened her bag and looked for a cigarette. 'Can I smoke?'
'Of course. This is your house,' Inspector Walsh said. He watched Jackie. 'What did your mother say?' he asked again.
'She wanted to go downstairs again. She remembered the dogs—she wanted to get some dinner for them. I went to my room and she went downstairs.'
'What time was this?''I don't remember. About midnight, I think.''And the cup of hot milk?''It was on the table by her bed.''Did you need your mother's money?''No, Inspector. Money is not important to me.
There are more important things,' Jackie said quietly.
'Well, your uncle Albert wanted money. Tom Briggs wanted the garden. You wanted nothing?'
Jackie finished her cigarette and looked up at the Inspector. Her eyes were suddenly angry. 'Don't forget Peter Hobbs. He lost his job because of my mother. He wanted to kill her, you know. And what about Diane? You found the empty bottle in her bag.'
Inspector Walsh listened carefully. 'We're going to question everyone, Miss Clarkson.'
Jackie said nothing for a minute. 'Would you like some sandwiches and coffee, Inspector?'
'Ah! Yes, please!' Inspector Walsh said warmly. 'I would like sandwiches and coffee very much.'
Jackie left the room. Inspector Walsh thought about her. Why was she suddenly angry? The room was quiet.
"這是我媽媽的房子。我愛我的媽媽，她對我很
好。"
"昨晚你去她的房間見她了嗎？"
"去了，每人都去了。黛安娜煮了熱牛奶並端
給了媽媽。她通常在睡前要喝杯熱牛奶。"
沃爾什探長把手放在腦後。傑基很平靜。"你的
媽媽說些什麼？"
傑基打開包找了枝煙。"我可以抽嗎？"
"當然，這是你的家，"沃爾什探長說，他看
著傑基。"你的媽媽說了些什麼？"他又問。
"她又想下樓。她想起了狗——她想給它們弄
點東西吃。我走回我的房間然後她下了樓。"
"這時幾點了？"
"我記不清了。我想大概是午夜。"
"那麼那杯熱牛奶呢？"
"它在她床邊的桌上。"
"你需要你母親的錢嗎？"
"不，探長。錢對我不重要。有比錢更重要的東
西，"傑基平靜地說。
"嗯，你的艾伯特姨父要錢，湯姆·布里格
斯想要花園。你什麼也不想要？"
傑基抽完煙抬頭看著探長。她的眼裡突然冒著
火氣。"別忘了彼特·霍布斯。是我媽媽使他丟了工
作。你知道，他想殺她。還有黛安娜呢？你們在她包
裡發現了空瓶子。"
沃爾什探長仔細聽著。"我們會對每個人提問
克拉克森小姐。"
傑基沉默了一會。"探長，你們要些三明治和
咖啡嗎？"
"哈！好，麻煩了！"沃爾什探長溫和地說。
"我非常想要三明治和咖啡。"
傑基離開了房間。沃爾什探長想，她為什麼突
然生氣了？房間靜悄悄的。
5
用完咖啡和三明治後，沃爾什探長叫羅傑·
克拉克森到辦公室，羅傑走進來坐下。探長馬上就
開始了提問。
"嗨，克拉克森先生，你母親昨晚為何生你
的氣？"
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第 10 頁 / 共 17 頁
Chapter 5After the coffee and sandwiches, Inspector
Walsh called Roger Clarkson to the office. Roger came in and sat down. The Inspector began at once.
'Now, Mr Clarkson. Why was your mother angry with you last night?'
'This house is very big,' Roger said. 'It was a lot of work for Mother. I wanted her to move. But no, she loved this house and garden. She didn't want to move.'
'Tell me about your job, Mr Clarkson. Your mother is dead and now you're rich. Do you need money?'
Roger's face was suddenly afraid. 'What are you saying? I didn't kill my mother. I need money, that's true. A friend and I want to build ten houses here, in this garden. We can get a lot of money for them. So. I wanted Mother to sell this house. It's true. But Mr Briggs wanted half the garden, too, you know, for his farm.'
