評論
打印
"'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my own private purse,' said I,
'我本應很高興地用我私人的錢貸給您而不必做進一步的洽談，'我說，
'were it not that the strain would be rather more than it could bear.
'如果不是因為這樣做會有點使我負擔過重的話。
If, on the other hand, I am to do it in the name of the firm,
另一方面，如果我以銀行的名義辦理這樁交易，
then in justice to my partner I must insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be taken.'
那么為了公平對待我的合伙人品見，即使是對您我也必須堅持，應當要有全部的業務上的擔保。'
'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair.
'我倒寧愿這樣做。'他說著把放在他座椅旁邊的一只黑色四方形摩洛哥皮盒端了起來。
'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?'
'你無疑聽說過綠玉皇冠吧？'
'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' said I.
'這是我們帝國一件最貴重的公產。'我說。
'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, flesh-coloured velvet,
'一點不錯！'他打開盒子，襯托在柔軟肉色天鵝絨上面的
lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which he had named.
就是他所說的那件華麗珍貴、燦爛奪目的珍寶。
'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable.
他接著說，'這里有三十九塊大綠寶玉，上面的鏤金雕花，價值就難以估計。
The lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked.
這頂皇冠最低的估價也要值我所要借的錢的兩倍。
I am prepared to leave it with you as my security.'
我準備把它放在你這里作為抵押起。'
