jamesclavell.noblehouse-第114章

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　him　disappeared　and　he　and　the　child　and　others　were　hurled　forward　like　so　much　chaff。
　Hugh　Guthrie　rushed　out　of　the　onlookers　and　pulled　them　to　safety。　〃You　all　right；　old　chap？〃　he　gasped。
　Grey　was　half　stunned；　gasping　for　breath；　his　clothes　smoldering；　and　Guthrie　helped　beat　them　out。　〃Yes　。。。　yes　I　think　so　。。。〃　he　said　half　out　of　himself。
　Guthrie　gently　lifted　the　unconscious　child　and　peered　at　him。　〃Poor　little　bastard！〃
　〃Is　he　dead？〃
　〃I　don't　think　so。　Here　。。。〃　Guthrie　gave　the　little　Chinese　boy　to　an　onlooker　and　both　men　charged　back　to　the　gateway　to　help　the　others　who　were　still　numbed　by　the　explosion　and　helpless。　〃Christ　all　bloody　mighty；〃　he　gasped　as　he　saw　that　now　the　whole　entrance　was　impassable。　Above　the　uproar；　they　heard　the　wail　of　approaching　sirens。
　The　fire　on　the　top　deck　near　the　exit　was　building　nastily。　Frightened；　coughing　people　were　streaming　back　into　the　room；　forced　back　up　the　stairs　by　the　fire　that　now　owned　the　lower　deck。　Pandemonium　and　the　stench　of　fear　were　heavy　on　the　air。
　〃Ian；　we'd　better　get　the　hell　out　of　here；〃　Bartlett　said。
　〃Yes。　Quillan；　would　you　please　lead　the　way　and　take　charge　of　the　deck；〃　Dunross　said。　〃I'll　hold　this　end。〃
　Gornt　turned　and　roared；　〃Everyone　this　way！　You'll　be　safe　on　deck　。。。　one　at　a　time。　。。。〃He　opened　the　door　and　positioned　himself　by　it　and　tried　to　bring　order　to　the　hasty　retreat　…　a　few　Chinese；　the　remainder　mostly　British。　Once　in　the　open　everyone　was　much　less　frightened　and　grateful　to　be　away　from　the　smoke。
　Bartlett；　waiting　in　the　room；　felt　excitement　but　still　no　fear　for　he　knew　he　could　smash　any　one　of　the　windows　and　get　Casey　and　himself　out　and　into　the　sea。　People　stumbled　past。　Flames　from　the　dumbwaiter　increased　and　there　was　a　dull　explosion　below。
　〃How　you　doing；　Casey？〃
　〃Okay。〃
　〃Out　you　go！〃
　〃When　you　go。〃
　〃Sure。〃　Bartlett　grinned　at　her。　The　room　was　thinning。　He　helped　Lady　Joanna　through　the　doorway；　then　Havergill；　who　was　limping；　and　his　wife。
　Casey　saw　that　Orlanda　was　still　frozen　to　her　chair。　Poor　girl；　she　thought　passionately；　remembering　her　own　absolute　terror　in　her　own　fire。　She　went　over　to　her。　〃e　on；〃　she　said　gently　and　helped　her　up。　The　girl's　knees　were　trembling。　Casey　kept　her　arm　around　her。
　〃I　。。。　I've　lost　。。。　my　purse；〃　Orlanda　muttered。
　〃No；　here　it　is。〃　Casey　picked　it　up　from　the　chair　and　kept　her　arm　around　her　as　she　half…pushed　her　past　the　flames　into　the　open。　The　deck　was　crowded　but　once　outside　Casey　felt　enormously　better。
　〃Everything's　fine；〃　Casey　said　encouragingly。　She　guided　her　to　the　railing。　Orlanda　held　on　tightly。　Casey　turned　back　to　look　for　Bartlett　and　saw　both　him　and　Gornt　watching　her　from　inside　the　room。　Bartlett　waved　at　her　and　she　waved　back；　wishing　he　were　outside　with　her。
