Section A
The Expensive Fantasy of Lord Williams

Tomintoul, Scotland — On Saturday night at The Grouse's Nest, they're still willing to raise a glass or two to “Lord Williams”

, though now his title prompts laughter. And now they just call him “Tony”.

There are those in this beautiful village in the mountains of Scotland (population, 320) who say they were never quite sure

about Anthony Williams, the soft-spoken, wealthy noble who arrived in 1986 with his well-dressed wife.

And there are others who say their suspicions were aroused over time, as the 55-year-old Mr. Williams, who appeared on

weekends turned out in fine suits, bought up property after property, providing such a large injection of cash into the village

that he single-handedly brought the community back to life.

But no one could have possibly guessed the truth — that the man with endless money and a friendly manner was not a lord

at all but a government employee living out a fantasy that he was a Scottish noble and paying for it by stealing funds from

Scotland Yard.

About two weeks ago, a regretful Mr. Williams, who had worked for the London police since 1959 and had risen to a

￡65,000 a year position as deputy director of finance, was brought into court and sentenced to seven and a half years in

prison.

Estimates are that he poured nearly ￡5 million of the stolen money into the village and gave jobs to 43 people. And now

that he has fallen upon dark days at least some villagers are sticking by him.

“I found him a very charming man, very friendly, considerate — not at all proud,” said Georgie McAllister, 70, the

manager of the local museum whose family has been farming the surrounding hills for generations. “It's hard to understand

how a clever person like him could mislead people like that. It's sad. Of course, it did benefit the village. A lot of the properties

were beautifully restored.”

A few doors down the square, barber Donald Corr sat inside his shop and described how suspicions began to grow. “Everyone

wondered where the money was coming from. Why was he spending it in a little place in the mountains? Christ, he wouldn't

have gotten it back in 100 years.”

According to the court, Mr. Williams stole more than ￡8 million over eight years. Most of it came from a secret fund that

had been placed under his sole authority and that was supposed to be used to pay spies and conduct secret activities against

the Irish Republican Army.

Instead, it went to create one more British lord.

Mr. Williams bought an estate with a fine brick house in England. He bought a beautiful home with white walls and a pool

in Spain. He bought noble titles at auctions, spending ￡95,000 to become the Lord of Chirnside, and then adding on 10 more

Scottish titles.

But most of all, he sunk his dishonest gains into this village that captured his heart with its fine stone cottages, its central

area of green grass, green rows of hedges, and its fantastic view of rolling fields and pine forests disappearing into the distance

like the men of an ancient army marching over the horizon.

He bought multiple cottages and fixed them up. He purchased the pub and made it into a fine place to have a glass of

Glenlivet Scotch whiskey, produced only 10 miles (16 kilometers) to the north. And most of all, he bought the run-down

Gordon Arms Hotel and totally restored it, transforming it from a mess into a glorious first-class hotel with 30 handsomely

furnished rooms, wood-paneled stairs, false bookshelves with fake leather books and an outstanding restaurant.

“I would offer him three choices of glasses for the restaurant: an average one, a poor one, and fine crystal. Always, he chose

the crystal. Nothing but the best,” said David Abdy, who was chosen by Mr. Williams to manage the construction work and

run the businesses.

Mr. Williams deceived everyone, including Mr. Abdy and including even his own wife, telling them that he inherited the

money from a rich uncle. He was caught because his bank deposits were so large that they were noticed by the bank's

management. The bank notified the police, who discovered, to their terrible embarrassment, that the criminal was one of

their own.

The London police commissioner publicly apologized for poorly supervising his department. Under a hastily made

arrangement, the police will sell the properties, but at a substantial financial loss. Mr. Abdy, a 27-year-old businessman,

acquired the bulk of the properties for about half a million pounds, obtaining bank loans and striking deals with various people

to pay only a part of what they are owed by Mr. Williams.

