The Hound of the Baskervilles

巴斯克維爾的獵犬

   Chapter 5

   第五章

   Three Broken Threads

   三條斷了的線索

   Sherlock Holmes had, in a very remarkable degree, the power of detaching his mind at will. For two hours the strange business in which we had been involved appeared to be forgotten, and he was entirely absorbed in the pictures of the modern Belgian masters. He would talk of nothing but art, of which he had the crudest ideas, from our leaving the gallery until we found ourselves at the Northumberland Hotel.

   歇洛克·福爾摩斯有着高度的控制個人感情的意志力。 把我們糾纏其中的怪事在這兩小時內似乎已被遺忘了,他全神貫注地觀看著近代比利時大師們所作的繪畫。從我們離開美術館直至走到諾桑勃蘭旅館為止,除了藝術之外他什麼也不談。其實,他對藝術的見解是非常粗淺的。東西

   "Sir Henry Baskerville is upstairs expecting you," said the clerk. "He asked me to show you up at once when you came."

   “亨利·巴斯克維爾爵士正在樓上等着你們呢。”帳房說道,“他讓我等你們一來馬上就把你們領上去。”

   "Have you any objection to my looking at your register?" said Holmes.

   “我想看一看你們的旅客登記簿,您不反對吧?”福爾摩斯說。

   "Not in the least."

   “一點也不。”

   The book showed that two names had been added after that of Baskerville. One was Theophilus Johnson and family, of Newcastle; the other Mrs. Oldmore and maid, of High Lodge, Alton.

   從登記簿上可以看出,在巴斯克維爾之後又來了兩起客人。一起是來自新堡的肖菲勒斯·約翰森一家;另一起是來自奧吞州亥洛基鎮的歐摩太太及女傭人。

   "Surely that must be the same Johnson whom I used to know," said Holmes to the porter. "A lawyer, is he not, gray-headed, and walks with a limp?"

   “這一定是我認識的那個約翰森吧,”福爾摩斯向守門人說道,“是個律師,不是嗎?頭髮花白,走起來有些跛。”

   "No, sir; this is Mr. Johnson, the coal-owner, a very active gentleman, not older than yourself."

   “不是的,先生,這位是煤礦主約翰森先生,是個好動的紳士,年紀不比您大。”

   "Surely you are mistaken about his trade?"

   “您一定把他的職業搞錯了吧?”

   "No, sir! he has used this hotel for many years, and he is very well known to us."

   “沒有,先生!他在我們這旅館已經住過很多年了,我們都很瞭解他。”

   "Ah, that settles it. Mrs. Oldmore, too; I seem to remember the name. Excuse my curiosity, but often in calling upon one friend one finds another."

   “啊,行了。還有歐摩太太,我似乎記得這個名字,請原諒我的好奇心,可是在訪一個朋友的時候往往會遇到另一個朋友,這也是常有的事啊。”

   "She is an invalid lady, sir. Her husband was once mayor of Gloucester. She always comes to us when she is in town."

   “她是一位病魔纏身的太太,先生。她丈夫曾做過葛羅斯特市的市長。她進城時總是到我們這裡來住的。”

   "Thank you; I am afraid I cannot claim her acquaintance. We have established a most important fact by these questions, Watson," he continued in a low voice as we went upstairs together. "We know now that the people who are so interested in our friend have not settled down in his own hotel. That means that while they are, as we have seen, very anxious to watch him, they are equally anxious that he should not see them. Now, this is a most suggestive fact."

   “謝謝您,恐怕不能說她是我的熟人了。”

    “剛纔咱們所問的這些問題已經說明了一個很重要的事實,華生,”在我們一起上樓的時候,他繼續低聲說,“咱們現在知道了,那些對咱們的朋友極感興趣的人們,並沒有和他住在同一個旅館裡。這就是說,雖然他們象咱們所看到的那樣,非常熱衷于對他進行監視,可是,同樣地,他們也非常擔心會被他看到。啊,這是一件很能說明問題的事實呢。”

   "What does it suggest?"

   “它能說明什麼問題呢?”

   "It suggests--halloa, my dear fellow, what on earth is the matter?"

   “它說明——天啊,親愛的朋友,這是怎麼的了?”

   As we came round the top of the stairs we had run up against Sir Henry Baskerville himself. His face was flushed with anger, and he held an old and dusty boot in one of his hands. So furious was he that he was hardly articulate, and when he did speak it was in a much broader and more Western dialect than any which we had heard from him in the morning.

