第 35 节
作者:炒作      更新:2021-04-30 16:07      字数:9322
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  〃For a son。〃
  Gregorio then demanded admittance and led the way; followed by his
  three friends。 He had visited the house of Amos before; on less bloody but
  less delightful business; and he did not hesitate; but strode on to where he
  knew     the   Jew   would    be。   His   companions      stood   behind    the  curtain;
  awaiting the signal。
  Amos      looked    somewhat      surprised    at   the  Greek's     entrance;    but
  motioned him to a seat; and; as on the occasion of his first visit; clapped
  his hands together as a signal that coffee and pipes were required。
  〃It is kind of you to come; for doubtless you wish to pay me what is
  owing。〃
  〃I wish to pay you。〃
  〃That is well。 I hope you are better again。 I regretted to find you so ill
  two nights ago。〃
  〃I am better。〃
  The   conversation   ceased;   for   Gregorio   was   restless   and   his   fingers
  itched to do their work。 Something in his manner alarmed Amos; for he
  summoned   in   two   of   his   servants   and   raised   himself   slightly;   as   if   the
  better to avoid an attack。 But he continued to smoke calmly; watching the
  Greek under his half…closed lids。
  〃I have another piece of business to settle with you。〃
  〃Do   you   want   to   borrow   more   money   because   I   refuse   to   lend   you
  any?〃
  〃No; it is you who have borrowed; and I have come to you to receive
  back my own。〃
  〃I fail to understand you。〃
  Gregorio tried to keep calm; but it was not possible。 Rising to his feet;
  he bent over the Jew and cried out:
  〃Give me back my son; you Jew dog!〃
  〃Your son is not here。〃
  〃You lie! by God; you lie! If he is not here you have murdered him。〃
  〃Madman!〃 shouted Amos; as the Greek's knife flashed from its sheath;
  but before he or his servants could stay the uplifted arm the Jew sank back
  among his cushions; wounded to the heart。 With a shout of triumph and a
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  〃Death      of  all  Jews!〃    Gregorio     turned    savagely    on   the   servants    and;
  reinforced     by   his  companions;       soon   succeeded     in  slaying    them。   Then
  leaving   the   dead   side   by   side;   the   four   men   dashed   through   the   house
  seeking   fresh   victims。   Ten   minutes   later   they   were   in   the   street   again;
  dripping   with   the   blood   of   women   and   men;   for   in   their   fury   they   had
  killed every human being in the house。
  Down the narrow  native streets   they pushed on quickly; hugging   the
  shadows;       toward     the   Penny…farthing      Shop。     Madam      Marx;     her   ears
  sharpened by fear; heard them; admitted them by a side door; and led them
  quickly to an upper room。 Thither she carried water and clean garments;
  but dared not ask any questions。 Sick with anxiety; she re…entered the bar
  and waited。
  At   length   the   murderers   appeared   and   called   for   coffee;   and   Madam
  Marx   attended   to   their   wants。   In   a   few   minutes   the   Egyptians   left;   and
  Gregorio   and   she   were   alone。   Coming   near   him;   she   placed   her   hand
  timidly   on   his   shoulder;   and   asked   him;   in   a   hoarse   whisper;   to   tell   her
  what had happened。
  〃My son was not there。〃
  〃Well?〃
  〃Well;   you   can   guess   the   rest。   Not   one   person   remains   alive   of   that
  devil's household。〃
  Madam  Marx   gasped   at   the   magnitude  of   the  crime;  and   though   her
  terrors increased; her pride in the man capable of so tremendous revenge
  increased also。
  〃What will happen to you?〃 she found voice to ask。
  〃Nothing。 I must hide here。 We were not seen。 Besides; you remember
  the last time a Greek murdered a Jewit was at Port Saidthe matter was
  hushed up。 Our consuls care as little for Jews as we do。 My God; how glad
  I am I killed him!〃
  His eyes were fixed on the street as he spoke; and suddenly he started
  to his feet。 Madam rose too; and clung to him。 He pushed her roughly on
  one side; while an evil smile played on his lips。