In the only interview he has given since his arrest a year ago, Mr. Williams discussed his motives for the crime with a

London newspaper: “I discovered this bloody huge amount of money. I went from the need to pay off a few debts to what can

only be described as greed. There is no way to justify it.”
New Words

　fantasy n. 幻想，想像
　wealthy a. 富裕的
　suspicion n. 1.猜疑，怀疑 2.怀疑，嫌疑
　arouse vt. 1.引起，唤起，激起 2.唤醒
　injection n. 1.投入，注入 2.注射
　deputy n. 1.副职，副手 2.代理人
　court n. 1.法院，法庭 2.球场
　considerate a. 体谅的，体贴的
　mislead vt. 1.给... ...以错误的想法或印象，使误解 2.领错或引错方向 3.把……带坏，使误入歧途
　restore vt. 1.重建，修复 2.使恢复，使回复
　barber n. 理发师
　Christ int. (表示气愤、厌烦、惊讶等)
n. 基督（基督教创始人）
　republican a. 共和国的，共和政体的，赞成共和的
n. 拥护共和政体的人
　estate n. 1.庄园；大片私有土地 2.财产（尤指遗产）
　brick n. 砖
vt. 用砖砌，用砖堵住
▲auction n. 拍卖；拍卖会
vt. 拍卖
　hedge n. 1.（土地周围的）树篱 2.保护手段，防护措施
　fantastic a. 1.极好的，极出色的 2.异想天开的，不切实际的 3.奇异的，古怪的
　horizon n. 1.地平线 2.一个人的知识、经验、兴趣的限度或范围；眼界；见识
　multiple a. 多重的，多样的，多的
n. 倍数
　mess n. 1.污秽，杂乱，混乱 2.困境，狼狈的处境
　glorious a. 1.美丽的，辉煌的，灿烂的 2.荣耀的，光荣的
　furnish vt. 1.供给家具，用家具布置 2.提供，供应
　panel vt. 给... ...镶面板
n. 1.面，板 2.专门小组
　wood-paneled a. 镶木板的
　leather n. 皮，皮革
　crystal n. 水晶
　deceive vt. 欺骗，蒙蔽
　inherit vt. 继承（财产、爵位、头衔等）
　deposit n. 1.存款 2.定金，押金
　notify vt. 通知，报告
　commission vt. 委任，任命
n. 1.考察团，调查团，委员会 2.任务，委托
　commissioner n. 委员，专员，特派员
▲supervise vt. 监督，管理
　arrangement n. 1.计划，安排，准备 2.整理，排列，布置
　substantial a. 1.大的，相当可观的 2.大体上的，实质上的
　bulk n. 1.大半，大部分 2.（巨大的）体积，大量
　arrest n. 逮捕，拘留
vt. 逮捕，拘留
　motive n. 动机，（行动的）理由
　bloody ad. （用于加强语气）非常，很
a. 1.（用于加强语气）非常的；该死的 2.血污的，流血的
　debt n. 欠款，债务；负债
　justify vt. 为... ...辩护，证明... ...正当（或有理）



Phrases and Expressions

　raise a glass to 向... ...祝贺，为... ...干杯
　turn out 打扮、装饰； 露面、出现
　buy up 全部买进，尽量收购
　bring … to life 使有活力（或生气）
　live out 过（某种生活）
　bring … into court 控告，起诉
　fall upon dark days 遭到不幸，倒霉
　stick by sb. 继续支持，忠于（尤指在困难时刻）
　add on 附加，加上
　sink … into 投资
　fix up 修理；整修
　make … into 使转变为
　sell sth. at a loss 亏本出售



Proper Names

　Tomintoul 托明陶尔
　Scotland 苏格兰（英国的一部分，在大不列颠岛北部）
　The Grouse's Nest 牢骚酒吧
　Lord Williams 威廉斯勋爵
　Tony 托尼
　Anthony Williams 安东尼·威廉斯
　Scotland Yard 苏格兰场(即伦敦警察总署)
　London 伦敦
　Georgie McAllister 乔吉·麦卡利斯特
　Donald Corr 唐纳德·科尔
　Irish Republican Army 爱尔兰共和军（谋求北爱尔兰脱离英国独立的秘密组织）
　British （大）不列颠的，英国的，英联邦的
　England 英格兰（在大不列颠岛南部及中部，是英国的主要部分）
　Spain 西班牙（欧洲西南部国家）
　Lord of Chirnside 彻恩赛德勋爵
　Scottish 苏格兰的，苏格兰人的
　Glenlivet 格伦利物(威士忌酒)
　Gordon Arms Hotel 戈登·阿姆斯旅馆
　David Abdy 戴维·阿布迪


