Chapter3 疑案呈现-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《福尔摩斯探案经典之巴斯克维尔的猎犬The Hound of the Baskervilles》

Chapter 3 The Problem I confess that at these words a shudder passed through me. There was a thrill in the doctor's voice which showed that he was himself deeply moved by that which he told us. Holmes leaned forward in his excitement and his eyes had the hard, dry glitter{} which shot from them when he was keenly interested. “You saw this?" “As clearly as I see you." "And you said nothing?" “What was the use?" "How was it that no one else saw it?" "The marks were some twenty yards from the body and no one gave them a thought. I don't suppose I should have done so had I not known this legend." "There are many sheep-dogs on the moor?" "No doubt, but this was no sheep-dog." "You say it was large?" “Enormous^{②}." "But it had not approached^{}the body?" “No.” "What sort of night was it?' “Damp and raw^{①." "But not actually raining?" “No." "What is the alley like?" .036. 第三章 疑案呈现 我承认,听到这句话之后,我浑身感到不寒而栗。 医生说话的声音也颤抖着,说明他自已也深受说出来了 情况的影响。福尔摩斯身子前倾着,兴奋不已,两眼闪 ① glitter Iqlitaln. 闪光 烁着坚定敏锐的光芒,说明他产生了强烈的兴趣 “您真的看到那个了吗?” “如同我现在看到您一样,清清楚楚。” “而您却没有声张,对吧?” “说出来了能起什么作用呢?” “怎么就没有别的什么人看见它呢?” “爪印在离尸体大概有二十码的样子,没有人会注 意的。我觉得,如果不知道那个传说,我看我也不会去 注意的。” “荒原上有很多牧羊犬吗?” “毫无疑问,但那一只不是牧羊犬。” “您说它体形巨大,对吧?” “非常大。” ② enormous li'na:masl n. 巨 “不过,没有靠近尸体,对吧?” 大的,庞大的 ③ approach lo'praut]lv 靠 “对啊。” 近,迫近 “当晚的天气情况如何?” ④raw lro:la. (天气等) “潮湿阴冷。” 湿冷的;阴凉的 “但实际上没有下雨,对吧?” “对啊。” “那条树篱中间的小道是怎么样的?” “两边是紫杉构成的树篱,高达十二英尺,紫杉种 ·037· Chapter3 The Problem "There are two lines of old yew hedge{}, twelve feet high and impenetrable②. The walk in the centre is about eight feet across." "Is there anything between the hedges and the walk?" "Yes, there is a strip of grass about six feet broad on either side." "I understand that the yew hedge is penetrated at one point by a gate?" "Yes, the wicket-gate③} which leads on to the moor." "Is there any other opening?" "None." "So that to reach the yew alley one either has to come down it from the house or else to enter it by the moor-gate?" "There is an exit through a summer-house at the far end." "Had Sir Charles reached this?" "No: he lay about fifty yards from it." "Now, tell me. Dr. Mortimer-and this is important-the marks which yot saw were on the path and not on the grass?" "No marks could show on the grass." "Were they on the same side of the path as the moor-gate?" "Yes: they were on the edge of the path on the same side as the moor-gate." "You interest me exceedingly. Another point. Was the wicket-gate closed?" "Closed and padlocked^{④." "How high was it?" “About four feet high." "Then anyone could have got over it?" "Yes."” "And what marks did you see by the wicket-gate?" "None in particular." "Good heaven! Did no one examine?" "Yes, I examined. myself." "And found nothing?" "It was all very confused. Sir Charles had evidently stood there for five or ten minutes." “How do you know that?" “Because the ash had twice dropped from his cigar." .038. 第三章 案星现 ① hedge lhedtl n. 树i 植得很密,人不能从树窗缝中通过,中间是一条大概八 ② impenetrable Iim'penit 英尺宽的人行道。” rablla.