評論
打印
The note was undated, and without either signature or address.
這張便條沒有日期，也沒有簽名和地址。
"There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight o'clock (it said),
(便條里寫道：)"某君將于今晚七時三刻趨訪，
a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a matter of the very deepest moment.
其有至為重要之事擬與閣下相商。
Your recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that
閣下最近為歐洲一王室出力效勞表明，
you are one who may safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated.
委托閣下承辦難于言喻之大事，足可信賴。
This account of you we have from all quarters received.
此種傳述，廣播四方，我等知之甚稔。
Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask."
屆時望勿外出。來客如戴面具，請勿介意是幸。"
"This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that it means?"
"這的確是件很神秘的事，"我說，"你想這是什么意思？"
"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.
"我還沒有可以作為論據(jù)的事實。在我們得到這些事實之前就加以推測，那是最大的錯誤。
Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.
有人不知不覺地以事實牽強附會地來適應(yīng)理論，而不是以理論來適應(yīng)事實。
But the note itself. What do you deduce from it?"
但是現(xiàn)在只有這么一張便條，你看能不能從中推斷出些什么來？"
I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was written.
我仔細(xì)地檢查筆跡和這張寫著字的紙。
"The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes.
"寫這張條子的人大概相當(dāng)有錢，"我說著，盡力模仿我伙伴的推理方法。
"Such paper could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strong and stiff."
"這種紙半個克朗買不到一疊。紙質(zhì)特別結(jié)實和挺括。"
"Peculiar–that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light."
"特別--正是這兩個字，"福爾摩斯說，"這根本不是一張英國造的紙。你舉起來向亮處照照看。"
