PART1 Chapter6 托比亚斯·格雷格森显示其能附-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 6 Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do The papers next day were full of the"Brixton Mystery,"as they termed it. Each had a long account of the affair,and some had leaders upon it in addition. There was some information in them which was new to me.I still retain in my scrapbook numerous clippings and extracts bearing upon the case.Here is a condensation of a few of them:- The Daily Telegraph remarked that in the history of crime there had seldom been a tragedy which presented stranger features.The German name of the victim, the absence of all other motive,and the sinister inscription on the wall,all pointed to its perpetration by political refugees and revolutionists.The Socialists had many branches in America,and the deceaseds had,no doubt,infringed their unwritten laws,and been tracked down by them.After alluding airily to the Vehmgericht,aqua tofana,Carbonari,the Marchioness de Brinvilliers,the Darwinian theory,the principles of Malthus,and the Ratcliff Highway murders,the article concluded by admonishing the government and advocating a closer watch over foreigners in England. The Standard commented upon the fact that lawless outrages of the sort usually occurred under a Liberal atdministration.They arose from the unsettling of the minds of the masses,and the consequent weakening of all authority.The ·098· 第六章 托比亚斯·格雷 格森显示其能时 翌日，各家报纸充斥着关于所谓的“布里克斯顿谜 案”的新闻。每一家报纸都对事件给予了长篇报道，有 些还加发了社论。有些情况我先前都不知道。直到现 scrapbook ['skrap,buk]n. 在，我的剪贴本里还保留着许多与本案有关的剪报和摘 剪贴簿 录。以下是其中一些的概要： condensation [.konden's cinn.概要 《每日电讯报》指出：纵观人类犯罪史，很少有惨 案像本案一样，怪异离奇，独具特点。遇害人的德国名 字，以及墙上写着的不祥的文字，所有这一切都指向一 perpetration Lpa:pi'treifon] 点，即罪行乃政治难民和革命分子所为，除此以外找不 罪行 ④refugee【.refju'din.难 到其他任何犯罪动机。社会党在美国有很多分支，毫无 疑问，死者一定是触犯了他们的不成文法，因此被人盯 ⑤deceased [di'si:st]a.已经 死亡的 上了。文章还信马由缰地提到了秘密刑事法庭制度案， ⑥infringe[in'frind3lv违反 ⑦allude【alu:dv提及 托法娜仙液案，意大利烧炭党人案，布兰维利耶侯爵夫 人案，达尔文的进化论学说案，马尔萨斯的人口论原则 ⑧admonish【ed'monif]v.劝 告 案，还有拉特克利夫大道多人遇害案，最后，劝诫政府 当局，严密关注侨居在英国的外国人的动向。 @outrage[autreid3ln暴行 《旗帜报》对案件的评论是：这类无法无天的残暴 行径通常发生在自由党执政期间。其原由是民心不稳， 当局软弱无能。死者是位美国绅士，旅居伦敦已经几个 ·099· Chapter 6 Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do deceased was an American gentleman who had been residing for some weeks in the metropolis.He had stayed at the boarding-house of Madame Charpentier,in Torquay Terrace,Camberwell.He was accompanied in his travels by his private secretary,Mr.Joseph Stangerson.The two bade adieu to their landlady upon Tuesday,the 4th inst.,and departed to Euston Station with the avowed intention of catching the Liverpool express.They were afterwards seen together upon the platform.Nothing more is known of them until Mr.Drebber's body was,as recorded,discovered in an empty house in the Brixton Road,many miles from Euston.How he came there,or how he met his fate,are questions which are still involved in mystery.Nothing is known of the whereabouts of Stangerson.We are glad to learn that Mr.Lestrade and Mr.Gregson,of Scotland Yard,are both engaged upon the case,and it is confidently anticipated that these well-known officers will speedily throw light upon the matter. The Daily News observed that there was no doubt as to the crime being a political one.The despotism and hatred of Liberalism which animated the Continental governments hadhad the effect