　Peter　Marlowe　herded　his　wife　onto　the　deck　and　came　up　to　her。　〃You　all　right；　Casey？〃
　〃Sure。　How　you　doing；　Fleur？〃
　〃Fine。　Fine。　It's　。。。　it's　rather　pleasant　outside；　isn't　it？〃　Fleur　Marlowe　said；　feeling　faint　and　awful；　petrified　at　the　idea　of　jumping　from　this　great　height。　〃Do　you　think　it's　going　to　rain？〃
　〃The　sooner　the　better。〃　Casey　looked　over　the　side。　In　the　murky　waters；　thirty　feet　below；　sampans　were　beginning　to　collect。　All　boatmen　knew　that　those　on　the　top　would　have　to　jump　soon。　From　their　vantage　they　could　see　that　the　fire　possessed　most　of　the　first　and　second　decks。　A　few　people　were　trapped　there；　then　one　man　hurled　a　chair　through　one　of　the　windows；　broke　the　glass　away；　scrambled　through　and　fell　into　the　sea。　A　sampan　darted　forward　and　threw　him　a　line。　Others　who　were　trapped　followed。　One　woman　never　came　up。
　The　night　was　dark　though　the　flames　lit　everything　nearby；　casting　eerie　shadows。　The　crowds　on　the　wharf　parted　as　the　screaming　fire　engines　pulled　up。　Immediately　Chinese　firemen　and　British　officers　dragged　out　the　hoses。　Another　detachment　joined　up　to　the　nearby　fire　hydrant　and　the　first　jet　of　water　played　onto　the　fire　and　there　was　a　cheer。　In　seconds　six　hoses　were　in　operation　and　two　masked　firemen　with　asbestos　clothing　and　breathing　equipment　strapped　to　their　backs　rushed　the　entrance　and　began　to　drag　those　who　were　lying　unconscious　out　of　danger。　Another　huge　explosion　sprayed　them　with　burning　embers。　One　of　the　firemen　doused　everyone　with　water　then　directed　the　hose　back　on　the　entrance　again。
　The　top　deck　was　empty　now　except　for　Bartlett；　Dunross　and　Gornt。　They　felt　the　deck　sway　under　them　and　almost　lost　their　footing。　〃Jesus　Christ；〃　Bartlett　gasped；　〃we　going　to　sink？〃
　〃Those　explosions　could've　blown　her　bottom　out；〃　Gornt　said　urgently。　〃e　on！〃　He　went　through　the　door　quickly；　Bartlett　followed。
　Now　Dunross　was　alone。　The　smoke　was　very　bad；　the　heat　and　stench　revolting　him。　He　made　a　conscious　effort　not　to　flee；　dominating　his　terror。　At　a　sudden　thought　he　ran　back　across　the　room　to　the　doorway　of　the　main　staircase　to　make　sure　there　was　no　one　there。　Then　he　saw　the　inert　figure　of　a　man　on　the　staircase。　Flames　were　everywhere。　He　felt　his　own　fear　surging　again　but　once　more　he　held　it　down；　darted　forward　and　began　to　drag　the　man　back　up　the　stairs。　The　Chinese　was　heavy　and　he　did　not　know　if　the　man　was　alive　or　dead。　The　heat　was　scorching　and　again　he　smelt　burning　flesh　and　felt　his　bile　rising。　Then　Bartlett　was　beside　him　and　together　they　half…dragged；　half…carried　the　man　across　the　room　out　onto　the　deck。
　〃Thanks；〃　Dunross　gasped。