   當我們快走到樓梯頂端的時候,正遇上亨利·巴斯克維爾爵士迎面走來。他氣得臉都紅了,手裡提着一隻滿是塵土的舊高筒皮鞋。他氣得說不出話來,等到他說話的時候,若與早晨相比,就顯得聲音高亢,西部口音也重得多了。

   "Seems to me they are playing me for a sucker in this hotel," he cried. "They'll find they've started in to monkey with the wrong man unless they are careful. By thunder, if that chap can't find my missing boot there will be trouble. I can take a joke with the best, Mr. Holmes, but they've got a bit over the mark this time."

   “他們這旅館的人,好象看我好欺侮似的,”他喊道,“讓他們小心點吧,不然他們就會知道,他們開玩笑找錯了人了。 真是豈有此理!如果他找不到我丟了的鞋的話,那就得找麻煩了。我是最不怕開玩笑的,福爾摩斯先生,可是這回他們未免有點太過份了。”

   "Still looking for your boot?"

   “還在找您的皮鞋嗎?”

   "Yes, sir, and mean to find it."

   “是啊,先生,非找到不可。”

   "But, surely, you said that it was a new brown boot?"

   “可是您說過,您丟的是一隻棕色高筒的新皮鞋啊?”

   "So it was, sir. And now it's an old black one."

   “是啊,先生。可是現在又丟了一隻舊的黑皮鞋。”

   "What! you don't mean to say----?"

   “什麼,您恐怕不是說……”

   "That's just what I do mean to say. I only had three pairs in the world--the new brown, the old black, and the patent leathers, which I am wearing. Last night they took one of my brown ones, and to-day they have sneaked one of the black. Well, have you got it? Speak out, man, and don't stand staring!"

   “我正是要說,我一共有三雙鞋——新的棕色的,舊的黑色的和我現在穿著的這雙漆皮皮鞋。昨晚他們拿跑了我的一隻棕色皮鞋,而今天又偷了我一隻黑的——喂,你找到了沒有?說呀,喂,不要光是站着瞪眼!”

   An agitated German waiter had appeared upon the scene.

   來了一個驚慌不安的德國籍侍者。

   "No, sir; I have made inquiry all over the hotel, but I can hear no word of it."

   “沒有,先生。在旅館裡我到處都問過了,可是什麼也沒有打聽到。”

   "Well, either that boot comes back before sundown or I'll see the manager and tell him that I go right straight out of this hotel."

   “好吧,在日落前把鞋給我找回來,否則我就要找老闆去,告訴他,我馬上就離開這旅館。”

   "It shall be found, sir--I promise you that if you will have a little patience it will be found."

   “一定能找到的,先生,只要您能稍微忍耐一下,我保證一定能夠找到。”

   "Mind it is, for it's the last thing of mine that I'll lose in this den of thieves. Well, well, Mr. Holmes, you'll excuse my troubling you about such a trifle----"

   “但願如此,在這個賊窩裡我可不能再丟東西了——咳,福爾摩斯先生,請原諒我竟拿這樣小事煩擾了您……”

   "I think it's well worth troubling about."

   “我倒認為這是一件很值得引起注意的事呢。”

   "Why, you look very serious over it."

   “啊,您把它看得過于認真了吧。”

   "How do you explain it?"

   “您對這件事怎樣解釋呢?”

   "I just don't attempt to explain it. It seems the very maddest, queerest thing that ever happened to me."

   “我根本就不想解釋它。看來在我所發生過的事情裡,這要算是最氣人和最奇怪的事情了。”

   "The queerest perhaps----" said Holmes, thoughtfully.

   “也許是最奇怪的事情……”福爾摩斯意味深長地說道。

   "What do you make of it yourself?"

   “您對這件事是怎樣看法呢?”

   "Well, I don't profess to understand it yet. This case of yours is very complex, Sir Henry. When taken in conjunction with your uncle's death I am not sure that of all the five hundred cases of capital importance which I have handled there is one which cuts so deep. But we hold several threads in our hands, and the odds are that one or other of them guides us to the truth. We may waste time in following the wrong one, but sooner or later we must come upon the right."

   “啊,我不敢說我已經瞭解了。您的這件案子是很複雜的呢,亨利爵士。把這件事與您伯父的死一聯繫起來看之後,我真不敢說,在我經手辦理過的五百件重要案件裡,是否有一件能象這樣的曲折離奇。可是我們手中已經掌握了幾條線索,料想其中必然會有一條能使我們找到真相。我們也可能會在錯誤的路上糟蹋些時間,但是我們早晚總能找出正確的線索來的。”

   We had a pleasant luncheon in which little was said of the business which had brought us together. It was in the private sitting-room to which we afterwards repaired that Holmes asked Baskerville what were his intentions.