Section B
The Romantic Life of Secret Agent Albert

Albert did not fit the description of any secret agent Charles had ever read about. Following him down the corridor of the

gloomy French hotel where Albert had a room, Charles felt disappointed. It was a small room, on the sixth and top floor, and

scarcely a setting for a romantic figure.

Albert was, for one thing, fat. Very fat. And then there was his accent. Though he spoke French and German fairly well, he

had never altogether lost the American accent he had brought to Paris twenty years ago.

“You are disappointed,” Albert said over his shoulder. “You were told that I was a secret agent, a spy, dealing in secrets and

danger. You wished to meet me because you are a writer, young and romantic. You imagined mysterious figures in the night,

the crack of guns, clever disguises, secret exploits.”

“Instead, you have spent an exceedingly dull evening at the opera with a fat man who, instead of having messages slipped

into his hand by dark-eyed beauties, gets only an ordinary telephone call making an appointment in his room. You have been

bored!” The fat man laughed to himself as he unlocked the door of his room and stood aside to let his frustrated guest enter.

“Take cheer, my young friend,” Albert told him. “Presently you will see a paper of singular importance for which several

men and women have risked their lives. Some day soon that paper may well affect the course of history. In that thought is

drama, is there not?” As he spoke, Albert closed the door behind him. Then he switched on the light.

And as the light came on, Charles had his first thrill of the day. For across the room, a small gun in his hand, stood a man.

“Max,” he said, “you gave me quite a start. I thought you were in Berlin. What are you doing in my room?”

Max was slender, not tall, and with a face that suggested the look of a fox. Except for the gun, he did not look very

dangerous.

“The report,” he said. “The report that is being brought to you tonight concerning some new missiles. I thought I would take

it from you. It will be safer in my hands than in yours.”

Albert moved to a chair and sat down heavily. “I swear I'm going to raise the devil with the management this time; I am

angry,” he said. “This is the second time in a month that somebody has gotten into my room off that damn balcony!”

Charles's eyes went to the single window of the room. It was an ordinary window; outside was utter blackness.

“Balcony?” Max asked curiously, “No, I had a key. I did not know about the balcony. It might have simplified things had I

known about it.”

“It's not my balcony,” explained Albert angrily. “It belongs to the next apartment. You see,” he said, “this room used to be

part of a large unit, and the next room used to be the living room. It had the balcony, which extends under my window now.

You can get onto it from the empty room next door, and somebody did, last month.”

Max waved the gun with a commanding gesture. “Please sit down,” he said. “We have a wait of half an hour, I think.”

“Thirty-one minutes,” Albert said, in a bad mood. “The appointment was for twelve-thirty. I wish I knew how you learned

about the report, Max.”

The little spy smiled an evil smile. “And from our standpoint, we wish we knew how your people got the report. Anyhow, no

harm has been done. I will get it back tonight. What is that? Who is at the door?”

Charles jumped at the sudden knocking at the door. Albert just smiled, “That will be the police,” he said. “I told them to

check on me to make sure everything was all right.”

“What will you do now, Max?” Albert asked. “If I do not answer the door, they will enter anyway. The door is unlocked. And

they will not hesitate to shoot.”

Max's face was black with anger as he made a swift movement towards 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 will wait on the balcony.”

The knocking at the door became louder and a voice was raised. “Mr. Albert! Mr. Albert!”

Keeping his body twisted so that his gun still pointed at the fat man and his guest, Max grasped the window frame and

heaved his other leg up and over the bottom of the window.

