PART1 Chapter5 启事招来访客-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《福尔摩斯探案经典之血字的研究A Study in Scarlet》

Chapter 5 Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor Our morning's exertions had been too much for my weak health,and I was tired out in the afternoon.After Holmes's departure for the concert,I lay down upon the sofa and endeavoured to get a couple of hours'sleep.It was a useless attempt.My mind had been too much excited by all that had occurred, and the strangest fancies and surmises crowded into it.Every time that I closed my eyes I saw before me the distorted baboon-like countenance of the murdered man.So sinister was the impression which that face had produced upon me that I found it difficult to feel anything but gratitude for him who had removed its owner from the world.If ever human features bespoke vice of the most malignant type,they were certainly those of Enoch J.Drebber,of Cleveland.Still I recognized that justice must be done,and that the depravity of the victim was no condonement in the eyes of the law. The more I thought of it the more extraordinary did my companion's hypothesis,that the man had been poisoned,appear.I remembered how he had sniffed his lips,and had no doubt that he had detected something which had given rise to the idea.Then,again,if not poison,what had caused the man's death,since there was neither wound nor marks of strangulation?But,on the other hand,whose blood was that which lay so thickly upon the floor?There ·082· 第五章启事招来访客 我们折腾了一个上午，我虚弱的身子骨支撑不住 了，到了下午便精疲力竭。福尔摩斯同我分手去听音乐 ①endeavour[in'devo]v.竭 会了，之后，我便躺在沙发上，想尽量睡上两小时，但 力 无济于事，心里过于激动，满脑子想着所发生的一切， 还总冒出种种怪异的想法和猜测。一闭上眼晴，被害人 扭曲得像狒狒一样的面容就会立即浮现在眼前。那张脸 2 baboon-like [ba'bu:n.laik] a.像狒狒的 给我留下了刻骨铭心的印象，实在是太可怕了。终于有 3 countenance ['kauntinons] n.面容 人把那张脸的主人从这个世界抹去了，我不禁对此人怀 ④sinister'sinista]a.不祥 有了感激之情。如果根据人的面容来判断一个人是不是 的，不幸的 ⑤bespeak[bi'spi:k]v表明 十恶不赦，那无疑就是克利夫兰市的伊诺克·德雷伯的 那张脸了。但我知道，正义必定要得到伸张。从法律上 ⑥depravity [dipraviti]n.恶 行 说，被害人再坏并不能成为宽恕凶手的理由。 condonement [kon'doun mant]m.宽恕 我同伴假设受害人是被毒死的，我越想越觉得这 个假设不同寻常。我记得，他闻了闻死者的嘴唇，毫 无疑问，他一定是发现了什么蛛丝马迹，才作如是推断 的。还有就是，如果不是服了毒，那是什么原因致使那 人死亡的呢？因为尸体上没有发现伤口，也没有勒痕。 ⑧strangulation【strangju leifan]n.勒死 但是，从另一方面来说，地板上留下了那么多血迹，那 会是谁的血呢？没有打斗过的迹象，受害人身边也没有 ·083· Chapter 5 Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor were no signs of a struggle,nor had the victim any weapon with which he might have wounded an antagonist.As long as all these questions were unsolved,I felt that sleep would be no easy matter,either for Holmes or myself.His quiet self-confident manner convinced me that he had already formed a theory which explained all the facts,though what it was I could not for an instant conjecture. He was very late in returning-so late,that I knew that the concert could not have detained him all the time.Dinner was on the table before he appeared. “It was magnificent,,”he said,.as he took his seat..