of driving to our shores a number of men who might have made excellent citizens were they not soured by the recollection of all that they had undergone.Among these men there was a stringent code of honour,any infringement of which was punished by death. Every effort should be made to find the secretary,Stangerson,and to ascertain some particulars of the habits of the deceased.A great step had been gained by the discovery of the address of the house at which he had boarded-a result which was entirely due to the acuteness and energy of Mr.Gregson of Scotland Yard. Sherlock Holmes and I read these notices over together at breakfast,and they appeared to afford him considerable amusement. "I told you that,whatever happened,Lestrade and Gregson would be sure to score.” “That depends on how it turns out..” "Oh,bless you,it doesn't matter in the least.If the man is caught,it will ·100· 第六章托比亚斯·格雷格森显示其能时 星期了。他是在私人秘书约瑟夫·斯坦格森先生的陪同 下来伦敦的，下榻在坎伯韦尔区托凯巷夏庞蒂埃太太的 公寓里。两人于本月四日星期二告别房东太太，前往尤 斯顿火车站，说是去赶乘开往利物浦的直达快车。有人 @bid adieu to向…告别 后来在站台上看到过他们，但随后便不见了踪影。直到 ②avowed [o'vaud]a.公开 宣称的 有新闻报道说，德雷伯先生的尸体被人发现在距离尤斯 顿车站数英里远的布里克斯顿大街的一幢空住宅里。他 是怎么到那儿的，又是怎样在那儿惨遭杀害的，至今仍 是个谜。斯坦格森杳无音信。我们非常欣喜地获悉，伦 敦警察厅的莱斯特雷德先生和格雷格森先生将一同负 责办理此案，相信这两位声名赫赫的督察定能很快使 anticipate [aen'tisipeit]v. 案情真相大白。 期望 《每日新闻》认为：毫无疑问，本案是桩政治案件。 欧洲大陆的各国政府专横跋扈，仇视自由主义，结果把 许多人士逼到了我国。那些人如果不是心中满怀着对自 despotism ['despa.tizom]n. 专制统治 己境遇的痛苦记忆，悲观失望，本来可以成为优秀的公 ⑥animate['eni,meit]v.驱 动：激励 民。那些人当中有一套严苛的行为准则，一旦有人违 ⑥sour[saua使…变得阴 犯，必被处死。我们必须不余遗力地寻找到死者的秘书 郁 斯坦格森，确认死者的一些生活习性。案件目前已取得 recollection [reko'lekfon] n.回忆 重大进展，因为已经查明死者生前下榻的寓所了一这 stringent ['strind3ant]a. 严格的 一结果完全归功于伦敦警察厅机敏睿智而又精力充沛的 格雷格森先生。 我和福尔摩斯在早餐时看了这些报道。他觉得，这 @acuteness【bkju:tnis]n.敏 些报道很逗人。 锐 “我对你说过了，不管情况如何，莱斯特雷德和格 雷格森一定可以邀功。” “这还要取决于最后的结果如何。” “噢，天哪！这一点关系都没有。如果凶手被抓住 了，那是他们尽心尽力的结果。如果凶手逃跑了，那他 们也是尽了力的。如同猜钱币，无论正反面，他们都是 赢家。不管他们做了什么，总是会有捧场的人。‘再愚 ·101· Chapter 6 Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do be on account of their exertions;if he escapes,it will be in spite of their exertions.It's heads I win and tails you lose.Whatever they do,they will have followers.'Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l'admire.'" "What on earth is this?"I cried,for at this moment there came the pattering of many steps in the hall and on the stairs,accompanied by audible expressions of disgust upon the part of our landlady. "It's the Baker Street division of the detective police force,"said my companion,gravely;and as he spoke there rushed into the room half a dozen of the dirtiest and most ragged street Arabs that ever I clapped eyes on. "Tention!"cried Holmes,in a sharp tone,and the six dirty little scoundrels stood in a line like so many disreputable statuettes."In future you shall send up Wiggins alone to report,and the rest of you must wait in the street.Have you found it,Wiggins?" "No,sir,we hain't,"said one of the youths. "I hardly expected you would.You must keep on until you do.Here are your wages."He handed each of them a shilling. "Now,off you go,and come back with a better report next time." He waved his hand,and they scampered away downstairs like so many rats,and we heard their shrill voices next moment in the street. "There's more work to be got out of one of those little beggars than out of a dozen of the force,"Holmes remarked."The mere sight of an official- looking person seals men's lips.These