   我們愉快地進了午餐,飯間很少談到將我們拉在一起的那件事。飯後,福爾摩斯在起坐室裡問巴斯克維爾的意向如何。

   "To go to Baskerville Hall."

   “到巴斯克維爾莊園去。”

   "And when?"

   “什麼時候去?”

   "At the end of the week."

   “周末。”

   "On the whole," said Holmes, "I think that your decision is a wise one. I have ample evidence that you are being dogged in London, and amid the millions of this great city it is difficult to discover who these people are or what their object can be. If their intentions are evil they might do you a mischief, and we should be powerless to prevent it. You did not know, Dr. Mortimer, that you were followed this morning from my house?"

   “總起來說,”福爾摩斯說道,“我覺得您的決定還是聰明的。我完全可以證明,您在倫敦已經被人盯上梢了,在這樣大的城市裡,在成千上萬的人裡,很難弄清這些人是誰,或是他們懷着什麼目的。如果他們懷有惡意的話,他們就可能給您造成不幸,我們恐怕也無力阻止不幸的發生。摩梯末醫生,您不知道你們今早從我家出來之後,就被人盯上了嗎?”

   Dr. Mortimer started violently.

   摩梯末醫生大吃一驚。

   "Followed! By whom?"

   “被盯上了!被誰?”

   "That, unfortunately, is what I cannot tell you. Have you among your neighbours or acquaintances on Dartmoor any man with a black, full beard?"

   “不幸得很,這正是我無法奉告的事。在達特沼地,在您的鄰居和熟人之中,有沒有留着又黑又長的鬍子的人?”

   "No--or, let me see--why, yes. Barrymore, Sir Charles's butler, is a man with a full, black beard."

   “沒有——嗯,讓我想想看——啊,對了,查爾茲爵士的管事白瑞摩是留有連腮黑鬍子的。”

   "Ha! Where is Barrymore?"

   “啊!白瑞摩在什麼地方?”

   "He is in charge of the Hall."

   “他總管那座莊園。”

   "We had best ascertain if he is really there, or if by any possibility he might be in London."

   “我們最好證實一下,他是否確實獃在那裡,說不定他正在倫敦呢。”

   "How can you do that?"

   “您怎麼能證實這一點呢?”

   "Give me a telegraph form. 'Is all ready for Sir Henry?' That will do. Address to Mr. Barrymore, Baskerville Hall. What is the nearest telegraph-office? Grimpen. Very good, we will send a second wire to the postmaster, Grimpen: 'Telegram to Mr. Barrymore to be delivered into his own hand. If absent, please return wire to Sir Henry Baskerville, Northumberland Hotel.' That should let us know before evening whether Barrymore is at his post in Devonshire or not."

   “給我一張電報紙。‘是否已為亨利爵士備好了一切?’這樣就行了。發給巴斯克維爾莊園,交白瑞摩先生。離莊園最近的電報局在哪裡?是格林盆嗎?好極了,咱們再發一封電報給格林盆的郵政局長,就寫‘發白瑞摩先生的電報務交本人。如不在,請回電通知諾桑勃蘭旅館亨利·巴斯克維爾爵士。’這樣一來,到不了晚上咱們就能知道白瑞摩是否確在自己的工作崗位上了。”

   "That's so," said Baskerville. "By the way, Dr. Mortimer, who is this Barrymore, anyhow?"

   “這樣很好,”巴斯克維爾說道,“可是,摩梯末醫生,這個白瑞摩究竟是個怎麼樣的人呢?”

   "He is the son of the old caretaker, who is dead. They have looked after the Hall for four generations now. So far as I know, he and his wife are as respectable a couple as any in the county."

   “他是已故老管家的兒子,他們負責照看這所莊園至今已有四輩了,據我所知,他和他的妻子在鄉間是很受人尊敬的一對夫婦呢。”

   "At the same time," said Baskerville, "it's clear enough that so long as there are none of the family at the Hall these people have a mighty fine home and nothing to do."

   “同時,”巴斯克維爾說道,“事情很清楚,只要沒有我們家的人住在莊園裡,這些人可就太舒服了,簡直無事可作。”

   "That is true."

   “這是實情。”

   "Did Barrymore profit at all by Sir Charles's will?" asked Holmes.

   “白瑞摩從查爾茲爵士的遺囑裡究竟得到些好處沒有?” 福爾摩斯問道。

   "He and his wife had five hundred pounds each."

   “他和他的妻子每人得到了五百鎊。”

   "Ha! Did they know that they would receive this?"

   “啊!他們以前是否知道將來要拿到這筆錢呢?”

