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2019 届高考英语一轮复习话题阅读素材 19
The Midnight Visitor (II)
"It's not my balcony," explained James angrily. "It belongs to the
next apartment." He glanced explanatorily at Fowler. "You see," he said,
"this room used to be part of a large unit, and the next room -- through
that door there -- used to be living room. It has the balcony, which
extends under my window now. You can get onto it from the empty room
next door, and somebody did, last month. The management promised to
block it off. But they haven't."
Max glanced at Fowler, who was standing stiffly a few feet from
James, and waved the gun with a commanding gesture. "Sit down," he
said. "We had to wait half an hour, I think."
"Thirty-one minutes," James said moodily. "The appointment was
for twelve-thirty. I wish I knew how you learned about the report, Max."
The little man smiled evilly. "And we wish we knew how your
people got the report. But, no harm has been done. I'll get it back tonight.
What is that? Who is at the door?"
Fowler jumped at the sudden knocking at the door. James just smiled,
"That'll be the police," he said. "I thought such an important paper should
have a little extra protection. I told them to check on me to make sure
everything was all right."
Max bit his lips nervously. The knocking was repeated. "If I don't
answer the door, they'll enter anyway. The door is unlocked, and they will
not hesitate to shoot." said James.
Max's face was black with anger as he backed swiftly toward the
window; with his hand behind him, he opened the window and put his leg
out into the night. "Send them away!" he warned. "I'll wait on the balcony.
Send them away or I'll shoot and take my chances."
The knocking at the door twisted so that his gun still covered the fat
man and his guest, the man at the window grasped the frame with his free
hand to support himself as he rested his weight on one thigh. Then he
swung his other leg up and over the window sill.
The doorknob turned. Swiftly Max pushed with his left hand to free
himself and drop to the balcony. And then as he dropped, he screamed
once, shrilly.
The door opened and a waiter stood there with a tray, a bottle and
two glasses. "Here is the drink you ordered, sir." He set the tray on the
table, uncorked the bottle, and left the room.
White faced and shaking, Fowler stared after him. "But... but... what
about.. the police?" he stammered.
"There never were any police." James sighed. "Only Henry, whom I
was expecting."
"But what about the man on the balcony...?" Fowler began.
"No," said James, "There is no balcony. He won't return."