youngsters,however,go everywhere and hear everything.They are as sharp as needles,too;all they want is organisation.” "Is it on this Brixton case that you are employing them?"I asked. "Yes;there is a point which I wish to ascertain.It is merely a matter of time.Hullo!we are going to hear some news now with a vengeance Here is Gregson coming down the road with beatitude written upon every feature of his face.Bound for us,I know.Yes,he is stopping.There he is!" There was a violent peal at the bell,and in a few seconds the fair- ·102· 第六章托比亚斯·格雷格森显示其能时 ①exertion lig'zo:fon]n.努 蠢的人都会有更加愚蠢的崇拜者。'” 力 “到底怎么回事？”我大声说，因为就在这时，一 阵杂乱的脚步声从厅堂和楼梯上传来，还摻杂着房东太 太的埋怨声。 ②audible[':dibl]a.听得见 “是贝克大街刑警分队来了，”我同伴说，态度显得 的 很严肃。他说话的当儿，六个街上的流浪儿冲了进来。 他们蓬头垢面，衣衫褴楼，我还从来没有见过比他们更 加邋逼的样子。 “立正！”福尔摩斯大声喊着，语气严厉，六个小 邋遏鬼应声站成了一排，就像六尊破烂的雕像。“你们 3 scoundrel ['skaundrol]n. 无赖，这里指混混 以后就让威金斯一个人来向我报告，其余的人在街上等 着。威金斯，你们找到了吗？” “没有，先生，还没有找到呢，”其中一个孩子说。 “我也没指望你们这么快就找到了，但你们必须一 直找，直到找到为止。这是给你们的酬劳，”他说着 发给了每人一个先令，“好啦，你们去吧！下次带好 消息来。” 他挥了挥手，他们就像是一群耗子窜下楼去了。不 ④scamper[skampa】v蹦 蹦跳跳地跑 一会儿，街上传来他们尖锐刺耳的叫声。 “这些个小乞丐，一个人的工作效力比十多个警察 的都要高，”福尔摩斯说，“人们一旦看到有官方模样的 人，就会三缄其口。而这些小家伙们哪儿都可以去，什 么情况都听得到。他们还非常机灵，像枚针似的锐利。 不足之处就是缺乏组织性。” “你是雇佣他们来调查布里克斯顿案吗？”我问。 “对啊，因为我有个问题想要证实一下，只是个时 间问题罢了。嘿！我们就要听到十足的好消息啦！格 ⑤with a vengeance极度 雷格森在街上走着呢，脸上洋溢着欢天喜地的表情。 ⑥beatitude [bi'axti,tu:dln.至 福 我知道，是找我们来了。他马上就要停下来了，他 来了。” ⑦peal [pi:I].洪亮的响声 门铃猛烈地响了起来，片刻之后，淡黄色头发的警 ·103· Chapter 6 Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do haired detective came up the stairs,three steps at a time,and burst into our sitting-room. "My dear fellow,"he cried,wringing Holmes's unresponsive hand, "congratulate me!I have made the whole thing as clear as day." A shade of anxiety seemed to me to cross my companion's expressive face. "Do you mean that you are on the right track?"he asked. “The right track!Why,sir,we have the man under lock and key②.” “And his name is?” "Arthur Charpentier,sub-lieutenant in Her Majesty's navy,"cried Gregson,pompously,rubbing his fat hands and inflating his chest. Sherlock Holmes gave a sigh of relief,and relaxed into a smile. "Take a seat,and try one of these cigars,"he said."We are anxious to know how you managed it.Will you have some whiskey and water?" "I don't mind if I do,"the detective answered."The tremendous exertions which I have gone through during the last day or two have worn me out.Not so much bodily exertion,you understand,as the strain upon the mind.You will appreciate that,Mr.Sherlock Holmes,for we are both brain-workers." "You do me too much honour,"said Holmes,gravely."Let us hear how you arrived at this most gratifying⑤result..” The detective seated himself in the armchair,and puffed complacently at his cigar.Then suddenly he slapped his thigh in a paroxysmof amusement. "The fun of it is,"he cried,"that that fool Lestrade,who thinks himself so smart,has gone off upon the wrong track altogether.He is after the secretary Stangerson,who had no more to do with the crime than the babe unborn.I have no doubt that he has caught him by this time." The idea tickled Gregson so much that he laughed until he choked. "And how did you get your clue?" "Ah,I'll tell you all about it.Of course,Doctor Watson,this is strictly ·104· 第六章托比亚斯·格雷格森显示其能时 探三步并作两步奔上了楼，紧接着冲进了我们的客厅。 “亲爱的朋友们啊，”他大声喊着，紧紧地握住福尔 unresponsive [,Anris'pon 摩斯毫无反应的手，“祝贺我吧！我把整个案件查得像 siWa.毫无反应的 白昼一样明朗啦。” 