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书虫5级《沙洲之谜》6. 少女和书

所属教程:书虫5级 沙洲之谜

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2022年07月26日

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6. A young lady and a book

We left Bensersiel the next morning, but the wind had dropped, just when we needed it most, and sometimes we did not seem to be moving at all, but were just rolling from side to side. In the distance we saw the Blitz, travelling rapidly westwards, and I felt sure the Kormoran would also be on her way to Norderney.

I was desperately impatient to get on, but it took us most of the day to reach Langeoog, and we anchored that night near Baltrum, in a thick white fog. The next morning we continued our painfully slow journey, and in the afternoon I heard Davies shout at last, 'There's Norderney!' I looked up and saw, through the mist, a group of grassy sandhills, exactly like a hundred others I had seen recently, but of much greater interest to me.

I was busy with the lead line, as we were in shallow water, when Davies suddenly said, 'Is that a boat ahead?'

The Kormoran, do you think?' I asked, noticing what looked like a fishing boat in the distance.

Davies said nothing, and seemed to forget that he was steering the boat. We touched the sandbank, but luckily the tide pushed us away again. His next words surprised me. 'Let go the anchor. Lower the sail.'

When I had done this, Davies was still staring into the mist through his binoculars, and, to my astonishment, I noticed that his hands were trembling violently. I had never seen this happen before, even at moments of great danger.

What's the matter?' I asked. 'Are you cold?'

That little boat,' he said. 'It's her, I'm sure. It's the Medusa's dinghy. She's come to meet m—, I mean, us.' He pushed the binoculars into my hand, and I saw a pretty little white sail coming closer. I kept my eyes on the boat, as I did not want to look at Davies. At last I heard him draw a deep breath. He turned to the Dulcibella's dinghy.

You come, too,' he offered, jumping in and picking up the oars.

I'd rather stay. I'll tidy up the cabin.'

Carruthers,' said Davies, 'if she comes aboard, please remember she's outside this business. There are no clues to be got from her.'

I'll keep out of it this time,' I said. 'You do and say what you like.'

He rowed away, just as he was, with unbrushed hair and in his old sailing clothes. I watched the two boats getting closer in the mist, and heard a great splashing of oars. Finally I saw the boats being pulled up on a sandbank, and then two figures walking rapidly to meet each other. And then I thought it was time to go below to tidy the cabin.

Nothing on earth could have made the Dulcibella's cabin a suitable place to receive a lady, but I did my best, putting clothes away in cupboards, a clean cloth on the table, and books back on the shelf. I had just put water on to boil for tea, when I heard the dinghy return.

I went up on deck, and found Davies with a very pretty girl, about nineteen years old. She was wearing a thick jacket, dark skirt and rubber boots, and her rose-brown skin lent a delicious touch of colour to the greyness of the sea and sky. When she looked at me and spoke, I knew immediately that she was no 'Fräulein Dollmann', but as English as I was, although she must have spoken German ever since she was a child.

She looked eagerly round the yacht, asking questions about all she saw, but it was obvious that she was more interested in Davies himself. The way she looked at him, and the way he looked at her, made me feel sorry for myself, because I was not in love, and even sorrier for Davies, because I could not see how all this would end. One thing was clear, however. She could never have been involved in her father's attempt to kill Davies.

How did you manage alone that day?' she asked him suddenly. 'You know, on the way to Cuxhaven.'

Oh, it was quite safe,' replied Davies. 'But it's much better to have a friend.'

She looked at me, and – well, I was suddenly extremely proud to be Davies's friend.

Father said you'd be safe,' she said.

We went below into the cabin, where the water was just beginning to boil. Miss Dollmann was in a light-hearted mood, laughing and joking about all our little domestic arrangements.

You will stop at Norderney?' she asked us.

I looked at Davies. It was up to him. But I need not have doubted him. There was no hesitation in his reply. 'Yes, of course we shall. I'd like to see your father again.'

Ye–es,' she said, anxiously, 'yes, I'm sure he will be glad to see you.' She did not sound at all certain. 'He'll be back tomorrow. You know, we aren't living on the Medusa at the moment, but in our house on Norderney. My stepmother is there too.' She gave Davies the address, a little unwillingly, it seemed to me.

