高级英语Blackmail文段分析

高级英语1第四版第二单元blackmailBlackmail is a serious crime that involves the act of threatening to reveal embarrassing, harmful, or damaging information about someone unless they provide money, services, or consent to certain demands. It is a form of extortion and is considered illegal in most countries.The practice of blackmail dates back centuries, with historical records showing instances of individuals using threats to manipulate and control others. Today, blackmail can take many forms, including using technology to disseminate sensitive information, such as emails, photos, or videos, without the victim's consent.There are several key elements that differentiate blackmail from other forms of extortion. Firstly, blackmail involves a threat of revealing information that is typically true but damaging to the victim's reputation or livelihood. This information can include personal secrets, criminal activity, or unethical behavior that the victim wants to keep private. Secondly, blackmail usually involves a demand for money or services in exchange for not disclosing the information. This can take the form of requesting a specific amount of money, providing illegal services, or giving in to other demands made by the blackmailer. Finally, blackmail typicallyinvolves a communication between the blackmailer and the victim, either in person, through written correspondence, or electronically.Blackmail can have serious consequences for the victim, both personally and professionally. The threat of having sensitive information exposed can lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, and powerlessness. Victims may feel trapped and pressured to comply with the demands of the blackmailer in order to avoid potential harm. In some cases, victims may suffer financial loss, reputational damage, or even criminal prosecution as a result of the blackmail.In many countries, blackmail is considered a criminal offense and is punishable by law. Penalties for blackmail can vary depending on the severity of the crime and the laws of the specific jurisdiction. In most cases, blackmail is prosecuted as a felony and can result in significant fines, imprisonment, or both. Additionally, victims of blackmail may have legal recourse to seek protection and compensation for the harm they have suffered.Preventing blackmail requires vigilance and awareness of potential threats. It is important to safeguard personal information and be cautious about sharing sensitive details withothers, especially online or in digital communications. If you believe you are being blackmailed, it is important to seek help from law enforcement, legal professionals, or other support services to protect yourself and address the situation.In conclusion, blackmail is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for victims. It is essential to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself from potential threats. By understanding the nature of blackmail and knowing how to respond to it, individuals can reduce their vulnerability and safeguard their personal and professional well-being.。

解析《Blackmail》一文肢体语言在人物塑造中的作用作者：周纯漪来源：《青年文学家》2014年第08期摘要：《Blackmail》节选自英国小说家Arthur Hailey的作品《Hotel》。

不少研究者已经从言语行为等理论分析了人物之间的权势关系体现人物之间的社会地位等。

本文拟从人物的肢体语言来分析人物性格的塑造。

关键词：《Blackmail》；肢体语言；人物塑造[中图分类号]：I106 [文献标识码]：A[文章编号]：1002-2139（2014）-08-0-01一.背景简介日常交流中语言被认为是必不可少的工具，然而肢体语言也扮演着重要的角色，肢体语言的作用已在心理学领域做过细致的研究。

有声语言诉诸于听觉系统，然而缺少了视觉上形象传递信息的功能。

所谓肢体语言就是人们在交谈时都会自觉或不自觉地用眼睛、面孔、身体来表达自己的感觉和态度。

因此，肢体语言在表达个人情感和态度，在体现人际关系方面起着举足轻重的作用。

《Blackmail》节选自英国小说家Arthur Hailey的作品《Hotel》，小说的主人公分别是公爵夫人、公爵、私家侦探奥格尔维。

作者塑造这三个人物时，不仅通过生动的语言来描述塑造三个不同的人物形象，而且通过丰富的肢体语言来体现人物性格特征，表现人物之间的较量，体现Blackmail一文的主题—敲诈与交易达成。

二.《Blackmail》中对主人公肢体语言的描述及其功能《Blackmail》中作者对三个主人公做了细致的肢体语言刻画，使人物形象更加生动丰满立体化。

以下是对文章中人物肢体语言描述得详细分析。

当私家侦探奥格尔维嘴叼着香烟带着挑衅的姿态出现在公爵夫人面前时，公爵夫人尖锐的眼神暗示奥格尔维—她的高贵身份不容挑衅：the Duchess looked pointedly at the half-burned cigar in the fat man’s mouth。