不能通过的 “在树篱和人行道之间还有什么东西吗?” “在人行道两旁各有一条绿草带,大约六英尺宽。” “我认为,那树篱的某处应该有个缺口,用来装栅 门的吧?” ③wicket-gate/小门:边门 “对,就是那道通往荒原的边门。” “还有别的出口吗?” “没有。” “这么说来,到紫杉树篱中间的小道去有两条途径, 从宅"往前走,或者从通向荒原的那道边门,对吧?” “不对,在另一头的凉亭处还有一个出口。” “查尔斯爵士走到了那儿了吗?” “没有,他倒下的地方距离那儿差不多有五十码远。” “对啦,莫蒂默医生,请您告诉我一一这一点非常重 要--您看见的脚印是在小道上,而不是在草地上,对吧?” “草地上看不出有任何脚印。” “脚印是在那道门所在的小道那一边吗?” “对,是在边门那一侧的路边上。” “您激发了我对案件的兴趣。还有一点,当时栅门 是关着的吗?” ④ padlock Ipadlok]v. (用 “是关着的,还上了锁呢。” 挂锁)锁上:把.锁上 “门有多高?” “大概四英尺高吧。” “那么,人可以跨过去了?” “可以。” “您在边门处看到什么痕迹了吗?” “没有什么特别的痕迹。” “天哪!难道就没人检查一下?” “不,我检查过了,我亲自检查的。” “什么都没发现?” “一切都令人感到迷惑不解。但显然,查尔斯爵士 在那里站了五到十分钟。” “这个您是怎么知道的呢?” “因为他抽的雪茄掉下过两次烟灰。” “妙极了!他简直就是我们的同行,华生,思路和 ·039· Chapter3 The Problem “Excellent! This is a colleague, Watson, after our own heart. But the marks?" “He had left his own marks all over that small patch of gravel. I could discern^{①}no others." Sherlock Holmes struck his hand against his knee with an impatien gesture. "If I had only been there!" he cried. "It is evidently a case of extraordinary interest, and one which presented immense{②} opportunities to the scientific expert. That gravel page upon which I might have read so much has been long ere③} this smudged{}by the rain and defaced by the clogs{②} of curious peasants. Oh. Dr. Mortimer. Dr. Mortimer. to think that you should not have called me in You have indeed much to answer for." "I could not call you in. Mr. Holmes, without disclosing these facts to the world, and I have already given my reasons for not wishing to do so. Besides, besides-" “Why do you hesitate?" “There is a realm in which the most acute and most experienced of detectives is helpless." "You mean that the thing is supernatural?" "I did not positively say so." "No, but you evidently think it." "Since the tragedy, Mr. Holmes, there have come to my ears several incidents which are hard to reconcile with* the settled order of Nature." “For example?" "I find that before the terrible event occurred several people had seen a creature upon the moor which corresponds with^{} this Baskerville demon. and which could not possibly be any animal known to science. They all agreed that it was a huge creature, luminous{, ghastly, and spectral^{}. I have cross- examined* these men, one of them a hard-headed countryman, one a farrier^{} and one a moorland farmer, who all tell the same story of this dreadful apparition{②}, exactly corresponding to the hell-hound of the legend. I assure you that there is a reign of terror in the district, and that it is a hardyman who will cross the moor at night." ·040· 第三章 案星现 我们的一样。那么脚印呢?” “他的脚印都出现在那一小片沙砾地面上,我没发 现其他人的脚印。” ① discem Idi'se:nl v 辨比 福尔摩斯的一只手在一条膝盖上打了一下,做出了 识别 一个不耐烦的动作 “如果我当时在场多好啊!”他大声说,“很明显, 这是一桩奇特而又很有意思的案件,给科学研究的专家 提供了极好机会。我本可以从那片沙砾地面找出很多线 ② immense li'mensl a. 极好 的 索的,但案发距今已经过了一段时间了,那里肯定被雨 水冲刷,被好奇农夫们的木鞋踩踏得不成样了。噢!莫 ③ere leol prep.在.-之前 ④ smudge Ismad3l v 把... 蒂默医生,莫蒂默医生,多遗憾啊,您怎么就没想到要 弄模糊 叫我呢!您真的难辞其咎啊。” ③clog lklogln. 木底鞋,木 庭 “我不可能把您找来,福尔摩斯先生,又不向公众 公布这些事实。而我为何不愿意这样做,已经陈述自己 的理由了。还有,还有-” “您为何要犹豫呢?” “有那么一个领域,即便是最最机敏睿智和最最富 有经验的探也是无能为力的。” “您的意思是说,事情涉及到超自然现象?” “我也不能完全肯定是这样的。” “您是没有完全肯定,不过很明显,您是这样认为 的。” “悲剧发生之后,福尔摩斯先生,我听到了几桩已 知的自然规律难以解释的事件。” reeoncile with 使与...- “比如说?” 致 “我发现,悲惨事件发生之前,曾有几个人在荒原 上看到过一只跟传说中的巴斯克维尔怪物的特征相吻合 correspond with 符合. 的动物,而且该动物肯定不是科学界所已知的兽类。他 一致 们异口同声地说那是一只大家伙,会发光,像魔鬼一样 ⑧ luminous I'lju:minas] a. 发光的:发亮的 可怕。