Inspector Walsh moved a pencil on the table. 'Tell me, what happened upstairs? You went to your mother's room?'
'Yes, I did. I wanted to say goodnight to my mother.'
'Did you talk about the house again?''Yes, I did. Again, she said no. She loved the
house and didn't want to sell it.'Inspector Walsh watched Roger for a minute. 'I
see. We found the empty bottle of sleeping tablets, Mr Clarkson, in Diane's room.'
Roger's face did not change. 'Oh? Someone put them there. Diane did not kill my mother, I know that. She found the body.'
'Very well. I would like to see Diane next.'Roger got up and left the room.Inspector Walsh stood up and put his hands in
his pockets. He went to the window and looked out at the trees. Why was Roger Clarkson afraid? Was it important? He looked at Sergeant Foster.
'Tomorrow morning, go to Mr Clarkson's office—you have the name,' he said. 'Ask some questions about him, about his job, friends, money.'
Sergeant Foster wrote it down. 'Yes, Inspector.''A good day for tennis, Sergeant?'Sergeant Foster laughed. 'Don't say that. It's
not easy, you know. I don't like sitting here looking at the sun.'
"房子太大了，"羅傑說。"媽媽得幹許多活
我希望她搬家。可是不行，她愛這所房子和花園，
她不想搬。"
"克拉克森先生，告訴我有關你工作的事，你
母親死了，現在你富有了。你需要錢嗎？"
羅傑的臉突然露出害怕的神色。"你在說什麼
我沒有殺我的媽媽。我需要錢，這是真的。我和一個
朋友想在這兒的花園裡建 10所房子，這事能使我
們賺許多錢，所以我希望媽媽賣了這所房子，這是
真的。可是布里格斯先生也想要半個花園當他的農
場，這你是知道的。"
沃爾什探長在桌上擺弄著鉛筆。"告訴我，樓
上發生了什麼事？你去你母親的房間了嗎？"
"是的，我去了。我想對媽媽道一聲晚安。"
"你又談起了房子？"
"是的，我說了。她又說不行，她愛這所房子
她不想賣掉它。"
沃爾什探長看了羅傑一會。"明白了。克拉克森
先生，在黛安娜的房間裡我們發現了安眠藥的空
瓶。"
羅傑沒變臉色。"哦？有某個人把它們放在那
裡了。黛安娜不會殺媽媽，我知道這事，是她發現
了屍體。"
"很好。下一個我想見見黛安娜。"
羅傑站起來離開了房間。
沃爾什探長站起來把手放進口袋。他走到窗前
看著外邊樹。為什麼羅傑·克拉克森會害怕？這重
要嗎？他看著福斯特警官。
"明天早上，去克拉克森先生的辦公室——你
知道他的名字。"他說。"問些有關他的情況，工作
朋友、錢。"
福斯特警官記了下來。"好的，探長。"
"打網球的好天氣，警官？"
福斯特警官笑道。"別說這個，你知道，這種
天氣可不容易遇到。我不喜歡坐在這兒看太陽。"
黛安娜走進房間坐下來，她看著福斯特警官並
衝他笑。"我想，我上個月在網球俱樂部見過你，
你打得很棒。"
福斯特警官的臉變紅了。沃爾什探長看著他。
"哦，是的。那位打得激烈、興奮的球員就是福斯特
警官。"
黛安娜又朝著福斯特警官笑，他的臉變得更紅
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Diane came into the room and sat down. She looked at Sergeant Foster and smiled. 'I saw you at the Tennis Club last month, I think. You play very well.'
Sergeant Foster's face went red. Inspector Walsh looked at him. 'Oh yes. A fast and exciting player is Sergeant Foster.'
Diane smiled again at Sergeant Foster and his face went redder.
'Well, Miss Clarkson,' Inspector Walsh said, 'I want you to talk about last night.'