The difficult moment passed and a warm and friendly feeling returned to the cabin as the three of us sat down to enjoy our tea together. But that pleasant event never took place – all because of an English name in gold-painted letters on the cover of an old book on our bookshelf. The disaster came and went so quickly that at the time I had no idea what caused it. One moment our visitor was laughing and talking to Davies, while looking through some of our books. Then suddenly there was an awful silence, and I turned round from making the tea. She was sitting quite still, with eyes wide open, and a very white, frightened face.

Clara was sitting quite still, with eyes wide open, and a very white, frightened face.

After a few seconds, she managed to speak. 'How late it is – I really must go. My boat won't be safe.' She got up from the table.

What's the matter?' asked Davies in English, but she did not answer, and almost ran up the ladder, like a wounded animal trying to escape. She had reached the deck and jumped into the dinghy, before she realized she needed one of us to go with her and bring the boat back.

Davies can...' I began, but she interrupted me.

Oh, no, thank you. If you will be so kind, Herr Carruthers. It's your turn. I mean—'

Go on,' said Davies to me in English. I jumped into the dinghy. The poor girl tried to apologize to Davies, but could not find the right words.

Goodbye,' he said simply, and turned away.

I offered to row, but she took no notice and rowed fast towards her sailing boat. It was now floating gently off the sandbank, where it was anchored.

Herr Carruthers,' she said. 'I want to say something to you.' (It sounded like von Brüning's warning all over again.) 'I made a mistake just now. It's not a good idea for you to call on us at Norderney tomorrow. My father is always busy.'

We can come another day. We have several days to spare,' I said, 'and we have to stop at Norderney for letters, anyway.'

Please don't come because of us,' she said. 'This fine weather may not last. It would be a pity not to use it to sail to England. And my father will be too busy to see you, I know.'

But we could see you, surely,' I replied.

No, no, please,' she said quickly. 'My father would not like it. I should not have come today. Please tell Herr Davies that – he must not come near us.'

He'll understand,' I said. 'I know he'll be very sorry, but you can always trust him to do the right thing.'

Yes, I know I can,' she said softly. 'Goodbye. Please say goodbye to Herr Davies for me.'

I rowed back to the yacht, where I found Davies in the cabin. He had taken down all the books from the shelf, and was staring at the one he held in his hand.

What on earth can have upset her?' I asked.

I've just realized,' he said. 'It was this,' and he handed me the book. I had seen it before on the shelf, but never opened it. It was about sailing on the east coast of England, with all the usual details of winds and tides.

What about it?' I asked, puzzled.

Don't you see? She was looking at this book,' said Davies. 'Look at the photograph at the front.'

I looked. It showed a young man on the deck of a small yacht. 'Well?' I still could not understand.

It's him!'

Who?'

Dollmann!' cried Davies. 'Dollmann wrote it! She was upset because now we know who her father really is! '

I looked at the front of the book. The author was Captain X of the Royal Navy. The book had been written sixteen years before. 'Are you sure it's him?' I asked.

Quite sure,' Davies replied. He looked again at the picture. 'Yes, that's Dollmann, all right.'

So, sixteen years ago he was an officer in the British Navy, and now he's working for the Germans,' I said slowly. 'He's about fifty now, you said, so that fits in. And the girl has been speaking German since she was a child. They must have come to Germany soon after he wrote the book. Is it a well-known book?'

I've never seen another copy,' said Davies. 'I bought this one for a few pence, in a second-hand bookshop.'

Didn't you say that Dollmann visited you on the Dulcibella in September?' I asked.

Of course! He must have seen the book. Perhaps he thought I'd recognized him. That explains everything!'

Does it?' I said. 'Perhaps he's just someone who did something wrong, had to leave the navy, and came here, where nobody knew him, to start a new life.'

No, that's not it,' said Davies. 'That doesn't explain why Grimm's been watching us, or why von Brüning suspects us. What do you think of the daughter?' he added.

