英语 英语 日语 日语 韩语 韩语 法语 法语 德语 德语 西班牙语 西班牙语 意大利语 意大利语 阿拉伯语 阿拉伯语 葡萄牙语 葡萄牙语 越南语 越南语 俄语 俄语 芬兰语 芬兰语 泰语 泰语 泰语 丹麦语 泰语 对外汉语

儿童英语读物 The Mystery at the Dog Show CHAPTER 9 Sunny Disappears

时间:2017-07-28 06:44来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
特别声明:本栏目内容均从网络收集或者网友提供,供仅参考试用,我们无法保证内容完整和正确。如果资料损害了您的权益,请与站长联系,我们将及时删除并致以歉意。
    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

The next day, the last day of the Greenfield Dog Show, was bright and clear. Since Watch couldn’t go to the dog show, and since he had to go to the veterinarian’s that afternoon to get his shots (although of course, he didn’t know it), the Aldens decided1 to take him for a special walk in the park. As Watch ran and sniffed2 happily, the four of them discussed all the mysterious things that had been happening.

“It’s as if someone is trying to ruin the whole dog show,” said Henry. “But why?”

They all watched silently for a moment as Watch sniffed at something under a tree. He cocked his head and started to dig furiously.

Then Jessie went on thoughtfully, “First we see that suspicious-looking man at the basset hound’s cage, and he doesn’t even have a good reason for being there …”

“And then someone shaves poor Curly the poodle,” put in Violet.

Nodding, Jessie went on, “And that’s when we saw that same man again.”

“But we saw Mrs. DeCicco then, too. She pretended not to see us, remember?” said Henry.

“Maybe she really didn’t see us,” objected Violet. “She’s got a lot on her mind.”

“Maybe,” said Henry doubtfully. “Anyway, don’t forget that we also saw Mrs. DeCicco with those grooming3 scissors. It’s hard to believe she’d really use them to trim her bangs.”

“And she did have that extra carrier when the cat was let out,” said Jessie.

“But it looked like that cat we saw with the polka-dot woman,” said Benny.

“I know.” Jessie bit her lower lip, thinking hard. “We called the shelter this morning. No one has claimed the cat yet, and we haven’t seen the polka-dot woman to find out if that cat is hers.”

“It could be,” said Henry. “We heard her say she doesn’t think Zonker should have to keep going to dog shows. So maybe she is trying to sabotage4 the whole dog show.”

Jessie said, “That’s true. Or maybe it’s Mrs. DeCicco. Maybe she is trying to make sure she wins. She said she has to win or she’ll lose everything.”

“But she’s so nice,” said Violet.

“Remember that Great Dane?” asked Benny suddenly. “He looked mean, but he was nice. You said you can’t tell by looking at someone.”

“You’re right, Benny.” Violet sighed.

“What about Mr. Burger?” said Benny. He picked up a stick. “Here, Watch!” he called and threw the stick. Watch stopped digging and ran to look for the stick. “Mr. Burger’s mean, and he thinks winning is the most important thing.”

“Just because he’s mean doesn’t mean he’d sabotage a whole dog show,” said Henry. “Besides, we haven’t seen him around when any of this has been happening. And unlike Mrs. DeCicco, he’s not going to lose everything if he loses.”

“Don’t forget the mysterious man, either,” said Jessie. She paused, then added, “Maybe it is Mr. Burger! Maybe he and the mysterious man are working together!”

“Or the mysterious man and Mrs. DeCicco. Or the polka-dot woman,” said Henry.

“Come on, Watch, time to go back,” called Violet. The Aldens walked slowly through the park and back down the street. When they reached home, they were no nearer to solving the mystery.

That afternoon, before Watch’s appointment, they went to the center to see how Sunny and Caryn were doing. The feeling of excitement that had been in the air the night before was even stronger.

“Let’s find Caryn quick and wish her good luck,” said Benny.

But before they could find Caryn, she found them.