  〃By God; she shall come back now!〃
  〃Who?〃
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  〃Xantippe。 There is no need for her to live with the Englishman now。
  Our son is dead and the Jew in hell。 I will at least have my wife back。〃
  〃She will not come。〃
  〃She will come。 By God; I will make her! I have tasted blood to…night;
  and   I   am  not   a   child   to be   treated   with contempt。  I   say  I   will   make   her
  come。〃
  〃But if she refuses?〃
  〃Then I will take care she does not go back to the Englishman。〃
  〃You   will〃   but   madam's   voice   faltered。   Gregorio   read   her   meaning
  and laughed a yes。
  〃But; Gregorio; think; you will be hanged for that。 You wife is not a
  Jewess。〃
  But   Gregorio   laughed   again   and   strode   into   the   street。   He   was   mad
  with grief and the intoxicating draughts of vengeance he had swallowed。
  He strode across the road and mounted the stairs with steady feet。 Madam
  Marx   followed   him;   weeping   and   calling   on   him   to   come   back。   As   he
  reached the door of his room she flung herself before him; but he pushed
  her on one side with his feet and shut the door behind him as he entered。
  Lying on the threshold; she heard the bolt fastened; and knew the last
  act of the tragedy was begun。
  XI HUSBAND AND WIFE
  As Gregorio entered the room; Xantippe; who was kneeling by a box
  into which she was placing clothes neatly folded; turned her head and said
  laughingly:
  〃You are impatient; my friend; I have nearly〃
  But   recognising   Gregorio;   she   did   not   finish   the   sentence。   She   sat
  down on the edge of the box。 Her face became white; and the blood left
  her lips。 With a great effort she remained quiet and folded her hands on her
  lap。
  Gregorio looked at her for a moment; a cruel smile making his sinister
  face appear almost terrible; and his bloodshot eyes glared at her savagely。
  At last he broke the silence by shouting her name hoarsely; making at the
  same time a movement toward her。 He looked like a wild animal about to
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  spring upon his prey。 Xantippe; however; did not flinch; answering softly:
  〃I am not deaf。 What do you want here?〃
  〃It is my room; I suppose I have a right to be here。〃
  〃I apologise for having intruded。〃
  〃None   of   your   smooth   speeches。   The   Englishman   has   schooled   you
  carefully; I see。 Can you say 'good…bye' in English yet?〃
  〃Why should I say 'good…bye'?〃
  〃It is time。 You will come back to me now。〃
  〃Never。〃
  Gregorio laughed hysterically and stood beside her。 His fingers played
  with   her   hair。   In   spite   of   her   fear   lest   she   should   irritate   him;   Xantippe
  shrank from his touch。 Gregorio noticed her aversion and said savagely:
  〃You must get used to me; Xantippe。 From to…night we live together
  again。 It is not necessary now for you to earn money。〃
  〃I shall not come back to you。 I have told you I hate you。 It is your
  own fault that I leave you。〃
  〃It will be my fault if you do leave me。〃
  He pushed her on to the mattress and held her there。
  〃Let us talk;〃 he said。
  For a few minutes there was silence; and then he continued:
  〃Amos is dead; and our debts are paid。〃
  〃How did you pay them?〃
  〃With this;〃 and as he spoke he touched the handle of his knife。 〃Don't
  shudder; he deserved it; and I shall be safe in a few days。 These affairs are
  quickly forgotten。 Besides; there is another reason why we should not live
  as we have lately been living。〃
  Xantippe opened her eyes as she asked; 〃What reason?〃
  Gregorio relaxed his hold; for the memory of his loss shook him with
  sobs。 Cat…like; Xantippe had waited her opportunity and sprang away from
  his grasp。 The movement brought the man to his senses。 He rushed at her
  with an oath; waving the knife in his hand。 Xantippe prepared to defend
  herself。 They stood; desperate; before each other; neither daring to begin
  the   struggle。   Through   the   awful   silence   came   the   sound   of   sobs   and   a
  plaintive voice crying:
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  〃Gregori