　Quillan　Gornt　came　over　to　them；　bent　down　and　turned　the　man　over。　The　face　was　partially　burned。　〃You　could　have　saved　yourself　the　heroics。　He's　dead。〃
　〃Who　is　he？〃　Bartlett　asked。
　Gornt　shrugged。　〃I　don't　know。　Do　you　know　him；　Ian？〃
　Dunross　was　staring　at　the　body。　〃Yes。　It's　Zep　。。。　Zeppelin　Tung。〃
　〃Tightfist's　son？〃　Gornt　was　surprised。　〃My　God；　he's　put　on　weight。　I'd　never　have　recognized　him。〃　He　got　to　his　feet。　〃We'd　better　get　everyone　ready　to　jump。　This　boat's　a　graveyard。〃　He　saw　Casey　standing　by　the　railing。　〃Are　you　all　right？〃　he　asked；　going　over　to　her。
　〃Yes；　thanks。　You？〃
　〃Oh　yes。〃
　Orlanda　was　still　beside　her；　staring　blankly　at　the　water　below。　People　were　milling　around　the　deck。　〃I'd　better　help　get　them　organized；〃　Gornt　said。　〃I'll　be　back　in　a　second。〃　He　walked　off。
　Another　explosion　jarred　the　boat　again。　The　list　began　to　increase。　Several　people　climbed　over　the　side　and　jumped。　Sampans　went　in　to　rescue　them。
　Christian　Toxe　had　his　arm　around　his　Chinese　wife　and　he　was　staring　sourly　overboard。
　〃You're　going　to　have　to　jump；　Christian；〃　Dunross　said。
　〃Into　Aberdeen　Harbor？　You　must　be　bloody　joking　old　chap！　If　you　don't　bounce　off　all　the　bloody　effluvia　you'll　catch　the　bloody　plague。〃
　〃It's　that　or　a　red…hot　tail；〃　someone　called　out　with　a　laugh。
　At　the　end　of　the　deck　Sir　Charles　Pennyworth　was　holding　on　to　the　railing　as　he　worked　his　way　down　the　boat　encouraging　everyone。　〃e　on；　young　lady；〃　he　said　to　Orlanda；　〃it's　an　easy　jump。〃
　She　shook　her　head；　petrified。　〃No　。。。　no　not　yet　。。。　I　can't　swim。〃
　Fleur　Marlowe　put　her　arm　around　her。　〃Don't　worry；　I　can't　swim　either。　I'm　staying　too。〃
　Bartlett　said；　〃Peter；　you　can　hold　her　hand；　she'll　be　safe。　All　you　have　to　do；　Fleur；　is　hold　your　breath！〃
　〃She's　not　going　to　jump；〃　Marlowe　said　quietly。　〃At　least；　not　till　the　last　second。〃
　〃It's　safe。〃
　〃Yes；　but　it's　not　safe　for　her。　She's　enceinte。〃
　〃What？〃
　〃Fleur's　with　child。　About　three　months。〃
　〃Oh　Jesus。〃
　Flames　roared　skyward　out　of　one　of　the　flues。　Inside　the　top　deck　restaurant　tables　were　afire　and　the　great　carved　temple　screens　at　the　far　end　were　burning　merrily。　There　was　a　great　gust　of　sparks　as　the　inner　central　staircase　collapsed。　〃Jesus；　this　whole　boat's　a　firetrap。　What　about　the　folk　below？〃　Casey　asked。
　〃They're　all　out　long　ago；〃　Dunross　said；　not　believing　it。　Now　that　he　was　in　the　open　he　felt　fine。　His　successful　domination　of　his　fear　made　him　light…headed。　〃The　view　here　is　quite　splendid；　don't　you　think？〃
　Pennyworth　called　out　jovially；　〃We're　in　luck！　The　ship's　listing　this　way　so　when　she　goes　down　we'll　be　safe　enough。　Unless　she　capsizes。　Just　like　old　times；〃　he　added。　〃I　was　sunk　three　times　in　the　Med。〃
　〃So　was　I；〃　Marlowe　said；　〃but　it　was　in　the　Bangka　Strait　off　Sumatra。〃
　〃I　didn't　know　that；　Peter；〃　Fleur　said。