“Caryn, what’s wrong?” asked Jessie as Caryn hurried toward them.

“It’s Sunny,” gasped5 Caryn, her face pale. “She’s gone!”

“Gone? What do you mean?” asked Henry.

Caryn took a deep breath to try and calm herself. But her voice was shaky as she answered, “She’s disappeared. One minute she was in her kennel6, with her chin on her favorite toy, and the next minute …”

“You mean she got out of her kennel?” asked Violet. “Is she lost?”

“No! At least, I don’t think so.” Caryn looked around as if Sunny might come walking toward them. “No, it’s impossible for her to open her kennel by herself. Someone had to have let her out!”

“Another mean trick,” gasped Violet.

Henry patted Caryn’s hand. “She can’t have gone far. Someone would have seen her wandering around and recognized her, wouldn’t they?”

“I don’t know,” said Caryn. “My mother and I asked everybody who’d been around us if they’d seen anything, but they’re all so busy that no one was paying any attention. Mrs. DeCicco had stopped by to say hi a little earlier. She did say she thought she saw someone sort of hanging around nearby. But she can’t remember what he looked like.”

Caryn let go of Henry’s arm and clasped her hands together. “Oh, dear, oh, dear. All I did was walk to the end of the aisle7 to fill Sunny’s water dish. How could there have been time for her to get out? Or for someone to let her out!”

“We’ll find her,” said Henry reassuringly8. “We can divide up and look.”

Jessie and Benny, Violet and Henry, and Caryn all went to look for Sunny. But when the three search parties met back at Sunny’s empty kennel half an hour later, no one had found her, or found anyone who remembered seeing her.

“Did she have on a collar?” asked Henry. “Maybe she got out of the center somehow and someone will find her around town.”

“Sunny wasn’t wearing a collar,” said Caryn. She seemed a little calmer, but she was still pale with worry. “She’s been tattooed10 on her inner thigh11 with a registration12 number — many show dogs are — but I didn’t have her collar on her.”

Henry looked serious. “I guess some people wouldn’t know to look for a registration number,” he said.

“No, but every veterinarian does, and every animal shelter,” said Caryn.

“Why don’t we call the Greenfield Animal Shelter and see if they’ve found her?” suggested Violet.

“Good idea,” said Henry. He hurried toward the phone booths. But he returned shortly, shaking his head. “No Sunny,” he said. “I left a description in case anyone did turn in a lost golden retriever.” He started to say something else, then stopped.

“I just remembered, we have to take Watch to Dr. Scott’s,” Jessie said.

“That’s right,” said Henry quickly. He looked at Caryn. “We have to go now,” he said. “But we’ll come back as soon as we can to help you keep looking.” Caryn smiled bravely. “Thank you,” she said. “I’d better go file a report.”

“See you in a little while,” said Henry.

“We’ll find Sunny. I know we will,” Violet told Caryn.

As the Aldens hurried home, Henry said, “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Caryn, but when I called the shelter, I was told that someone had claimed the black-and-white cat.”

“Who?” asked Benny.

“A very angry woman. And she was wearing — ”

“Black-and-white spots,” guessed Jessie.

“Right,” said Henry. “She told the attendant at the animal shelter that someone had stolen the cat out of her hotel room last night while she and her husband and Zonker were at the dog show.”

“Wow,” said Violet softly.

The Aldens were quiet as they got Watch and walked to Dr. Scott’s office. At last Benny broke the silence. “Do you think someone stole Sunny, too? Do you think there’s a petnapper?”

Jessie looked grim. “It sure seems that way.”

“Mrs. DeCicco? She was right there,” said Henry.

“Not Mrs. DeCicco,” cried Violet. She put her hands in her pockets and shook her head.

“But she’s been around when everything has happened. And don’t you think it is a little suspicious that she just happened to have an extra carrier with her? Maybe that’s what she used to bring the cat into the show in the first place,” reasoned Henry.