“Do you remember what Darwin says about music?He claims that the power of producing and appreciating it existed among the human race long before the power of speech was arrived at.Perhaps that is why we are so subtly influenced by it.There are vague memories in our souls of those misty centuries when the world was in its childhood.” “That's rather a broad idea,.”I remarked. "One's ideas must be as broad as Nature if they are to interpret Nature,"he answered."What's the matter?You're not looking quite yourself.This Brixton Road affair has upset you." "To tell the truth,it has,"I said."I ought to be more case-hardened after my Afghan experiences.I saw my own comrades hacked to pieces at Maiwand without losing my nerve." "I can understand.There is a mystery about this which stimulates the imagination;where there is no imagination there is no horror.Have you seen the evening paper?" “No.” "It gives a fairly good account of the affair.It does not mention the fact that when the man was raised up,a woman's wedding ring fell upon the floor.It is just as well it does not." “Why?” "Look at this advertisement,"he answered."I had one sent to every paper ·084: 第五章启事招来访客 足以使对手受到重创的器具。只要所有这些疑问得不到 ①antagonist【en'taeg3 nist]n 解答，我看，无论是福尔摩斯，还是我本人，都睡不安 对手 稳。福尔摩斯平静自信的态度令我坚信，他已经有了自 己的看法，能够解释这一切事实，尽管那是什么样的一 种看法，我还无法猜测。 福尔摩斯回来得很晚一从时间上来判断，我知 ②detain[di'tein]v耽搁 道，他不可能一直在听音乐会。他回来时，晚饭早已经 摆上餐桌了。 “音乐会妙不可言啊，”他说，一边坐了下来，“你 还记得达尔文是怎样说音乐的吗？他认为，人类在使 用语言之前，就拥有了创造和欣赏音乐的能力。或许 这就是音乐能对我们产生微妙影响的原因。在我们灵 魂的深处，对于原初世界的朦胧岁月，依然还有模糊 的记忆。” “这是一种不着边际的看法。”我说。 “如果人们想要理解大自然，那他们的思想就必须 和大自然一样开阔，”他回答说，“怎么啦？你看起来不 大对劲啊。布里克斯顿大街那桩案件弄得你心烦意乱了 吧。” “实话实说，还真是这么回事，”我说，“我有过在 ③comrade ['komreid]n.战 阿富汗的种种经历，本来应该是更加坚强才对。在迈万 友 ④hack [hak]v.劈 德战役中，我亲眼目睹自己的同伴们血肉横飞的场面， ⑤stimulate['stimjuleit]v.激 当时都没有胆怯。” 发 “我能够理解，本案存在一个谜团，令人浮想联翩。 没有想象，就不会有恐惧。你看晚报了吗？” “没有。” “上面详细报道了本案，但报纸上没有提到尸体被 抬起来时，一枚戒指掉到了地上。没有提到这个情节倒 是更好。” “为什么呢？” “看看这则启事吧，”他回答说，“今天上午，离开 ·085· Chapter 5 Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor this morning immediately after the affair." He threw the paper across to me and I glanced at the place indicated.It was the first announcement in the "Found"column."In Brixton Road,this morning,"it ran,"a plain gold wedding ring,found in the roadway between the 'White Hart'Tavern and Holland Grove.Apply Dr.Watson,221B,Baker Street, between eight and nine this evening." “Excuse my using your name,.”he said..“If I used my own some of these dunderheads③would recognize it,.and want to meddle③in the affair..” "That is all right,"I answered."But supposing anyone applies,I have no ring.” "Oh yes,you have,"said he,handing me one."This will do very well.It is almost a facsimile.” "And who do you expect will answer this advertisement." "Why,the man in the brown coat-our florid friend with the square toes.If he does not come himself he will send an accomplice" "Would he not consider it as too dangerous?" "Not at all.If my view of the case is correct,and I have every reason to believe that it is,this man would rather risk anything than lose the ring. According to my notion he dropped it while stooping over Drebber's body, and did not miss it at the time.After leaving the house he discovered his loss and hurried back,but found the police already in possession,owing to his own folly in leaving the candle burning.He had to pretend to be drunk in order to allay the suspicions which might have been aroused by his appearance at the gate.Now put yourself in that man's place.On thinking the matter over, it must have occurred to him that it was possible that he had lost the ring in the road after leaving the house.What would he do,then?He would eagerly look out for the evening papers in the hope of seeing it among the articles found.His eye,of course,would light upon this.He would be overjoyed.Why ·086· 第五章启事招来访客 现场后，我立刻让各家报纸登了一则启事。” 