　〃It　was　nothing。〃
　〃How　deep's　the　water　here？〃　Bartlett　asked。
　〃It　must　be　twenty　feet　or　more；〃　Dunross　said。
　〃That'll　be　en…　〃　There　was　a　whoopwhoopwhoop　of　sirens　as　the　police　launch　came　bustling　through　the　narrow　byways　between　the　islands　of　boats；　its　searchlight　darting　here　and　there。　When　it　was　almost　alongside　the　Floating　Dragon；　the　megaphone　sounded　loudly；　first　in　Chinese；　〃All　sampans　clear　the　area；　clear　the　area　。。。〃　Then　in　English；　〃Those　on　the　top　deck　prepare　to　abandon　ship！　The　hull's　holed；　prepare　to　abandon　ship！〃
　Christian　Toxe　muttered　sourly　to　no　one；　〃Buggered　if　I'm　going　to　ruin　my　only　dinner　jacket。〃
　His　wife　tugged　at　his　arm。　〃You　never　liked　it　anyway；　Chris。〃
　〃I　like　it　now；　old　girl。〃　He　tried　to　smile。　〃You　can't　bloody　swim　either。〃
　She　shrugged。　〃I'll　bet　you　fifty　dollar　you　and　me　we　swim　like　a　one　hundred　percent　eel。〃
　〃Mrs。　Toxe；　you　have　a　bet。　But　it's　only　fitting　we're　the　last　to　go。　After　all；　I　want　an　eyewitness　account。〃　He　reached　into　his　pocket　and　found　his　cigarettes；　gave　her　one；　trying　to　feel　brave；　frightened　for　her　safety。　He　searched　for　a　match；　couldn't　find　one。　She　reached　into　her　purse　and　rummaged　around。　Eventually　she　found　her　lighter。　It　lit　on　the　third　go。　Both　were　oblivious　of　the　flames　that　were　ten　feet　behind　them。
　Dunross　said；　〃You　smoke　too　much；　Christian。〃
　The　deck　twisted　sickeningly。　The　boat　began　to　settle。　Water　was　pouring　through　the　great　hole　in　her　side。　Firemen　used　their　hoses　with　great　bravery　but　they　had　little　effect　on　the　conflagration。　A　murmur　went　through　the　crowd　as　the　whole　boat　shuddered。　Two　of　the　mooring　guys　snapped。
　Pennyworth　was　leaning　against　the　gunnel；　helping　others　to　jump　clear。　Quite　a　few　were　jumping　now。　Lady　Joanna　fell　awkwardly。　Paul　Havergill　helped　his　wife　over　the　side。　When　he　saw　she　had　surfaced　he　leaped　too。　The　police　launch　was　still　blaring　in　Cantonese　to　clear　the　area。　Sailors　threw　life　jackets　over　the　side　as　others　launched　a　cutter。　Then；　led　by　a　young　marine　inspector；　half　a　dozen　sailors　dived　over　the　side　to　help　those　in　trouble；　men；　women　and　a　few　children。　A　sampan　darted　in　to　help　Lady　Joanna；　Havergill　and　his　wife。　Gratefully　they　clambered　aboard　the　rickety　craft。　Others　from　the　top　deck　plunged　into　the　water。
　The　Floating　Dragon　was　listing　badly。　Someone　slipped　on　the　top　deck　and　knocked　Pennyworth　off　balance。　He　half…jumped；　half…fell　backward　before　he　could　catch　himself　and　fell　like　a　stone。　His　head　smashed　into　the　stem　of　the　sampan；　snapping　his　neck；　and　he　slithered　into　the　water　and　sank。　In　the　pandemonium　no　one　noticed　him。
　Casey　was　hanging　on　to　the　railings　with　Bartlett；　Dunross；　Gornt；　Orlanda　and　the　Marlowes。　Nearby；　Toxe　was　puffing　away；　trying　to　s