She's lovely, Davies,' I said. 'You'll be a lucky man if... well, better not think about that for the moment. I'm sorry I ever thought badly of her. I can see she's quite innocent of any unpleasant business. Mind you, she's aware that they have a past to hide. This makes the problem much more difficult for us, doesn't it?'

Not at all,' said Davies. 'It just means that there are two things we must do. We must find out exactly what Dollmann is doing and stop him, and we've got to make sure she doesn't suffer because of his guilt.'

He's still away,' I said.

Yes, I know. But she said he's coming back on the ferry from the mainland tomorrow morning. We'd better be there when he arrives.'

We arrived at Norderney town in the evening, and anchored on the edge of the deep water channel, about fifty metres from the harbour entrance. We were too excited to sleep, or do anything except make plans, and talk. At last Davies's natural shyness left him, and I was able to see into the secret corners of his heart. He loved this girl, and he loved his country, and he was determined to be loyal to both of them. Somehow, a way must be found to do this.

After much discussion, we realized there was only one answer – to get Dollmann, secrets and all, daughter and all, away from Germany completely. This was now our goal, and we took delight in the challenge. We had no clear idea how we would reach the goal, but there were two possible ways forward. One was to continue searching the area for clues of some kind; and the other was to use this new information about Dollmann to force him to tell us what was going on. By the time we went to bed, this second plan was the preferred one.

* * *

binoculars n. (pl) special glasses for seeing the details of distant objects 双筒望远镜

oar n. a long pole used to move a boat through the water 船桨

delicious adj. extremely pleasant or enjoyable 宜人的;令人愉快的

domestic adj. used in people's homes 家用的

loyal adj. staying faithful to somebody or something 忠诚的

6. 少女和书

第二天早上我们从贝瑟西尔起航,可就在我们最需要风的时候,风力却减弱了。有时船似乎一点儿都没往前走,只是左右摇晃。我们远远看到“闪电”号向西飞速前进,我几乎可以肯定,“鸬鹚”号也会到诺德奈去。

我迫不及待地想要前进,可我们花了大半天时间才驶到朗格奥格。那晚,我们停泊在贝尔特鲁姆附近,身处白色的浓雾中。第二天早上,缓慢而痛苦的航行又开始了。到了下午,我终于听到戴维斯大喊:“诺德奈到了!”我抬起头,透过浓雾看到一群长满草的沙丘。一模一样的沙丘我近来见过不下百次了,可这一群对我而言有着较大的吸引力。

和在浅海航行时一样,我忙着用水砣绳测水深。这时,戴维斯突然说道:“前面是有一艘船吗?”

“是‘鸬鹚’号吧,你觉得呢?”我注意到远处有一艘渔船模样的船。

戴维斯没说话,似乎忘了自己在掌舵。船碰到了沙洲,不过幸好又被潮水推开了。戴维斯接下来的话让我大吃一惊:“抛锚,收帆。”

我照做了,而他仍在用双筒望远镜向雾中凝望。我注意到他的手在剧烈颤抖,吓了一大跳。我之前从没见过他这样,即使是在最危险的时候。

“怎么了?”我问,“你冷吗?”

“那艘小船。”他说,“是它,我确定。那是‘美杜莎’号的小艇。她是来见我——我是指,我们的。”他把双筒望远镜塞给我,我看见一艘漂亮的白色小帆船正驶过来。我一直盯着那船,因为我不想看戴维斯。终于,我听见他深吸了一口气,朝“达尔茜贝拉”号的小艇走去。

“你也来吧。”他跳进小艇,拿起桨,向我提议道。

“我还是留下吧,收拾收拾船舱。”

“卡拉瑟斯,”戴维斯说,“要是她来到咱们船上,请记住她与这事无关。从她身上找不到任何线索的。”

“这回我什么也不管。”我说,“怎么做怎么说都由你。”

他顶着一头没梳理的发,穿着旧航海服,就这样划着小船走了。我看着两艘船在雾中越来越近,听到一阵嘈杂的划桨声。终于,我看见两艘船停靠在一座沙洲旁,接着两个人影急匆匆地朝对方走去。这时,我觉得我该下去收拾船舱了。

