評論
打印
It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the beautiful Stroud Valley,
當我們經過風景秀麗的斯特勞德溪谷時已經差不多4點鐘了，
and over the broad gleaming Severn, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross.
在越過了河面很寬、閃閃發光的塞文河之后，終于到達羅斯這個風景宜人的小鄉鎮。
A lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for us upon the platform.
一個細長個子、貌似偵探、詭秘狡詐的男人正在站臺上等候我們。
In spite of the light brown dustcoat and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic surroundings,
盡管他遵照周圍農村的習慣穿了淺棕色的風衣和打了皮裹腿，
I had no difficulty in recognizing Lestrade, of Scotland Yard.
我還是一眼就認出他是蘇格蘭場的雷斯垂德。
With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a room had already been engaged for us.
我們和他一道乘車到赫里福德阿姆斯旅館，在那里已經為我們預約了房間。
"I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of tea.
當我們坐下來喝茶的時候，雷斯垂德說："我已經雇了一輛馬車。
"I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be happy until you had been on the scene of the crime."
我知道你的剛毅的個性，你是恨不得馬上就到作案的現場去的。"
"It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It is entirely a question of barometric pressure."
福爾摩斯回答說："你實在太客氣了。去不去全取決于晴雨表多少度。"
Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said.
雷斯垂德聽了這話為之愕然。他說："我沒有聽懂你這話是什么意思。"
"How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in the sky.
"水銀柱上是多少度？我看是二十九度。沒有風，天上無云。
I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country hotel abomination.
我這里有整整一盒等著要抽的香煙，而這里的沙發又比一般農村旅館討厭的陳設要好得多。
I do not think that it is probable that I shall use the carriage to-night."
我想今晚我大概不用馬車了吧。"
Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed your conclusions from the newspapers," he said.
雷斯垂德放聲大笑起來。他說："你無疑已經根據報紙上的報道下了結論。
"The case is as plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer it becomes.
這個案子的案情是一清二楚的，你愈是深入了解就愈是清楚。
Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a very positive one, too.
當然，我們也確實是不好拒絕這樣一位名副其實的女士的要求。
She had heard of you, and would have your opinion,
她聽說過你的大名，她要征詢你的意見，
though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing which you could do which I had not already done.
雖然我一再對她說，凡是我都辦不到的事，你也是辦不到的。
Why, bless my soul! here is her carriage at the door."
啊，我的天呀！她的馬車已經到了門前。"