They turned the corner and walked down the road to the veterinarian’s.

“I think it was the suspicious man,” said Violet. “He was outside the basset hound’s kennel. Maybe he was going to steal the basset hound, and instead he stole Sunny!”

“But then why would he bring a cat into the show? Or shave Curly?” asked Jessie.

“I don’t know,” said Violet, wrinkling her brow. “Could it be the polka-dot woman? Would she be mean enough to let her own cat loose at a dog show?”

“It’s mean Mr. Burger,” insisted Benny. “I don’t like him.”

Hearing the tone of Benny’s voice, Watch barked in agreement and pulled on his leash13.

“Whoa, boy,” said Violet.

“Just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean he’s bad, Benny. But you’re right to suspect him, I think,” said Jessie. “He wants to win. With Sunny out of the way, his chances are better.” She added thoughtfully, “So are Mrs. DeCicco’s.”

“It really is almost like someone is trying to sabotage the Greenfield Dog Show,” said Henry.

“Maybe that is it,” said Violet.

“All the bad luck things that have been happening have happened to the whole dog show. But why would anyone want to ruin a dog show?” asked Jessie.

“Maybe it’s someone who doesn’t like dogs,” Benny said.

“Here’s Dr. Scott’s office,” said Violet.

Watch knew where he was. His ears went down and his tail drooped14. He planted all four feet firmly on the sidewalk and refused to move. At last Violet had to bend over, pick him up, and carry him inside.

Dr. Scott smiled kindly15 when she saw Watch. “There’s a good boy,” she said, checking him out. The way she looked in his mouth and ears and ran her hands over him was sort of the same way the judge handled dogs in the show.

“Now,” said Dr. Scott, “who will hold Watch while I give him his shots?”

Benny closed his eyes shut and grabbed Violet’s hand. Soft-hearted Violet shook her head and looked away.

“Henry and I will,” said Jessie.

“Hang on now,” Dr. Scott said.

But it turned out they didn’t have to hold on tight at all. Dr. Scott was such a good veterinarian that Watch hardly seemed to feel his shots.

Very soon Dr. Scott said, “All done.”

Benny opened his eyes and they all began to pet and praise Watch, telling him what a good, brave dog he was.

“Here,” said Dr. Scott. She reached in a jar on the counter and pulled out a small dog biscuit. Jessie lifted Watch down onto the floor, and Dr. Scott gave him the biscuit. He munched16 on it happily.

As Watch ate his biscuit, the Aldens asked Dr. Scott about her vacation.

“It was a good vacation,” Dr. Scott told them. “But I’m glad to be back. What’s been happening while I was away?”

“The dog show!” exclaimed Benny. He pulled on Dr. Scott’s sleeve. “May I go visit the dogs who are staying with you?”

“Yes, Benny, you may,” said Dr. Scott. “My assistant is back there now.”

“Thank you,” said Benny, and he went to visit the dogs.

Dr. Scott turned to Jessie, Violet, and Henry. “I have tickets for tonight,” said Dr. Scott. “Do you like dog shows?”

“We have one of the dogs staying with us,” said Jessie. “Or we used to, until she disappeared!”

“Disappeared?” asked Dr. Scott. “What happened?”

So the Aldens told Dr. Scott all about Sunny and how she had disappeared from the dog show that morning, and about all the other mysterious things that had happened.

“I don’t know. It could be that someone is trying to sabotage the dog show,” Dr. Scott said thoughtfully. “Although I can’t imagine why. Whatever is going on, someone is up to no good!”

“We’ve got to find Sunny,” said Henry. “So she can win best in show tonight.”

“But we don’t know where else to look — ” began Violet.

“Sunny, Sunny, Sunny!” cried Benny. He came barreling back into the examining room and skidded17 to a stop. He pointed18 back toward Dr. Scott’s kennels19. “Sunny is back there!”

“Benny, it can’t be Sunny. What would she be doing at Dr. Scott’s?” asked Henry.