“达尔茜贝拉”号的船舱再怎样也不适合招待一位出身高贵的姑娘,但我还是尽了最大努力:把衣服收进衣橱,换上干净桌布,把书放回架子上。我刚刚烧上沏茶的水,就听见小艇回来了。

我走上甲板,发现戴维斯和一个19岁左右的漂亮姑娘在一起。姑娘穿着厚夹克、深色半截裙,还有橡胶靴,棕里透红的皮肤为灰蒙蒙的大海和天空增添了一抹动人的亮色。她看着我,一开口冲我说话,我立刻就知道她根本不是个德国姑娘,而是和我一样的地道英国人,只不过从小就说德语罢了。

她兴致盎然地环视着游艇,看到什么都要问个问题,但显然她对戴维斯本人更感兴趣。她看他的眼神,还有他看她的目光,让我为自己没有恋人而感到难过。但我更替戴维斯难过,因为我不知道他们的爱情将有怎样的结果。不过有一点是显而易见的:她肯定没有参与她父亲除掉戴维斯的阴谋。

“那天你一个人到底是怎么脱险的?”她突然问道,“哦,就是去库克斯港的路上。”

“噢,其实没什么危险啦。”戴维斯说,“不过有个朋友还是会好得多。”

她看了看我,这时——唔,我突然为自己是戴维斯的朋友感到极度光荣。

“父亲说你会平安无事的。”她说。

我们下到船舱里,这时水刚要烧开。多尔曼小姐显得很轻松,谈笑之余,对我们舱内布置的每个小细节都要戏谑一番。

“你们会在诺德奈停留吧?”她问。

我看了看戴维斯,这都取决于他。但我根本没必要怀疑他的想法,因为他毫不迟疑地答道:“会呀,我们当然会。我还想再见见你父亲呢。”

“是……是呀,”她不安地说,“是的,他肯定也会很高兴见到你。”可她的语气一点儿也不肯定。“他明天就回来了。你们知道吗?我们现在没住在‘美杜莎’号上,而是住在诺德奈的家里。我继母也在那儿。”她把地址给了戴维斯,在我看来似乎带着几分不情愿。

这段尴尬的小插曲过后,船舱里又恢复了温暖、友好的气氛,我们三人坐下准备一起喝茶。可我们终归还是没喝上茶——一切都是拜一个烫金的英语名字所赐。那个名字出现在一本旧书的封面上,书放在我们的书架上。变故是在一瞬间发生的,我当时都没明白是怎么回事。我们的客人刚刚还一边笑着和戴维斯说话,一边浏览我们的一些书籍呢。接着突然间,船舱里一阵可怕的沉默,我停止泡茶,转过身来。多尔曼小姐木木地坐在那里,双眼圆睁,苍白的脸上写满恐惧。

几秒钟之后,她才说出话来:“太晚了——我真的得走了。我的船会有危险的。”她从桌边站起身来。

“怎么了?”戴维斯用英语问道。多尔曼小姐没有回答,几乎是跑着上了梯子,像一只竭力逃跑的受了伤的小动物。她上了甲板,跳进小艇,这才意识到得有一个人跟她一起走,好把船划回来。

“戴维斯可以——”我刚开口就被她打断了。

“噢不,谢谢。请你帮帮忙,卡拉瑟斯先生,该轮到你了。我是说——”

“去吧。”戴维斯用英语对我说。我跳进小艇。可怜的姑娘想要向戴维斯道歉,却找不到合适的语言。

“再见。”他只说了这一句,就转过身去。

我提议由我来划船,可她没注意到我的话,只是飞快地向她的帆船划去。那艘船原本停泊在沙洲上,现在正缓缓漂离停泊的地方。

“卡拉瑟斯先生,”她说,“我想跟你说件事。”(她的语气听上去跟冯布吕宁的警告毫无二致。)“我刚才犯了个错误,不该叫你们明天去诺德奈看我们的。我父亲一直很忙。”

“我们可以改天再去,有好几天空闲时间呢。”我说,“再说,我们得在诺德奈停留的,要去取信呀。”