Diane stopped smiling. 'Oh, I can talk about last night. I can't stop talking about it. We were all angry. Mother went to bed early and I made hot milk for her. We were all in the kitchen, and Peter Hobbs came in. He nearly broke the back door down.' Diane stopped.
'Yes?''He was very angry about a letter. He wanted to
kill Mother. Are you going to talk to him?''We're going to talk to everyone.''Good. Tom Briggs came into the kitchen, too.
Are you going to talk to him?''I'm asking the questions, Miss Clarkson. When
did you take the milk upstairs?''I went up after Roger.' She stopped for a
minute. Then she began again. 'I didn't like my mother, Inspector. She killed my father, you know. Last winter, after Christmas, she drove the car into a tree and killed my father.'
Inspector Walsh watched Diane's face carefully. 'I see. So you wanted to kill your mother?'
Diane laughed. 'I wanted to kill her, but I didn't. I can tell you a lot of things about this family, Inspector. Everyone wanted Mother to die. Uncle Albert wanted her money for his wife, Annie. And then my brother. He needs a lot of money. He has an expensive house and an expensive car. And think of Jackie. Do you know that Jackie didn't like Mother? A long time ago, a nice boy worked here. He was the gardener. Jackie loved him very much, but Mother said no. A gardener was not a good husband for a Clarkson girl!'
Inspector Walsh listened quietly. All this was very interesting but was it important? Perhaps. What a happy family the Clarksons were!
'We found the empty bottle of sleeping tablets in your room,' Inspector Walsh said quietly. He watched her face carefully.
Diane stood up suddenly, her face angry.
了。
"好了，克拉克森小姐，"沃爾什探長說。
"我想請你談談昨晚的事。"
黛安娜收住了笑容。"哦，我可以談談昨晚，
我的確是要談談。我們都生氣了。媽媽早早就上了床
然後我端了杯熱牛奶給她。我們都在廚房，隨後彼
特·霍布斯進來了，他幾乎把後門給砸倒了。"黛
安娜停住了。
"接著呢？"
"他對那封信很生氣，他想殺媽媽。你會和他
談談嗎？"
"我們會找每個人談。"
"很好。湯姆·布里格斯也進了廚房。你要和他
談談嗎？"
"克拉克森小姐，我提幾個問題。你什麼時候
端牛奶上樓的？"
"在羅傑之後。"她停了一會，然後她又說。
"我不喜歡媽媽，探長。你要知道，她殺了我父親。
去年冬天，聖誕節後，她開車撞著一棵樹，害死了
我父親。"
沃爾什警官仔細看著黛安娜的臉。"我明白了
所以你要殺死你母親？"
黛安娜笑了。"我是想殺她，但是我沒幹。探長
我可以告訴你有關這個家的許多事。每個人都希望
母親死。艾伯特姨父想要她的錢給他妻子安妮。還有
我的哥哥，他需要很多錢。他有一所昂貴的房子和
一輛昂貴的轎車。再想想傑基。你知道傑基不喜歡媽
媽嗎？很久以前，一個不錯的男孩在這兒工作，他
是個園丁，傑基非常愛他，可是媽媽不同意。一個
園丁對克拉克森家女孩來說不是個好丈夫！"
沃爾什探長平靜地聽著。這些都很有趣，可是
它們重要嗎？也許如此。克拉克森家是一個多麼快
樂的家庭！
"我們在你的房間找到安眠藥的空瓶，"沃爾
什探長平靜地說，他仔細看著她的臉。
黛安娜突然站起來，她一臉怒氣。"什麼？我
沒有放在那兒！我不要聽這些！"她跑出房間。
"好了，好了，好了，"沃爾什探長說。"她
喜歡你，警官，你得小心點。"
福斯特警官笑笑，他的臉卻又變紅了。
"有人把安眠藥放在莫利的熱牛奶裡，"探長
說。"所有人昨晚都在廚房。彼特·霍布斯和湯姆·
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'What? I didn't put it there! I'm not going to listen to this!' She ran out of the room.