但是，奥格尔维对公爵夫人的眼神毫不恐。

高级英语1第四版第二单元blackmailBlackmailIntroduction:Blackmail is a serious criminal act that involves the threat of revealing embarrassing, disgraceful, or damaging information unless a demand is met. It is an illegal and unethical practice that can cause significant harm to individuals, families, and businesses. This article will delve into the concept of blackmail, its consequences, and the measures that can be taken to combat this menace.Definition and Types of Blackmail:Blackmail, also known as extortion, is the act of coercing an individual or organization into complying with certain demands under the threat of revealing incriminating or sensitive information. It is typically carried out by someone who has obtained access to private or confidential information, with the intention of extorting money, property, or other benefits.There are various types of blackmail, including:1. Personal Blackmail: This involves targeting individuals and threatening to expose embarrassing or damaging information, such as personal secrets or illicit activities.2. Corporate Blackmail: In this form, businesses or organizations are targeted, and the threat revolves around disclosing sensitive business data, trade secrets, or intellectual property unless a specific demand is met.3. Political Blackmail: This type of blackmail involves using incriminating information to force political figures or institutions into complying with certain demands, such as passing specific legislation or providing financial benefits.Consequences of Blackmail:Blackmail can have severe consequences for both individuals and society as a whole. Some of the common repercussions include:1. Emotional Distress: Victims of blackmail often experience high levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma due to the constant fear of their secrets being exposed or their reputation being tarnished.2. Financial Loss: Blackmailers often demand large sums of money or valuable assets in exchange for their silence. This can lead to significant financial losses for the victim, especially if they give in to the demands.3. Reputation Damage: The threat of disclosure can result in severe damage to a person's or organization's reputation, leading to loss of trust, business opportunities, and social standing.4. Legal Consequences: Blackmail is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions and can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines, for the perpetrators.Combatting Blackmail:To combat the growing menace of blackmail, individuals and organizations can take certain preventive measures and seek appropriate legal recourse. Here are some recommended actions:1. Strengthen Cybersecurity: With the increasing use of digital platforms, it is essential to secure personal and business information from potential hackers or unauthorized access. Strong passwords, regular data backups, and encryption can help mitigate the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.2. Safeguard Personal Information: Individuals should be cautious about the type of personal information they share online or with others. Limiting the availability of private details can reduce the likelihood of being targeted.3. Enhance Employee Training: Organizations should provide comprehensive training to their employees on cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing and reporting suspicious activities or attempts at blackmail.4. Reporting to Authorities: It is crucial to report incidents of blackmail to the appropriate law enforcement agencies promptly. By doing so, victims can aid in the investigation and potentially bring the perpetrators to justice.Conclusion:Blackmail remains a significant threat in today's digital age, with potentially devastating consequences for individuals and organizations. By understanding the nature of blackmail, its consequences, and adopting preventive measures, we can strive towards creating a safer environment and protecting ourselves from this criminal act. It is vital to promote awareness, education, and legal enforcement to ensure that blackmailers are held accountable and the victims receive the support they need.。

