評論
打印
"Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very much astonished,
"后來，當我冷靜下來全盤考慮這件事時，我感到十分驚訝，
as you may both think, at this sudden commission which had been intrusted to me.
正如您們兩位可以想象出來的，對于我所接受的這件突如其來地委托給我的業務。
On the one hand, of course, I was glad,
當然，一方面我很高興，
for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked had I set a price upon my own services,
因為假如給我的任務定個價格，他出的酬金至少是十倍于我所要求的，
and it was possible that this order might lead to other ones.
并且很可能這次任務會導致其它一些任務。
On the other hand, the face and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me,
另一方面，我的主顧的那副尊容和舉止給了我一個很不愉快的印象，
and I could not think that his explanation of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my coming at midnight,
我覺得他關于漂白土的解釋不足以說明我深夜前往的必要性，
and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell anyone of my errand.
也不足以說明他為什么那么擔心，唯恐我會對別人談到我這件差事。
However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a hearty supper, drove to Paddington,
不管怎么樣，我把一切恐懼置諸腦后，飽餐了一頓晚飯，驅車前往帕丁頓，
and started off, having obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue.
接著就上了路，嚴格遵守主顧要我守口如瓶的禁令。
At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station.
在雷丁，我不僅必須換車，而且必須更換車站。
However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock.
但是，我剛好趕上了開往艾津的最后一班火車，十一點鐘以后，就到達了那燈光暗淡的小站。
I was the only passenger who got out there,
我是在那里下車的唯一的乘客，
and there was no one upon the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern.
除了一個提著燈籠顯得發困的搬運工人之外，站臺上闃無一人。
As I passed out through the wicket gate,
然而當我走出檢票口時，
however, I found my acquaintance of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side.
我發現我早上結交的那位相識正在另一邊沒有燈光的暗處等待著我。
Without a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of which was standing open.
他一言不發就攥住了我的胳膊，催我趕緊登上一輛一直敞開著車門的馬車。
He drew up the windows on either side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the horse could go."
他拉上兩邊的窗子，敲了敲馬車的木板，馬就飛快地奔跑了起來。"