   "Yes; Sir Charles was very fond of talking about the provisions of his will."

   “知道,查爾茲爵士是很喜歡談論他那遺囑的內容的。”

   "That is very interesting."

   “這事很有意義。”

   "I hope," said Dr. Mortimer, "that you do not look with suspicious eyes upon everyone who received a legacy from Sir Charles, for I also had a thousand pounds left to me."

   “我希望,”摩梯末醫生說道,“您不要對每一個從查爾茲爵士的遺囑裡得到好處的人都投以懷疑的眼光吧,他也留給了我一千鎊呢。”

   "Indeed! And anyone else?"

   “真的嗎?還有誰得到了呢?”

   "There were many insignificant sums to individuals, and a large number of public charities. The residue all went to Sir Henry."

   “還有很多分給一些人的小筆款項和大批捐給公共慈善事業的錢。余產完全歸亨利爵士。”

   "And how much was the residue?"

   “余產有多少呢?”

   "Seven hundred and forty thousand pounds."

   “七十四萬鎊。”

   Holmes raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I had no idea that so gigantic a sum was involved," said he.

   福爾摩斯驚奇地揚起了眉毛說:“我真沒有想到竟有這樣大的數目。”

   "Sir Charles had the reputation of being rich, but we did not know how very rich he was until we came to examine his securities. The total value of the estate was close on to a million."

   “查爾茲爵士是以富有聞名的,可是在我們檢查他的證券以前,我們並不知道他究竟有多麼富。原來全部財產的總值竟約有一百萬鎊。”

   "Dear me! It is a stake for which a man might well play a desperate game. And one more question, Dr. Mortimer. Supposing that anything happened to our young friend here--you will forgive the unpleasant hypothesis!--who would inherit the estate?"

   “天啊!一個人見了這樣大的賭注,當然要拚命賭他一場了。可是還有一個問題,摩梯末醫生,假若咱這些位年輕的朋友發生了什麼不幸的話——請您原諒我這不愉快的假設吧——誰來繼承這筆財產呢?”

   "Since Rodger Baskerville, Sir Charles's younger brother died unmarried, the estate would descend to the Desmonds, who are distant cousins. James Desmond is an elderly clergyman in Westmoreland."

   “因為查爾茲爵士的弟弟羅傑·巴斯克維爾沒有結過婚就死了,所以財產就應當傳給遠房的表兄弟戴斯門家裡的人了。傑姆士·戴斯門是威斯摩蘭地方的一位年長的牧師。”

   "Thank you. These details are all of great interest. Have you met Mr. James Desmond?"

   “謝謝您,這些細節都是很值得注意的。您見過傑姆士·戴斯門先生嗎?”

   "Yes; he once came down to visit Sir Charles. He is a man of venerable appearance and of saintly life. I remember that he refused to accept any settlement from Sir Charles, though he pressed it upon him."

   “見過,他來拜訪過查爾茲爵士一次。他是個態度莊重可敬的人,過着聖潔的生活。我還記得,他拒絶從查爾茲爵士那裡接受任何產業,雖然查爾茲爵士曾強其接受。”

   "And this man of simple tastes would be the heir to Sir Charles's thousands."

   “這個沒有什麼癖好的人竟要成為查爾茲爵士萬貫家財的繼承人嗎?”

   "He would be the heir to the estate because that is entailed. He would also be the heir to the money unless it were willed otherwise by the present owner, who can, of course, do what he likes with it."

   “他將成為產業的繼承人,因為這是法律所規定的。他還將繼承錢財,除非現在的所有者另立遺囑——當然他有權任意處置。”

   "And have you made your will, Sir Henry?"

   “亨利爵士,您立過遺囑了嗎?”

   "No, Mr. Holmes, I have not. I've had no time, for it was only yesterday that I learned how matters stood. But in any case I feel that the money should go with the title and estate. That was my poor uncle's idea. How is the owner going to restore the glories of the Baskervilles if he has not money enough to keep up the property? House, land, and dollars must go together."

   “沒有,福爾摩斯先生。我還沒有時間呢,因為昨天我才知道事情的真相。可是,無論在什麼情況下,我總覺得錢財不應該與爵位和產業分離。我那可憐的伯父的遺志就是這樣的。如果主人沒有足以維持產業的錢的話,他怎麼能恢復巴斯克維爾家的威望呢?房地產與錢財絶不能分開。”

   "Quite so. Well, Sir Henry, I am of one mind with you as to the advisability of your going down to Devonshire without delay. There is only one provision which I must make. You certainly must not go alone."