“It is Sunny, it is,” insisted Benny. “I knew who she was and she knew me, too!”

Jessie shook her head. “I know you want to find Sunny as badly as the rest of us do, Benny, but… .”

“Do you have a golden retriever staying with you, Dr. Scott?” Violet asked.

“As a matter of fact someone just brought one in,” Dr. Scott said. “Would you like to see her?”

“It’s Sunny,” Benny said stubbornly.

“Come on, Benny. We’ll all go see,” said Violet.

Swallowing the last bit of his biscuit, Watch trotted20 after them, with Henry holding his leash. But when they got to the kennels, Watch barked excitedly and pulled the leash out of Henry’s hand. He raced up to one of the dog runs and began pawing at the gate. On the other side of the gate, a beautiful golden retriever began barking and pawing, too.

“I don’t believe it,” said Henry. “Could that be Sunny?”

“Sunny,” said Violet as they went up to the gate. “Sunny?”

The golden retriever leaped up excitedly.

“A man brought her in this morning,” said Dr. Scott.

“Can you describe him?” asked Jessie.

“He was round. He had sort of shaggy gray hair, and it looked as if he had slept in his clothes, they were so wrinkled. That’s really all I remember, but I would know him if I saw him again. He signed his name as Mr. Smith. He just wanted to board her overnight,” said Dr. Scott, sounding puzzled.

“That sounds like … Mr. Burger!” said Henry.

“Does this dog have a tattoo9?” asked Violet, pointing to the dog’s inner thigh.

“Why, yes. I wrote it down on her forms when she was checked in.” Dr. Scott paused to think.

“Do you know how to find out who she is registered to?” asked Henry.

“Yes, of course,” said Dr. Scott. “There’s a number you can call.”

“Sunny is registered to Mrs. Annabel Teague,” said Jessie.

Turning, Dr. Scott said, “I’m going to check this out right now. Wait here, please!”

A few minutes later the veterinarian came briskly back. “Sure enough — Annabel Teague is the owner,” she said.

“It is Sunny! I knew it, I knew it!” Benny jumped up and down with excitement.

“Good work, Benny,” said Jessie. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

“That’s okay. Watch believed me, didn’t you Watch? Good boy!” Benny hugged the dog.

“We’d better call Caryn and tell her the good news,” said Violet.

“Yes, and she can come pick up Sunny!” said Jessie.

“Wait a minute,” said Henry. “Let me call Caryn. I have an idea. A way we could catch the person who did this!”

“What is it?” asked Jessie.

“Let me talk to Caryn about my idea,” said Henry. “If she agrees, I’ll tell you all about it.”