'Well, well, well,' Inspector Walsh said. 'She likes you, Sergeant. You need to be careful.'
Sergeant Foster laughed but his face went red again.
'Someone put sleeping tablets in Molly's hot milk,' the Inspector said. 'All the family were in the kitchen last night. Peter Hobbs and Tom Briggs were there, too. One of them killed Molly.'
Inspector Walsh got his hat and coat. 'Come on. We need to talk to Peter Hobbs and Tom Briggs. Let's get some more coffee first. I'd like a sandwich, too. I'm hungry again!'
Chapter 6They found Peter Hobbs under his car—an old
green car. He got up slowly. He wore old blue trousers and a dirty orange shirt.
'We want to talk about Mrs Clarkson,' Inspector Walsh said.
'Oh, it's about her,' Peter said. He looked at the Inspector. 'I know she's dead. Someone in the village told me.'
'Why did you go to the Clarkson's house last night?'
'Jackie wanted me to come and see her brother, Roger.'
"You're angry," she said. "Come and tell Roger." I went to the house but nobody opened the door. So I made a lot of noise and then they opened the door. Old Mrs Clarkson wasn't there. But I told Roger. I told them all!' Peter hit the car with his hand. 'I wanted to kill that woman. I lost my job, my first job, because of her. Last month I was in trouble with the police and that old woman wrote to my office and she told them about the police. I wanted to kill her!'
'Take it easy!' Inspector Walsh said. 'What happened next?'
'Jackie gave me some coffee, but her brother didn't listen to me,' Peter said angrily. 'Then Tom Briggs came in. He wanted to talk to Roger, too. But Roger didn't listen to him. Jackie was very unhappy—she nearly cried. Then I went home. That's all.'
'I see. Now tell me about the tablets. You went to the village on Thursday?'
'Tablets? Oh, yes. I remember. Jackie wanted me to get her mother's tablets from the village. I go to the village on my bicycle—this car doesn't work.'
布里格斯也在那兒。他們中有人殺了莫利。"
沃爾什探長戴上帽子穿上外衣。"走吧，我們
需要和彼特·霍布斯和湯姆·布里格斯談談。咱們
得先喝點咖啡，我還想要塊三明治。我又餓了！"
6
他們在小車下找到彼特·霍布斯——一輛舊的
綠色小車。他慢慢站起來。他穿了條舊的藍褲子和一
件髒兮兮的桔色襯衫。
"我們想和你談談克拉克森太太，"沃爾什探
長說。
"哦，談談她，"彼特說。他看著探長。"我知
道她死了，村裡有人告訴了我。"
"昨晚你為什麼去克拉克森家？"
"傑基要我去見她的弟弟，羅傑。
"你生氣了，"她說，"來告訴羅傑吧。"我
去了那兒但沒人給我開門。所以我弄出很大的噪音
然後他們開了門。老克拉克森太太不在那兒。但是我
告訴了羅傑，我全都告訴了他們！"彼特用手敲打
著車。"我想殺了那個女人。我丟了工作，我的第一
份工作，就是因為她。上個月我跟警察有些糾紛，
那老女人就寫信給我的辦公室，她告訴他們有關警
察的事。我想殺了她！"
"很容易！"沃爾什探長說，"接下來發生
了什麼事？"
"傑基給我咖啡，可她的弟弟沒聽我說，"彼
特生氣地說。"然後湯姆·布里格斯進來了。他也想
和羅傑談談，可羅傑不聽他的。傑基很不高興——
她幾乎哭了。然後我回家了。就這些。"
"明白了。現在告訴我有關藥片的事。你週四去
村裡了嗎？"
"藥片？哦，是的。我想起來了。傑基要我從村
裡給她媽媽帶些藥片。我騎自行車去村裡的——這
輛車壞了。"
"謝謝，彼特。到此為止吧。"
"到此為止？"彼特生氣地笑笑。"你們會回
來，我知道！我知道警察。"
湯姆·布里格斯的農場離河大約有半英里遠。
這是個不大的農場，並且房子又舊又髒。
"這兒不值多少錢，"沃爾什探長說。
湯姆·布里格斯是個年輕人，大約 30來歲，
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'Thank you, Peter. That's all.''That's all?' Peter laughed angrily. 'You're going
to come back, I know that! I know the police!'Tom Briggs' farm was about half a mile away,
near the river. It was not a big farm, and the house was old and dirty.