高级英语blackmail课文解析示例文章篇一：《<高级英语“Blackmail”课文解析>》哎呀，今天咱们就来说说高级英语里的那篇“Blackmail”吧。

这篇课文可真是像一场超级刺激的电影一样呢！一、故事中的人物课文里有好几个特别鲜明的人物呢。

首先就是那个公爵夫人，哇，她可真是个厉害的角色。

她就像是一只高傲的孔雀，穿着华丽的衣服，带着那种贵族特有的傲慢。

你看她，在面对事情的时候，总是想着怎么维护自己家族的名声，就像守着宝藏一样，这宝藏就是他们家族几百年来的声誉呀。

她说话的时候那种高高在上的感觉，真的让人觉得有点讨厌，可是又不得不佩服她的那种冷静。

然后就是那个叫奥格尔维的侦探。

他呀，就像一只狡猾的狐狸。

他知道公爵夫人和公爵的秘密，就想着从这个秘密里捞一笔。

他那胖胖的身体，看起来有点滑稽，可是他的眼睛里却透着那种精明的光。

他和公爵夫人的对话就像是一场激烈的战斗，两个人都在互相试探，互相揣摩对方的心思。

他说的每一句话都像是在给公爵夫人下套，想让她乖乖地把钱交出来。

还有公爵呢，虽然课文里对他描写得没有公爵夫人那么多，可是他就像一个影子一样，一直在背后影响着整个事情的发展。

他的错误就像一颗定时炸弹，随时都可能把他们家族的名声炸得粉碎。

二、情节的起伏这篇课文的情节就像坐过山车一样。

一开始，奥格尔维发现了公爵夫妇的秘密，然后他就大摇大摆地去见公爵夫人。

这时候，公爵夫人还不知道他的来意呢，还以为他只是来汇报一些普通的事情。

可是当奥格尔维慢慢地把秘密透露出来的时候，气氛一下子就紧张起来了。

就像突然有一片乌云遮住了阳光，房间里变得阴森森的。

公爵夫人一开始还试图用自己的身份来压奥格尔维，她觉得自己是贵族，这个小侦探肯定不敢对她怎么样。

她就像一只母狮子在保护自己的领地一样，充满了攻击性。

可是奥格尔维根本不吃这一套，他继续说着那些威胁的话。

这时候，公爵夫人开始慌了，她知道这个秘密要是被传出去，那可就不得了了。

Blackmail 敲诈Arthur Hailey--阿瑟•黑利○1The chief house officer, Ogilvie, who had declared he would appear at the Croydons suite an hour after his cryptic telephone call actually took twice that time. As a result the nerves of both the Duke and Duchess were excessively frayed when the muted buzzer of the outer door eventually sounded.负责饭店保安工作的欧吉维探长打了那个神秘的，本来说好一个小时后光临克罗伊敦夫妇所住的套房的，可实际上却过了两个小时才到。

结果，当外间门上的电铃终于发出沉闷的嗡嗡声时，公爵夫妇的神经都紧到了极点。

○2The Duchess went to the door herself. Earlier she had dispatched her maid on an invented errand and, cruelly, instructed the moon-faced male secretary – who was terrified of dogs – to exercise the Bedlington terriers. Her own tension was not lessened by the knowledge that both might return at any moment.公爵夫人亲自去开门。