我似乎看到了，福尔摩斯表情丰富的脸上掠过了一 丝焦虑的阴影。 ②under lock and key把 “您是说，您已经找到了正确的思路了吗？”他问。 囚禁 “正确的思路！啊，先生，我们都已经把凶手关进 牢房啦。” ③sub-lieutenant【,sAblef" tenant]m.海军中尉 “他叫什么？” ④inflate[in'nei训以膨胀， “阿瑟·夏庞蒂埃，皇家海军的中尉，”格雷格森大声 鼓起 说着，语气高调，不停地搓着满是肉的双手，昂首挺胸。 夏洛克·福尔摩斯松了口气，如释重负，继而轻松 地微笑了。 “请坐，抽支雪茄吧，”他说，“我们很想知道您是 怎么破的案，来点威士忌加水怎么样？” “那就来点吧，”警探回答说，“我这一两天可是全 力以赴啊，累得够呛了。您知道的，身体上的劳累倒 是没有什么，主要是劳心啊。您会感同身受的，夏洛 克·福尔摩斯先生，我们两个都是靠用脑来工作的人。” gratifying ['gratifaiinl a. “您这可是太过抬举我了，”福尔摩斯说，态度很严 可喜的 complacently [kam'pleis 肃，“您取得了令人高兴的结果，说出来我们听听吧。” ontli]ad.满足地 警探坐在扶手椅上，洋洋得意地吸着烟。接着猛然 7 paroxysm ['paerak,sizom] n突然发作 拍了一下大腿，喜不自禁。 “很有意思的是，”他大声说，“莱斯特雷德那个傻 瓜还自以为很聪明，这一次却完全把思路给搞错了。他 一直在寻找那位秘书斯坦格森，但实际上，那人像个未 出生的婴儿一样清白，与本案一丁点儿瓜葛都没有。我 毫不怀疑，他此刻已经逮住人家了。” 格雷格森想到这事便乐不可支，笑得喘不过气来了。 “您是怎么找到线索的？” ·105· Chapter 6 Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do between ourselves.The first difficulty which we had to contend with was the finding of this American's antecedents.Some people would have waited until their advertisements were answered,or until parties came forward and volunteered information.That is not Tobias Gregson's way of going to work. You remember the hat beside the dead man?" “Yes,”said Holmes;“by John Underwood and Sons,l29,Camberwell Road.” Gregson looked quite crestfallen. "I had no idea that you noticed that,"he said."Have you been there?" No.” "Ha!"cried Gregson,in a relieved voice;"you should never neglecta chance,however small it may seem." “To a great mind,.nothing is little,”remarked Holmes,sententiously④ "Well,I went to Underwood,and asked him if he had sold a hat of that size and description.He looked over his books,and came on it at once.He had sent the hat to a Mr.Drebber,residing at Charpentier's Boarding Establishment, Torquay Terrace.Thus I got at his address." "Smart-very smart!"murmured Sherlock Holmes. "I next called upon Madame Charpentier,"continued the detective."I found her very pale and distressed.Her daughter was in the room,too-an uncommonly fine girl she is,too;she was looking red about the eyes and her lips trembled as I spoke to her.That didn't escape my notice.I began to smell a rat.You know the feeling,Mr.Sherlock Holmes,when you come upon the right scent-a kind of thrill in your nerves.'Have you heard of the mysterious death of your late boarder Mr.Enoch J.Drebber,of Cleveland?'I asked. "The mother nodded.She didn't seem able to get out a word.The daughter burst into tears.I felt more than ever that these people knew something of the matter. ·106· 第六章托比亚斯·格雷格森显示其能时 “啊，我把这事的原委告诉你们吧。当然，华生医 antecedent [.aenti'si:dant] 生，这事我们三个人知道就行了。我们首先要解决的难 n.出身，来历 题，就是要查明那个美国人的来历。有些人会坐着等 待，等着人家看了告示后来报告，或者等着各方人士前 来主动提供信息。这可不是我托比亚斯·格雷格森的处 事风格。你们还记得放在死者旁边的那顶帽子吗？” “记得，”福尔摩斯说，“是约翰·恩德伍德父子店 的产品，店铺地址在坎伯韦尔大道一百二十九号。” crestfallen ['krest,fo:lon]a. 格雷格森看上去垂头丧气了。 沮丧的 “没想到您也注意到了，”他说，“您去了那儿吗？” “没有。” ③neglect [ni'glekt]v.忽略 “哈！”格雷格森大声说，松了一口气，“不能忽略 任何机会啊，不管它看起来多么微不足道。” sententiously [sen'tenf “在智者的心目中，根本就不存在什么微不足道的 sli]ad.简洁地 事情，”福尔摩斯说道，摆出一副智者的神态。 “是啊，我去找过恩德伍德，问他是否出售过那种 型号和式样的帽子。他查了账目，立刻就查到了。那顶 帽子是给德雷伯先生送去的，住在托凯巷的夏庞蒂埃公 寓。就这样，我得到了他的住址。” “聪明一非常聪明！”夏洛克·福尔摩斯喃喃地说。 “我接着去拜访了夏庞蒂埃太太，”警探接着说， “发现她脸色苍白，神情忧伤。她女儿也在家里一那 姑娘长得非常漂亮。我对她说话时，她眼圈红了，嘴唇 tremble ['trembll v.颛抖 直哆嗦。这些都没有逃过我的眼神。我开始意识到事情 ⑥smell a rat感到不妙 不对劲，您知道那种感觉的，福尔摩斯先生，就是一旦 发现了蛛丝马迹，神经就会高度兴奋起来。‘你们听说 了克利夫兰的伊诺克·德雷伯先生，也就是你们先前的 房客，神秘死亡的消息了吗？· “做母亲的点了点头，看起来连话都说不出来了。 她的女儿则哭了起来。我更加强烈地感觉到，这两个女 人知道些情况。 ·107·