Chapter 1

KATE on the CASE All-aboard for whisks, whiskers and a delicious adventure! HANNAH PECK

《凯特探案记》 快上车，一起开启一场有打蛋器、小胡须还有美味相伴的冒险之旅！ 作者：汉娜·佩克

CHAPTER ONE Kate was ready to board the train. Her bag was packed with enough clothes for the week-long trip, her Special Correspondent Manual was clasped in her hands, and Rupert, her pet mouse, was nestled in the top pocket of her red coat. "Hurry up, Kate!" Dad pushed through the crowd with his enormous shoulders and began shooing her towards the train's

第一章 凯特已经准备好登上火车了。 她的包里塞满了够一周行程穿的衣服，手里紧紧攥着她的《特约小记者手册》，她的宠物鼠鲁珀特正舒舒服服地待在她红外套的上口袋里。 “快点呀，凯特！” 爸爸甩着他宽宽的肩膀挤过人群，开始催着她往火车的

metal steps. "If we miss this one, we won't see Mum for another week!" Kate's mum was a scientist and was on the brink of a Very Exciting Discovery involving Arctic seaweed. Kate had received a letter from her the day before. It was still crisped up with cold when it dropped through the letter box, and it said: Kate, I can't wait to see you next week. The longest conversation I've had all month was with a nomadic seal — a PARTICULARLY one — sided affair. Bring some proper food with you too, won't you? I can't stomach noodled eels for much longer. (YUCK). Mum x

金属台阶走。 “要是我们错过了这趟车，就得再等一周才能见到妈妈啦！” 凯特的妈妈是一名科学家，眼下正要有一项和北极海藻有关的超厉害新发现。 前一天凯特刚收到妈妈寄来的一封信。 信从信箱掉出来的时候还带着寒气，纸页都硬邦邦的，上面写着： 凯特，我都等不及下周见你啦。 这一整月我最长的一次对话是跟一只流浪海豹聊的——还是我单方面说个不停的那种。 你过来的时候记得带点正经吃的，好不好？ 鳗鱼面我实在是吃不动了。 （好难吃啊）。 妈妈 亲亲

Because Mum couldn't leave her post, the International Polar Association had sent Kate and her dad a ticket to visit. The only way to get there was by the steam train, which was almost ready to leave. It was old but shiny, and painted a brilliant blue. Kate was just about to step on board when two golden eyes flashed in the black gap beneath the carriage. She blinked, and they vanished. "Did you see that, Roo?" Kate whispered into her pocket. Rupert squeaked in a way that meant, "Yes- and I'm not sure I liked it..."

因为妈妈没法离开她的工作岗位，国际极地协会就给凯特和爸爸送了票，让他们过去探班。 去那里的唯一方式就是坐这列蒸汽火车，它马上就要开了。 火车虽然旧，却亮堂堂的，刷着亮闪闪的蓝色漆。 凯特刚要抬脚上车，就看见车厢底下的黑影里闪过两只金色的眼睛。 她眨了眨眼，那对眼睛就不见了。 “你刚才看见了吗，小鲁？” 凯特对着口袋小声说。 鲁珀特吱吱叫了一声，那意思是：“看见了——而且我感觉那玩意儿有点吓人……”

Before either of them could think, they were bundled up the steps by Dad and plopped on the polished wooden floor. "Now, stay in this carriage, my sweets - I'll go and find our compartment." The train was even fancier on the inside than it was on the outside. Gold candleholders and velvet lampshades stood on dark wooden tables, alongside little silver bells with labels like "Ring me for orange juice" and "I'd like earplugs, please'. Even the cushions are frilly! thought Kate, climbing onto an armchair and lowering her bottom onto the biggest, fluffiest one. Only it wasn't a cushion at all.

他俩还没来得及细想，就被爸爸推着上了台阶，扑通坐到了擦得发亮的木地板上。 “喏，就在这节车厢里待着啊，宝贝们——我去找咱们的隔间。” 火车里面比外面看着还要气派。 深色木桌上摆着金色的烛台和丝绒灯罩，旁边还有小小的银铃，上面贴着标签，写着“要橙汁请按我”和“麻烦给我拿副耳塞”。 连靠垫都有花边呢！ 凯特心里想着， 一边爬上扶手椅，一屁股坐到了最大最软的那个“靠垫”上。 结果那根本不是靠垫。

It was a cat. A very angry cat that arched its back, spread its daggery claws, and sprang straight at Kate and Rupert. Fortunately the cat rather overestimated his airborne skills and landed with a furry thud on the floor.

那是一只猫。 一只气鼓鼓的猫，它弓起背，亮出匕首似的爪子，径直朝凯特和鲁珀特扑了过来。 幸好这猫高估了自己的跳远距离，毛茸茸的身子“咚”地一声砸在了地上。