And he hurried off to call Caryn with the good news about Sunny — and his mysterious idea.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
2 sniffed ccb6bd83c4e9592715e6230a90f76b72     
v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说
参考例句:
  • When Jenney had stopped crying she sniffed and dried her eyes. 珍妮停止了哭泣,吸了吸鼻子,擦干了眼泪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The dog sniffed suspiciously at the stranger. 狗疑惑地嗅着那个陌生人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 grooming grooming     
n. 修饰, 美容,(动物)梳理毛发
参考例句:
  • You should always pay attention to personal grooming. 你应随时注意个人仪容。
  • We watched two apes grooming each other. 我们看两只猩猩在互相理毛。
4 sabotage 3Tmzz     
n.怠工,破坏活动,破坏;v.从事破坏活动,妨害,破坏
参考例句:
  • They tried to sabotage my birthday party.他们企图破坏我的生日晚会。
  • The fire at the factory was caused by sabotage.那家工厂的火灾是有人蓄意破坏引起的。
5 gasped e6af294d8a7477229d6749fa9e8f5b80     
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要
参考例句:
  • She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
  • People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
6 kennel axay6     
n.狗舍,狗窝
参考例句:
  • Sporting dogs should be kept out of doors in a kennel.猎狗应该养在户外的狗窝中。
  • Rescued dogs are housed in a standard kennel block.获救的狗被装在一个标准的犬舍里。
7 aisle qxPz3     
n.(教堂、教室、戏院等里的)过道,通道
参考例句:
  • The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
  • The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。
8 reassuringly YTqxW     
ad.安心,可靠
参考例句:
  • He patted her knee reassuringly. 他轻拍她的膝盖让她放心。
  • The doctor smiled reassuringly. 医生笑了笑,让人心里很踏实。
9 tattoo LIDzk     
n.纹身,(皮肤上的)刺花纹;vt.刺花纹于
参考例句:
  • I've decided to get my tattoo removed.我已经决定去掉我身上的纹身。
  • He had a tattoo on the back of his hand.他手背上刺有花纹。
10 tattooed a00df80bebe7b2aaa7fba8fd4562deaf     
v.刺青,文身( tattoo的过去式和过去分词 );连续有节奏地敲击;作连续有节奏的敲击
参考例句:
  • He had tattooed his wife's name on his upper arm. 他把妻子的名字刺在上臂上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The sailor had a heart tattooed on his arm. 那水兵在手臂上刺上一颗心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
11 thigh RItzO     
n.大腿;股骨
参考例句:
  • He is suffering from a strained thigh muscle.他的大腿肌肉拉伤了,疼得很。
  • The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。
12 registration ASKzO     
n.登记,注册,挂号
参考例句:
  • Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
  • What's your registration number?你挂的是几号?
13 leash M9rz1     
n.牵狗的皮带,束缚;v.用皮带系住
参考例句:
  • I reached for the leash,but the dog got in between.我伸手去拿系狗绳,但被狗挡住了路。
  • The dog strains at the leash,eager to be off.狗拼命地扯拉皮带,想挣脱开去。
14 drooped ebf637c3f860adcaaf9c11089a322fa5     
弯曲或下垂,发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Her eyelids drooped as if she were on the verge of sleep. 她眼睑低垂好像快要睡着的样子。
  • The flowers drooped in the heat of the sun. 花儿晒蔫了。
15 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
16 munched c9456f71965a082375ac004c60e40170     
v.用力咀嚼(某物),大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She munched on an apple. 她在大口啃苹果。
  • The rabbit munched on the fresh carrots. 兔子咯吱咯吱地嚼着新鲜胡萝卜。 来自辞典例句
17 skidded 35afc105bfaf20eaf5c5245a2e8d22d8     
v.(通常指车辆) 侧滑( skid的过去式和过去分词 );打滑;滑行;(住在)贫民区
参考例句:
  • The car skidded and hit a lamp post. 那辆汽车打滑撞上了路灯杆。
  • The car skidded and overturned. 汽车打滑翻倒了。
18 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
19 kennels 1c735b47bdfbcac5c1ca239c583bbe85     
n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处,养狗场;狗窝( kennel的名词复数 );养狗场
参考例句:
  • We put the dog in kennels when we go away. 我们外出时把狗寄养在养狗场。
  • He left his dog in a kennels when he went on holiday. 他外出度假时把狗交给养狗场照管。 来自《简明英汉词典》
20 trotted 6df8e0ef20c10ef975433b4a0456e6e1     
小跑,急走( trot的过去分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走
参考例句:
  • She trotted her pony around the field. 她骑着小马绕场慢跑。
  • Anne trotted obediently beside her mother. 安妮听话地跟在妈妈身边走。
本文本内容来源于互联网抓取和网友提交,仅供参考,部分栏目没有内容,如果您有更合适的内容,欢迎点击提交分享给大家。
------分隔线----------------------------
顶一下
(0)
0%
踩一下
(0)
0%
最新评论 查看所有评论
发表评论 查看所有评论
请自觉遵守互联网相关的政策法规,严禁发布色情、暴力、反动的言论。
评价:
表情:
验证码:
听力搜索
推荐频道
论坛新贴