The door began to open. Swiftly Max pushed to free himself and drop to the balcony. And then as he dropped, he screamed

once.

The door opened and a waiter stood there with an oval tray, a bottle of liquor, and two glasses. “Here is the drink you

ordered, sir.” He set the tray on the table, opened the bottle, and left the room.

White-faced and shaking, Charles stared after him. “But … but … what about … the police?” he finally was able to say.

“There never were any police.” Albert sighed. “Only Henry, whom I was expecting.”

“But what about the man on the balcony…?” Charles began with a shiver.

“No,” said Albert, “he won't return.”

New Words

　romantic a. 1.传奇性的，有浪漫色彩的 2.不切实际的，空想的
　agent n. 1.政府或其他组织的特工人员 2.代理人
　corridor n. 走廊，通道
　accent n. 1.口音，腔调 2.重音，强音
　writer n. 作家，作者
　mysterious a. 神秘的，难解的，不可思议的
　crack n. 1.爆炸声，劈啪声 2.裂缝，裂纹
v. 1.（使）劈啪作响，（使）发爆裂声 2.打开，砸开
　disguise n. 伪装，伪装物
vt. 1.伪装 2.掩盖，掩藏
　exploit n. 英勇的行为，冒险的行为
vt. 1.利用，开发 2.剥削
　exceedingly ad. 非常地，极度地
　opera n. 歌剧
　aside ad. 在边上，朝边上
　switch v. 转变，改变
n. 1.开关，电闸 2.转变，改变
▲thrill n. 兴奋，激动，紧张感
v. （使）非常兴奋，（使）非常激动
　slender a. 苗条的，纤细的
　missile n. 导弹，飞弹
　swear v. 1.发誓 2.诅咒，骂
　devil n. 魔鬼
　damn a. (表示愤怒、厌烦等)该死的，可恶的
int. （表示愤怒、厌烦等）该死，讨厌
　balcony n. 阳台
　utter a. 完全的，彻底的，十足的
vt. 发出（声音），说
　simplify vt. 使易懂，使易做，简化
　mood n. 心情，情绪
　evil a. 道德败坏的，邪恶的，罪恶的
　standpoint n. 立场，观点
　anyhow ad. 1.不管怎样，无论如何，至少 2.粗心大意地，随随便便地
　swift a. 快的，迅速的，敏捷的
　twist vt. 1.弯曲或压挤 2.曲解，歪曲
n. 变化，转折，改变
　grasp vt. 1.抓住 2.理解，领悟
　frame n. 1.画框，边框，框架 2.构架，骨架
vt. 1.在... ...上加框 2.表达，设计，构想出
　heave vt. 1.很费劲地抬起，举起，拽起 2.（用力）发出(叹息声)
n. 举起，升降
　oval a. 椭圆形的
n. 椭圆
　tray n. 盘，托盘，碟
　liquor n. 烈性酒
　sigh vi. 叹息，叹气
n. 叹息，叹息声
　shiver vi. 战栗，发抖
n. 战栗，发抖



Phrases and Expressions

　read about 借助阅读发现或查明
　for one thing （用以列举理由）首先；一则
　in the night 在夜晚，在半夜
　make an appointment 预约，约会
　switch on 接通(电源)，开启
　come on （电灯、电力机器等）开，开动，运转
　raise the devil 非常生气，大声抱怨
　check on 检查，核实，调查
　answer the door 应声开门
　point (sth.) at 瞄准，对着
　stare after 目不转睛地追随（某人），以凝视的目光随着（某人）移动



Proper Names

　Albert 艾伯特
　Charles 查尔斯
　French 法国的；法国人，法语
　German 德国的；德国人，德语
　Paris 巴黎 (法国首都)
　Max 马克斯
　Berlin 柏林 (德国首都)
　Henry 亨利

Section (C)
For the Want of a Telephone Call

For more than half an hour 38 respectable Brooklyn, New York citizens watched a man attack and stab (刺杀) a woman

three separate times. Twice their talk and the sudden glow of their bedroom lights frightened him off. Each time he returned

and stabbed her again. Not one person telephoned the police during the attack; one person called after the woman was dead.

