eccentric：adj 古怪 deliberately：谨慎 故意 set out
social conventions：社会风俗 invariably：总是 dull routine：俗套的惯例 沉烦
Up to the time of his death
notable figures：著名人物
shrewd：精明 legendary：传奇 snob：势利小人 intensely：极度
bedraggled condition：淋雨状态 dump：扔 reprimand：训斥 骂
severely：严格 insisted on：坚持
stage this elaborate joke：策划一个精心的笑话
crew：船员 The salvage operation：打捞工作
a precious cargo of gold bullion：珍贵货物的金条
scour：搜寻 The sea bed was scoured