此前她早已借故把女仆支开，并且狠心地给那位脸儿圆圆的、见到狗就怕得要死的男秘书派了一个要命的差事，让他牵着贝德林顿狼犬出去散步。

想到这两个人随时都会回来，她自己的紧情绪怎么也松弛不下来。

高级英语中的《Blackmail》主题包括：
黑市交易：文章中提到了一个黑市交易，这表明在现实生活中存在这种不道德的行为。

作者通过描述这种交易来探讨社会道德问题，并表达对社会现象的关注。

贪婪和欺骗：文章中涉及了贪婪和欺骗的主题。

主人公为了自己的利益而利用别人的弱点，这表明了人性的阴暗面。

同时，文章也揭示了贪婪和欺骗可能导致的后果。

人性的弱点：文章中的主人公展现出人性的弱点，如贪婪、自私等。

这种揭示让读者思考人类行为的本质和社会道德的问题。

道德选择：文章中主人公面临道德选择的问题。

在面对贪婪和自私的诱惑时，他选择了追求自己的利益而牺牲别人的利益。

这种道德选择引发了读者的思考，探讨什么是正确的道德选择。

社会影响：文章中的黑市交易对社会产生了负面影响。

这种非法交易的存在不仅破坏了社会秩序，还可能导致不良后果。

因此，作者呼吁读者关注社会问题，并思考如何改善社会环境。

综上所述，《Blackmail》主题涉及黑市交易、贪婪和欺骗、人性的弱点、道德选择以及社会影响等方面，旨在引起读者对社会现象的关注和思考。

高级英语第一册lesson6-Blackmail-课文详解2-detail-study、背景知识、文章结构及修辞学习高级英语第一册lesson6 Blackmail 课文详解2 detail study、背景知识、文章结构及修辞学习2008-02-11 12:11:18| 分类：默认分类| 标签：|字号大中小订阅高级英语第一册lesson6 Blackmail 课文详解2 detail study、背景知识、文章结构及修辞学习2007年01月01日星期一下午11:4896. bulbous: shaped like a bulb, swelling and disgustingly fat and roundbulbous dome / nose97. peremptorily: (fml) showing an expectation of being obeyed at once and without questi on, impolitely and unfriendly, commanding, insisting obedience98. rivet: metal pin for fasten plates.to hold or fasten with or as if with rivetscf: glare, stare, fix99. feature: any of the noticeable parts of the facea man with Oriental featuresHer mouth is her worst feature / best feature, like a cherry.100. set in a mould:When you take a picture, you set your body, your countenance ...in a certain way. That is to set in a mould.(A lame one-eyed king taking a picture)mould (Am.E) = mould (Br.E): character, distinctive nature, a person's character, nature, et c., considered as having been shaped by family type, education, training, experience, etc.Be cast in a mould of a particular kind means to have the characteristics, attitudes, behavio ur or lifestyle that are typical of that kind of personbe made / cast in mould ofHe is made in his father's mould. (He has the same personality and character as his father' s)101. imperious: in tensely compelling, marked by arrogant assurance, dominating. This wo rd is related to imperial.The whole sentence can be paraphrased as follows:Her handsome high-cheekboned features were set in a way which shows her imperial char acter.102. respite: a short period of pause or rest, during a time of great effort pain, or trouble, a t ime of relief (as from labour, suffering or war) or delay (as before sentencing or executing).The patient said he never had any respite from the pain.Sentence sb. to death with 2-years' respite.103. bore: make a hole inThis machine can bore through solid rock.104. swallow: to take back, to keep from expressing or showing, to accept without question ing, protest or resentmentto swallow one's words: take back what was said105. sullen: silently bad-tempered, unforgiving, dark, gloomylook sullen, to wear a sullen look106. comply: act according to a demand, order, ruleto comply with the law / regulations107. vacillation: hesitation, uncertainty, waver, continuous changing of one's opinionsThis word implies prolonged hesitation resulting from one's inability to reach a decisionHe vacillates between accepting & not accepting.The earthquake caused the entire house vacillate.108. dally: to waste time or be slowDon't dally or we'll be late.dally over one's work109. bulge: to swell out as a result of the pressure from within110. bead: small ball of glass or other material with a hole through it for a string worn with other others on a thread, esp. round the neck for ornament.She is wearing a string of green beads.