他把报纸从桌子对面递了过来，我看了一眼他所指 ①column[kolam]n,专栏 的地方。是在“失物招领”栏里，第一则启事上写着： “今晨，在布里克斯顿大街，白鹿酒馆至荷兰树林间的 路段上，拾到纯金婚戒一枚。失者请于今晚八时至九时 到贝克大街二百二十一号乙华生先生处认领。” “请原谅，用了你的名字登启事，”他说，“如果用 我自己的名字，那些傻瓜蛋中有人可能会有所警觉，会 dunderhead ['dAndohed]n. 来搅合此事的。” 傻瓜 ③meddle[medl]v.干涉 “没有关系，”我回答说，“但是，如果有人前来认 领，我可拿不出戒指啊。” “噢，是的，你拿得出，”他说着，交给了我一枚， ④facsimile【fxk'simili]n. 复制品 “这一枚足可以应付了，和原先那枚一模一样。” “你觉得谁会来认领呢？” “啊，那位穿棕褐色外套的男子，也就是我们那位 红脸庞、穿方头靴子的朋友。他即便不亲自来，也会打 accomplice [a'komplis]n. 同谋 发一个同伙来的。” “他不会觉得这样做太冒险了吗？” “绝对不会。如果我对本案的看法是正确的，而且 我也有充分的理由相信是正确的，那人冒再大的风险， ⑥stoop [stu:p]弯腰，弓 也会想要拿回那枚戒指的。根据我的判断，他是在弓着 身 身子查看德雷伯的尸体时，把戒指掉在地上的，但当时 他不知道。他离开了那幢住宅之后，发现戒指不见了， 于是匆忙返回，但发现警察已经到达，一切都源于他的 ⑦folly[fli)n.愚蠢的行为 愚蠢之举，竟然让蜡烛亮着。他只得装作喝醉了酒，以 ®allay [o'lei]v.减轻 免由于自己出现在门口引起警察怀疑。现在，你设身处 地想一想，他把事情前前后后想过之后，一定会觉得， 戒指可能是在离开住宅之后失落在路上了。他接着会怎 么做呢？会急忙查看晚报，希望在‘失物招领栏’里找 到它，看到这则广告后他一定会喜出望外的。他都会高 兴得什么似的，怎么还会担心是个圈套呢？在他心目 ·087· Chapter 5 Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor should he fear a trap?There would be no reason in his eyes why the finding of the ring should be connected with the murder.He would come.He will come. You shall see him within an hour?" “And then?”I asked. "Oh,you can leave me to deal with him then.Have you any arms?" "I have my old service revolver and a few cartridges" "You had better clean it and load it.He will be a desperate man,and though I shall take him unawares,it is as well to be ready for anything." I went to my bedroom and followed his advice.When I returned with the pistol the table had been cleared,and Holmes was engaged in his favourite occupation of scraping upon his violin. "The plot thickens,"he said,as I entered;"I have just had an answer to my American telegram.My view of the case is the correct one." “And that is?”I asked eagerly.. “My fiddle would be the better for new strings,”he remarked.“Put your pistol in your pocket.When the fellow comes speak to him in an ordinary way.Leave the rest to me.Don't frighten him by looking at him too hard." "It is eight o'clock now,"I said,glancing at my watch. "Yes.He will probably be here in a few minutes.Open the door slightly. That will do.Now put the key on the inside.Thank you!This is a queer old book I picked up at a stall yesterday-De Jure inter Gentes-published in Latin at Liege in the Lowlands,in 1642.Charles'head was still firm on his shoulders when this little brown-backed volume was struck off." “Who is the printer?" "Philippe de Croy,whoever he may have been.On the fly-leaf,in very faded ink,is written 'Ex libris Guliolmi Whyte.'I wonder who William Whyte was.Some pragmatical seventeenth century lawyer,I suppose.His writing has a legal twist about it.Here comes our man,I think." ·088· 第五章启事招来访客 中，没有理由把找到戒指同谋杀案联系起来。他会来， 一定会来的。你不出一个小时就可以见到他。” “然后呢？”我问。 “噢，到时就让我来应付他吧，你有武器吗？” “我有一支老式军用左轮手枪，还有几发子弹。” ①revolver [ri'volval n.左轮 “你最好把它擦一擦，装上子弹，他会狗急跳墙的。 手枪 2 cartridge ['ka:trid3]n. 尽管我会在他还没有反应过来时制服他，但还是以防 弹 万一的好。” 我走进了卧室，照着他说的做了。拿着手枪返回到 餐厅时，餐桌已经收拾干净了。福尔摩斯正撩拨着小提 琴上的弦，这是他最喜欢的消遣方式。 “案情复杂起来了，”我进入房间时，他说，“我刚 收到了美国的回电。我对本案的看法是正确的。” “情况是—？”我迫不及待地问。 “我这把小提琴该换弦了，”他说，“你把手枪放到 衣服口袋里。等到那家伙出现时，用平常的语气同他说 话。