'Not much money here,' Inspector Walsh said.Tom Briggs was a young man, about thirty
years old, with dirty hands and bad teeth. 'What's wrong? Excuse me, I'm eating my dinner,' he said.
'We can wait. Finish your dinner,' Inspector Walsh said. 'We want to ask one or two questions about last night.'
'Come and wait in the front room,' Tom said and opened the door.
Inspector Walsh looked at the things in the front room. There was an old black and white television, and some books on the table. There was a picture of a happy young girl with long brown hair on the table, too. Inspector Walsh looked at the picture for a long time. Who was the girl?
Tom Briggs came back into the front room.'Finished?' Inspector Walsh asked. 'You know
Mrs Clarkson is dead?'Tom Briggs sat down suddenly on the nearest
chair. 'What? How did she die? When did it happen? I was there last night.'
'She died last night or early this morning. What did you do last night?'
'Me? Why are you asking me? I went there to meet Mr Clarkson Roger. I'm losing money on this farm and I need more land. I want half Mrs Clarkson's garden.'
'You went into the kitchen. What did you do next? Can you remember?'
Tom Briggs looked at Sergeant Foster and then back at Inspector Walsh. 'I remember it very well. All the family were in the kitchen. Peter Hobbs was there, too. I talked to Roger. He wants his mother to sell the house. But he wants the land. He doesn't want me to have it. But now Mrs Clarkson is dead. What's going to happen now?'
Inspector Walsh got up and took the picture of the girl from the table. 'Who's this?'
Tom's face went red. 'Who? Oh! That's a friend. It's not…It was a long time ago.'
The two detectives walked back to the Clarksons' house through the garden. It was beautiful, green and quiet. Inspector Walsh felt tired and hungry. Who killed Molly? He knew the answer
一雙手很髒，還有一口壞牙。"出了什麼事？抱歉
我正在吃飯，"他說。
"我們可以等，你去吃飯吧，"沃爾什探長說
"我們想問一兩個有關昨晚的問題。"
"進來在前屋等吧，"湯姆說著打開了門。
沃爾什探長看著前屋的東西。屋裡有一臺舊的
黑白電視機，桌上還有些書。一個棕色長髮，充滿
快樂的年青女孩的相片也在桌上，沃爾什探長盯著
照片看了好一會。這女孩是誰？
湯姆·布里格斯走進前屋。
"吃完了？"沃爾什探長問。"你知道克拉克
森太太死了嗎？"
湯姆·布里格斯突然跌坐在最靠近身邊的椅子
上。"什麼？她怎麼死的？什麼時候發生的？我昨
晚還在那兒。"
"她死於昨晚或是今天清晨。你昨晚幹了什
麼？"
"我？你為什麼要問我？我去那兒見克拉克森
先生——羅傑。我的農場在虧損，我需要更多的土
地。我想要克拉克森夫人的半個花園。"
"你進了廚房，你接下來幹了什麼？你能記
得嗎？"
湯姆·布里格斯看著福斯特警官，然後又回頭
看著沃爾什探長。"我記得非常清楚。所有的家人都
在廚房，彼特·霍布斯也在那兒。我和羅傑談話，
他想要他母親賣了房子，可是他要地，他不想讓我
得到它。但是現在克拉克森夫人死了。將會發生什麼
呢？"
沃爾什探長站起來，拿起桌上女孩的照片。
"這是誰？"
湯姆的臉變紅了。"誰？哦！那是一個朋友。這
不是……這是很久以前的了。"
兩人穿過花園走回到克拉克森家。花園美麗蔥
綠寧靜。沃爾什探長覺得又累又餓。誰殺了莫利？他
現在知道了答案，可他需要再問一兩個問題。
"咱們走，警官，"他說，然後戴上帽子。
"明天是新的一天了。"
7
星期一早上，福斯特警官去羅傑的辦公室，
問了幾個問題，然後他去艾伯特家，問了些別的問
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now, but he needed to ask one or two more questions.