“请不要专程来看我们。”她说,“这样的好天气可能持续不了多久,你们不借机回英国,真是太可惜了。而且我父亲也会很忙,没时间见你们,我知道的。”

“可我们肯定能见你吧。”我回答。

“不,不,求你们别来。”她急忙说道,“我父亲会不高兴的。我今天就不该来。请告诉戴维斯先生——让他不要接近我们。”

“他会理解的。”我说,“我知道他会很难过,但你要相信,他知道该怎么办。”

“是的,我相信。”她轻声说,“再见。也替我向戴维斯先生道别。”

我划着小艇回到船上,看到戴维斯正在船舱里。他把书全部从架子上拿了下来,正盯着手里的一本看。

“到底有什么让她不高兴?”我问。

“我刚意识到。”他说,“是这个。”他把那本书递给我。我之前在架子上见过这本书,但从没翻开过。这书是关于在英国东海岸航行的,内容不外乎风啊,潮汐啊,等等寻常内容。

“这本书怎么了?”我不解地问。

“你没明白吗?她之前在看这本书。”戴维斯说,“看看书前面的照片。”

我看了看。照片上是一个年轻男子,在一艘小游艇的甲板上。“然后呢?”我还是不明白。

“这是他!”

“谁?”

“多尔曼!”戴维斯叫道,“这本书是多尔曼写的!她难过是因为现在我们知道她父亲究竟是谁了!”

我看了看书的前页。作者是皇家海军的X上校。书写于16年前。“你确定是他吗?”我问。

“很确定。”戴维斯回答,又看了一眼那张照片。“对,就是多尔曼,没错。”

“也就是说,16年前他是英国海军的一名军官,而现在为德国人工作。”我缓缓说道,“你说他50岁左右,这就对上号了。那姑娘从小就说德语,他们肯定是在他写了这本书之后不久就来德国了。这本书有名吗?”

“我没见过第二本。”戴维斯说,“这本我是从一家二手书店买来的,才几便士。”

“你是说过9月份多尔曼曾经来到‘达尔茜贝拉’号上拜访过你吗?”我问。

“对呀!他肯定看见这本书了,可能以为我认出了他。这样一切都说得通了!”

“是吗?”我说,“也许他只是犯了什么事,不得不离开海军,来到这个没人认识他的地方开始新生活呢。”

“不,不是这样。”戴维斯说,“这样不能解释格林为什么监视我们,还有冯布吕宁为什么怀疑我们。你觉得多尔曼的女儿怎么样?”他加了一句。

“她很可爱,戴维斯。”我说,“要是你真有那个福气能……唉,现在最好先别想这个了。很抱歉我之前对她的评价不怎么好。我能看出她很无辜,不可能做任何坏事。不过我也提醒你,她知道他们父女二人有一段过去需要隐瞒。这样,问题对咱们来说就难办多了,是不是?”

“一点儿也不难办。”戴维斯说,“这只意味着咱们必须做两件事:一是必须弄清楚多尔曼到底在做什么并制止他;二是确保她不会因为他的罪过而受到牵连。”

“他还没回来呢。”我说。

“是,我知道。可她说他明天早上会乘渡船从大陆回来。咱们最好在那儿等他。”

晚上我们到达诺德奈镇,在深水航道边上、离海港入口大约50米处停了船。我们兴奋得睡不着觉,一直在做计划、聊天。戴维斯终于克服了天生的羞怯,让我看到他内心深处最隐秘的角落。他爱这个姑娘,也爱他的祖国,并决心要忠诚于二者。他无论如何也要找到一种方法做到这一点。

充分讨论之后,我们意识到只有一个办法——把多尔曼带离德国,连同他的秘密、他的女儿,一切的一切全都带走。这就是我们现在的目标,而且我们很乐意迎接挑战。我们还不清楚该如何实现目标,但是有两种可行的解决办法:一是继续探索这片海域,寻找某种线索;二是利用这一关于多尔曼的新信息迫使他告诉我们事情的真相。到上床睡觉时,我们的结论是第二种办法更好些。

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