評論
打印
"A singular case," remarked Holmes.
福爾摩斯道："真是怪事。"
"I have not yet described to you the most singular part.
"我還沒有談到最奇怪的事呢。
About six years ago, to be exact, upon the fourth of May, 1882
大約六年前，準確日期是一八八二年五月四日
an advertisement appeared in the Times asking for the address of Miss Mary Morstan,
在《泰晤士報》上發現了一則廣告，征詢梅麗·摩斯坦小姐的住址，
and stating that it would be to her advantage to come forward.
并說如果她回答的話，是對她有利的，
There was no name or address appended.
廣告下面沒有署名和地址。
I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess.
那時我剛到西色爾·弗里斯特夫人那里充當家庭教師。
By her advice I published my address in the advertisement column.
我和她商量以后，在報紙廣告欄里登出了我的住址。
The same day there arrived through the post a small cardboard box addressed to me,
當天就有人從郵局寄給我一個小紙盒，
which I found to contain a very large and lustrous pearl.
里面裝著一顆很大的光澤炫耀的珠子，
No word of writing was enclosed.
盒子里沒有一個字。
Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box, containing a similar pearl, without any clue as to the sender.
從此以后，每年到了同一日期總要接到一個相同的紙盒，里面裝有一顆同樣的珠子，沒有能找到寄者的任何的線索。
They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value.
這些珠子經過內行人看過，說是稀有之寶，價值很高。
You can see for yourself that they are very handsome."
你們請看這些珠子，實在很好。"
She opened a flat box as she spoke and showed me six of the finest pearls that I had ever seen.
她說著就打開了一個扁平的盒子，我看見了生氣從未見過的六顆上等珍珠。
"Your statement is most interesting," said Sherlock Holmes. "Has anything else occurred to you?"
福爾摩斯道："您所說的極為有趣，另外還有別的情況嗎？"
"Yes, and no later than to-day. That is why I have come to you.
"有的，這就是我來向您請教的原因。
This morning I received this letter, which you will perhaps read for yourself."
今天早上我又接到了這封信，請您自己看一看。"
"Thank you," said Holmes. "The envelope, too, please.
福爾摩斯道："謝謝您，請您把信封也給我。
Post-mark, London, S. W. Date, July 7.
郵戳，倫敦西南區，日期，九月七日。
Hum! Man's thumb-mark on corner–probably postman. Best quality paper.
啊！角上有一個大拇指印，可能是郵遞員的。紙非常好，
Envelopes at sixpence a packet. Particular man in his stationery. No address.
信封值六便士一扎，寫信人對信紙信封很考究，沒有發信人的地址。
"Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to-night at seven o'clock.
'今晚平時請到萊西厄姆劇院外左邊第三個柱子前候我。
If you are distrustful bring two friends. You are a wronged woman and shall have justice.
您如懷疑，請偕友二人同來。您是被委曲的女子，定將得到公道。
Do not bring police. If you do, all will be in vain. Your unknown friend.
不要帶警察來，帶來就不能相見。您的不知名的朋友。'
Well, really, this is a very pretty little mystery! What do you intend to do, Miss Morstan?"
這真是一件好玩的玄秘的事情，摩斯坦小姐，您準備怎么辦呢？"
