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113
(Episode 17)
1. Once, a long time ago, someone had told him that an Army training was useful in many ways. Coke
knew now that that was true. There was a drainpipe at the back of the garage that led to the roof, and Coke
managed to climb up it. He had often done such things in the army.
There was a window in the roof, or a sky-light, as it is called. It was closed but not locked. Coke managed
to get it open and peered down into the dark garage below. There was a lorry parked almost directly
underneath. He jumped down onto it. It was completely dark inside the garage itself.
«Masters told me the secrets were kept in the office, but where's the office?» he wondered. Suddenly he
heard a sound behind him, and realised he was not alone in the garage.
2. Before he could turn around, someone grabbed him from behind and someone else shone a powerful
light into his eyes. He was blinded. Then there was an explosion of pain in his head. He realised, just before he
lost consciousness, that what had happened in Epping Forest was happening to him all over again.
When he came to again, he was lying on the floor of the garage. It was at least an hour later. He heard loud
voices. When he opened his eyes, he saw Kate tied to a chair. Four men were standing above him. One of them
was Masters, looking pale and frightened. He was listening to a short blond man. Coke knew it must be Hugo
himself. Hugo was shouting.
«I told you you were a fool... and idiot! Do you believe me now?» he demanded. Masters tried to say
something but could not. Hugo slapped him across the face. «I asked you if you believed me now?» he shouted.
3. «But... but Hugo. PI ... please listen to me!» Masters stammered. «I told you someone had phoned me
and had asked me to look at some pistols! I told you it was an old, blind man but you said there was nothing to
worry about!» Masters said.
«No, I didn't. I asked you what you wanted me to do about it, you idiot!» Hugo roared. Suddenly, one of
the other men interrupted. «What did you say we were going to do with the girl and Coke?» he asked.
«I said we were going to kill them! And I said we were going to do the job properly this time!» Hugo
answered.
17.5.2. Choose the correct answer. Don't use the text.
1. Coke managed to get into the garage because...
a) there was a drainpipe at the back of the garage;
b) there was a sky-light which was not locked;
c) there was a lorry beneath.
2. When he came to himself he saw:
a) Masters shouting at a short blond man;
b) short man shouting at Kate;
c) short man crying at Masters.
3. Hugo said that they were going...
a) to kill Coke and Kate;
b) to kill Coke and Masters;
c) to beat the girl and Coke.
17.5.3. Answer the teacher's questions. (Books closed.)
1. How did Coke manage to get into the garage?
2. What happened to him there?
3. What did he see when he came to himself?
4. What was Hugo going to do with Coke and Kate?
17.5.4. Try to tell the main events of this extract in 3-4 sentences.
17.6. Scanning practice
17.6.1. Read the questions. Be sure you've got them in mind.
1. What is a barrister according to Mr Staughton?
2. What does the phrase «With respect» really mean?
3. What does the judge want?
4. What does the judge say about some words?
17.6.2. Start scanning the text. Don't fail to note your time.
Judge's «respectful» plea for plainer English
A barrister is a man born with a silver spoon in his mouth in place of a tongue. Or so it would appear to Mr
Justice Staughton, a judge in the Commercial Court.