That was two weeks ago.

Still shocked is Assistant Police Chief Keith Williams, in charge of the Brooklyn detectives (侦探). He can tell you the facts of

many murders. But this killing leaves him confused—not because it is a murder, but because “good people” failed to call the

police.

“As we understand it,” he said, “the man had three chances to kill this woman during a 35-minute period. He returned

twice to complete the job. If we had been called when he first attacked, the woman might not be dead now.”

This is what the police say happened beginning at 3:20 AM in the proper, tree-lined neighborhood:

Twenty-eight-year-old Marissa Parry was returning home from her job as manager of a bar (酒吧). She parked her car in a

lot next to the local railroad station, locked the door, and started to walk the 100 feet to the entrance of her apartment. The

entrance to the apartment is at the rear of the building because the front of the building contains small stores. The

neighborhood was covered in a sleeping darkness.

Miss Parry noticed a man at the far end of the lot, near a seven-story apartment house. She halted. Then, nervously, she

headed up the street, where there is a police call box. She got as far as a street light in front of a bookstore (书店) before the man

grabbed her. She screamed. Lights went on in the ten-story apartment house across the street. Windows were opened and

voices spoke in the early-morning stillness.

Miss Parry screamed: “Oh, my God, he stabbed me! Please help me! Please help me!”

From one of the upper windows in the apartment house, a man called down: “Let that girl alone!”

The man looked up at him, shrugged (耸肩) and walked down the street toward a white car parked a short distance away.

Miss Parry struggled to her feet.

Lights went out. The man returned to Miss Parry, now trying to make her way around the side of the building by the

parking lot to get to her apartment. The man stabbed her again.

“I'm dying!” she called out. “I'm dying!”

Windows were opened again, and lights went on in many apartments. The man got into his car and drove away. Miss Parry

staggered to her feet. A city bus passed. It was 3:35 AM.

The man returned. By then, Miss Parry had crawled (爬行) to the back of the building, where doors to the apartment house

held out hope for safety. The killer tried the first door; she wasn't there. At the second door, he saw her lying on the floor at the

foot of the stairs. He stabbed her a third time — killing her.

It was 3:50 by the time the police received their first call, from a man who was a neighbor of Miss Parry. In two minutes

they were at the scene. The neighbor, a 70-year-old woman, and another woman were the only persons on the street. Nobody

else came forward.

The man explained that he had called the police after much thought. He had phoned a friend for advice and then he had

gone to the apartment of the elderly woman to get her to make the call.

“I didn't want to get involved,” he told the police.

Six days later, the police arrested Vincent Ellis, a 29-year-old business-machine operator, and charged him with murder.

Ellis had no previous police record. He is married, has two children and owns a home. On Wednesday, a court committed him

to a hospital for observation (观察) of his mental condition. When questioned by the police, Ellis said that he had killed two

other women.

The police stressed how simple it would have been to have gotten in touch with them. “A phone call,” said one of the

policemen, “would have done it.”

Today people from the neighborhood, which is made up mostly of expensive one-family homes with the exception of the two

apartment houses near the railroad station, find it difficult to explain why they didn't call the police.

A housewife said, “We thought it was a quarrel between two lovers.” A husband and wife both said, “Frankly, we were

afraid.”

Another couple, now willing to talk about that night, said they heard the first screams. “We went to the window to see what

was happening,” the husband said, “but the light from our bedroom made it difficult to see the street.” The wife, still uneasy,

added: “I put out the light and we were able to see better.” When asked why they hadn't called the police, she shrugged and

replied: “I don't know.”

A man looked out from his apartment and gave a description of the killer's second attack. Why hadn't he called the police at

the time? “I was tired,” he said without emotion. “I went back to bed.”

It was 4:25 AM when the ambulance arrived to take the body of Miss Parry. It drove off. “Then,” a policeman said, “the

people came out.”