背景知识Background informationTitle of the novel: HotelSetting:The story happened in a hotel named St. Gregory /'greg ri/ in New Orleans, Louisiana which is in the south of US.Main character of the novel:Peter McDermott, assistant general managerMain characters in this part of the novel:Ogilvie: chief house officerthe Duke of Croydon: newly appointed British ambassador to the United Statesthe Duchess of Croydon: wife of the Dukea prostitute called lady friend by OgilviePlot:Gregory was now at the brink of bankruptcy, but Peter McDermott is trying every means he could to save it.Several events happened during the week with the present text as part of it.The Duke of Croydon was an internationally famous statesman and the newly appointed Br itish ambassador to Washington. They occupied the best suite of the hotel.Monday evening, the Duke went to the gambling house. Later, his wife pursued and found him. On their way back, the car Jaguar knocked down a woman and her child. Both killed.Then we have the present text....At one o'clock Thursday morning, Ogilvie drove the car north. But he was seen leaving the hotel by McDermott. Later in the afternoon, McDermott witnessed the funeral of the two victims o f the accident. He suddenly realized the relation between these two events and contacted police.Ogilvie was caught in Tennessee and sent back to New Orleans.The Duke decided to go to the police to confess his crime (to surrender himself / to give hi mself up). But he was hurled out the elevator due to the breakdown of it. He hit the cement groun d and died instantly.Anyway, the novel had a pleasant ending.One of the guests, who looked old and sick, turned out to be a millionaire. Earlier he was s eriously ill and was saved by McDermott and his girl friend. To show his gratitude and to repay t he hotel staffs' kindness, he bought the hotel and appointed McDermott executive vice president of the hotel.This kind of novels are called thrillers. Generally defining, a thriller is a work of fiction or dr ama designed to hold the interest by the use of a high degree of intrigue, adventure or suspense. (thrill: to cause sudden strong feeling of joy, fear, excitement, pleasure etc. that seems to flow r ound the body like a wave)Others can be called cop-criminal novels, detective novels. The main purpose is for enterta inment, amusement. Very often this kind of novels contain a lot of action, usu. suspension, not v ery much deep thought, without moral intention, not considered classic.The basic technique is to make the whole story of crime into sth. like a jigsaw puzzle. You c an not see the outcome until the final part is put in.文章结构Structural and stylistic analysisPart 1. PreludeThe chief house officer...Ogilvie remained standing {p.84 (old book, ditto)}.Section 1. The chief house officer...that both might return at any moment.The setting, main characters, and the suspension.Section 2. A wave of cigar smoke...Ogilvie remained standing.The preliminary encounter between the house detective and the Croydons.Part 2: Process of unveiling the crimeNow then...the Duchess turned away (p. 89).Section 1. Now then...Now we're getting somewhere (p. 86).First round of clash. the Duke confessed his crime.Section 2. Wearily, in a gesture...I can prove all I need to (p.87).Second round of clash. Ogilvie spelt out what he found out about the activity of the Croydo ns and tried to confirm all the detailed. The Duchess tried to win back the upper hand.Section 3. The Duke cautioned...the Duchess turned away (p. 89).The Croydons realized that they were convicted of the crime. The conviction was undeniabl e.Part 3. The Dirty DealSection 1. Her husband asked...You people are hot (p.91).Eliminating the possibility of having the car repaired in New Orleans.The possibility of not being found.Section 2. The Duchess ...Or had they? (p. 93)The interior monologue of the Duchess. Her judgement, analysis and calculation of the situ ation, weighing the advantages and disadvantages, the pros and cons.Section 3. (The Duchess faced Ogilvie... the silence hung (p. 94)The Duchess' decision to gamble on the greed of the house detective.Section 4. The ending.The dirty deal reached.修辞学习RHETORICMetaphor:...the nerves of both ... were excessively frayed...his wife shot him a swift, warning glance.The words spat forth with sudden savagery.Her tone ...withered......self-assurance...flickered...The Duchess kept firm tight rein on her racing mind. Her voice was a whiplash.eyes bored into himI’ll spell it out.Euphemism:...and you took a lady friend.Metonymy:won 100 at the tableslost it at the barthey'll throw the book,...Onomatopoeia:appreciative chuckleclucked his tongue。