我曾询问过那几个人,一个是头脑聪明的乡下人. ② spectral I'spektrall a.恶魔 一个是马掌铁匠,还有一个是荒原上的徊户。他们三人 的,幽灵的 o cross-examine I'krs:sig'z 对那个可怕幽灵的描述是一致的,与传说中那只令人恐 emin:盘问 惧的猎犬外形完全一样。我明确地告诉您,恐惧笼罩在 farrier I'faerial n. 蹄铁匠 ② apparition Laepa'rifanl n 这片区域,只有英勇无畏的人才敢于夜间穿越荒原。” 幽灵 “而您,一个受过科学训练的人,竟然会相信那是 3 hardy lha:dil a.大胆的. 勇敢的 超自然现象?” .041. Chapter3 The Problem “And you, a trained man of science, believe it to be supernatural?" "I do not know what to believe." Holmes shrugged his shoulders "I have hitherto^{} confined my investigations to this world," said he. "In a modest way I have combated evil. but to take on the Father of Evil himself would, perhaps, be too ambitious a task. Yet you must admit that the footmark is material." "The original hound was material enough to tug a man's throat out, and ye he was diabolical{②}as well." "I see that you have quite gone over to the supernaturalists. But now, Dr Mortimer. tell me this. If you hold these views, why have you come to consult me at all? You tell me in the same breath^{③}that it is useless to investigate Sir Charles's death, and that you desire me to do it." "I did not say that I desired you to do it." “Then, how can I assist you?" “By advising me as to what I should do with Sir Henry Baskerville. who arrives at Waterloo Station"-Dr. Mortimer looked at his watch-"in exactly one hour and a quarter." "He being the heir?" "Yes. On the death of Sir Charles we inauired for this young gentleman and found that he had been farming in Canada. From the accounts which have reached us he is an excellent fellow in every way. I speak now not as a medical man but as a trustee④ and executor of Sir Charles's will." "There is no other claimant^{}. I presume?" "None. The only other kinsman{*} whom we have been able to trace was Rodger Baskerville. the youngest of three brothers of whom poor Sir Charles was the elder. The second brother, who died young, is the father of this lad Henry. The third. Rodger, was the black sheep of the family. He came of the old masterful Baskerville strain and was the very image, they tell me, of the family picture of old Hugo. He made England too hot to hold him, fled to Central America, and died there in 1876 of yellow fever. Henry is the last of the Baskervilles. In one hour and five minutes I meet him at Waterloo Station I have had a wire{} that he arrived at Southampton this morning. Now, Mr. .042· 第三章 疑案呈现 “我都不知道该相信什么了。” 福尔摩斯管了耸肩膀。 “迄今为止,我把自己的使案工作范围限制在人世 间,”他说,“尽着自己的一份绵力,同邪恶势力作斗争, ① hitherto Lhioa'tu:l ad. 迄 今,至今 但是,要同罪恶之神本人较量,任务过于宏大,我胜任 不了。不过,您得承认,脚印确实真实存在。” “那只怪异的猎犬的确真实存在,它撕碎了人的喉 咙,但它也是妖魔的化身。” ② diabolical I'dais'bolikoll a 残忍的,凶暴的 “我明白了,您现在站在超自然论者的立场上了。 但是,莫蒂默医生,请您现在告诉我,既然您坚持这样 的看法,那您为什么还来找我商量呢?您对我说调查查 尔斯爵士之死是没有一点儿用处的,但同时您又希望我 ③ in the same breath 同B 去调查。” “我并没说过希望您去调查啊。” “那我该如何帮助您呢? “给我提点建议,我该如何同亨利·巴斯克维尔爵士 打交道,他很快就要到达滑铁卢车站了,”--莫蒂默医 生看了看自已的怀表--“正好还差一个小时零一刻钟。 “他就是那位遗产继承人吗?” “对啊,查尔斯爵士亡故后,我们查找了这位年轻 绅土,发现他一直在加拿大经营农场。根据我们了解到 的情况,这位先生无论在哪个方面都非常优秀。我不仅 仅是以一位医生,现在还是以查尔斯爵士遗瞩的受托人 和执行人的身份同您说话。” “我估计,没有别的遗产继承申请者吧?” ④ trustee I.tras'ti:In.(财 “没有。我们所知道的查尔斯爵士的亲属就只有罗 产)受托人,受托管理 , 杰·巴斯克维尔一人。亡故的查尔斯爵士三兄弟,他本 claimant Ikleimantl n. 要 人是老大,罗杰最小,老二亨利年轻时去世了,留下了 求权利的人 kinsman Ikinzmanl n. 男 这个叫亨利的儿子。最小的罗杰是家族的害群之马。他 性家属(或亲属) 遗传到了专横的老巴斯克维尔的品性,我听说,他和家 族中老雨果的画像简直一模一样。