   “非常正確。啊,亨利爵士,對於您應該馬上到德文郡去的這個意見,我和您的看法相同。但有一個條件,您決不能單獨去。”

   "Dr. Mortimer returns with me."

   “摩梯末醫生和我一起回去。”

   "But Dr. Mortimer has his practice to attend to, and his house is miles away from yours. With all the good will in the world he may be unable to help you. No, Sir Henry, you must take with you someone, a trusty man, who will be always by your side."

   “可是,摩梯末醫生有醫務在身啊,而且他家離您的家也有數英里之遙,儘管他對您懷有天大的好意,恐怕他對您也是愛莫能助。不行,亨利爵士,您必須另找一個可以信賴的人,能夠永遠和您形影不離的人一起去。”

   "Is it possible that you could come yourself, Mr. Holmes?"

   “您自己去可能嗎,福爾摩斯先生?”

   "If matters came to a crisis I should endeavour to be present in person; but you can understand that, with my extensive consulting practice and with the constant appeals which reach me from many quarters, it is impossible for me to be absent from London for an indefinite time. At the present instant one of the most revered names in England is being besmirched by a blackmailer, and only I can stop a disastrous scandal. You will see how impossible it is for me to go to Dartmoor."

   “如果事情到了發生危機的程度的時候,我一定儘可能親自出馬,但是您可以瞭解到,我有着接受廣泛諮詢的業務和經常的來自各方面的請求,如果讓我無限期地離開倫敦,那是不可能的。目前就有一位英格蘭的極為可敬的人物,正在受人威脅和污衊,而只有我才能制止這件後果嚴重的誹謗。您可以看得出來,現在叫我到達特沼地去是件多麼不可能的事。”

   "Whom would you recommend, then?"

   “那麼,您打算讓誰去呢?”

   Holmes laid his hand upon my arm.

   福爾摩斯用手拍着我的手背說道:

   "If my friend would undertake it there is no man who is better worth having at your side when you are in a tight place. No one can say so more confidently than I."

   “如果我的朋友願意擔任這件事的話,那末在您正處于危急的情況之下,要想找一個人來陪伴和保護您,就再也沒有比他更好的了,這一點也再沒有人能說得比我更有信心了。”

   The proposition took me completely by surprise, but before I had time to answer, Baskerville seized me by the hand and wrung it heartily.

   這個意外的建議,使我完全不知如何是好了。我還沒來得及回答,巴斯克維爾就抓住了我的手,熱情地搖了起來。

   "Well, now, that is real kind of you, Dr. Watson," said he. "You see how it is with me, and you know just as much about the matter as I do. If you will come down to Baskerville Hall and see me through I'll never forget it."

   “啊,華生醫生,您的厚意我真是感謝之至,”他說,“您瞭解我所處的境地,對於這件事,您知道得和我一樣多;如果您能到巴斯克維爾莊園去陪我,我將永遠銘記在心。”

   The promise of adventure had always a fascination for me, and I was complimented by the words of Holmes and by the eagerness with which the baronet hailed me as a companion.

   即將投入的冒險,對我是永遠具有吸引力的,何況我還受到了福爾摩斯的恭維和準男爵把我當作夥伴看待的真摯之情的感動呢。

   "I will come, with pleasure," said I. "I do not know how I could employ my time better."

   “一定,我很願意去,”我說道,“這樣使用我的時間是非常值得的。”

   "And you will report very carefully to me," said Holmes. "When a crisis comes, as it will do, I will direct how you shall act. I suppose that by Saturday all might be ready?"

   “你得很細心地向我報告,”福爾摩斯說道,“當危機到來的時候——危機總是會來臨的——我將指示你如何行動。我想星期六就可以準備好動身了吧?”

   "Would that suit Dr. Watson?"

   “這樣對華生醫生方便嗎?”

   "Perfectly."

   “很方便。”

   "Then on Saturday, unless you hear to the contrary, we shall meet at the 10:30 train from Paddington."

   “那麼,除非我另有通知,否則星期六咱們就在車站會面,坐由帕丁頓開來的十點三十分的那趟車。”

   We had risen to depart when Baskerville gave a cry, of triumph, and diving into one of the corners of the room he drew a brown boot from under a cabinet.

   當我們正站起來告辭的時候,巴斯克維爾突然發出了勝利的歡呼,並且衝向屋角,由櫥櫃下面拖出一隻棕色的長筒皮鞋。

   "My missing boot!" he cried.

   “正是我丟的鞋。”他喊了起來。

   "May all our difficulties vanish as easily!" said Sherlock Holmes.