'Let's go, Sergeant,' he said, and put on his hat again. 'Tomorrow is a new day.'
Chapter 7On Monday morning Sergeant Foster went to
Roger's office and asked some questions. And then he went to Albert's house and asked some more questions. Inspector Walsh sat in his office and telephoned. He made phone calls about Peter Hobbs and he made phone calls about Tom Briggs. And then he had some coffee and sandwiches.
At three o'clock the two detectives drove to the Clarksons' house.
'I would like to see everyone,' he told Roger.Everyone came into the sitting room and sat
down.Inspector Walsh stood in front of the windows
and looked at them, one by one. 'I want to talk to you. Someone killed Molly Clarkson. Someone put sleeping tablets in her hot milk and killed her Nobody wanted to tell me the true story, but now I know the true story and I'm going to tell you.'
The two dogs came slowly into the room and sat down at Diane's feet. It was very quiet in the room.
The Inspector looked at Albert. 'Mr King, your wife is very ill and needs a nurse. You told me this. You didn't tell me about your house. You're selling your house next month because you need the money.'
Albert was angry. 'Last year I asked Molly's husband for some money, and he said yes. But then he died in an accident.'
'Accident!' Diane cried. 'That was no accident. Mother killed Daddy because she wanted his money!
'Let's talk about you now, Diane,' said Inspector Walsh. You visited your mother every month and you took money from her. Last month she gave you money for your television. This month she gave you money for your telephone. Every month you told your mother: "It was no accident; you killed Daddy. I'm going to tell the police. "Your mother was afraid of the police and so she gave you the money. But in the end she wanted to stop you. She told Dr Pratt. No more money, she told Dr Pratt on Thursday; and on Saturday she died. You took the hot milk to your mother－what did she tell you?'
題。沃爾什探長坐在辦公室打電話。他打電話找彼
特·霍夫斯，然後又打電話找湯姆·布里格斯。接
著他要了些咖啡和三明治。
3點鐘，兩名偵探開車去了克拉克森家。
"我想見見每個人，"他告訴羅傑。
大家都走進客廳坐下來。
沃爾什探長站在窗前輪流地看了每個人一眼。
"我想和你們談談。有人殺死了莫利·克拉克森，
有人把安眠藥放在她的熱牛奶裡殺了她。沒人願意
告訴我實情，但現在我知道了事情真象，我將會告
訴你們。"
兩條狗慢慢走進房間坐在黛安娜腳旁。房間裡
非常安靜。
探長看著艾伯特。"金先生，你妻子病得很重
需要一名護士，你告訴了我。你卻沒告訴我有關你
的房子。因為你們需要錢，你們下個月就要賣了你
們的房子。"
艾伯特生氣了。"去年我向莫利的丈夫要些錢
他答應了。可接著他死於一場事故。"
"事故！"黛安娜叫道。"那不是事故！媽媽
想要他的錢，所以她殺了爸爸！"
"咱們現在談談你，黛安娜，"沃爾什探長說
"你每個月都來見你母親，然後從她那兒要走錢。
上個月她給你錢買電視，這個月她又為你的電話付
錢。每次你告訴你的母親：'那不是一場事故；你殺
了爸爸。我要告訴警察。'你母親害怕警察，所以她
給你錢。但是最後她想阻止你。她告訴了普拉特醫生
沒有太多的錢了，她是週四告訴普拉特醫生的。接
著星期天她死了。你端熱牛奶給你母親——她給你
說些什麼？"
黛安娜開始哭。"我愛爸爸！他總是給我錢，
他愛我。就是媽媽——她不愛爸爸，也不愛我。"黛
安娜停住了。狗站起來向門口走去。"是真的，我從
母親那兒要了不少錢。我想殺了她，可我沒有。"
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Diane began to cry. 'I loved Daddy! He always gave money to me; he loved me. It was Mother－she didn't love Daddy and she didn't love me. Diane stopped. The dogs got up and went to the door. 'It's true, I took a lot of money from Mother. On Saturday she told me—no more money. I wanted to kill her, but I didn't.'