BlackmailArthur Hailey○1The chief house officer, Ogilvie, who had declared he would appear at the Croydons suite an hour after his cryptic telephone call actually took twice that time. As a result the nerves of both the Duke and Duchess were excessively frayed when the muted buzzer of the outer door eventually sounded.○2The Duchess went to the door herself. Earlier she had dispatched her maid on an invented errand and, cruelly, instructed the moon-faced male secretary –who was terrified of dogs –to exercise the Bedlington terriers. Her own tension was not lessened by the knowledge that both might return at any moment.○3 A wave of cigar smoke accompanied Ogilvie in. When he had followed her to the living room, the Duchess looked pointedly at the half-burned cigar in the fat man’s mouth. “My husband and I find strong smoke offensive. Would you kindly put that out."○4The house detective's piggy eyes surveyed her sardonically from his gross jowled face. His gaze moved on to sweep the spacious, well-appointed room, encompassing the Duke who faced them uncertainly, his back to a window.○5"Pretty neat set-up you folks got.” Taking his time, Ogilvie removed the offending cigar, knocked off the ash and flipped the butt toward an ornamental fireplace on his right. He missed, and the butt fell upon the carpet where he ignored it. ○6The Duchess's lips tightened. She said sharply, imagine you did not come here to discuss décor ".○7The obese body shook in an appreciative chuckle . "No, ma'am, can't say I did. I like nice things, though." He lowered the level of his incongruous falsetto voice." Like that car of yours. The one you keep here in the hotel. Jaguar, ain't it?"○8"Aah!" It was not a spoken word, but an emission of breath from the Duke of Croydon. His wife shot him a swift, warning glance.○9"In what conceivable way does our car concern you?”○10As if the question from the Duchess had been a signal, the house detective's manner changed. He inquired abruptly, "Who else is in this place?"○11It was the Duke who answered, "No one. We sent them out."○12"There's things it pays to check." Moving with surprising speed, the fat man walked around the suite, opening doors and inspecting the space behind them. Obviously he knew the room arrangement well. After reopening and closing the outer door, he returned, apparently satisfied, to the living room.○13The Duchess had seated herself in a straight-backed Ogilvie remained standing. ○14"Now then," he said. "You two was in the hit-'n-run ."○15She met his eyes directly." What are you talking about?"○16"Don't play games, lady. This is for real." He took out a fresh cigar and bit off the end, "You saw the papers. There's been plenty on radio, too."○17Two high points of color appeared in the paleness of the Duchess of Croydon's cheeks. "What you are suggesting is the most disgusting, ridiculous..."○18"I told you –Cut it out!” The words spat forth with sudden savagery , all pretense of blandness gone. Ignoring the Duke, Ogilvie waved the unlighted cigar under his adversary 's adversary 's nose. "You listen to me, your high-an'-mightiness. This city's burnin' mad – cops, mayor, everybody else. When they find who done that last night, who killed that kid an' its mother, then high-tailed it, they'll throw the book, and never mind who it hits, or whether they got fancy titles neither. Now I know what I know, and if I do what by rights I should, there'll be a squad of cops in here so fast you'll hardly see 'em. But I come to you first, in fairness, so's you could tell your side of it to me." The piggy eyes blinked, then hardened. " 'f you want it the other way, justsay so."○19The Duchess of Croydon – three centuries and a half of inbred arrogance behind her –did not yield easily. Springing to her feet, her face wrathful, gray-green eyes blazing, she faced the grossness of the house detective squarely. Her tone would have withered anyone who knew her well. “You unspeakable blackguard! How dare you!”○20Even the self-assurance of Ogilvie flickered for an instant. But it was the Duke of Croydon who interjected, "It's no go, old girl. I'm afraid. It was a good try." Facing Ogilvie, he said, "What you accuse us of is true. I am to blame. I was driving the car and killed the little girl."○21"That's more like it," Ogilvie said. He lit the fresh cigar. "Now we're getting somewhere."○22Wearily, in a gesture of surrender, the Duchess of Croydon sank back into her chair. Clasping her hands to conceal their trembling, she asked. "What is it you know?"○23"Well now, I'll spell it out." The house detective took his time, leisurely putting a cloud of blue cigar smoke, his eyes sardonically on the Duchess as if challenging her objection. But beyond wrinkling her nose in distaste, she made no comment.○24Ogilvie pointed to the Duke. "Last night, early on, you went to Lindy's Place in Irish Bayou. You drove there in your fancy Jaguar, and you took a lady friend. Leastways, I guess you'd call her that if you're not too fussy."○25As Ogilvie glanced, grinning, at the Duchess, the Duke said sharply, "Get on with it!"○26"Well" – the smug fat face swung back – "the way I hear it, you won a hundred at the tables, then lost it at the bar. You were into a second hundred –with a real swinging party – when your wife here got there in a taxi. "○27"How do you know all this?"○28"I'll tell you, Duke –I've been in this town and this hotel a long time. I got friends all over. I oblige them; they do the same for me, like letting me know what gives, an’ where. There ain't much, out of the way, which people who stay in this hotel do, I don't get to hear about. Most of ’em never know I know, or know me. They think they got their little secret tucked away , and so they have – except like now."