   “但願咱們所有的困難都象這件事一樣地消失!”歇洛克·福爾摩斯說道。

   "But it is a very singular thing," Dr. Mortimer remarked. "I searched this room carefully before lunch."

   “可是這真是件奇怪的事,”摩梯末醫生說道,“午飯以前,我已在這屋裡仔細搜尋過了。”

   "And so did I," said Baskerville. "Every inch of it."

   “我也搜尋過啊!”巴斯克維爾說,“到處都找遍了。”

   "There was certainly no boot in it then."

   “那時,屋裡肯定沒有長筒皮鞋。”

   "In that case the waiter must have placed it there while we were lunching."

   “這樣說來,一定是當我們在吃午飯的時候,侍者給放在那裡的。”

   The German was sent for but professed to know nothing of the matter, nor could any inquiry clear it up. Another item had been added to that constant and apparently purposeless series of small mysteries which had succeeded each other so rapidly. Setting aside the whole grim story of Sir Charles's death, we had a line of inexplicable incidents all within the limits of two days, which included the receipt of the printed letter, the black-bearded spy in the hansom, the loss of the new brown boot, the loss of the old black boot, and now the return of the new brown boot. Holmes sat in silence in the cab as we drove back to Baker Street, and I knew from his drawn brows and keen face that his mind, like my own, was busy in endeavouring to frame some scheme into which all these strange and apparently disconnected episodes could be fitted. All afternoon and late into the evening he sat lost in tobacco and thought.

   那德國籍侍者被叫了來,可是他說對這件事一點也不知道,無論怎樣問也是弄不清楚。目的不明的神秘事件一個緊接一個地連續發生,現在又多了一件。除了查爾茲爵士暴死的整個可怕的故事之外,在兩天之內就意外地發生了一連串的無法解釋的奇事:其中包括收到用鉛印字湊成的信,雙輪馬車裡蓄着黑鬍子的那個盯梢人,新購棕色皮鞋的遺失和舊黑皮鞋的失蹤,還有現在被送還的新的棕色皮鞋。在我們坐車回貝克街的時候,福爾摩斯沉默不語地坐著,我由他那緊皺的雙眉和嚴峻的面孔就能看出,他的心裡正和我一樣,在忙於努力拚湊一些能夠解釋這一切奇異而又顯然是彼此毫無關聯的插曲的推想。整個下午直到深夜,他都獃坐著,沉浸在煙草和深思之中。

   Just before dinner two telegrams were handed in. The first ran:--

   剛要吃晚飯就送來了兩封電報,第一封是:

   "Have just heard that Barrymore is at the Hall.--BASKERVILLE." The second:--

   頃悉,白瑞摩確在莊園。巴斯克維爾。

    第二封是:

   "Visited twenty-three hotels as directed, but sorry, to report unable to trace cut sheet of Times.--CARTWRIGHT."

   依指示曾去二十三家旅館,未尋得被剪破之《泰晤士報》。歉甚。卡特萊。

   "There go two of my threads, Watson. There is nothing more stimulating than a case where everything goes against you. We must cast round for another scent."

   “我的兩條線索算是都完了,華生。再沒有比事事不順的案子更惱人的了。咱們必須轉換方向另找線索。”

   "We have still the cabman who drove the spy."

   “咱們總還可以找到給那盯梢人趕車的馬夫啊。”

   "Exactly. I have wired to get his name and address from the Official Registry. I should not be surprised if this were an answer to my question."

   “確實。我已發了電報要求執照管理科查清他的姓名和地址——如果這來的就是對於我的問題的答案的話,我也不會感到驚奇的。”

   The ring at the bell proved to be something even more satisfactory than an answer, however, for the door opened and a rough-looking fellow entered who was evidently the man himself.

   事實證明,門鈴聲帶來的結果較我們希望的答案更加使人滿意。因為門一開就進來了一個舉止粗魯的傢伙,顯然他正是我們所要找的那個人。

   "I got a message from the head office that a gent at this address had been inquiring for 2704," said he. "I've driven my cab this seven years and never a word of complaint. I came here straight from the Yard to ask you to your face what you had against me."

   “我接到總局的通知,說這裡有一位紳士要找No.2704車的車伕!”他說道,“我趕馬車已經趕了七年了,從來沒有聽過乘客說一句不滿意的話;我直接從車場到這裡來了,我要當面問清,您對我有什麼不滿意之處。”

   "I have nothing in the world against you, my good man," said Holmes. "On the contrary, I have half a sovereign for you if you will give me a clear answer to my questions."

   “老弟,我對你沒有絲毫不滿,”福爾摩斯說,“相反的,如果你能清清楚楚地回答我的問題,我就給你半個金鎊。”

   "Well, I've had a good day and no mistake," said the cabman, with a grin. "What was it you wanted to ask, sir?"