其余的事情交由我来处理。不要死死地盯着他看， ③pistol『pistal].手枪 那样会惊动他的。” “现在是八点。”我瞥了一眼怀表说。 “不错，他可能过几分钟后就到了。房门虚掩着， 这样就行。把钥匙插在内侧的锁孔上。谢谢！我昨天在 书摊上买到了一本奇怪的旧书一《国际法》一是拉 ④stall [sto:lln.小摊 丁文的，1642年在低地国家的列日出版。这本棕褐色封 面的小册子印刷出版时，查理一世的脑袋还安稳地长在 ⑤strike of印刷 脖子上呢。” “印刷商是谁？” “菲利奇·德·克罗伊，谁知道他是个什么样的人 啊。扉页上题签的字已经褪色了，内容是‘威廉·怀特 藏书'。我不知道威廉·怀特是何许人。估计是十七世 pragmatical [prag'ma tikal]a.实用主义的 纪的某个实务的律师吧，因为他的字透着几分律师的气 质。我想，我们的客人到了。” ·089· Chapter 5 Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor As he spoke there was a sharp ring at the bell.Sherlock Holmes rose softly and moved his chair in the direction of the door.We heard the servant pass along the hall,and the sharp click of the latch as she opened it. "Does Dr.Watson live here?"asked a clear but rather harsh voice.We could not hear the servant's reply,but the door closed,and some one began to ascend the stairs.The footfall was an uncertain and shuffling one.A look of surprise passed over the face of my companion as he listened to it.It came slowly along the passage,and there was a feeble tap at the door. “Come in,”Icried. At my summons3,instead of the man of violence whom we expected,a very old and wrinkled woman hobbled into the apartment.She appeared to be dazzled by the sudden blaze of light,and after dropping a curtsey,she stood blinking at us with her bleared eyes and fumbling in her pocket with nervous, shaky fingers.I glanced at my companion,and his face had assumed such a disconsolate expression that it was all I could do to keep my countenance. The old crone drew out an evening paper,and pointed at our advertisement."It's this as has brought me,good gentlemen,"she said,dropping another curtsey;"a gold wedding ring in the Brixton Road.It belongs to my girl Sally,as was married only this time twelvemonth,which her husband is steward aboard a Union boat,and what he'd say if he come 'ome and found her without her ring is more than I can think,he being short enough at the best o'times,but more especially when he has the drink.If it please you,she went to the circus③last night along with-” "Is that her ring?"I asked. “The Lord be thanked!”cried the old woman;“Sally will be a glad woman this night.That's the ring." "And what may your address be?"I inquired,taking up a pencil. "13,Duncan Street,Houndsditch.A weary way from here." "The Brixton Road does not lie between any circus and Houndsditch,"said ·090· 第五章启事招来访客 他说话的当儿，门铃刺耳地响了起来。福尔摩斯缓 缓站起身，把自己的椅子朝着门口的方向移动了一下。 @latch [laet]n.门闩 我们听见仆人走过门厅的声音，门闩咔哒拔开了。 “华生医生是住这儿吗？”有个清晰但却刺耳的声 音在问。我们没有听见女仆的回答，但听见门关上了， 有人上楼梯了。脚步不均匀，而且显得很拖沓。我同伴 ②shuffling [fAflinla.慢慢 移动的 听到脚步声时，脸上掠过惊讶的神情。脚步在过道上缓 慢地前移，接着便听见微弱的敲门声。 “进来，”我大声说。 话音刚落，进入室内的不是我们想象中的那个凶恶 ③summon['sAmon]n.召唤 男子，而是个步履蹒跚、满脸皱纹的老妇人。面对突如 其来的强光，她似乎有点头晕目眩。行过屈膝礼后，她 ④curtsey[ka:tsi]n.(女子 站立在那儿眨巴着昏花的眼睛看我们，神情紧张，抖动 的)屈膝礼 ⑤fumble['fambl]v.笨拙地 着的手指在衣服口袋里摸索着。我瞥了我同伴一眼，只 摸索 见他表情很沮丧，我只好不动声色。 ⑥disconsolate【dis'konsalat a.郁郁不乐的 她拿出一张晚报，指着我们登载的启事。“我是看 到了这个东西之后来的，好心的先生们，”她说，又屈 ⑦crone[kr3unli.干瘪的老 太婆 身行了个礼，“在布里克斯顿大街遗失的金婚戒，那是 我女儿萨莉的，她去年这个时候结的婚，丈夫是联合轮 船公司的乘务员。如果他回家时发现她的戒指丢失了， ⑧steward [stjuad]n.乘务员 我真不知道他会怎么说。他本来就脾气暴躁，喝了酒就 会更加变本加厉。你们请听我说，她昨晚去看马戏时 还—” ⑨circus['sa:kas]n.马戏场 “是这枚戒指吗？”我问。 “谢天谢地！”老妇人大声说，“萨莉今晚可要开心 死啦，是这枚。” “您住在哪儿？”我询问了一句，拿起一支铅笔。 “霍恩兹蒂奇路邓肯街十三号，从这儿走过去可累 人啦。” “从霍恩兹蒂奇到马戏团不用经过布里克斯顿街 啊。”夏洛克·福尔摩斯脱口而出。 ·091·