他在英格兰折腾得待 不下去了,便逃到了中美洲,1876年得黄热病暴死在那 儿了。亨利是巴斯克维尔家族的最后一个子嗣,再过一 小时零五分钟,我就会在滑铁卢车站见到他。我接到一 封电报,说他今天早晨已经到了南安普敦。福尔摩斯先 wire I'waialn. 电报 生,您会给我提些什么建议,我该如何应对他呢?” ·043· Chapter3 The Probfem Holmes, what would you advise me to do with him?" "Why should he not go to the home of his fathers?" "It seems natural, does it not? And yet, consider that every Baskerville who goes there meets with an evil fate. I feel sure that if Sir Charles could have spoken with me before his death he would have warned me against bringing this, the last of the old race, and the heir to great wealth, to that deadly^{}place. And yet it cannot be denied that the prosperity of the whole poor, bleak{② countryside depends upon his presence. All the good work which has been done by Sir Charles will crash to the ground if there is no tenant of the Hall. I fear lest I should be swaved③} too much by my own obvious interest in the matter. and that is why I bring the case before you and ask for your advice." Holmes considered for a little time “Put into plain words. the matter is this." said he. "In your opinion there is a diabolical agency④} which makes Dartmoor an unsafe abode^{} for a Baskerville- that is your opinion?" “At least I might go the length of^{}saving that there is some evidence tha this may be so." "Exactly. But surely, if your supernatural theory be correct. it could work the young man evil in London as easily as in Devonshire. A devil with merely local powers like a parish{}vestry{}would be too inconceivable a thing.' "You put the matter more flippantly{}, Mr. Holmes, than you would probably do if you were brought into personal contact with these things. Your advice, then, as I understand it. is that the young man will be as safe in Devonshire as in London. He comes in fifty minutes. What would you recommend?" "I recommend. sir, that you take a cab, call off your spaniel who is scratching at my front door, and proceed to Waterloo to meet Sir Henry Baskerville." "And then?" “And then you will say nothing to him at all until I have made up my mind about the matter." “How long will it take you to make up your mind?" "Twenty-four hours. At ten o'clock to-morrow, Dr. Mortimer, I will be .044. 第三章 案星现 “为什么不让他回到他祖先世代都居住的宅郎里去呢?” “似乎理应如此,难道不是吗?不过,我们也要据 量一下,因为每个到那里去的巴斯克维尔家族的人都遭 受了可怕的厄运。我敢肯定,如果查尔斯爵士亡故前还 能够和我说话,他一定会提醒我,不要把亨利一一古老 家族的最后一根独苗,还是巨额财富的继承者,带到那 ①deadly 'dedlila. 致命的 个要命的地方去。但不可否认,那个贫困而荒凉的乡区 ② bleak lbli:kla. 荒凉的. 的繁荣昌盛都有赖于他的到来。如果庄园没主人居住, 光秃秃的 查尔斯爵士所做过的一切善行就会烟消云散。我担心自 已会对利益问题考虑得过多,从而让自已对此事的看法 有失偏颇。正因为如此,我才把事情的来龙去脉全都告 ③ sway sweilv 影响 诉您,并征求您的意见。” 福尔摩斯思忖了片刻 “简单说起来吧,事情是这么回事,”他说,“按照 您的看法,存在着一种魔鬼般邪恶的力量,令达特穆尔 ④ agency Ieid3ansil n. 力量 abode a'baudl n. 住处. 荒原成了个巴斯克维尔家族无法安居的所在--这就是 寓所 您的看法,对吧?” go the length of 不惜: 甚 “我至少可以说,有迹象表明,这种可能性还是存 至于 在的。” “一点没错,但是,毫无疑问,如果您那套关于超 自然力量的说法站得住脚的话,那么它要在伦教伤害那 parish I'paerif]n. 教区 个年轻人和在德文郡伤害他一样轻而易举。如果说魔鬼 ⑧ vestry Ivestril n. 教区委 员会 像是教区委员会一样,其权力只是限制在当地的范围 flippant ['flipant] a. 轻率 内,那简直就是不可想象的事情啊。” 的 “您把这件事看得太过轻巧了,福尔摩斯先生。如 果您亲历了那件事情,您就不会这样认为了。我是这样 理解您的意见的:那个年轻人在德文郡和在伦教是同样 安全的。五十分钟后他就到了,您还有什么建议吗?” “我建议,先生,您叫一辆马车,带上您的那条猫 犬--它正在抓挠我们家前门呢,速去滑铁卢车站接亨 利·巴斯克维尔爵士。” “然后呢?” “然后,不要对他说任何情况,直到我对事情有了 判断再说。” “您要多长时间才能想好呢?” “二十四小时吧,莫蒂默医生,明天上午十点,您 .045·