   車伕聽了咧開嘴笑着說:“啊,我今天可真趕上好日子啦。先生,您要問我什麼呢?”

   "First of all your name and address, in case I want you again."

   “首先,我要問你的姓名和地址,以後需要的時候我好再去找你。”

   "John Clayton, 3 Turpey Street, the Borough. My cab is out of Shipley's Yard, near Waterloo Station."

   “約翰·克雷屯,住在鎮上特皮街3號;我的車是由滑鐵盧車站附近的希波利車場租來的。”

   Sherlock Holmes made a note of it.

   歇洛克·福爾摩斯將這些記了下來。東西

   "Now, Clayton, tell me all about the fare who came and watched this house at ten o'clock this morning and afterwards followed the two gentlemen down Regent Street."

   “現在,克雷屯,請你把今晨來監視這所房子而後來又在攝政街尾隨兩位紳士的那個乘客的情況告訴我吧。”

   The man looked surprised and a little embarrassed. "Why, there's no good my telling you things, for you seem to know as much as I do already," said he. "The truth is that the gentleman told me that he was a detective and that I was to say nothing about him to anyone."

   看樣子那人吃了一驚,並且還有點不知所措了。 “呃,這件事似乎用不着我再告訴您了,因為看來您知道的和我一樣多,”他說,“事實是這樣的,那位紳士曾經和我說,他是個偵探,並且說關於他的事不許對任何人講。”

   "My good fellow, this is a very serious business, and you may find yourself in a pretty bad position if you try to hide anything from me. You say that your fare told you that he was a detective?"

   “老弟,這是一件很嚴重的事呢,如果你想對我隱瞞任何東西,你就要倒霉了。你說你的乘客曾告訴你他是個偵探嗎?”

   "Yes, he did."

   “是的,他是這樣說的。”

   "When did he say this?"

   “他什麼時候說的呢?”

   "When he left me."

   “在他離開我的時候。”

   "Did he say anything more?"

   “他還說過什麼別的嗎?”

   "He mentioned his name."

   “他提到了他的姓名。”

   Holmes cast a swift glance of triumph at me. "Oh, he mentioned his name, did he? That was imprudent. What was the name that he mentioned?"

   福爾摩斯以勝利的眼神迅速地瞟了我一眼。“噢,他提到了他的姓名,是嗎?那可真夠冒失的。他說他叫什麼名字啊?”

   "His name," said the cabman, "was Mr. Sherlock Holmes."

   “他的姓名,”車伕說,“是歇洛克·福爾摩斯,先生。”

   Never have I seen my friend more completely taken aback than by the cabman's reply. For an instant he sat in silent amazement. Then he burst into a hearty laugh.

   我從來沒有看到過我的朋友象聽到馬車伕的話時那樣地大吃一驚。剎時間他驚愕得坐在那裡一言不發。然後,他又縱聲大笑起來。

   "A touch, Watson--an undeniable touch!" said he. "I feel a foil as quick and supple as my own. He got home upon me very prettily that time. So his name was Sherlock Holmes, was it?"

   “妙啊,華生,真是妙極了,”他說,“我覺得他真是個和我一樣迅速、機敏的人。上次他可把我搞得真夠瞧的——他的姓名就是歇洛克·福爾摩斯,是嗎?”

   "Yes, sir, that was the gentleman's name."

   “是的,先生,這就是那位紳士的姓名。”

   "Excellent! Tell me where you picked him up and all that occurred."

   “太好了!告訴我他在什麼地方搭上了你的車和那以後的事吧。”

   "He hailed me at half-past nine in Trafalgar Square. He said that he was a detective, and he offered me two guineas if I would do exactly what he wanted all day and ask no questions. I was glad enough to agree. First we drove down to the Northumberland Hotel and waited there until two gentlemen came out and took a cab from the rank. We followed their cab until it pulled up somewhere near here."

   “九點半的時候,他在特萊弗嘎廣場叫了我的車,他說他是個偵探,並說如果我能整天絶對地服從他的指示而不提出任何問題的話,他就給我兩個金鎊。我很高興地同意了。我們首先趕到諾桑勃蘭旅館,在那裡一直等到兩位紳士出來並僱上了馬車。我們尾隨着他們的馬車,直到停在這裡附近為止。”

   "This very door," said Holmes.