○29The Duke said coldly, "I see."○30"One thing I'd like to know. I got a curious nature, ma’ am. How'd you figure where he was?"○31The Duchess said, "You know so much... I suppose it doesn't matter. My husband has a habit of making notes while he is telephoning. Afterward he often forgets to destroy them. ”○32The house detective clucked his tongue reprovingly . "A little careless habit like that, Duke – look at the mess it gets you in. Well, here's what I figure about the rest. You an' your wife took off home, you drivin', though the way things turned out it might have been better if she'd have drove."○33"My wife doesn't drive."○34Ogilvie nodded understandingly. "Explains that one. Anyway, I reckon you were lickered ( = liquored ) up, but good..."○35The Duchess interrupted. "Then you don't know! You don't know anything for sure! You can't possibly prove..."○36"Lady, I can prove all I need to."○37The Duke cautioned, "Better let him finish, old girl."○38"That's right," Ogilvie said. "Just sit an' listen. Last night I seen you come in –through the basement, so's not to use the lobby. Looked right shaken, too, the pair of you. Just come in myself, an' I got to wondering why. Like I said, I got a curious nature."○39The Duchess breathed, "Go on."○40"Late last night the word was out about the hit-'n-run. On a hunch I went over the garage and took a quiet look-see at your car. You maybe don't know – it's away in a corner, behind a pillar where the jockeys don't see it when they're comin' by."○41The Duke licked his lips. "I suppose that doesn't matter now."○42"You might have something there," Ogilvie conceded. "Anyway, what I found made me do some scouting -- across at police headquarters where they know me too." He paused to puff again at the cigar as his listeners waited silently. When the cigar tip was glowing he inspected it, then continued. "Over there they got three things to go on. They got a headlight trim ring which musta come off when the kid an’ the woman was hit. They got some headlight glass, and lookin’ at the kid's clothin', they reckon there'll be a brush trace. "○43"A what?"○44"You rub clothes against something hard, Duchess, specially if it's shiny like a car fender, say, an' it leaves a mark the same way as finger prints. The police lab kin pick it up like they do prints –dust it, an’ it shows."○45"That's interesting," the Duke said, as if speaking of something unconnected with himself. "I didn't know that."○46"Not many do. In this case, though, I reckon it don't make a lot o' difference. On your car you got a busted headlight, and the trim ring's gone. Ain't any doubt they'd match up, even without the brush trace an’ the blood. 0h yeah, I should a told you. There's plenty of blood, though it don't show too much on the black paint."○47"Oh, my God!" A hand to her face, the Duchess turned away.○48Her husband asked, "What do you propose to do?"○49The fat man rubbed his hands together, looking down at his thick, fleshy fingers. "Like I said, I come to hear your side of it."○50The Duke said despairingly, “What can I possibly say? You know what happened.” He made an attempt to square his shoulders which did not succeed. “You'd better call the police and get it over.”○51“Well now, there's no call for being hasty .” The incongruous falsetto voice took on a musing note. “What's done's been done. Rushing any place ain't gonna bring back the kid nor its mother neither. Besides, what they'd do to you across at the headquarters, Duke, you wouldn't like. No sir, you wouldn't like it at all.”○52The other two slowly raised their eyes.○53“I was hoping,” Ogilvie said, “that you folks could suggest something.”○54The Duke said uncertainly, “I don't understand.”○55“I understand,” the Duchess of Croydon said. “You want money, don't you? You came here to blackmail us.”○56If she expected her words to shock, they did not succeed. The house detective shrugged. “Whatever names you call things, ma'am, don't matter to me. All I come for was to help you people out of trouble. But I got to live too.”○57”You'd accept money to keep silent about what you know?”○58”I reckon I might.”○59”But from what you say,”the Duchess pointed out, her poise for the moment recovered, “it would do no good. The car would be discovered in any case.”○60”I guess you'd have to take that chance. But there's some reasons it might not be. Something I ain't told you yet.”○61“Tell us now, please.”○62Ogilvie said, “I ain't figured this out myself completely. But when you hit that kid you was going away from town, not to it.”○63”We'd made a mistake in the route,” the Duchess said. “Somehow we'd becometurned around. It's easily done in New Orleans, with the street winding as they do. Afterward, using side streets, we went back. “○64“I thought it might be that,”Ogilvie nodded understandingly. “But the police ain't figured it that way. They’re looking for somebody who was headed out. That's why, right now, they're workin' on the suburbs and the outside towns. They may get around to searchin' downtown, but it won't be yet. “○65“How long before they do?”○66“Maybe three, four days. They got a lot of other places to look first.”○67“ How could that help us --- the delay‘?”○68“It might,” Ogilvie said. “Providin' nobody twigs the car – an' seein' where it is, you might be lucky there. An' if you can get it away.”○69“You mean out of the state?”○70“I mean out o’ the South.”○71“That wouldn't be easy?”