The dogs came back and sat down again at Diane's feet. Inspector Walsh looked at Roger. 'Mr Clarkson also needed money.'
Roger's face went red. 'Don't tell them! Please!''Mr Clarkson lost his job last month. He has no
money. But he has an expensive house and an expensive car. He likes expensive things.'
His sisters looked at him, but Roger put his hand over his eyes. 'Don't talk to me!'
'It doesn't matter now!' Diane said. 'Mother is dead and we have a lot of money. You don't need a job.'
Roger's face went red again. 'Be quiet, Diane!''Now,' Inspector Walsh began again. 'Peter
Hobbs is a very angry young man. Mrs Clarkson was not very nice to him. He got the sleeping tablets from the shop. But did he put the tablets in the hot milk? I think not. Tom Briggs wanted half the garden for his farm. He was in the kitchen that night. Did he put sleeping tablets in the hot milk? I think not.'
Suddenly it began to rain. For a minute everyone watched it through the window. Jackie took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke.
'But someone wanted Peter Hobbs to come into the kitchen that night. She wanted everyone to see him, and listen to him,' Inspector Walsh said.
'She…? I don't understand,' Roger began, and stopped.
Inspector Walsh moved away from the window and sat down. 'I'm going to tell you the true story now. Miss Clarkson, you wanted Peter Hobbs to come to the house that night. He was very angry with your mother because of that letter. He said: "I want to kill her." And you wanted everyone to hear that. Why?'
Jackie's face went white. It's not true! What about Diane? You found the empty bottle in her bag!'
Diane stood up. 'In my bag? Jackie! What are you talking about?'
'Be quiet, please, and sit down,' Inspector Walsh said. He looked at Jackie. 'It's true: we found
狗回來又坐在黛安娜腳旁。
沃爾什探長看著羅傑。"克拉克森先生也需要
錢。"
羅傑的臉變紅了。"請你別告訴他們！"
"克拉克森先生上個月失業了，他沒有錢了。
可他有一所昂貴的房子和一輛車。他喜歡昂貴的東
西。"
他的姐妹看著他，可羅傑用手捂住眼睛。"別
對我說這些！"
"現在沒關係！"黛安娜說。"媽媽死了，我
們有很多錢，你不需要一份工作。"
羅傑的臉又變紅了。"住嘴，黛安娜！"
"現在，"沃爾什探長又開始說了。"彼特·
霍布斯是個非常忿怒的年輕人，克拉克森太太對他
不太好。他從商店裡買到安眠藥，可他會把安眠藥
放在熱牛奶裡嗎？我認為不會。湯姆·布里格斯想
要半個花園當他的農場。他那晚在廚房，是他放安
眠藥在熱牛奶裡了嗎？我認為沒有。"
突然天開始下雨了。好一會兒大家都看著窗外
的雨。傑基從包裡拿了枝煙，開始抽。
"可有人要彼特·霍布斯那晚會廚房。她想要
大家都看見他，並聽他說話，"沃爾什探長說。
"她……？我不明白，"羅傑說著，然後又停
住了。
沃爾什探長從窗邊走過來坐下。"現在我將告
訴你們事件的真象。克拉克森小姐，你那晚要彼
特·霍布斯來家裡。他因為那封信很生你母親的氣。
他說：'我要殺了她。'因而你想要大家都聽到這話。
為什麼？"
傑基的臉變白了。"這不是真的！黛安娜呢？
你們在她包裡發現了空瓶子！"
黛安娜站起來。"在我包裡？傑基！你在說什
麼？"
"請安靜，坐下，"沃爾什探長說，看著傑基
"沒錯，我們在黛安娜的包裡發現了瓶子。可你怎
麼知道的？我們並沒有告訴你。"
"你們告訴了……先前……你們先前告訴了
我！"
"沒有。我們在黛安娜的房間發現了空瓶，我
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the bottle in Diane's bag. But how do you know that? We didn't tell you.'