   “就是這個大門。”福爾摩斯說道。

   "Well, I couldn't be sure of that, but I dare say my fare knew all about it. We pulled up half-way down the street and waited an hour and a half. Then the two gentlemen passed us, walking, and we followed down Baker Street and along ----"

   “啊,這一點我不能肯定。可是,我敢說我的乘客什麼都知道。我們停在街上等了一小時半。後來有兩位紳士由我們旁邊步行過去,我們就順着貝克街跟蹤下去,並沿著……”

   "I know," said Holmes.

   福爾摩斯插言道:“這我知道了。”

   "Until we got three-quarters down Regent Street. Then my gentleman threw up the trap, and he cried that I should drive right away to Waterloo Station as hard as I could go. I whipped up the mare and we were there under the ten minutes. Then he paid up his two guineas, like a good one, and away he went into the station. Only just as he was leaving he turned round and he said: 'It might interest you to know that you have been driving Mr. Sherlock Holmes.' That's how I come to know the name."

   “當我們走過了攝政街約有四分之三的時候。忽然間,我車上的那位紳士打開了車頂滑窗,向我喊着說,讓我儘快地將車趕向滑鐵盧車站。我鞭撻着馬,不足十分鐘就到了。他真的給了我兩個金鎊就進車站去了。就是在他正要走開的時候,他轉過身來說道:‘你如果知道了也許會感到興趣的,你的乘客就是歇洛克·福爾摩斯。’這樣我才知道了他的姓名。”

   "I see. And you saw no more of him?"

   “原來如此。你以後再沒有看到過他嗎?”

   "Not after he went into the station."

   “他進了車站以後,就再沒有見到過了。”

   "And how would you describe Mr. Sherlock Holmes?"

   “現在你怎樣來形容一下歇洛克·福爾摩斯先生呢?”

   The cabman scratched his head. "Well, he wasn't altogether such an easy gentleman to describe. I'd put him at forty years of age, and he was of a middle height, two or three inches shorter than you, sir. He was dressed like a toff, and he had a black beard, cut square at the end, and a pale face. I don't know as I could say more than that."

   馬車伕搔了下頭皮說道:“啊,他可真不那麼容易形容。我看他有四十歲的樣子,中等身材,比你矮二三英吋,先生。衣着象個紳士,蓄着黑鬍鬚,須端剪齊,面色蒼白。我想我能說的也就是這些了。”

   "Colour of his eyes?"

   “眼珠的顏色呢?”

   "No, I can't say that."

   “不,我說不出來。”

   "Nothing more that you can remember?"

   “別的你再也記不得什麼了嗎?”

   "No, sir; nothing."

   “嗯,先生,記不得了。”

   "Well, then, here is your half-sovereign. There's another one waiting for you if you can bring any more information. Good night!"

   “好吧,那麼給你這半個金鎊。如果往後你能帶來更多的消息,還可以再拿半鎊。晚安!”

   "Good night, sir, and thank you!"

   “晚安,先生,謝謝您。”

   John Clayton departed chuckling, and Holmes turned to me with a shrug of his shoulders and a rueful smile.

   約翰·克雷屯格格地笑着走了。福爾摩斯聳了聳肩帶著失望的微笑向我轉過頭來。

   "Snap goes our third thread, and we end where we began," said he. "The cunning rascal! He knew our number, knew that Sir Henry Baskerville had consulted me, spotted who I was in Regent Street, conjectured that I had got the number of the cab and would lay my hands on the driver, and so sent back this audacious message. I tell you, Watson, this time we have got a foeman who is worthy of our steel. I've been checkmated in London. I can only wish you better luck in Devonshire. But I'm not easy in my mind about it."

   “咱們的第三條線索又算是斷了,剛摸着點頭就又吹了。” 他說道,“這個狡猾的流氓!他摸了咱們的底,他知道亨利·巴斯克維爾爵士曾經找過我,在攝政街察覺了我是誰,考慮到我已記下馬車的號數,一定會去找馬車伕的,因此他就送來了這個戲謔的口信。我告訴你,華生,這一回咱們可真搞上了一個值得幹一場的對手了。我在倫敦已經遭到了挫折。但願你在德文郡運氣能夠比在這裡好一點,可是我真不放心。”

   "About what?"

   “對什麼不放心呢?”

   "About sending you. It's an ugly business, Watson, an ugly dangerous business, and the more I see of it the less I like it. Yes, my dear fellow, you may laugh, but I give you my word that I shall be very glad to have you back safe and sound in Baker Street once more."

   “對派你去的這件事不放心。這事很棘手,華生,既棘手而又危險,這件事我愈看就愈不喜歡它。是啊,親愛的夥伴,你可以笑我,可是我跟你講,如果你能安安全全地再回到貝克街來,那我就太高興了。”

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