○72“No, ma'am. Every state around – Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, all the rest'll be watching for a car damaged the way yours is.”○73The Duchess considered. “Is there any possibility of having repairs made first? If the work were done discreetly we could pay well. “○74The house detective shook his head emphatically. “You try that, you might as well walk over to headquarters right now an' give up. Every repair shop in Louisiana's been told to holler 'cops' the minute a car needing fixin' like yours comes in. They'd do it, too. You people are hot.”○75The Duchess of Croydon kept firm, tight rein on her racing mind. It was essential, she knew, that her thinking remain calm and reasoned. In the last few minutes the conversation had become as seemingly casual as if the discussion were of some minor domestic matter and not survival itself. She intended to keep it that way. Once more,she was aware, the role of leadership had fallen to her, her husband now a tense but passive spectator of the exchange between the evil tat man and herself. No matter. What was inevitable must be accepted. The important thing was to consider all eventualities. A thought occurred to her.○76“The piece from our car which you say the police have. What is it called?”○77“A trim ring.”○78“Is it traceable?”○79Ogilvie nodded affirmatively. “They can figure what kind o' car it's from --- make, model, an' maybe the year, or close to it. Same thing with the glass. But with your car being foreign, it'll likely take a few days.”○80“But after that,”she persisted, “the police will know they're looking for a Jaguar?”○81“I reckon that 's so. “○82Today was Tuesday. From all that this man said, they had until Friday or Saturday at best. With calculated coolness the Duchess reasoned: the situation came down to one essential. Assuming the hotel man was bought off, their only chance -- a slim one -- lay in removing the car quickly, If it could be got north, to one of the big cities where the New Orleans tragedy and search would be unknown, repairs could be made quietly, the incriminating evidence removed. Then, even if suspicion settled on the Croydons later, nothing could be proved. But how to get the car away?○83Undoubtedly what this oafish detective said was true: As well as Louisiana, the other states through which the car would have to pass would be alert and watchful. Every highway patrol would be on the lookout for a damaged head-light with a missing trim ring. There would probably be road-blocks. It would be hard not to fall victim to some sharpeyed policeman.○84But it might be done. If the car could be driven at night and concealed by day. There were plenty of places to pull off the highway and be unobserved. It would behazardous, but no more than waiting here for certain detection. There would be back roads. They could choose an unlikely route to avoid attention.○85But there would be other complications ... and now was the time to consider them. Traveling by secondary roads would be difficult unless knowing the terrain. The Croydons did not. Nor was either of them adept at using maps. And when they stopped for petrol, as they would have to, their speech and manner would betray them, making them conspicuous . And yet ... these were risks which had to be taken.○86Or had they?○87The Duchess faced Ogilvie. “How much do you want?”○88The abruptness took him by surprise. “Well ... I figure you people are pretty well fixed.”○89She said coldly, “I asked how much.”○90The piggy eyes blinked. Ten thousand dollars.”○91Though it was twice what she had expected, her expression did not change. “Assuming we paid this grotesque amount, what would we receive in return?”○92The fat man seemed puzzled. “Like I said, I keep quiet about what I know.”○93“And the alternative ?”○94He shrugged. “I go down the lobby. I pick up a phone. “○95“No,” The statement was unequivocal . “We will not pay, you.”○96As the Duke of Croydon shifted uneasily, the house detective's bulbous countenance reddened, “Now listen, lady…”○97Peremptorily she cut him oft. “I will not listen. Instead, you will listen to me.”Her eyes were riveted on his face, her handsome, high cheek boned features set in their most imperious mold. “We would achieve nothing by paying you, except possibly a few days' respite . You have made that abundantly clear.”○98“That's a chance you gotta...”○99“Silence!” Her voice was a whiplash. Eyes bored into him. Swallowing, sullenly , he complied .100 What came next, the Duchess of Croydon knew, could be the most significant thing she had ever done. There must be no mistake, no vacillation or dallying because of her own smallness of mind. When you were playing for the highest stakes, you made the highest bid. She intended to gamble on the fat man's greed. She must do so in such a way as to place the outcome beyond any doubt.101 She declared decisively, “We will not pay you ten thousand dollars. But we will pay you twenty-five thousand dollars.”102 The house detective's eyes bulged.103 “In return for that,” she continued evenly, “You will drive our car north.”104 Ogilvie continued to stare.105 “Twenty-five thousand dollars,”she repeated. “Ten thousand now. Fifteen thousand more when you meet us in Chicago.”106 Still without speaking, the fat man licked his lips. His beady eyes, as if unbelieving, were focused upon her own. The silence hung.107 Then, as she watched intently, he gave the slightest of nods.108 The silence remained. At length Ogilvie spoke. “This cigar bother in' you, Duchess?”109 As she nodded, he put it out.(from Hotel, 1965)。