'You did…before…you told me before!''No. We found the empty bottle in Diane's
room. We told you that. You talked about Diane's bag; we didn't tell you. Sergeant foster wrote it all down.' Inspector Walsh looked carefully at Jackie. 'A long time ago, you knew Tom Briggs. He was the gardener here and you loved him. But your mother didn't like him.'
Jackie put her hands to her head. 'No! No!''We found your picture—an old one—in Mr
Briggs' house. You were younger then, and your hair was long. Last year Tom Briggs came back, and you wanted him. He loved you, too, but he had no money. He wanted the garden for his farm, he wanted money, he wanted you. But your mother said no. In the end, you wanted to kill your mother…and you did kill her. Your mother went downstairs to see the dogs and you put the sleeping tablets in her hot milk. Later, you put the empty bottle in Diane's bag.
Jackie stood up. Her eyes were dark and afraid. 'You don't understand!' she cried. 'Mother gave me nothing…all those years. I wanted to be happy…to be with Tom. That's all. I love Tom, and he loves me. But Mother said no. Always no.' Then she began to cry. Nobody looked at her.
Jackie left the house in a police car. Inspector Walsh watched and then walked slowly to his car. He felt tired and hungry. He stopped and looked back at the house.
'Well,' he said to Sergeant Foster, 'in the end, they go the money: Albert, Roger, Diane. They're all rich now. But are they going to be happy?'
He got into the car. 'Let's go,' he said. 'I'm hungry; need a sandwich.'
們告訴了你這事。你說的是黛安娜的包，我們沒有
告訴你。福斯特警官記下來了。"沃爾什探長仔細看
著傑基。"很久以前，你認識了湯姆·布里格斯，
他是這兒的園丁，你愛上了他，可你的母親不喜歡
他。"
傑基把手放在頭上。"不！不！"
"我發現你的相片——一張舊的——在布里格
斯家裡。你比現在年青，頭髮長長的。去年湯姆·
布里格斯回來了，你想得到他，他也愛你，可他沒
有錢。他想要花園當他的農場，他想要錢，他也想
得到你。可你母親不同意。最後，你想殺了你母親…
…然後你真的殺了她。你母親下樓去看狗，然後你
把安眠藥放在她的熱牛奶裡。隨後，你把空瓶子放
進黛安娜的包裡。"
傑基站起來，她黑黑的眼睛帶著恐懼。"你們
不知道！"她大聲道。"母親什麼也沒給我……這
麼多年了。我想要幸福……和湯姆一起，就這些。我
愛湯姆，他也愛我。可母親不同意，總是不同意。"
然後她開始哭，沒人理睬她。
傑基走出房子上了警車。沃爾什探長注視著她
然後慢慢走向他的車。他覺得又累又餓。他停下來回
頭看著那所房子。
"好了，"他對福斯特警官說，"最後，他們
得到了錢：艾伯特，羅傑，黛安娜。他們現在都富
有了。可他們會快樂嗎？"
他上了小車。"咱們走吧，"他說。"我餓了，
我需要塊三明治。"
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第 17 頁 / 共 17 頁
親愛的結束了。
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